Yao Li

This article is about the assassin. For the singer, see Yao Lee. For the handball player, see Li Yao.

For other uses, see Yaoli.

Yao Li (要離) was a famed assassin of the state of Wu in the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. Minister Wu Zixu recommended him to King Helü of Wu. His mission was to kill Prince Qingji, who was taking refuge in the state of Wei. To pretend to be a criminal in the state of Wu, Yao Li killed his wife and his mother, and his right hand was cut off by King Helü. After he arrived in the state of Wei, he met Qingji and could stay in the same boat at his target. As the boat reached the middle of the river, he killed Qingji with a lance and then committed suicide.