Wu Lishen (simplified: 吴立身, traditional: 吳立身, pinyin: Wú Lìshēn, jyutping: ng4 lap6 san1) was a member of the House of Prince Mu (沐王府 — Mù Wángfǔ) in The Deer and the Cauldron. He works with Wei Xiaobao to frame Zheng Keshuang (郑克塽) for various crimes, helping to discredit Wei Xiaobao’s romantic rival.
Biography
Framing Zheng Keshuang
Wu Lishen plays a key role in helping Wei Xiaobao frame Zheng Keshuang for various crimes. After hearing Wei Xiaobao’s complaints about Zheng Keshuang’s behavior—including his attempts to seduce Ake (阿珂) and his betrayal of the Heaven and Earth Society—Wu Lishen decides to help punish Zheng Keshuang.
Wu Lishen and his followers go to an inn where Zheng Keshuang is staying and falsely accuse him of various crimes, including gambling debts, visiting prostitutes, and other immoral acts. They even arrange for someone to pose as a woman who claims to have been assaulted by Zheng Keshuang.
Collaboration with Wei Xiaobao
Wu Lishen’s actions demonstrate his willingness to work with Wei Xiaobao, despite the historical tensions between the House of Prince Mu and the Heaven and Earth Society. His collaboration shows how personal grievances and mutual enemies can sometimes bridge organizational divides.
The framing of Zheng Keshuang serves multiple purposes: it helps Wei Xiaobao discredit his romantic rival, it punishes Zheng Keshuang for his betrayal of anti-Qing forces, and it demonstrates the effectiveness of Wei Xiaobao’s network of allies.
Loyalty to the Mu household
Despite his collaboration with Wei Xiaobao, Wu Lishen remains loyal to the House of Prince Mu and its anti-Qing cause. His actions against Zheng Keshuang reflect not just personal animosity but also political opposition to the Kingdom of Tungning’s stance.
Personality
Wu Lishen is characterized by his loyalty to the House of Prince Mu and his willingness to take action against those he perceives as enemies or threats. He is practical and willing to collaborate with others when it serves mutual interests.
His readiness to frame Zheng Keshuang demonstrates a certain moral flexibility, as he is willing to use deception and false accusations to achieve his goals. However, this behavior is presented as acceptable given Zheng Keshuang’s own treachery.
Significance
Wu Lishen represents the complex web of alliances and conflicts within the anti-Qing movement. His willingness to work with Wei Xiaobao despite organizational tensions shows how personal relationships and shared goals can override institutional divisions.
His role in framing Zheng Keshuang also highlights the theme of information warfare and manipulation that runs throughout the novel. The framing demonstrates how false accusations and public shaming can be used as political weapons.
Wu Lishen’s character contributes to the novel’s exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and the ways in which personal and political motivations intersect and influence each other.