Malaysia / China: Carving of Wu Ji, depicting his role in the 16th Century Ming Dynasty novel Fengshen Yanyi ('Investiture of the Gods'). From Ping Sien Si Temple, Pasir Panjang Laut

Wu Ji is a character from the classic Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi'. In the novel, Wu Ji was a common woodcutter from the Western Foothills. Every day, while he was cutting wood, he would notice the sage Jiang Ziya sitting beneath a large willow tree while fishing without bait.

Eventually, Wu Ji became curious and asked the sage what his name was, laughing when Jiang would tell him his by-name was Flying Bear, since only high-ranking or learned officials could have by-names. Wu Ji mocks Jiang, who thens tells Wu Ji that he will kill a person today. Wu Ji angrily takes his leave at being cursed. True to Jiang's word, Wu Ji accidentally killed someone that day, and rushed back to plead for help from the sage, who agreed to help only after Wu Ji vowed to become Jiang's disciple.

He continued to serve as Jiang's disciple faithfully, and when Ji Chang, also known as King Wen of Zhou, and his entourage arrived at the River Pan, Wu Ji led them to his master's house. After Jiang Ziya was recruited by Ji Chang and promoted to Prime Minister, Wu Ji went with him and attained the rank of general.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Anandajoti

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