Zhou Botong
Encyclopedia
Zhou Botong is a fictional character in the wuxia
novels The Legend of the Condor Heroes
and The Return of the Condor Heroes
by Jin Yong.
Zhou is arguably one of the most humorous characters in the trilogy and also one of the best pugilists in the jianghu
, as he is nicknamed "Old Imp" (老頑童) and becomes one of the Five Greats at the end of The Return of the Condor Heroes
as the "Central Imp" (中頑童), replacing "Central Divine" Wang Chongyang
. His most notable trait is his childish and mischievous personality, as he enjoys playing pranks and games like an immature toddler, constantly seeking fun and entertainment even at an old age.
, founder of Quanzhen Sect
. He is the most senior of all Quanzhen disciples after the death of Wang. However, Zhou neither accepts any disciples nor remain in Quanzhen most of the time. Instead, he roams the jianghu
to derive entertainment from anything of interest to him, including fights and toys. However, he still maintains respect for Wang and abides by the rules of Quanzhen.
Zhou has a love affair with Liu Ying, the concubine of Duan Zhixing
, but breaks up with her after heeding Wang's advice. However, Liu is already pregnant with Zhou's child then and gives birth to a son later. The infant is mortally wounded by Qiu Qianren and dies from the injuries after Duan, who has the ability to save the child, refuses to do so. Zhou is unaware that he has a child until he meets Liu (later known as Yinggu) several years later.
and Huang's wife, Feng Heng, along the way. Huang tricks Zhou into allowing his wife to read the manual after winning Zhou by cheating in a game of stone-throwing. Zhou lets Feng read the second volume of the manual and she memorises the text after reading it once.
Feng lies to Zhou that the manual is actually a copy of a book of childish rites, claiming that she knows the text by heart, and she recites the manual fluently to Zhou without glancing at it. Zhou believes her and destroys the second volume of the manual in anger before leaving. Some time later, Zhou realises that he had been fooled and he returns to Peach Blossom Island to confront Huang and demand an explanation. Feng had died recently after giving birth to Huang's daughter and Huang is still in a foul mood. The two of them have a heated argument, in which Zhou taunts Huang, saying that he can now practise martial arts better without distraction from his wife. Huang is furious and he fights with Zhou. However, neither of them is able to defeat his opponent and Huang seals off all exits from the island. Zhou is effectively "imprisoned" on the island for the next 15 years, and he finds a cave and settles there.
sets foot on the island and meets Zhou. Zhou befriends Guo and they become sworn brother
s, even though Zhou is older than Guo by at least 40 years. Zhou tells Guo stories about the Nine Yin Manual and his conflict with Huang Yaoshi. Zhou still has the first volume of the manual with him and he decides to let Guo learn the skills. Zhou had been forbidden by Wang Chongyang to practise the skills in the manual. Guo memorises the text in the manual and Zhou also teaches him the "Seventy-two Styles Vacant Fist" (七十二路空明拳) and the "Technique of Ambidexterity" (雙手互搏). Zhou has also accidentally broken his vows by practising the manual's skills himself when he teaches Guo.
Zhou finally settles his feud with Huang Yaoshi with the help of Guo and Huang Rong
. He leaves the island with them and follows them on their adventures on the mainland. He participates in the second martial arts contest held on Mount Hua
but leaves halfway when Yinggu appears, telling him to kill Qiu Qianren and avenge their son.
the "Technique of Ambidexterity" when both of them are trapped in a cave by Jinlun Guoshi. In return, Xiaolongnü teaches him how to use the Jade Bees and helps to cure him after he is poisoned by Jinlun's ice spiders.
Zhou then lives alone for a few years in the Hundred Blossoms Valley, where he spends his time keeping bees as his pets and practising how to control and direct them with the skill he learnt from Xiaolongnü. He meets Yinggu and Duan Zhixing
(now known as Reverend Yideng) again with Yang Guo's help. He forgives Qiu Qianren for his misdeeds and Qiu dies in peace. Zhou also participates briefly in the defence of Xiangyang
from the Mongol invaders.
and challenges Ouyang to kill all the sharks in the sea; Ouyang uses his venom to poison and kill all the sharks within sight. Zhou is presumed to be dead after falling into the sea, but he reappears several days later and returns to the ship, riding on a shark in the waves. He finds shark-riding an extremely fun sport and claims that Ouyang has lost the wager, since Ouyang fails to kill the last shark (the one he is riding on).
Wuxia
Wuxia is a broad genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of literature, its popularity has caused it to spread to diverse art forms like Chinese opera, manhua , films, television series, and video games...
novels The Legend of the Condor Heroes
The Legend of the Condor Heroes
The Legend of Condor Heroes is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong, and the first part of the Condor Trilogy. It was first serialized between January 1, 1957 and May 19, 1959 in Hong Kong Commercial Daily...
and The Return of the Condor Heroes
The Return of the Condor Heroes
The Return of the Condor Heroes is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong, and the second part of the Condor Trilogy. It was first serialized between May 20, 1959 and July 5, 1961 on Ming Pao. The story revolves around Yang Guo and his lover Xiaolongnü in their adventure in the wulin fraternity, which does not...
by Jin Yong.
Zhou is arguably one of the most humorous characters in the trilogy and also one of the best pugilists in the jianghu
Jianghu
The jianghu is the milieu, environment, or sub-community, often fictional, in which many Chinese wuxia stories are set.In modern Chinese culture, jianghu is commonly accepted as an alternative universe coexisting with the actual historical one in which the context of the wuxia genre was set...
, as he is nicknamed "Old Imp" (老頑童) and becomes one of the Five Greats at the end of The Return of the Condor Heroes
The Return of the Condor Heroes
The Return of the Condor Heroes is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong, and the second part of the Condor Trilogy. It was first serialized between May 20, 1959 and July 5, 1961 on Ming Pao. The story revolves around Yang Guo and his lover Xiaolongnü in their adventure in the wulin fraternity, which does not...
as the "Central Imp" (中頑童), replacing "Central Divine" Wang Chongyang
Wang Chongyang
Wang Chongyang [Chinese calendar: 宋徽宗政和二年十二月廿二 – 金世宗大定十年正月初四] was a Chinese Taoist and one of the founders of the Quanzhen School in the twelfth century during the Song Dynasty. He was one of the Five Northern Patriarchs of Quanzhen...
. His most notable trait is his childish and mischievous personality, as he enjoys playing pranks and games like an immature toddler, constantly seeking fun and entertainment even at an old age.
The Legend of the Condor Heroes
Zhou is the junior of Wang ChongyangWang Chongyang
Wang Chongyang [Chinese calendar: 宋徽宗政和二年十二月廿二 – 金世宗大定十年正月初四] was a Chinese Taoist and one of the founders of the Quanzhen School in the twelfth century during the Song Dynasty. He was one of the Five Northern Patriarchs of Quanzhen...
, founder of Quanzhen Sect
Quanzhen School
The Quanzhen School of Taoism originated in Northern China. It was founded by the Taoist Wang Chongyang in the 12th century, during the rise of the Jin Dynasty...
. He is the most senior of all Quanzhen disciples after the death of Wang. However, Zhou neither accepts any disciples nor remain in Quanzhen most of the time. Instead, he roams the jianghu
Jianghu
The jianghu is the milieu, environment, or sub-community, often fictional, in which many Chinese wuxia stories are set.In modern Chinese culture, jianghu is commonly accepted as an alternative universe coexisting with the actual historical one in which the context of the wuxia genre was set...
to derive entertainment from anything of interest to him, including fights and toys. However, he still maintains respect for Wang and abides by the rules of Quanzhen.
Zhou has a love affair with Liu Ying, the concubine of Duan Zhixing
Duan Zhixing
Duan Zhixing was the 18th ruler of the Kingdom of Dali between 1172 and 1200. Duan's reign was marred by the power struggles within the influential Gao family, whose power had long eclipsed the ruling Duan family.-Reign:...
, but breaks up with her after heeding Wang's advice. However, Liu is already pregnant with Zhou's child then and gives birth to a son later. The infant is mortally wounded by Qiu Qianren and dies from the injuries after Duan, who has the ability to save the child, refuses to do so. Zhou is unaware that he has a child until he meets Liu (later known as Yinggu) several years later.
Conflict with Huang Yaoshi
After the death of Wang Chongyang, Zhou adheres to Wang's dying wish and proceeds to conceal the highly-coveted martial arts manual Nine Yin Manual. He meets Huang YaoshiHuang Yaoshi
Huang Yaoshi is a fictional character in Jin Yong's Condor Trilogy. He appears in the first two novels The Legend of the Condor Heroes and The Return of the Condor Heroes as a supporting character....
and Huang's wife, Feng Heng, along the way. Huang tricks Zhou into allowing his wife to read the manual after winning Zhou by cheating in a game of stone-throwing. Zhou lets Feng read the second volume of the manual and she memorises the text after reading it once.
Feng lies to Zhou that the manual is actually a copy of a book of childish rites, claiming that she knows the text by heart, and she recites the manual fluently to Zhou without glancing at it. Zhou believes her and destroys the second volume of the manual in anger before leaving. Some time later, Zhou realises that he had been fooled and he returns to Peach Blossom Island to confront Huang and demand an explanation. Feng had died recently after giving birth to Huang's daughter and Huang is still in a foul mood. The two of them have a heated argument, in which Zhou taunts Huang, saying that he can now practise martial arts better without distraction from his wife. Huang is furious and he fights with Zhou. However, neither of them is able to defeat his opponent and Huang seals off all exits from the island. Zhou is effectively "imprisoned" on the island for the next 15 years, and he finds a cave and settles there.
Meeting Guo Jing
In 1223, Guo JingGuo Jing
Guo Jing is the fictional protagonist of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, a wuxia novel by Jin Yong. He plays a supporting role in the sequel novel The Return of the Condor Heroes as well...
sets foot on the island and meets Zhou. Zhou befriends Guo and they become sworn brother
Blood brother
Blood brother can refer to one of two things: two males related by birth, or two or more men not related by birth who have sworn loyalty to each other. This is usually done in a ceremony, known as a blood oath, where the blood of each man is mingled together...
s, even though Zhou is older than Guo by at least 40 years. Zhou tells Guo stories about the Nine Yin Manual and his conflict with Huang Yaoshi. Zhou still has the first volume of the manual with him and he decides to let Guo learn the skills. Zhou had been forbidden by Wang Chongyang to practise the skills in the manual. Guo memorises the text in the manual and Zhou also teaches him the "Seventy-two Styles Vacant Fist" (七十二路空明拳) and the "Technique of Ambidexterity" (雙手互搏). Zhou has also accidentally broken his vows by practising the manual's skills himself when he teaches Guo.
Zhou finally settles his feud with Huang Yaoshi with the help of Guo and Huang Rong
Huang Rong
Huang Rong is a fictional character in the wuxia novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes by Jin Yong. She plays a supporting role in the sequel The Return of the Condor Heroes.-Character description:...
. He leaves the island with them and follows them on their adventures on the mainland. He participates in the second martial arts contest held on Mount Hua
Mount Hua
Mount Hua or Hua Shan in Chinese is located in Shaanxi Province, about 120 kilometres east of the city of Xi'an, near the city Huayin in China. Also known as Xiyuè, Western Great Mountain, it is one of China's Five Sacred Taoist Mountains, and has a long history of religious significance...
but leaves halfway when Yinggu appears, telling him to kill Qiu Qianren and avenge their son.
The Return of the Condor Heroes
Zhou makes some brief appearances in the sequel novel. He secretly accepts Yelü Qi as his student and imparts some of his skills to Yelü. He also teaches XiaolongnüXiaolongnü
Xiaolongnü is the fictional female protagonist of Jin Yong's wuxia novel The Return of the Condor Heroes. The author describes her physical appearances as "skin as white as snow, beautiful and elegant beyond convention and cannot be underestimated, but appears cold and indifferent" .-Name:It is...
the "Technique of Ambidexterity" when both of them are trapped in a cave by Jinlun Guoshi. In return, Xiaolongnü teaches him how to use the Jade Bees and helps to cure him after he is poisoned by Jinlun's ice spiders.
Zhou then lives alone for a few years in the Hundred Blossoms Valley, where he spends his time keeping bees as his pets and practising how to control and direct them with the skill he learnt from Xiaolongnü. He meets Yinggu and Duan Zhixing
Duan Zhixing
Duan Zhixing was the 18th ruler of the Kingdom of Dali between 1172 and 1200. Duan's reign was marred by the power struggles within the influential Gao family, whose power had long eclipsed the ruling Duan family.-Reign:...
(now known as Reverend Yideng) again with Yang Guo's help. He forgives Qiu Qianren for his misdeeds and Qiu dies in peace. Zhou also participates briefly in the defence of Xiangyang
Xiangyang
Xiangzhou District is a district of Xiangyang, Hubei, China. The district itself was formerly known as Xiangyang. It was a city famous for the Siege of Xiangyang by invading forces of the Mongol-founded Yuan Dynasty...
from the Mongol invaders.
Seventy-two Styles Vacant Fist
Zhou creates this skill when he is trapped on Peach Blossom Island by Huang Yaoshi. This fist technique is the epitome of all internal martial arts mentioned in the novel. It is unmatched in subtlety and yet equal to the famous "Eighteen Dragon-subduing Palms" in power and ingenuity of style.Technique of Ambidexterity
Zhou creates this skill when he is trapped on the island by Huang. He is bored and decides to fight with himself to keep himself occupied. Thus, he uses a different set of martial arts technique for each hand and fights with himself. This makes him seem as though he is watching a fight between two opponents, and he masters the art of ambidexterity as a result.Jade Bees
Zhou is trapped in a cave together with Xiaolongnü by Jinlun Guoshi. Jinlun uses his poisonous creatures to attack them without entering the cave. Zhou is poisoned after being stung by Jinlun's icy spiders and Xiaolongnü uses her Jade Bees to cure Zhou, as the bees' poison helps to neutralise the spider's venom. Zhou is fascinated and he asks Xiaolongnü to teach him how to use the bees, in return for teaching her the "Technique of Ambidexterity". Zhou learns how to direct the bees to attack enemies and keeps bees as pets when he stays in Hundred Blossoms Valley.Shark riding
Zhou is lost while traveling on the sea aboard Wanyan Honglie's ship. He has a wager with Ouyang FengOuyang Feng
Ouyang Feng is a fictional character in Jin Yong's wuxia novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes and its sequel The Return of the Condor Heroes...
and challenges Ouyang to kill all the sharks in the sea; Ouyang uses his venom to poison and kill all the sharks within sight. Zhou is presumed to be dead after falling into the sea, but he reappears several days later and returns to the ship, riding on a shark in the waves. He finds shark-riding an extremely fun sport and claims that Ouyang has lost the wager, since Ouyang fails to kill the last shark (the one he is riding on).
External links
Zhou Botong on Baidu BaikeBaidu Baike
Baidu Encyclopedia is a Chinese language collaborative Web-based encyclopedia provided by the Chinese search engine Baidu. Like Baidu itself, the encyclopedia is heavily self-censored in line with government regulations....