In Journey to the West, Wei Zheng embodies a dual identity. He is neither fully mortal nor purely divine but a liminal figure ensuring cosmic order—a reminder that even human affairs are threads in the tapestry of heavenly design.
As a Mortal
He serves as the Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty, a trusted advisor to Emperor Taizong.
Li Shimin (Emperor Taizong of Tang) and Wei Zheng were both historical figures. During the Tang Dynasty, they shared a political relationship as emperor and chancellor.
As a Divine Agent
In the novel, their historical roles are reimagined with supernatural twists.
He is secretly an emissary of the Heavenly Court, tasked with executing celestial decrees on Earth.
As prime minister, Wei Zheng upholds Confucian loyalty to the emperor; as celestial executor, he embodies Daoist transcendence of mortal constraints.
The Execution of the Jing River Dragon King
- Divine Mandate: The Jade Emperor orders Wei Zheng to behead the Jing River Dragon King for violating heavenly laws by altering rainfall quotas.
- Emperor Taizong’s Intervention: Aware of Wei Zheng’s divine role only subconsciously, Taizong attempts to distract him with chess to prevent the execution.
- Soul Projection: Wei Zheng’s mortal body remains playing chess, while his disembodied soul carries out the divine sentence, killing the Dragon King.
Symbolism and Dualism
- Bridge Between Realms: Wei Zheng’s duality reflects the novel’s theme of interconnected mortal and celestial realms. His actions directly trigger Taizong’s haunting by the Dragon King’s ghost, leading to the emperor’s underworld journey and the subsequent Grand Assembly of Souls—events pivotal to Tang Sanzang’s scripture quest.
- Heaven’s Authority: As a hidden divine agent, Wei Zheng symbolizes the inescapable reach of cosmic justice, even within human governance.
Tips:
Soul Projection (出神)is a Taoist concept where the soul temporarily leaves the body, reflecting Wei Zheng’s mastery of esoteric practices.
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