Fei Zhong

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Fei Zhong (费仲)
Alias(es)	Lord Fei; Prime Minister Fei Zhong 95 115
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Shang Dynasty imperial court 115
Occupation/Role	Prime Minister; court powerbroker 115
Status	Removed from office by Ji Fa; later described as under house arrest, though he subsequently appears at the Town Suppression Department with Wei Zi Qi 138 139
First Appearance	Chapter 80

Background / History

Fei Zhong is a powerful Shang court official whose political methods rely on coercion, purges, planted evidence, and the exploitation of rival factions. He uses Bo Yi Kao's abduction to force Ji Fa and Jiang Shang into a clandestine meeting, then demands that Ji Fa discredit Prime Minister Bi Gan within three days under threat of killing the hostage. 80

Seeking to consolidate his standing after Bi Gan's fall, Fei Zhong targets Bi Gan's supporters and turns on his longtime associate You Hun. His purge of You Hun's trusted aide Zhang Meng convinces You Hun that Fei Zhong intends to eliminate him, shattering their twenty-year alliance. 87 93

The conflict escalates into open confrontation when You Hun leads three hundred guards to besiege Fei Zhong's manor. Yin Shou then compels the two former allies to work together to recapture escaped prisoners within three days, leaving both men desperate and vulnerable to Ji Fa's manipulation. 97 98

Fei Zhong attempts to regain control by accusing Ji Fa of burning Li Xian's residence and destroying evidence. Ji Fa counters with evidence involving Phoenix Immortal Vermilion and Consort Su, while Imperial Censor Yang Ren provides Ji Fa with an alibi. Fei Zhong's maneuver instead deepens the king's suspicion of him. 115

In an effort to survive, Fei Zhong imprisons, tortures, and frames You Hun as the leader of the Faceless organization, using coerced testimony from Li Xian. Ji Fa exposes flaws in Fei Zhong's account before Yin Shou, leading to Fei Zhong's disgrace and removal. 118 121 138

After his fall, Fei Zhong approaches Ji Fa in a deliberately humble manner and offers an account book documenting corruption in Chao Ge's salt and iron industries. Ji Fa recognizes the ledger as a trap but accepts it. Fei Zhong later forces Qian Sihai to surrender as a scapegoat while arranging for Qian's family to be protected. 139 152

Appearance

After his political downfall, Fei Zhong presents a markedly diminished image compared with his former authority at court. 139

• Wears simple cloth clothing rather than official finery. 139
• Is described as gaunt and stooped, with white streaks at his temples. 139
• Adopts an almost humble, fawning smile when greeting Ji Fa. 139

Personality

Fei Zhong is ruthless, ambitious, and deeply calculating. He treats people close to him as expendable tools: Bo Yi Kao is leverage against Ji Fa, You Hun is turned into a disposable scapegoat, and Qian Sihai is ordered to confess alone for crimes connected to wider interests. 80 118 152

His confidence depends on controlling the court's narrative. When his schemes fail, he becomes volatile and desperate, ordering attacks on Ji Fa's family and escalating from political maneuvering to open violence. 106

Even after losing office, Fei Zhong remains dangerous. His offer of the salt-and-iron ledger shows that he continues to seek influence through indirect manipulation rather than accepting defeat. 139

Political Methods

Coercion and Hostage-Taking

Fei Zhong captures Bo Yi Kao to compel Ji Fa and Jiang Shang into negotiations, using the child's life to test their resolve and force action against Bi Gan. 80

• Threatens Bo Yi Kao's life if Ji Fa fails to discredit Bi Gan within three days. 80
• Uses the hostage not merely as leverage, but as a test of whether Ji Fa is worth cooperating with. 80

Purges and Scapegoats

Fei Zhong removes obstacles by accusing rivals of treason and compelling others to carry the consequences. 93 118 152

• Purges You Hun's subordinate Zhang Meng, helping provoke You Hun's break with him. 93
• Frames You Hun as the leader of Faceless and as the culprit behind the Zi Zi mansion massacre. 118
• Coerces Li Xian into false testimony against You Hun. 118
• Orders Qian Sihai to surrender and claim sole responsibility for criminal activities. 152

Evidence Manipulation

Fei Zhong attempts to weaponize investigations and accusations against Ji Fa, but his schemes repeatedly create openings for Ji Fa's counterattacks. 115 121

• Accuses Ji Fa of arson at Li Xian's residence. 115
• Uses fabricated evidence in the case against You Hun. 118
• Offers Ji Fa a corruption ledger concerning salt and iron interests after his removal from office. 139

Relationships

• Ji Fa — Principal political rival. Fei Zhong initially holds Bo Yi Kao hostage to control Ji Fa, later attempts to destroy him through accusations and attacks, and finally offers him a ledger as a calculated trap. 80 106 115 139
• Bo Yi Kao — Ji Fa's son and Fei Zhong's hostage during the initial negotiation with Xi Qi. 80
• Jiang Shang — Ji Fa's strategist and a key opponent in Fei Zhong's political struggle; Jiang Shang identifies and exploits Fei Zhong's efforts to purge rivals and divide You Hun's faction. 80 87
• Bi Gan — Political target. Fei Zhong seeks to undermine and eliminate Bi Gan's influence through Ji Fa and the purge of Bi Gan's supporters. 80 87
• You Hun — Former longtime ally turned victim and enemy. Fei Zhong's purge of You Hun's confidants breaks their alliance; Fei Zhong later imprisons and frames him for treason. 93 118
• Yin Shou — Shang king whose trust Fei Zhong loses after the Faceless investigation becomes entangled in Fei Zhong's own manipulations. 115 121
• Li Xian — Fei Zhong's loyal confidant, later coerced into giving false testimony against You Hun. 113 118
• Qian Sihai — Scapegoat ordered by Fei Zhong to confess alone in exchange for protection for his family. 152
• Wei Zi Qi — Appears alongside Fei Zhong at the Town Suppression Department after Fei Zhong's removal, though their shared purpose is initially unclear. 138 139

Story Role / Major Arcs

Xi Qi Negotiations

Fei Zhong initiates Ji Fa's Chao Ge political ordeal by kidnapping Bo Yi Kao and demanding action against Bi Gan. This establishes him as one of the first court figures to recognize Ji Fa as both a threat and a potential political asset. 80

Break with You Hun

His attempt to monopolize power after Bi Gan's fall drives You Hun into open rebellion. Ji Fa exploits the hostility between the two officials, turning their former alliance into a weapon against both sides. 87 93 97 98

Faceless Case and Disgrace

Fei Zhong attempts to bury You Hun beneath false charges and use the Li Xian fire to implicate Ji Fa. Ji Fa's evidence and Yin Shou's intervention turn the investigations back on Fei Zhong, causing his political downfall. 115 118 121 138

Return as a Schemer

Though removed from office, Fei Zhong re-enters Ji Fa's orbit with Wei Zi Qi and presents the salt-and-iron ledger. His return demonstrates that he remains an active conspirator rather than a defeated official. 138 139

Notable Quotes

“You are not the Grand Master anymore. You are the leader of ‘Faceless’!” 118