Employing people based on merit

　　Wu Zixu, a native of Chu, was a renowned strategist and military leader during the late Spring and Autumn period. He was a key aide to Helu in establishing Wu's hegemony. Wu Zixu's father, Wu She, was originally the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince Jian of Chu. Due to palace intrigues and the slander of Fei Wuji, he and his eldest son, Wu Shang, were executed by King Ping of Chu. King Ping ordered the arrest of the fleeing Wu Zixu. Zixu first fled to the Song state, but due to unrest there, he sought refuge in the Wu state. While passing through Zhaoguan (located in present-day Hanshan, Anhui), facing natural barriers and heavily guarded passes, Wu Zixu, overcome with grief and anxiety, turned completely white overnight; hence the saying, "Wu Zixu turned white overnight at Zhaoguan." After arriving in Wu, Wu Zixu gained the trust of Prince Guang and later became an important official of Wu. He followed natural laws in building the capital city and devised strategies, making outstanding contributions to the prosperity of Wu. In 506 BC, Wu Zixu led the Wu army to capture the Chu capital Ying, exhumed the tomb of King Ping of Chu, and whipped his corpse three hundred times, finally avenging his father and brother.

　　Sun Wu was also a key aide to Helu in establishing Wu's hegemony. Sun Wu, revered by later generations as Sun Tzu, the "Master of War," and the ancestor of Eastern military strategy, presented his thirteen chapters of "The Art of War" to King Helu of Wu. Appointed as a general, he was undefeated in battle. Together with Wu Zixu, he led the Wu army to defeat Chu, achieving victory against greater odds, winning five consecutive battles. For a time, Wu's power reached Qi and Jin in the north and subjugated the Yue people in the south, making its name known among the feudal lords.

　　During Helu's reign, he strictly avoided extravagance and diligently pursued his duties, taking "deep love for his people" as his guiding principle. He lived frugally, avoiding ostentation, advocating for "sharing the hardships with the people, and governing for the people's peace." Helu cared for the people's livelihood and shared the joys and sorrows with his soldiers. According to Zuo Zhuan, in times of natural disasters or epidemics, Helu visited orphans and widows, providing relief to the poor. During battles, he always ensured that his soldiers ate first. Whenever there was delicious food, he shared it with the ordinary soldiers. Because of his compassion and shared hardships, he won the hearts of the people, and the people of Wu were willing to work together to help the king achieve his dream of a strong nation.