Chiang Tzu-ya was a distinguished general and a wise minister in the Chou dynasty (1122 - c 256 B.C.). On one occasion, Chiang Tzu-ya left the kingdom to visit K'un-Lun Mountain. There, according to Daoist beliefs, he received the list of immortals, including Shen Kung-pao, who tried to win his allegiance away from the Chou. Shen then said he could take off his head, go into space, and travel many miles, and then return his head to his body. Chiang said he he did that he would leave the Chou and go with Shen. Shen did as he said he would. But, before the head could return, the Immortal of the South Pole came to Chiang's aid and saw to it that the head did not return before Shen's blood coagulated.