Is “Immortals used magic to rescue Guzhu” true?
novel invention
The Records of the Grand Historian, in the biography of Bo Yi and Shu Qi, records that Shu Qi was a noble gentleman of the Guzhu state, and there is absolutely no record in pre-Qin classics of any esoteric arts or miraculous displays. In the novel, the two appear only as righteous men; according to the Investiture of the Gods, Chapter 68: 「后伯夷、叔齐入道阳山,耻食周粟,采薇作歌,终至守节饿死。」
Shu Qi
In history, he and his elder brother Boyi yielded the throne to each other and starved to death for righteousness; in fiction, they are equally portrayed as paragons of virtue.
Other claims about Shu Qi
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