The scripture records that Earth Lord was originally a Zhou dynasty tax official named Zhang Fude, who was born on the second day of the second month in the second year of the reign of the Wuwang emperor. Zhang treated his people with paternal affection, and performed many good deeds. He lived to the age of 102, and it was reported that his face retained its ruddy complexion for three days after he died.
善書中記載，土地公姓張名福德，生於周武王二年二月二日，擔任稅官的張福德愛民如子，善行無數，享年一百零二歲，並且死後三日容貌不改、面色紅潤。