Sun Wu (about 545 BC-about 470 BC) was born in Le 'an (now northern Shandong Province) in the late Spring and Autumn Period of Qi State. He was a famous strategist and politician, and was called a soldier saint or grandson by later gods. He is also known as "the teacher of many battles" and "the originator of eastern military science".

Sun Wu's early history is unknown, and he ran from Qi to Wu because of civil strife in Qi. On the recommendation of Wu Zixu, an important official of the State of Wu, Sun Wu dedicated the Art of War to He Lv, the king of Wu, and was reused as a general. In the battle of Bai Juyi, Sun Wu led Wu Jun to defeat the Chu army with less troops, occupied the capital of Chu, and almost destroyed Chu. In the battle of Fujiao, Sun Wu led Wu Jun to defeat his old enemy Yue, forcing Gou Jian, the king of Yue, to make peace and become a prisoner of Wu. Later, because Wu Zixu, a good friend, was killed by Fu Cha, Sun Wu no longer worked for the State of Wu and lived in seclusion until his death.

Sun Wu's thirteen pieces of The Art of War are known as the "sacred books of military strategists", ranking first among the seven military classics. They are highly praised by later military strategists, and even translated into many languages, and published all over the world, with far-reaching influence. They are masterpieces in the military history of China and the world.