The Zhu Ju 朱桔

Zhu Ju (?–1242) was a native of Wangjiang in Anqing (now part of Anhui Province) during the reign of Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty. He was known by the literary name Cuiyang.

As recorded in Volume 49 of Lishi Zhenxian Tidao Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror of Real Immortals Who Embodied the Dao Through the Ages): "Zhu Ju was born intelligent and aspired to pursue a career in Confucian scholarship, with a particular mastery of the Yishu (numerological studies based on the I Ching). When he grew up, however, he failed to fulfill his ambition of passing the imperial civil service examination. Thus, he traveled to famous mountains and administrative seats, seeking teachers and exploring the Dao."

In the 4th year of the Qiandao era of Emperor Xiaozong’s reign (1168), Zhu Ju went to Boluo in Huizhou, where he encountered an extraordinary person known as "Gentleman Ju." This person enlightened him and imparted to him a series of Taoist esoteric teachings and practices: the Jiuding Daogui Huofu Jue (Formulas of the Nine Cauldrons, Dao-Gui Method, and Fire Talismans), the Wulei Jinshu Yuzhuan Wen (Golden Scripts and Jade Seals of the Five Thunders), the Jiuba Feishen Yindao Fa (Yin Dao Method of the Nine-Eight Flying Spirits), as well as core cultivation mnemonics—all of which were fully transmitted to him.

Thereafter, Zhu Ju went to Wanguang Mountain (Wanggong Mountain) to build a hermitage, where he practiced cultivation in accordance with the teachings he had received. He passed away in the 11th lunar month of the 2nd year of the Chunyou era (1242).

Zhu Ju’s alchemical doctrines belonged to the Southern Lineage founded by Chen Cuixu (Chen Nan, styled Cuixu). He transmitted his teachings to his disciple Zheng Ruzi.