Kuai, King of Yan explained

Kuai
Succession:King of Yan
Reign:320–318 BCE
Predecessor:King Yi
Full Name:ancestral name (姬)
clan name Yān (燕)
Given name Kuài (噲 or 徻)
Birth Date:?
Death Date:314 BC
Father:King Yi of Yan
Issue:Crown Prince Ping
King Zhao of Yan

Kuai, King of Yan (died 314 BC), ancestral name (姬), clan name Yān (燕), personal name Kuài (噲), was the second king of the state of Yan in Warring States period of Chinese history. He ruled the state between 320 BC and 318 BC.[1]

Kuai was the son of King Yi of Yan, he came to the throne after his father's death. In 318 BC, Lu Maoshou (鹿毛壽) persuaded him to resign the throne in favor of the powerful chancellor Zizhi (子之) to "prove his humility".[2] Kuai did so and even removed his crown prince from power. In 314 BC, Crown Prince Ping (太子平) revolted against Zizhi, but was failed and killed in action.[3] [4] Encouraged by Mencius and other ministers, King Xuan of Qi sent Kuang Zhang (匡章) to attack Yan in 314 BC.[5] Yan was practically conquered by Qi, and both Kuai and Zizhi were killed.[4] [2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Cihai (small print edition) . 5th . Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing House . 2509 . 7-5326-0630-9 .
  2. Book: Cihai (small print edition) . 5th . Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing House . 1501 . 7-5326-0630-9 .
  3. Book: Lee Mosol, MD, MPH . 2013 . Ancient History of the Manchuria: Redefining the past . 9781483667690 .
  4. Book: Records of the Grand Historian . 34 . 三年,国大乱,百姓恫恐。将军市被与太子平谋,将攻子之。诸将谓齐湣王曰:“因而赴之,破燕必矣。”齐王因令人谓燕太子平曰:“寡人闻太子之义,将废私而立公,饬君臣之义,明父子之位。寡人之国小,不足以为先後。虽然,则唯太子所以令之。”太子因要党聚众,将军市被围公宫,攻子之,不克。将军市被及百姓反攻太子平,将军市被死,以徇。因搆难数月,死者数万,众人恫恐,百姓离志。孟轲谓齐王曰:“今伐燕,此文、武之时,不可失也。”.
  5. Mencius, chapter 4