Su Quanzhong

Su Quanzhong is a Chinese mythological figure and character in the classic 16th-century Chinese novel Fengshen Yanyi. He was a general with high martial arts skills. Quanzhong was the brother of Su Daji, a favorite concubine of King Zhou of Shang.

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
In Fengshen Yanyi, Su Quanzhong is the son of Su Hu, a high-ranking official and general of the Shang Dynasty. In appearance, Su Quanzhong had a face like a full moon with red lips, which seemed as if painted. With his hair tied behind his head with a large golden ring, two large bird feathers would be seen protruding. Following the coalition against Su Hu led by Chong Houhu, Su would be known as a renowned protector of Ji province. Once Chong had arrived at the borders of Ji Province and unleashed his right-hand general, Mei Wu, Su would spur his horse forward and duel it out with him. Following twenty rounds of spear clashes, Su would find an opening and cut Mei Wu down. Following Chong's second retreat during the night from the burning forest, Su would descend down the mountaintop upon Chong while shining through the full moon's light.

During his charge, he would elaborate on his prowess by striking down both of Chong's head generals and even wounding Chong through his left arm. Once the moon was blotted out by the clouds and Chong retreated for the third time, Su found the situation to be too dangerous and decided it was best to head back to his father. In time, the great Chong Heihu came to support Chong Houhu. Soon enough, Su, even when told not to by his father, would charge out of Ji province and duel it out against Heihu. During their battle, their spears clashed like lightning through darkness-stricken clouds. In time, Heihu would unleash his magical gourd and capture Su. Following the end of the Su Hu arc, Su Quanzhong would pay his respects to the first man who ever defeated him, Heihu, and continue to prosper with his respected father.

In the end, Jiang Ziya appointed him as the deity in Beidou Xinggong (北斗星宫).

There is a poem chanting that the origin of Su Quanzhong's silver halberd came from Laojun's furnace,

"(In Chinese): '怎见好戟:能工巧匠费经营,老君炉里炼成兵,造出一根银尖载,安邦定国正乾坤'

(Translation): 'A good spear is not easily seen: Skilled craftsmen invest their efforts, refined in the furnace of the Supreme Lord, forging a silver-tipped weapon, securing the nation and establishing order in the world.'"

According to researchers from the book Chinese Folk Gods, both Zhu Bajie's nail palladium in Journey to the West and Su Quanzhong's silver-pointed halberd in Fengshen Yanyi are said to have been cast 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
Su Quanzhong is worshipped in Chinese folk religion and known as the Pojun Xingjun (The Lord of the Army Breaking Star, 破军星君). Pojun is a star in the constellation of Ursa Major. It is the most eastern (leftmost) star in the Big Dipper (or Plough) asterism. Star worship holds significance within Taoist culture, with the prominent position of the Big Dipper in the northern sky serving as its focal point. In the realm of astronomy, the Big Dipper is also known as the Great Bear constellation, but Taoism venerates it as the Big Dipper Nine Star Gods. These deities govern the Palace of the Seven Stars, overseeing matters of misfortune, life, and death in the world. Among the nine stars, Pojun Xingjun presides as the eastern god of the Big Dipper. Most of the statues of the Big Dipper gods are enshrined in Taiwan, where there are temples dedicated to the Lords of the Big Dipper. These temples typically involve the joint worship of the Big Dipper gods and Lord Nandou, and can be found in places such as Tiangong Temple, Xuantian God Temple, or larger Lingxiao Temple. It is believed that the Big Dipper Gods protect individuals and are associated with prayers for longevity and safe journeys after death. He is also enshrined in the 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.