Zhong Wanchou

Zhong Wanchou

Contents

Zhong Wanchou (simplified: 钟万仇, traditional: 鐘万仇, pinyin: Zhōng Wànchóu, jyutping: zung1 maan6 sau4) was the master of Wanjie Valley and husband of Gan Baobao. His name “Wanchou” means “Ten Thousand Enemies,” and he was known by the epithets Horse King God and Kill on Sight.

Biography

Master of Wanjie Valley

Zhong Wanchou was the master of Wanjie Valley, a secluded location where he lived with his wife Gan Baobao and their daughter Zhong Ling. Despite his position of authority, his life was dominated by his obsessive love for his wife and his hatred for Duan Zhengchun.

Marriage to Gan Baobao

Zhong Wanchou was married to Gan Baobao, who had previously been the lover of Duan Zhengchun. Zhong Ling was actually the biological daughter of Gan Baobao and Duan Zhengchun, though Zhong Wanchou raised her as his own daughter.

Hatred for Duan Zhengchun

Zhong Wanchou’s hatred for Duan Zhengchun was so intense that he erected a sign at the entrance to Wanjie Valley openly challenging the Duan Clan of Dali. This public defiance demonstrated his willingness to risk conflict with the powerful royal family.

Alliance with the Four Evils

Zhong Wanchou allied himself with the Four Evils in an attempt to disgrace the Duan Clan of Dali. He conspired to have Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing consume the “Yin-Yang Harmony Powder” (阴阳和合散) to force them into an incestuous relationship, hoping to humiliate the royal family.

Personality and traits

Obsessive love

Zhong Wanchou was completely devoted to Gan Baobao, despite knowing that she had been unfaithful to him. His love for her was so intense that he was willing to overlook her past relationship with Duan Zhengchun and raise Zhong Ling as his own daughter.

Jealousy and hatred

Zhong Wanchou’s jealousy of Duan Zhengchun consumed him, driving him to extreme measures to seek revenge. His hatred was so deep that he was willing to risk everything, including his own safety and that of his family, to harm the Duan family.

Self-awareness of his situation

Despite his obsessive behavior, Zhong Wanchou was aware of his own weaknesses and the tragic nature of his situation. He knew that Gan Baobao did not love him as he loved her, yet he could not help himself from continuing to pursue her affection.

Physical appearance

Zhong Wanchou was described as having a very long horse-like face, with eyes set high on his head and a round nose that was pressed close to his mouth, leaving a large empty space between his eyes and nose. He was extremely tall and thin, with large hands like small fans hanging at his sides, and the backs of his hands were covered with prominent veins.

Relationships

Gan Baobao

Gan Baobao was Zhong Wanchou’s wife and the object of his obsessive love. Despite her past relationship with Duan Zhengchun and her continued feelings for him, Zhong Wanchou remained devoted to her throughout their marriage.

Zhong Ling

Zhong Ling was raised as Zhong Wanchou’s daughter, though she was actually the biological child of Gan Baobao and Duan Zhengchun. Zhong Wanchou treated her as his own daughter despite knowing the truth about her parentage.

Duan Zhengchun

Duan Zhengchun was Zhong Wanchou’s greatest enemy and the source of his deepest hatred. Zhong Wanchou’s entire life was consumed by his desire to seek revenge against the man who had been his wife’s lover.

Behind the scenes

Character significance

Zhong Wanchou represented the tragic consequences of obsessive love and jealousy. His character demonstrated how unrequited love and hatred could destroy a person’s life and lead them to make increasingly desperate and self-destructive choices.

Literary function

Zhong Wanchou’s character served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing emotions to control one’s actions. His story illustrated how love, when twisted by jealousy and obsession, could become a destructive force that harmed both the individual and those around them.

See also

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