Su Hu

Su Hu (蘇護) is a Chinese mythological figure and character in the 16th-century Chinese novel Fengshen Yanyi. He was a general of the Shang dynasty under King Zhou of Shang.^[1] He was the father of Su Quanzhong and Su Daji. Su Hu gave Su Daji to King Zhou of Shang as an appeasement offer after armed conflict broke out between Su's and Shang's military forces. Su Hu was the marquis of Jizhou.^[2]^[3]

Although Su Daji is a historical figure, the existence of Su Hu and Su Quanzhong has been questioned, and they are believed to be semi-fictional characters. There is no mention of their names in ancient historical records or inscriptions. According to historical records such as the Guoyu and the Records of the Grand Historian, it is only stated that Daji was the daughter of a noble from the Su clan [zh]. After King Zhou of Shang conquered the Su clan, they married her off to King Zhou as a concubine. There is no mention of the names of Daji's father and brother. However, due to the rich and evolving folklore and oral legends in China, these characters can be considered mythical figures, and their tombs can be found in real life.^[4]

Legend

Depictions of *Fengshen Yanyi* characters. From left: Nezha, Yang Jian, Su Hu, Huang Feihu.

As one of the eight hundred marquises serving King Zhou and ruling over Jizhou, Su Hu participated in the customary summer gathering to renew his loyalty to the Shang dynasty. However, upon his arrival, he witnessed the rampant corruption and injustice within King Zhou's court, prompting him to take a principled stance and refuse to obey its demands. This decision brought upon him the scorn of Fei Zhong and You Hun, two of the most corrupt ministers within the Shang court.^[5]

In response to Fei Zhong's urging, King Zhou made an audacious demand, insisting that Su Hu offer his own daughter to the king. However, Su Hu refused and defied the king, returning to his marquise to fortify his defenses for war. A powerful alliance emerged with the aim of subduing the'rebellious' Su Hu. Leading this coalition were two distinguished figures, Duke Chong Houhu and King Wen of Zhou, also known as Ji Chang. Ji Chang sought a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but Chong Houhu launched an enthusiastic assault on Su Hu's forces out of a desire to win the king's favor. ^[5]^[6]^[7]

After his son, Su Quanzhong, was captured, Su Hu made a resolute decision to preserve his honor. He prepared to take his own life along with his wife and daughter rather than be taken as prisoners. However, Ji Chang intervened and persuaded Su Hu to spare his family and instead offer his daughter as a means to alleviate the suffering of his people, thus putting an end to the coalition. Sadly, Su Hu's daughter contracted a fox spirit while traveling to King Zhou's court, which ultimately contributed to the collapse of the Shang dynasty. Su Hu, joining the army of King Wu of Zhou, participated in their efforts to overthrow the Shang dynasty.^[8] Su Hu continued to actively participate in numerous campaigns following those events, displaying his unwavering commitment. He ultimately met his demise at Tongguan Pass, where Yu Zhao killed him, bringing an end to his remarkable journey. In the end, Jiang Ziya appointed him as one of the four "Dongdou Xingguan" (East Star Officials, 东斗星官).^{[note 1]}^[2]^[9]

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. Suwang Village in the north of the county is said to be the home of Su Hu.^[10]^[11]

Worship

Su Hu is worshipped in Chinese folk religion and known as the Sufu Er Wangye (The Second Duke of the Su Mansion, 蘇府二王爺). He is enshrined in the Jing'an Temple (景安宮) in Guanmiao District and Gangfu Temple in Xitun District, Taiwan.^[12]^[13]

In popular culture

Notes

^ The other three are Jin Kui, Ji Shuming, and Zhao Bing.

References

^ 封神演義 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 三民書局股份有限公司. 24 July 2020. ISBN 978-957-14-5915-8.
^ ^a ^b Creation of the Gods. New World Press. 1992. ISBN 978-7-80005-134-0.
^ "《封神榜》之冀州候刺妖". 今日头条 (in Chinese). 24 November 2021.
^ 《史记·殷本纪》：殷帝辛「好酒淫乐，嬖于妇人。爱妲己，妲己之言是从。」
^ ^a ^b Chew, Katherine Liang (2002). Tales of the Teahouse Retold: Investiture of the Gods. iUniverse. ISBN 978-0-595-25419-4.
^ 文法封神榜: LS063. 倍斯特. 1 September 2016. ISBN 978-986-92855-7-5.
^ 封神榜 (in Chinese). 一個人. 18 March 2014.
^ ShiDeHuangNiu, Pu (20 May 2020). Legend of Demon Master Kunpeng: Volume 1. Funstory. ISBN 978-1-64935-400-6.
^ 封神演义. Xin shi jie chu ban she. 2000. ISBN 978-7-80005-486-0.
^ 焦作市文物志 [Jiaozuo Cultural Relics] (in Chinese). 中州古籍出版社. 2005. ISBN 978-7-5348-2578-1. 据旧县志与民间传说,此家为殷商名臣苏护、苏全忠父子墓。苏护父子被迫献出苏妲己后,反殷投周,伐战争中皆阵亡,葬于此。【小南张商墓】位于温县城北 3 公里小南张村东北。 1968 年 8 月在距地表半米多深的土坑内出土一批青铜器,共 23 件。[According to the old county annals and folklore, the Xiaonanzhang Shang Tomb is the resting place of Su Hu and Su Quanzhong, father and son, who were renowned officials during the Yin and Shang Dynasties. After being compelled to sacrifice Su Daji, they turned against the Yin dynasty and aligned themselves with the Zhou. Unfortunately, they met their demise in the ensuing war and were laid to rest in this tomb. Situated in the northeast of Xiaonanzhang Village, 3 kilometers north of Wen County, in August 1968, a batch of 23 bronze wares were unearthed from a pit more than half a meter deep below the surface.]
^ 中外歷史美人之謎: 德威文化371 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 德威國際文化事業. 1 May 2009. ISBN 978-986-6498-22-0. 溫縣城內有蘇護、蘇全忠父子墓,即聯珠塚,今尚存大部。聯珠塚西百米有雲團塚,爲蘇護大將鄭倫之墓,在今實驗小學院內,已不沒。縣北的蘇王村,傳說爲蘇護的家。 [In Wen County, there are the tombs of Su Hu and Su Quanzhong, the father and son, namely Lianzhu Tomb, most of which still exist today. A hundred meters to the west of Lianzhu Tomb is Yuntuan Tomb, which is the tomb of Zheng Lun, the general of Su Hu. Suwang Village in the north of the county is said to be the home of Su Hu.
^ "蘇府二王爺的由來與事蹟". 隨意窩 Xuite日誌. 4 May 2012.
^ "習俗百科／三府、五府千歲王爺組合為何都是奇數". Yahoo (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 17 February 2020.

[9] The other three are Jin Kui, Ji Shuming, and Zhao Bing.

[1] 封神演義 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 三民書局股份有限公司. 24 July 2020. ISBN 978-957-14-5915-8.

[bio-2] Creation of the Gods. New World Press. 1992. ISBN 978-7-80005-134-0.

[3] "《封神榜》之冀州候刺妖". 今日头条 (in Chinese). 24 November 2021.

[4] 《史记·殷本纪》：殷帝辛「好酒淫乐，嬖于妇人。爱妲己，妲己之言是从。」

[a-5] Chew, Katherine Liang (2002). Tales of the Teahouse Retold: Investiture of the Gods. iUniverse. ISBN 978-0-595-25419-4.

[6] 文法封神榜: LS063. 倍斯特. 1 September 2016. ISBN 978-986-92855-7-5.

[7] 封神榜 (in Chinese). 一個人. 18 March 2014.

[8] ShiDeHuangNiu, Pu (20 May 2020). Legend of Demon Master Kunpeng: Volume 1. Funstory. ISBN 978-1-64935-400-6.

[10] 封神演义. Xin shi jie chu ban she. 2000. ISBN 978-7-80005-486-0.

[11] 焦作市文物志 [Jiaozuo Cultural Relics] (in Chinese). 中州古籍出版社. 2005. ISBN 978-7-5348-2578-1. 据旧县志与民间传说,此家为殷商名臣苏护、苏全忠父子墓。苏护父子被迫献出苏妲己后,反殷投周,伐战争中皆阵亡,葬于此。【小南张商墓】位于温县城北 3 公里小南张村东北。 1968 年 8 月在距地表半米多深的土坑内出土一批青铜器,共 23 件。[According to the old county annals and folklore, the Xiaonanzhang Shang Tomb is the resting place of Su Hu and Su Quanzhong, father and son, who were renowned officials during the Yin and Shang Dynasties. After being compelled to sacrifice Su Daji, they turned against the Yin dynasty and aligned themselves with the Zhou. Unfortunately, they met their demise in the ensuing war and were laid to rest in this tomb. Situated in the northeast of Xiaonanzhang Village, 3 kilometers north of Wen County, in August 1968, a batch of 23 bronze wares were unearthed from a pit more than half a meter deep below the surface.]

[12] 中外歷史美人之謎: 德威文化371 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 德威國際文化事業. 1 May 2009. ISBN 978-986-6498-22-0. 溫縣城內有蘇護、蘇全忠父子墓,即聯珠塚,今尚存大部。聯珠塚西百米有雲團塚,爲蘇護大將鄭倫之墓,在今實驗小學院內,已不沒。縣北的蘇王村,傳說爲蘇護的家。 [In Wen County, there are the tombs of Su Hu and Su Quanzhong, the father and son, namely Lianzhu Tomb, most of which still exist today. A hundred meters to the west of Lianzhu Tomb is Yuntuan Tomb, which is the tomb of Zheng Lun, the general of Su Hu. Suwang Village in the north of the county is said to be the home of Su Hu.

[13] "蘇府二王爺的由來與事蹟". 隨意窩 Xuite日誌. 4 May 2012.

[14] "習俗百科／三府、五府千歲王爺組合為何都是奇數". Yahoo (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 17 February 2020.

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