Gods 086: How Gods Are Made
In one afternoon’s work, Jiang Ziya expands the pantheon of Chinese folk religion, and he’s not too particular about who makes the cut.
Transcript
Welcome to the Chinese Lore Podcast, where I retell classic Chinese stories in English. This is episode 86 of Investiture of the Gods.
Last time, with mission accomplished and a new crown on his head, the Martial King Ji Fa returned to Western Qi in triumph. But now, Jiang Ziya came to him and said, so umm, guess what. There’s something I haven’t told you.
“Many years ago, I left Kunlun Mountain on my master’s command and came to help your highness punish evil,” Jiang Ziya said. “But it was also because fate had preordained that many mortals and immortals were destined to suffer a violent death. I had built a Terrace of Creation, where I had erected a List of Creations. Now that our mission is accomplished, the souls of the dead mortals and immortals are awaiting a destination. So I have come to take my leave of you so I can go see my master and request permission to deify the dead upon my return. Please allow me to go.”
Alright, timeout. So this was the thing that I’ve been trying to keep under wraps for almost the entirety of this novel. All the way back in episode 15, we first met Jiang Ziya. But in the novel, his introduction was prefaced with a giant spoiler about what he was going to be doing the rest of the book. And it was a convergence of three key events.
First, Heavenly Primogenitor, the founder of the Chan Sect, knew that his class of 12 disciples were destined to be tangled up in mortal affairs because they still hadn’t severed their ties with that realm, and as a result, they were due to face a potentially calamitous fate.
At the same time, the Jade Emperor of Heaven, who was referenced in the book but never introduced as an active character, had commanded the leaders of the three Daoist sects to provide him with bodies to fill 365 office jobs in heaven. No, I’m serious. Heaven needed people to staff its byzantine bureaucracy, which included units like the Department of Thunder, Fire, Plague, and War.
And, on top of that, the Shang Dynasty was destined to bite the dust soon. So the leaders of the three Daoist sects got together and decided to kill three birds, not to mention a lot of people, with one stone. They drew up a list of 365 names, including both mortals and Daoist practitioners. Once this list was drawn up, it was kept secret from everyone. Later, Heavenly Primogenitor gave it to Jiang Ziya when he tasked him with a literally divine mission.
One of the first things that Jiang Ziya did after he was tasked with this mission was to go set up a terrace in the Qi Mountain, called the Terrace of Creation. At this terrace, he set up the list he had been given. And then, every time somebody on this list got killed in battle, the novel made a point to note that their soul went to the terrace. There, they waited for Jiang Ziya to complete his earthly mission of helping the Zhou defeat the Shang. After that, he was supposed to come and assign heavenly bureaucratic jobs to every one of these souls, essentially making them gods, thus the name of the novel.
So, this is why I’ve been trying so hard to not mention any of this for the last 70 episodes. What’s the point of all the fighting and killing if everyone who died was destined to become a god anyway? To me, it really undercuts any sense of stakes or drama, especially if you’re telling the story to an audience that may not be familiar with most of these characters. So I’ve been leaving out bits and pieces here and there. Just know that when one of the sect masters or Jiang Ziya lamented that, “Oh so and so’s death was preordained,” that was NOT a figure of speech. They were being very literal.
This revelation also adds some additional shades to the conflict among the Daoist sects. When the sect leaders met, Grandmaster of Heaven, the leader of the Jie Sect, was all butt-hurt about so many of his disciples being killed. But he also KNEW that’s what was destined to happen. He helped to draw up the list! And he knew the ultimate fate of all those who got killed!
Anyway, back to the present. Once Jiang Ziya put in his time-off request, Ji Fa said, “Minister Father, you have labored for many years. You should be enjoying the blessings of peace. But this is also something that must be done. Please go and return quickly; don’t stay long on your immortal island and make me wait.”
“I would never dare to keep you waiting while I make merry in heavenly realms!” Jiang Ziya reassured him and then took his leave. He went home, bathed, changed, and fast-traveled to Kunlun Mountain and asked for admittance into the Jade Emptiness Palace, the headquarters of the Chan sect.
Once he was summoned in by his master, Heavenly Primogenitor, Jiang Ziya entered the palace, kneeled, and said, “Master, I wish you eternal life! I have come to ask for jade spells and golden decrees so I can assign positions to all the loyal officials, filial sons, and immortals who met their end in battle, so that their souls will have a resting place. Please exercise your compassion and act quickly.”
“I already knew,” Heavenly Primogenitor said. “You may go on back first. The items will be delivered to the Terrace of Creation soon.”
Jiang Ziya kowtowed to thank him and then departed back to Western Qi. He went to see Ji Fa and brought him up to speed. A few days passed, and soft music and a sweet fragrance descended from heaven as a divine bodyguard appeared, along with Heavenly Primogenitor’s personal attendant, White Crane Acolyte.
Jiang Ziya went out, kneeled, and received from them the jade spells and golden decrees, which he laid on the incense table as he bowed in the direction of Kunlun Mountain. Once the couriers took their leave, Jiang Ziya stowed the items and fast-traveled to Qi Mountain. When he arrived at the Terrace of Creation, he was greeted by Bai (2) Jian (4).
Now, we met this Bai Jian back in episode 34. He had been a commander under the mythical ancient sage king the Yellow Emperor. He was killed in battle and his soul was trapped under the sea. Jiang Ziya freed him and sent him to the terrace. His job was to be the greeter for the souls of every character who arrived at the terrace after being killed in battle.
Jiang Ziya now ascended the terrace and placed the jade spells and golden decrees on the altar in the center. He then ordered the officers Wu (3) Ji (2) and Nangong Kuo to erect paper pennants with all the Daoist cycle signs around the terrace to suppress evil spirits. He also ordered 3,000 soldiers to guard the structure.
Then, he took a bath, changed, burned some fragrant incense and poured some fine wine as a sacrifice. He then walked around the terrace three times, bowed, and ordered Bai Jian to await his orders at the foot of the terrace. All this done, he started to read a declaration from his master. It was a fairly lengthy decree, filled with Daoist mumble jumble, so I’ll just summarize a bit.
To the Daoists who died in battle, it noted how difficult it was to attain immortality by cultivating the Dao, and how, if you fail to sever your mortal inclinations after 500 years of cultivation, you are destined to meet with calamity. To the mortals who were killed in battle, it noted their loyalty in serving their country.
To all of them, it said: “Out of pity for your violent deaths, I have ordered Jiang Ziya to assign you as gods in eight departments. You will carry out your responsibilities in overseeing the affairs of the mortal world. You have transcended the cycles of birth and death. If you render good service, you will be promoted. You must all obey the laws and not commit any new sins or crimes.”
After reading the decree, Jiang Ziya put it back on the altar. He then donned his armor, held his magic yellow pennant in his left hand and his God-Beating Staff in his right. He stood in the center of the terrace and shouted, “Bai Jian, hang up the List of Creations at the foot of the terrace. All the souls will process according to its order.”
So Bai Jian hung up the list, and all the souls gathered around to look for their names. First on the list was Bai Jian himself. So he ascended the terrace with his Soul-Leading Banner in hand, kneeled, and awaited his assignment.
Jiang Ziya said, “By decree of Heavenly Primogenitor, I deify you as the God of Pure Happiness, leader of the 365 gods across the eight departments. Take this post with care and respect.”
Bai Jian kowtowed and offered up his thanks. He then went back down and resumed directing the other souls.
Next up, Jiang Ziya summoned Huang Tianhuan (1,4), the eldest son of Flying Tiger who was killed on Golden Rooster Peak. Momentarily, Bai Jian led him to the foot of the terrace, and he kneeled to await his assignment.
Jiang Ziya declared, “Per Heavenly Primogenitor, Huang Tianhua sacrificed his young life in loyal service to his kingdom. He also rendered immense service and rescued his father as a filial son. He died before receiving his reward. It was truly lamentable, and you deserve a high post. You’re hereby deified as the God of the Three Sacred Mountains.”
After Huang Tianhua offered his thanks and left, Jiang Ziya summoned Flying Tiger and the other four warriors who died by his side in battle. The five of them were assigned as gods of five sacred mountains, which were, you know, different from the three sacred mountains that Huang Tianhua got. Flying Tiger was to be chief among them, and he was given power over the 18 hells for the deceased. That meant he had control over all incarnations after death, whether you were going to be turned into a human being, a god, a fairy, or a ghost. He also controlled all human fortune and misfortune, blessings and punishments.
Next, Jiang Ziya ordered Bai Jian, “Bring forth the lead god of the Department of Thunder.”
And said head of the Department of Thunder was none other than Wen (2) Zhong (4), the grand tutor of the Shang court and the only guy who exerted some semblance of control over King Zhou before he died on campaign against Western Qi. Grand Tutor Wen now entered, followed by 24 direct reports in his department, which consisted of various Jie Sect Daoists who died in the campaigns against Western Qi. But Wen Zhong was still holding a bit of a grudge against Jiang Ziya, as he refused to follow behind Bai Jian and refused to kneel.
Jiang Ziya raised his staff and exerted his authority, shouting, “The head of the Department of Thunder shall kneel to receive the assignment from heaven!”
Only now did Grand Tutor Wen and his entourage kneel. Jiang Ziya praised him for his loyalty and chastity, and then told him he was to lead the Department of Thunder, which meant he controlled the weather, particularly the rain that was so crucial for the growth of crops.
Next up was the Department of Fire, and the department head there was Luo (2) Xuan (1), the Jie sect Daoist who had mastered fire magic. His team, however, was kind of skimpy, compared to the Department of Thunder. It consisted of just five direct reports. And their job, strangely enough, didn’t seem to have much to do with fire. Instead, they were to watch over the people and check their evil and good deeds.
Next was the Department of Plague, led by the Jie sect Daoist Lu (3) Yue (4), who was adept at spreading pestilence. He had six gods on his team, and they were to oversee the spread of diseases in the mortal realm. So I guess they’re like the Centers for Disease Control, except their mission is the exact opposite of the CDC’s.
So hold on a second here. The first few souls to get assigned godhood died fighting for the good guys. And then you had Grand Tutor Wen, who despite being on the wrong side of the conflict was nonetheless a man of principle, so ok, you could make an exception for him. But now you’re giving out godhood to a couple villains who specialized in burning things to the ground and making people sick? I guess heaven really is desperate to fill its openings.
Anyway, we still have another 300-some jobs to hand out, so it’s time to pick up the pace. Jiang Ziya now summoned the Department of Constellations, which was to be led by Mother Golden Spirit, one of the senior disciples of the Jie Sect. She was deified as the HOnorable Goddess of the North Pole Dippers and commanded 84,000 stars. She had help from 28 deputies who were divided into five constellations. This group included, among others, the Marquis Su Hu and his son, some of the Martial King’s brothers, Flying Tiger’s other sons, the Shang minister Bi Gan
And then under them were a huge grab bag of characters, including some from the “other family members” section. Alongside the names of countless officers and Daoists killed in battle from both sides, you also had luminaries like Jiang Ziya’s ex-wife, Lady Ma. I guess maybe the author felt bad about making her hang herself in the last episode? And then there were the court officials who died gruesome deaths after admonishing King Zhou, the queen who was tortured to death by King Zhou, the concubine who was tossed off the tower by King Zhou, Flying Tiger’s wife who leaped to her death after being harassed by King Zhou, and King Zhou.
Wait, back up. King Zhou got to be a god as well? What the actual hell? Of all the people who died in this novel, you couldn’t scrape up one more person who was just a tad more deserving of godhood and a divine iron rice bowl job than the guy who was the chief villain in the book? Whose acts of debauchery were listed out loud by someone on seemingly every other page? Whose misdeeds were THE cause of all the conflicts, deaths, and suffering in the story?
So, I guess it doesn’t really matter whether you died fighting against Chinese Caligula, died fighting FOR Chinese Caligula, died at the HANDS of Chinese Caligula, or if you WERE Chinese Caligula. You ALL get a paper-pushing job in heaven, which comes with the fringe benefit of … being a god. Literally, WHAT was the point of all the fighting then? This is one of the things that bumps me the most about this novel. Also, can you just imagine how much … umm … fun THAT office environment would be? You’re hanging out in the lunch room next to former blood enemies — some of whom you may have killed and one of whom might’ve killed you. And THEN, you’re joined by the guy that nobody likes, who cut off people’s legs and sliced open pregnant women just for kicks. And he’s probably THAT guy who never remembers to put the right cover sheet on his TPS reports so then you have to actually go talk to him every week to ask him to put the right cover sheet on his TPS reports and end that conversation with “thank you.” Ugh.
Anyway, there were other departments to be filled after this, but you get the gist, and I’m not going to cover all 365 job assignments. It’s all listed out name-by-name in the novel, so if you’re really interested, go read the translation. In any case, the last of the 365 jobs handed out went to … Shen (1) Gongbao (1,4), the former Chan Daoist turned nemesis for Jiang Ziya. Last we saw him, he was serving as a drain plug for a whirlpool in the North Sea. But now, he gets named the God of the East Sea and was tasked with overseeing sunrise, sunset, water in the summer, ice in the winter. This cushy gig, for the guy who was largely responsible for sending wave after wave of Jie sect Daoists against his former fellow disciple in the name of a tyrant who was just the worst, who, again, was himself a god now too. Truly, there is no God. Instead, there are now 365 newly minted gods, leaving the terrace and heading into what promises to be a totally dysfunctional corporate culture that will be hell in heaven. As they left, the ill winds and ominous fog around the terrace dissipated, replaced by a bright red sun and mellow winds.
But Jiang Ziya wasn’t done yet. He descended the terrace and told the general Nangong Kuo to order all the officials of the Zhou court to wait by the foot of Qi Mountain. The next day, the entire court was gathered and awaited his command.
Jiang Ziya now ordered his men, “Apprehend the Fei (1) Lian (2) and E (4) Lai (2)!”
Immediately, the guards grabbed hold of the two crooked former Shang officials who offered up their services to the Zhou and were taken in on Jiang Ziya’s advice. They pleaded their innocence, but Jiang Ziya chuckled.
“You two villains misled your king and led the court astray. You harmed the loyal and the good, and drove the Shang into the ground. Your crimes are immense, and even death would be too good for you! And when your kingdom fell and your king died, you offered up its treasure to try to buy yourself a position. Our new king and country cannot allow disloyal, dishonorable scum like you to remain in the world and bring embarrassment upon our new government! Men, take them outside and execute them!”
The two villains lowered their heads and said nothing as they were dragged outside and promptly beheaded. Jiang Ziya now stepped back up to the Terrace of Creation, smacked his table, and shouted, “Where is Bai Jian, the God of Pure Happiness? Bring the spirits of Fei Lian and E Lai here!”
Momentarily, Bai Jian brought the souls of the two newly slain villains to the foot of the terrace, where they kneeled and trembled in terror. Jiang Ziya declared, “Per Heavenly Primogenitor, Fei Lian and E Lai were wicked in life. They misled their lord, leading to the demise of the king and the country. Then they lived on in cowardice and stole the treasure of the kingdom to benefit themselves. But there is no escaping justice. You all brought this upon yourselves, but it was also preordained. You’re hereby deified as Gods for Dissolving Ice. Even though you had been wicked, you must now commit to good deeds. Do NOT commit any more sins!”
So … you trick these villains into thinking their scheme had worked, and then you give them their just deserts. But then you make them gods?! Again, what is the point? I give up. Somehow, in a novel called Investiture of the Gods, the most nonsensical part is the investiture of the gods.
Anyway, Jiang Ziya now descended the terrace and led all the other officials back to Western Qi. The next morning, the Martial King Ji Fa held court and looked every bit like the new master of the realm. Jiang Ziya now came forth, kowtowed, and informed him that he had finished handing out divine office jobs to 365 of the most noble, courageous, and deserving souls.
“They are authorized to bless the country and the people, oversee the wind and the rain, do good deeds, and punish the wicked,”Jiang Ziya said. “From now on, they will forever protect the peace, so that your highness no longer has to worry about it.
“But there is still the matter of the nobles, officials, and Daoists who rendered service on your campaign. They risked their lives to render service. Now that the realm is won, you should bestow territory and titles upon them and their descendants. You should also do the same for your royal relatives. This needs to be your first action item and cannot be delayed.”
“I have long wanted to do so as well,” Ji Fa said. “But I was waiting because you were away creating gods. Now that you’re back, I shall do as you say.”
Just then, the Daoist warriors who had accompanied him on campaign stepped out and said, “We were wild men of the mountain. On our master’s command, we joined the effort to restore order to the land. Now that that’s done, we should return to our mountains to report back to our masters. We do not desire the riches, fame, and offices of the mortal realm. We wish to take our leave of your highness now. We hope you will allow us to go back to our mountains.”
Ji Fa tried to convince them to stay, but the Daoists said, “We are grateful for your immense kindness, but we are used to living a carefree lifestyle in the wilderness. We dare not disobey our master or heaven’s will. Please oblige us and allow us to go.”
Ji Fa relented, but he also lamented, “Back when I started my campaign, loyal officials and men of honor gathered like clouds before a storm. Who knew so many would die on the campaign. Only a smattering are left, which grieves me realty. And now, I was just about to enjoy peace with the rest of you, but you’re insisting on going back to your mountains. If I try to keep you, it would be going against your will. So I will relent. Tomorrow, I and all the officials will personally see you off outside the city, so as to thank you for all the years you have served me.”
So the seven remaining Daoist warriors — Nezha and his father and two brothers, Yang Jian, Thunderbolt, and Wei Hu — were all going back to their mountain abodes. This grieved all the other officials, and Jiang Ziya as well.
The next morning, they got a grand sendoff on the outskirts of the south side of the city. Ji Fa took them by the hand and said, “Once you return to your mountains, you will be immortals. We’re no longer lord and vassal, so don’t stand on ceremony. Today, we shall drink our fill, so that I won’t know where you’re going. Otherwise, how can I bear your departure?”
So they feasted and drank for a good while before the Daoists took their leave. Ji Fa begged them to drink a few more cups, and they obliged him. After more back and forth, Ji Fa knew that he couldn’t keep them forever, so he bid them goodbye with tears in his eyes. And they told him, “It would be our greatest blessing if your highness continues to protect the peace. May we meet again another day.”
Then, they bid him and the other officials goodbye and set off. Jiang Ziya couldn’t bear to see them go either, and he saw them off for a good stretch before parting ways. And these seven Daoists would soon all become immortals, freed from the cycle of death and reincarnation.
The next day, Ji Fa and Jiang Ziya turned their attention to more earthly affairs. Jiang Ziya asked Ji Fa to start bestowing land on the mortals who had rendered service to him. Ji Fa said, “I’m still hung up on losing the seven Daoists yesterday. Minister Father, and you and my brother the Duke of Zhou may proceed as you see fit.”
So Jiang Ziya and the Duke of Zhou devised all the various rewards and reported back to Ji Fa the next day. I’m not going to cover them all. Needless to say, various titles were handed out, including posthumous ones for Ji Fa’s ancestors. More importantly, the realm was divided up into 72 fiefdoms, each handed out to some royal relative or an official who had rendered great service. This, by the way, would set the stage for the feudal system that the Zhou was known for. These would also become the various contending states whose rivalries would take centerstage some 400 years later during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.
For his service, Jiang Ziya was given the fiefdom of Qi (2), which would become one of the largest and most influential states. All this done, Ji Fa threw another huge party to celebrate. He also opened the storehouses and shared its wealth with the nobles. Everyone drank their fill, and then the next day, they took their leave and returned to their own states.
Ji Fa also gave orders to move the capital to what is present-day Xianyang (2,2) County, in Shaanxi (3,1) Province.
Then, one day, Ji Fa said to Jiang Ziya, “Minister Father, you’re getting old; it must be hard for you to remain at court.”
And so, he bestowed lots of wealth and palace maids upon Jiang Ziya and allowed him to go home to his fiefdom of Qi to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Jiang Ziya thanked him, and Ji Fa and the all the court officials saw him off the next day.
Jiang Ziya bowed to Ji Fa and said, “Your servant was blessed to have received a state per your highness’ kindness. But I will no longer be by your side. Who knows when we will meet again after today’s parting?”
“Minister father, you’re getting advanced in years,” Ji Fa said. “You have done much for the royal house. I wish that you can enjoy the pleasures of peace and no longer have to labor at court.”
Jiang Ziya bowed time and again to thank Ji Fa for his kindness. Then, they parted ways and Jiang Ziya headed to his state of Qi. Once there, he thought of his old friend Song (4) Yiren (4,2), who taken him in when he first left Kunlun Mountain all those decades ago at the age of 70. He now sent a ton of swag to his old friend, along with a letter. He then tended to the governance of his fiefdom, turning it into a well-run state.
Ji Fa, meanwhile, ruled from his new capital, commencing a reign of peace and prosperity and a dynasty that would endure for eight centuries.
And that wraps up the Investiture of the Gods. I’ll be back in a week or two with a wrapup episode before we move on to Journey to the West. If you have any last-minute questions about Investiture of the Gods, send them in now and I might include them in the wrapup. In the meantime, thanks for listening!
Music in This Episode
- “Sao Meo” by Doug Maxwell / Zac Zinger