越王勾践 / King Goujian of Yue
越王勾践 / King Goujian of Yue appears in 《资治通鉴·周纪》57丨古代发毒誓还有这作用？ through 子贡 / 端木赐’s rescue chain. When 吴王夫差 worries that Yue may attack 吴国 from behind, Zigong persuades Goujian to appear submissive, send gifts, and promise military support, while waiting for Wu to exhaust itself against 齐国 and 晋国.
The episode then turns Goujian from patient avenger into dangerous victor. After Wu is destroyed and Fuchai dies, 范蠡 sees that ministers who know the ruler’s humiliating past may become unsafe. Fan Li leaves, warns 文种, and Wen Zhong’s later forced suicide makes Goujian part of the source’s post-victory minister-risk lesson.
《资治通鉴·周纪》84丨防止秦国灭楚竟用这招？ uses Goujian as the hidden rear threat inside 黄歇 / 春申君’s warning to 秦昭襄王. The point is not Yue policy in detail, but the precedent that a seemingly submissive neighbor can exploit an overextended hegemon.
Connections
- 越国 - polity he rules.
- 吴王夫差 and 吴国 - enemy ruler and defeated state.
- 子贡 / 端木赐 - persuader who channels Yue’s waiting strategy.
- 范蠡 and 文种 - ministers whose fates reveal the post-victory danger.
- 多国连锁外交 and 权力退场困境 - diplomatic chain and exit-risk concepts.
- 黄歇 / 春申君, 吴王夫差, and 利益重构式说服 - Zhouji 84 analogy for trusting dangerous partners while campaigning elsewhere.