Ji Chang

Biodata

Background / History

Ji Chang ruled Xi Qi as the Marquis of Xi. Skilled in divination, he received a prophecy that Xi Qi would become Western Zhou and that he would be named King Wen; a Daoist Sect cultivator later reinforced his belief that Western Zhou was destined to rise. He consequently began winning popular support and accumulating power in preparation for a larger undertaking. 161 164

He travelled to Chaoge intending to exploit King Zhou's expected tyranny: his requests concerning Xi Qi's taxes were meant to make Di Xin appear oppressive before the people of Xi Qi. Di Xin instead waived the disputed taxes, approved Ji Chang's proposal to halt Deer Terrace's construction, and enfeoffed him first as King of Pacifying the West and then as King Wen of Zhou. 161 163 164

Di Xin then compelled Ji Chang into a sworn-brotherhood oath before the Shang ancestral tablets. The oath bound both men and their descendants never to betray one another under threat of heavenly punishment. 165 181

Personality

Ji Chang is politically calculating and highly conscious of destiny. He sought popular backing in Xi Qi, tested Di Xin's intentions through memorials, and remained alert to the political dangers attached to accepting the title King Wen of Zhou. 161 164 356

He is also adaptable and deferential when faced with overwhelming power. After his horse troop nearly trampled the disguised Di Xin, he immediately apologized and sought the apparent cultivator's guidance. 169 170

His reverence for his “Immortal Master” develops into dependence. Di Xin's displays of power, warnings about oaths, and apparent rescues leave Ji Chang fearful of heavenly punishment and increasingly willing to seek his master's counsel on both personal and state affairs. 173 180 185 318

Abilities & Skills

Divination

Ji Chang can use copper coins to divine future events and once divined Xi Qi's future rise as Western Zhou. 164 178

• His divinations are described as highly accurate. 180
• Attempts to divine matters connected to the Human Emperor's destiny cause backlash; one such attempt leaves him vomiting blood. 180
• Di Xin convinces him to swear that he will no longer practice divination, exploiting Ji Chang's fear that it shortens his lifespan. 180

Governance and Political Maneuvering

As Xi Qi's ruler, Ji Chang manages its court, appoints officials following his promotion, and considers how policy will affect both Xi Qi's people and the Shang court. 173 187 186

• He recognizes political memorials as tests of Di Xin's intentions, including his later request to abdicate the title King Wen of Zhou. 356
• He is capable of gathering public support and strengthening Xi Qi's position, though Di Xin's influence makes him reconsider anti-Shang plans. 161 184
• He ultimately sends money and grain toward Chaoge after accepting Di Xin's demand for “universal aid.” 203

Relationships

• Di Xin / King Zhou — Sworn brother and secret political adversary. Di Xin grants Ji Chang the title King Wen of Zhou, forces the brotherhood oath, then disguises himself as an Immortal Master to restrain Ji Chang's ambitions. 164 165 184
• Di Xin / “Immortal Master” — Master and disciple. Ji Chang receives the Daoist name Wu Yazhi and repeatedly seeks his master's guidance, unaware that the master is Di Xin. 173 176 318
• Bo Yikao — Eldest son. Bo Yikao welcomes Ji Chang back to Xi Qi after his ennoblement and shares his interest in Daoist cultivation. 182 183
• Ji Fa — Fourth son. Ji Chang's son searches Xi Qi Mountain when Ji Chang goes to find his master. 187
• San Yisheng — Strategist and close subordinate. 174 190
• Nangong Shi — Military general and close subordinate. 174 190
• Xin Jia and Xin Mian — Military generals and close subordinates; they escort supplies from Xi Qi toward Chaoge. 174 190 203
• Chi Jingzi — Chan Sect cultivator who urges Ji Chang to raise an army against Yin Shang; Ji Chang consults Di Xin before acting. 318

Story Role / Major Arcs

Enfeoffment at Chaoge

• Ji Chang petitions for relief from Xi Qi's tax burden and cancellation of Deer Terrace, expecting to provoke Di Xin. 161 163
• Di Xin accepts his proposals and grants him the titles King of Pacifying the West and King Wen of Zhou. 163 164
• He is forced into a sworn-brotherhood oath with Di Xin, creating a severe obstacle to any future rebellion. 165 181

Meeting the “Immortal Master”

• On the journey back to Xi Qi, Ji Chang's horse troop confronts the disguised Di Xin. Di Xin's effortless display of power changes Ji Chang's hostility into awe. 169
• He follows Di Xin's cryptic teachings on fortune, destiny, and the Human Emperor's fate, though Di Xin identifies Chaoge—not Xi Qi—as the location of the Human Emperor's destiny. 170 171
• Ji Chang kneels to become Di Xin's disciple and receives the Daoist name Wu Yazhi. 173
• Di Xin saves him from a snake spirit and accompanies his return to Xi Qi, further strengthening Ji Chang's trust. 176 182

Oaths, Fear, and Influence

• Ji Chang becomes alarmed that divination harms his lifespan and accepts Di Xin's prohibition against further divination. 180
• He asks whether his sworn-brotherhood oath can be retracted, revealing his conflict between the oath and his ambitions for Xi Qi. 181
• Di Xin gives him a protective talisman and pressures him to provide aid beyond Xi Qi, leaving Ji Chang anxious about the political consequences. 185 186
• Ji Chang eventually dispatches money and grain toward Chaoge. 203

Later Political Guidance

• When Chi Jingzi urges Xi Qi to support Yuan Futong and march on Chaoge, Ji Chang defers to Di Xin's counsel. Di Xin warns that such a choice would destroy Xi Qi. 318
• Di Xin later instructs him to submit three memorials, beginning with a request to relinquish the title King Wen of Zhou. Ji Chang follows this advice, testing Di Xin's continued trust. 348 356

Trivia

• Ji Chang has ninety-nine sons when Di Xin tells him he is destined to have one hundred. 170
• His Daoist name, Wu Yazhi, is deliberately tied to Di Xin's warning that a future tribulation will involve someone with the character “Ya” in their name. 173
• Although he believes his master can perceive heavenly secrets, Di Xin often uses the phrase “Heaven's secrets cannot be revealed” to avoid answering his questions directly. 169 180