# Ho Lu — The Art of War character guide

> Ho Lu in The Art of War by Sun Tzu.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** 闔盧 Ho Lu, King Ho Lu

**First appearance:** 0002-sun-wu-and-his-book

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Sun Tzǔ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/sun_tzu)

_professional_

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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/prince_chuang_of_chu)

_rivalry_

Ho Lu, as King of Wu, was a military adversary of Prince Chuang of Chʽu, leading campaigns against him.

### [Sun Tzǔ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/sun_tzu)

_professional_

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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/sun_tzu)

_professional_

Ho Lu, King of Wu, employed Sun Tzǔ as a military strategist and general, relying on his expertise to build Wu's power.

## In the story

### [Sun Wu and His Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/sun-wu-and-his-book)

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

### [The Art of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/the-art-of-war)

King of Wu who tested Sun Tzǔ's principles and later appointed him as general.

### [XI: The Nine Situations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/xi-the-nine-situations)

Referenced as the King of Wu, associated with the historical context of Sun Tzǔ's teachings.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters/ho_lu
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_art_of_war_se/characters