Deng Jiugong

Deng Jiugong served as Commander-in-Chief of Sanshan Pass under the Shang dynasty, renowned throughout the army for his exceptional valour. Ordered to suppress the rebellious Western Qi, he first achieved victories but later suffered defeat—episodes such as Tu Xingsun’s strategic counsel and his daughter Deng Chanyu’s use of flying stones to repel enemy forces all revolve around him. Ultimately captured in battle, he was moved by the benevolence and righteousness of Western Qi and pledged allegiance to the Zhou. He continued to serve the newly established Zhou dynasty on the battlefield until his heroic death during the Battle of Mianchi, where he was ambushed and beheaded by the Shang general Zhang Kui. His daughter Deng Chanyu married Tu Xingsun and likewise joined the Zhou camp. During the Investiture of the Gods, Jiang Ziya enshrined Deng Jiugong as the Azure Dragon Star, ranking him among the celestial pantheon of deified generals; his image—resolute in old age and courageous in turning from darkness to light—has long been lauded by folk tradition.