Lai (), also known as Laiyi (), was an ancient Dongyi state located in what is now eastern Shandong Province, recorded in the Book of Xia. Tang Shanchun () believes lái means "mountain" in the Old Yue language,威海市地名综述 while the Yue Jue Shu () says lai means "wilderness".Milburn, Olivia (translator) (2010). The Glory of Yue: An Annotated Translation of the Yuejue shu. Series: Sinica Leidensia, Volume: 93. Leiden & Boston: Brill. p. 138-139. Quote : "March on lai [萊]; lai means uncultivated land." Chinese original "宿之於萊。萊，野也。"
History Lai (莱) was a traditional enemy of the State of Qi to its west. As soon as Jiang Ziya, the first ruler of Qi, was enfeoffed at Qi, the state of Lai attacked its capital at Yingqiu. In 567 BC, Lai attacked Qi but was decisively defeated by Duke Ling of Qi, and its last ruler Furou, Duke Gong of Lai, was killed. Chapter VI. Lai was a large state, and Qi more than doubled in size after annexing Lai.莱夷及莱国史研究综述 The people (Dongyi) were moved to Laiwu, where Mencius later called them the Qídōng yěrén (), the "savages of eastern Qi".
Rulers of Lai Furou (), Duke Gong of Lai () ?–567 BC
See also Laiwu, Laixi, Laizhou, and Laiyang, places named after Lai people Mount Penglai (蓬萊山) Penglai Pavilion (蓬萊閣) Penglai, Shandong (蓬萊市 / 蓬萊區)
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