 Xishi (497 BC) was a legendary beauty of ancient China. She has been
described as "equally charming in both heavy and light makeup", "as
appealing when she frowns as when she smiles". Of her figure it has been said that
"were she plump, you would admire her plumpness, were she thin you would admire her
for being slender". She is celebrated as a woman of extraordinary natural beauty with
a universal appeal. Although many have praised Xishi's looks, there is but little mention
of her notable virtue - she had a great love for her country and her people.
Xishi was the daughter of a tea trader from Ningluo Mountain village
in the Zhuji county in Zhejiang Province. This comprised a part of the ancient state of
Yue.
When the state of Yue was vanquished by the state of Wu, the King of
Yue, Gou Jian was forced to serve the Prince of Wu for three years. On his release, King
Gou Jian slept on brushwood and drank gall before each meal to remind himself of the
humiliation his country had suffered. He commissioned men to search far and wide for a
woman whom he could send as a tribute to Prince Fuchai of Wu. Xishi, whose beauty was much
talked of even from early childhood, was selected for this task and sent to the capital.
King Gou Jian approved of the choice and had Xishi dressed in fine
robes. He had her trained in royal court etiquette. Gou Jian ordered his minister Fan Li
to take Xishi to the Prince of Wu as a tribute gift from Yue. During the journey, Xishi
fell deeply in love with the wise minister. Fan Li also grew to admire this courageous
lady who was willing to give her life for her country. Consequently, before they parted,
they made a secret pledge of undying love.
They arrived at the capital of Wu and the prince welcomed Xishi with
open arms. He was enchanted by her appearance and doted on her. Gradually he began to
neglect his political duties, preferring to idle away his time with Xishi. He frequently
took her out on carriage rides to the noisy and prosperous sections of the city. On these
rides, he liked to boast to those around him that he had won the heart of the most
beautiful woman in the world. He would add: "If you want to look at her, you'll have
to present me with some gold coins!" In this way, he also managed to enrich his
coffers.
Xishi, however, never lost sight of her mission. Her aim was to
bewitch the Prince of Wu so that his subjects would grow restless and his friends would
desert him. The political chaos that ensued would enable the King of Yue to invade the
state of Wu, recompensing him for his former humiliation.
Heaven grants the wishes of men. The King of Yue finally annexed the
state of Wu. Following the death of Prince Fuchai of Wu, Xishi disappeared from public
life. She lived in relative obscurity with Fan Li who became a successful trader.
This story is unique in the history of feudal China as no one has
ever found fault with Xishi, even though she had caused the downfall of the state of Wu.
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