Contents
Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Jiang Shang (姜尚) |
| Alias(es) | Jiang Ziya; Daoist Jiang; Daoist Flying Bear; Chancellor Jiang |
| Gender | Male |
| Affiliation | Elucidation Sect; Western Qi / Great Zhou Dynasty |
| Occupation/Role | Chancellor of Western Qi; Prime Minister and Grand Marshal of Great Zhou; commander in the War of Conquering Shang |
| First Appearance | Chapter 17 |
Background
Jiang Shang was a disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun of Kunlun Mountain's Jade Void Palace. After leaving Chaoge, he waited beside the Wei River under the Daoist title Flying Bear, fishing with a straight hook. His Primordial Spirit detected Ji Chang's approaching party before they reached him. 17
Ji Chang invited Jiang Shang to serve as Western Qi's Chancellor. Jiang Shang agreed only if Ji Chang personally pulled his carriage; after Ji Chang completed eight hundred paces, Jiang Shang declared that the future Great Zhou Dynasty would endure for eight hundred years and identified himself as Yuanshi Tianzun's disciple. 17 18
Ji Chang formally made him Chancellor of Western Qi, granting him authority over both military and political affairs. 20 When Ji Chang established Great Zhou, Jiang Shang was appointed Prime Minister and advised first contacting other Shang feudal lords rather than immediately confronting Great Shang. 26
Appearance
Jiang Shang is depicted as an elderly Daoist with white hair and a white beard. 17
- Often seen in Daoist attire while presenting himself as Daoist Flying Bear. 17
- Maintains a calm, composed expression when meeting Ji Chang at the Wei River. 17
- Later resides in a dedicated Chancellor's Residence in Haojing. 20 28
Personality
Jiang Shang is patient and deliberate. He waited at the Wei River for Ji Chang, tested the ruler's humility through the carriage condition, and did not immediately answer Ji Chang's invitation. 17
As a statesman and commander, he consistently favors preparation over reckless action. He opposed an early assault on Great Shang while Great Zhou lacked sufficient strength, arranged for its generals to be empowered and equipped, and later urged waiting for reinforcements before renewing the attack on Sishui Pass. 26 28 88
He is also willing to employ coercive measures for Great Zhou's cause. During a gathering of feudal lords, he asked Daoist Randeng to use the Elucidation Sect's Mind-Control Technique to enslave every lord present and prevent later dissent. 38
Abilities & Skills
Primordial Spirit Perception
Jiang Shang possesses a Primordial Spirit capable of detecting people at a distance.
- Detected Ji Chang and his ministers before they reached the Wei River. 17
- Inspected the pills, divine weapons, and other resources contained in Antarctic Immortal's storage ring through his Primordial Spirit. 28
Strategy and Military Command
Jiang Shang directs Great Zhou's political and military preparations against Great Shang.
- Recommended that Great Zhou strengthen itself and coordinate with other feudal lords before beginning a direct campaign. 26
- Organized the gathering of Great Zhou's generals so they could receive cultivation resources and divine weapons from the Elucidation Sect. 28 29
- Proposed a three-route strategy: his main force would pressure Sishui Pass while Ji Fa and Nangong Shi led armies against Azure Dragon Pass and Jiameng Pass. 64
- Designed the strategy to continuously draw Great Shang's powerful cultivators into battle, reducing pressure on Great Zhou's conventional armies while advancing the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation. 64
- Commanded Great Zhou's army at Sishui Pass and coordinated plans with Daoist Randeng, the Twelve Golden Immortals, and allied factions. 66 73 89
Political Influence
Jiang Shang holds extensive authority within Western Qi and Great Zhou.
- Ji Chang placed Western Qi's military and political authority under his control upon appointing him Chancellor. 20
- Became Great Zhou's Prime Minister after its founding. 26
- Received full command of the Great Zhou army from Ji Chang when the War of Conquering Shang began. 54
- Served as both Chancellor and Grand Marshal while Nangong Shi and Ji Fa commanded the left and right armies. 55
Equipment / Items
- Investiture of the Gods List — bestowed upon Jiang Ziya by Yuanshi Tianzun before the tribulation. 220
- God-Smiting Whip — bestowed alongside the Investiture of the Gods List. 220
Relationships
- Yuanshi Tianzun — His master and the Elucidation Sect leader; Yuanshi's support provides Jiang Shang with resources, sect experts, the Investiture of the Gods List, and the God-Smiting Whip. 18 28 220
- Ji Chang / King Wen — Ruler who recruited Jiang Shang from the Wei River, appointed him Chancellor, and later entrusted Great Zhou's army to him. 17 20 54
- Antarctic Immortal — Senior Brother who delivers Yuanshi Tianzun's resources and instructions, then works alongside Jiang Shang throughout the campaign. 28 54
- Daoist Randeng — Vice Sect Leader who secretly oversees the campaign and collaborates with Jiang Shang on Great Zhou's military plans. 28 64 89
- Shen Gongbao — Former fellow Elucidation Sect disciple and opposing commander at Sishui Pass; their conflict resurfaces when Shen Gongbao arrives to support Great Shang. 29 73 88
- Guanghan Fairy and Longji Princess — Allied cultivators who join Jiang Shang's campaign against Great Shang and receive his strategic briefing. 63
- Nangong Shi and Ji Fa — Great Zhou commanders assigned to lead separate armies under Jiang Shang's three-route war plan. 55 64
Story Role / Major Arcs
Recruitment at the Wei River
- Waits as Daoist Flying Bear by the Wei River and accepts Ji Chang's invitation after testing his resolve. 17
- Interprets Ji Chang's eight hundred steps as the omen of Great Zhou's eight-hundred-year prosperity. 18
- Takes office as Chancellor of Western Qi. 20
Founding of Great Zhou
- Participates in Ji Chang's establishment of the Great Zhou Dynasty at Qi Mountain. 26
- Is appointed Prime Minister and begins organizing support for a future campaign against Great Shang. 26
- Helps Great Zhou accumulate military strength through Elucidation Sect resources, training, and divine weapons. 28 29
War of Conquering Shang
- Receives command of Great Zhou's army after its generals emerge from ten years of seclusion. 54
- Leads the official opening of the War of Conquering Shang as Chancellor Jiang and Grand Marshal. 55
- Advocates a prolonged multi-front strategy designed to draw Great Shang's experts into the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation. 64
- Leads Great Zhou's main force to Sishui Pass, where its army is initially halted by Fuxi's defensive formation. 66 67
- Commands Zhou forces during the Battle of Sishui Pass, but retreats with the surviving army after Yang Jian's Heaven and Earth Dharma Body devastates the battlefield. 73 74 76
- Continues planning renewed operations against Sishui Pass alongside Elucidation Sect, Western Sect, Thunder Clan, and demonic allies. 80 89 108 111
Notable Quotes
“King Wen pulls a carriage for eight hundred steps; the Great Zhou Dynasty shall endure for eight hundred years!” 18
“The main force, meanwhile, will be deployed at the front to draw the enemy's powerful experts into joining the battle without end.” 64