Shen Zechuan

府君 - Fǔ jūn (Prefectural Lord)

Prefectural Lord of Zhongbo
Emperor Chunsheng

*“My ambition is not to be a gentleman, nor is it to be a good person. Since vindictiveness has become the tenet I live by, then a kindness given is kindness given, a wrong done is a wrong done.”*

**Shen Zechuan** (沈泽川) is the eighth son of common birth of Shen Wei, the Prince of Jianxing. He is one of the protagonists of *Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu*.

## Appearance

Shen Zechuan is known for his incomparable beauty which resembles his birth mother, Bai Cha. He is described as having skin as fair and lustrous as white porcelain and narrow eyes with raised and curved ends. He has an enchanting allure and subtle chilling aura, which gives an impression of being cold and intimidating. He has a tall and slender figure and is usually thin due to his frail health and the side effects of his medicine consumption. His physique is a cause for opponents to underestimate him, but he is skilled in swordsmanship and martial arts. He wears an earring on his right ear that was pierced by Xiao Chiye.

## Personality

*”Shen Zechuan looked askance at him. His gaze was far more sinister and malicious than how it was back then. It was as if a man had already died under this layer of gorgeous skin, and all that survived was an unnamed beast.”*

He is sharp and cunning, which is why most Qudu officials are wary of him moving up the ladder. Shen Zechuan is indeed intelligent and very attentive when it comes to reading people’s intentions. He plans ahead and likes to be a few steps ahead of everyone. He’s rarely direct with his words or actions, which either fools people into lowering their guard around him or makes them cautious of his real objective.

Shen Zechuan is notorious for being vindictive and cold-hearted. The pain and loss that he experienced when he was young pushes him to be merciless when it comes to exacting his revenge. However, his revenge isn’t only for himself, but also for the common people who were treated as pawns, as well as for his teacher, Qi Hulian. He isn’t afraid to kill those who wronged him and other people.

Although he is indeed ruthless, Shen Zechuan carries a lot of guilt and self-hatred for the things he is forced to do. He despises the stench of blood on himself and thinks of himself as vicious with impure motives.

Compared to Xiao Chiye, he has a gentle and modest demeanor, making him appear cold to others. Paired with this cold aura is Shen Zechuan’s unwavering strength when it comes to protecting the people around him. He is a thoughtful and loving person, and strives to become strong enough to ensure that the people he cares for are free from harm. He has a gentle side that he only shows to those close to him. He treasures the people around him, especially Xiao Chiye, Ji Gang, and Qi Huilian.

Shen Zechuan is generous and fair to his subordinates. He admires competent and hardworking people and makes sure they are treated well. Despite his awareness of his intimidating personality, Shen Zechuan doesn’t exploit people’s weaknesses to his advantage. However, this only applies to those he thinks are capable and respectable. In contrast, he doesn’t hesitate in discarding those who he thinks are incompetent or greedy with power.

When it comes to Xiao Chiye, Shen Zechuan can reveal his youthful and playful nature. He often shows his affection and intense feelings through physical touch and is especially fond of kisses. He’ll take any measures necessary to keep Xiao Chiye by his side and vows to kill anyone who tries to take him away from him. He firmly believes in Xiao Chiye’s capabilities and gives him his unconditional support.

## Background

Shen Zechuan is the Prince of Jianxing Shen Wei’s eighth son of common birth. Since he is not of lawful birth, he was not favored as a child. He instead spent his childhood with the Ji Clan in Duanzhou. During the invasion of the Six Prefectures of Zhongbo by foreign enemies, Shen Wei was accused of committing treason and colluding with the enemy. The fall of Zhongbo resulted in the death of countless soldiers in the Chashi Sinkhole. Shen Zechuan, the remaining survivor from the Chashi Sinkhole, was then taken to Qudu, the capital city of Da Zhou.

As the last survivor of the Shen clan, he was tortured and dragged in front of the emperor to confess to his father's sin and be punished on his behalf. However, he refuses to do so and incurs the Emperor’s wrath, who orders for him to be flogged to death. On the day of his flogging, he was saved by the Empress Dowager with the intent to use him as a pawn in the future. He was sent to Zhao Zui temple to remain a prisoner for five years.

After getting out of imprisonment, he received his first post in the Domestic Elephants Office but was later redeployed to the Imperial Carriages Office holding the “Emperor's Entourage” authority token. He initially set to become a Judge of the Imperial Bodyguards, but because of his background, the Grand Secretariat rejected his appointment as the Northern Judge and had it changed to the Southern Judge. Shen Zechuan’s military position was then raised to an Imperial Bodyguards’ Battalion Commander.

## Trivia

* He brings Xiao Chiye's blue handkerchief with him everywhere he goes.
* Shen Zechuan wanted to engrave his name on Xiao Chiye’s arm guard that he had given to him as a gift, but Xiao Chiye thought it wasn't a good omen and that he didn't want to put Shen Zechuan's life at risk, even if it was just his name.
* Qi Huilian gave him the courtesy name *Lanzhou*.
* Ji Gang gave Yang Shan Xue to Shen Zechuan as a coming-of-age gift.
* Shen Zechuan has a collection of folding fans that were handmade by Xiao Chiye.
* He loves eating fish.
* Xiao Chiye calls him "wife" in a playful/affectionate way.

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 13
2. ↑ Chapter 162
3. ↑ Chapter 24
4. ↑ Chapter 75
5. ↑ Chapter 33
6. ↑ Chapter 19
7. ↑ Chapter 7
8. ↑ Chapter 34
9. ↑ Chapter 164
10. ↑ Chapter 100
11. ↑ Chapter 163
12. ↑ Chapter 234
13. ↑ Chapter 168
14. ↑ Chapter 178
15. ↑ Chapter 181
16. ↑ Chapter 45
17. ↑ Chapter 60
18. ↑ Chapter 101
19. ↑ Chapter 154