Xue Zhu (simplified: 薛烛, traditional: 薛燭, pinyin: Xuē Zhú, jyutping: sit3 zuk1) was a figure in Chinese tradition associated with sword appraisal. He is mentioned in connection with the famous swords of the Spring and Autumn period and is sometimes linked to the State of Yue and the lore of blades such as those forged by Ouyezi (欧冶子).
In tradition
Xue Zhu appears in historical and literary accounts as an expert who could identify and evaluate famous swords. His name is linked to stories about the Yue court and the culture of sword-making and sword appraisal.
In Sword of the Yue Maiden
Xue Zhu is one of Ouyezi’s two disciples. Summoned to Goujian’s court, he ranks the five swords his master forged, judging Shengxie the finest and Juque the least, and tells the king that Yue’s two blades are no match for Wu’s. He can no longer forge: his shixiong Feng Huzi has cut off both his thumbs and index fingers.1
Xue Zhu explains that Feng Huzi, won over by Wu Zixu, had taught Wu’s smiths to forge sharper blades at Mount Mogan, and maimed him when he refused to join the work. He also tells the court that copper lies in Yue and tin in Wu.2 After Aqing vanishes, Fan Li puts Xue Zhu in charge of forging tens of thousands of sharp jian for the war on Wu.3
See also
- Ouyezi — Master swordsmith
- Feng Huzi — Another figure associated with sword appraisal
- Sword of the Yue Maiden characters