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Wuqiu Shouwang
Close adviser of Emperor Wu of Western Han from the state of Zhao, courtesy name Zigan, who rebutted Gongsun Hong's proposal to ban crossbows and was later put to death.
In the courtyard of a district government hall, a line of petitioners waits before a raised bench with a long table and document boxes; a blue umbrella stands beside it, a large drum stands at the gate where a few people wait, and a lake with sailboats lies beyond.
Also known as Zigan · Wuqiu Shouwang (variant)
Wuqiu Shouwang, courtesy name Zigan, was from the state of Zhao, in present-day Handan, and a close courtier of Emperor Wu of Western Han; his dates are unknown. He first served as a waiting official for his skill at the board game gewu, then as palace gentleman and attendant-in-ordinary and as commandant of Dongjun with governor's duties, and after being recalled to Chang'an as Grandee of Radiance and attendant-in-ordinary. When Gongsun Hong proposed banning crossbows for commoners, he argued in Jin min xie gong nu yi that officials were to blame for banditry and that the archery rite served all ranks; the emperor agreed. He also held that a treasure tripod unearthed at Fenyin was a Han tripod, and was rewarded with gold. He was later executed by association.
Life and times
Dates Dates unknown; served under Emperor Wu of Western Han and was later executed by association