wǔ 伍

Wu Yuan (Zixu) (? - 664 BC) He styled himself Zixu and was a native of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period. Both he and his father and brother served in the State of Chu. Later, the King of Chu listened to slanderous remarks and killed his father and brother. Wu Yuan fled to the State of Wu, assisted the State of Wu in attacking the State of Chu to avenge his family, and helped the State of Wu become a powerful state. After King Fuchai of Wu defeated the State of Yue, he wanted to release King Goujian of Yue back to his country and didn't listen to Wu Yuan's advice. He also believed the slander and killed Wu Yuan. Before his death, Wu Yuan predicted that the State of Yue would surely destroy the State of Wu. Nine years later, the State of Yue indeed destroyed the State of Wu. Wu Tingfang (1842 - 1922) He styled himself Wenjue and had the courtesy name Zhiyong. He was a native of Xinhui, Guangdong. He founded the Chinese and Foreign Gazette, marking the beginning of daily newspapers in China. He went to Britain to study law and served as the minister in charge of revising laws for the Qing Dynasty, drafting civil and criminal laws and opening a new era of Chinese laws. After the Wuchang Uprising, he was the first to propose the abdication of the Qing Emperor. The revolutionary army appointed him as the representative for peace negotiations. Later, he successively served as the Minister of Justice, Acting Premier of the State Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs, etc. He died of grief and indignation after Chen Ming's rebellion.