Su Quanzhong () is a Chinese mythological figure and a character in the 16th-century Chinese novel Fengshen Yanyi. He is depicted as a general renowned for his martial prowess. He is the son of Su Hu and the brother of Su Daji, who becomes a favored concubine of Di Xin.
Origin Although Su Daji is a verified historical figure, the existence of Su Quanzhong is uncertain, and he is generally regarded as a legendary or semi-fictional figure. His name does not appear in surviving ancient historical records or inscriptions. Historical sources record only Daji herself and do not mention the name of her brother. However, through the development of Chinese folklore and oral traditions, Su Quanzhong became established as a legendary figure, and tombs traditionally associated with him exist in China.
Fengshen Yanyi In Fengshen Yanyi, Su Quanzhong is the son of Su Hu, the marquis of Jizhou and a general of the Shang dynasty. He is described as a handsome and accomplished warrior with a round face, red lips, and hair fastened with a large golden ring adorned with two bird feathers. Renowned for his mastery of the silver-pointed halberd, he serves as one of Jizhou's foremost defenders.
When Chong Houhu leads a coalition against Su Hu, Su Quanzhong commands the defence of Jizhou. He defeats Chong Houhu's general Mei Wu in single combat after approximately twenty rounds of fighting, kills two of the coalition's leading officers, and wounds Chong Houhu in the arm. He later launches a surprise night attack from the surrounding mountains, forcing Chong Houhu to retreat once again.
To break the stalemate, Chong Houhu summons his younger brother, Chong Heihu, a disciple of the Jiejiao immortal who possesses a magical gourd capable of capturing opponents. Ignoring his father's advice to remain within the city walls, Su Quanzhong rides out to challenge Chong Heihu. Although he displays superior martial skill during their duel, Chong Heihu eventually uses the magical gourd to blind Su Quanzhong's horse and capture him alive.
After Su Hu submits to the Shang court, Su Quanzhong is released and later accompanies his father in joining the forces of King Wu of Zhou. He serves under Jiang Ziya throughout the Zhou campaign against the Shang dynasty. During the Battle of Tongguan Pass, after his father is killed by Yu Zhao, Su Quanzhong attempts to avenge him but is defeated by Yu Guang before later being killed by Yu Da during the ensuing battles.
Following the Zhou victory, Jiang Ziya appoints Su Quanzhong as the Lord of Pojun Star () during the Investiture of the Gods.Fengshen Yanyi Chapter 99.
Silver-pointed halberd A poem in Fengshen Yanyi describes Su Quanzhong's silver-pointed halberd as having been forged in Laojun's furnace.
According to the study Chinese Folk Gods, Su Quanzhong's silver-pointed halberd and Zhu Bajie's nine-toothed rake in Journey to the West are both traditionally described as having been forged in Laojun's furnace.
Tomb In Jiaozuo, the Lianzhu Tomb is identified as the burial site of Su Hu and Su Quanzhong. According to the old county annals and folklore, after Su Hu and his son were forced to sacrifice Su Daji, they turned against the Yin dynasty and sided with Zhou. They were subsequently killed in the ensuing war and laid to rest in this tomb. Located in the northeast of Xiaonanzhang Village, 3 kilometers north of Wen County, the tomb gained attention in August 1968 when a collection of 23 bronze artifacts was unearthed from a pit over half a meter deep below the surface. A hundred meters to the west of Lianzhu Tomb is Yuntuan Tomb, which is the tomb of Zheng Lun, the general of Su Hu.
Worship
In Chinese folk religion, Su Quanzhong is worshipped as Pojun Xingjun (Lord of the Army-Breaking Star; ). Pojun corresponds to Eta Ursae Majoris, the easternmost star of the Big Dipper asterism in the constellation Ursa Major. In Taoism, the Big Dipper is venerated as the Nine Star Gods, each associated with a celestial deity. Pojun Xingjun is regarded as the deity corresponding to the Pojun star and is traditionally identified as the eastern deity among the Nine Star Gods.
Temples dedicated to the Big Dipper Lords are found throughout Taiwan, where the Nine Star Gods are commonly worshipped together with Lord Nandou. They are believed to protect devotees and are associated with prayers for longevity and safe passage after death. Su Quanzhong is also enshrined at Shandong Temple as one of the Nine Gods of the East, alongside Huang Tianhua, Tu Xingsun, Wuji, Han Dulong, Yin Hong, Hong Jin, Fang Xiang, Heng Jiang, and Wei Li.
In popular culture
His story is widely portrayed in Chinese operas and other forms of art, especially in Peking opera.
References