Su Xun is the father of Su Shi and Su Zhe, a scholar from Meizhou who came to the capital to seek an official career. In the story, he visits Ouyang Mansion to present his twenty‑two essays but fails to meet Ouyang Xiu. Returning home early, he finds his sons missing and flies into a rage. When they return, he tests them on a passage from the Analects and punishes Su Zhe with a thorny stick for being unable to answer. He is strict and emphasizes Confucian learning. His character represents the older generation’s dedication to scholarship and the pressure placed on younger scholars to succeed in the imperial examinations. His own disappointment in missing Ouyang Xiu adds tension to the family dynamics.
