Wen Zhong (Chinese: 闻仲; pinyin: Wén Zhòng) is a character in the classic Chinese novel Fengshen Yanyi.[1] He was the Grand Preceptor (Taishi) of King Zhou of Shang. Wen Zhong and Huang Feihu were both renowned as the two most powerful military figures of the Shang dynasty. They played a crucial role in defending the territories of these dynasties, almost single-handedly.
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In Fengshen Yanyi
editWen Zhong made his first appearance in the novel's opening chapter. In his youth, he once studied under the Jinling Shengmu at the Biyou Palace of the Jiejiao sect. By decree of the Jade Emperor himself, Wen Zhong attained a third eye atop his forehead. This third eye could see through any level of disillusion and falsehood. His mount is named Mo Qilin (the Qilin has wind and cloud horns on its head, can fly in the sky with a single flap, and can travel a thousand miles in an instant; later it was killed by Leizhenzi). His weapon is called the "Jiaolong Golden Whip" (there are two whips, transformed from two dragons, with a yin and yang distinction; the female whip was later broken by Jiang Ziya's Divine Whip).[2] After fifty years of learning, he descended from the mountain to assist King Da Yi. Wen Zhong had been the top-ranked official under King Da Yi. Following the death of Da Yi, Wen Zhong crowned Zi Shou as the new king of the Shang dynasty. However, he was frequently occupied with suppressing rebellions and, as a result, rarely appeared at court.
In the first chapter, Wen Zhong set out for the North Sea to quell a rebellion led by Yuan Futong, one of the seventy-two marquises. It wasn't until the 27th chapter that he finally pacified the North Sea and returned to the court. By then, the court had undergone significant changes. Under Daji's influence, King Zhou had repeatedly employed cruel punishments against loyal and innocent officials, leading many to die for remonstrating with the king and causing discord among the generals and ministers. Witnessing the chaos in the kingdom, Wen Zhong advised King Zhou and proposed ten strategies to improve governance. However, shortly after his return, news arrived of the rebellion by Duke Pingling of the East Sea. King Zhou used this as a pretext to send Wen Zhong on another military expedition, ensuring he remained away from Chaoge, unable to supervise the court and guide the king back to the right path.[3]
By the 30th chapter, Wen Zhong had returned triumphantly to the capital after another victory. Upon hearing that Huang Feihu had rebelled against the court and defected to the Western camp, Wen Zhong fled into a rage. He pursued Huang Feihu with his troops and also arranged for the defense of the passes to capture the fleeing generals. However, with the help of Qingxu Daode Zhenjun from the Chan Sect, Huang Feihu successfully escaped from the five passes (Lintong Pass, Tong Pass, Chuanyun Pass, Jiepai Pass, and Sisui Pass). Wen Zhong failed to capture Huang Feihu and had no choice but to return to Chaoge and prepare for battle.[3]
After that, Wen Zhong stationed himself in the capital and sent generals to attack Ji Chang and Jiang Ziya of Xiqi, but he consistently suffered heavy casualties and failed to achieve any significant victories. In the 41st chapter, Wen Zhong personally led his troops to attack Xiqi, causing great anxiety among Jiang Ziya and his followers. Before the two armies engaged in battle, Wen Zhong first subdued Deng Zhong, Xin Huan, Zhang Jie, and Tao Rong, four generals from Huang Hua Mountain, as his subordinates. From then until the 52nd chapter, Wen Zhong successively invited the Ten Heavenly Kings, Zhao Gongming, and the three sisters of the Yunxiao Palace, all powerful figures from the Jiejiao sect, to assist him in his repeated attacks on Xiqi, causing Jiang Shang's army to suffer several defeats. However, in the end, Wen Zhong was still no match for Jiang Ziya and his disciples, suffering consecutive defeats. He was eventually killed by Yunzhongzi at Jue Long Ridge, burned alive by a divine fire pillar.[3]
When Jiang Ziya conferred the title of gods, Wen Zhong's soul was conferred the title of Puhua Tianzun (普化天尊), also known as Heavenly Worthy of the Nine Heavens' Responsive Primordial Thunder Sound Universal Transformation.[4] As the highest deity of the Thunder Department, he presides over the complex organization of thunder gods, with the headquarters being the Thunder God Jade Mansion.
Opera works
editThe Return of Grand Preceptor Wen to the Dynasty is a traditional Chinese opera piece performed in Han tune and Erhuang style. It is also known as The Great Return. This story can be found in the 27th chapter of the novel Investiture of the Gods, albeit with some variations. The plot revolves around Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong's return to the royal court after his campaigns in the North Sea. During his return, he inquires about the heinous acts committed by Prime Minister Bi Gan, Queen Jiang's self-mutilation, Lady Jia's tragic fall from a tower, and the uprising led by Huang Feihu, which terrifies King Zhou of Shang and prompts his retreat to the palace.[5]
Witnessing the rise of the favored concubine Daji, the persecution of loyal ministers, and the unchecked power of corrupt officials, Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong is filled with sorrow and indignation. He takes action by punishing corrupt officials, including Fei Zhong and You Hun, and even engages in a fierce battle at Xiqi before departing.
This opera is known as Yin Yang Dynasty because it tells the story of Grand Preceptor Wen's return to the court as a vengeful spirit after his defeat and death at Juelong Ridge. It is entirely sung in the Erhuang style and is considered a major performance piece. Renowned artists, such as Lei Mingzhen, were known for their renditions of this opera, and various opera troupes were celebrated for their performances of this piece. A manuscript of this opera is preserved at the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Arts Research (陕西省艺术研究所).[6]
In popular culture
editReferences
edit- ^ Shi, L. History of Literature in the Ming Dynasty. Deep Into China Histories. DeepLogic. p. 147. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ Ni, X.C. (2018). From Kuan Yin to Chairman Mao: The Essential Guide to Chinese Deities. Red Wheel Weiser. p. 61. ISBN 978-1-63341-067-1. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ a b c Chen, F.P.L. (2007). Chinese Shadow Theatre: History, Popular Religion, and Women Warriors. McGill-Queen's University Press. p. 182. ISBN 978-0-7735-7599-8. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ Fengshen Yanyi Chapter 99.
- ^ "京剧剧本 - 《太师回朝》". scripts.xikao.com.
- ^ 中国楊柳青木版年畫集: Li shi gu shi (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 天津楊柳青畫社. 1992. ISBN 978-7-80503-079-1.
Bibliography
edit- Investiture of the Gods chapter 27