He rose through the ranks of the military examinations and served under Zu Shushun, who treated him with great favor, promoting him repeatedly until he reached the rank of Generalissimo.

Later, when Zu Shushun’s fortunes collapsed, She Dayou heartlessly betrayed him, secretly dispatching troops to launch a surprise attack. Zu Shushun fought back, sustaining an injury to his palm before being captured.

She Dayou then delivered Zu Shushun to the Governor-General Cai.

As his carriage entered the capital city, She Dayou was suddenly struck by a dream. He found himself in the underworld, where the King of Hell berated him for his disloyalty and commanded his ghost subordinates to drip boiling oil onto the soles of his feet.

Upon waking, She Dayou found his feet throbbing with unbearable pain, entirely swollen and festering, his toenails having all fallen off. Soon after, he contracted malaria, crying out with every feverish breath, “I forgot kindness, I betrayed my sworn duty, I deserve death.”

Not long after, he did indeed die.