# Tu Tzuchun — Short Fiction character guide

> Tu Tzuchun in Short Fiction by Akutagawa Ryūnosuke.

**Role:** major

**First appearance:** 0036-tu-tzuchun

## Snapshot

A ruined young man lingering outside Loyang's gate, offered gold by a one-eyed stranger, then tested on whether he can keep silent while the earth splits.

## Who they are

Tu Tzuchun was born rich, squandered everything, and now stands hungry and bedless at the western gate of Tang-dynasty Loyang, watching silk hats and Turkish earrings stream past. When a squinting old man tells him to dig where his shadow falls at midnight, he obeys and becomes the richest man in the capital. But the same benefactor soon demands a harder trial: absolute silence, even at the cost of his life.

## Relationships

### [Tiehkuantzu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/tiehkuantzu)

_psychological_

Tiehkuantzu exerts a mysterious, almost hypnotic influence over Tu Tzuchun, guiding his fate.

### [Kōchiyama Sōshun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/kochiyama_soshun)

_social_

They are acquaintances who cross paths in social circles, sharing a distant but polite connection.

### [the Devil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/the_devil)

_psychological_

The Devil manipulates Tu Tzuchun, using temptation and deception to lead him astray.

### [Kōchiyama Sōshun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/kochiyama_soshun)

_social_

They are acquaintances who cross paths in social circles, sharing a distant but polite connection.

### [Tiehkuantzu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/tiehkuantzu)

_psychological_

Tiehkuantzu exerts a mysterious, almost hypnotic influence over Tu Tzuchun, guiding his fate.

## In the story

### [Tu Tzuchun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/tu-tzuchun)

Endures trials of silence, breaks it for his mother's sake, and chooses an honest life.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/tu_tzuchun
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters