← All characters

The Art of War · Character

Kou Chien

The King of Yüeh who defeated Wu.

minor

Also known as 勾踐 Kou Chien

First appearance: the commentators

See Kou Chien in the commentatorsBook page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

11 connections

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

STSun TzǔHLHo LuFYFu Yen-chʽingKOKing of YüehKOKing of WuKCKou Chien

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Historical and literary references
  • Protagonist
  • Commentators and translators

+6 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

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

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

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

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading
See Kou Chien in the commentators