Zi Shou

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Zi Shou (子受)
Alias(es)	Third Prince of Great Shang; King of Great Shang; King Zhou of Shang; Di Xin
Species/Race	Human reincarnation / incarnation of the Mysterious Black Tortoise of the Northern Darkness
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Great Shang; Heavenly Court
Occupation/Role	Heir apparent, later King of Great Shang
First Appearance	Chapter 514

Background

Zi Shou was born as Di Yi's third son, but was the king's eldest legitimate son because he was born after his mother became queen. His mother, Queen Mother Shang, died shortly after his birth. Before Zi Shou was born, Shen Gui and Tongtian had already arranged for Tongtian to become his teacher; under the identity of Daoist Qingping, Tongtian also became Shang's Imperial Preceptor 514 516.

Zi Shou is the reincarnation of the Mysterious Black Tortoise of the Northern Darkness. Although that existence's memories were sealed, Zi Shou retained Shen Gui's memories from before his transmigration, leading him to believe he was a 21st-century shut-in who had awakened in the body of the future King Zhou of Shang 516 517.

At seven years old, he could kick apart a palace wall and escape the palace, confirming that he lived in a supernatural world rather than the historical Shang Dynasty he remembered. He recognized familiar names such as Ji Chang, Nuwa, and the Three Pure Ones, but found that this world's Shang Dynasty differed substantially from the Investiture of the Gods narrative he knew 516.

Appearance

Zi Shou is described as a young Shang prince who grows into the king of Great Shang. As a child, he possessed unusual physical strength, capable of destroying a palace wall with a kick at age seven 516.

• Eldest legitimate son of Di Yi.
• Initially known in Chaoge as the “Third Prince.”
• Physically powerful from childhood 516.

Personality

As a teenager, Zi Shou initially embraces fatalism. Believing that changing the destiny of King Zhou is impossible, he chooses a carefree, indulgent life instead, pursuing women and causing repeated disturbances throughout Chaoge 516.

Behind this persona, he is observant and politically calculating. He distrusts Ji Chang despite the latter's outwardly modest conduct, recognizes the instability beneath Shang's submission from the feudal lords, and uses appointments, surveillance, and public confrontations to control potential threats 536 565 618.

Zi Shou can also be unexpectedly conscientious. Though he desired beautiful wives in principle, he objected to Jiang Yun being drawn into what he believed would be King Zhou's doomed fate 532. Later, he deliberately sends Wen Zhong away from Chaoge to force hidden enemies into action, accepting short-term instability to expose larger threats 547 548.

Abilities & Skills

Unusual Physical Strength

Zi Shou demonstrated superhuman strength while still a child.

• At age seven, he kicked a palace wall to pieces 516.
• His physical ability helped convince him that his world was one of gods and immortals rather than ordinary history 516.

Political Strategy

As king, Zi Shou uses foreknowledge, intimidation, and personnel management to counter threats to Shang.

• Treats Ji Chang as a long-term threat despite his outward obedience 536.
• Sends Wen Zhong to the North Sea specifically to lure concealed enemies into acting 547 548.
• Publicly humiliates Ji Chang and gains Su Hu's loyalty by exposing Ji Chang's hypocrisy 570.
• Orders Chong Houhu to monitor Su Hu and the Marquis of Jizhou 572.
• Has Fei Zhong arrange a burdensome minor post for Jiang Ziya to keep him in Chaoge and delay his involvement in Xiqi 618.

Deception and Performance

Zi Shou considers maintaining appearances an essential skill for an heir to the throne.

• Conceals his knowledge of the San Xiao sisters by formally asking their identities despite having largely identified them already 520.
• Uses an outwardly relaxed or provocative manner while pursuing political objectives 536 568.

Relationships

• Shen Gui — Zi Shou is the reincarnated Mysterious Black Tortoise whose retained pre-transmigration memories are Shen Gui's; Shen Gui later regrets Zi Shou's unchecked conduct 516 517.
• Di Yi — Father and King of Shang. Di Yi designated Zi Shou his heir and sought Jiang Huan Chu's support for his future rule 516 524.
• Tongtian / Daoist Qingping — Teacher and Shang's Imperial Preceptor. Tongtian intentionally indulged Zi Shou's misconduct so that he would eventually face its consequences 514 516.
• Yunxiao — Protector and political confidante. Zi Shou relies on her protection and discusses his schemes with her 545 547.
• Fei Zhong — Close confidant and servant who assists Zi Shou with intelligence, bribery, and political assignments 517 536 618.
• You Hun — Close confidant and servant who provides intelligence, including reports concerning Su Hu 517 561.
• Ji Chang — Western Marquis whom Zi Shou considers a major threat; Zi Shou later exposes his hypocrisy before the court 536 570.
• Jiang Yun — Daughter of Jiang Huan Chu and Zi Shou's political marriage prospect; Zi Shou objects to involving her in his anticipated fate 524 532.
• Wen Zhong — Grand Tutor of Shang. Zi Shou sends him to suppress the Northern Sea rebellion in order to provoke hidden enemies 547 548.
• Kong Xuan — Powerful cultivator who grants Zi Shou a five-colored feather that can summon him for one favor 561.
• Jiang Ziya — Potentially dangerous Jade Void disciple whom Zi Shou keeps occupied in a minor Chaoge office 618 661.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Chaoge's Dissolute Third Prince

By age fourteen, Zi Shou is infamous for fighting cocks, walking dogs, and harassing women throughout Chaoge. Huang Feihu pursues him after he harasses Huang Gun's daughter, while Shang Rong scolds him for targeting his own daughter. His status as heir and Tongtian's deliberate indulgence prevent anyone from meaningfully disciplining him 516.

Succession to the Throne

Following Di Yi's death, Zi Shou ascends as King of Great Shang. The regional lords come to pay homage, and he immediately regards Ji Chang's ordinary, deferential behavior as suspicious rather than reassuring 536.

For seven years, Shang remains outwardly peaceful, supported by the influence of Zi Shou's consorts' families, Wen Zhong's management of the court, and Huang Feihu's military role 547.

The Northern Sea Rebellion

When Yuan Futong and seventy-two lords rebel, Zi Shou knowingly permits Wen Zhong to lead the northern expedition. He expects the campaign to consume fifteen years, but regards Wen Zhong's departure as necessary bait for forcing Shang's enemies to reveal themselves 547 548.

Confronting the Feudal Lords

Zi Shou identifies most vassals as self-interested or hostile and uses Fei Zhong and You Hun to test them through bribery. He later confronts Su Hu and Ji Chang in court, declaring that he will follow neither his ancestors nor Xia Jie and threatening those unwilling to obey him 565 568.

He turns Ji Chang's advice against him, publicly highlighting the Western Marquis's many consorts and sons. The encounter leaves Ji Chang eager to depart Chaoge and wary of Zi Shou's authority 568 570.

Containing Jiang Ziya

After learning that Jiang Ziya has arrived in Chaoge, Zi Shou orders Fei Zhong to secure him a low-ranking but demanding office. His goal is not to recruit Jiang Ziya sincerely, but to prevent him from reaching Xiqi before Shen Gongbao becomes established there 618.

Jiang Ziya later serves as the official responsible for Chaoge's West Market. Zi Shou eventually summons him with the intention of appointing him commander-in-chief for a southern expedition 661.

Trivia

• Zi Shou calls himself a transmigrator and identifies his prior self as Shen Gui 516.
• He initially believes that even death as King Zhou would not be entirely undesirable, since he expects eventual enfeoffment as the Heavenly Joy Star 516.
• His older brothers are Wei Zi Qi and Wei Zhong Yan, though he does not consider either a serious rival for succession 516 532.