Fan Li (fl. 5th-century BCE) from the Spring and Autumn period, was a Chinese businessman, military strategist, and politician. Fan Li was an important political and military advisor to Goujian, the king of Yue. He later was known as Taozhu Gong, a name he took after achieving a decisive victory for Yue over the state of Wu and retiring to live a secluded life with his wife Xi Shi, one of the most famous beauties in Chinese history.
Life
Along with King Goujian of Yue, Fan Li was once a hostage of the state of Wu. After three years of captivity the two of them returned to Yue where Fan Li helped Goujian carry out a host of reforms to streamline the administration of the Yue state. In 473 BCE, Yue was finally able to destroy the state of Wu. After the victory, Fan resigned and renamed himself Taozhu Gong. After his departure, he was said to have written a letter to
Wen Zhong from Qi (now Shandong), advising Wen Zhong to leave Goujian's service. Wen took notice of the advice in the letter and later was able to escape to Qi, living his remaining days there.
Alternatively, he is said to have retired from his ministerial post and lived with Xi Shi, one of the renowned Four Beauties of ancient China, on a fishing boat roaming the misty wilderness of Lake Tai in the style of a Taoist immortal.
Legacy
In his later years, he became a legend for his success in business and was posthumously worshipped as a god of money or the God of Wealth (
Cai Shen).
He is also credited as the namesake of Dingtao in Shandong.
Fan Li was an ancestor of Fan Zhongyan, a famous Grand councilor and historical figure from the Song dynasty.
Writings
Fan Li's writings are lost, and only known through quotes in a compilation of works by
Cai Mo (281–356). His theories on business were summarized by
Ma Zong (馬摠) in the 8th9th century, during the
Tang dynasty.
His original works include:
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Several treatises attributed to him concerning business management and risks
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The Yangyu Jing (《養魚經》, Fish-Breeding Classic), an early text on .
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The Bingfa (《兵法》, Art of War), on military strategy. Not to be confused with The Art of War by Sunzi.
