Sword of Zhanlu

Sword of Zhanlu

　　Zhanlu, forged by Ou Yezi, is the foremost of the Five Legendary Swords. According to the Cihai, “Zhanlu Mountain is located in Songxi County in northern Fujian. With lofty ridges and peaks shrouded in mist all year round, it is said to be the place where Ou Yezi forged swords during the Spring and Autumn period, hence the mountain was named after the sword.”

　　About the Swordsmith

　　　　Ou Yezi, a native of Ningbo in the Yue State during the Spring and Autumn period, was a renowned swordsmith in history and also the father-in-law of another famous swordsmith, Gan Jiang.

　　Historical Background

　　　　During the chaotic Spring and Autumn period, Fujian, a mountainous region, was suitable for close combat, making sharp swords crucial weapons for enhancing combat effectiveness. It was in this context that master swordsmiths emerged, and Ou Yezi was one of them.

　　History

　　　　The Yuejueshu·External Biography of Precious Swords records: “King Goujian of Yue ordered Ou Yezi to forge swords.” Ou Yezi, along with his wife Zhu, daughter Mo Ye, and son-in-law Gan Jiang, traveled across the famous mountains and rivers of Fujian and Zhejiang to find an ideal location for sword-making. When they arrived at Zhanlu Mountain, they found it lush with trees,

　　abundant in firewood and charcoal, rich in mineral resources, with clear mountain springs perfect for quenching blades, so they set up their workshop there to forge swords. After three years of hard work, they finally created the peerlessly sharp Sword of Zhanlu. At that time, the Five Famous Swords in the world were: Zhanlu, Juque, Shengxie, Yuchang, and Chunjun (also called Chun'gou), with Zhanlu ranking first. This sword could cut hair cleanly as it touched the edge, and iron would crumble upon contact with its blade—there was no equal in the world. A later poet wrote: “For ten years I lay beneath Zhanlu. Between the stars I saw twin dragons’ glow. Where on earth can Ou Yezi now be found? Since he departed, how many springs have flown? The Sword of Zhanlu still shines alone.” From the mythically tinged description by Yang Ying, head of Zhanlu Academy in the Yuan Dynasty, we can see just how renowned the Sword of Zhanlu was: “Ou Yezi, with his consummate skill, went straight to Zhanlu Mountain and set up his furnace at the most outstanding and secluded spot at its foot. He obtained tin from Chijin Mountain and copper from the Ruoye Stream. The Rain God swept the site, the Thunder God split the rocks, dragons held the furnace, and the Heavenly Emperor supplied the charcoal. After three years here, the sword was completed. When the sword was finished, its brilliance pierced the heavens, outshining the sun, moon, and stars, causing the celestial bodies to retreat in awe and ghosts and spirits to wail. King Goujian of Yue revered it.” The Ming Dynasty’s Feng Menglong, in his novel The Romance of the States of the Eastern Zhou, wrote: “The Sword of Zhanlu is made of the essence of the five metals and the spirit of the sun. It is born with divine power, and those who wield it command great authority.” The same book also recounts a story: once the Sword of Zhanlu was forged, King Goujian of Yue regarded it as a national treasure. When the Yue Kingdom was conquered by the Wu Kingdom, King Helü of Wu acquired the sword. But one day, it suddenly disappeared. Then, one day, it was discovered gleaming coldly beside the pillow of King Zhao of Chu. A sword appraiser explained the mystery to the court: this was the Sword of Zhanlu, forged by Ou Yezi, the master swordsmith of Wu. King Helü of Wu was tyrannical—he killed his predecessor, King Liao, to usurp the throne, and buried alive thousands of people to accompany his daughter in death. The people of Wu were filled with grief and resentment, so how could they retain such a sword? The country where the sword resides is destined to enjoy long-lasting prosperity. King Zhao of Chu was overjoyed: “This is surely an auspicious omen from heaven!” Thus, the Sword of Zhanlu had become a divine object symbolizing the rise and fall of nations. The Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu wrote: “Court officials donned warrior garb, while the king grasped the hilt of Zhanlu.” Many historical texts and poems mention the Sword of Zhanlu. The sword passed through many hands over the centuries. It is said that during the Tang Dynasty, it came into the possession of Xue Rengui, and later was passed to Yue Fei, the famous Southern Song general who resisted the Jin invasion. In the 12th year of the Shaoxing era (1142), after Yue Fei and his son were executed, the Sword of Zhanlu disappeared without a trace. The Sword of Goujian of Yue, unearthed in 1965, although not confirmed to have been forged by Ou Yezi, is a bronze sword from the same period and provides valuable reference material for studying the craftsmanship of the Sword of Zhanlu.

　　Other Related Information

　　　　To revive the splendor of the ancient Sword of Zhanlu, since 1985, Songxi County has researched historical materials, gathered skilled artisans, conducted experiments, inherited traditional techniques, and added more than ten modern processes including control, smelting, and forging. Finally, they produced a series of Sword of Zhanlu products, including soft swords, hard swords, single swords, double swords, sharpened swords, cane swords, and beast-patterned swords. The blades shine with silver light, are flexible yet sturdy, and are engraved with dragon and phoenix motifs. The scabbards are made of padauk wood or rosewood, clad in thin brass sheets adorned with patterns, giving them an elegant and classic appearance. The first batch of products was displayed for sale at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing and sold out immediately. On June 14, 1986, the Fujian Daily published a report titled “Where Ou Yezi Once Forged Swords, the Sword of Zhanlu Is Forged Again,” covering the news. Over 20 newspapers, including the People’s Daily and its foreign-language editions, and the Wenhui Daily, reprinted the article. In 1987, the Sword of Zhanlu won the Hundred Flowers Award for Arts and Crafts in Fujian Province. Zhanlu: a type of weapon in the online game Fantasy Westward Journey.

　　Zhanlu: a type of weapon in the online game热血江湖 (Blood and Steel). The blade is broad, dark as ink, with bone forged into its spine and blood used to temper its edge, creating a peerless sword.