Dou Qi 鬬祁

Prince Dou Qi 鬬祁 was a senior minister (lingyin 令尹) in the state of Chu 楚 during the Spring and Autumn period 春秋 (770-5th cent. BCE). He was the third son of King Ruo Ao 若敖 (r. 791-764) and served the kings Wu 楚武王 (r. 741-690) and Wen 楚文王 (r. 690-677) of Chu.

Under his counsellorship the territory of Chu was enlarged in the northern direction. In 690 the army of Chu forded the River Han 漢 and conquered the statelet of Sui 隨. The King died during the campaign, and the princes Dou Qi and Mo Ao 莫敖 secretly organised the funeral of their lord. In the meantime the army of Chu contined besieging the town of Sui and soon forced the small state into submission. Back home, Prince Xiong Zi 熊貲 was enthroned (King Wen). Under his reign, Prince Dou Qi commanded the army during the conquest of Shen 申. The most important captive was Peng Zhongshuang 彭仲爽, who proved being a competent advisor to King Wen.