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. 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.

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. 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.

Legend
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.

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.

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. 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).

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.

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.