Wang Bashuai

Wang Bashuai (simplified: 王八衰, traditional: 王八衰, pinyin: Wáng Bāshuāi, jyutping: wong4 baat3 seoi1), meaning “Eight Feeble” or “Eight Weak,” was one of the Divine Arrow Eight Heroes (神箭八雄), Zhao Min’s eight bodyguards known for their exceptional archery skills. His name was considered particularly unlucky, as noted in the novel, where it was remarked that “not even bandits and barbarians would think of such names.”

Biography

Service to Zhao Min

Wang Bashuai was one of the eight bodyguards who served Zhao Min, the Yuan princess and daughter of Chaghan Temür, the Prince of Ruyang. The eight bodyguards were collectively known as the Divine Arrow Eight Heroes due to their exceptional archery skills, which were so formidable that even Zhang Wuji, the Ming Order leader, recognised their threat.

At Green Willow Villa

When Zhao Min hosted the Ming Order leaders at Green Willow Villa (绿柳山庄), Wang Bashuai was present with the other seven bodyguards. Zhao Yishang, the leader of the group, introduced Wang Bashuai as the last of the eight heroes to the Ming Order members, explaining their intentionally unlucky names.

Personality & traits

Loyalty

Wang Bashuai demonstrated absolute loyalty to Zhao Min, serving as one of her most trusted bodyguards and retainers.

Martial arts abilities

Exceptional archery

Wang Bashuai’s archery skills were exceptional, placing him among the most skilled archers in the jianghu. The Divine Arrow Eight Heroes’ collective archery abilities were so formidable that Zhang Wuji, despite his superior martial arts, recognised them as a significant threat.

Relationships

With Zhao Min

Wang Bashuai served as one of Zhao Min’s most trusted bodyguards and retainers.

With the other Divine Arrow Heroes

Wang Bashuai worked alongside the other seven bodyguards: Zhao Yishang, Qian Erbai, Sun Sanhui, Li Sicui, Zhou Wushu, Wu Liupo, and Zheng Qimie. They worked together as a cohesive unit under Zhao Yishang’s leadership.

Behind the scenes

Name symbolism

Wang Bashuai’s name, meaning “Eight Feeble” or “Eight Weak,” was intentionally unlucky, as were the names of all eight heroes. However, Wang Bashuai’s name was considered particularly extreme, as noted in the novel: “not even bandits and barbarians would think of such names.” This naming convention was unusual in Chinese culture, where names typically contain positive meanings. The choice of such names may have been intended to avoid attracting unwanted attention or to follow a superstitious practice of using unlucky names to ward off actual misfortune.

The eight heroes’ surnames followed the traditional order from the “Hundred Surnames” (百家姓), a classic Chinese text listing common surnames. This systematic naming suggested that the names were chosen deliberately rather than being their original birth names.