Deng Zhong () is a character in the Chinese novel Investiture of the Gods (Fengshen Yanyi). He is the eldest of four sworn brothers who live at Mount Yellow Flower and later serve as generals under Wen Zhong of the Shang dynasty.
In Investiture of the Gods
Deng Zhong is described as having a blue-black face, red hair, large teeth, and a loud voice. He carries a large axe as his weapon.
Deng Zhong lives at Mount Yellow Flower with his sworn brothers Xin Huan, Zhang Jie, and Tao Rong. When Wen Zhong passes through the area during his campaign against the forces of Jiang Ziya, the four agree to join the Shang army. Deng Zhong subsequently serves under Wen Zhong in the campaign against Xiqi.
During the campaign, Deng Zhong takes part in battles against the Zhou forces. Wen Zhong later assigns him and Zhang Jie to fight on the left side of the Shang camp while Xin Huan and Tao Rong fight on the right.
Deng Zhong is killed by Nezha at Juelong Ridge. During the battle, Nezha strikes Deng Zhong with the Qiankun Circle, knocking him from his horse, and then kills him with his spear. His spirit is subsequently sent to the Investiture Platform.
At the end of the novel, Deng Zhong is appointed one of the twenty-four Heavenly Lords of the Thunder Ministry (雷部). He is named Deng Tianjun (邓天君), with the personal name Zhong. The twenty-four Heavenly Lords are placed under Wen Zhong, who is appointed the Jiutian Yingyuan Leisheng Puhua Tianzun.
Religious tradition
Deng Zhong is identified with Deng Marshal (邓元帅), a deity of the Taoist Thunder Ministry. The Chinese Taoist Association states that Deng Marshal's personal name is Zhong and cites earlier sources referring to him as the "Heavenly Origin Deng General" (天元邓将军). It also notes that Investiture of the Gods gives Deng Marshal the name Deng Zhong, while Journey to the West gives him the name Deng Hua.
Earlier references to Deng Marshal appear in Taoist and local sources. The Yijian zhi bu (《夷坚志补》) records a figure called the "Heavenly Origin Examining-and-Summoning General Deng" (天元考召邓将军), while the Changshu zhi (《常熟志》) records a Taoist temple whose Thunder God Hall was headed by Deng Marshal.
References