詩曰：
蠆盆極惡已滿天，宮女無辜血肉朘。媚骨已無埋玉處，芳魂猶帶穢腥羶。
诗曰：
虿盆极恶已满天，宫女无辜血肉朘。媚骨已无埋玉处，芳魂犹带秽腥膻。
A poem says:
The utter evil of the scorpion pit already fills the sky;the palace maids, guiltless, have their flesh and blood pared away.For their lovely bones there is no place to bury the jade;their fragrant souls still carry a foul and rank reek of gore.
故園有夢空歌月，此地沉冤未息肩。怨氣漫漫天應慘，周家世業更安然。
故园有梦空歌月，此地沉冤未息肩。怨气漫漫天应惨，周家世业更安然。
In dreams of their old homes they sing to the moon in vain;here their sunken wrongs have never laid their burden down.Their grievance spreads far and wide, and Heaven itself must grieve;the house of Zhou’s heritage stands all the more secure.
話說子牙用三昧真火燒這妖精。此火非同凡火，從眼、鼻、口中噴將出來，乃是精、氣、神煉成三昧，養就離精，與凡火共成一處，此妖精怎麼經得起！妖精在火光中，扒將起來，大叫曰：「姜子牙，我與你無冤無讎，怎將三昧真火燒我？」紂王聽見火裏妖精說話，嚇的汗流浹背，目瞪痴呆。子牙曰：「陛下，請駕進樓，雷來了。」子牙雙手齊放，只見霹靂交加，一聲響喨，火滅煙消，現出一面玉石琵琶來。紂王與妲己曰：「此妖已現真形。」妲己聽言，心如刀絞，意似油煎，暗暗叫苦：「你來看我，回去便罷了，又算甚麼命！今遇惡人，將你原形燒出，使我肉身何安。我不殺姜尚，誓不與匹夫俱生！」妲己只得勉作笑容，啟奏曰：「陛下命左右將玉石琵琶取上樓來，待妾上了絲弦，早晚與陛下進御取樂。妾觀姜尚，才術兩全，何不封彼在朝保駕？」王曰：「御妻之言甚善。」天子傳旨：「且將玉石琵琶，取上樓來。姜尚聽朕封官：官拜下大夫，特授司天監職，隨朝侍用。」子牙謝恩，出午門外，冠帶回異人庄上。異人設席款待，親友俱來恭賀。飲酒數日，子牙復往都城隨朝。不表。
话说子牙用三昧真火烧这妖精。此火非同凡火，从眼、鼻、口中喷将出来，乃是精、气、神炼成三昧，养就离精，与凡火共成一处，此妖精怎么经得起！妖精在火光中，扒将起来，大叫曰：「姜子牙，我与你无冤无雠，怎将三昧真火烧我？」纣王听见火里妖精说话，吓的汗流浃背，目瞪痴呆。子牙曰：「陛下，请驾进楼，雷来了。」子牙双手齐放，只见霹雳交加，一声响喨，火灭烟消，现出一面玉石琵琶来。纣王与妲己曰：「此妖已现真形。」妲己听言，心如刀绞，意似油煎，暗暗叫苦：「你来看我，回去便罢了，又算甚么命！今遇恶人，将你原形烧出，使我肉身何安。我不杀姜尚，誓不与匹夫俱生！」妲己只得勉作笑容，启奏曰：「陛下命左右将玉石琵琶取上楼来，待妾上了丝弦，早晚与陛下进御取乐。妾观姜尚，才术两全，何不封彼在朝保驾？」王曰：「御妻之言甚善。」天子传旨：「且将玉石琵琶，取上楼来。姜尚听朕封官：官拜下大夫，特授司天监职，随朝侍用。」子牙谢恩，出午门外，冠带回异人庄上。异人设席款待，亲友俱来恭贺。饮酒数日，子牙复往都城随朝。不表。
Now, Ziya was burning the demon with the true samadhi fire. This was no ordinary fire. It came spurting out of his eyes, nose and mouth, for it was essence, breath and spirit refined into samadhi and nurtured into the essence of Li; joined with the ordinary fire into one, how could the demon withstand it? In the glare of the flames the demon scrambled up and cried out, “Jiang Ziya, there is no grudge between you and me, no wrong done on either side. Why do you burn me with the true samadhi fire?” When King Zhou heard the demon speak from inside the fire, he was so frightened that the sweat ran down his back, and he stood staring, struck dumb. Ziya said, “Your Majesty, please go inside the tower. The thunder is coming.” Ziya opened both his hands at once, and thunderbolts came crashing down one upon another. With a resounding crash the fire died and the smoke cleared, and there lay a jade pipa. King Zhou said to Daji, “The demon has shown her true form.” At these words Daji felt knives twisting in her heart and her mind frying in oil, and she groaned to herself: “You came to see me — if only you had just gone home! Whatever did you want with having your fortune told? Now you have met a wicked man, and he has burned you back into your true form. How can I feel safe in this body of mine? If I do not kill Jiang Shang, I swear that churl and I shall not both live!” Daji had no choice but to force a smile. “Let Your Majesty have the attendants bring the jade pipa up into the tower,” she said. “Your handmaid will string it with silk and play it for Your Majesty’s pleasure morning and evening. As I see it, Jiang Shang has both talent and arts. Why not give him office at court, to guard Your Majesty’s person?” “Very well said, my royal wife,” said the king. The Son of Heaven sent down his command: “Bring the jade pipa up into the tower. Jiang Shang, hear the office We confer on you: you are appointed Junior Counsellor, with a special commission in the Observatory, to attend at court in Our service.” Ziya gave thanks for the royal favour and went out through the Meridian Gate, and in the cap and belt of his office he returned to Yiren’s manor. Yiren laid on a feast for him, and friends and relations all came to offer their congratulations. After several days of drinking, Ziya went back to the capital to attend court. But no more of that.
且說妲己把玉石琵琶放于摘星樓上，採天地之靈氣，受日月之精華，已後五年，返本還元，斷送成湯天下。
且说妲己把玉石琵琶放于摘星楼上，采天地之灵气，受日月之精华，已后五年，返本还元，断送成汤天下。
Now, Daji set the jade pipa up in the Star-Plucking Tower, to gather the spiritual breath of heaven and earth and drink in the pure essence of the sun and moon. Five years later it would return to its root and source, and bring the realm of Cheng Tang to ruin.
一日，紂王在摘星樓與妲己飲宴，酒至半酣，妲己歌舞一回，與紂王作樂。三宮嬪妃，六院宮人，齊聲喝采。內有七十餘名宮人，俱不喝采，眼下且有淚痕。妲己看了，停住歌舞，查問那七十餘名宮人，原是那一宮人。內有奉御官查得；原是中宮姜娘娘侍御宮人。妲己怒曰：「你主母謀逆賜死，你們反懷忿怒，久後必成宮闈之患。」奏與紂王，紂王大怒，傳旨：「拿下樓，俱用金瓜打死！」妲己奏曰：「陛下，且不必將這起逆黨擊頂，暫且送下冷宮，妾有一計，可除宮中大弊。」奉御官將宮女送下冷宮。且說妲己奏紂王曰：「將摘星樓下，方圓開二十四丈闊，深五丈。陛下傳旨，命都城萬民，每一戶納蛇四條，都放此坑之內。將作弊宮人，跣剝乾淨，送下坑中，喂此毒蛇。此刑名曰：『蠆盆』。」紂王曰：「御妻之奇法，真可剔除宮中大弊。」天子隨傳旨意，張掛各門。國法森嚴，萬民遭累，勒令限期，往龍德殿交蛇。眾民日日進于朝中，並無內外，法紀全消。朝廷失政，不止一日。眾民納蛇，都城那裏有這些蛇，俱到外縣買蛇交納。一日，文書房膠鬲──官居上大夫，在文書房裏，看天下本章，只見眾民或三兩成行，四五一處，手提筐籃，進九間大殿。大夫問執殿官：「這些百姓，手提筐籃，裏面是甚東西？」執殿官答曰：「萬民交蛇。」大夫大驚曰：「天子要蛇何用？」執殿官曰：「卑職不知。」大夫出文書房到大殿，眾民見大夫叩頭。膠鬲曰：「你等拿的甚麼東西？」眾民曰：「天子榜文，張掛各門，每一戶納蛇四條。都城那里許多蛇，俱在百里之外，買來交納。不知聖上何用。」膠鬲曰：「你們且去交蛇。」眾民去了。大夫進文書房，不看本章，只見武成王黃飛虎、比干、微子、箕子、楊任、楊修俱至，相見禮畢。膠鬲曰：「列位大人可知天子令百姓每戶納蛇四條，不知取此何用。」黃飛虎答曰：「末將昨日看操回來，見眾民言，天子張掛榜文，每戶納蛇四條，紛紛不絕，俱有怨言。因此今日到此，請問列位大人，必知其詳。」比干、箕子曰：「我等一字也不知。」黃飛虎曰：「列位既不知道，叫執殿官過來，你聽我分付。你上心打聽，天子用此物做甚麼事。若得實信，速來報我，重重賞你。」執殿官領命去訖，眾官隨散。不表。
一日，纣王在摘星楼与妲己饮宴，酒至半酣，妲己歌舞一回，与纣王作乐。三宫嫔妃，六院宫人，齐声喝采。内有七十余名宫人，俱不喝采，眼下且有泪痕。妲己看了，停住歌舞，查问那七十余名宫人，原是那一宫人。内有奉御官查得；原是中宫姜娘娘侍御宫人。妲己怒曰：「你主母谋逆赐死，你们反怀忿怒，久后必成宫闱之患。」奏与纣王，纣王大怒，传旨：「拿下楼，俱用金瓜打死！」妲己奏曰：「陛下，且不必将这起逆党击顶，暂且送下冷宫，妾有一计，可除宫中大弊。」奉御官将宫女送下冷宫。且说妲己奏纣王曰：「将摘星楼下，方圆开二十四丈阔，深五丈。陛下传旨，命都城万民，每一户纳蛇四条，都放此坑之内。将作弊宫人，跣剥干净，送下坑中，喂此毒蛇。此刑名曰：『虿盆』。」纣王曰：「御妻之奇法，真可剔除宫中大弊。」天子随传旨意，张挂各门。国法森严，万民遭累，勒令限期，往龙德殿交蛇。众民日日进于朝中，并无内外，法纪全消。朝廷失政，不止一日。众民纳蛇，都城那里有这些蛇，俱到外县买蛇交纳。一日，文书房胶鬲──官居上大夫，在文书房里，看天下本章，只见众民或三两成行，四五一处，手提筐篮，进九间大殿。大夫问执殿官：「这些百姓，手提筐篮，里面是甚东西？」执殿官答曰：「万民交蛇。」大夫大惊曰：「天子要蛇何用？」执殿官曰：「卑职不知。」大夫出文书房到大殿，众民见大夫叩头。胶鬲曰：「你等拿的甚么东西？」众民曰：「天子榜文，张挂各门，每一户纳蛇四条。都城那里许多蛇，俱在百里之外，买来交纳。不知圣上何用。」胶鬲曰：「你们且去交蛇。」众民去了。大夫进文书房，不看本章，只见武成王黄飞虎、比干、微子、箕子、杨任、杨修俱至，相见礼毕。胶鬲曰：「列位大人可知天子令百姓每户纳蛇四条，不知取此何用。」黄飞虎答曰：「末将昨日看操回来，见众民言，天子张挂榜文，每户纳蛇四条，纷纷不绝，俱有怨言。因此今日到此，请问列位大人，必知其详。」比干、箕子曰：「我等一字也不知。」黄飞虎曰：「列位既不知道，叫执殿官过来，你听我分付。你上心打听，天子用此物做甚么事。若得实信，速来报我，重重赏你。」执殿官领命去讫，众官随散。不表。
One day King Zhou was feasting with Daji in the Star-Plucking Tower. When they were half drunk, Daji sang and danced for a while to amuse him, and the consorts and concubines of the three palaces and the palace women of the six courts all cheered with one voice. But among them were some seventy palace women who did not cheer at all, and beneath their eyes were traces of tears. When Daji saw it, she stopped her singing and dancing and asked which palace those seventy-odd women came from. A chamberlain looked into it and found that they had been the waiting women of Queen Jiang of the Central Palace. Daji said angrily, “Your mistress plotted treason and was condemned to death, yet you harbour resentment over it. Sooner or later you will bring trouble on the palace.” She told King Zhou, and King Zhou flew into a rage and sent down a command: “Take them down from the tower and beat them all to death with golden melons!” But Daji said, “Your Majesty, there is no need to smash the skulls of this pack of traitors just yet. Send them down to the Cold Palace for the time being. Your handmaid has a plan that will rid the palace of a great evil.” The chamberlains took the palace women down to the Cold Palace. Now Daji said to King Zhou, “At the foot of the Star-Plucking Tower, have a pit dug two hundred and forty feet across and fifty feet deep. Let Your Majesty send down a command that every household in the capital must hand in four snakes, and all of them are to be put into this pit. Palace women who do wrong shall be stripped bare and sent down into the pit to feed these venomous snakes. This punishment shall be called ‘the scorpion pit.’” King Zhou said, “This wonderful method of yours, my royal wife, will truly root out the great evil in the palace.” The Son of Heaven sent down the command at once, and it was posted up at every gate. The law of the land was harsh, and all the people suffered by it: they were ordered to bring their snakes to the Longde Hall by a set date. Day after day the people came into the court, until there was no telling inner from outer, and law and discipline were utterly gone. The court was misruled, and had been for many a day. The people had to hand in snakes — but where in the capital were there so many snakes? They all went off to the outlying counties to buy snakes to hand in. One day Jiao Ge of the Office of Documents — he held the rank of Senior Counsellor — was in the Office of Documents going through memorials from all over the realm when he saw people coming into the great Nine-Bay Hall in twos and threes, in fours and fives, with baskets in their hands. The counsellor asked the officer of the hall, “These common folk with baskets in their hands — what have they got in them?” “The people are handing in snakes,” answered the officer of the hall. The counsellor was astonished. “What does the Son of Heaven want snakes for?” “Your humble servant does not know,” said the officer. The counsellor left the Office of Documents and went to the great hall, where the people kowtowed to him. “What are you carrying?” said Jiao Ge. “The Son of Heaven’s proclamation is posted at every gate,” said the people. “Every household must hand in four snakes. Where would the capital find so many snakes? We have all had to buy them more than a hundred li away to hand them in. What His Majesty wants them for, we don’t know.” “Go and hand in your snakes, then,” said Jiao Ge, and the people went. The counsellor went back into the Office of Documents, but he did not read his memorials. Just then Huang Feihu, Prince Wucheng, arrived, along with Bi Gan, Weizi, Jizi, Yang Ren and Yang Xiu, and they greeted one another with due ceremony. Jiao Ge said, “My lords, do you know that the Son of Heaven has ordered the people to hand in four snakes from every household? I cannot think what he wants them for.” Huang Feihu answered, “Yesterday, as this humble officer was coming back from reviewing the troops at drill, I heard the people saying that the Son of Heaven had posted a proclamation: four snakes from every household. They were coming in an endless stream, and every one of them was complaining. That is why I came here today, to ask you, my lords. You are sure to know the details.” Bi Gan and Jizi said, “We know not a word of it.” “Since none of you knows,” said Huang Feihu, “call the officer of the hall over. You, listen to my orders. Keep your ears open and find out what the Son of Heaven means to do with these creatures. If you learn the truth, come and tell me at once, and I will reward you handsomely.” The officer of the hall took his orders and went, and the officials dispersed. But no more of that.
且說眾民又過五七日，蛇已交完，收蛇官往摘星樓回旨奏曰：「都城眾民交蛇已完，奴婢回旨。」紂王問妲己曰：「坑中蛇已完了，御妻何以治此？」妲己曰：「陛下傳旨，可將前日暫寄不游宮宮人，跣剝乾淨，用繩縛背，推下坑中，喂此蛇蝎。若無此極刑，宮中深弊難除。」紂王曰：「御妻所設此刑，真是除奸之要法。」蛇既納完，命奉御官將不遊宮前日送下宮人，綁出推落蠆盆。」奉御官得旨，不一時將宮人綁至坑邊。那宮人一見蛇猙獰，揚頭吐舌，惡相難看，七十二名宮人一齊叫苦。那日膠鬲在文書房，也為這件事，逐日打聽；只聽得一陣悲聲慘切。大夫出的文書房來，見執殿官忙忙來報：「啟老爺！前日天子取蛇，放在坑中；今日將七十二名宮人，跣剝入坑，喂此蛇蝎。卑職探聽得實，前來報知。」膠鬲聞言，心中甚是激烈，逕進內庭，過了龍德殿，進分宮樓，走至摘星樓下，只見眾宮人赤身縛背，淚流滿面，哀聲叫苦，悽慘難觀。膠鬲厲聲大叫曰：「此事豈可行！膠鬲有本啟奏！」紂王正要看毒蛇咬食宮人，以為取樂，不期大夫膠鬲啟奏。紂王宣膠鬲上樓俯伏，王問曰：「朕無旨意，卿有何奏章？」膠鬲泣而奏曰：「臣不為別事，因見陛下橫刑慘酷，民遭荼毒，君臣暌隔，上下不相交接，宇宙已成否塞之象。今陛下又用這等非刑，宮人得何罪！昨日臣見萬民交納蛇蝎，人人俱有怨言。今旱潦頻仍，況且買蛇百里之外，民不安生。臣聞；民貧則為盜，盜聚則生亂。況且海外烽煙，諸侯離叛，東南二處，刻無寧宇，民日思亂，刀兵四起。陛下不修仁政，日行暴虐，自從盤古至今，并不曾見，此刑為何名？那一代君王所製？」王曰：「宮人作弊，無法可除，往往不息，故設此刑，名曰：『蠆盆』。」膠鬲奏曰：「人之四肢，莫非皮肉，雖有貴賤之殊，總是一體。令人坑穴之中，毒蛇吞啖，苦痛傷心。陛下觀之，其心何忍，聖意何樂。況宮人皆係女子，朝夕宮中，侍陛下于左右，不過役使，有何大弊，遭此慘刑。望陛下憐赦宮人，真皇上浩蕩之恩，體上天好生之德。」王曰：「卿之所諫，亦似有理。但肘腋之患，發不及覺，豈得以草率之刑治之，況婦寺陰謀險毒，不如此，彼未必知驚耳。」膠鬲厲聲言曰：「『君乃臣之元首，臣是君之股肱。』又曰：「『亶聰明作元后，元后作民父母。』今陛下忍心喪德，不聽臣言，妄行暴虐，罔有悛心，使天下諸侯懷怨，東伯侯無辜受戮，南伯侯屈死朝歌，諫官盡炮烙；今無辜宮娥，又入蠆盆。陛下只知歡娛于深宮，信讒聽佞，荒淫酗酒，真如重疾在心，不知何時舉發，誠所謂大癰既潰，命亦隨之。陛下不一思省，只知縱慾敗度，不想國家何以如磐石之安。可惜先王克勤克儉，敬天畏命，方保社稷太平，華夷率服。陛下當改惡從善，親賢遠色，退佞進忠，庶幾宗社可保，國泰民安，生民幸甚。臣等日夕焦心，不忍陛下淪于昏暗，黎民離心離德，禍生不測，所謂社稷宗廟非陛下之所有也。臣何忍深言，望陛下以祖宗天下為重，不得妄聽女寺之言，有廢忠諫之語，萬民幸甚！」紂王大怒曰：「好匹夫！怎敢無知侮謗聖君，罪在不赦！」叫左右：「即將此匹夫剝淨，送入蠆盆，以正國法！」眾人方欲來拿，被膠鬲大喝曰：「昏君無道，殺戮諫臣，此國家大患，吾不忍見成湯數百年天下一旦付與他人，雖死我不瞑目。況吾官居諫議，怎入蠆盆！」手指紂王大罵：「昏君！這等橫暴，終應西伯之言！」大夫言罷，望摘星樓下一跳，撞將下來，跌了個腦漿迸流，死于非命。有詩為證：
且说众民又过五七日，蛇已交完，收蛇官往摘星楼回旨奏曰：「都城众民交蛇已完，奴婢回旨。」纣王问妲己曰：「坑中蛇已完了，御妻何以治此？」妲己曰：「陛下传旨，可将前日暂寄不游宫宫人，跣剥干净，用绳缚背，推下坑中，喂此蛇蝎。若无此极刑，宫中深弊难除。」纣王曰：「御妻所设此刑，真是除奸之要法。」蛇既纳完，命奉御官将不游宫前日送下宫人，绑出推落虿盆。」奉御官得旨，不一时将宫人绑至坑边。那宫人一见蛇狰狞，扬头吐舌，恶相难看，七十二名宫人一齐叫苦。那日胶鬲在文书房，也为这件事，逐日打听；只听得一阵悲声惨切。大夫出的文书房来，见执殿官忙忙来报：「启老爷！前日天子取蛇，放在坑中；今日将七十二名宫人，跣剥入坑，喂此蛇蝎。卑职探听得实，前来报知。」胶鬲闻言，心中甚是激烈，径进内庭，过了龙德殿，进分宫楼，走至摘星楼下，只见众宫人赤身缚背，泪流满面，哀声叫苦，凄惨难观。胶鬲厉声大叫曰：「此事岂可行！胶鬲有本启奏！」纣王正要看毒蛇咬食宫人，以为取乐，不期大夫胶鬲启奏。纣王宣胶鬲上楼俯伏，王问曰：「朕无旨意，卿有何奏章？」胶鬲泣而奏曰：「臣不为别事，因见陛下横刑惨酷，民遭荼毒，君臣暌隔，上下不相交接，宇宙已成否塞之象。今陛下又用这等非刑，宫人得何罪！昨日臣见万民交纳蛇蝎，人人俱有怨言。今旱潦频仍，况且买蛇百里之外，民不安生。臣闻；民贫则为盗，盗聚则生乱。况且海外烽烟，诸侯离叛，东南二处，刻无宁宇，民日思乱，刀兵四起。陛下不修仁政，日行暴虐，自从盘古至今，并不曾见，此刑为何名？那一代君王所制？」王曰：「宫人作弊，无法可除，往往不息，故设此刑，名曰：『虿盆』。」胶鬲奏曰：「人之四肢，莫非皮肉，虽有贵贱之殊，总是一体。令人坑穴之中，毒蛇吞啖，苦痛伤心。陛下观之，其心何忍，圣意何乐。况宫人皆系女子，朝夕宫中，侍陛下于左右，不过役使，有何大弊，遭此惨刑。望陛下怜赦宫人，真皇上浩荡之恩，体上天好生之德。」王曰：「卿之所谏，亦似有理。但肘腋之患，发不及觉，岂得以草率之刑治之，况妇寺阴谋险毒，不如此，彼未必知惊耳。」胶鬲厉声言曰：「『君乃臣之元首，臣是君之股肱。』又曰：「『亶聪明作元后，元后作民父母。』今陛下忍心丧德，不听臣言，妄行暴虐，罔有悛心，使天下诸侯怀怨，东伯侯无辜受戮，南伯侯屈死朝歌，谏官尽炮烙；今无辜宫娥，又入虿盆。陛下只知欢娱于深宫，信谗听佞，荒淫酗酒，真如重疾在心，不知何时举发，诚所谓大痈既溃，命亦随之。陛下不一思省，只知纵欲败度，不想国家何以如磐石之安。可惜先王克勤克俭，敬天畏命，方保社稷太平，华夷率服。陛下当改恶从善，亲贤远色，退佞进忠，庶几宗社可保，国泰民安，生民幸甚。臣等日夕焦心，不忍陛下沦于昏暗，黎民离心离德，祸生不测，所谓社稷宗庙非陛下之所有也。臣何忍深言，望陛下以祖宗天下为重，不得妄听女寺之言，有废忠谏之语，万民幸甚！」纣王大怒曰：「好匹夫！怎敢无知侮谤圣君，罪在不赦！」叫左右：「即将此匹夫剥净，送入虿盆，以正国法！」众人方欲来拿，被胶鬲大喝曰：「昏君无道，杀戮谏臣，此国家大患，吾不忍见成汤数百年天下一旦付与他人，虽死我不瞑目。况吾官居谏议，怎入虿盆！」手指纣王大骂：「昏君！这等横暴，终应西伯之言！」大夫言罢，望摘星楼下一跳，撞将下来，跌了个脑浆迸流，死于非命。有诗为证：
Now, after another five or seven days the people had finished handing in their snakes, and the officer collecting them went to the Star-Plucking Tower to report back: “The people of the capital have finished handing in their snakes. Your slave reports back on Your Majesty’s command.” King Zhou asked Daji, “The snakes are all in the pit. What will you do with it now, my royal wife?” Daji said, “Let Your Majesty send down a command: the palace women who were lodged in the Buyou Palace the other day are to be stripped bare, their arms bound behind their backs with rope, and pushed down into the pit to feed the snakes and scorpions. Without this extreme punishment, the deep-rooted evil in the palace will be hard to root out.” “This punishment you have devised, my royal wife,” said King Zhou, “is truly the best way to root out wickedness.” Since the snakes had all been handed in, he ordered the chamberlains to bind the palace women who had been sent to the Buyou Palace the other day, bring them out and push them into the scorpion pit. The chamberlains received the command, and in no time the palace women had been bound and brought to the edge of the pit. The moment they saw the snakes — hideous and fierce, rearing their heads and flicking their tongues, foul to look upon — all seventy-two palace women cried out in despair together. That day Jiao Ge was in the Office of Documents; he too had been making inquiries about this business day after day. Suddenly he heard a burst of wailing, piteous and harrowing. The counsellor came out of the Office of Documents and saw the officer of the hall hurrying up to report: “If it please you, my lord! The other day the Son of Heaven collected snakes and put them in a pit, and today seventy-two palace women are being stripped and thrown into the pit to feed the snakes and scorpions. Your humble servant has found this out for certain and come to tell you.” At these words Jiao Ge’s heart burned with indignation. He went straight into the inner court, past the Longde Hall, through the Fengong Tower and on to the foot of the Star-Plucking Tower. There he saw the palace women, naked, their arms bound behind their backs, tears streaming down their faces, wailing in their misery — a sight too pitiful to look upon. Jiao Ge cried out sternly, “This must not be done! Jiao Ge has a memorial to present!” King Zhou was just about to watch the venomous snakes bite and devour the palace women for his amusement when, to his surprise, Counsellor Jiao Ge asked to address him. King Zhou summoned Jiao Ge up into the tower, and he prostrated himself. “We sent no summons,” said the king. “What have you to report, minister?” Weeping, Jiao Ge said, “Your servant comes on no other business. I see Your Majesty’s punishments, lawless, cruel and savage; the people suffer bitter poison; sovereign and ministers are estranged, high and low have no dealings with each other, and the whole world has taken on the image of Stagnation. And now Your Majesty uses this unlawful punishment besides. What crime have the palace women committed? Yesterday your servant saw the people handing in snakes and scorpions, and every one of them was complaining. Droughts and floods come one after another as it is, and on top of that they must buy snakes a hundred li away; the people cannot live in peace. Your servant has heard that when the people are poor they turn bandit, and when bandits gather, rebellion is born. Besides, beacon fires burn beyond the seas, the lords are falling away in revolt, the east and the south have not a moment’s peace; day by day the people think of rebellion, and war breaks out on every side. Your Majesty does not practise benevolent government but commits cruelties every day. From the time of Pangu until now, no one has ever seen the like. What is this punishment called? What king of what age devised it?” The king said, “The palace women do wrong, and there is no way to put an end to it; it goes on and on. That is why We devised this punishment. It is called ‘the scorpion pit.’” Jiao Ge said, “A person’s four limbs are nothing but skin and flesh. High and low may differ, but the body is the same. To put people down in a pit to be devoured by venomous snakes — the agony of it wounds the heart. When Your Majesty watches it, how can your heart bear it? What joy can your sacred mind find in it? Besides, the palace women are all women, here in the palace morning and night, waiting on Your Majesty at your side. They are no more than servants. What great evil could they do, to suffer so cruel a punishment? I beg Your Majesty to take pity on the palace women and pardon them. That would truly be Your Majesty’s boundless grace, and would embody Heaven’s love of life.” The king said, “What you urge, minister, seems not without reason. But a danger at Our very elbow breaks out before one can notice it. How can it be dealt with by some slapdash punishment? Besides, the secret plots of women and eunuchs are dangerous and venomous. Without this, they would hardly learn fear.” Jiao Ge said in a stern voice, “‘The sovereign is the head of his ministers; the ministers are the sovereign’s arms and legs.’ And again: ‘Truly wise and perceptive, he becomes the great sovereign, and the great sovereign is father and mother to the people.’ Now Your Majesty hardens your heart and casts away virtue. You will not listen to your ministers; you commit cruelties recklessly and show no sign of repentance. You have filled the lords of the realm with resentment: the Lord of the East was put to death though guiltless, the Lord of the South died wronged in Zhaoge, and the officials who remonstrated were all burned on the pillar. And now innocent palace maids are thrown into the scorpion pit as well. Your Majesty knows only pleasure deep in the palace. You believe slanderers and heed flatterers, you wallow in debauchery and drink. It is like a grave sickness lodged in the heart — who knows when it will break out? Truly, as they say, when a great abscess bursts, life goes with it. Your Majesty never once stops to reflect. You know only how to indulge your desires and throw off all restraint, and never think how the state is to be kept as safe as a great rock. It is a pity for the former kings, who were diligent and thrifty, who revered Heaven and feared its decree; only so did they keep the altars of the state at peace, so that Chinese and barbarians alike submitted. Your Majesty should turn from evil and follow the good, keep close to worthy men and far from women’s charms, dismiss the flatterers and advance the loyal. Then perhaps the ancestral temple and the altars of the state may yet be preserved, the realm be at peace and the people at ease, to the great good fortune of all living folk. Day and night we your servants burn with anxiety. We cannot bear to see Your Majesty sink into darkness, the common people turn their hearts and their loyalty away, and disaster spring up unforeseen — until, as the saying goes, the altars of the state and the ancestral temple are Your Majesty’s no longer. How can your servant bear to say more? I beg Your Majesty to put first the empire of your ancestors, and not to listen rashly to the words of women and eunuchs and so cast loyal counsel aside. That would be the great good fortune of all the people!” King Zhou flew into a rage. “You churl! How dare you, in your ignorance, insult and slander your sacred sovereign! Your crime is beyond pardon!” He called to his attendants, “Strip this churl bare at once and throw him into the scorpion pit, so that the law of the land is upheld!” They were just coming to seize him when Jiao Ge gave a great shout: “Benighted king, without the Way! You slaughter the ministers who remonstrate with you — this is the great bane of the realm. I cannot bear to see the empire of Cheng Tang, held for several hundred years, handed to others in a single morning. Even dead, I will not close my eyes. Besides, I hold an office of remonstrance — how should I go into a scorpion pit!” Pointing at King Zhou, he cursed him roundly: “Benighted king! Such tyranny as this will bear out the words of the Lord of the West in the end!” With these words the counsellor leapt down from the Star-Plucking Tower. He came crashing down, his brains burst out, and he died a cruel death. There is a poem to prove it:
赤膽忠心為國憂，先生撞下摘星樓。早知天數成湯滅，可惜捐軀血水流。
赤胆忠心为国忧，先生撞下摘星楼。早知天数成汤灭，可惜捐躯血水流。
Heart red and loyal, he grieved for the realm;the gentleman flung himself down from the Star-Plucking Tower.He might have known Heaven’s reckoning: Cheng Tang’s house must fall;alas that he threw away his life, his blood flowing like water.
話說膠鬲墜樓，粉身碎骨。紂王看見，更覺大怒，傳旨：「將宮女推下蠆盆，連膠鬲一齊喂了蛇蝎！」可憐七十二名宮人，齊齊高叫：「皇天后土，我等又未為非，遭此慘刑！妲己賤人！我等生不能食汝之肉，死後定啖汝陰魂！」紂王見宮人落于坑內，餓蛇將宮人盤繞，吞咬皮膚，鑽入腹內，苦痛非常。妲己曰：「若無此刑，焉得除宮中大患！」紂王以手拂妲己之背曰：「喜你這等奇法，妙不可言！」兩邊宮人，心酸膽碎。有詩為證：
话说胶鬲坠楼，粉身碎骨。纣王看见，更觉大怒，传旨：「将宫女推下虿盆，连胶鬲一齐喂了蛇蝎！」可怜七十二名宫人，齐齐高叫：「皇天后土，我等又未为非，遭此惨刑！妲己贱人！我等生不能食汝之肉，死后定啖汝阴魂！」纣王见宫人落于坑内，饿蛇将宫人盘绕，吞咬皮肤，钻入腹内，苦痛非常。妲己曰：「若无此刑，焉得除宫中大患！」纣王以手拂妲己之背曰：「喜你这等奇法，妙不可言！」两边宫人，心酸胆碎。有诗为证：
Now, Jiao Ge had fallen from the tower and was dashed to pieces. At the sight King Zhou grew angrier still and sent down a command: “Push the palace women down into the scorpion pit, and feed Jiao Ge to the snakes and scorpions along with them!” The poor seventy-two palace women all cried out together: “August Heaven and Sovereign Earth! We have done no wrong, and we suffer this cruel punishment! Daji, you bitch! Alive, we cannot eat your flesh, but when we are dead we will surely devour your ghost!” King Zhou watched the palace women fall into the pit, where the hungry snakes coiled around them, biting and swallowing their skin and burrowing into their bellies — an agony beyond all bearing. Daji said, “Without this punishment, how could the great menace in the palace be rooted out?” King Zhou stroked Daji’s back and said, “What a delight, this wonderful method of yours! It is marvellous beyond words!” The palace women on either side were sick at heart and frightened out of their wits. There is a poem to prove it:
蠆盆蛇蝎勢猙獰；宮女遭殃入此坑。一見魂飛千里外，可憐慘死勝油烹。
虿盆蛇蝎势狰狞；宫女遭殃入此坑。一见魂飞千里外，可怜惨死胜油烹。
In the scorpion pit, snakes and scorpions, hideous and fierce;the palace maids meet their doom, cast down into this pit.At one sight their souls fly a thousand li away;alas, a cruel death, worse than boiling in oil.
話說紂王將宮人入于坑內，以為美刑。妲己又奏曰：「陛下可再傳旨，將蠆盆左邊掘一池，右邊挖一沼，池中以糟邱為山；右邊以酒為池。糟邱山上，用樹枝插滿，把肉披成薄片，掛在樹枝之上，名曰：『肉林，』右邊將酒灌滿，名曰：『酒海。』天子富有四海，原該享無窮富貴；此肉林、酒海，非天子之尊，不得妄自尊享也。」紂王曰：「御妻異制奇觀，真堪玩賞；非奇思妙想，不能如此。」隨傳旨，依法制造。非止一日，將酒池、肉林，造的完全。紂王設宴，與妲己玩賞肉林、酒池。正飲之間，妲己奏曰：「樂聲煩厭，歌唱尋常，陛下傳旨，命宮人與宦官撲跌，得勝者，池中賞酒，不勝者乃無用之婢，侍于御前，有辱天子，可用金瓜擊頂，放于糟內。」妲己奏畢，紂王無不聽從，傳旨；命宮人宦官撲跌。可憐這妖孽在宮中，無所不為，宦官遭殄，傷殘民命。──看官；他為何事要將宮人打死，人在糟內？妲己或二、三更現出原形，要吃糟內宮人，以血食養他妖氣，惑于紂王。有詩曰：
话说纣王将宫人入于坑内，以为美刑。妲己又奏曰：「陛下可再传旨，将虿盆左边掘一池，右边挖一沼，池中以糟邱为山；右边以酒为池。糟邱山上，用树枝插满，把肉披成薄片，挂在树枝之上，名曰：『肉林，』右边将酒灌满，名曰：『酒海。』天子富有四海，原该享无穷富贵；此肉林、酒海，非天子之尊，不得妄自尊享也。」纣王曰：「御妻异制奇观，真堪玩赏；非奇思妙想，不能如此。」随传旨，依法制造。非止一日，将酒池、肉林，造的完全。纣王设宴，与妲己玩赏肉林、酒池。正饮之间，妲己奏曰：「乐声烦厌，歌唱寻常，陛下传旨，命宫人与宦官扑跌，得胜者，池中赏酒，不胜者乃无用之婢，侍于御前，有辱天子，可用金瓜击顶，放于糟内。」妲己奏毕，纣王无不听从，传旨；命宫人宦官扑跌。可怜这妖孽在宫中，无所不为，宦官遭殄，伤残民命。──看官；他为何事要将宫人打死，人在糟内？妲己或二、三更现出原形，要吃糟内宫人，以血食养他妖气，惑于纣王。有诗曰：
Now, King Zhou, having thrown the palace women into the pit, thought it a splendid punishment. Daji spoke again: “Your Majesty might send down another command. To the left of the scorpion pit dig a pool, and to the right dig a pond. In the pool, make a hill of distillers’ dregs; on the right, make a pool of wine. Stick the hill of dregs all over with branches, slice meat into thin strips and hang them on the branches, and call it ‘the forest of meat.’ Fill the pond on the right with wine, and call it ‘the sea of wine.’ The Son of Heaven owns all within the four seas and ought by rights to enjoy wealth and honour without end. A forest of meat and a sea of wine — none but one as exalted as the Son of Heaven may presume to enjoy them.” King Zhou said, “These strange devices of yours, my royal wife, make wondrous sights, truly worth enjoying. Only a mind full of rare and marvellous ideas could think of such things.” He sent down the command at once, and they were built just as she had described. It took many days, but at last the pool of wine and the forest of meat were finished. King Zhou gave a banquet and enjoyed the forest of meat and the pool of wine with Daji. As they were drinking, Daji said, “The music has grown tiresome and the singing is commonplace. Let Your Majesty command the palace women to wrestle with the eunuchs. The winners shall be rewarded with wine from the pool. The losers are useless slaves who disgrace the Son of Heaven by waiting upon him: have their skulls smashed with golden melons and throw them into the dregs.” When Daji had finished, King Zhou, who did whatever she said, sent down the command for the palace women and the eunuchs to wrestle. Alas! With this demon in the palace, there was no evil left undone: the eunuchs were wiped out, and the lives of the people were maimed and destroyed. — You may wonder, reader, why she wanted palace women beaten to death and put into the dregs. At the second or third watch of the night Daji would sometimes take her true form and eat the palace women in the dregs, nourishing her demonic aura on flesh and blood, so as to bewitch King Zhou. There is a poem that says:
懸肉為林酒作池，紂王無道類窮奇。蠆盆怨氣沖霄漢，炮烙精魂傍火炊。
悬肉为林酒作池，纣王无道类穷奇。虿盆怨气冲霄汉，炮烙精魂傍火炊。
Meat hung up to make a forest, wine made into a pool:King Zhou, without the Way, is like the fiend Qiongqi.From the scorpion pit the vapour of grievance shoots up to the Milky Way;at the burning pillar the spirits of the dead hover by the fire that cooked them.
文武無心扶社稷；軍民有意破宮褵。將來國土何時盡？戊午旬中甲子期。
文武无心扶社稷；军民有意破宫褵。将来国土何时尽？戊午旬中甲子期。
Civil and military officials have no heart to prop up the altars of the state;soldiers and people are minded to break into the palace.When, in days to come, will the realm be at an end? In the wuwu span of ten days, on the jiazi day.
話說紂王聽信妲己，造酒池、肉林，一無忌憚，朝綱不整，任意荒淫。一日，妲己忽然想起玉石琵琶精之恨，設一計害子牙；作一圖畫。那日在摘星樓與紂王飲宴，酒至半酣，妲己曰：「妾有一圖畫，獻與陛下一觀。」王曰：「取來朕看。」妲己命宮人將畫叉挑著。紂王曰：「此畫又非翎毛，又非走獸，又非山景，又非人物。「上畫一臺，高四丈九尺，殿閣巍峨，瓊樓玉宇，瑪瑙砌就欄杆，明珠粧成梁棟，夜現光華，照耀瑞彩，名曰：「鹿臺。」妲己奏曰：「陛下萬乘至尊，貴為天子，富有四海，若不造此臺，不足以壯觀瞻。此臺真是瑤池玉闕，閬苑蓬萊。陛下早晚宴于臺上，自有仙人、仙女下降。陛下得與真仙遨游，延年益壽，祿算無窮。陛下與妾，共叨福庇，永享人間富貴也。」王曰：「此臺工程浩大，命何官督造？」妲己奏曰：「此工須得才藝精巧、聰明睿智、深識陰陽、洞曉生剋，以妾觀之，非下大夫姜尚不可。」紂王聞言，即傳旨：「宣下大夫姜尚。」使臣往比干府召姜尚。比干慌忙接旨。使臣曰：「旨意乃宣下大夫姜尚。」子牙即忙接旨，謝恩曰：「天使大人，可先到午門，卑職就至。」使臣去了。子牙暗起一課，早知今日之厄。子牙對比干謝曰：「姜尚荷蒙大德提攜，並早晚指教之恩。不期今日相別。此恩此德，不知何時可報。」比干曰：「先生何故出此言？」子牙曰：「尚占運命，主今日不好，有害無利，有兇無吉。」比干曰：「先生又非諫官在位，況且不久面君，以順為是，何害之有！」子牙曰：「尚有一柬帖，壓在書房硯臺之下，但丞相有大難臨身，無處解釋，可觀此柬，庶幾可脫其危，乃卑職報丞相涓涯之萬一耳。從今一別，不知何日能再睹尊顏！」子牙作辭，比干著實不忍，「先生果有災迍，待吾進朝面君，可保先生無虞。」子牙曰：「數已如此，不必動勞，反累其事。」比干相送，子牙出相府，上馬來到午門，逕至摘星樓候旨。奉御官宣上摘星樓，見駕畢。王曰：「卿與朕代勞，起造鹿臺，俟功成之日，加祿增官，朕決不食言。圖樣在此。」子牙一看，高四丈九尺，上造瓊樓玉宇，殿閣重檐，瑪瑙砌就欄杆，寶石粧成棟梁。子牙看罷，暗想：「朝歌非吾久居之地，且將言語感悟這昏君，昏君必定不聽、發怒。我就此脫身隱了，何為不可！畢竟不知子牙凶吉如何，且聽下回分解。
话说纣王听信妲己，造酒池、肉林，一无忌惮，朝纲不整，任意荒淫。一日，妲己忽然想起玉石琵琶精之恨，设一计害子牙；作一图画。那日在摘星楼与纣王饮宴，酒至半酣，妲己曰：「妾有一图画，献与陛下一观。」王曰：「取来朕看。」妲己命宫人将画叉挑着。纣王曰：「此画又非翎毛，又非走兽，又非山景，又非人物。「上画一台，高四丈九尺，殿阁巍峨，琼楼玉宇，玛瑙砌就栏杆，明珠粧成梁栋，夜现光华，照耀瑞彩，名曰：「鹿台。」妲己奏曰：「陛下万乘至尊，贵为天子，富有四海，若不造此台，不足以壮观瞻。此台真是瑶池玉阙，阆苑蓬莱。陛下早晚宴于台上，自有仙人、仙女下降。陛下得与真仙遨游，延年益寿，禄算无穷。陛下与妾，共叨福庇，永享人间富贵也。」王曰：「此台工程浩大，命何官督造？」妲己奏曰：「此工须得才艺精巧、聪明睿智、深识阴阳、洞晓生克，以妾观之，非下大夫姜尚不可。」纣王闻言，即传旨：「宣下大夫姜尚。」使臣往比干府召姜尚。比干慌忙接旨。使臣曰：「旨意乃宣下大夫姜尚。」子牙即忙接旨，谢恩曰：「天使大人，可先到午门，卑职就至。」使臣去了。子牙暗起一课，早知今日之厄。子牙对比干谢曰：「姜尚荷蒙大德提携，并早晚指教之恩。不期今日相别。此恩此德，不知何时可报。」比干曰：「先生何故出此言？」子牙曰：「尚占运命，主今日不好，有害无利，有凶无吉。」比干曰：「先生又非谏官在位，况且不久面君，以顺为是，何害之有！」子牙曰：「尚有一柬帖，压在书房砚台之下，但丞相有大难临身，无处解释，可观此柬，庶几可脱其危，乃卑职报丞相涓涯之万一耳。从今一别，不知何日能再睹尊颜！」子牙作辞，比干着实不忍，「先生果有灾迍，待吾进朝面君，可保先生无虞。」子牙曰：「数已如此，不必动劳，反累其事。」比干相送，子牙出相府，上马来到午门，径至摘星楼候旨。奉御官宣上摘星楼，见驾毕。王曰：「卿与朕代劳，起造鹿台，俟功成之日，加禄增官，朕决不食言。图样在此。」子牙一看，高四丈九尺，上造琼楼玉宇，殿阁重檐，玛瑙砌就栏杆，宝石粧成栋梁。子牙看罢，暗想：「朝歌非吾久居之地，且将言语感悟这昏君，昏君必定不听、发怒。我就此脱身隐了，何为不可！毕竟不知子牙凶吉如何，且听下回分解。
Now, King Zhou, trusting every word Daji said, built the pool of wine and the forest of meat. He had no scruples at all; the order of the court fell into disarray, and he gave himself up to debauchery as he pleased. One day Daji suddenly remembered her grudge over the jade pipa spirit, and she devised a plan to destroy Ziya: she made a picture. That day, as she was feasting with King Zhou in the Star-Plucking Tower and they were half drunk, Daji said, “Your handmaid has a picture to show Your Majesty.” “Bring it here for Us to see,” said the king. Daji had palace women hold it up on a picture fork. King Zhou said, “This picture is not birds, nor beasts, nor landscape, nor figures.” On it was painted a terrace, forty-nine feet high, with lofty halls and pavilions, towers of jasper and palaces of jade, balustrades built of agate and beams and pillars adorned with bright pearls that shone with light by night, glittering with auspicious colours. It was called the Deer Terrace. Daji said, “Your Majesty is the lord of ten thousand chariots, exalted as the Son of Heaven, owner of all within the four seas. Without such a terrace there is nothing to show your grandeur to the eyes of the world. This terrace would be a very Jasper Pool and jade palace, a very Langyuan and Penglai. When Your Majesty feasts on the terrace morning and evening, immortals and fairy maidens will surely come down to you. Your Majesty will roam with true immortals, lengthen your years and prolong your life, and your blessings will be without end. Your Majesty and your handmaid will share in the blessing and protection together and enjoy the riches and honours of the world of men for ever.” The king said, “The work on this terrace would be vast. Which official shall We put in charge of building it?” Daji said, “This work needs a man of fine skill and ingenuity, clever and wise, deeply versed in yin and yang and thoroughly at home with how the Five Phases produce and overcome one another. As your handmaid sees it, no one will do but Junior Counsellor Jiang Shang.” At this King Zhou at once sent down a command: “Summon Junior Counsellor Jiang Shang.” An envoy went to Bi Gan’s residence to summon Jiang Shang. Bi Gan hurried out to receive the command. “The command summons Junior Counsellor Jiang Shang,” said the envoy. Ziya hastened to receive the command and gave thanks for the royal favour. “My lord envoy,” he said, “please go ahead to the Meridian Gate. Your humble servant will follow directly.” The envoy went. Ziya secretly cast a reading and knew at once the peril that awaited him that day. He thanked Bi Gan, saying, “Jiang Shang has received your great kindness in taking him up, and your favour in guiding him morning and evening. I never expected that we would part today. When I can ever repay such kindness and such goodness, I do not know.” “Why do you say such a thing, master?” said Bi Gan. Ziya said, “Shang has divined his fortune. It says today is a bad day: harm and no gain, ill luck and no good.” “But master,” said Bi Gan, “you do not hold a post of remonstrance. Besides, you will be seeing the king presently — just go along with him, and what harm can come of it?” Ziya said, “Shang has left a note under the inkstone in the study. Should a great calamity ever befall you, Chancellor, with no way out of it, read this note, and perhaps you may escape the danger. It is your humble servant’s way of repaying some tiny part of all he owes you, Chancellor. Once we part today, who knows when I shall look on your honoured face again!” Ziya took his leave. Bi Gan truly could not bear it. “If misfortune really awaits you, master, let me go to court and see the king. I can make sure no harm comes to you.” Ziya said, “It is fated so. There is no need to trouble yourself; it would only make matters worse.” Bi Gan saw him off. Ziya left the chancellor’s residence, mounted his horse and rode to the Meridian Gate, and went straight on to the Star-Plucking Tower to await the king’s command. A chamberlain summoned him up the Star-Plucking Tower, and he paid his respects to the king. The king said, “Take this labour on for Us, minister, and build the Deer Terrace. On the day the work is done, We will raise your stipend and promote you — We will not go back on Our word. Here is the plan.” Ziya looked: forty-nine feet high, with towers of jasper and palaces of jade built on top, halls and pavilions with double eaves, balustrades built of agate and pillars and beams adorned with precious stones. When Ziya had looked, he thought to himself, “Zhaoge is no place for me to stay long. I will try to bring this benighted king to his senses with words. The benighted king is sure not to listen, and to lose his temper — and then I can slip away and go into hiding. Why not?” Would it go well or ill for Ziya? To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.