Previous   Next
Home » Images » 0069 Pictures From History » CPA0034309

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

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

Su Hu was a character from the classic Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi'. The father of King Zhou of Shang's favourite concubine Su Daji and Su Quanzhong, Su Hu was also marquis of Jizhou. When Su Hu came to renew his loyalty to the Shang Dynasty, he saw the corruption and injustice within King Zhou's court, and refused to obey its wishes, earning the scorn of Fei Zhong and You Hun, two of the most corrupt ministers in the Shang court.

When King Zhou, at Fei Zhong's insistence, demanded that Su Hu give his daughter to the king, Su Hu refused and defied the king, returning to his marquise to fortify his defenses for war. A great coalition was formed to bring the 'rebellious' Su Hu to heel, with the two dukes Chong Houhu and Ji Chang (King Wen of Zhou) given command of it. Chong Houhu eagerly attacked Su Hu's army, wishing to ingratiate himself before the king, while Ji Chang tried to resolve the matter peacefully.

After his son Su Quanzhong was captured, Su Hu was determined to keep his honour and prepared to kill himself, his wife and his daughter rather than be taken prisoner. In the end, Ji Chang managed to convince Su Hu to relent and give away his daughter to ease his people's suffering, ending the coalition with a single letter. His daughter would be possessed by the vixen spirit on her way to King Zhou's court, eventually leading to the collapse of the Shang Dynasty. Su Hu would join King Wu of Zhou's army in their attempt to bring down the Shang Dynasty, and was eventually killed by Yu Da at Tongguan Pass.

Quick links to other images in this gallery: