Wenchang Di Jun, also known as "Zitong Di Jun," "Baode Hongren Da Di," "Gengsheng Yongming Tianzun," "Yuan Huang Da Di," and others. The "Xiaojing · Yuanshen Qie" states: "Wen is the gathering of essence; Chang is the elevation of heaven's order. Together they reside to form the heavenly image, hence it is called 'Wenchang Palace.'" The "Lidai Xianshen Tongjian" describes that (Wenchang Di Jun) oversees the registers of thirty-three heavens for immortals, presides over life spans and fortunes in human society, and governs the eighteen hells and reincarnation cycles, which shows the lofty status of Wenchang Di Jun. Daoist texts state that Wenchang Di Jun has transformed seventy-three times since the early Zhou Dynasty, saving lives and guiding people. At the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, he was born in Sichuan as Zhang Yazi. Now, at the Qiqu Mountain Great Temple in Zitong County, Sichuan, the main deity worshipped is Wenchang Di Jun Zhang Yazi, and Qiqu Mountain Wenchang Palace is considered the ancestral temple of Wenchang Di Jun. It is said to have significant spiritual responses.
The "Tiewei Shan Congtan" states: "Scholars and officials who pass by receive wind and rain blessings, ensuring they will become prime ministers; candidates for the imperial examinations who pass by receive wind and rain blessings, ensuring they will be top scholars." It is said that Wang Anshi passed by Zhang Yazi's temple when he was young, and a fierce storm ensued. When he grew up, he indeed became a prime minister. As the deity of literature, examination administration, and benevolent fortune-telling, Wenchang Di Jun, as the protector of scholars, literati, and candidates for the imperial examinations, is revered, honored, and worshipped by many people from different social classes and backgrounds. During the Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasties, Wenchang Di Jun was repeatedly enfeoffed by emperors. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang bestowed upon him the title of "Zuo Xiangmin," Emperor Xizong of Tang conferred upon him the title of "Jishun Wang," and Emperor Renzong of Yuan bestowed upon him the titles of "Fuyuan Kaifahu Wenchang Silu Hongren Di Jun" and designated him as the deity of loyalty to the country, filial piety in the family, benefiting the people, and integrity.
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Many scholars and officials believed in Wenchang Di Jun, and his temples were widely established across the land. By the Ming Dynasty, Wenchang temples were established in all imperial academies, and candidates for the imperial examinations universally revered Wenchang. The story of Wenchang Di Jun's seventy-three transformations was widely spread throughout society. During the Qing Dynasty, with Wenchang Di Jun presiding over literature and blessing the nation, he was included in the national sacrificial rites. On the birthday of Wenchang Di Jun, which falls on February 3rd of the lunar calendar each year, officials were sent by the court to worship at Zitong Qiqu Mountain Great Temple.
