Shi Zhongjun (simplified: 史仲俊, traditional: 史仲俊, pinyin: Shǐ Zhòngjūn, jyutping: si2 zung3 zeon1), known as the Plum Blossom Spear (梅花枪, Méihuā Qiāng), was one of the Three Heroes of Lüliang (吕梁三杰) and a bandit who participated in the killing of Li Wenxiu’s parents in White Horse Neighing in the West Wind. He was killed by his former fellow disciple, Shangguan Hong, during the pursuit.
Biography
Early life and martial arts training
Shi Zhongjun was originally a martial arts disciple who trained alongside Shangguan Hong, who would later become the Three Lady of the Gold and Silver Swords. The two were fellow disciples, having studied under the same master since childhood.
Shi Zhongjun developed deep feelings for Shangguan Hong, and their master had hoped to match them together. Their fellow disciples also expected them to marry. However, Shangguan Hong met Li San the White Horse and fell in love with him instead, choosing to run away with Li San despite her family’s objections.
Devastation and transformation
Shangguan Hong’s rejection devastated Shi Zhongjun. He became seriously ill and never married, carrying his unrequited love for her for the rest of his life. The rejection also changed his personality, making him more bitter and resentful.
Joining the Three Heroes
After his rejection by Shangguan Hong, Shi Zhongjun joined forces with Huo Yuanlong (the Divine Sabre Shakes Guanxi) and Chen Dahai (the Green Python Sword) to form the Three Heroes of Lüliang. The three sworn brothers established the Jinwei Armed Escort (晋威镖局) in Taigu County, Shanxi Province.
Shi Zhongjun was known as the Plum Blossom Spear for his mastery of the Plum Blossom Spear Style, a spear technique characterised by precise and elegant attacks.
Pursuit and death
Shi Zhongjun participated in the pursuit of Li San and Shangguan Hong, leading a band of sixty bandits in search of the Gaochang Maze map. During the final confrontation, after Li San was killed, Shangguan Hong, knowing that capture was inevitable, decided to seek revenge.
Shangguan Hong pretended to be receptive to Shi Zhongjun’s advances, causing him to believe that she finally reciprocated his feelings. When he embraced her, she used hidden daggers—one stabbing him in the abdomen and one stabbing herself in the chest—killing them both. Shi Zhongjun, mortally wounded, asked Chen Dahai to end his suffering, and Chen Dahai complied by stabbing him through the heart.
Personality and traits
Devoted but bitter
Shi Zhongjun’s character was defined by his unrequited love for Shangguan Hong. His devotion to her was unwavering, but his inability to move on from her rejection made him bitter and resentful.
Tragic figure
His death at the hands of the woman he loved represents one of the novella’s most tragic moments, illustrating how unrequited love can lead to destruction for all involved.
Martial arts abilities
Plum Blossom Spear Style
Shi Zhongjun’s signature martial art was the Plum Blossom Spear Style (梅花枪法), a spear technique known for its precise and elegant attacks. His epithet “Plum Blossom Spear” reflected his mastery of this style.
Relationships
Martial family
- Shangguan Hong — His former fellow disciple, whom he loved but who rejected him for Li San
Sworn brothers
- Huo Yuanlong — The eldest of the Three Heroes, known as the Divine Sabre Shakes Guanxi
- Chen Dahai — The third of the Three Heroes, known as the Green Python Sword, who ended Shi Zhongjun’s suffering
Enemy
- Li San — The man who won Shangguan Hong’s heart, whom Shi Zhongjun helped to kill
Behind the scenes
Shi Zhongjun’s character represents the destructive power of unrequited love and the inability to move on from rejection. His story parallels other tragic love stories in the novella, particularly Hua Hui’s obsession with Yalixian, showing how unrequited love can consume and destroy individuals.
His death at Shangguan Hong’s hands is one of the novella’s most poignant moments, demonstrating the complex emotions involved in their relationship and the tragic consequences of his inability to accept her rejection.
Portrayals
Shi Zhongjun has been portrayed in various adaptations of White Horse Neighing in the West Wind.
See also
- White Horse Neighing in the West Wind characters
- Three Heroes of Lüliang — The group Shi Zhongjun belonged to
- Huo Yuanlong — Shi Zhongjun’s sworn brother
- Chen Dahai — Shi Zhongjun’s sworn brother
- Shangguan Hong — Shi Zhongjun’s former fellow disciple and the woman who killed him
- Li San — The man who won Shangguan Hong’s heart
- White Horse Neighing in the West Wind