Chong Houhu

Chong Houhu (Chinese: 崇侯虎; Pinyin: Chóng Hóuhǔ) a character featured within the Chinese novel Fengshen Yanyi. This role originated from Chong Hou Hu (崇候虎), an official of Shang Dynasty.^[1] Chong Hou Hu is not a person's name. It means the Duke of Chong state, whose name is Hu. In Fengshen Yanyi, Chong Houhu is a person's name, in which Chong is the family name and Houhu is the given name.

Plot in fiction

In Fengshen Yanyi, Chong Houhu is a high ranking official of the Shang Dynasty -- he is one of four Grand Dukes. After the four Grand Dukes had been invited to a banquet by King Zhou himself, Chong Houhu would be the primary defense of the king's edict to capture the "rebel" Su Hu, who had originally wrote harsh words about the king on the Noon Gate -- words that reflected truth however. Chong Houhu assures his utmost loyalty to the king and thus heads his army of 50,000 soldiers out of the Zhaoge capital to capture Su Hu from his Ji province. It had been said that the Chong Houhu's soldiers looked live rolling waves constantly emerging from the earth with murderous intent. After ten miles of traveling on horseback, scouts had reported to Chong Houhu that soldiers had effectively made it within Ji province; thus the duke makes camp.

After Su Hu heard of this and sat atop the city gate as to see before him Chong Houhu's army, Chong Houhu presented himself. As seen, the Chong Houhu whore a large bright red robe around his body with a jade belt, golden armor, and a large Flying Phoenix Helmet. While sitting atop a fat purple horse, a large broad knife could be seen resting on Chong Houhu's waist. After the duke then ordered the immediate capture of Su Hu, Mei Wu, the greatest general under Chong Houhu ran out and was met by Total Loyal and was soon killed. After a battle ensued following this, the duke retreated and hid in a small forest for rest at night. After Su Hu then ordered his soldiers to launch a night raid on the duke, complete chaos ensued and the duke himself would have lost his life if it had not been for the quick appearance of Chong Yingbiao, Jin Kuai, and Huang Yuanji. After the Chong Houhu, his son Chong Yingbiao, and other remnants fled on horse amongst the burning flames of their supplies, the duke uttered the words, "Ever since I have led an army, I have never suffered such defeat. How are we to take revenge? Moreover, I think the Grand Duke of the West is disobeying the king in not sending his troops, but sitting pretty to see who may win. Oh, how I hate that fox!" After Chong Houhu then decided to regroup in the morning, Total Loyal could be seen standing atop a mountain in the moonlight charging down upon the duke. After a battle ensues, Chong Houhu ends up having his left arm pierced by Total Loyal's spear; thus almost falling from his horse. Eventually, after the battle rages on for many days upon days following this event, the Grand Duke of the West sends a letter to Su Hu which results in Su Hu's consent, and the stopping of the conflict. Thus, Chong Heihu, and the Grand Duke of the West completely shun the Chong Houhu for his idiotic impulsive ways. After the duke returns to the capital with his remaining men, he asks pardon from King Zhou. Following the Jiang Ziya arc, Chong Houhu would be responsible for creating the Deer Gallery, and would thus starve the populace even further.

Chong Houhu was appointed as the deity of Dahao Star (大耗星) in the end.^[2]

Notes

1. ^ Records of the Grand Historian Vol.3.
2. ^ Fengshen Yanyi Chapter 99.

References

• Fengshen Yanyi Chapter 2-4 (scattered)