詩曰：
妖孽頻興國勢闌，大都天意久摧殘。休言怪氣侵牛斗，且俟精靈殺豸冠。
诗曰：
妖孽频兴国势阑，大都天意久摧残。休言怪气侵牛斗，且俟精灵杀豸冠。
A poem says:
Demons and portents rise again and again, and the realm’s fortunes wane;for the most part it is Heaven’s will that has long been wearing it down.Say nothing of the uncanny vapours that invade the Ox and the Dipper:only wait, and see the spirits slay the man in the xiezhi cap.
千載修持成往事，一朝被獲若為歡。當時不遇天仙術，安得琵琶火後看。
千载修持成往事，一朝被获若为欢。当时不遇天仙术，安得琵琶火后看。
A thousand years of cultivation become a thing of the past;caught in a single morning — what joy is there in that?Had she not met that day with the arts of a heavenly immortal,how would the pipa have been seen when the fire was done?
話說子牙同異人來到後花園，週圍看了一周，果然好個所在。但見；
话说子牙同异人来到后花园，周围看了一周，果然好个所在。但见；
Now, Ziya went with Yiren into the back garden, and they looked all around it. It was a fine spot indeed. This is what they saw:
墻高數仞，門壁清幽。左邊有兩行金線垂楊；右壁有幾株剔牙松樹。牡丹亭對玩花樓，芍藥圃連鞦韆架。荷花池內，來來往往錦鱗游；木香篷下，翩翩翻翻蝴蝶戲。正是
；小園光景似蓬萊，樂守天年娛晚景。
墙高数仞，门壁清幽。左边有两行金线垂杨；右壁有几株剔牙松树。牡丹亭对玩花楼，芍药圃连秋千架。荷花池内，来来往往锦鳞游；木香篷下，翩翩翻翻蝴蝶戏。正是
；小园光景似蓬莱，乐守天年娱晚景。
The walls rose several fathoms high, the gateway was quiet and secluded. On the left stood two rows of weeping willows, hung with threads of gold; on the right, a few pines with needles fine as toothpicks. The Tree Peony Pavilion faced the Flower-Viewing Tower, the peony beds ran on to the swing frame. In the lotus pool brocade-scaled fish swam to and fro; under the arbour of banksia roses butterflies fluttered and tumbled at play. Truly:
the scenery of this little garden is like Penglai Island; here one may live out one’s years in contentment and take joy in the evening of life.
話說異人與子牙來後園散悶，子牙自不曾到此處，看了一回，子牙曰：「仁兄，這一塊空地，怎的不起五間樓？」異人曰：「起五間樓怎說？」子牙曰：「小弟無恩報兄，此處若起做樓，按風水有三十六條玉帶，金帶有一升芝麻之數。」異人曰：「賢弟也知風水？」子牙曰：「小弟頗知一二。」異人曰：「不瞞賢弟說，此處也起造七八次，造起來就燒了，故此我也無心起造他。」子牙曰：「小弟擇一日辰，仁兄只管起造。若上梁那日，仁兄只是款待匠人，我在此替你壓壓邪氣，自然無事。」異人信子牙之言，擇日興工破土，起造樓房。那日子時上梁，異人待匠在前堂，子牙在牡丹亭裏坐定等候，看是何怪異。不一時，狂風大作，走石飛砂，播土揚塵，火光影裏見些妖魅，臉分五色，猙獰怪異，怎見得：
话说异人与子牙来后园散闷，子牙自不曾到此处，看了一回，子牙曰：「仁兄，这一块空地，怎的不起五间楼？」异人曰：「起五间楼怎说？」子牙曰：「小弟无恩报兄，此处若起做楼，按风水有三十六条玉带，金带有一升芝麻之数。」异人曰：「贤弟也知风水？」子牙曰：「小弟颇知一二。」异人曰：「不瞒贤弟说，此处也起造七八次，造起来就烧了，故此我也无心起造他。」子牙曰：「小弟择一日辰，仁兄只管起造。若上梁那日，仁兄只是款待匠人，我在此替你压压邪气，自然无事。」异人信子牙之言，择日兴工破土，起造楼房。那日子时上梁，异人待匠在前堂，子牙在牡丹亭里坐定等候，看是何怪异。不一时，狂风大作，走石飞砂，播土扬尘，火光影里见些妖魅，脸分五色，狰狞怪异，怎见得：
Now, Yiren and Ziya had come to the back garden to shake off their gloom. Ziya had never been here before, and when he had looked around for a while, he said, “My good brother, why don’t you put up a two-storey house five bays wide on this empty plot?” “Build a five-bay house?” said Yiren. “What for?” “Your younger brother has no way to repay your kindness,” said Ziya. “But if you built a house here, then by the rules of feng shui there would be thirty-six jade belts, and as many gold belts as there are seeds in a pint of sesame.” “You know feng shui too, worthy brother?” said Yiren. “Your younger brother knows a thing or two,” said Ziya. Yiren said, “To tell you the truth, worthy brother, we’ve built here seven or eight times, and every time it went up, it burned down. That’s why I’ve lost all heart for building on it.” “Your younger brother will choose a day and an hour,” said Ziya, “and you just go ahead and build, my good brother. On the day the ridgepole goes up, you need only entertain the workmen. I’ll be here to keep down the evil influences for you, and all will go well.” Yiren trusted Ziya’s words. A day was chosen, the ground was broken and work began on the house. On that day the ridgepole was raised at midnight. While Yiren entertained the workmen in the front hall, Ziya sat waiting in the Tree Peony Pavilion to see what strange thing would appear. Before long a wild wind sprang up, sending stones rolling and sand flying, scattering earth and raising the dust, and in the glare of firelight some demons could be seen, their faces of five colours, hideous and grotesque. And how did it look?
狂風大作，惡火飛騰。煙繞處，黑霧濛濛；火起處，千團紅焰。臉分五色：赤白黑色共青黃；巨口獠牙，吐放霞光千萬道。風逞火勢，忽喇喇走萬道金蛇；火繞煙迷，赤律律天黃地黑。山紅土赤，煞時間萬物齊崩；閃電光輝，一會家千門盡倒。正是：妖氣烈火沖霄漢，方顯龍岡怪物兇。
狂风大作，恶火飞腾。烟绕处，黑雾蒙蒙；火起处，千团红焰。脸分五色：赤白黑色共青黄；巨口獠牙，吐放霞光千万道。风逞火势，忽喇喇走万道金蛇；火绕烟迷，赤律律天黄地黑。山红土赤，煞时间万物齐崩；闪电光辉，一会家千门尽倒。正是：妖气烈火冲霄汉，方显龙冈怪物凶。
A wild wind sprang up,an evil fire leapt and soared.Where the smoke coiled,black fog hung thick and dim;where the fire rose,a thousand balls of red flame.Their faces were of five colours:red, white and black, green and yellow;huge mouths with jutting fangsspat out ten thousand rays of rosy light.The wind flaunted the fire’s might,and with a roar ten thousand golden snakes went racing;the fire wound round, the smoke blinded,all a red glare, the sky turned yellow and the earth black.The hills glowed red, the soil turned scarlet,in an instant all things came crashing down together;lightning flashed and blazed,and in a moment a thousand gates lay toppled.Truly:demonic aura and raging fire shot up to the Milky Way;now the monsters of the dragon ridge showed how fierce they were.
話說子牙在牡丹亭裏，見風火影裏，五個精靈作怪。子牙忙披髮仗劍，用手一指，把劍一揮，喝聲：「孽畜不落，更待何時！」再把手一放，雷鳴空中，把五個妖物慌忙跪倒，口稱：「上仙，小畜不知上仙駕臨，望乞全生，施放大德！」子牙喝道：「好孽畜！火毀樓房數次，兇心不息；今日罪惡貫盈，當受誅戮。」道罷，提劍向前就斬妖怪。眾怪哀告曰：「上仙，道心無處不慈悲。小畜得道多年，一時冒瀆天顏，望乞憐赦。今一旦誅戮，可憐我等數年功行，付於流水！」拜伏在地，苦苦哀告。子牙曰：「你既欲生，不許在此擾害萬民。你五畜受吾符命，逕往西岐山，久後搬泥運土，聽候所使。有功之日，自然得其正果。」五妖叩頭，逕往岐山去了。
话说子牙在牡丹亭里，见风火影里，五个精灵作怪。子牙忙披发仗剑，用手一指，把剑一挥，喝声：「孽畜不落，更待何时！」再把手一放，雷鸣空中，把五个妖物慌忙跪倒，口称：「上仙，小畜不知上仙驾临，望乞全生，施放大德！」子牙喝道：「好孽畜！火毁楼房数次，凶心不息；今日罪恶贯盈，当受诛戮。」道罢，提剑向前就斩妖怪。众怪哀告曰：「上仙，道心无处不慈悲。小畜得道多年，一时冒渎天颜，望乞怜赦。今一旦诛戮，可怜我等数年功行，付于流水！」拜伏在地，苦苦哀告。子牙曰：「你既欲生，不许在此扰害万民。你五畜受吾符命，径往西岐山，久后搬泥运土，听候所使。有功之日，自然得其正果。」五妖叩头，径往岐山去了。
Now, from the Tree Peony Pavilion, Ziya saw five spirits making mischief in the wind and firelight. At once he let down his hair and took up his sword. He pointed with his hand, swept the sword through the air and shouted, “Accursed beasts! Down with you — what are you waiting for?” Then he opened his hand, and thunder rolled across the sky. The five demons dropped to their knees in a panic, crying, “Exalted Immortal! We little beasts did not know an exalted immortal had come. Spare our lives, we beg you, and show us your great mercy!” “Accursed beasts!” shouted Ziya. “Time and again you have burned the house down, and still your vicious hearts are not satisfied. Today the measure of your crimes is full, and you must be put to death.” With that he raised his sword and stepped forward to cut the demons down. The demons pleaded piteously, “Exalted Immortal, a heart that follows the Way is merciful everywhere. We little beasts have had the Way for many years. For a moment we offended your heavenly countenance; have pity and pardon us, we beg you. If you put us to death now, alas, all our years of labour at cultivation will be thrown into the flowing stream!” They lay prostrate on the ground, begging and pleading. Ziya said, “If you want to live, you may no longer trouble the people here. You five beasts, take my command and go straight to Mount Qi. In days to come you will carry earth and haul clay and wait for me to call on you. When you have earned merit by your service, you will surely attain the true fruit.” The five demons knocked their heads on the ground and went straight off to Mount Qi.
不說子牙壓星收妖，且說那日是上梁吉日，三更子時，前堂異人待匠，馬氏同姆姆孫氏往後園暗暗看子牙做何事。二人來至後園，只聽見子牙吩咐妖怪。馬氏對孫氏曰：「大娘，你聽聽，子牙自己說話。這樣人一生不長進。說鬼話的人，怎得有昇騰日子。」馬氏氣將起來，走到子牙面前，問子牙曰：「你在這裏與誰講話？」子牙曰：「你女人家不知道，方纔壓妖。」馬氏曰：「自己說鬼話，壓甚麼妖！」子牙曰：「說與你也不知道。」馬氏正在園中與子牙分辨，子牙曰：「你那裏曉得甚麼，我善能風水，又識陰陽。」馬氏曰：「你可會算命？」子牙曰：「命理最精，只是無處開一命館。」正言之間，宋異人見馬氏、孫氏與子牙說話，異人曰：「賢弟，方纔雷響，你可曾見些甚麼？」子牙把收妖之事說了一遍。異人謝曰：「賢弟這等道術，不枉修行一番。」孫氏曰：「叔叔會算命，卻無處開一命館。不知那所在有便房，把一間與叔叔開館也好。」異人曰：「你要多少房子？朝歌南門最熱鬧，叫後生收拾一間房子，與子牙去開命館，這個何難。」卻說安童將南門房子不日收拾齊整，貼幾副對聯，左邊是「只言玄妙一團理」，右邊是「不說尋常半句虛。」裏邊又有一對聯云：「一張鐵嘴，識破人問凶與吉；兩隻怪眼，善觀世上敗和興。」上席又一幅云：「袖裏乾坤大；壺中日月長。」子牙選吉日開館。不覺光陰撚指，四、五個月不見算命卦帖的來。
不说子牙压星收妖，且说那日是上梁吉日，三更子时，前堂异人待匠，马氏同姆姆孙氏往后园暗暗看子牙做何事。二人来至后园，只听见子牙吩咐妖怪。马氏对孙氏曰：「大娘，你听听，子牙自己说话。这样人一生不长进。说鬼话的人，怎得有升腾日子。」马氏气将起来，走到子牙面前，问子牙曰：「你在这里与谁讲话？」子牙曰：「你女人家不知道，方才压妖。」马氏曰：「自己说鬼话，压甚么妖！」子牙曰：「说与你也不知道。」马氏正在园中与子牙分辨，子牙曰：「你那里晓得甚么，我善能风水，又识阴阳。」马氏曰：「你可会算命？」子牙曰：「命理最精，只是无处开一命馆。」正言之间，宋异人见马氏、孙氏与子牙说话，异人曰：「贤弟，方才雷响，你可曾见些甚么？」子牙把收妖之事说了一遍。异人谢曰：「贤弟这等道术，不枉修行一番。」孙氏曰：「叔叔会算命，却无处开一命馆。不知那所在有便房，把一间与叔叔开馆也好。」异人曰：「你要多少房子？朝歌南门最热闹，叫后生收拾一间房子，与子牙去开命馆，这个何难。」却说安童将南门房子不日收拾齐整，贴几副对联，左边是「只言玄妙一团理」，右边是「不说寻常半句虚。」里边又有一对联云：「一张铁嘴，识破人问凶与吉；两只怪眼，善观世上败和兴。」上席又一幅云：「袖里乾坤大；壶中日月长。」子牙选吉日开馆。不觉光阴撚指，四、五个月不见算命卦帖的来。
We will say no more of Ziya quelling evil stars and capturing demons. Now, that day had been chosen as the lucky day for raising the ridgepole, and at midnight, in the third watch, while Yiren was entertaining the workmen in the front hall, Madam Ma and her sister-in-law, Madam Sun, crept into the back garden to see what Ziya was up to. When the two of them reached the back garden, all they could hear was Ziya giving orders to demons. Madam Ma said to Madam Sun, “Listen to that, Sister! Ziya’s talking to himself. A man like that will never get anywhere in all his life. A man who talks ghost-talk — how will he ever rise in the world?” Madam Ma grew angry. She went straight up to Ziya and asked him, “Who are you talking to out here?” “You’re a woman, you wouldn’t understand,” said Ziya. “I was just subduing demons.” “You’re talking ghost-talk to yourself,” said Madam Ma. “What demons are you subduing?” “It’s no use telling you,” said Ziya. “You wouldn’t understand.” Madam Ma was still arguing with him there in the garden when Ziya said, “What do you know about anything? I’m good at feng shui, and I know yin and yang besides.” “Can you tell fortunes?” asked Madam Ma. “The reckoning of fate is what I know best,” said Ziya. “Only I’ve nowhere to open a fortune-telling shop.” Just as they were talking, Song Yiren saw Madam Ma and Madam Sun talking with Ziya. “Worthy brother,” said Yiren, “there was thunder just now. Did you see anything?” Ziya told him the whole story of capturing the demons, and Yiren thanked him. “With Daoist arts like these, worthy brother, your cultivation has not been in vain.” Madam Sun said, “Brother-in-law can tell fortunes, but he has nowhere to open a fortune-telling shop. If only there were a spare room somewhere, we could let him have one for his shop.” “How many rooms do you want?” said Yiren. “The south gate is the liveliest spot in Zhaoge. I’ll have the lads fix up a room there for Ziya to open his fortune shop. Nothing could be easier.” Now, in a few days the servants had the room by the south gate fitted out in good order, and they pasted up a few couplets. On the left: “I speak only of mysteries, one whole truth.” On the right: “I tell no common lies, not half a word.” Inside there was another couplet: “One iron mouth lays bare the good and ill fortune of men; two uncanny eyes can read the fall and rise of the world.” And above the seat of honour hung another, which read: “In my sleeve, heaven and earth are vast; in my gourd, the sun and moon last long.” Ziya chose a lucky day and opened for business. Time passed in a snap of the fingers, and in four or five months not one person came to have a fortune told or draw a slip.
只見那日有一樵子，姓劉名乾，挑著一擔柴往南門來。忽然看見一命館，劉乾歇下柴擔，念對聯，念到：「袖裏乾坤大，壺中日月長。」劉乾原是朝歌破落戶，走進命館來，看見子牙伏案而臥，劉乾把桌子一拍。子牙諕了一驚，揉眉擦眼，看時，那一人身長丈五，眼露兇光。子牙曰：「兄起課，是相命？」那人道：「先生上姓？」子牙曰：「在下姓姜，名尚，字子牙，別號飛熊。」劉乾曰：「且問先生『袖裏乾坤大；壺中日月長』這對聯怎麼講？」子牙曰：「『袖裏乾坤大』乃知過去未來，包羅萬象；『壺中日月長』有長生不死之術。」劉乾曰：「先生口出大言，既知過去未來，想課是極準的了。你與我起一課，如準，二十文青蚨；如不準，打幾拳頭，還不許你在此開館。」子牙暗想：「幾個月全無生意，今日撞著這一個，又是撥嘴的人。」子牙曰：「你取下一卦帖來。」劉乾取了一個卦帖兒，遞與子牙。子牙曰：「此卦要你依我纔準。」劉乾曰：「必定依你。」子牙曰：「我寫四句在帖兒上，只管去。」上面寫著：「一直往南走，柳陰一老叟。青蚨一百二十文，四個點心、兩碗酒。」劉乾看罷：「此卦不準。我賣柴二十餘年，那個與我點心酒吃；論起來，你的不準。」子牙曰：「你去，包你準。」劉乾擔著柴，逕往南走；果見柳樹下站立一老者，叫曰：「柴來！」劉乾暗想：「好課！果應其言。」老者曰：「這柴要多少錢？」劉乾答應：「要一百文。」──少討二十文，拗他一拗。老者看看：「好柴！乾的好，綑子大，就是一百文也罷。勞你替我拿拿進來。」劉乾把柴拿在門裏，落下柴葉來。劉乾愛乾淨，取掃帚把地下掃得光光的，方纔將尖擔繩子收拾停當等錢。老者出來，看見地下乾淨：「今日小勤謹。」劉乾曰：「老丈，是我掃的。」老者曰：「老哥，今日是我小兒畢姻，遇著你這好人，又賣的好柴。」老者說罷，往裏邊去，只見一個孩子，捧著四個點心、一壺酒、一個碗：「員外與你吃。」劉乾歎曰：「姜先生真乃神仙也！我把這酒滿滿的斟一碗，那一碗淺些，也不算他準。」劉乾斟滿一碗，再斟第二碗，一樣不差。
只见那日有一樵子，姓刘名干，挑着一担柴往南门来。忽然看见一命馆，刘干歇下柴担，念对联，念到：「袖里乾坤大，壶中日月长。」刘干原是朝歌破落户，走进命馆来，看见子牙伏案而卧，刘干把桌子一拍。子牙諕了一惊，揉眉擦眼，看时，那一人身长丈五，眼露凶光。子牙曰：「兄起课，是相命？」那人道：「先生上姓？」子牙曰：「在下姓姜，名尚，字子牙，别号飞熊。」刘干曰：「且问先生『袖里乾坤大；壶中日月长』这对联怎么讲？」子牙曰：「『袖里乾坤大』乃知过去未来，包罗万象；『壶中日月长』有长生不死之术。」刘干曰：「先生口出大言，既知过去未来，想课是极准的了。你与我起一课，如准，二十文青蚨；如不准，打几拳头，还不许你在此开馆。」子牙暗想：「几个月全无生意，今日撞着这一个，又是拨嘴的人。」子牙曰：「你取下一卦帖来。」刘干取了一个卦帖儿，递与子牙。子牙曰：「此卦要你依我才准。」刘干曰：「必定依你。」子牙曰：「我写四句在帖儿上，只管去。」上面写着：「一直往南走，柳阴一老叟。青蚨一百二十文，四个点心、两碗酒。」刘干看罢：「此卦不准。我卖柴二十余年，那个与我点心酒吃；论起来，你的不准。」子牙曰：「你去，包你准。」刘干担着柴，径往南走；果见柳树下站立一老者，叫曰：「柴来！」刘干暗想：「好课！果应其言。」老者曰：「这柴要多少钱？」刘干答应：「要一百文。」──少讨二十文，拗他一拗。老者看看：「好柴！干的好，捆子大，就是一百文也罢。劳你替我拿拿进来。」刘干把柴拿在门里，落下柴叶来。刘干爱干净，取扫帚把地下扫得光光的，方才将尖担绳子收拾停当等钱。老者出来，看见地下干净：「今日小勤谨。」刘干曰：「老丈，是我扫的。」老者曰：「老哥，今日是我小儿毕姻，遇着你这好人，又卖的好柴。」老者说罢，往里边去，只见一个孩子，捧着四个点心、一壶酒、一个碗：「员外与你吃。」刘干叹曰：「姜先生真乃神仙也！我把这酒满满的斟一碗，那一碗浅些，也不算他准。」刘干斟满一碗，再斟第二碗，一样不差。
Then one day a woodcutter named Liu Qian came toward the south gate with a load of firewood on his carrying pole. Suddenly he noticed a fortune shop. Liu Qian set down his load and read the couplets aloud, until he came to “In my sleeve, heaven and earth are vast; in my gourd, the sun and moon last long.” Now, Liu Qian was one of the ruffians of Zhaoge. He walked into the shop, saw Ziya asleep with his head on the table and banged the table with his hand. Ziya woke with a start and rubbed his brows and eyes. When he looked, there stood a man fifteen feet tall, with a savage glint in his eyes. “Brother,” said Ziya, “will you have a reading cast, or your fortune read from your face?” “Your name, sir?” said the man. “My surname is Jiang and my given name Shang,” said Ziya. “I am styled Ziya, and I also go by the name of the Flying Bear.” “Then let me ask you, sir,” said Liu Qian, “what does this couplet mean — ‘In my sleeve, heaven and earth are vast; in my gourd, the sun and moon last long’?” Ziya said, “‘In my sleeve, heaven and earth are vast’ means that I know the past and the future, and all the myriad things of the world are within my grasp. ‘In my gourd, the sun and moon last long’ means that I have the art of living forever without dying.” “That’s big talk, sir,” said Liu Qian. “If you know the past and the future, your readings must be dead right. Cast one for me. If it’s right, twenty coppers. If it’s wrong, you get a few punches, and what’s more, I won’t let you keep your shop here.” Ziya thought to himself, “Months without a scrap of business, and the one I run into today is a troublemaker into the bargain.” “Take down a slip,” said Ziya. Liu Qian took down one of the slips and handed it to Ziya. “For this reading to come true,” said Ziya, “you must do as I tell you.” “I’ll do just as you say,” said Liu Qian. “I’ll write four lines on the slip,” said Ziya. “Just go.” On it was written: “Go straight on to the south: in the willows’ shade, an old man. A hundred and twenty coppers, four cakes and two bowls of wine.” When Liu Qian had read it, he said, “This reading’s no good. I’ve sold firewood for twenty years and more, and who’s ever given me cakes and wine? The way I see it, you’ve got it wrong.” “Go,” said Ziya. “I guarantee it will come true.” Liu Qian shouldered his firewood and went straight south. Sure enough, under a willow tree stood an old man, who called out, “Firewood! Over here!” “A fine reading!” Liu Qian thought. “It’s come true, just as he said.” “How much do you want for this firewood?” asked the old man. “A hundred coppers,” answered Liu Qian — twenty less, just to put the fortune-teller in the wrong. The old man looked it over. “Good firewood! Nice and dry, and big bundles. A hundred it is, then. Would you be so kind as to carry it in for me?” Liu Qian carried the firewood in through the gate, and leaves and bits of twig dropped from it. Liu Qian liked things tidy, so he took a broom and swept the ground spotless, and only then did he put his pointed carrying pole and his ropes in order and wait for his money. The old man came out and saw how clean the ground was. “Someone’s been diligent today.” “I swept it, old sir,” said Liu Qian. “Brother,” said the old man, “today my son is getting married, and I’ve met a good man like you, who sells good firewood besides.” With that the old man went back inside, and presently a boy came out with four cakes, a pot of wine and a bowl. “The squire says these are for you.” Liu Qian sighed. “Master Jiang really is an immortal! But I’ll fill this first bowl to the brim, and then the other will come up short, and it still won’t count as right.” Liu Qian poured one brimming bowl, then poured the second: just the same, not a drop short.
劉乾吃了酒，見老者出來，劉乾曰：「多謝員外。」老者拿兩封錢出來，先遞一百文與劉乾曰：「這是你的柴錢。」又將二十大錢遞與劉乾曰：「今日是我小兒喜辰，這是與你做喜錢，買酒吃。」就把劉乾驚喜無地，想：「朝歌城出神仙了！」拿著尖擔，逕往姜子牙命館來。早晨有人聽見劉乾言語不好，眾人曰：「姜先生，這劉大不是好惹的；卦如果不準，你去罷。」子牙曰：「不妨。」眾人俱在這裏閑站，等劉乾來。
刘干吃了酒，见老者出来，刘干曰：「多谢员外。」老者拿两封钱出来，先递一百文与刘干曰：「这是你的柴钱。」又将二十大钱递与刘干曰：「今日是我小儿喜辰，这是与你做喜钱，买酒吃。」就把刘干惊喜无地，想：「朝歌城出神仙了！」拿着尖担，径往姜子牙命馆来。早晨有人听见刘干言语不好，众人曰：「姜先生，这刘大不是好惹的；卦如果不准，你去罢。」子牙曰：「不妨。」众人俱在这里闲站，等刘干来。
When Liu Qian had drunk the wine, the old man came out. “Thank you kindly, squire,” said Liu Qian. The old man had brought out two packets of coins. First he handed Liu Qian a hundred coppers. “This is for your firewood.” Then he handed him twenty big coppers. “Today is my son’s wedding day. This is a little something for the happy occasion. Buy yourself a drink.” Liu Qian was so astonished and delighted he did not know what to do with himself. “An immortal has appeared in Zhaoge!” he thought, and taking up his pointed pole, he went straight back to Jiang Ziya’s fortune shop. That morning some people had heard the nasty things Liu Qian said, and they told Ziya, “Master Jiang, this Big Liu is not a man to cross. If your reading’s wrong, you’d better clear out.” “No matter,” said Ziya. And they all stood idly about, waiting for Liu Qian to come.
不一時，只見劉乾如飛前來。子牙問曰：「卦準不準？」劉乾大呼曰：「姜先生真神仙也！好準課！朝歌城中有此高人，萬民有福，都知趨吉避凶！」子牙曰：「課既準了，取謝儀來。」劉乾曰：「二十文其實難為你，輕你。」口裏只管念，不見拿出錢來。子牙曰：「課不準，兄便說閑話；課既準，可就送我課錢。如何只管口說！」劉乾曰：「就把一百二十文都送你，也還虧你。姜先生不要急，等我來。」劉乾站在簷前，只見南門那邊來了一個人，腰束皮挺帶，身穿布衫，行走如飛，劉乾趕上去，一把扯住那人。那人曰：「你扯我怎的？」劉乾曰：「不為別事，扯你算個命兒。」那人曰：「我有緊急公文要走路，我不算命。」劉乾曰：「此位先生，課命準的好，該照顧他一命。況舉醫荐卜，乃是好情。」那人曰：「兄真個好笑！我不算命，也由我。」劉乾大怒：「你算也不算？」那人道：「我不算！」劉乾曰：「你既不算，我與你跳河，把命配你！」一把拽住那人，就往河裏跑。眾人曰：「那朋友，劉大哥分上，算個命罷！」那人說：「我無甚事，怎的算命？」劉乾道：「算若不準，我替你出錢；若準，你還要買酒請我。」那人無法，見劉乾凶得緊，只得進子牙命館來。那人是個公差有緊急事，等不的算八字：「看個卦罷。」扯下一個帖兒來與子牙看。子牙曰：「此卦做甚麼用？」那人曰：「催錢糧。」子牙曰：「卦帖批與你去自驗。
此卦逢於艮，錢糧不必問。等候你多時，一百零三錠。」
那人接了卦帖，問曰：「先生，一課該幾個錢？」劉乾曰：「這課比眾不同，五錢一課。」那人曰：「你又不是先生，你怎麼定價？」劉乾曰：「不準包回換。五錢一課，還是好了你。」那人心忙意急，恐誤了公事，只得稱五錢銀子去了。劉乾辭謝子牙。子牙曰：「承兄照顧。」眾人在子牙命館門前，看那催錢糧的如何。過了一時辰，那人押錢糧，到子牙命館門前曰：「姜先生真乃神仙出世！果是一百零三錠。真不負五錢一課！」子牙從此時來，轟動一朝歌。軍民人等，俱來算命看課，五錢一命。子牙收得起的銀子。馬氏歡喜，異人遂心。不覺光陰似箭，日月如梭，半年以後，遠近聞名，都來推算，不在話下。
不一时，只见刘干如飞前来。子牙问曰：「卦准不准？」刘干大呼曰：「姜先生真神仙也！好准课！朝歌城中有此高人，万民有福，都知趋吉避凶！」子牙曰：「课既准了，取谢仪来。」刘干曰：「二十文其实难为你，轻你。」口里只管念，不见拿出钱来。子牙曰：「课不准，兄便说闲话；课既准，可就送我课钱。如何只管口说！」刘干曰：「就把一百二十文都送你，也还亏你。姜先生不要急，等我来。」刘干站在檐前，只见南门那边来了一个人，腰束皮挺带，身穿布衫，行走如飞，刘干赶上去，一把扯住那人。那人曰：「你扯我怎的？」刘干曰：「不为别事，扯你算个命儿。」那人曰：「我有紧急公文要走路，我不算命。」刘干曰：「此位先生，课命准的好，该照顾他一命。况举医荐卜，乃是好情。」那人曰：「兄真个好笑！我不算命，也由我。」刘干大怒：「你算也不算？」那人道：「我不算！」刘干曰：「你既不算，我与你跳河，把命配你！」一把拽住那人，就往河里跑。众人曰：「那朋友，刘大哥分上，算个命罢！」那人说：「我无甚事，怎的算命？」刘乾道：「算若不准，我替你出钱；若准，你还要买酒请我。」那人无法，见刘干凶得紧，只得进子牙命馆来。那人是个公差有紧急事，等不的算八字：「看个卦罢。」扯下一个帖儿来与子牙看。子牙曰：「此卦做甚么用？」那人曰：「催钱粮。」子牙曰：「卦帖批与你去自验。
此卦逢于艮，钱粮不必问。等候你多时，一百零三锭。」
那人接了卦帖，问曰：「先生，一课该几个钱？」刘干曰：「这课比众不同，五钱一课。」那人曰：「你又不是先生，你怎么定价？」刘干曰：「不准包回换。五钱一课，还是好了你。」那人心忙意急，恐误了公事，只得称五钱银子去了。刘干辞谢子牙。子牙曰：「承兄照顾。」众人在子牙命馆门前，看那催钱粮的如何。过了一时辰，那人押钱粮，到子牙命馆门前曰：「姜先生真乃神仙出世！果是一百零三锭。真不负五钱一课！」子牙从此时来，轰动一朝歌。军民人等，俱来算命看课，五钱一命。子牙收得起的银子。马氏欢喜，异人遂心。不觉光阴似箭，日月如梭，半年以后，远近闻名，都来推算，不在话下。
Before long, there came Liu Qian, running as if he flew. “Was the reading right?” asked Ziya. Liu Qian shouted, “Master Jiang, you’re a real immortal! What a reading — spot on! With a master like you in Zhaoge, the whole city is blessed: now everyone will know how to seek good luck and steer clear of bad!” “Since the reading was right,” said Ziya, “let’s have my fee.” “Twenty coppers would really be doing you wrong,” said Liu Qian. “It’s too little for you.” He kept on saying so, but no money appeared. Ziya said, “If the reading had been wrong, brother, you’d have had plenty to say. Since it was right, you can hand over my fee. Why all this talk?” “Even if I gave you the whole hundred and twenty,” said Liu Qian, “you’d still be short of what you’re owed. Don’t be impatient, Master Jiang. Leave it to me.” Liu Qian stood out under the eaves. Just then a man came from the direction of the south gate, a leather belt about his waist and a plain cloth gown on his back, walking as if he flew. Liu Qian ran after him and grabbed hold of him. “What are you grabbing me for?” said the man. “Nothing much,” said Liu Qian. “I’m grabbing you to have your fortune told.” “I’ve an urgent dispatch, and I must be on my way,” said the man. “I don’t want my fortune told.” “This gentleman’s readings and fortunes are wonderfully accurate,” said Liu Qian. “You ought to give him your custom for one fortune. Besides, recommending a good doctor or a good diviner is doing someone a kindness.” “You really are a joke, brother!” said the man. “Whether I have my fortune told or not is up to me.” Liu Qian flew into a rage. “Are you having it told or not?” “I am not!” said the man. “If you won’t,” said Liu Qian, “then I’ll jump in the river with you, and we’ll go down together!” And seizing the man, he ran with him toward the river. “Friend,” the crowd said, “for Big Brother Liu’s sake, have your fortune told!” “I haven’t anything to ask about,” said the man. “Why should I have my fortune told?” “If it’s wrong, I’ll pay for it,” said Liu Qian. “If it’s right, you’ll stand me a drink besides.” The man had no way out. Seeing how fierce Liu Qian was, he had to go into Ziya’s shop. He was a government runner on urgent business, and he could not wait for his eight characters to be reckoned. “Just read me a slip,” he said, and he pulled down a slip and showed it to Ziya. “What is the reading for?” asked Ziya. “I’m collecting taxes,” said the man. Ziya said, “I’ll write it on the slip; go and see for yourself.
‘This reading meets with Gen;of the taxes, no need to ask.They have waited for you long:a hundred and three ingots.’”
The man took the slip. “Sir,” he asked, “how much for a reading?” “This reading’s not like other people’s,” said Liu Qian. “Half a tael a reading.” “You’re not the diviner,” said the man. “What business have you setting the price?” “If it’s wrong, you get your money back, guaranteed,” said Liu Qian. “Half a tael a reading — and you’re getting off lightly.” The man was in a fluster and afraid he would fail in his official duty, so he had no choice but to weigh out half a tael of silver, and off he went. Liu Qian thanked Ziya and took his leave. “Thank you for sending custom my way, brother,” said Ziya. The crowd stayed outside Ziya’s shop to see how the tax collector would fare. Two hours later the man came by, escorting the taxes, and stopped at the door of Ziya’s shop. “Master Jiang, you really are an immortal come into the world! It was a hundred and three ingots, just as you said. Well worth half a tael a reading!” From then on Ziya’s time had come, and all Zhaoge was abuzz with his name. Soldiers and common folk alike came to have their fortunes told and readings cast, at half a tael a fortune, and Ziya raked in the silver. Madam Ma was delighted, and Yiren well content. Time flew like an arrow, the days and months like a weaver’s shuttle, and after half a year his fame had spread far and near, and everyone came to have their fates reckoned. But no more of that.
且說南門外軒轅墳中，有個玉石琵琶精，往朝歌城來看妲己，便在宮中夜食宮人。御花園太湖石下，白骨現天。琵琶精看罷出宮，欲回巢穴，駕著妖光，逕往南門過，只聽得哄哄人語，擾嚷之聲。妖精撥開妖光看時，卻是姜子牙算命。妖精曰：「待我與他推算，看他如何？」妖精一化，變作一個婦人，身穿重孝，扭捏腰肢而言曰：「列位君子讓一讓，妾身算一命。」紂時人老誠，兩邊閃開。子牙正看命，見一婦人來的蹊蹺。子牙定睛觀看，認得是個妖精，暗思：「好孽畜！也來試我眼色。今日不除妖怪，等待何時！」子牙曰：「列位看命君子，『男女授受不親』，先讓這小娘子算了去，然後依次算來。」眾人曰：「也罷，我們讓他先算。」妖精進了裏面坐下。子牙曰：「小娘子，借右手一看。」妖精曰：「先生算命，難道也會風鑑？」子牙曰：「先看相，後算命。」妖精暗笑，把右手遞與子牙看。子牙一把將妖精的寸關尺脈揝住，將丹田中先天元氣，運上火眼金睛，把妖光釘住了。子牙不言，只管看著。婦人曰：「先生不相不言，我乃女流，如何拿住我手。快放手！旁人看著，這是何說！」旁人且多不知奧妙，齊齊大呼：「姜子牙，你年紀老大，怎幹這樣事！你貪愛此女姿色，對眾欺騙，此乃天子日月腳下，怎這等無知，實為可惡！」子牙曰：「列位，此女非人，乃是妖精。」眾人大喝曰：「好胡說！明明一個女子，怎說是妖精。」外面圍看的擠嚷不開。子牙暗思：「若放了女子，妖精一去，青白難分。我既在此，當除妖怪，顯我姓名。」子牙手中無物，止有一紫石硯臺，用手抓起石硯，照妖精頂上響一聲，打得腦漿噴出，血染衣襟。子牙不放手，還揝住了脈門，使妖精不得變化。兩邊人大叫：「莫等他走了！」眾人齊喊：「算命的打死人！」重重疊疊圍住了子牙命館。不一時，打路的來，乃是亞相比干乘馬來到，問左右：「為何眾人喧嚷？」眾人齊說：「丞相駕臨，拿姜尚去見丞相爺！」比干勒住馬，問：「甚麼事？」內中有個抱不平的人跪下：「啟老爺；此間有一人算命，叫做姜尚。適間有一個女子前來算命，他見女子姿色，便欲欺騙。女子貞潔不從，姜尚陡起兇心，提起石硯，照頂上一下打死，可憐血濺滿身，死於非命。」比干聽眾口一辭，大怒，喚左右：「拿來！」子牙一隻手拖住妖精，拖到馬前跪下。比干曰：「看你皓頭白鬚，如何不知國法，白日欺姦，女子良婦不從，為何執硯打死！人命關天，豈容惡黨！勘問明白，以正大法。」子牙曰：「老爺在上，容姜尚稟明。姜尚自幼讀書守禮，豈敢違法。但此女非人，乃是妖精。近日只見妖氣貫於宮中，災星歷遍天下，小人既在輦轂之下，感當今皇上水土之恩，除妖滅怪，蕩魔驅邪，以盡子民之志。此女實是妖怪，怎敢為非。望老爺細察，小民方得生路。」旁邊眾人，齊齊跪下：「老爺，此等江湖術士，利口巧言，遮掩狡詐，蔽惑老爺，眾人經目，明明欺騙不從，逞兇打死；老爺若聽他言，可憐女子啣冤，百姓負屈！」比干見眾口難調，又見子牙拿住婦人手不放，比干問曰：「那姜尚，婦人已死，為何不放他手，這是何說？」子牙答曰：「小人若放他手，妖精去了，何以為證。」比干聞言，吩咐眾民：「此處不可辨明，待吾啟奏天子，便知清白。」眾民圍住子牙；子牙拖著妖精，往午門來。比干至摘星樓候旨。紂王宣比干見。比干進內，俯伏啟奏。王曰：「朕無旨意，卿有何奏章？」比干奏曰：「臣過南門，有一術士算命，只見一女子算命，術士看女子是妖精，不是人，便將石硯打死。眾民不服，齊言術士愛女子姿色，強姦不從，行兇將女子打死。臣據術士之言，亦似有理。然眾人之言，又是經目可證。臣請陛下旨意定奪。」妲己在後聽見比干奏此事，暗暗叫苦：「妹妹，你回巢穴去便罷了，算甚麼命！今遇惡人打死，我必定與你報讎！」妲己出見紂王：「妾身奏聞陛下，亞相所奏，真假難辨。主上可傳旨，將術士連女子拖至摘星樓下，妾身一觀，便知端的。」紂王曰：「御妻之言是也。」傳旨：「命術士將女子拖於摘星樓見駕。」旨意一出，子牙將妖精拖至摘星樓。子牙俯伏階下，右手揝住妖精不放。紂王在九曲雕欄之外，王曰：「階下俯伏何人？」子牙曰：「小民東海許州人氏，姓姜，名尚，幼訪名師，秘授陰陽，善識妖魅。因尚住居都城，南門求食，不意妖氛作怪，來惑小民。被尚看破天機，勦除妖精於朝野，滅怪靜其宮闕。姜尚一則感皇王都城覆載之恩，報師傳秘授不虛之德。」王曰：「朕觀此女，乃是人像，並非妖邪，何無破綻？」子牙曰：「陛下若要妖精現形，可取柴數擔，煉此妖精，原形自現。」天子傳旨；搬運柴薪至於樓下。子牙將妖精頂上用符印鎮住原形，子牙方放了手，把女子衣服解開，前心用符，後心用印，鎮住妖精四肢，拖在柴上，放起火來。好火！但見：
且说南门外轩辕坟中，有个玉石琵琶精，往朝歌城来看妲己，便在宫中夜食宫人。御花园太湖石下，白骨现天。琵琶精看罢出宫，欲回巢穴，驾着妖光，径往南门过，只听得哄哄人语，扰嚷之声。妖精拨开妖光看时，却是姜子牙算命。妖精曰：「待我与他推算，看他如何？」妖精一化，变作一个妇人，身穿重孝，扭捏腰肢而言曰：「列位君子让一让，妾身算一命。」纣时人老诚，两边闪开。子牙正看命，见一妇人来的蹊跷。子牙定睛观看，认得是个妖精，暗思：「好孽畜！也来试我眼色。今日不除妖怪，等待何时！」子牙曰：「列位看命君子，『男女授受不亲』，先让这小娘子算了去，然后依次算来。」众人曰：「也罢，我们让他先算。」妖精进了里面坐下。子牙曰：「小娘子，借右手一看。」妖精曰：「先生算命，难道也会风鉴？」子牙曰：「先看相，后算命。」妖精暗笑，把右手递与子牙看。子牙一把将妖精的寸关尺脉揝住，将丹田中先天元气，运上火眼金睛，把妖光钉住了。子牙不言，只管看着。妇人曰：「先生不相不言，我乃女流，如何拿住我手。快放手！旁人看着，这是何说！」旁人且多不知奥妙，齐齐大呼：「姜子牙，你年纪老大，怎干这样事！你贪爱此女姿色，对众欺骗，此乃天子日月脚下，怎这等无知，实为可恶！」子牙曰：「列位，此女非人，乃是妖精。」众人大喝曰：「好胡说！明明一个女子，怎说是妖精。」外面围看的挤嚷不开。子牙暗思：「若放了女子，妖精一去，青白难分。我既在此，当除妖怪，显我姓名。」子牙手中无物，止有一紫石砚台，用手抓起石砚，照妖精顶上响一声，打得脑浆喷出，血染衣襟。子牙不放手，还揝住了脉门，使妖精不得变化。两边人大叫：「莫等他走了！」众人齐喊：「算命的打死人！」重重叠叠围住了子牙命馆。不一时，打路的来，乃是亚相比干乘马来到，问左右：「为何众人喧嚷？」众人齐说：「丞相驾临，拿姜尚去见丞相爷！」比干勒住马，问：「甚么事？」内中有个抱不平的人跪下：「启老爷；此间有一人算命，叫做姜尚。适间有一个女子前来算命，他见女子姿色，便欲欺骗。女子贞洁不从，姜尚陡起凶心，提起石砚，照顶上一下打死，可怜血溅满身，死于非命。」比干听众口一辞，大怒，唤左右：「拿来！」子牙一只手拖住妖精，拖到马前跪下。比干曰：「看你皓头白须，如何不知国法，白日欺奸，女子良妇不从，为何执砚打死！人命关天，岂容恶党！勘问明白，以正大法。」子牙曰：「老爷在上，容姜尚禀明。姜尚自幼读书守礼，岂敢违法。但此女非人，乃是妖精。近日只见妖气贯于宫中，灾星历遍天下，小人既在辇毂之下，感当今皇上水土之恩，除妖灭怪，荡魔驱邪，以尽子民之志。此女实是妖怪，怎敢为非。望老爷细察，小民方得生路。」旁边众人，齐齐跪下：「老爷，此等江湖术士，利口巧言，遮掩狡诈，蔽惑老爷，众人经目，明明欺骗不从，逞凶打死；老爷若听他言，可怜女子啣冤，百姓负屈！」比干见众口难调，又见子牙拿住妇人手不放，比干问曰：「那姜尚，妇人已死，为何不放他手，这是何说？」子牙答曰：「小人若放他手，妖精去了，何以为证。」比干闻言，吩咐众民：「此处不可辨明，待吾启奏天子，便知清白。」众民围住子牙；子牙拖着妖精，往午门来。比干至摘星楼候旨。纣王宣比干见。比干进内，俯伏启奏。王曰：「朕无旨意，卿有何奏章？」比干奏曰：「臣过南门，有一术士算命，只见一女子算命，术士看女子是妖精，不是人，便将石砚打死。众民不服，齐言术士爱女子姿色，强奸不从，行凶将女子打死。臣据术士之言，亦似有理。然众人之言，又是经目可证。臣请陛下旨意定夺。」妲己在后听见比干奏此事，暗暗叫苦：「妹妹，你回巢穴去便罢了，算甚么命！今遇恶人打死，我必定与你报雠！」妲己出见纣王：「妾身奏闻陛下，亚相所奏，真假难辨。主上可传旨，将术士连女子拖至摘星楼下，妾身一观，便知端的。」纣王曰：「御妻之言是也。」传旨：「命术士将女子拖于摘星楼见驾。」旨意一出，子牙将妖精拖至摘星楼。子牙俯伏阶下，右手揝住妖精不放。纣王在九曲雕栏之外，王曰：「阶下俯伏何人？」子牙曰：「小民东海许州人氏，姓姜，名尚，幼访名师，秘授阴阳，善识妖魅。因尚住居都城，南门求食，不意妖氛作怪，来惑小民。被尚看破天机，勦除妖精于朝野，灭怪静其宫阙。姜尚一则感皇王都城覆载之恩，报师传秘授不虚之德。」王曰：「朕观此女，乃是人像，并非妖邪，何无破绽？」子牙曰：「陛下若要妖精现形，可取柴数担，炼此妖精，原形自现。」天子传旨；搬运柴薪至于楼下。子牙将妖精顶上用符印镇住原形，子牙方放了手，把女子衣服解开，前心用符，后心用印，镇住妖精四肢，拖在柴上，放起火来。好火！但见：
Our story turns now to the Tomb of Xuanyuan outside the south gate, where there was a jade pipa spirit. She had come to Zhaoge to visit Daji, and while she was in the palace she had been eating palace women by night: under the Taihu rocks of the royal garden, white bones lay open to the sky. When her visit was over, the pipa spirit left the palace to go back to her lair. Riding on her demonic light, she was passing straight over the south gate when she heard a hubbub of voices and a noisy crowd. The demon parted her demonic light to look: it was Jiang Ziya telling fortunes. “Let me have him reckon my fate,” said the demon, “and see what he makes of me!” With one change of shape the demon turned into a woman in deep mourning, and swaying her hips coyly, she said, “Gentlemen, please make way. This humble woman would like her fortune told.” People in King Zhou’s day were honest and simple, and they drew aside on either side to let her through. Ziya was in the middle of reading a fortune when he saw the woman approach, and there was something odd about her. He fixed his eyes on her and knew her for a demon. “Accursed beast!” he thought. “So you’ve come to test my eyes too. If I don’t rid the world of this demon today, what am I waiting for?” Ziya said, “Gentlemen who have come for your fortunes: ‘Men and women do not touch hands in giving and receiving.’ Let this young lady have her fortune told first and be on her way, and then I’ll take the rest of you in turn.” “All right,” they said, “we’ll let her go first.” The demon went inside and sat down. “Young lady,” said Ziya, “may I see your right hand?” “You tell fortunes, sir,” said the demon. “Don’t tell me you read faces too?” “First I read the features,” said Ziya, “then I tell the fortune.” The demon laughed to herself and held out her right hand for him to look at. In one grip Ziya seized her wrist, right on the three points where the pulse is felt, drew the primal breath of the Former Heaven up from his cinnabar field into his fiery eyes with their golden pupils, and pinned her demonic light fast. Ziya said nothing; he just kept looking at her. “Sir,” said the woman, “you neither read my features nor say a word. I am a woman — how dare you hold my hand? Let go at once! People are watching. What is the meaning of this?” Most of the bystanders had no idea of the mystery behind it, and they all shouted together, “Jiang Ziya, an old man like you — how can you do such a thing? You lust after this woman’s looks and take liberties with her in front of everyone! This is the very foot of the throne, under the sun and moon of the Son of Heaven. How can you be so shameless? It’s disgraceful!” “Gentlemen,” said Ziya, “this woman is not human. She is a demon.” The crowd roared, “What nonsense! She’s plainly a woman. How can you say she’s a demon?” Outside, the onlookers pressed and jostled so thick that no one could move. Ziya thought to himself, “If I let the woman go, the demon will be gone, and there will be no telling right from wrong. Since I am here, I must rid the world of this demon and make my name known.” Ziya had nothing to hand but an inkstone of purple stone. He snatched it up and brought it down on the crown of the demon’s head with a crack, so that her brains spurted out and blood soaked the front of her dress. Still Ziya did not let go but kept his grip on her pulse, so that the demon could not change her shape. People on every side yelled, “Don’t let him get away!” and the whole crowd shouted, “The fortune-teller’s killed someone!” Rank upon rank, they hemmed in Ziya’s fortune shop. Before long, men came clearing the road: it was the Second Chancellor, Bi Gan, arriving on horseback. “What is all this uproar?” he asked his attendants. The crowd cried with one voice, “The Chancellor is here! Take Jiang Shang before his lordship the Chancellor!” Bi Gan reined in his horse. “What is the matter?” One man among them, who could not stand to see a wrong done, knelt down. “If it please you, my lord, there’s a man here who tells fortunes, called Jiang Shang. Just now a young woman came to have her fortune told, and when he saw how pretty she was, he tried to take liberties with her. She was chaste and would not give in, and Jiang Shang all at once turned murderous. He picked up an inkstone and killed her with one blow to the crown of her head. The poor thing, spattered with blood from head to foot, has died a cruel death.” Hearing the whole crowd tell the same tale, Bi Gan was furious and called to his attendants, “Bring him here!” Ziya, holding the demon with one hand, dragged her before Bi Gan’s horse and knelt. “Look at you,” said Bi Gan, “white of hair and white of beard — how can you not know the law of the land? You tried to have your way with a woman in broad daylight, and when this decent woman would not give in, why did you take an inkstone and beat her to death? A human life is a matter for Heaven itself. How can such villainy be tolerated? You will be examined until the truth is plain, and the law will take its full course.” Ziya said, “My lord, permit Jiang Shang to explain. From boyhood Jiang Shang has studied books and kept the rules of propriety. How would I dare to break the law? But this woman is not human: she is a demon. Of late I have seen a demonic aura piercing the palace and stars of calamity passing over all the realm. Since this humble man lives here in the capital, beneath the wheels of the royal carriage, and is grateful to His Majesty for the water and soil that sustain him, I rid the world of demons and monsters, sweep away devils and drive out evil, to do my duty as one of His Majesty’s children. This woman truly is a demon. How would I dare do wrong? I beg you, my lord, look into it closely, and then this humble subject may yet live.” The crowd round about all knelt together. “My lord, these wandering charlatans have glib tongues and clever words. He’s covering up his tricks to pull the wool over your eyes, my lord! We all saw it with our own eyes: he plainly tried to take liberties with her, and when she wouldn’t have it, he beat her to death in a rage. If you listen to him, my lord, the poor woman will go to her grave wronged, and the common people will be cheated of justice!” Bi Gan saw that there was no satisfying so many voices; and he saw, too, that Ziya still held the woman’s hand and would not let go. “You there, Jiang Shang,” he asked, “the woman is dead. Why will you not let go of her hand? What is the meaning of this?” “If this humble man lets go of her hand,” answered Ziya, “the demon will escape, and what proof will there be then?” At this, Bi Gan told the people, “This cannot be settled here. Wait while I lay it before the Son of Heaven, and then we shall know the truth.” The people kept Ziya surrounded, and Ziya, dragging the demon, came to the Meridian Gate. Bi Gan went to the Star-Plucking Tower to await the king’s command. King Zhou summoned him, and Bi Gan went in, prostrated himself and made his report. The king said, “We sent no summons. What have you to report, minister?” Bi Gan said, “As your servant was passing the south gate, there was a diviner telling fortunes. A woman came to have her fortune told, and the diviner, seeing that she was a demon and not human, struck her dead with an inkstone. The people will not accept it. They all say the diviner lusted after the woman’s beauty and tried to force himself on her, and when she refused, he killed her in a fit of violence. Going by the diviner’s own account, there seems to be some reason in it. Yet what the people say, they saw with their own eyes and can bear witness to. Your servant begs Your Majesty to decide.” Daji, in the rooms behind, heard Bi Gan’s report and groaned to herself. “Oh, Sister! If only you had gone straight back to your lair! Whatever did you want with having your fortune told? Now a wicked man has struck you dead. I will avenge you, I swear it!” Daji came out to King Zhou. “Your handmaid has something to say to Your Majesty. What the Second Chancellor reports is hard to judge, true or false. Let Your Majesty send down a command to have the diviner drag the woman to the foot of the Star-Plucking Tower. One look, and your handmaid will know the truth of it.” “You are right, my royal wife,” said King Zhou, and he sent down a command: “Let the diviner drag the woman to the Star-Plucking Tower to appear before Us.” As soon as the command went out, Ziya dragged the demon to the Star-Plucking Tower. He lay prostrate at the foot of the steps, his right hand still gripping the demon and not letting go. King Zhou stood out by the carved balustrade with its nine bends. “Who is that prostrate at the foot of the steps?” said the king. Ziya said, “This humble subject is a man of Xuzhou by the East Sea. My surname is Jiang and my given name Shang. In my youth I sought out a famous master, who taught me in secret the arts of yin and yang, and I can tell a demon when I see one. I, Shang, live in the capital and earn my bread at the south gate, and, unlooked for, this demonic miasma came to make mischief and beguile this humble subject. But Shang saw through Heaven’s secret: he has rooted out the demon for court and country alike and destroyed the monster, so that the palace may be at peace. Jiang Shang has done this, for one thing, out of gratitude to his sovereign, who shelters him in the capital as heaven covers and earth upholds; and for another, to repay his master, that the secrets he taught should not prove empty.” The king said, “We have looked at this woman. She has a human form and is no demon. Why is there no flaw to give her away?” “If Your Majesty wishes the demon to show her form,” said Ziya, “let a few loads of firewood be brought to burn her, and her true form will appear of itself.” The Son of Heaven sent down a command, and firewood was carried to the foot of the tower. Ziya set a talisman and seal on the crown of the demon’s head to hold her true form fast, and only then did he let go of her hand. He undid the woman’s clothes and put a talisman on her breast and a seal on her back to pin down the demon’s four limbs. Then he dragged her onto the firewood and set it alight. What a fire! This is what they saw:
濃煙籠地角，黑霧鎖天涯。積風生烈焰，赤火冒紅霞。風乃火之師；火乃風之帥。風仗火行兇；火以風為害。滔滔烈火，無風不能成形；蕩蕩狂風，無火焉能取勝。風隨火勢，須臾時燎徹天關；火趁風威，頃刻間燒開地戶。金蛇串遶，難逃火炙之殃；烈焰圍身，大難飛來怎躲。好似老君扳倒煉丹爐，一塊火光連地滾。
浓烟笼地角，黑雾锁天涯。积风生烈焰，赤火冒红霞。风乃火之师；火乃风之帅。风仗火行凶；火以风为害。滔滔烈火，无风不能成形；荡荡狂风，无火焉能取胜。风随火势，须臾时燎彻天关；火趁风威，顷刻间烧开地户。金蛇串绕，难逃火炙之殃；烈焰围身，大难飞来怎躲。好似老君扳倒炼丹炉，一块火光连地滚。
Thick smoke shrouded the corners of the earth,black fog locked in the ends of the sky.Gathering winds gave birth to fierce flames,red fire poured out crimson clouds.The wind is the fire’s army;the fire is the wind’s general.The wind leans on the fire to do its violence;the fire makes the wind its means of harm.Raging, surging fire —without wind it can take no shape;vast, sweeping wind —without fire, how could it win?The wind follows the fire’s force,in a moment burning clean through the passes of heaven;the fire rides the wind’s might,in an instant burning open the gates of earth.Golden snakes thread and coil —there is no escaping the scourge of the scorching fire;fierce flames wrap the body round —how can one dodge the great calamity flying in?It was as if Lord Lao had tipped over his elixir furnace,and a mass of fire came rolling across the ground.
子牙用火煉妖精，燒煉兩個時辰，上下渾身，不曾燒枯了些兒。紂王問亞相比干曰：「朕觀烈火焚燒兩個時辰，渾身也不焦爛，真乃妖怪！」比干奏曰：「若看此事，姜尚亦是奇人。但不知此妖終是何物作怪。」王曰：「卿問姜尚，此妖果是何物成精？」比干下樓，問子牙。子牙答曰：「要此妖現真形，這也不難。」子牙用三昧真火燒此妖精。不知妖精性命如何，且聽下回分解。
子牙用火炼妖精，烧炼两个时辰，上下浑身，不曾烧枯了些儿。纣王问亚相比干曰：「朕观烈火焚烧两个时辰，浑身也不焦烂，真乃妖怪！」比干奏曰：「若看此事，姜尚亦是奇人。但不知此妖终是何物作怪。」王曰：「卿问姜尚，此妖果是何物成精？」比干下楼，问子牙。子牙答曰：「要此妖现真形，这也不难。」子牙用三昧真火烧此妖精。不知妖精性命如何，且听下回分解。
Ziya burned the demon in the fire for four hours, and yet, from head to foot, not the least bit of her was scorched. King Zhou said to the Second Chancellor, Bi Gan, “We have watched the fierce fire burn her for four hours, and her whole body is not even charred. She really is a demon!” Bi Gan replied, “Judging by this, Jiang Shang too is a remarkable man. But we still do not know what manner of creature this demon really is.” The king said, “Ask Jiang Shang, minister, what thing it is that has become this spirit.” Bi Gan went down from the tower and asked Ziya. Ziya answered, “To make this demon show her true form is no hard matter.” And Ziya burned the demon with the true samadhi fire. Would the demon live or die? To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.