Yue

Yue, also called Yuyue, was an ancient state in the lower Yangtze region, in what is now Zhejiang, Shanghai and Jiangsu. It enters the historical record in the late sixth century BC, when it fought a long series of wars with its northern neighbour Wu. According to the Records of the Grand Historian, its rulers claimed descent from Wuyu, a son of Shao Kang of the Xia. With help from Chu, Yue eventually destroyed Wu in 473 BC under King Goujian, whose sword is one of the most famous objects of ancient Chinese metalwork. Yue then inherited Wu's links with Jin and briefly became a leading power, campaigning against Qi and Lu in the early fourth century. Its original capital was Kuaiji, near modern Shaoxing; after the conquest of Wu the court moved north to the city of Wu, present-day Suzhou. In 333 BC Yue was attacked and partitioned by Chu, and its territory was gradually absorbed; the last remnants were extinguished in 222 BC during Qin's conquest of the south. Yue is remembered for its bronze swords, its distinct local culture and its role in the transition from Spring and Autumn to Warring States politics.