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Sunshu Ao
Chief minister under King Zhuang of Chu who rose from Qisi, built irrigation works and helped make Chu hegemon; first of the Shiji's model officials.
In a council hall, a long table holds an unrolled map scroll, a brass-cornered chest and a brush pot, with tall-backed chairs around it and a bronze lamp at the left; a figure stands with their back turned on the balcony at the right, with palace roofs beyond.
Also known as Wei Ao · Wei Rao · Zi Sunshu
Sunshu Ao, personal name Ao of the Wei lineage of Chu, served King Zhuang of Chu as chief minister. A native of Qisi, he guided the people by teaching, lightened punishments and simplified government, and is traditionally credited with irrigation works such as the Shaobei reservoir. As chief minister he took part in the campaign that defeated Jin at Bi in 597 BCE, securing Chu's hegemony. The Shiji places him first among its model officials, and Mencius cites his rise from obscurity by the sea as an example of greatness born of adversity.
Life and times
Dates Dates unknown; chief minister under King Zhuang of Chu (r. 613–591 BCE)