The Art of War · Character

Ho Lu

The King of Wu who commissioned Sun Tzǔ's thirteen chapters and tested their principles on women before making him a general.

supporting

Also known as 闔盧 Ho Lu, King Ho Lu

First appearance: Sun Wu and His Book

As a supporting figure in The Art of War, Ho Lu is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

King of Wu who tested Sun Tzǔ's principles by having him drill 180 women, and later appointed him general.

In the storySun Wu and His BookOpen this moment free

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Ho Lu, King of Wu, is the ruler addressed in the opening chapter's 'The general that hearkens to my counsel,' and the internal evidence of the text confirms that some sovereign is being spoken to. He tested Sun Tzǔ's principles on women, then made him a general, and the campaigns that followed crushed the Ch'u state and kept Ch'i and Chin in awe. His willingness to test a theory before trusting it is the hinge on which Sun Tzǔ's career turns.

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Character Web

30 connections

A slice of how Ho Lu sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Commentators and translators
Protagonist
Historical and literary references

+25 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the ultimate psychological and strategic reversal: the…

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Relationships

Sun Tzǔ
professional · positive
Ho Lu, King of Wu, employed Sun Tzǔ as a military strategist and general, relying on his… How this plays out →
Prince Chuang of Chʽu
rivalry · negative
Sun Tzǔ
professional · positive
Ho Lu, King of Wu, employed Sun Tzǔ as a military strategist and general, relying on his… How this plays out →
Sun Tzǔ
professional · positive
Ho Lu, King of Wu, employed Sun Tzǔ as a military strategist and general, relying on his… How this plays out →

Sun Tzǔ
Ho Lu, King of Wu, employed Sun Tzǔ as a military strategist and general, relying on his expertise to build Wu's power.
Prince Chuang of Chʽu
Ho Lu, as King of Wu, was a military adversary of Prince Chuang of Chʽu, leading campaigns against him.
Sun Tzǔ
Ho Lu, King of Wu, employed Sun Tzǔ as a military strategist and general, relying on his expertise to build Wu's power.
Sun Tzǔ
Ho Lu, King of Wu, employed Sun Tzǔ as a military strategist and general, relying on his expertise to build Wu's power.

Relationship notes

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In the story

Ho Lu appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Ho Lu in Sun Wu and His Book