| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 燕惠王, 燕惠王, Yān Huì Wáng |
| Other name | Yên Huệ Vương |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Ji, State of Yan (燕国蓟城; thành Kế, nước Yên) |
| Died | 272 BC |
| Death Reason | Assassinated / Executed |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | State of Yan (Warring States Period) |
King Hui of Yan (燕惠王, Yến Huệ vương; reigned 278–272 BC), was the monarch of the State of Yan during the Warring States period, son of the illustrious King Zhao of Yan.
Inheriting the empire at the climax of Yan’s conquest of Qi, King Hui harbored deep personal suspicion toward supreme general Yue Yi (Yue Yi), who had conquered seventy Qi cities. Falling victim to the brilliant counter-espionage scheme of Qi defender Tian Dan (田单), King Hui stripped Yue Yi of command and replaced him with the incompetent sycophant Qi Jie. Yue Yi fled to Zhao; Tian Dan launched his legendary ‘Flaming Oxen’ surprise attack, routing the Yan army, slaughtering Qi Jie, and reconquering all seventy cities in a single stroke, reducing Yan to a second-rate power.
Role in History (Shiji)
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 34, House of Yan): “King Hui suspected Yue Yi and appointed Qi Jie; Tian Dan loosed the oxen with burning tails, shattering Yan at Jimo. King Hui wrote a letter of apology to Yue Yi in Zhao, but the glory of Yan was lost.”
King Hui of Yan — Historical & Literary Timeline
278 BC
Accession in Ji
Succeeds his father King Zhao of Yan.
279 BC
The Dismissal of Yue Yi
Falls for Tian Dan’s rumors; removes Yue Yi from command at Jimo.
279 BC
The Catastrophe of the Flaming Oxen
Yan army routed by Tian Dan; Qi completely liberated.
272 BC
Assassination & Passing
Murdered in palace conspiracy by Prime Minister Gongsun Cao.
Key Relationships
Family
- Father King Zhao of Yan (燕昭王): Sage monarch who built the Golden Terrace to recruit Yue Yi.
- Son King Wucheng of Yan (燕武成王): Successor to the throne.
Friends
- Incompetent Favorite Qi Jie (骑劫): General whose incompetence lost the entire Qi campaign.
Enemies
- Exiled Genius Yue Yi (乐毅, Nhạc Nghị): Supreme general forced into exile by King Hui’s distrust.
- Qi Hero Tian Dan (田单, Điền Đan): Inventor of the Flaming Oxen tactic who liberated Qi.
Other
- Palace Assassin Gongsun Cao (公孙操): Chancellor who assassinated King Hui.
In Shiji
The Cost of Suspicion
"King Hui wrote to Yue Yi: 'I have wronged the general, yet how could the general abandon Yan?' Yue Yi replied: 'A wise minister avoids the axe of suspicion to preserve his lord's honor.'"
Historical Context
King Hui's dismissal of Yue Yi is antiquity's classic cautionary tale of ruler suspicion forfeiting total geopolitical victory.
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