Background
Xi Shi was a native of Ningluo (south of present-day Zhuji, Zhejiang Province) in the southern state of Yue. Her father sold firewood for a living, her mother was a weaver, and Xi Shi is said to have been a silk washer.
Xi Shi Temple
Xi Shi Temple
Sculpture of Xi Shi
西施
Xi Shi was a native of Ningluo (south of present-day Zhuji, Zhejiang Province) in the southern state of Yue. Her father sold firewood for a living, her mother was a weaver, and Xi Shi is said to have been a silk washer.
Xi Shi was trained and offered to King Fuchai of Wu as a tribute. This idea belonged to ministers Fan Li and Wen Zhong. They believed that this would distract Fuchai from his proper duties as a ruler, thus diverting his attention from King Goujian of Yue, who was looking for revenge, as King Goujian was once imprisoned by King Fuchai of Wu after a defeat in war.
In 487, Xi Shi was escorted to Wu by Fan Li. King Fuchai was totally enchanted by Xi Shi’s beauty. He was so besotted that in 484 he put to death his loyal minister Wu Zixu who had been warning him against Xi Shi. From that time on, Wu grew weaker while Yue grew stronger.
It is said that Xi Shi urged Fuchai to build a canal linking Lake Tai, a freshwater lake in present-day southern Jiangsu Province, with Gusu in order to more easily make pleasure trips there. Once the canal was completed, she made a detailed map of the topography and military facilities of Gusu, folded the map into the shape of a white flower, and slipped it to a fellow countryman, instructing him to pass it on to Fan Li. This information enabled Goujian to decide upon his strategy and in 473 he attacked and comprehensively defeated Fuchai, who had no alternative but to take his own life.
Fan Li voluntarily retired from office and became a recluse in the five-lakes area of the Lake Tai basin, but the fate of Xi Shi remains uncertain. Some sources, believing that Xi Shi joined Fan Li in his retirement. Others say she was thrown into a river and drowned.
Xi Shi was a wonder woman blessed with shrewd judgment, the willingness to sacrifice herself, and single-mindedness in attaining her goal.
She has been described as a perfect natural beauty who never failed to appeal, whether she was frowning or smiling, and her well-proportioned figure has been hailed as the ultimate in female perfection.
Xi Shi was not married, however, some sources said that she had romantic relationships with minister Fan Li. Xi Shi had no children.