In the minds of most people, Zhao Gongming is widely known as a leader of the Five Wealth Gods and is particularly renowned as the "Military God of Wealth." However, historical records reveal that Zhao Gongming initially had a different role as a plague god. Rather than bestowing blessings, he was believed to bring calamity. In ancient times, people attributed many calamities, especially diseases, to the work of malevolent spirits, giving rise to beliefs in gods of plagues, pestilence, and pox.
A plague, in ancient times, referred to acute and highly infectious diseases. Due to its rapid transmission and high fatality rate, people held a deep-seated fear of plagues, viewing them as the work of malevolent spirits. However, Zhao Gongming's role was not related to prosperity or wealth at this point in history.
The "Anecdotes About Spirits and Immortals," authored by Gan Bao during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, includes a story that sheds light on this transformation. The story is about Wang You, a Gentleman of the Cavalry who fell seriously ill and was close to death. One day, Wang You unexpectedly received word that a stranger claiming to be Zhao Gongming's assistant had arrived. The stranger explained that chaos was imminent in the world and sought to collaborate with Wang You. Recognizing the stranger as a supernatural being, Wang You pleaded for help. The stranger, moved by Wang You's plight, returned the following day with hundreds of two-foot-tall spirits. They danced gracefully amid the drumming and prayers offered by Wang You's family. Remarkably, Wang You made a full recovery. Later, he discovered a book that mentioned, "Heaven has dispatched Zhao Gongming, Zhang Shiji, and three other generals, each leading tens of thousands of spirits, to capture people."
From this story, it's evident that Zhao Gongming, at the time, was responsible for leading a group of spirits and capturing human souls, similar to the "Black and White Impermanence" figures in the underworld. This role had no connection with wealth or prosperity. So, what was the purpose of their activities in the mortal world?
According to the classic text "The Taoist Canon of the Highest Purity and the Numinous Treasure," it's written, "Liu Yuanda, Zhang Yuanbo, Zhao Gongming, Li Gongzhong, Shi Wenye, and Zhong Shiji, collectively command 250,000 spirits to inflict pestilences." This passage reveals that Zhao Gongming, along with others, were originally gods associated with plagues.
In Taoist mythology, there were five gods responsible for spreading plagues. In addition to Zhao Gongming and Zhong Shiji, there were three others. During the Song Dynasty, their roles were described as follows: "Liu Yuanda, the Green Pestilence God of the East, represents wood and leads spirits responsible for diseases caused by evil winds. Zhang Yuanbo, the Red Pestilence God of the South, represents fire and leads spirits responsible for diseases caused by scorching poisons. Zhao Gongming, the White Pestilence God of the West, represents metal and leads spirits responsible for diseases caused by poisonous gases. Zhong Shiji, the Black Pestilence God of the North, represents water and leads spirits responsible for diseases caused by vicious toxins. Shi Wenye, the Yellow Pestilence God in the Center, represents earth and leads spirits responsible for diseases such as boils and sores."
Legend has it that during the Sui Dynasty, in the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, five warriors donning differently colored robes appeared in the sky. These warriors stood at a height of about 30 to 50 feet above the ground, each holding different items: one had a scoop and jar, one held a leather bag and sword, one carried a fan, one possessed a hammer, and the last one held a fire pot. Upon witnessing this extraordinary sight, Emperor Wen of Sui hurriedly asked Zhang Juren, his Court Astrologer, about the significance of these gods and whether they would bring blessings or disasters. Zhang Juren explained that they were the Five Deities of Pestilence. Their role was to eliminate evil people, and they were not evil spirits.
In essence, the spirits of the various tribes of ghosts originally residing in western Shu had turned to the path of righteousness, becoming subordinates of Zhang Tian Shi. To subdue the calamity caused by these plagues, Zhao Gongming took on the task of protecting the Heavenly Altar. After Zhang Tian Shi successfully ascended to become immortal, Zhao Gongming was tasked with guarding Dragon Tiger Mountain and the Heavenly Altar, thus gaining the title "True Lord of Xuantan."
During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, Zhao Gongming's worship was widespread, especially among adherents of the Zhengyi school of Taoism. There were at least eight documented altars dedicated to Zhao Gongming, who was primarily worshipped by Taoists of the Zhengyi tradition. These altars existed in various regions and their significance was far-reaching.
Zhao Gongming's role gradually transformed in ancient myths over time, distancing him from his origins as a plague god. In the Ming Dynasty, he began his journey to becoming a Wealth God. However, in the "Records of the Deities Who Paved the Way to Godhood,(Biographies of Famous Transcendents)" Zhao Gongming was no longer described as a plague god. Instead, he became one of the eight commanding generals of spirits who brought calamities and diseases to the mortal realm. It was not until the famous novel "Investiture of the Gods" (also known as "Fengshen Yanyi") was written that Zhao Gongming was ennobled as "Gold Dragon, Ruler of Good Fortune, True Lord of the Dragon and Tiger Heavenly Altar." From that point on, he focused on managing worldly wealth and treasures, becoming a deity responsible for ushering in good fortune and riches. Consequently, he began overseeing the wealth of the world.
This transformation of Zhao Gongming, from a plague god to a Wealth God, reflects the evolving and dynamic nature of mythology and folk beliefs, adapting to the needs and aspirations of society through different historical periods.