詩曰：
自古權奸止愛錢，構成機彀害忠賢。不無黃白開生路，也要青蚨入錦纏。
诗曰：
自古权奸止爱钱，构成机彀害忠贤。不无黄白开生路，也要青蚨入锦缠。
A poem says:
Since ancient times the treacherous in power have loved nothing but money,and built their snares and traps to harm the loyal and the worthy.Gold and silver, to be sure, can open a road to life —but the green-beetle coins must first be wrapped in brocade.
成己不知遺國恨，遺災那問有家延。孰知反復原無定，悔卻吳鉤錯倒撚。
成己不知遗国恨，遗灾那问有家延。孰知反复原无定，悔却吴钩错倒撚。
They serve themselves, not knowing the grief they leave the state;they sow disaster, and never ask whether it will reach their own houses.Who knew that fortune turns and turns again, and nothing stays fixed?They will rue the day they took the Wugou blade by the wrong end.
且言西伯侯囚于羑里城，──即今河北相州湯陰縣是也──每日閉門待罪，將伏羲八卦變為八八六十四卦，重為三百八十四爻，內按陰陽消息之機，週天劃度之妙，後為「周易」。姬昌閑暇無事，悶撫瑤琴一曲，猛然琴中大絃忽有殺聲，西伯驚曰：「此殺聲主何怪事？」慌忙止琴聲，取金錢占一課，便知分曉。姬伯不覺流淚曰：「我兒不聽父言，遭此碎身之禍！今日如不食子肉，難逃殺身之禍；如食子肉，其心何忍？使我心如刀絞，不敢悲啼，如泄此機，我身亦自難保。」姬伯只得含悲忍淚，不敢出聲。作詩歎曰：
且言西伯侯囚于羑里城，──即今河北相州汤阴县是也──每日闭门待罪，将伏羲八卦变为八八六十四卦，重为三百八十四爻，内按阴阳消息之机，周天划度之妙，后为「周易」。姬昌闲暇无事，闷抚瑶琴一曲，猛然琴中大弦忽有杀声，西伯惊曰：「此杀声主何怪事？」慌忙止琴声，取金钱占一课，便知分晓。姬伯不觉流泪曰：「我儿不听父言，遭此碎身之祸！今日如不食子肉，难逃杀身之祸；如食子肉，其心何忍？使我心如刀绞，不敢悲啼，如泄此机，我身亦自难保。」姬伯只得含悲忍泪，不敢出声。作诗叹曰：
Now, the Lord of the West was a prisoner in the city of Youli — the place that is now Tangyin County in Xiangzhou, Hebei. Every day he kept his door shut and awaited his sentence. He took Fuxi’s Eight Trigrams and turned them into eight times eight, sixty-four hexagrams, doubled up into three hundred and eighty-four lines. In them he followed the hidden springs of yin and yang as they wane and wax, and the wonders of the heavens’ full circle marked out in degrees; later they became the Book of Changes. With time on his hands and nothing to do, Ji Chang was playing a tune on his jasper zither to ease his gloom when all at once the great string gave out a sound of killing. The Lord of the West said in alarm, “What strange event can this sound of killing foretell?” He hastily stilled the zither, took out his gold coins and cast a reading, and at once all was clear. Lord Ji found himself in tears. “My son would not heed his father’s words, and now he has met this calamity: his body hacked to pieces! Today, if I do not eat my son’s flesh, I cannot escape being put to death myself; but if I eat my son’s flesh, how can my heart bear it? It is like knives twisting in my heart, yet I dare not weep aloud. If I let this secret slip, I cannot save even myself.” Lord Ji could only swallow his grief and hold back his tears, not daring to make a sound. He made a poem to lament it:
「孤身抱忠義，萬里探親災；未入羑里城，先登殷紂臺。
「孤身抱忠义，万里探亲灾；未入羑里城，先登殷纣台。
“Alone, he held fast to loyalty and right,and came ten thousand li to his father in trouble;but before he could enter the city of Youli,he first climbed the tower of Zhou of Yin.
撫琴除孽婦，頃刻怒心推。可惜青年客，魂遊劫運灰！」
抚琴除孽妇，顷刻怒心推。可惜青年客，魂游劫运灰！」
With his zither he would rid the world of the wicked woman;in a moment, fury brought him down.Alas for the young traveller —his soul now wanders among the ashes of calamity!”
姬昌作畢，左右不知姬伯心事，俱默默不語。話未了時，使命官到，有旨意下。姬昌縞素接旨，口稱：「犯臣死罪。」姬昌接旨，開讀畢，使命官將龍鳳膳盒擺在上面。使命曰：「主上見賢侯在羑里久羈，聖心不忍。昨日聖駕幸獵，打得鹿獐之物，做成肉餅，特賜賢侯，故有是命。」姬昌跪在案前，揭開膳盒，言曰：「聖上受鞍馬之勞，反賜犯臣鹿餅之享，願陛下萬歲！」謝恩畢，連食三餅，將盒蓋了。使命見姬昌食了子肉，暗暗歎曰：「人言姬伯能知先天神數，善曉吉凶，今日見子肉而不知，速食而甘美，所謂陰陽吉凶，皆是虛語！」且說姬昌明知子肉，含忍痛苦，不敢悲傷，勉強精神對使命言曰：「欽差大人，犯臣不能躬謝天恩，敢煩大人與昌轉達，昌就此謝恩便了。」姬伯倒身下拜，「蒙聖上之恩光，又普照于羑里。」使命官回朝歌。不題。且說姬伯思子之苦，不敢啼哭，暗暗作詩歎曰：
姬昌作毕，左右不知姬伯心事，俱默默不语。话未了时，使命官到，有旨意下。姬昌缟素接旨，口称：「犯臣死罪。」姬昌接旨，开读毕，使命官将龙凤膳盒摆在上面。使命曰：「主上见贤侯在羑里久羁，圣心不忍。昨日圣驾幸猎，打得鹿獐之物，做成肉饼，特赐贤侯，故有是命。」姬昌跪在案前，揭开膳盒，言曰：「圣上受鞍马之劳，反赐犯臣鹿饼之享，愿陛下万岁！」谢恩毕，连食三饼，将盒盖了。使命见姬昌食了子肉，暗暗叹曰：「人言姬伯能知先天神数，善晓吉凶，今日见子肉而不知，速食而甘美，所谓阴阳吉凶，皆是虚语！」且说姬昌明知子肉，含忍痛苦，不敢悲伤，勉强精神对使命言曰：「钦差大人，犯臣不能躬谢天恩，敢烦大人与昌转达，昌就此谢恩便了。」姬伯倒身下拜，「蒙圣上之恩光，又普照于羑里。」使命官回朝歌。不题。且说姬伯思子之苦，不敢啼哭，暗暗作诗叹曰：
When Ji Chang had finished, those around him, who did not know what was on Lord Ji’s mind, all kept silent. Just then a royal messenger arrived with a decree from the king. Ji Chang, dressed in plain white, received the decree, saying, “Your criminal subject deserves to die!” When the decree had been opened and read, the royal messenger set a food box painted with dragons and phoenixes on the table. The messenger said, “His Majesty sees that you, worthy lord, have been held at Youli a long while, and his sacred heart cannot bear it. Yesterday His Majesty went hunting and bagged deer and river deer, and had them made into meat cakes, which he sends to you as a special gift, worthy lord. Hence this decree.” Ji Chang knelt before the table, lifted the lid of the food box and said, “His Majesty endures the toil of saddle and horse, and yet he bestows on his criminal subject the pleasure of venison cakes. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!” When he had given thanks, he ate three cakes, one after another, and closed the lid. Seeing Ji Chang eat his son’s flesh, the messenger sighed to himself: “People say Lord Ji knows the divine numbers of the Former Heaven and can tell good fortune from ill. Yet today he sees his own son’s flesh and doesn’t know it — he gulps it down and relishes it! All this talk of yin and yang and good and ill fortune is just empty words!” Now, Ji Chang knew perfectly well it was his son’s flesh. He swallowed his anguish and dared not show his grief, but forced himself to keep his composure and said to the messenger, “My lord envoy, your criminal subject cannot give thanks for His Majesty’s heavenly grace in person. May I trouble you, my lord, to convey my thanks for me? I, Chang, give thanks here and now.” Lord Ji prostrated himself and bowed: “His Majesty’s gracious light shines even upon Youli.” The royal messenger went back to Zhaoge. But no more of that. Now, Lord Ji was in agony, thinking of his son, but he dared not weep. In secret he made a poem to lament it:
「一別西岐到此間，曾言不必渡江關。只知進貢朝昏主，莫解迎君有犯顏。
「一别西岐到此间，曾言不必渡江关。只知进贡朝昏主，莫解迎君有犯颜。
“When I left Xiqi to come to this place,I told you there was no need to cross the rivers and passes.You knew only to bring tribute to the benighted king,and never understood that coming to fetch your father home would offend the king.
年少忠良空慘切，淚多如雨只潸潸。遊魂一點歸何處，青史名標是等閑。」
年少忠良空惨切，泪多如雨只潸潸。游魂一点归何处，青史名标是等闲。」
So young, so loyal and good — and all in vain, this bitter grief;my tears fall like rain, streaming on and on.Your wandering soul, that single spark — where will it find its home?To have your name written in the annals counts for little.”
姬伯作畢詩，不覺憂憂悶悶，寢食俱廢在羑里。不題。
姬伯作毕诗，不觉忧忧闷闷，寝食俱废在羑里。不题。
When Lord Ji had finished his poem, a deep gloom came over him before he knew it, and there in Youli he could neither sleep nor eat. But no more of that.
且說使命官回朝復命，紂王在顯慶殿與費仲、尤渾弈棋。左右侍駕官啟奏：「使命候旨。」紂王傳旨：「宣至殿廷回旨。」奏曰：「臣奉旨將肉餅送至羑里，姬昌謝恩言曰：『姬昌犯罪當死，蒙聖恩赦以再生，已出望外；今皇上受鞍馬之勞，犯臣安逸而受鹿餅之賜，聖恩浩蕩，感刻無地！』跪地上，揭開膳盒，連食三餅，叩頭謝恩。又對臣曰：『犯臣姬昌不得面覿天顏。』又拜八拜，乞使命轉達天庭。今臣回旨。」紂王聽使臣之言，對費仲曰：「姬昌素有重名，善演先天之數，吉凶有准，禍福無差；今觀自己子肉食而不知，人言可盡信哉！朕念姬昌七載羈囚，欲赦回國，二卿意下以為如何？」費仲奏曰：「昌數無差，定知子肉。恐欲不食，又遭屠戮，只得勉強忍食，以為脫身之計，不得已而為之也。陛下不可不察，誤中奸計耳。」王曰：「昌知子肉，決不肯食。」又言：「昌乃大賢，豈有大賢忍啖子肉哉。」費仲奏曰：「姬昌外有忠誠，內懷奸詐，人皆為彼瞞過，不如且禁羑里；似虎投陷穽，鳥困雕籠，雖不殺戮，也磨其銳氣。況今東南二路已叛，尚未懾服；今縱姬昌于西岐，是又添一患矣。乞陛下念之。」王曰：「卿言是也。」──此還是西伯侯災難未滿，故有讒佞之阻。有詩為證：
且说使命官回朝复命，纣王在显庆殿与费仲、尤浑弈棋。左右侍驾官启奏：「使命候旨。」纣王传旨：「宣至殿廷回旨。」奏曰：「臣奉旨将肉饼送至羑里，姬昌谢恩言曰：『姬昌犯罪当死，蒙圣恩赦以再生，已出望外；今皇上受鞍马之劳，犯臣安逸而受鹿饼之赐，圣恩浩荡，感刻无地！』跪地上，揭开膳盒，连食三饼，叩头谢恩。又对臣曰：『犯臣姬昌不得面觌天颜。』又拜八拜，乞使命转达天庭。今臣回旨。」纣王听使臣之言，对费仲曰：「姬昌素有重名，善演先天之数，吉凶有准，祸福无差；今观自己子肉食而不知，人言可尽信哉！朕念姬昌七载羁囚，欲赦回国，二卿意下以为如何？」费仲奏曰：「昌数无差，定知子肉。恐欲不食，又遭屠戮，只得勉强忍食，以为脱身之计，不得已而为之也。陛下不可不察，误中奸计耳。」王曰：「昌知子肉，决不肯食。」又言：「昌乃大贤，岂有大贤忍啖子肉哉。」费仲奏曰：「姬昌外有忠诚，内怀奸诈，人皆为彼瞒过，不如且禁羑里；似虎投陷穽，鸟困雕笼，虽不杀戮，也磨其锐气。况今东南二路已叛，尚未慑服；今纵姬昌于西岐，是又添一患矣。乞陛下念之。」王曰：「卿言是也。」──此还是西伯侯灾难未满，故有谗佞之阻。有诗为证：
Now, the royal messenger went back to court to report. King Zhou was in the Xianqing Hall, playing Go with Fei Zhong and You Hun. The attending officers on either side announced, “The royal messenger awaits Your Majesty’s command.” King Zhou commanded, “Summon him into the hall to report.” The messenger said, “At Your Majesty’s command your servant took the meat cakes to Youli. Ji Chang gave thanks and said: ‘Ji Chang’s crime deserved death. That His Majesty in his sacred grace pardoned him and gave him life again was already beyond all his hopes. And now, while His Majesty endures the toil of saddle and horse, his criminal subject sits at his ease and receives a gift of venison cakes! His Majesty’s grace is boundless, and his gratitude is past all telling!’ He knelt on the ground, lifted the lid of the food box, ate three cakes one after another, and knocked his head on the ground to give thanks. Then he said to your servant, ‘Your criminal subject Ji Chang cannot behold the royal face in person.’ He made eight bows besides and begged your messenger to convey his thanks to the Court of Heaven. Now your servant reports back.” When King Zhou had heard the envoy out, he said to Fei Zhong, “Ji Chang has always had a great name. He is said to be skilled at casting the Former Heaven numbers — his good and ill fortunes always accurate, his blessings and disasters never wrong. Yet look: he ate his own son’s flesh and did not know it! How can one believe everything people say? We are thinking of Ji Chang’s seven years in captivity and are minded to pardon him and send him home. What do you two ministers think?” Fei Zhong said, “Ji Chang’s reckonings are never wrong; he surely knew it was his son’s flesh. He was afraid that if he refused to eat it, he too would be slaughtered, so he forced himself to swallow it — a scheme to get himself free. He did it because he had no choice. Your Majesty must see through this, or you will fall into his treacherous trap.” The king said, “If Ji Chang had known it was his son’s flesh, he would never have eaten it.” And he went on: “Ji Chang is a great and worthy man. What great and worthy man could bear to eat his own son’s flesh?” Fei Zhong said, “Ji Chang is loyal and true on the outside but treacherous within, and everyone has been taken in by him. Better to keep him confined at Youli for now, like a tiger fallen into a pit, a bird caught in a carved cage: even if he is not put to death, his edge will be worn down. Besides, the east and the south have risen in revolt and have not yet been brought to heel. If you let Ji Chang go back to Xiqi now, that will be one more trouble on top of them. I beg Your Majesty to consider it.” “You are right, minister,” said the king — for the Lord of the West’s calamity had not yet run its course, and so slanderers and flatterers stood in his way. There is a poem to prove it:
羑里城中災未滿，費尤在側獻讒言。若無西地宜生計，焉得文王返故園。
羑里城中灾未满，费尤在侧献谗言。若无西地宜生计，焉得文王返故园。
In the city of Youli his calamity had not yet run its course,and Fei and You at the king’s side poured out their slanders.Had it not been for Yisheng’s plan in the western land,how could King Wen have come home to his old gardens?
不說紂王不赦姬昌，且說邑考從人已知紂王將公子醢為肉醬，星夜逃回，進西岐來見二公子姬發。姬發一日陞殿，端門官來報：「有跟隨公子往朝歌家將候旨。」姬發聽報，傳令旨，速宣眾人到殿前。眾人哭拜在地。姬發慌問其故。來人啟曰：「公子往朝歌進貢，不曾往羑里見老爺，先見紂王。不知何事，將公子醢為肉醬。」姬發聽言，大哭于殿廷，幾乎氣絕。只見兩邊文武之中，有大將軍南宮适大叫曰：「公子乃西岐之幼主，今進貢與紂王，反遭醢屍之慘。我等主公遭囚羑里。雖是昏亂，吾等還有君臣之禮，不肯有負先王；今公子無辜而受屠戮，痛心切骨，君臣之義已絕，綱常之分俱乖。今東南兩路苦戰多年，吾等奉國法以守臣節，今已如此，何不統兩班文武，將傾國之兵，先取五關，殺上朝歌，勦戮昏君，再立明主。正所謂定禍亂而反太平，亦不失為臣之節！」只見兩邊武將聽南宮适之言，時有四賢、八俊；辛甲、辛免、太顛、閎夭、祁公、尹積，西伯侯有三十六教習子姓姬叔度等，齊大叫：「南將軍之言有理！」眾文武切齒咬牙，豎眉睜目，七間殿上，一片喧嚷之聲，連姬發亦無定主。只見散宜生厲聲言曰：「公子休亂，臣有事奉啟！」發曰：「上大夫今有何言？」宜生曰：「公子命刀斧手先將南宮适拿出端門斬了，然後再議大事。」姬發與眾將問曰：「先生為何先斬南將軍？此理何說？使諸將不服。」宜生對諸將言曰：「此等亂臣賊子，陷主君于不義，理當先斬，再議國事。諸公只知披堅執銳，一勇無謀。不知老大王克守臣節，硜硜不貳，雖在羑里，定無怨言。公等造次胡為，兵未到五關，先陷主公于不義而死，此誠何心。故先斬南宮适，而後再議國是也。」公子姬發與眾將聽罷，個個無言，默默不語。南宮适亦無語低頭。宜生曰：「當日公子不聽宜生之言，今日果有殺身之禍。昔日大王往朝歌之日，演先天之數，七年之殃，災滿難足，自有榮歸之日，不必著人來接。言猶在耳，殿下不聽，致有此禍。況又失于打點，今紂王寵信費、尤二賊，臨行不帶禮物賄賂二人，故殿下有喪身之禍。為今之計，不若先差官一員，用重賄私通費、尤，使內外相應；待臣修書，懇切哀求。若奸臣受賄，必在紂王面前以好言解釋。老大王自然還國，那時修德行仁，俟紂惡貫盈，再會天下諸侯共伐無道，興弔民伐罪之師，天下自然響應。廢去昏庸，再立有道，人心悅服。不然，徒取敗亡，遺臭後世，為天下笑耳。」姬發曰：「先生之教為善，使發頓開茅塞，真金玉之論也。不知先用何等禮物？所用何官？先生當明以告我。」宜生曰：「不過用明珠、白璧、彩緞表裏、黃金、玉帶，其禮二分；一分差太顛送費仲；一分差閎夭送尤渾。使二將星夜進五關，扮作商賈，暗進朝歌。費、尤二人若受此禮，大王不日歸國，自然無事。」公子大喜，即忙收拾禮物。宜生修書，差二將往朝歌來。有詩曰：
不说纣王不赦姬昌，且说邑考从人已知纣王将公子醢为肉酱，星夜逃回，进西岐来见二公子姬发。姬发一日升殿，端门官来报：「有跟随公子往朝歌家将候旨。」姬发听报，传令旨，速宣众人到殿前。众人哭拜在地。姬发慌问其故。来人启曰：「公子往朝歌进贡，不曾往羑里见老爷，先见纣王。不知何事，将公子醢为肉酱。」姬发听言，大哭于殿廷，几乎气绝。只见两边文武之中，有大将军南宫适大叫曰：「公子乃西岐之幼主，今进贡与纣王，反遭醢尸之惨。我等主公遭囚羑里。虽是昏乱，吾等还有君臣之礼，不肯有负先王；今公子无辜而受屠戮，痛心切骨，君臣之义已绝，纲常之分俱乖。今东南两路苦战多年，吾等奉国法以守臣节，今已如此，何不统两班文武，将倾国之兵，先取五关，杀上朝歌，勦戮昏君，再立明主。正所谓定祸乱而反太平，亦不失为臣之节！」只见两边武将听南宫适之言，时有四贤、八俊；辛甲、辛免、太颠、闳夭、祁公、尹积，西伯侯有三十六教习子姓姬叔度等，齐大叫：「南将军之言有理！」众文武切齿咬牙，竖眉睁目，七间殿上，一片喧嚷之声，连姬发亦无定主。只见散宜生厉声言曰：「公子休乱，臣有事奉启！」发曰：「上大夫今有何言？」宜生曰：「公子命刀斧手先将南宫适拿出端门斩了，然后再议大事。」姬发与众将问曰：「先生为何先斩南将军？此理何说？使诸将不服。」宜生对诸将言曰：「此等乱臣贼子，陷主君于不义，理当先斩，再议国事。诸公只知披坚执锐，一勇无谋。不知老大王克守臣节，硁硁不贰，虽在羑里，定无怨言。公等造次胡为，兵未到五关，先陷主公于不义而死，此诚何心。故先斩南宫适，而后再议国是也。」公子姬发与众将听罢，个个无言，默默不语。南宫适亦无语低头。宜生曰：「当日公子不听宜生之言，今日果有杀身之祸。昔日大王往朝歌之日，演先天之数，七年之殃，灾满难足，自有荣归之日，不必着人来接。言犹在耳，殿下不听，致有此祸。况又失于打点，今纣王宠信费、尤二贼，临行不带礼物贿赂二人，故殿下有丧身之祸。为今之计，不若先差官一员，用重贿私通费、尤，使内外相应；待臣修书，恳切哀求。若奸臣受贿，必在纣王面前以好言解释。老大王自然还国，那时修德行仁，俟纣恶贯盈，再会天下诸侯共伐无道，兴吊民伐罪之师，天下自然响应。废去昏庸，再立有道，人心悦服。不然，徒取败亡，遗臭后世，为天下笑耳。」姬发曰：「先生之教为善，使发顿开茅塞，真金玉之论也。不知先用何等礼物？所用何官？先生当明以告我。」宜生曰：「不过用明珠、白璧、彩缎表里、黄金、玉带，其礼二分；一分差太颠送费仲；一分差闳夭送尤浑。使二将星夜进五关，扮作商贾，暗进朝歌。费、尤二人若受此礼，大王不日归国，自然无事。」公子大喜，即忙收拾礼物。宜生修书，差二将往朝歌来。有诗曰：
We will say no more of King Zhou refusing to pardon Ji Chang. Our story turns to Yikao’s followers. They had learned that King Zhou had made mincemeat of the young lord, and they fled home through the night, back into Xiqi, to see the second young lord, Ji Fa. One day, when Ji Fa was holding court in the hall, the officer of the Duan Gate came to report: “The household guards who went with the young lord to Zhaoge are here, awaiting your command.” When Ji Fa heard this, he sent down his order to summon them before the hall at once. The men threw themselves weeping on the ground and bowed. In alarm Ji Fa asked what had happened. They said, “The young lord went to Zhaoge with the tribute. He didn’t go to Youli to see his lordship, but went to see King Zhou first. We don’t know why, but the king had the young lord made into mincemeat.” At these words Ji Fa wept aloud in the hall until he almost lost his breath. Then, from among the officials civil and military on either side, the Grand General Nangong Kuo cried out, “The young lord was Xiqi’s young master. He brought tribute to King Zhou, and for his pains his body was made into mincemeat — a cruel end! Our lord is held prisoner at Youli. Though the king is benighted and the realm in disorder, we still kept the rites between sovereign and subject and would not betray the former kings. But now the young lord has been slaughtered though guiltless. It pierces my heart and cuts me to the bone! The bond between sovereign and subject is broken, and the bonds and the constants are all overturned. For years the east and the south have fought bitter wars, while we kept the laws of the realm and held to a subject’s duty. Now that it has come to this, why not lead the officials of both ranks and the whole army of the state, take the Five Passes first, fight our way to Zhaoge, slay the benighted king and set up an enlightened ruler in his place? As the saying goes, put down disorder and bring back peace — and it would be no breach of a subject’s duty either!” The military officers on either side heard what Nangong Kuo said. There were the four worthies and the eight paragons — Xin Jia, Xin Mian, Tai Dian, Hong Yao, Qi Gong and Yin Ji — and the Lord of the West’s thirty-six instructors and the sons of his house, Ji Shudu and the rest; and all together they cried out, “General Nangong is right!” The officials civil and military gnashed their teeth, their brows bristling and their eyes glaring, and the whole Seven-Bay Hall was in an uproar, so that even Ji Fa could not make up his mind. Then San Yisheng spoke up sternly: “Young lord, do not be led astray! Your servant has something to say.” “What have you to say, Senior Counsellor?” said Fa. Yisheng said, “Young lord, order the executioners to take Nangong Kuo out through the Duan Gate and cut off his head first. Then we can discuss the great matter.” Ji Fa and the generals asked, “Sir, why should General Nangong be beheaded first? What reason is there in that? The generals will never accept it.” Yisheng said to the generals, “A rebel and a traitor like this, who would plunge his lord into unrighteousness, by rights should be beheaded first; then we can discuss the affairs of the state. You gentlemen know only how to put on armour and take up your weapons — all courage and no plan. Don’t you know that our aged Great King holds fast to a subject’s duty, steadfast and never wavering? Even at Youli he surely has no word of complaint. If you rush into this recklessly, before your troops even reach the Five Passes you will have plunged our lord into unrighteousness and brought about his death. What can you be thinking? That is why Nangong Kuo should be beheaded first, and the course of the state decided afterwards.” When the young lord Ji Fa and the generals heard this, not one of them had a word to say; they all fell silent. Nangong Kuo too hung his head without a word. Yisheng said, “That day the young lord your brother would not listen to what I, Yisheng, said, and now, sure enough, he has lost his life. On the day the Great King left for Zhaoge, he cast the Former Heaven numbers: seven years of misfortune, and when the calamity had run its course and his troubles were over, the day would come of itself when he returned home in honour; there was no need to send anyone to fetch him. His words are still ringing in our ears, yet His Highness would not listen, and so this disaster came. What is more, he failed to see to the proper gifts. King Zhou now dotes on those two villains, Fei and You, and when His Highness set out, he took no gifts to bribe them. That is why His Highness lost his life. As things stand now, the best plan is first to send an officer with rich bribes to make secret contact with Fei and You, so that we have men inside working with us outside. Your servant will write a letter and plead with them earnestly. If the treacherous ministers take the bribes, they will surely put in a good word for our lord before King Zhou and smooth things over, and then, as a matter of course, our aged Great King will come home. Then he can cultivate virtue and practise benevolence, and wait until the string of King Zhou’s crimes is full. Then he can gather the lords of the realm to make war together on the wicked king, raising an army to console the people and punish the guilty, and all under heaven will rise to answer the call. Depose the benighted fool, set up a ruler who has the Way, and men’s hearts will gladly submit. Otherwise we shall only bring defeat and ruin on ourselves, leave a stink for later ages, and be the laughing stock of the realm.” Ji Fa said, “Your teaching is good, sir. It has cleared the weeds from my mind at a stroke — truly words of gold and jade. But what kind of gifts should we send first? And which officers should we use? You must tell me plainly, sir.” Yisheng said, “Nothing more than bright pearls, white jade discs, coloured satins for robes and linings, yellow gold and jade belts, made up into two lots. Send Tai Dian with one lot to Fei Zhong, and Hong Yao with the other to You Hun. Have the two of them hurry through the Five Passes by night, dressed as merchants, and slip into Zhaoge in secret. If Fei and You accept these gifts, the Great King will be home before long, and all will be well.” The young lord was delighted and had the gifts got ready at once. Yisheng wrote the letters and sent the two officers off to Zhaoge. There is a poem that says:
明珠白璧共黃金，暗進朝歌賄佞壬。漫道財神通鬼使，果無世利動人心。
明珠白璧共黄金，暗进朝歌贿佞壬。漫道财神通鬼使，果无世利动人心。
Bright pearls and white jade discs, and yellow gold besides,went secretly to Zhaoge to bribe the flatterers.Speak not of the god of wealth sending the ghosts on errands:is there truly no worldly gain that moves the hearts of men?
成湯社稷成殘燭，西北江山若茂林。不是宜生施妙策，天教殷紂自成擒。
成汤社稷成残烛，西北江山若茂林。不是宜生施妙策，天教殷纣自成擒。
The altars of Cheng Tang have become a guttering candle;the hills and rivers of the north-west, a thriving forest.It was not that Yisheng worked some wondrous plan:Heaven itself made Zhou of Yin bring on his own capture.
且說太顛、閎夭扮作經商，暗帶禮物，星夜往汜水關來。關上查明，二將進關。一路上無詞，過了界牌關，八十里進了穿雲關，又進潼關，一百二十里又至臨潼關，
過澠池縣，渡黃河，到孟津，至朝歌。
二將不敢在館驛安住，投客店宿下，暗暗收了禮物。太顛往費仲府下書；閎夭往尤渾府下書。
且说太颠、闳夭扮作经商，暗带礼物，星夜往汜水关来。关上查明，二将进关。一路上无词，过了界牌关，八十里进了穿云关，又进潼关，一百二十里又至临潼关，
过渑池县，渡黄河，到孟津，至朝歌。
二将不敢在馆驿安住，投客店宿下，暗暗收了礼物。太颠往费仲府下书；闳夭往尤浑府下书。
Now, Tai Dian and Hong Yao, dressed as traders, with the gifts hidden away, travelled through the night toward Sishui Pass. When they had been checked at the pass, the two officers went through. Nothing happened on the road worth telling. They passed Jiepai Pass, went on eighty li through Chuanyun Pass and then through Tong Pass, and another hundred and twenty li brought them to Lintong Pass.
They passed Mianchi County,crossed the Yellow River,reached Mengjinand came to Zhaoge.
The two officers did not dare put up at the official guesthouse, but took lodgings at an inn and quietly stowed the gifts away. Tai Dian went to deliver his letter at Fei Zhong’s residence, and Hong Yao at You Hun’s.
且說費仲抵暮出朝，歸至府第無事。守門官啟老爺：「西岐有散宜生差官下書。」費仲笑曰：「遲了！著他進來。」太顛來到廳前，只得行禮參見。費仲問曰：「汝是甚人，夤夜見我？」太顛起身答曰：「末將乃西岐神武將軍太顛是也。今奉上大夫散宜生命，具有表禮，蒙大夫保全我主公性命，再造洪恩，高深莫極，每思毫無尺寸相輔，以效涓涯，今特差末將有書投見。」費仲命太顛平身，將書折開觀看。書曰：
且说费仲抵暮出朝，归至府第无事。守门官启老爷：「西岐有散宜生差官下书。」费仲笑曰：「迟了！着他进来。」太颠来到厅前，只得行礼参见。费仲问曰：「汝是甚人，夤夜见我？」太颠起身答曰：「末将乃西岐神武将军太颠是也。今奉上大夫散宜生命，具有表礼，蒙大夫保全我主公性命，再造洪恩，高深莫极，每思毫无尺寸相辅，以效涓涯，今特差末将有书投见。」费仲命太颠平身，将书折开观看。书曰：
Now, Fei Zhong had left court at nightfall and gone home to his residence, with nothing on hand. The gatekeeper reported to his lordship: “San Yisheng of Xiqi has sent an officer with a letter.” Fei Zhong laughed. “Took them long enough! Show him in.” Tai Dian came before the hall and had no choice but to bow and pay his respects. Fei Zhong asked, “Who are you, coming to see me at this hour of the night?” Tai Dian straightened up and answered, “This humble officer is Tai Dian, General of Divine Might of Xiqi. I come at the command of the Senior Counsellor San Yisheng, bearing a small token of respect. You, Counsellor, saved our lord’s life — a kindness as great as giving him life anew, higher and deeper than anything. We are forever thinking that we have done nothing whatever to help you, not so much as a drop of water or a speck of dust in return; and so he has sent this humble officer specially, with a letter to present to you.” Fei Zhong told Tai Dian to rise, opened the letter and read it. The letter said:
「西岐卑職散宜生頓首百拜致書于士大夫費公恩主臺下：久仰大德，未叩台端，自愧駑駘，無緣執鞭，夢想殊渴。茲啟；敝地恩主姬伯，冒言忤君，罪在不赦。深感大夫垂救之恩，得獲生全。雖囚羑里，實大夫再賜之餘生耳。不勝慶幸，某外又何敢望焉。職第因僻處一隅，未伸啣結，日夜只有望帝京遙祝萬壽無疆而已。今特遣大夫太顛，具不�之儀，白璧二雙，黃金百鎰，表裏四端，少曝西土眾士民之微忱，幸無以不恭見罪。但我主公以衰末殘年，久羈羑里，情實可矜，況有倚閭老母，幼子孤臣，無不日夜懸思，希圖再睹，此亦仁人君子所共憐念者也。懇祈恩臺大開慈隱，法外施仁，一語回天，得赦歸國，則恩臺德海仁山，西土眾姓，無不啣恩于世世矣。臨書不勝悚慄待命之至！謹啟。」
「西岐卑职散宜生顿首百拜致书于士大夫费公恩主台下：久仰大德，未叩台端，自愧驽骀，无缘执鞭，梦想殊渴。兹启；敝地恩主姬伯，冒言忤君，罪在不赦。深感大夫垂救之恩，得获生全。虽囚羑里，实大夫再赐之余生耳。不胜庆幸，某外又何敢望焉。职第因僻处一隅，未伸啣结，日夜只有望帝京遥祝万寿无疆而已。今特遣大夫太颠，具不�之仪，白璧二双，黄金百镒，表里四端，少曝西土众士民之微忱，幸无以不恭见罪。但我主公以衰末残年，久羁羑里，情实可矜，况有倚闾老母，幼子孤臣，无不日夜悬思，希图再睹，此亦仁人君子所共怜念者也。恳祈恩台大开慈隐，法外施仁，一语回天，得赦归国，则恩台德海仁山，西土众姓，无不啣恩于世世矣。临书不胜悚栗待命之至！谨启。」
“San Yisheng, your humble servant of Xiqi, knocks his head on the ground and bows a hundred times, and sends this letter to the honourable Counsellor Fei, his benefactor, at the foot of his seat. Long have I looked up to your great virtue, though I have never knocked at your door. Ashamed to be a sorry nag, I have had no chance to hold your whip, though I thirst for it even in my dreams. I write now to say this. Lord Ji, the gracious master of our humble land, spoke rashly and offended his sovereign; his crime was past pardon. We are deeply grateful for the kindness with which you, Counsellor, stooped to save him, so that his life was spared. Though he is a prisoner at Youli, the life left to him is truly a second gift from you. We rejoice beyond measure; beyond this, what more would I dare hope for? Only because I live in a remote corner have I not yet repaid you as the bird with the rings and the ghost who knotted the grass repaid their benefactors. Day and night all I can do is gaze toward the imperial capital and wish from afar for ten thousand years without end. Now I send Counsellor Tai Dian specially with a meagre gift — two pairs of white jade discs, a hundred yi of gold and four lengths of silk for robes and linings — to show a little of the humble devotion of all the gentlemen and people of the western lands. I trust you will not count it a discourtesy. But our lord, in the feeble last years of his life, has long been held at Youli; his plight is truly pitiable. Besides, there is his aged mother leaning on the village gate to watch for him, and his young sons and forsaken ministers; all of them think of him day and night and long to see him again. This too is something all humane and noble men must pity. I earnestly beg you, my benefactor, to open wide your compassion and show a kindness beyond the law: one word from you would turn Heaven’s mind, and he would be pardoned and sent home. Then your virtue will be a sea and your kindness a mountain, and of all the families of the western lands there will be none that does not bear your kindness in mind, generation after generation. As I write, I am overcome with trepidation, awaiting your command! Respectfully submitted.”
費仲看了書共禮單，自思：「此禮價值萬金，如今怎能行事。」沉思半晌，乃分付太顛曰：「你且回去，多拜上散大夫：『我也不便修回書。等我早晚取便，自然令你主公歸國。』決不有負你大夫相托之情。」太顛拜謝告辭，自回下處。不一時閎夭也往尤渾處送禮回至，二人相談，俱是一樣之言。二將大喜，忙收拾回西岐去訖。不表。
费仲看了书共礼单，自思：「此礼价值万金，如今怎能行事。」沉思半晌，乃分付太颠曰：「你且回去，多拜上散大夫：『我也不便修回书。等我早晚取便，自然令你主公归国。』决不有负你大夫相托之情。」太颠拜谢告辞，自回下处。不一时闳夭也往尤浑处送礼回至，二人相谈，俱是一样之言。二将大喜，忙收拾回西岐去讫。不表。
Fei Zhong read the letter and the list of gifts and thought to himself, “These gifts are worth ten thousand in gold. But how am I to bring it off now?” After pondering for a long while, he said to Tai Dian, “Go back for now, and give my warmest regards to Counsellor San: ‘It wouldn’t be convenient for me to write a reply. Sooner or later I will find my chance, and then I will see to it that your lord goes home.’ I will never fail the trust your counsellor has placed in me.” Tai Dian bowed his thanks, took his leave and went back to his lodgings. Before long Hong Yao came back too from delivering the gifts to You Hun. The two of them compared notes, and they had both been told the very same thing. The two officers were overjoyed. They packed up at once and went back to Xiqi. But no more of that.
自費仲受了散宜生禮物，也不問尤渾；尤渾也不問費仲；二人各推不知。一日，紂王在摘星樓與二臣下棋。紂王連勝了二盤，紂王大喜，傳旨排宴。費、尤侍于左右，換盞傳杯。正歡飲之間，忽紂王言起伯邑考鼓琴之雅，猿猴謳歌之妙，又論：「姬昌自食子肉，所論先天之數，皆係妄談，何嘗先有定數。」費仲乘機奏曰：「臣聞姬昌素有叛逆不臣之心，一向防備。臣子前數日著心腹往羑里探聽虛實。羑里軍民俱言姬昌實有忠義，每月朔望之辰，焚香祈求陛下國祚安康，四夷拱服，國泰民安，雨順風調，四民樂業，社稷永昌，宮闈安靜。陛下囚昌七載，並無一怨言。據臣意，看姬昌真乃忠臣。」紂王言曰：「卿前日言姬昌『外有忠誠，內懷奸詐』，包藏禍心，非是好人，何今日言之反也？」費仲又奏曰：「據人言，昌或忠或佞，入耳難分，一時不辨，因此臣暗使心腹，探聽虛實，方知昌是忠耿之人。正所謂『路遠知馬力，日久見人心。』」紂王曰：「尤大夫以為何如？」尤渾啟曰：「依費仲所奏，其實不差。據臣所言，姬昌數年困苦，終日羈囚，訓羑里萬民，萬民感德，化行俗美，民知有忠孝節義，不知妄作邪為，所以稱姬昌為聖人，日從善類。陛下問臣，臣不敢不以實對。方纔費仲不奏，臣亦上言矣。」紂王曰：「二卿所奏既同，畢竟姬昌是個好人。朕欲赦姬昌，二卿意下如何？」費仲曰：「姬昌之可赦不可赦，臣不敢主張；但姬昌忠孝之心，致久羈羑里，毫無怨言，若陛下憐憫，赦歸本國，是姬昌已死而之生，無國而有國，其感戴陛下再生之恩，豈有已時。此去必效犬馬之勞，以不負生平報德酬恩，臣量姬昌以不死之年忠心于陛下也。」尤渾在側見費仲力保，想必也是得了西岐禮物，所以如此，我豈可單讓他做情，我益發使姬昌感激。尤渾出班奏曰：「陛下天恩，既赦姬昌，再加一恩與，彼自然傾心為國。況今東伯侯姜文煥造反，攻打游魂關，大將竇榮大戰七年，未分勝負。南伯侯鄂順謀逆，攻打三山關，大將鄧九公亦戰七載，殺戮相半。刀兵竟無寧息，烽煙四起。依臣愚見，將姬昌反加一王封，假以白旄、黃鉞，得專征伐，代勞天子，威鎮西岐。況姬昌素有賢名，天下諸侯畏服，使東南兩路知之，不戰自退。正所謂舉一人而不肖者遠矣。」紂王聞奏大喜，曰：「尤渾才智雙全，尤屬可愛。費仲善挽賢良，實是可欽。」二臣謝恩。紂王即降赦條，單赦姬昌速離羑里。有詩為證：
自费仲受了散宜生礼物，也不问尤浑；尤浑也不问费仲；二人各推不知。一日，纣王在摘星楼与二臣下棋。纣王连胜了二盘，纣王大喜，传旨排宴。费、尤侍于左右，换盏传杯。正欢饮之间，忽纣王言起伯邑考鼓琴之雅，猿猴讴歌之妙，又论：「姬昌自食子肉，所论先天之数，皆系妄谈，何尝先有定数。」费仲乘机奏曰：「臣闻姬昌素有叛逆不臣之心，一向防备。臣子前数日着心腹往羑里探听虚实。羑里军民俱言姬昌实有忠义，每月朔望之辰，焚香祈求陛下国祚安康，四夷拱服，国泰民安，雨顺风调，四民乐业，社稷永昌，宫闱安静。陛下囚昌七载，并无一怨言。据臣意，看姬昌真乃忠臣。」纣王言曰：「卿前日言姬昌『外有忠诚，内怀奸诈』，包藏祸心，非是好人，何今日言之反也？」费仲又奏曰：「据人言，昌或忠或佞，入耳难分，一时不辨，因此臣暗使心腹，探听虚实，方知昌是忠耿之人。正所谓『路远知马力，日久见人心。』」纣王曰：「尤大夫以为何如？」尤浑启曰：「依费仲所奏，其实不差。据臣所言，姬昌数年困苦，终日羁囚，训羑里万民，万民感德，化行俗美，民知有忠孝节义，不知妄作邪为，所以称姬昌为圣人，日从善类。陛下问臣，臣不敢不以实对。方才费仲不奏，臣亦上言矣。」纣王曰：「二卿所奏既同，毕竟姬昌是个好人。朕欲赦姬昌，二卿意下如何？」费仲曰：「姬昌之可赦不可赦，臣不敢主张；但姬昌忠孝之心，致久羁羑里，毫无怨言，若陛下怜悯，赦归本国，是姬昌已死而之生，无国而有国，其感戴陛下再生之恩，岂有已时。此去必效犬马之劳，以不负生平报德酬恩，臣量姬昌以不死之年忠心于陛下也。」尤浑在侧见费仲力保，想必也是得了西岐礼物，所以如此，我岂可单让他做情，我益发使姬昌感激。尤浑出班奏曰：「陛下天恩，既赦姬昌，再加一恩与，彼自然倾心为国。况今东伯侯姜文焕造反，攻打游魂关，大将窦荣大战七年，未分胜负。南伯侯鄂顺谋逆，攻打三山关，大将邓九公亦战七载，杀戮相半。刀兵竟无宁息，烽烟四起。依臣愚见，将姬昌反加一王封，假以白旄、黄钺，得专征伐，代劳天子，威镇西岐。况姬昌素有贤名，天下诸侯畏服，使东南两路知之，不战自退。正所谓举一人而不肖者远矣。」纣王闻奏大喜，曰：「尤浑才智双全，尤属可爱。费仲善挽贤良，实是可钦。」二臣谢恩。纣王即降赦条，单赦姬昌速离羑里。有诗为证：
Now that Fei Zhong had accepted San Yisheng’s gifts, he said nothing about it to You Hun, and You Hun said nothing to Fei Zhong; each made out that he knew nothing. One day King Zhou was playing Go with the two ministers in the Star-Plucking Tower. He won two games in a row, and in his delight he ordered a banquet laid. Fei and You waited on him at either side, filling the cups and passing them round. In the midst of their merry drinking, King Zhou suddenly began to talk of how elegantly Bo Yikao had played the zither and how wonderfully the ape had sung. Then he went on: “And Ji Chang ate his own son’s flesh! All his talk of the Former Heaven numbers is nonsense. When was anything ever fixed in advance?” Fei Zhong seized his chance. “Your servant had heard,” he said, “that Ji Chang always harboured treasonous thoughts and would not act as a subject should, and I have kept a watch on him all along. A few days ago your servant sent some trusted men to Youli to find out the truth. The soldiers and townsfolk of Youli all say that Ji Chang is truly loyal and righteous. On the first and fifteenth of every month he burns incense and prays that Your Majesty’s dynasty may be safe and at peace, that the barbarians of the four quarters may bow in submission, that the state may prosper and the people live in peace, that the rains may come in season and the winds in measure, that the four classes of people may prosper at their work, that the altars of the state may flourish for ever and the inner palace be at peace. Your Majesty has held Ji Chang prisoner for seven years, and not once has he complained. In your servant’s view, Ji Chang is truly a loyal subject.” King Zhou said, “The other day, minister, you told Us that Ji Chang was ‘loyal and true on the outside but treacherous within’ — that he harboured evil designs and was no good man. Why do you say the opposite today?” Fei Zhong replied, “From what people said, Ji Chang might have been loyal or might have been false; by hearsay alone it was hard to tell, and for a while I could not decide. So your servant secretly sent trusted men to find out the truth, and only then did I learn that Ji Chang is a loyal and upright man. As the saying goes, ‘A long road tests a horse’s strength; long days show a man’s heart.’” “And what do you think, Counsellor You?” said King Zhou. You Hun replied, “What Fei Zhong has told you is quite right. As your servant would put it: for several years Ji Chang has suffered hardship, held captive day after day, yet he has taught the people of Youli, and the people are grateful for his goodness. His teaching has spread and their ways have grown fine. The people know loyalty and filial duty, chastity and righteousness, and know nothing of wickedness and wrongdoing. That is why they call Ji Chang a sage, and every day they turn more toward the good. Since Your Majesty asks your servant, your servant dare not answer but with the truth. Even if Fei Zhong had not spoken just now, your servant would have raised it himself.” King Zhou said, “Since you two ministers say the same thing, Ji Chang must be a good man after all. We wish to pardon Ji Chang. What do you two think?” Fei Zhong said, “Whether Ji Chang should be pardoned or not, your servant would not dare to decide. But such is Ji Chang’s loyal and filial heart that through all his long captivity at Youli he has not uttered a word of complaint. If Your Majesty takes pity on him, pardons him and sends him home to his own land, then Ji Chang will have gone from death to life, from having no land to having one again, and his gratitude to Your Majesty for giving him life a second time will never end. He will surely go and serve you like a dog or a horse, so as not to fail all his life in repaying your goodness. Your servant reckons that Ji Chang will give the years you have spared him in loyalty to Your Majesty.” You Hun, at the king’s side, saw how hard Fei Zhong was pleading for Ji Chang. “He must have had gifts from Xiqi too,” he thought, “that’s why he’s doing this. Why should I let him alone do Ji Chang this favour? I’ll make Ji Chang more grateful still.” You Hun stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty’s grace is like Heaven’s. Since you are pardoning Ji Chang, grant him one more favour besides, and he will give his whole heart to the state. What is more, Jiang Wenhuan, Lord of the East, has rebelled and is attacking Youhun Pass, where the great general Dou Rong has fought him for seven years without either side winning. E Shun, Lord of the South, has turned traitor and is attacking Sanshan Pass, where the great general Deng Jiugong has also fought for seven years, with slaughter on both sides alike. There is no end to the fighting, and beacon fires burn on every side. In your servant’s humble view, turn things round: give Ji Chang a royal title and lend him the white yak-tail banner and the yellow battle-axe, with the power to make war on his own authority, so that he may take the labour off the Son of Heaven’s hands and hold Xiqi in awe. Besides, Ji Chang has always had a name for worthiness, and the lords of the realm respect and fear him. When the east and the south hear of it, they will withdraw without a fight. As the saying goes, raise up the right man, and the unworthy keep their distance.” King Zhou was delighted to hear this. “You Hun has both talent and wisdom — most lovable of all,” he said. “Fei Zhong is good at standing up for worthy men — truly admirable.” The two ministers gave thanks. At once King Zhou issued a pardon for Ji Chang alone, ordering him to leave Youli without delay. There is a poem to prove it:
天運循環大不同，七年方滿出雕籠。費尤受賂將言諫，社稷成湯畫餅中。
天运循环大不同，七年方满出雕笼。费尤受赂将言谏，社稷成汤画饼中。
Heaven’s fortunes turn full circle, and all is greatly changed:only when seven years were up did he leave the carved cage.Fei and You took the bribes and spoke up for him,and the altars of Cheng Tang became no more than a painted cake.
加任文王歸故土，五關父子又重逢。靈臺應兆飛熊至，渭水溪邊遇太公。
加任文王归故土，五关父子又重逢。灵台应兆飞熊至，渭水溪边遇太公。
Raised in office, King Wen goes home to his own land;at the Five Passes, father and son meet again.At the Spirit Terrace the omen is answered: the flying bear comes,and by the stream of the Wei River he meets the Grand Duke (Taigong).
且說使臣持赦出朝歌，眾官聞知大喜。使臣竟往裏而來。不題。
且说使臣持赦出朝歌，众官闻知大喜。使臣竟往里而来。不题。
Now, the envoy left Zhaoge with the pardon, and when the officials heard of it they were overjoyed. The envoy made straight for Youli. But no more of that.
且說西伯侯在羑里之中，閑思長子之苦，被紂王醢屍，歎曰：「我兒生在西岐，絕于朝歌，不聽父言，遭此橫禍。聖人不食子肉，我為父不得已而咬者，乃從權之計。」正思想邑考，忽一陣怪風，將簷瓦吹落兩塊在地，跌為粉碎。西伯驚曰：「此又是異徵！」隨焚香，將金錢搜求八卦，早解具情。姬伯點首歎曰：「今日天子赦至。」喚左右：「天子赦到，收拾起行。」眾隨侍人等，未肯盡信。不一時，使臣傳旨，赦書已到。西伯接赦禮畢。使臣曰：「奉聖旨，單赦姬伯老大人。」姬伯望北謝恩，隨出羑里。老牽羊擔酒，簇擁道傍，跪接曰：「千歲今日龍逢雲彩，鳳落梧桐，虎上高山，鶴棲松柏；七載蒙千歲教訓撫字，長幼皆知忠孝，婦女皆知貞潔，化行俗美，大小居民，不拘男婦，無不感激千歲洪恩。今一別尊顏，再不能得沾雨露。」左右泣下。西伯亦泣而言曰：「吾羈囚七載，毫無尺寸美意與爾眾民，又勞酒禮，吾心不安。只願爾等不負我常教之方，自然百事無虧，得享朝廷太平之福矣。」黎民越覺悲傷，遠送十里，洒淚而別。西伯侯一日到了朝歌。百官在午門候接。只見微子、箕子、比干、微子啟、微子衍、麥雲、麥智、黃飛虎八諫議大夫都來見西伯侯。姬昌見眾官，慌忙行禮，慰曰：「犯官七年未見眾位大人，今一旦荷蒙天恩特赦，此皆叨列位大人之福蔭，方能再見天日也。」眾官見姬伯年邁，精神加倍，彼此慰喜。只見使臣回旨，天子正在龍德殿，聞知候旨，命宣眾官隨姬昌朝見。只見姬昌縞素俯伏，奏曰：「犯臣姬昌，罪不勝誅，蒙恩赦宥，雖粉骨碎身，皆陛下所賜之年。願陛下萬歲！」王曰：「卿在羑里，七載羈囚，毫無一怨言，而反祈朕國祚綿長，求天下太平，黎民樂業，可見卿有忠誠，朕實有負于卿矣。今朕特詔，赦卿無罪。七載無辜，仍加封賢良忠孝百公之長，特專征伐。賜卿白旄、黃鉞，坐鎮西岐。每月加祿米一千石，文官二名，武將二員，送卿榮歸。仍賜龍德殿筵宴，遊街三日，拜闕謝恩。」西伯侯謝恩。彼時姬昌換服，百官稱慶，就在龍德殿飲宴。怎見得：
且说西伯侯在羑里之中，闲思长子之苦，被纣王醢尸，叹曰：「我儿生在西岐，绝于朝歌，不听父言，遭此横祸。圣人不食子肉，我为父不得已而咬者，乃从权之计。」正思想邑考，忽一阵怪风，将檐瓦吹落两块在地，跌为粉碎。西伯惊曰：「此又是异征！」随焚香，将金钱搜求八卦，早解具情。姬伯点首叹曰：「今日天子赦至。」唤左右：「天子赦到，收拾起行。」众随侍人等，未肯尽信。不一时，使臣传旨，赦书已到。西伯接赦礼毕。使臣曰：「奉圣旨，单赦姬伯老大人。」姬伯望北谢恩，随出羑里。老牵羊担酒，簇拥道傍，跪接曰：「千岁今日龙逢云彩，凤落梧桐，虎上高山，鹤栖松柏；七载蒙千岁教训抚字，长幼皆知忠孝，妇女皆知贞洁，化行俗美，大小居民，不拘男妇，无不感激千岁洪恩。今一别尊颜，再不能得沾雨露。」左右泣下。西伯亦泣而言曰：「吾羁囚七载，毫无尺寸美意与尔众民，又劳酒礼，吾心不安。只愿尔等不负我常教之方，自然百事无亏，得享朝廷太平之福矣。」黎民越觉悲伤，远送十里，洒泪而别。西伯侯一日到了朝歌。百官在午门候接。只见微子、箕子、比干、微子启、微子衍、麦云、麦智、黄飞虎八谏议大夫都来见西伯侯。姬昌见众官，慌忙行礼，慰曰：「犯官七年未见众位大人，今一旦荷蒙天恩特赦，此皆叨列位大人之福荫，方能再见天日也。」众官见姬伯年迈，精神加倍，彼此慰喜。只见使臣回旨，天子正在龙德殿，闻知候旨，命宣众官随姬昌朝见。只见姬昌缟素俯伏，奏曰：「犯臣姬昌，罪不胜诛，蒙恩赦宥，虽粉骨碎身，皆陛下所赐之年。愿陛下万岁！」王曰：「卿在羑里，七载羁囚，毫无一怨言，而反祈朕国祚绵长，求天下太平，黎民乐业，可见卿有忠诚，朕实有负于卿矣。今朕特诏，赦卿无罪。七载无辜，仍加封贤良忠孝百公之长，特专征伐。赐卿白旄、黄钺，坐镇西岐。每月加禄米一千石，文官二名，武将二员，送卿荣归。仍赐龙德殿筵宴，游街三日，拜阙谢恩。」西伯侯谢恩。彼时姬昌换服，百官称庆，就在龙德殿饮宴。怎见得：
Now, in Youli the Lord of the West sat brooding on the sufferings of his eldest son, whose body King Zhou had made into mincemeat. He sighed, “My son was born in Xiqi and died in Zhaoge. He would not heed his father’s words, and so he met this cruel end. A sage does not eat his son’s flesh; if I, his father, bit into it, it was because I had no choice — a shift to meet the hour.” As he was thinking of Yikao, a strange gust of wind suddenly blew two tiles off the eaves; they fell to the ground and smashed to pieces. “Another strange sign!” said the Lord of the West in alarm. At once he burned incense and sought out the trigrams with his gold coins, and soon he understood what it meant. Lord Ji nodded and sighed. “Today the Son of Heaven’s pardon will come.” He called his attendants: “The Son of Heaven’s pardon is on its way. Pack our things for the road.” His attendants did not altogether believe him. Before long the envoy arrived to proclaim the king’s command: the pardon had come. When the Lord of the West had received it with due ceremony, the envoy said, “By His Majesty’s sacred command, the pardon is for you alone, venerable Lord Ji.” Lord Ji bowed to the north to give thanks for the king’s grace, and then he left Youli. The elders came leading sheep and carrying wine, crowding the roadside, and knelt to greet him: “Today, Your Highness, you are a dragon that has met the clouds, a phoenix alighting on the wutong tree, a tiger climbing the high mountain, a crane roosting in the pines and cypresses. For seven years we have had Your Highness to teach us and care for us, so that young and old alike know loyalty and filial duty and the women all know chastity; your teaching has spread and our ways have grown fine. Of all who live here, great and small, men and women, there is not one who is not grateful for Your Highness’s great kindness. Now that we part from your honoured face, never again shall we be moistened by your rain and dew.” Those standing by wept. The Lord of the West wept too and said, “In my seven years of captivity I have done you people not the least kindness, and now you put yourselves to the trouble of wine and gifts. It troubles my heart. I only hope you will not forget the ways I have always taught you; then all will go well with you, and you will enjoy the blessings of peace under the court.” The people grew sadder still. They went with him ten li along the road, and parted from him in tears. One day the Lord of the West reached Zhaoge, where the officials were waiting at the Meridian Gate to receive him. Weizi, Jizi, Bi Gan, Weizi Qi, Weizi Yan, Mai Yun, Mai Zhi, Huang Feihu and eight Counsellors of Remonstrance all came to greet the Lord of the West. When Ji Chang saw the officials, he hastened to bow to them and greeted them warmly: “For seven years this accused official has not seen you, my lords. Now all at once His Majesty’s heavenly grace has pardoned me, and it is all thanks to the good fortune you have shed on me, my lords, that I can see the light of day again.” The officials saw that though Lord Ji was getting on in years, he was in finer spirits than ever, and they rejoiced with one another. Then the envoy went in to report. The Son of Heaven was in the Longde Hall, and hearing that Ji Chang was waiting on his command, he ordered all the officials to come in with Ji Chang for an audience. Ji Chang, dressed in plain white, lay prostrate and said, “Your criminal subject Ji Chang deserved death many times over, yet he has been graciously pardoned. Though my bones be ground to powder and my body broken, every year left to me is Your Majesty’s gift. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!” The king said, “For seven years you were held captive at Youli, minister, without a single word of complaint; on the contrary, you prayed that Our dynasty might last long, that the realm might be at peace and the people prosper at their work. That shows how loyal and true you are, and We have truly wronged you. Now by Our special decree you are pardoned and held guiltless. For your seven years of undeserved suffering, We further enfeoff you as Chief of the Hundred Lords, worthy, good, loyal and filial, with special power to make war on your own authority. We grant you the white yak-tail banner and the yellow battle-axe, to rule in Xiqi. Your stipend is raised by a thousand loads of rice a month, and two civil officials and two military officers shall escort you home in glory. Further, We grant you a banquet in the Longde Hall and three days’ parade through the streets, after which you shall bow at the palace gate in thanks for Our grace.” The Lord of the West gave thanks. Then Ji Chang changed his clothes, the officials offered their congratulations, and they feasted there in the Longde Hall. And how did it look?
擦抹條臺桌椅，鋪設奇異華筵。左設粧花白玉瓶，右擺瑪瑙珊瑚樹。進酒宮娥雙洛浦，添香美女兩嫦娥。黃金爐內麝檀香，琥珀盃中珍珠滴。兩邊圍繞繡屏開，滿座重鋪銷金簟。金盤犀箸，掩映龍鳳珍饈；整整齊齊，另是一般氣象。繡屏錦帳，圍繞花卉翎毛；疊疊重重，自然彩色稀奇。休誇交梨火棗，自有雀舌牙茶。火炮白杏，醬牙紅薑。鵝梨、蘋果、青脆梅；龍眼、枇杷、金赤橘。石榴盞大，秋柿毬圓。又擺列兔絲、熊掌、猩唇、駝蹄；誰羨他鳳髓、龍肝、獅睛、麟脯。漫斟那瑤池玉液，紫府瓊漿；且吹他鸞簫鳳笛，象板笙簧。正是：西伯誇官先飲宴，蛟龍得水離泥沙。要的般般有，珍饈百味全。一聲鼓樂動，正是帝王歡。
擦抹条台桌椅，铺设奇异华筵。左设粧花白玉瓶，右摆玛瑙珊瑚树。进酒宫娥双洛浦，添香美女两嫦娥。黄金炉内麝檀香，琥珀杯中珍珠滴。两边围绕绣屏开，满座重铺销金簟。金盘犀箸，掩映龙凤珍馐；整整齐齐，另是一般气象。绣屏锦帐，围绕花卉翎毛；叠叠重重，自然彩色稀奇。休夸交梨火枣，自有雀舌牙茶。火炮白杏，酱牙红姜。鹅梨、苹果、青脆梅；龙眼、枇杷、金赤橘。石榴盏大，秋柿毬圆。又摆列兔丝、熊掌、猩唇、驼蹄；谁羡他凤髓、龙肝、狮睛、麟脯。漫斟那瑶池玉液，紫府琼浆；且吹他鸾箫凤笛，象板笙簧。正是：西伯夸官先饮宴，蛟龙得水离泥沙。要的般般有，珍馐百味全。一声鼓乐动，正是帝王欢。
The long tables, the tables and chairs, were wiped and polished,and a rare and splendid feast was laid.On the left stood white jade vases adorned with flowers;on the right were set out trees of agate and coral.The palace maids pouring the wine were a pair of goddesses of the Luo;the beauties tending the incense were two Chang’es.In burners of yellow gold, musk and sandalwood;in cups of amber, drops like pearls.On either side embroidered screens stood open all around;every seat was spread with layer upon layer of gold-threaded mats.Golden platters and chopsticks of rhinoceros horngleamed among delicacies of dragon and phoenix;all in perfect order,a sight quite out of the ordinary.Embroidered screens and brocade hangings stood all around,worked with flowers and birds;fold upon fold, layer upon layer,their colours rare and wonderful.Boast not of the immortals’ pears and fire dates:here was sparrow-tongue bud tea.Roasted white apricots,red ginger shoots in sauce.Goose pears, apples, crisp green plums;longans, loquats, tangerines of red gold.Pomegranates as big as cups,autumn persimmons round as balls.Set out besides were shredded hare, bear’s paws, apes’ lips and camels’ hooves —who would envy phoenix marrow, dragon liver, lions’ eyes or dried qilin meat?They poured at their ease the jade liquor of the Jasper Pooland the nectar of the Purple Palace;they played the luan-bird panpipes and the phoenix flutes,the ivory clappers and the reed organs.Truly:the Lord of the West, before he parades in his honours, feasts first;the flood dragon has found its water and left the mud and sand.Whatever one could want was there,every rare delicacy, a hundred flavours.At a single roll the drums and music struck up:truly, a joy fit for emperors and kings.
話說比干、微子、箕子，在朝大小官員，無有不喜赦姬昌。百官陪宴盡樂，文王謝恩出朝，三日誇官。怎見得文王誇官好處？但見：
话说比干、微子、箕子，在朝大小官员，无有不喜赦姬昌。百官陪宴尽乐，文王谢恩出朝，三日夸官。怎见得文王夸官好处？但见：
Now, of Bi Gan, Weizi, Jizi and all the officials at court, great and small, there was not one who was not glad that Ji Chang had been pardoned. The officials kept him company at the banquet and enjoyed themselves to the full. King Wen gave thanks for the king’s grace, left the court, and for three days paraded in his honours. And how splendid was King Wen’s parade? This is what was to be seen:
前遮後擁，五色旛搖。桶子鎗朱縷蕩蕩，朝天凳豔色輝輝。左邊鉞斧右金瓜，前擺黃旄後隨豹尾。帶刀力士增光彩，隨駕官員喜氣添。銀交椅襯玉芙蓉，逍遙馬飾黃金轡。走龍飛鳳大紅袍，暗隱團龍粧花繡。彩玉束帶，廂成八寶。百姓爭看西伯駕，萬民稱賀聖人來。正是：靄靄香煙聲滿道，重重瑞氣罩臺階。
前遮后拥，五色旛摇。桶子鎗朱缕荡荡，朝天凳艳色辉辉。左边钺斧右金瓜，前摆黄旄后随豹尾。带刀力士增光彩，随驾官员喜气添。银交椅衬玉芙蓉，逍遥马饰黄金辔。走龙飞凤大红袍，暗隐团龙粧花绣。彩玉束带，厢成八宝。百姓争看西伯驾，万民称贺圣人来。正是：霭霭香烟声满道，重重瑞气罩台阶。
Escorts screening him in front and crowding behind,banners of five colours waving.Red tassels swing from the ceremonial spears;the stirrup-topped staves glow in brilliant colours.Battle-axes on the left and golden melons on the right,yellow yak-tail banners in front and leopard tails following behind.Sabre-bearing guardsmen add to the splendour;the officials in attendance bring their gladness too.A silver folding chair set off with jade lotus flowers;an easy-paced horse decked with a bridle of yellow gold.A great red robe of running dragons and flying phoenixes,with roundels of dragons half hidden in its flowered embroidery.A belt of coloured jade,inlaid with the Eight Treasures.The common folk jostle to see the Lord of the West ride by;all the people hail the coming of the sage.Truly:incense smoke hangs thick, and the clamour fills the road;auspicious vapours, layer on layer, veil the terraced steps.
朝歌城中百姓，扶老攜幼，拖男抱女，齊來看文王加官。人人都道：「忠良今日出雕籠，有德賢侯災厄滿。」文王在城中誇官兩日，到未牌時分，只見前面旛幢隊伍，劍戟森羅，一枝人馬到來。文王問曰：「前面是那處人馬？」兩邊啟上：「大王千歲：是武成王黃爺看操回來。」文王急忙下馬，站立道傍，欠背打躬。武成王見文王下馬，即忙滾鞍下騎，稱文王曰：「大人前來，末將有失迴避大駕，望乞恕罪。」乃曰：「今賢王榮歸，真是萬千之喜。末將有一閑言奉啟，不識賢王可容納否？」西伯曰：「不才領教。」武成王曰：「此間離末將府第不遠，薄具杯酒，以表芹意，何如？」文王乃誠實君子，不會推辭謙讓，隨答曰：「賢王在上，姬昌敢不領教。」黃飛虎隨攜文王至王府，命左右快排筵宴。二王傳盃歡飲，各談些忠義之言。不覺黃昏，掌上畫燭。武成王命左右且退。黃飛虎曰：「今日大人之樂，實為無疆之福。但當今寵信邪佞，不聽忠言，陷壞大臣，荒于酒色，不整朝綱，不容諫本，炮烙以退忠良之心，蠆盆以阻諫臣之語。萬姓慌慌，刀兵四起。東南兩處已反四百諸侯，以賢王之德，倘有羑里困苦之羈，今已特赦，是龍歸大海，虎入深山，金鰲脫釣，如何尚不省悟！況且朝中無三日正條，賢王誇甚麼官，顯甚麼王！何不早早飛出雕籠，見其故土，父子重逢，夫妻復會，何不為美。又何必在此網羅之中，做此吉凶未定之事也。」武成王只此數語，把個文王說的骨解筋酥，起而謝曰：「大王真乃金石之言，提拔姬昌。此恩何以得報！奈昌欲去，五關有阻，奈何？」黃飛虎曰：「不難。銅符俱在吾府中。」須臾，取出銅符令箭，交與文王，隨令改換衣裳，打扮夜不收號色，逕出五關，並無阻隔。文王謝曰：「大王之恩，實在重生父母，何時能報！」此時二鼓時候。武成王命副將龍環、吳賢，開朝歌西門，送文王出城去了。不知性命如何，且聽下回分解。
朝歌城中百姓，扶老携幼，拖男抱女，齐来看文王加官。人人都道：「忠良今日出雕笼，有德贤侯灾厄满。」文王在城中夸官两日，到未牌时分，只见前面旛幢队伍，剑戟森罗，一枝人马到来。文王问曰：「前面是那处人马？」两边启上：「大王千岁：是武成王黄爷看操回来。」文王急忙下马，站立道傍，欠背打躬。武成王见文王下马，即忙滚鞍下骑，称文王曰：「大人前来，末将有失回避大驾，望乞恕罪。」乃曰：「今贤王荣归，真是万千之喜。末将有一闲言奉启，不识贤王可容纳否？」西伯曰：「不才领教。」武成王曰：「此间离末将府第不远，薄具杯酒，以表芹意，何如？」文王乃诚实君子，不会推辞谦让，随答曰：「贤王在上，姬昌敢不领教。」黄飞虎随携文王至王府，命左右快排筵宴。二王传杯欢饮，各谈些忠义之言。不觉黄昏，掌上画烛。武成王命左右且退。黄飞虎曰：「今日大人之乐，实为无疆之福。但当今宠信邪佞，不听忠言，陷坏大臣，荒于酒色，不整朝纲，不容谏本，炮烙以退忠良之心，虿盆以阻谏臣之语。万姓慌慌，刀兵四起。东南两处已反四百诸侯，以贤王之德，倘有羑里困苦之羁，今已特赦，是龙归大海，虎入深山，金鳌脱钓，如何尚不省悟！况且朝中无三日正条，贤王夸甚么官，显甚么王！何不早早飞出雕笼，见其故土，父子重逢，夫妻复会，何不为美。又何必在此网罗之中，做此吉凶未定之事也。」武成王只此数语，把个文王说的骨解筋酥，起而谢曰：「大王真乃金石之言，提拔姬昌。此恩何以得报！奈昌欲去，五关有阻，奈何？」黄飞虎曰：「不难。铜符俱在吾府中。」须臾，取出铜符令箭，交与文王，随令改换衣裳，打扮夜不收号色，径出五关，并无阻隔。文王谢曰：「大王之恩，实在重生父母，何时能报！」此时二鼓时候。武成王命副将龙环、吴贤，开朝歌西门，送文王出城去了。不知性命如何，且听下回分解。
The people in the city of Zhaoge, helping the old along and leading the young by the hand, dragging their sons and carrying their daughters, all came out to see King Wen in his new honours. Everyone said, “Today the loyal and good man has come out of the carved cage; the virtuous lord’s calamity is over.” King Wen had been parading in his honours through the city for two days when, in the early afternoon, a column of men and horses came toward them, banners and pennants in ranks and swords and halberds bristling like a forest. “Whose men are those ahead?” asked King Wen. Those on either side told him, “Great King, Your Highness: it is Lord Huang, Prince Wucheng, coming back from reviewing the troops at drill.” King Wen hastily dismounted and stood by the roadside, bending low in a bow. Seeing King Wen dismount, Prince Wucheng quickly tumbled from his saddle and addressed him: “My lord, you were coming this way and this humble officer failed to make way for your carriage. I beg you to pardon me.” Then he said, “Now that you are going home in glory, worthy king, it is a joy beyond measure. This humble officer has a word or two to say to you, if you will hear it, worthy king.” “I am all attention, unworthy as I am,” said the Lord of the West. Prince Wucheng said, “My residence is not far from here. Let me offer you a cup of wine as a humble token of my regard. What do you say?” King Wen was an honest gentleman who did not know how to make polite excuses, and he answered at once, “Worthy prince, you do me honour — how could Ji Chang dare refuse?” Huang Feihu led King Wen by the hand to his palace and ordered his attendants to lay out a banquet at once. The two lords passed the cups and drank merrily, talking of loyalty and righteousness. Before they knew it dusk had fallen, and painted candles were lit. Prince Wucheng ordered his attendants to withdraw. Then Huang Feihu said, “My lord, your joy today is truly a blessing without bounds. But His Majesty dotes on the wicked and the flatterers and will not hear loyal advice. He destroys his great ministers, sinks himself in wine and women, lets the government of the court go to ruin and will not tolerate a remonstrance. With the burning pillar he crushes the hearts of the loyal and good; with the scorpion pit he stops the mouths of the ministers who remonstrate. All the people are in turmoil, and war has broken out on every side. In the east and the south four hundred lords have already rebelled. Even a man of your virtue, worthy king, was held in misery at Youli. Now that you have been specially pardoned, you are a dragon returning to the great sea, a tiger going into the deep mountains, a golden turtle slipping off the hook — how can you still not see it? Besides, nothing at this court holds good for three days together. What office is this you are parading, worthy king, what royal rank are you showing off? Why not fly out of the carved cage while you can and see your homeland again — father and sons together, husband and wife reunited? Wouldn’t that be fine? Why stay here in the net and play a game whose end no one can tell?” With these few words Prince Wucheng left King Wen weak in every bone and sinew. He rose and thanked him: “Your Highness, these are truly words of gold and stone, and you have set Ji Chang on the right path. How can I ever repay such kindness? But if I want to go, the Five Passes stand in my way. What can I do?” “That is easily managed,” said Huang Feihu. “The bronze tallies are all here in my residence.” In a moment he brought out the bronze tallies and an arrow of command and handed them to King Wen. Then he had him change his clothes and dress in the colours of a night scout, so that he could go straight out through the Five Passes with nothing to stop him. King Wen thanked him: “Your Highness, your kindness is truly that of a father and mother who give me life a second time. When shall I ever be able to repay it?” By now it was the second watch of the night. Prince Wucheng ordered his deputy generals Long Huan and Wu Xian to open the west gate of Zhaoge and see King Wen out of the city. Would King Wen live or die? To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.