Wen Zhong and Di Xin

Wen Zhong had campaigned for the house of Shang under the former king, and after Di Xin took the throne he still entered the court as Grand Preceptor with his golden whip, and no minister dared move when they saw him. When seventy-two circuits of lords rebelled at the northern sea, Wen Zhong was away from the capital more than ten years; by the time he rode his black qilin back into Chaoge, the Deer Terrace had been raised and the roasting punishment was already in use in the streets and at court.

Wen Zhong set out ten measures in the hall and required Di Xin to carry them out one by one, and before he had finished speaking an urgent report came from Western Qi. So he went out of the city again and took a great army west himself, while Di Xin waited in the Longde Hall for news of victory.

When the Ten Absolutes had been broken and his officers were all dead, Wen Zhong was forced into Jueleng Ridge and died among Yunzhongzi’s Heaven-Reaching Divine Fire Pillars. That night a cold wind crossed the city wall, and Wen Zhong’s soul entered the palace, said its last few words to Di Xin, and went on to the investiture terrace.