In Zhu You Art, "zhu" usually referred to the spellcaster, especially a male shaman, while "you" referred to the reason for seeking treatment. In ancient China, this art was once widely practiced, mostly passed down orally from master to apprentice. Later, as the times changed, Zhu You Art disappeared from official circles, though it may have remained among the common people.
Zhu You Art was often associated with witchcraft. Unlike Western commoners, Eastern commoners were not only unafraid of witchcraft, but were especially delighted whenever they saw someone "gifted." This also provided fertile ground for places known as "licentious shrines."
During Wu Zetian's reign, there was a minister named Di Renjie. It was said that he destroyed more than 1,700 licentious shrines in Jiangnan, making him the court official who destroyed the most such shrines in history.
These shrines worshipped everything: Dragon Kings, river gods, mountain gods, and historical figures such as Xiang Yu, Fu Chai, and Lord Chunshen, among others. Even people without merit or integrity had shrines built for them. They often used shamans to deceive and bewilder ignorant villagers, not only extorting money but also making it easy for people with ulterior motives to exploit them and stir up trouble. Even without what those European priests said, the court would have banned them.
Yet shrines to the Earth God and City God were difficult to prohibit. Temple fairs were often held at City God temples, as were the shrines of Yu, Taibo of Wu, Jizha, and Wu Zixu. The rituals described in Confucianism's Book of Rites truly did not offer the same chance to experience supernatural phenomena as the Yin-Yang School, nor did they resemble Christianity, where one prayed for God to save them through devout offerings.
If sacrifices to Heaven did not bring favorable weather, the