Sun Shaozong

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Sun Shaozong (孙绍宗) 1
Alias(es)	Second Master Sun; Lord Sun; Sun Shiwan (“Sun Ten Thousand,” meaning one man worth ten thousand soldiers) 45 975
Species/Race	Human; later ascends to immortality 984
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Da Zhou Imperial Court; Shuntian Prefecture; Northern Garrison Office; Dali Temple; Dragon Forbidden Guards 213 435 684 984
Occupation/Role	Military officer, criminal investigator, prefectural administrator, commander, imperial envoy, and reformer 35 435 591 872
Status	Ascended to immortality in the Hall of Supreme Harmony during Hongwu 15 984
First Appearance	Chapter 1: Dreaming, I Awaken to Find Myself a Stranger

Offices and Titles

Office / Title	Chapter	Notes
Military Attaché stationed in Qian Xiang Country	1	His post when the body’s new occupant awakens with fragmented memories.
Commandant	11	Holds sufficient standing in Qian Xiang to receive a summons from Prime Minister Ruan Fuzhong.
Vice Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture	172	Escorts elderly officials home after the Longevity Banquet.
Thousand Household Commander, Northern Garrison Office	213	Takes his first roll call at the Northern Garrison Office.
Supervising Thousand Household Commander, Northern Garrison Office; concurrently Administrator of Shuntian Prefecture	435	Holds both military and civil authority at age twenty-two.
Fourth-rank General of Zhao Tao	591	Appointed to oversee the pacification of the Wuxi rebellion.
Imperial Envoy	593	Returns to Jinling in this capacity after the southern campaign.
Vice Minister of Dali Temple	684	Receives an imperial audience concerning his military record and judicial memorials.
Director of the Dragon Forbidden Guards; Duke of Wei; King of Wei	984	Later rises from guard commander to Duke and then King of Wei.

Background

The body originally belonged to Sun Shaozong, a member of a Da Zhou military family. After offending Prince Yizhong, he was sent to Qian Xiang Country through the intervention of his elder brother, Sun Shaozu. A new occupant awakens in the body with incomplete, disordered memories of this life. 1

His father had served as vanguard in Da Zhou’s disastrous Goryeo campaign. Though he survived the rout, he was ordered to commit suicide by the Yalu River to answer for the defeat. 70

In Qian Xiang, Sun Shaozong discovers that he has been poisoned and identifies kitchen helper Ruan Wenhao as an accomplice in Ambassador Niu Yongxin’s assassination. He rallies the embassy guards, breaks through the Qian Xiang blockade, and begins pursuing the conspiracy. 2 3

Appearance

Sun Shaozong’s most remarked-upon feature is the “Blood Eye” scar, whose appearance at the Jinling wharf startles local officials and gentry. 593 594

• Sustains a long gash across his forehead from shrapnel during the assault on Nahelan. 588
• Possesses an exceptionally imposing physical build and strength, capable of wielding weapons that ordinary soldiers cannot handle. 45 571

Personality

Sun Shaozong is decisive under pressure. In Qian Xiang, he chooses to pursue an assassin despite the embassy siege; later, he repeatedly takes direct control of dangerous investigations and military operations rather than waiting for safer alternatives. 2 63 577

He combines ambition with political caution. He understands how court appointments, factional conflict, and public reputation affect his position, but will take calculated risks when an opportunity advances his influence or the state’s interests. 149 238 523

His conduct can be compassionate in judicial matters: he orders medical care for petitioners outside his yamen and chooses to spare a thief’s child despite the political consequences. In war, however, he can be ruthless toward enemies he considers responsible for atrocities. 83 579 763

Abilities & Skills

Extraordinary Strength and Martial Prowess

Sun Shaozong’s physical power is repeatedly treated as beyond ordinary human standards.

• Sweeps armed salt smugglers from a ship into the river with a large oar. 20
• Defeats dozens of elite soldiers at Brocade Fragrance Courtyard and stops three charging warhorses with one punch. 45
• Uses stone rods to deflect rolling pillars down a mountainside, saving himself and others. 63
• Breaks an iron-bodied bow to establish authority over defiant troops. 570
• Smashes through Wu’er Stronghold’s reinforced gate with Frostmourne and routs its defenders. 577
• His strength can still exhaust him; after overexertion with the iron-bodied bow, his hands are left weak despite his outward composure. 570

Investigation and Criminal Justice

Sun Shaozong is an accomplished investigator with a reputation strong enough to attract disciples interested in criminal investigation.

• Identifies poison and links Ruan Wenhao to the assassination of Ambassador Niu Yongxin. 2
• Pursues cases personally even when evidence has been removed or political interests are involved. 3 264
• Reviews confessions carefully for corroboration before acting on them. 517
• Questions suspiciously convenient confessions in the Crown Prince’s Dragon Root case. 434
• Gains disciples among penniless scholars and unconventional literati interested in his investigative methods. 149

Command and Strategy

Sun Shaozong uses deception, force, and administrative maneuvering to overcome stronger opponents.

• Splits his men between separate leads during the Qian Xiang assassination investigation. 3
• Decentralizes authority to tempt Vice Prefect Wei into exposing his ambitions. 238
• Proposes a low-cost campaign against the Wuxi Barbarians using elite surprise attacks, division of hostile groups, and “barbarians to control barbarians.” 524 563
• Leads a small force through fortified mountain strongholds and incorporates surrendered Tongxi and Huaxi youths into the government vanguard. 577 591
• Anticipates White Lotus movements near Jianzhou and arranges an ambush that captures Zhang Cong and other bandits. 941

Administration and Courtcraft

Sun Shaozong builds support through practical administration while remaining alert to factional danger.

• Uses half of his legitimate case rewards to maintain public funds for yamen needs and win the loyalty of clerks. 83
• Navigates provocations from civilian officials and Northern Garrison rivals without surrendering authority. 34 213
• Advises the Crown Prince to improve his public image by associating with scholars and capable men rather than frivolous companions. 608
• Defends his “Law Popularization in Rural Areas” proposal under questioning from senior officials, earning the description “Pillar of the Nation” from He Tiren. 872

Equipment

• Black Steed Horse — Sun Shaozong’s usual mount during the Qian Xiang investigation. 2
• Drumming Weng Golden Hammer — Heavy weapon commissioned for the southern campaign; used to probe Wu’er Stronghold’s traps. 570 577
• Wolf Tooth Club — Another custom weapon obtained with the Weng Golden Hammer. 570
• Frostmourne — A grand sword supervised by Prince Yizhong’s faction; five feet four inches long and weighing 102 catties and 4 taels. Sun Shaozong claims it for combat and uses it to breach Wu’er Stronghold. 571 577
• Gilded Mountain Pattern Armor — Worn during the staged victory presentation at Dongbian Gate. 604
• “Dirt Tank” shield — A water-filled, roughly four-hundred-pound improvised shield used to advance through enemy fire. 252

Relationships

• Sun Shaozu — Elder brother. Sent Sun Shaozong to Qian Xiang after he offended a powerful court figure; later helps arrange weapons and armor for the Wuxi campaign. 1 543 561
• Feng Xin — Loyal subordinate and early companion in Qian Xiang. Assists the initial assassination investigation and later proves his loyalty despite White Lotus connections. 2 3 941
• Emperor Guangde — Sovereign who recognizes Sun Shaozong’s potential, accepts his Wuxi strategy, and later questions him directly about military and judicial matters. 524 684
• The Crown Prince — Political ally and confidant. The Crown Prince personally welcomes Sun Shaozong’s return from Hu-Guang and calls him “My Zifang,” while Sun advises him on conduct and reputation. 509 604 608
• Prince Zhongshun — Powerful prince with whom Sun Shaozong maintains a formal, wary working relationship; Sun reports politically sensitive evidence to him while avoiding complete dependence on his patronage. 398 509
• Ruan Rong, Xiang Ling, and You Erjie — Sun Shaozong’s concubines. They watch his triumphant return to the capital and remain central members of his household. 531 604
• Sun Chengyi — Son. Sun teaches him swordsmanship as a child; Sun Chengyi later becomes Director of the Dragon Forbidden Guards, conducts campaigns in Japan, and establishes New Wei through a coup after Sun Shaozong’s ascension. 777 984
• Jia Baoyu — Friend and admirer who seeks Sun Shaozong’s help in matters involving Jiang Yuhan and repeatedly shows him respect. 684 723 765

Career and Major Arcs

Arc	Chapters	Role and outcome
Qian Xiang assassination	1–3	Awakens in Sun Shaozong’s body, uncovers poisoning, and leads embassy guards through a siege to investigate Ambassador Niu Yongxin’s murder.
Shuntian Prefecture	34–83	Takes office in Shuntian, teaches martial arts to Jia Zheng’s sons, builds authority in the yamen, and develops a reputation as an investigator.
Northern Garrison Office	213–238	Becomes a Thousand Household Commander, outmaneuvers internal rivals, and uses administrative decentralization to bait Vice Prefect Wei.
Hu-Guang / Wuxi campaign	523–604	Wins imperial approval for an elite, low-cost anti-rebellion strategy; captures strongholds, pacifies the Wuxi region, and returns in a public victory ceremony.
Dali Temple and court politics	684–872	Serves as Vice Minister of Dali Temple, handles politically dangerous cases, protects an innocent child against official pressure, and promotes rural legal education.
Jurchen and White Lotus mission	930–941	Leaves the capital amid the Lin Qisheng controversy, impresses the Jurchen with his martial strength, and captures White Lotus operatives near Jianzhou.
Succession crisis	973–981	Is placed under house arrest after the Crown Prince’s death, helps the Crown Princess escape, and confronts the political consequences of Prince Zhongshun’s fall.
Final rise and reforms	984	Becomes Duke and King of Wei, carries out reforms in education and examinations, and ascends to immortality in Hongwu 15.

Notable Quotes

“If Your Majesty sends your subject to Hu-Guang, there is no need for the court to allocate any more money, food, or troops, just grant your humble subject a ‘barbarian’ character.” 523

“For the sake of the State, for the sake of the Common People, what does it matter if I take some risks?!” 524

Trivia

• The nickname Sun Shiwan is bestowed after his southern-border exploits; Sun Shaozong himself finds the name awkward. 975
• Frostmourne was originally designed to be ornate and durable rather than practical, making its battlefield use by Sun Shaozong highly unusual. 571
• Prince Yizhong eventually reveals that he recognizes Sun Shaozong as someone from their “shared hometown,” exposing that both are transmigrators. 965