Zi Jian

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Zi Jian (子坚)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Lower Yan Village
Occupation/Role	Carpenter, mason, furniture maker, and repairman
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background / History

Zi Jian became engaged at fourteen, married at sixteen, and became Zi Bofeng's father the following year. Still only in his early thirties, hardship had already left white at his temples and deep crow's feet around his eyes. 2

After the great flood destroyed Zi Village, Zi Jian fled with the young Zi Bofeng. During two years of displacement, he supported them through craftwork; on one occasion, he wove a lifelike grass rabbit and traded it for a steamed bun, which he gave to his son rather than eating himself. 6 47

Having lost his wife, Zi Jian raised Zi Bofeng alone. He initially kept the child indoors while working, but eventually allowed him to roam within and around the village after Zi Bofeng argued for more freedom. 39

The Zi family settled in Lower Yan Village with the help of Yan Lao Wu. Before Zi Bofeng's change in temperament, Zi Jian's kindness and the clan elder's reasonableness helped the outsider family remain in the village despite difficulties. 7 10

Appearance

Zi Jian is a medium-built man who is neither notably robust nor frail. Though still relatively young, he initially bears the visible marks of prolonged hardship. 2

• White streaks at the temples and deeply etched crow's feet when first introduced. 2
• Deeply sunken eyes after tending to the comatose Zi Bofeng. 3
• Shares a clear father-son resemblance with Zi Bofeng. 2
• His vitality later improves: his gray hair darkens somewhat and his crow's feet fade. 50

Personality

Zi Jian is practical, hardworking, and deeply devoted to his family. He worries constantly over Zi Bofeng's safety, reputation, examination prospects, and ability to serve as village head, even considering whether to spend the family's savings on gifts to placate offended officials. 6

His experience with the flood that destroyed Zi Village leaves him terrified of monsters. When the Galloping Horse Stone animates, he immediately flees with Zi Bofeng and Little Stone, considers reporting it, then decides the danger must remain secret so as not to provoke it. 6

Though initially cautious and burdened by poverty, Zi Jian possesses considerable pride and resolve. He refuses to divert savings intended for Zi Bofeng's examinations, grows competitive when others find jade, and later takes decisive initiative in organizing construction of the village water-powered mill. 25 31 50

Abilities & Skills

Carpentry and Masonry

Zi Jian is Lower Yan Village's repairman and furniture maker, bringing his tools with him even when traveling to Meng City. 6 32 50

• Builds and repairs furniture. 10 50
• Made a simple flatbed cart used to haul timber and transport Zhuzi's mother for treatment. 11
• Patches walls and handles general repairs. 23 50
• Crafted wooden prosthetic legs. 17
• Makes toys and carvings from mud, stone, wood, bamboo, and grass. 6 47

Craftsmanship

The Zi family's bamboo weaving and wood-carving tradition supported them during their years as refugees and after settling in Lower Yan Village. 3

• Zi Jian's grass-woven rabbit was lifelike enough to trade for food during the family's flight from disaster. 47
• His craftwork provides supplementary income and practical support for the family. 6 11

Relationships

• Zi Bofeng — son. Zi Jian raised him after his wife died, worries intensely over his future, and gradually becomes proud of and actively supportive of his village-development plans. 6 23 39 50
• Little Stone — nephew. Zi Jian travels and lives alongside him and Zi Bofeng; Little Stone calls him “Uncle.” 6
• Yan Wu Shi — neighboring widow and Little Stone's mother. Their households rely on one another, and their relationship gradually becomes affectionate. 7 30
• Zhuzi — fellow villager. Zi Jian lends him his cart without hesitation for his mother's treatment, later joins him in searching for jade, and comforts him during his mother's illness. 11 24 30
• Yan Lao Wu — Lower Yan Village's clan elder. Zi Jian works alongside him on village matters and shares concern for Zi Bofeng. 20
• Luo Qianshan — Zi Bofeng's associate. Zi Jian is initially uncertain of the soldier's identity but receives him respectfully. 23

Story Role / Major Arcs

Zi Bofeng's Examination and Appointment

Zi Jian awaits Zi Bofeng's examination result with concern and pride. After Zi Bofeng is appointed village head, he returns with his sons to Lower Yan Village while worrying that the Prefect, the clerk, and hostile villagers may create trouble. 2 6

Encounter with the Galloping Horse Stone

Zi Jian witnesses Zi Bofeng use Unity Transformation to turn the Galloping Horse Stone into a galloping horse. Traumatized by the monster-caused flood of the past, he interprets the event as a dangerous monster manifestation and insists on secrecy. 6

Support for Lower Yan Village

Zi Jian helps clean and establish Zi Bofeng's office, assists villagers such as Zhuzi, and accompanies Zi Bofeng during his work in Meng City. He is overjoyed when Lower Yan Village's taxes are waived. 9 23

Jade Hunt and Village Renewal

When jade begins appearing around the Big Blue Rock, Zi Jian eagerly joins Zhuzi in the mountain searches and studies the Jade Sutra despite struggling with its text. 28 30 31

He later shifts from jade hunting toward practical village development, personally approaching Shi San to organize construction of a water-powered mill. 50

Trivia

• Zi Jian saved silver specifically for Zi Bofeng's imperial examinations and refused to spend it on remarrying despite Zi Bofeng's suggestion. 25
• He initially does not understand Zi Bofeng's supernatural abilities and remains suspicious after the Heavenly Soldier incident. 17
• He views Lower Yan Village as his true home after the destruction of Zi Village. 48