詩曰：
丞相金鑾直諫君，忠肝義膽孰能群。早知侯伯來朝覲，空費傾葵紙上文。
诗曰：
丞相金銮直谏君，忠肝义胆孰能群。早知侯伯来朝觐，空费倾葵纸上文。
A poem says:
In the Hall of Golden Bells the chancellor spoke bluntly to his lord;so loyal a heart, so righteous a spirit — who could stand beside him?Had he but known that the lords were coming to court,he would have known his words on paper, loyal as the sunflower, were spent in vain.
話說紂王聽奏大喜，即時還宮。一宵經過。次日早朝，聚兩班文武朝賀畢。紂王便問當駕官：“即傳朕旨意，頒行四鎮諸侯，與朕每一鎮地方揀選良家美女百名，不論富貴貧賤，只以容貌端莊，情性和婉，禮度賢淑，舉止大方，以充後宮役使。”天子傳旨未畢，只見左班中一人應聲出奏，俯伏言曰：“老臣商容啓奏陛下：君有道則萬民樂業，不令而從。況陛下後宮美女，不啻千人，嬪御而上，又有妃后。今劈空欲選美女，恐失民望。臣聞：‘樂民之樂者，民亦樂其樂；憂民之憂者，民亦憂其憂。’此時水旱頻仍，乃事女色，實為陛下不取也。故堯、舜與民偕樂，以仁德化天下，不事干戈，不行殺伐，景星耀天，甘露下降，鳳凰止於庭，芝草生於野；民豐物阜，行人讓路，犬無吠聲，夜雨晝晴，稻生雙穗；此乃有道興隆之象也。今陛下若取近時之樂，則目眩多色，耳聽淫聲，沈湎酒色，游於苑圃，獵於山林，此乃無道敗亡之象也。老臣待罪首相，位列朝綱，侍君三世，不得不啓陛下。臣願陛下：進賢，退不肖，修行仁義，通達道德，則和氣貫於天下，自然民富財豐，天下太平，四海雍熙，與百姓共享無窮之福。況今北海干戈未息，正宜修其德，愛其民，惜其財費，重其使令，雖堯、舜不過如是；又何必區區選侍，然後為樂哉？臣愚不識忌諱，望祈容納。”紂王沈思良久：“卿言甚善，朕即免行。”言罷，群臣退朝，聖駕還宮。不題。
话说纣王听奏大喜，即时还宫。一宵经过。次日早朝，聚两班文武朝贺毕。纣王便问当驾官：“即传朕旨意，颁行四镇诸侯，与朕每一镇地方拣选良家美女百名，不论富贵贫贱，只以容貌端庄，情性和婉，礼度贤淑，举止大方，以充后宫役使。”天子传旨未毕，只见左班中一人应声出奏，俯伏言曰：“老臣商容启奏陛下：君有道则万民乐业，不令而从。况陛下后宫美女，不啻千人，嫔御而上，又有妃后。今劈空欲选美女，恐失民望。臣闻：‘乐民之乐者，民亦乐其乐；忧民之忧者，民亦忧其忧。’此时水旱频仍，乃事女色，实为陛下不取也。故尧、舜与民偕乐，以仁德化天下，不事干戈，不行杀伐，景星耀天，甘露下降，凤凰止于庭，芝草生于野；民丰物阜，行人让路，犬无吠声，夜雨昼晴，稻生双穗；此乃有道兴隆之象也。今陛下若取近时之乐，则目眩多色，耳听淫声，沉湎酒色，游于苑圃，猎于山林，此乃无道败亡之象也。老臣待罪首相，位列朝纲，侍君三世，不得不启陛下。臣愿陛下：进贤，退不肖，修行仁义，通达道德，则和气贯于天下，自然民富财丰，天下太平，四海雍熙，与百姓共享无穷之福。况今北海干戈未息，正宜修其德，爱其民，惜其财费，重其使令，虽尧、舜不过如是；又何必区区选侍，然后为乐哉？臣愚不识忌讳，望祈容纳。”纣王沉思良久：“卿言甚善，朕即免行。”言罢，群臣退朝，圣驾还宫。不题。
Now, King Zhou was delighted with the proposal and returned to the palace at once. A night went by. The next morning, at the audience, when the officials of both ranks, civil and military, had assembled and offered their greetings, King Zhou said to the officer in attendance, “Send out Our decree at once to the four great lords: from each of their domains let a hundred beautiful girls of good family be chosen for Us. Rich or poor, high or low, it makes no difference. We ask only that they be fair and dignified of face, gentle and mild of temper, virtuous and versed in proper conduct, and graceful in their bearing. They shall serve in Our inner palace.” Before the Son of Heaven had finished giving the order, a man stepped out from the ranks on the left in answer, prostrated himself and said, “Your old servant Shang Rong addresses Your Majesty. When the ruler has the Way, all the people prosper at their work and follow him without being ordered. Besides, the beauties in Your Majesty’s inner palace number no fewer than a thousand, and above the concubines there are the queen and the consorts. To choose more beauties now, out of nowhere, would, I fear, lose you the people’s trust. Your servant has heard: ‘When a ruler rejoices in the people’s joys, the people rejoice in his; when he grieves at the people’s sorrows, the people grieve at his.’ At a time like this, with flood and drought coming one after another, to busy yourself with women is truly not a thing for Your Majesty to do. That is why Yao and Shun shared their joys with the people and changed the world by humanity and virtue. They waged no wars and did no killing; the Bright Star shone in the sky and sweet dew fell, phoenixes alighted in the palace courtyard and the magic fungus grew in the fields. The people prospered and goods abounded, travellers on the road made way for one another, dogs never barked, rain fell by night and the days were fair, and the rice grew two ears to a stalk. Such are the signs of a ruler who has the Way and a realm that flourishes. But if Your Majesty seeks the pleasures of the moment, your eyes will be dazzled by beauties and your ears will fill with lewd music; you will sink in wine and women, roam your parks and gardens and hunt in the hills and forests. Such are the signs of a ruler without the Way and a realm going to ruin. Your old servant, who unworthily serves as First Chancellor, holds high rank at court and has served three kings; I cannot keep silent before Your Majesty. Your servant hopes that Your Majesty will raise up the worthy and send away the unworthy, practise humanity and righteousness, and walk in the Way and its virtue. Then harmony will flow through all under heaven: the people will grow rich of themselves and wealth will abound, the realm will be at peace, the four seas will live in concord, and you will share endless blessings with the people. What is more, the fighting in the North Sea is not yet over. This is just the time to cultivate your virtue, love your people, spare your treasury and give your orders with care; even Yao and Shun did no more than this. Why must you go choosing a few girls to wait on you before you can be happy? Your servant is a foolish man who does not know what should not be said. I pray you will bear with me.” King Zhou pondered for a long while. “What you say is very good, minister. We will let the matter drop.” With that the ministers left the audience and His Majesty returned to the palace. But no more of that.
不意紂王八年，夏四月，天下四大諸侯率領八百鎮朝覲於商。那四鎮諸侯乃東伯侯姜桓楚，南伯侯鄂崇禹，西伯侯姬昌，北伯侯崇侯虎。天下諸侯俱進朝歌。此時太師聞仲不在都城，紂王寵用費仲、尤渾。各諸侯俱知二人把持朝政，擅權作威，少不得先以禮賄之以結其心，正所謂：
“未去朝天子，先來謁相公。”
內中有位諸侯，乃冀州侯，姓蘇名護，此人生得性如烈火，剛方正直，那裡知道奔競夤緣；平昔見稍有不公不法之事，便執法處分，不少假借，故此與二人俱未曾送有禮物。也是合當有事，那日二人查天下諸侯俱送有禮物，獨蘇護並無禮單，心中大怒，懷恨於心。不題。
不意纣王八年，夏四月，天下四大诸侯率领八百镇朝觐于商。那四镇诸侯乃东伯侯姜桓楚，南伯侯鄂崇禹，西伯侯姬昌，北伯侯崇侯虎。天下诸侯俱进朝歌。此时太师闻仲不在都城，纣王宠用费仲、尤浑。各诸侯俱知二人把持朝政，擅权作威，少不得先以礼贿之以结其心，正所谓：
“未去朝天子，先来谒相公。”
内中有位诸侯，乃冀州侯，姓苏名护，此人生得性如烈火，刚方正直，那里知道奔竞夤缘；平昔见稍有不公不法之事，便执法处分，不少假借，故此与二人俱未曾送有礼物。也是合当有事，那日二人查天下诸侯俱送有礼物，独苏护并无礼单，心中大怒，怀恨于心。不题。
But who could have foreseen it? In the summer of King Zhou’s eighth year, in the fourth month, the four great lords of the realm led the eight hundred lords to the Shang court to pay homage. The four great lords were Jiang Huanchu, Lord of the East; E Chongyu, Lord of the South; Ji Chang, Lord of the West; and Chong Houhu, Lord of the North. All the lords of the realm came to Zhaoge. At this time the Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong was away from the capital, and King Zhou favoured and relied on Fei Zhong and You Hun. The lords all knew that these two had the government in their grip and did as they pleased with their power, so of course they first sent them gifts to win their goodwill. As the saying goes:
“Before you go to pay court to the Son of Heaven,call first on the minister.”
Among the lords was the Marquis of Jizhou, whose surname was Su and whose name was Hu. He had a temper like a blazing fire and was hard, square and upright. What did he know of scrambling for favour and pulling strings? Whenever he saw anything in the least unjust or unlawful, he enforced the law and dealt with it without the slightest leniency, and so he had sent no gifts to either of the two. And, as fate would have it, trouble was on its way. That day the two men went through the lists and found that every lord in the realm had sent them gifts except Su Hu alone, who had sent no list of presents at all. They were furious and nursed a grudge in their hearts. But no more of that.
其日元旦吉晨，天子早朝，設聚兩班文武，眾官拜賀畢。黃門官啓奏陛下：“今年乃朝賀之年，天下諸侯皆在午門外朝賀，聽候玉音發落。”紂王問首相商容，容曰：“陛下止可宣四鎮首領臣面君，採問民風土俗，淳龐澆競，國治邦安；其餘諸侯俱在午門外朝賀。”天子聞言大悅：“卿言極善。”隨命黃門官傳旨：“宣四鎮諸侯見駕，其餘午門朝賀。”
其日元旦吉晨，天子早朝，设聚两班文武，众官拜贺毕。黄门官启奏陛下：“今年乃朝贺之年，天下诸侯皆在午门外朝贺，听候玉音发落。”纣王问首相商容，容曰：“陛下止可宣四镇首领臣面君，采问民风土俗，淳庞浇竞，国治邦安；其余诸侯俱在午门外朝贺。”天子闻言大悦：“卿言极善。”随命黄门官传旨：“宣四镇诸侯见驾，其余午门朝贺。”
On the auspicious morning of New Year’s Day the Son of Heaven held his morning audience. The officials of both ranks, civil and military, assembled, and when they had all made their bows and congratulations, the Yellow Gate officer addressed the throne: “This is the year when the lords come to pay court. All the lords of the realm are outside the Meridian Gate to offer their congratulations and await Your Majesty’s word.” King Zhou asked the First Chancellor Shang Rong, and Shang Rong said, “Your Majesty need only summon the four great lords who lead the rest to an audience, and ask them about the ways and customs of the people, whether they are simple and honest or shallow and grasping, and whether the land is well governed and the realm at peace. The other lords may offer their congratulations outside the Meridian Gate.” The Son of Heaven was pleased to hear it. “Excellent advice, minister.” And he ordered the Yellow Gate officer to proclaim: “The four great lords are summoned before Us. The rest shall offer their congratulations at the Meridian Gate.”
話說四鎮諸侯整齊朝服，輕搖玉佩，進午門，行過九龍橋，至丹墀，山呼朝拜畢，俯伏。王慰勞曰：“卿等與朕宣猷贊化，撫綏黎庶，鎮攝荒服，威遠寧邇，多有勤勞，皆卿等之功耳。朕心喜悅。”東伯侯奏曰：“臣等荷蒙聖恩，官居總鎮。臣等自叨職掌，日夜兢兢，常恐不克負荷，有辜聖心；縱有犬馬微勞，不過臣子分內事，尚不足報涓涯於萬一耳，又何勞聖心垂念！臣等不勝感激！”天子龍顏大喜，命首相商容、亞相比干於顯慶殿治宴相待。四臣叩頭謝恩，離丹墀前至顯慶殿，相序筵宴。不題。
话说四镇诸侯整齐朝服，轻摇玉佩，进午门，行过九龙桥，至丹墀，山呼朝拜毕，俯伏。王慰劳曰：“卿等与朕宣猷赞化，抚绥黎庶，镇摄荒服，威远宁迩，多有勤劳，皆卿等之功耳。朕心喜悦。”东伯侯奏曰：“臣等荷蒙圣恩，官居总镇。臣等自叨职掌，日夜兢兢，常恐不克负荷，有辜圣心；纵有犬马微劳，不过臣子分内事，尚不足报涓涯于万一耳，又何劳圣心垂念！臣等不胜感激！”天子龙颜大喜，命首相商容、亚相比干于显庆殿治宴相待。四臣叩头谢恩，离丹墀前至显庆殿，相序筵宴。不题。
Now, the four great lords put their court robes in order and, their jade pendants swaying gently, entered the Meridian Gate, crossed the Jiulong Bridge and came to the vermilion steps. There they hailed the king with cries of “Ten thousand years!” and made their obeisance, then lay prostrate before him. The king spoke kindly of their labours: “You, Our lords, spread Our counsels and further Our rule. You care for and comfort the common people, hold the wild borderlands in awe, strike fear into the distant and keep the near at peace. You have toiled long and hard, and all this is your merit. Our heart is glad.” The Lord of the East replied, “Your servants have been favoured with Your Majesty’s holy grace and hold office as lords over whole regions. Since we unworthily took up our charges, we have been anxious day and night, ever fearing that we could not bear the burden and would fail Your Majesty’s trust. Whatever small service we may have done, like a faithful dog or horse, is no more than a subject’s duty, and not enough to repay one part in ten thousand of your favour with so much as a drop of water or a speck of dust. How can it deserve Your Majesty’s gracious thought? Your servants are more grateful than we can say!” The Son of Heaven was overjoyed, and he commanded the First Chancellor Shang Rong and the Second Chancellor Bi Gan to give a banquet for them in the Xianqing Hall. The four lords knocked their heads on the ground and gave thanks for his grace, then left the vermilion steps and went to the Xianqing Hall, where they took their places at the banquet in order of rank. But no more of that.
天子退朝至便殿，宣費仲、尤渾二人，問曰：“前卿奏朕，欲令天下四鎮大諸侯進美女，朕欲頒旨，又被商容諫止；今四鎮諸侯在此，明早召入，當面頒行，俟四人回國，以便揀選進獻，且免使臣往返。二卿意下若何？”費仲俯伏奏曰：“首相諫止採選美女，陛下當日容納，即行停旨，此美德也。臣下共知，眾庶共知，天下景仰。今一旦復行，是陛下不足以取信於臣民，切為不可。臣近訪得冀州侯蘇護有一女，艷色天姿，幽閒淑性，若選進宮幃，隨侍左右，堪任役使。況選一人之女，又不驚擾天下百姓，自不動人耳目。”紂王聽言，不覺大悅：“卿言極善！”即命隨侍官傳旨：“宣蘇護。”使命來至館驛傳旨：“宣冀州侯蘇護商議國政。”蘇護即隨使命至龍德殿朝見，禮畢，俯伏聽命。王曰：“朕聞卿有一女，德性幽閒，舉止中度。朕欲選侍後宮。卿為國戚，食其天祿，受其顯位，永鎮冀州，坐享安康，名揚四海，天下莫不欣羡。卿意下如何？”蘇護聽言，正色而奏曰：“陛下宮中，上有后妃，下至嬪御，不啻數千。妖冶嫵媚，何不足以悅王之耳目？乃聽左右諂諛之言，陷陛下於不義。況臣女蒲柳陋質，素不諳禮度，德色俱無足取。乞陛下留心邦本，連斬此進讒言之小人，使天下後世知陛下正心修身，納言聽諫，非好色之君，豈不美哉！”紂王大笑曰：“卿言甚不諳大體。自古及今，誰不願女作門楣。況女為后妃，貴敵天子；卿為皇親國戚，赫奕顯榮，孰過於此！卿毋迷惑，當自裁審。”蘇護聞言，不覺厲聲言曰：“臣聞人君修德勤政，則萬民悅服，四海景從，天祿永終。昔日有夏失政，淫荒酒色；惟我祖宗不邇聲色，不殖貨財，德懋懋官，功懋懋賞，克寬克仁，方能割正有夏，彰信兆民，邦乃其昌，永保天命。今陛下不取法祖宗，而效彼夏王，是取敗之道也。況人君愛色，必顛覆社稷；卿大夫愛色，必絕滅宗廟；士庶人愛色，必戕賊其身。且君為臣之標率，君不向道，臣下將化之，而朋比作奸，天下事尚忍言哉！臣恐商家六百餘年基業，必自陛下紊亂之矣。”紂王聽蘇護之言，勃然大怒曰：“君命召，不俟駕；君賜死，不敢違；況選汝一女為后妃乎！敢以戇言忤旨，面折朕躬，以亡國之君匹朕，大不敬孰過於此！著隨侍官，拿出午門，送法司勘問正法！”左右隨將蘇護拿下。轉出費仲、尤渾二人，上殿俯伏奏曰：“蘇護忤旨，本該勘問；但陛下因選侍其女，以致得罪；使天下聞之，道陛下輕賢重色，阻塞言路。不若赦之歸國，彼感皇上不殺之恩，自然將此女進貢宮闈，以侍皇上。庶百姓知陛下寬仁大度，納諫如流，而保護有功之臣。是一舉兩得之意。願陛下准臣施行。”紂王聞言，天顏少霽：“依卿所奏。即降赦，令彼還國，不得久羈朝歌。”
天子退朝至便殿，宣费仲、尤浑二人，问曰：“前卿奏朕，欲令天下四镇大诸侯进美女，朕欲颁旨，又被商容谏止；今四镇诸侯在此，明早召入，当面颁行，俟四人回国，以便拣选进献，且免使臣往返。二卿意下若何？”费仲俯伏奏曰：“首相谏止采选美女，陛下当日容纳，即行停旨，此美德也。臣下共知，众庶共知，天下景仰。今一旦复行，是陛下不足以取信于臣民，切为不可。臣近访得冀州侯苏护有一女，艳色天姿，幽闲淑性，若选进宫帏，随侍左右，堪任役使。况选一人之女，又不惊扰天下百姓，自不动人耳目。”纣王听言，不觉大悦：“卿言极善！”即命随侍官传旨：“宣苏护。”使命来至馆驿传旨：“宣冀州侯苏护商议国政。”苏护即随使命至龙德殿朝见，礼毕，俯伏听命。王曰：“朕闻卿有一女，德性幽闲，举止中度。朕欲选侍后宫。卿为国戚，食其天禄，受其显位，永镇冀州，坐享安康，名扬四海，天下莫不欣羡。卿意下如何？”苏护听言，正色而奏曰：“陛下宫中，上有后妃，下至嫔御，不啻数千。妖冶妩媚，何不足以悦王之耳目？乃听左右谄谀之言，陷陛下于不义。况臣女蒲柳陋质，素不谙礼度，德色俱无足取。乞陛下留心邦本，连斩此进谗言之小人，使天下后世知陛下正心修身，纳言听谏，非好色之君，岂不美哉！”纣王大笑曰：“卿言甚不谙大体。自古及今，谁不愿女作门楣。况女为后妃，贵敌天子；卿为皇亲国戚，赫奕显荣，孰过于此！卿毋迷惑，当自裁审。”苏护闻言，不觉厉声言曰：“臣闻人君修德勤政，则万民悦服，四海景从，天禄永终。昔日有夏失政，淫荒酒色；惟我祖宗不迩声色，不殖货财，德懋懋官，功懋懋赏，克宽克仁，方能割正有夏，彰信兆民，邦乃其昌，永保天命。今陛下不取法祖宗，而效彼夏王，是取败之道也。况人君爱色，必颠覆社稷；卿大夫爱色，必绝灭宗庙；士庶人爱色，必戕贼其身。且君为臣之标率，君不向道，臣下将化之，而朋比作奸，天下事尚忍言哉！臣恐商家六百余年基业，必自陛下紊乱之矣。”纣王听苏护之言，勃然大怒曰：“君命召，不俟驾；君赐死，不敢违；况选汝一女为后妃乎！敢以戆言忤旨，面折朕躬，以亡国之君匹朕，大不敬孰过于此！着随侍官，拿出午门，送法司勘问正法！”左右随将苏护拿下。转出费仲、尤浑二人，上殿俯伏奏曰：“苏护忤旨，本该勘问；但陛下因选侍其女，以致得罪；使天下闻之，道陛下轻贤重色，阻塞言路。不若赦之归国，彼感皇上不杀之恩，自然将此女进贡宫闱，以侍皇上。庶百姓知陛下宽仁大度，纳谏如流，而保护有功之臣。是一举两得之意。愿陛下准臣施行。”纣王闻言，天颜少霁：“依卿所奏。即降赦，令彼还国，不得久羁朝歌。”
The Son of Heaven left the audience for a side hall and summoned Fei Zhong and You Hun. “Some time ago,” he asked them, “you proposed that the four great lords of the realm be ordered to present beautiful girls. We were about to issue the decree when Shang Rong talked Us out of it. Now the four great lords are here. Suppose We call them in tomorrow morning and give them the order to their faces? Then, when the four of them go home, they can choose the girls and send them to Us, and We are spared sending envoys back and forth. What do you two think?” Fei Zhong prostrated himself and replied, “When the First Chancellor talked Your Majesty out of choosing beauties, Your Majesty accepted his advice that very day and stopped the decree at once. That was a fine virtue. Your ministers all know of it, the common people all know of it, and the whole realm looks up to you for it. If you now suddenly go ahead with it after all, Your Majesty will lose the trust of ministers and people alike. That must not be. But your servant has lately learned that Su Hu, Marquis of Jizhou, has a daughter of dazzling beauty and heavenly grace, quiet, refined and virtuous. If she were chosen for the palace to wait at your side, she would serve you well. Besides, taking the daughter of one man will not alarm the people of the realm, and naturally no one will take any notice.” King Zhou was delighted in spite of himself. “Excellent advice, minister!” At once he ordered the attending officer to proclaim, “Summon Su Hu.” The royal messenger came to the guesthouse with the command: “Su Hu, Marquis of Jizhou, is summoned to discuss affairs of state.” Su Hu went with the messenger at once to the Longde Hall for an audience. When he had made his bows, he lay prostrate, awaiting the king’s command. The king said, “We hear that you have a daughter, gentle and refined in nature and seemly in her bearing. We wish to choose her to serve in Our inner palace. You will become kin to the royal house, enjoy Heaven’s bounty and hold high rank; you will hold Jizhou for ever and sit at your ease in peace and comfort, with your name known throughout the four seas, and there will be no one in the realm who does not envy you. What do you say?” At these words Su Hu’s face grew stern, and he replied, “In Your Majesty’s palace, from the queen and the consorts above to the concubines below, there are no fewer than several thousand women. Is there not charm and allure enough among them to please a king’s eyes and ears? Yet you listen to the fawning words of those about you, who would lead Your Majesty into wrong. Besides, your servant’s daughter is a poor, plain thing, frail as a willow, who has never learned the ways of the court; neither her virtue nor her looks are worth the taking. I beg Your Majesty to keep your mind on the foundations of the state and behead at once the petty man who fed you this slander. Then the realm and the ages to come will know that Your Majesty has set his heart right and cultivated himself, that you accept advice and heed remonstrance and are no king given to lust. Would that not be fine?” King Zhou laughed aloud. “You have no sense of what matters, minister. From ancient times until now, who has not wished for a daughter to bring glory to the family gate? And when a daughter becomes a royal consort, her rank rivals the Son of Heaven’s, and you will be kin to the royal house. What could be more splendid and glorious than that? Do not be a fool, minister. Think it over for yourself.” At this Su Hu’s voice rose sharply before he knew it. “Your servant has heard that when a ruler cultivates his virtue and works hard at governing, all the people gladly submit, the four seas follow him like his shadow, and Heaven’s bounty stays with him to the end. In days of old the Xia lost the way of government and sank in wine and women. Only our ancestor kept away from music and women and did not pile up wealth. Where there was great virtue he gave great office, where there was great merit great reward; he was generous, he was humane. That was how he was able to strike down the Xia and set things right and show his good faith to the myriad people, so that his state flourished and he kept Heaven’s mandate for ever. Now Your Majesty, instead of taking his ancestor as a model, copies that king of the Xia. That is the road to ruin. Moreover, when a ruler loves women, he is sure to overturn the altars of his state; when a minister loves women, he is sure to destroy his ancestral temple; when a scholar or a commoner loves women, he is sure to bring himself to harm. And the ruler is the model for his ministers. If the ruler does not turn to the Way, his ministers will follow his example and band together in wickedness, and then what becomes of the realm will not bear speaking of! Your servant fears that the Shang’s inheritance of more than six hundred years will be brought to ruin by Your Majesty’s own hand.” When King Zhou heard Su Hu’s words, he flew into a towering rage. “When the ruler summons, one does not wait for the carriage to be harnessed; when the ruler grants death, one dare not refuse it. And this is only choosing your daughter to be a royal consort! You dare defy Our command with your blunt talk, rebuke Us to Our face and compare Us to a king who lost his realm. What could be more disrespectful? Attending officers, take him out through the Meridian Gate and hand him over to the law officers to be tried and put to death!” The attendants seized Su Hu at once. Out stepped Fei Zhong and You Hun, who came up into the hall, prostrated themselves and said, “Su Hu has defied Your Majesty’s command, and by rights he ought to be tried. But it was over choosing his daughter to wait on Your Majesty that he gave offence. If the realm hears of this, people will say that Your Majesty makes light of worthy men and much of women, and stops the mouths of those who would speak. Better to pardon him and send him home. He will be grateful to Your Majesty for sparing his life and will naturally present this daughter to the palace to wait on Your Majesty. And the people will know that Your Majesty is generous, humane and large-hearted, takes advice as readily as water flows, and protects ministers who have served well. So one move will gain two ends. We beg Your Majesty to let us carry it out.” At these words the royal face cleared a little. “Let it be as you propose. Issue a pardon at once and send him back to his state. He is not to linger in Zhaoge.”
話說聖旨一下，迅如峰火，即催逼蘇護出城，不容停止。那蘇護辭朝回至驛亭，眾家將接見慰問：“聖上召將軍進朝，有何商議？”蘇護大怒，罵曰：“無道昏君，不思量祖宗德業，寵信讒臣諂媚之言，欲選吾女進宮為妃。此必是費仲、尤渾以酒色迷惑君心，欲專朝政。我聽旨不覺直言諫諍；昏君道我忤旨，拿送法司。二賊子又奏昏君，赦我歸國，諒我感昏君不殺之恩，必將吾女送進朝歌，以遂二賊奸計。我想聞太師遠征，二賊弄權，眼見昏君必荒淫酒色，紊亂朝政，天下荒荒，黎民倒懸，可憐成湯社稷化為烏有。我自思：若不將此女進貢，昏君必興問罪之師；若要送此女進宮，以後昏君失德，使天下人恥笑我不智。諸將必有良策教我。”眾將聞言，齊曰：“吾聞‘君不正則臣投外國’，今主上輕賢重色，眼見昏亂，不若反出朝歌，自守一國，上可以保宗社，下可保一家。”此時蘇護正在盛怒之下，一聞此言，不覺性起，竟不思維，便曰：“大丈夫不可做不明白事。”叫左右：“取文房四寶來，題詩在午門牆上，以表我永不朝商之意。”詩曰：
话说圣旨一下，迅如峰火，即催逼苏护出城，不容停止。那苏护辞朝回至驿亭，众家将接见慰问：“圣上召将军进朝，有何商议？”苏护大怒，骂曰：“无道昏君，不思量祖宗德业，宠信谗臣谄媚之言，欲选吾女进宫为妃。此必是费仲、尤浑以酒色迷惑君心，欲专朝政。我听旨不觉直言谏诤；昏君道我忤旨，拿送法司。二贼子又奏昏君，赦我归国，谅我感昏君不杀之恩，必将吾女送进朝歌，以遂二贼奸计。我想闻太师远征，二贼弄权，眼见昏君必荒淫酒色，紊乱朝政，天下荒荒，黎民倒悬，可怜成汤社稷化为乌有。我自思：若不将此女进贡，昏君必兴问罪之师；若要送此女进宫，以后昏君失德，使天下人耻笑我不智。诸将必有良策教我。”众将闻言，齐曰：“吾闻‘君不正则臣投外国’，今主上轻贤重色，眼见昏乱，不若反出朝歌，自守一国，上可以保宗社，下可保一家。”此时苏护正在盛怒之下，一闻此言，不觉性起，竟不思维，便曰：“大丈夫不可做不明白事。”叫左右：“取文房四宝来，题诗在午门墙上，以表我永不朝商之意。”诗曰：
Now, once the royal decree had gone out, it travelled as fast as a beacon fire, and Su Hu was hurried out of the city at once without being allowed to stay. Su Hu took his leave of the court and went back to the post station, where his officers met him and asked how things had gone: “His Majesty summoned you to court, general. What did he want to discuss?” Su Hu, in a great rage, cursed: “That wicked, benighted king! He gives no thought to the virtue and achievements of his ancestors. He dotes on slanderous ministers and believes their flattery, and now he wants to take my daughter into his palace as a consort. This must be Fei Zhong and You Hun bewitching the king’s heart with wine and women, so that they can have the government to themselves. When I heard his command, I spoke out against it bluntly before I knew what I was doing, and the benighted king said I had defied him and had me seized and sent to the law officers. Then the two villains put it to the benighted king that he should pardon me and send me home, reckoning that out of gratitude to him for sparing my life I would be sure to send my daughter to Zhaoge, and so their wicked scheme would be done. As I see it, with the Grand Preceptor Wen away on campaign and those two villains playing with power, the benighted king is plainly going to sink himself in wine and women and throw the government into chaos. The realm will be in turmoil and the common people will suffer as if hung upside down, and the house of Tang, alas, will come to nothing. I have thought it over. If I do not present my daughter, the benighted king is sure to raise an army to punish me; but if I send her into the palace, then when he loses his virtue, the whole realm will laugh at me for a fool. You officers must have some good plan to teach me.” When the officers heard this, they said with one voice, “We have heard it said, ‘When the ruler is not upright, his subjects go over to other states.’ Now our sovereign makes light of worthy men and much of women; you can see he is sunk in folly and disorder. Better to break with Zhaoge and hold our own state for ourselves. Above, we can keep the altars of our state; below, we can keep our families safe.” Su Hu was in the full heat of his rage, and when he heard these words his temper flared. Without stopping to think, he said, “A real man does nothing in the dark.” He called to his attendants, “Bring the Four Treasures of the Study. I will write a poem on the wall of the Meridian Gate to show that I will never pay court to the Shang again.” The poem said:
“君壞臣綱，有敗五常。冀州蘇護，永不朝商！”
“君坏臣纲，有败五常。冀州苏护，永不朝商！”
“The king has broken the bond of ruler and subjectand brought the Five Constants to ruin.Su Hu of Jizhou will neverpay court to the Shang again!”
蘇護題了詩，領家將逕出朝歌，奔本國而去。
苏护题了诗，领家将径出朝歌，奔本国而去。
When Su Hu had written his poem, he led his officers straight out of Zhaoge and made for his own state.
且言紂王見蘇護當面折諍一番，不能遂願：“雖准費、尤二人所奏，不知彼可能將女進貢深宮，以遂朕于飛之樂？”正躊躇不悅，只見看午門內臣俯伏奏曰：“臣在午門，見牆上蘇護題有反詩十六字，不敢隱匿，伏乞聖裁。”隨侍接詩鋪在御案上。紂王一見，大罵：“賊子如此無禮！朕體上天好生之德，不殺鼠賊，赦令歸國，彼反寫詩午門，大辱朝廷，罪在不赦！”即命：“宣殷破敗、晁田、魯雄等，統領六師，朕須親征，必滅其國！”當駕官隨宣魯雄等見駕。不一時，魯雄等朝見，禮畢。王曰：“蘇護反商，題詩午門，甚辱朝綱，情殊可恨，法紀難容。卿等統人馬廿萬為先鋒；朕親率六師，以聲其罪。”魯雄聽罷，低首暗想：“蘇護乃忠良之士，素懷忠義，何事觸忤天子，自欲親征，冀州休矣！”魯雄為蘇護俯伏奏曰：“蘇護得罪於陛下，何勞御駕親征。況且四大鎮諸侯俱在都城，尚未歸國，陛下可點一二路征伐，以擒蘇護，明正其罪，自不失撻伐之威。何必聖駕遠事其地。”紂王問曰：“四侯之內，誰可征伐？”費仲在傍，出班奏曰：“冀州乃北方崇侯虎屬下，可命侯虎征伐。”紂王即准施行。魯雄在側自思：“崇侯虎乃貪鄙暴橫之夫，提兵遠征，所經地方，必遭殘害，黎庶何以得安。現有西伯姬昌，仁德四布，信義素著。何不保舉此人，庶幾兩全。”紂王方命傳旨，魯雄奏曰：“侯虎雖鎮北地，恩信尚未孚於人，恐此行未能伸朝廷威德；不如西伯姬昌，仁義素聞，陛下若假以節鉞，自不勞矢石，可擒蘇護，以正其罪。”紂王思想良久，俱准奏。特旨令二侯秉節鉞，得專征伐。使命持旨到顯慶殿宣讀。不題。
且言纣王见苏护当面折诤一番，不能遂愿：“虽准费、尤二人所奏，不知彼可能将女进贡深宫，以遂朕于飞之乐？”正踌躇不悦，只见看午门内臣俯伏奏曰：“臣在午门，见墙上苏护题有反诗十六字，不敢隐匿，伏乞圣裁。”随侍接诗铺在御案上。纣王一见，大骂：“贼子如此无礼！朕体上天好生之德，不杀鼠贼，赦令归国，彼反写诗午门，大辱朝廷，罪在不赦！”即命：“宣殷破败、晁田、鲁雄等，统领六师，朕须亲征，必灭其国！”当驾官随宣鲁雄等见驾。不一时，鲁雄等朝见，礼毕。王曰：“苏护反商，题诗午门，甚辱朝纲，情殊可恨，法纪难容。卿等统人马廿万为先锋；朕亲率六师，以声其罪。”鲁雄听罢，低首暗想：“苏护乃忠良之士，素怀忠义，何事触忤天子，自欲亲征，冀州休矣！”鲁雄为苏护俯伏奏曰：“苏护得罪于陛下，何劳御驾亲征。况且四大镇诸侯俱在都城，尚未归国，陛下可点一二路征伐，以擒苏护，明正其罪，自不失挞伐之威。何必圣驾远事其地。”纣王问曰：“四侯之内，谁可征伐？”费仲在傍，出班奏曰：“冀州乃北方崇侯虎属下，可命侯虎征伐。”纣王即准施行。鲁雄在侧自思：“崇侯虎乃贪鄙暴横之夫，提兵远征，所经地方，必遭残害，黎庶何以得安。现有西伯姬昌，仁德四布，信义素着。何不保举此人，庶几两全。”纣王方命传旨，鲁雄奏曰：“侯虎虽镇北地，恩信尚未孚于人，恐此行未能伸朝廷威德；不如西伯姬昌，仁义素闻，陛下若假以节钺，自不劳矢石，可擒苏护，以正其罪。”纣王思想良久，俱准奏。特旨令二侯秉节钺，得专征伐。使命持旨到显庆殿宣读。不题。
Our story turns to King Zhou. Su Hu had argued with him to his face, and he had not had his way. “We have granted what Fei Zhong and You Hun proposed,” he thought, “but who knows whether that man will really send his daughter to Our inner palace and give Us the joy of birds that fly wing to wing?” He was hesitating, out of sorts, when the palace officer on watch at the Meridian Gate came in, prostrated himself and said, “At the Meridian Gate your servant saw a rebel poem of sixteen characters written on the wall by Su Hu. I dare not hide it, and humbly beg Your Majesty’s judgment.” An attendant took the poem and spread it on the royal desk. The moment King Zhou saw it, he burst out cursing: “The villain! Such insolence! In keeping with high Heaven’s love of life We did not kill the rat but pardoned him and sent him home, and in return he writes a poem on the Meridian Gate and heaps disgrace on Our court. This crime is beyond pardon!” At once he commanded: “Summon Yin Pobai, Chao Tian, Lu Xiong and the rest to lead the six armies. We will march against him Ourself and wipe out his state!” The officer in attendance summoned Lu Xiong and the others to the king, and before long they came and made their bows. The king said, “Su Hu has rebelled against the Shang and written a poem on the Meridian Gate that is a gross insult to the laws of Our court. His conduct is utterly hateful, and the law cannot let it pass. You, Our generals, shall take two hundred thousand men as the vanguard, and We will lead the six armies Ourself to proclaim his crime.” Lu Xiong heard him out, lowered his head and thought to himself, “Su Hu is a loyal and good man, always true and dutiful. What can he have done to offend the Son of Heaven so, that the king means to march against him in person? Jizhou is finished!” For Su Hu’s sake Lu Xiong prostrated himself and said, “Su Hu has offended Your Majesty, but why should Your Majesty trouble to march in person? Besides, the four great lords are all still in the capital and have not yet gone home. Your Majesty can name one or two of them to march against him, capture Su Hu and openly punish his crime; that will lose nothing of the majesty of your punitive arms. Why must Your Majesty go all that way himself?” King Zhou asked, “Which of the four lords should march against him?” Fei Zhong, who was standing by, stepped out of the ranks and said, “Jizhou is in the north and comes under Chong Houhu. Chong Houhu can be ordered to march against him.” King Zhou approved it at once. Lu Xiong, at the king’s side, thought to himself, “Chong Houhu is a greedy, base and violent brute. If he leads an army so far, every place he passes through will be ravaged; how will the common people have any peace? But there is Ji Chang, Lord of the West, whose humanity and virtue are known on every side and whose good faith has long been plain. Why not recommend him? That might be the way to do right by both.” Just as King Zhou was ordering the decree sent, Lu Xiong said, “Though Chong Houhu holds the north, his kindness and good faith have not yet won men’s trust, and I fear this campaign may fail to show the majesty and virtue of the court. Better Ji Chang, Lord of the West, whose humanity and righteousness have long been known. If Your Majesty lends him the tally and axe, he will capture Su Hu without even troubling to loose an arrow or throw a stone, and bring him to justice.” King Zhou thought it over for a long while and approved both. By special decree the two lords were given the tally and axe, with full powers to make war. The royal messenger took the decree to the Xianqing Hall to read it out. But no more of that.
只見四鎮諸侯與二相飲宴未散，忽報“旨意下”，不知何事。天使曰：“西伯侯、北伯侯接旨。”二侯出席接旨，跪聽宣讀：
只见四镇诸侯与二相饮宴未散，忽报“旨意下”，不知何事。天使曰：“西伯侯、北伯侯接旨。”二侯出席接旨，跪听宣读：
The four great lords and the two chancellors were still at their banquet when word suddenly came: “A royal decree!” No one knew what it could be about. The royal envoy said, “The Lord of the West and the Lord of the North, receive the decree.” The two lords left their seats to receive it and knelt to hear it read:
“詔曰：朕聞冠履之分維嚴，事使之道無兩，故君命召，不俟駕；君賜死，不敢違命；乃所以隆尊卑，崇任使也。茲不道蘇護，狂悖無禮，立殿忤君，紀綱已失，被赦歸國，不思自新，輒敢寫詩午門，安心叛主，罪在不赦。賜爾姬昌等節鉞，便宜行事，往懲其忤，毋得寬縱，罪有攸歸。故茲詔示汝往。欽哉。謝恩。”
“诏曰：朕闻冠履之分维严，事使之道无两，故君命召，不俟驾；君赐死，不敢违命；乃所以隆尊卑，崇任使也。兹不道苏护，狂悖无礼，立殿忤君，纪纲已失，被赦归国，不思自新，辄敢写诗午门，安心叛主，罪在不赦。赐尔姬昌等节钺，便宜行事，往惩其忤，毋得宽纵，罪有攸归。故兹诏示汝往。钦哉。谢恩。”
“The decree says: We have heard that the line between cap and shoe is strictly kept, and that in serving and in being served there can be no two ways. Therefore when the ruler summons, one does not wait for the carriage; when the ruler grants death, one dare not refuse the command. So are high and low kept in their places, and duty and service upheld. Now the lawless Su Hu, mad, perverse and insolent, stood in Our hall and defied his ruler, casting off all law and order. Pardoned and sent home, he gave no thought to mending his ways but dared to write a poem on the Meridian Gate, set on rebelling against his lord. His crime is beyond pardon. We grant you, Ji Chang and the rest, the tally and axe, to act as you see fit. Go and punish his defiance; show no leniency, so that the crime meets its due. Hence this decree, sending you forth. Obey with reverence! Give thanks for Our grace.”
天使讀畢，二侯謝恩平身。姬昌對二丞相、三侯伯言曰：“蘇護朝商，未進殿庭，未參聖上；今詔旨有‘立殿忤君’，不知此語何來？且此人素懷忠義，累有軍功，午門題詩，必有詐偽。天子聽信何人之言，欲伐有功之臣。恐天下諸侯不服。望二位丞相明日早朝見駕，請察其詳。蘇護所得何罪？果言而正，伐之可也；倘言而不正，合當止之。”比干言曰：“君侯言之是也。”崇侯虎在傍言曰：“‘王言如絲，其出如綸。’今詔旨已出，誰敢抗違。況蘇護題詩午門，必然有據；天子豈無故而發此難端。今諸侯八百，俱不遵王命，大肆猖獗，是王命不能行於諸侯，乃取亂之道也。”姬昌曰：“公言雖善，是執其一端耳。不知蘇護乃忠良君子，素秉丹誠，忠心為國，教民有方，治兵有法，數年以來，並無過失。今天子不知為誰人迷惑，興師問罪於善類。此一節恐非國家之祥瑞。只願當今不事干戈，不行殺伐，共樂堯年。況兵乃凶象，所經地方，必有驚擾之虞，且勞民傷財，窮兵黷武，師出無名，皆非盛世所宜有者也。”崇侯虎曰：“公言固是有理，獨不思君命所差，概不由己？且煌煌天語，誰敢有違，以自取欺君之罪。”昌曰：“既如此，公可領兵前行，我兵隨後便至。”當時各散。西伯便對二丞相言：“侯虎先去，姬昌暫回西岐，領兵續進。”遂各辭散。不題。
天使读毕，二侯谢恩平身。姬昌对二丞相、三侯伯言曰：“苏护朝商，未进殿庭，未参圣上；今诏旨有‘立殿忤君’，不知此语何来？且此人素怀忠义，累有军功，午门题诗，必有诈伪。天子听信何人之言，欲伐有功之臣。恐天下诸侯不服。望二位丞相明日早朝见驾，请察其详。苏护所得何罪？果言而正，伐之可也；倘言而不正，合当止之。”比干言曰：“君侯言之是也。”崇侯虎在傍言曰：“‘王言如丝，其出如纶。’今诏旨已出，谁敢抗违。况苏护题诗午门，必然有据；天子岂无故而发此难端。今诸侯八百，俱不遵王命，大肆猖獗，是王命不能行于诸侯，乃取乱之道也。”姬昌曰：“公言虽善，是执其一端耳。不知苏护乃忠良君子，素秉丹诚，忠心为国，教民有方，治兵有法，数年以来，并无过失。今天子不知为谁人迷惑，兴师问罪于善类。此一节恐非国家之祥瑞。只愿当今不事干戈，不行杀伐，共乐尧年。况兵乃凶象，所经地方，必有惊扰之虞，且劳民伤财，穷兵黩武，师出无名，皆非盛世所宜有者也。”崇侯虎曰：“公言固是有理，独不思君命所差，概不由己？且煌煌天语，谁敢有违，以自取欺君之罪。”昌曰：“既如此，公可领兵前行，我兵随后便至。”当时各散。西伯便对二丞相言：“侯虎先去，姬昌暂回西岐，领兵续进。”遂各辞散。不题。
When the envoy had finished reading, the two lords gave thanks for the royal favour and rose. Ji Chang said to the two chancellors and the other three great lords, “Su Hu came to the Shang court, but he never entered the hall and never had an audience with His Majesty. Now the decree says that he ‘stood in Our hall and defied his ruler’. Where can that have come from? Besides, this man has always been loyal and true and has won merit in war many times over. There must be some trickery behind this poem on the Meridian Gate. Whose words can the Son of Heaven have listened to, that he means to make war on a minister who has served him well? I fear the lords of the realm will not accept it. I hope that you two chancellors will see His Majesty at the audience tomorrow morning and ask him to look into the details. What crime has Su Hu committed? If the charge is just, then let him be punished; if it is not, the campaign ought to be stopped.” Bi Gan said, “You are right, my lord.” But Chong Houhu, standing by, said, “‘The king’s words are fine as silk thread, but they go forth as cords.’ The decree has been issued; who would dare defy it? Besides, Su Hu’s poem on the Meridian Gate must have some basis; the Son of Heaven would hardly stir up such trouble for no reason. If the eight hundred lords all disobeyed the king’s commands and ran wild as they pleased, the king’s commands would count for nothing among the lords. That is the road to chaos.” Ji Chang said, “What you say sounds well, my lord, but it holds to only one side of the matter. You forget that Su Hu is a loyal and good gentleman of unswerving sincerity, devoted to his country, who teaches his people well and governs his troops by the rules. In all these years he has never once done wrong. Now the Son of Heaven, led astray by who knows whom, would raise an army to punish a good man. I fear this bodes no good for the realm. I only wish that our present sovereign would wage no wars and do no killing, so that all of us might share in years as happy as Yao’s. Besides, war is an evil omen. Wherever an army passes, people are bound to be alarmed and harassed, and it wears out the people and wastes their wealth. To exhaust one’s troops and delight in war, to send out an army without just cause: none of these belongs in a flourishing age.” Chong Houhu said, “There is reason in what you say, of course. But have you not considered that when one is sent on the king’s orders, nothing is up to oneself? And who would dare disobey the glorious words of the Son of Heaven and bring on himself the crime of deceiving his sovereign?” Ji Chang said, “In that case, my lord, you may lead your troops ahead, and mine will follow close behind.” With that they all parted. The Lord of the West said to the two chancellors, “Chong Houhu will go first. I, Ji Chang, will go back to Xiqi for now and follow with my troops.” And so they took their leave of one another and went their ways. But no more of that.
次日，崇侯虎下教場，整點人馬，辭朝起行。
次日，崇侯虎下教场，整点人马，辞朝起行。
The next day Chong Houhu went down to the drill ground, mustered his men and horses, took his leave of the court and set out.
且言蘇護離了朝歌，同眾士卒，不一日回到冀州。護之長子蘇全忠率領諸將出郭迎接。其時父子相會進城，帥府下馬。眾將到殿前見畢。護曰：“當今天子失政，天下諸侯朝覲，不知那一個奸臣，暗奏吾女姿色，昏君宣吾進殿，欲將吾女選立宮妃。彼時被我當面諫諍，不意昏君大怒，將我拿問忤旨之罪，當有費仲、尤渾二人保奏，將我赦回，欲我送女進獻。彼時心甚不快，偶題詩帖於午門而反商。此回昏君必點諸侯前來問罪。眾將官聽令：且將人馬訓練，城垣多用滾木炮石，以防攻打之虞。”諸將聽令，日夜防維，不敢稍懈，以待廝殺。
且言苏护离了朝歌，同众士卒，不一日回到冀州。护之长子苏全忠率领诸将出郭迎接。其时父子相会进城，帅府下马。众将到殿前见毕。护曰：“当今天子失政，天下诸侯朝觐，不知那一个奸臣，暗奏吾女姿色，昏君宣吾进殿，欲将吾女选立宫妃。彼时被我当面谏诤，不意昏君大怒，将我拿问忤旨之罪，当有费仲、尤浑二人保奏，将我赦回，欲我送女进献。彼时心甚不快，偶题诗帖于午门而反商。此回昏君必点诸侯前来问罪。众将官听令：且将人马训练，城垣多用滚木炮石，以防攻打之虞。”诸将听令，日夜防维，不敢稍懈，以待厮杀。
Our story turns to Su Hu. He left Zhaoge with his soldiers, and in a few days he was back in Jizhou. His eldest son, Su Quanzhong, led the officers out beyond the city wall to meet him. Father and son went into the city together and dismounted at the commander’s headquarters. When the officers had come before the hall and paid their respects, Su Hu said, “The present Son of Heaven has lost the way of government. When the lords of the realm went to court, some treacherous minister or other told him in secret of my daughter’s beauty, and the benighted king called me into the hall and wanted to choose my daughter for a palace consort. I remonstrated with him then and there, to his face, and to my surprise the benighted king flew into a rage and had me seized to be tried for defying his command. Then Fei Zhong and You Hun spoke up for me, and I was pardoned and sent home, so that I would send him my daughter. I was so angry at the time that I wrote a poem and posted it on the Meridian Gate, and broke with the Shang. This time the benighted king is sure to send some of the lords to punish me. Officers, hear my orders: train the men and horses, and stock the city walls with plenty of logs to roll down and stones to hurl, in case of attack.” The officers obeyed. Day and night they kept guard, never relaxing for a moment, and waited for the fighting.
話說崇侯虎領五萬人馬，即日出兵，離了朝歌，望冀州進發。但見：
话说崇侯虎领五万人马，即日出兵，离了朝歌，望冀州进发。但见：
Now, Chong Houhu set out that same day with fifty thousand men and horses. He left Zhaoge and advanced on Jizhou. This is what one saw:
轟天炮響，振地鑼鳴。轟天炮響，汪洋大海起春雷；振地鑼鳴，萬仞山前丟霹靂。幡幢招展，三春楊柳交加；號帶飄揚，七夕彩雲蔽日。刀槍閃灼，三冬瑞雪重鋪；劍戟森嚴，九月秋霜蓋地。騰騰殺氣鎖天台，隱隱紅雲遮碧岸。十里汪洋波浪滾，一座兵山出土來。
轰天炮响，振地锣鸣。轰天炮响，汪洋大海起春雷；振地锣鸣，万仞山前丢霹雳。幡幢招展，三春杨柳交加；号带飘扬，七夕彩云蔽日。刀枪闪灼，三冬瑞雪重铺；剑戟森严，九月秋霜盖地。腾腾杀气锁天台，隐隐红云遮碧岸。十里汪洋波浪滚，一座兵山出土来。
Cannons boom to shake the sky,gongs clang to rock the earth.Cannons boom to shake the sky:spring thunder rises over the boundless sea;gongs clang to rock the earth:a thunderbolt crashes before a mountain ten thousand fathoms high.Banners and pennons flutter,like willows tangling in the spring;signal sashes stream,like bright clouds on the Seventh Night, hiding the sun.Sabres and spears flash and glitter,like winter’s lucky snow laid deep;swords and halberds bristle,like the frost of the ninth month covering the ground.The air of slaughter surges up and locks the terrace of heaven;red clouds loom and veil the green shore.For ten li a vast sea rolls its waves:a mountain of soldiers rising out of the earth.
大兵正行，所過州府縣道，非止一日。前哨馬來報：“人馬已至冀州，請千歲軍令定奪。”侯虎傳令安營。怎見得：
大兵正行，所过州府县道，非止一日。前哨马来报：“人马已至冀州，请千岁军令定夺。”侯虎传令安营。怎见得：
The great army marched on through province and prefecture, county and circuit, for many days. Then the scouts riding ahead came back to report: “The army has reached Jizhou. We await Your Highness’s orders.” Chong Houhu ordered camp to be pitched. And how was the camp laid out?
東擺蘆葉點鋼槍，南擺月樣宣花斧，西擺馬閘雁翎刀，北擺黃花硬柄弩，中央戊己按勾陳，殺氣離營四十五。轅門下按九宮星，大寨暗藏八卦譜。
东摆芦叶点钢枪，南摆月样宣花斧，西摆马闸雁翎刀，北摆黄花硬柄弩，中央戊己按勾陈，杀气离营四十五。辕门下按九宫星，大寨暗藏八卦谱。
To the east are ranged steel spears with blades like reed leaves;to the south, moon-shaped axes chased with flowers;to the west, goose-feather sabres by the horse barriers;to the north, stiff-stocked crossbows painted with yellow flowers.In the centre, at wu and ji, all is set after Gouchen,and the air of slaughter reaches forty-five li from the camp.The camp gate is laid out by the stars of the Nine Palaces,and the great stockade hides the pattern of the Eight Trigrams.
侯虎安下營寨，早有報馬報進冀州。蘇護問曰：“是那路諸侯為將？”探事回曰：“乃北伯侯崇侯虎。”蘇護大怒曰：“若是別鎮諸侯，還有他議；此人素行不道，斷不能以禮解釋。不若乘此大破其兵，以振軍威，且為萬姓除害。”傳令：“點兵出城廝戰！”眾將聽令，各整軍器出城，一聲炮響，殺氣振天。城門開處，將軍馬一字擺開。蘇護大叫曰：“傳將進去，請主將轅門答話！”探事馬飛報進營。侯虎傳令整點人馬。只見門旗開處，侯虎坐逍遙馬，統領眾將出營，展兩桿龍鳳繡旗。後有長子崇應彪壓住陣腳。蘇護見侯虎飛鳳盔，金鎖甲，大紅袍，玉束帶，紫驊騮，斬將大刀，擔於鞍鞽之上。蘇護一見，馬上欠身曰：“賢侯別來無恙。不才甲胄在身，不能全禮。今天子無道，輕賢重色，不思量留心邦本；聽讒佞之言，強納臣子之女為妃，荒淫酒色，不久天下變亂。不才自各守邊疆，賢侯何故興此無名之師？”崇侯聽言大怒曰：“你忤逆天子詔旨，題反詩於午門，是為賊臣，罪不容誅。今奉詔問罪，則當肘膝轅門，尚敢巧言支吾，持兵貫甲，以騁其強暴哉！”崇侯回顧左右：“誰與我擒此逆賊？”言未了，左哨下有一將，頭帶鳳翅盔；黃金甲，大紅袍，獅鸞帶，青驄馬；厲聲而言曰：“待末將擒此叛賊！”連人帶馬滾至軍前。這壁廂有蘇護之子蘇全忠，見那陣上一將當先，剌斜裡縱馬搖戟曰：“慢來！”全忠認得是偏將梅武。梅武曰：“蘇全忠，你父子反叛，得罪天子，尚不倒戈服罪，而強欲抗天兵，是自取滅族之禍矣。”全忠拍馬搖戟，劈胸來刺。梅武手中斧劈面相迎。但見：
侯虎安下营寨，早有报马报进冀州。苏护问曰：“是那路诸侯为将？”探事回曰：“乃北伯侯崇侯虎。”苏护大怒曰：“若是别镇诸侯，还有他议；此人素行不道，断不能以礼解释。不若乘此大破其兵，以振军威，且为万姓除害。”传令：“点兵出城厮战！”众将听令，各整军器出城，一声炮响，杀气振天。城门开处，将军马一字摆开。苏护大叫曰：“传将进去，请主将辕门答话！”探事马飞报进营。侯虎传令整点人马。只见门旗开处，侯虎坐逍遥马，统领众将出营，展两杆龙凤绣旗。后有长子崇应彪压住阵脚。苏护见侯虎飞凤盔，金锁甲，大红袍，玉束带，紫骅骝，斩将大刀，担于鞍鞒之上。苏护一见，马上欠身曰：“贤侯别来无恙。不才甲胄在身，不能全礼。今天子无道，轻贤重色，不思量留心邦本；听谗佞之言，强纳臣子之女为妃，荒淫酒色，不久天下变乱。不才自各守边疆，贤侯何故兴此无名之师？”崇侯听言大怒曰：“你忤逆天子诏旨，题反诗于午门，是为贼臣，罪不容诛。今奉诏问罪，则当肘膝辕门，尚敢巧言支吾，持兵贯甲，以骋其强暴哉！”崇侯回顾左右：“谁与我擒此逆贼？”言未了，左哨下有一将，头带凤翅盔；黄金甲，大红袍，狮鸾带，青骢马；厉声而言曰：“待末将擒此叛贼！”连人带马滚至军前。这壁厢有苏护之子苏全忠，见那阵上一将当先，剌斜里纵马摇戟曰：“慢来！”全忠认得是偏将梅武。梅武曰：“苏全忠，你父子反叛，得罪天子，尚不倒戈服罪，而强欲抗天兵，是自取灭族之祸矣。”全忠拍马摇戟，劈胸来刺。梅武手中斧劈面相迎。但见：
When Chong Houhu had pitched his camp, riders had already carried the news into Jizhou. Su Hu asked, “Which of the lords is in command?” The scout answered, “Chong Houhu, Lord of the North.” Su Hu was furious. “If it were any other lord, there might be some other way. But this man has always been lawless; there is no settling anything with him by courtesy. Better to seize the chance to smash his army, show what our troops can do and rid the people of a scourge besides.” He gave the order: “Muster the troops and march out to fight!” The officers obeyed. Each made ready his weapons and they marched out of the city. A cannon boomed, and the air of slaughter shook the sky. The city gates opened, and the troops and horses deployed in a single line. Su Hu shouted, “Go in and tell your commander to come to his camp gate and talk with me!” A scout galloped into the camp with the message. Chong Houhu ordered his men and horses mustered. The banners at the gate parted, and out of the camp rode Chong Houhu on his easy-paced horse at the head of his officers, with two embroidered banners of dragon and phoenix unfurled. Behind him his eldest son, Chong Yingbiao, held the rear of the line. Su Hu saw that Chong Houhu wore a flying-phoenix helmet, golden chain armour, a robe of deep red and a jade belt, and rode a purple-chestnut charger, with a great broadsword for cutting down generals resting across his saddlebow. At the sight of him Su Hu bowed slightly in the saddle and said, “Worthy lord, I trust you have been well since we parted. This unworthy one is in armour and cannot salute you as he should. The present Son of Heaven is without the Way. He makes light of worthy men and much of women and gives no thought to the foundations of the state. He listens to slanderers and flatterers and would force a subject’s daughter to be his consort; he sinks himself in wine and women, and before long the realm will be in upheaval. This unworthy one keeps to his own borders. Why, worthy lord, have you raised an army without just cause?” Chong Houhu flew into a rage at his words. “You defied the Son of Heaven’s decree and wrote a rebel poem on the Meridian Gate. That makes you a traitor, and death is too good for you. Now that I have come by royal decree to punish you, you ought to come crawling on your elbows and knees to my camp gate. Yet you dare to put me off with clever talk and take up arms and armour to flaunt your violence!” Chong Houhu looked round at those about him. “Who will take this rebel traitor for me?” Before the words were out, an officer from the left wing — phoenix-wing helmet on his head, golden armour, a robe of deep red, a belt worked with lions and phoenixes, a dappled grey horse — cried out harshly, “Let this humble officer take the rebel!” and came hurtling, man and horse, to the front of the line. On this side was Su Hu’s son Su Quanzhong. Seeing an officer ride out ahead of the enemy line, he spurred in at him from the side, brandishing his halberd, and cried, “Not so fast!” Quanzhong knew him: it was the lieutenant Mei Wu. Mei Wu said, “Su Quanzhong, you and your father have rebelled and offended the Son of Heaven. Instead of laying down your arms and owning your guilt, you would still stand against the royal army. You are bringing destruction on your whole clan.” Quanzhong spurred his horse and, brandishing his halberd, thrust straight at Mei Wu’s chest. Mei Wu met it head-on with the axe in his hands. This is what one saw:
二將陣前交戰，鑼鳴鼓響人驚。該因世上動刀兵，致使英雄相馳騁。這個那分上下，那個兩眼難睜。你拿我，凌煙閣上標名；我捉你，丹鳳樓前畫影。斧來戟架，繞身一點鳳搖頭；戟去斧迎，不離腮邊過頂額。
二将阵前交战，锣鸣鼓响人惊。该因世上动刀兵，致使英雄相驰骋。这个那分上下，那个两眼难睁。你拿我，凌烟阁上标名；我捉你，丹凤楼前画影。斧来戟架，绕身一点凤摇头；戟去斧迎，不离腮边过顶额。
Two generals clash before the lines;gongs clang, drums thunder, and men take fright.Because the world has taken up sword and spear,heroes ride out against each other.This one can no longer tell up from down;that one can scarcely keep his eyes open.If you take me,your name goes up in the Lingyan Pavilion;if I catch you,my portrait is painted before the Danfeng Tower.The axe comes, the halberd parries,circling the body, a flick like a phoenix tossing its head;the halberd goes, the axe meets it,never far from the cheek, then sweeping past the brow.
兩馬相交，二十回合，早被蘇全忠一戟剌梅武於馬下。蘇護見子得勝，傳令擂鼓。冀州陣上大將趙丙、陳季貞縱馬掄刀殺將來。一聲喊起，只殺的愁雲蕩蕩，旭日輝輝，屍橫遍野，血濺成渠。侯虎麾下金葵、黃元濟、崇應彪且戰且走，敗至十里之外。
两马相交，二十回合，早被苏全忠一戟剌梅武于马下。苏护见子得胜，传令擂鼓。冀州阵上大将赵丙、陈季贞纵马抡刀杀将来。一声喊起，只杀的愁云荡荡，旭日辉辉，尸横遍野，血溅成渠。侯虎麾下金葵、黄元济、崇应彪且战且走，败至十里之外。
The two horses met and they fought twenty bouts, and then Su Quanzhong ran Mei Wu through with his halberd and toppled him from the saddle. Seeing his son victorious, Su Hu ordered the drums beaten. The Jizhou generals Zhao Bing and Chen Jizhen spurred their horses and charged, whirling their sabres. A great shout went up, and they fought until gloomy clouds rolled and the morning sun blazed, corpses lay strewn across the fields and the spattered blood ran in channels. Jin Kui, Huang Yuanji and Chong Yingbiao, who served under Chong Houhu, fell back fighting and were driven ten li away.
蘇護傳令鳴金收兵，回城到帥府，升殿坐下，賞勞有功諸將：“今日雖大破一陣，彼必整兵復讎，不然定請兵益將，冀州必危，如之奈何？”言未畢，副將趙丙上前言曰：“君侯今日雖勝，而征戰似無已時。前者題反詩，今日殺軍斬將，拒敵王命，此皆不赦之罪。況天下諸侯，非止侯虎一人，倘朝廷盛怒之下，又點幾路兵來，冀州不過彈丸之地，誠所謂‘以石投水，立見傾危’。若依末將愚見，‘一不做，二不休’，侯虎新敗，不過十里遠近；乘其不備，人銜枚，馬摘轡，暗劫營寨，殺彼片甲不存，方知我等利害。然後再尋那一路賢良諸侯，依附於彼，庶可進退，亦可以保全宗社。不知君侯尊意何如？”護聞此言大悅，曰：“公言甚善，正合吾意。”即傳令：命子全忠領三千人馬出西門十里，五岡鎮埋伏。全忠領命而去。陳季貞統左營，趙丙統右營，護自統中營。時值黃昏之際，卷幡息鼓，人皆銜枚，馬皆摘轡，聽炮為號，諸將聽令。不表。
苏护传令鸣金收兵，回城到帅府，升殿坐下，赏劳有功诸将：“今日虽大破一阵，彼必整兵复雠，不然定请兵益将，冀州必危，如之奈何？”言未毕，副将赵丙上前言曰：“君侯今日虽胜，而征战似无已时。前者题反诗，今日杀军斩将，拒敌王命，此皆不赦之罪。况天下诸侯，非止侯虎一人，倘朝廷盛怒之下，又点几路兵来，冀州不过弹丸之地，诚所谓‘以石投水，立见倾危’。若依末将愚见，‘一不做，二不休’，侯虎新败，不过十里远近；乘其不备，人衔枚，马摘辔，暗劫营寨，杀彼片甲不存，方知我等利害。然后再寻那一路贤良诸侯，依附于彼，庶可进退，亦可以保全宗社。不知君侯尊意何如？”护闻此言大悦，曰：“公言甚善，正合吾意。”即传令：命子全忠领三千人马出西门十里，五冈镇埋伏。全忠领命而去。陈季贞统左营，赵丙统右营，护自统中营。时值黄昏之际，卷幡息鼓，人皆衔枚，马皆摘辔，听炮为号，诸将听令。不表。
Su Hu had the gongs sounded to call back his troops. He returned to the city, went to his headquarters, took his seat in the hall and rewarded the officers who had distinguished themselves. “Though we have won a great battle today,” he said, “they are sure to regroup and come for revenge, or else to ask for more troops and generals, and then Jizhou will be in danger. What are we to do?” Before he had finished, his deputy general Zhao Bing stepped forward and said, “My lord has won today, but it seems the fighting will never end. First you wrote the rebel poem; today you have killed the king’s soldiers, cut down his officers and resisted the royal command. None of these crimes can be pardoned. Besides, Chong Houhu is not the only lord in the realm. If the court in its fury sends the forces of several more lords against us, Jizhou is no bigger than a pellet: truly, as they say, ‘a stone thrown into water — you see it go under at once.’ If you will hear this humble officer’s poor opinion: ‘Either don’t start, or don’t stop.’ Chong Houhu has just been beaten and is no more than ten li away. Let us catch him off guard — the men with gags in their mouths, the horses with their bridles off — fall on his camp in the dark and cut them down until not a scrap of armour is left. Then they will learn what we can do. After that we can look for one of the lords who is a good and worthy man and put ourselves under him. Then we will have room to advance or withdraw and can keep the altars of our state safe as well. What does my lord think?” Su Hu was delighted. “That is excellent advice, just what I had in mind.” At once he gave his orders. His son Quanzhong was to take three thousand men out through the west gate and lie in ambush at the town of Wugang, ten li away. Quanzhong took his orders and went. Chen Jizhen was to command the left wing and Zhao Bing the right, and Su Hu himself would lead the centre. It was dusk. They furled their banners and silenced their drums; every man held a gag in his mouth and every horse had its bridle off. The signal was to be a cannon shot, and the officers took their orders. But no more of that.
且言崇侯虎恃才妄作，提兵遠伐，孰知今日損軍折將，心甚羞慚。只得將敗殘軍兵收聚，扎下行營，納悶中軍，鬱鬱不樂，對眾將曰：“吾自行軍，征伐多年，未嘗有敗；今日折了梅武，損了三軍，如之奈何？”旁有大將黃元濟諫曰：“君侯豈不知‘勝敗乃兵家常事’，想西伯侯大兵不久即至，破冀州如反掌耳。君侯且省愁煩，宜當保重。”侯虎軍中置酒，眾將歡飲。不題。有詩為證，詩曰：
且言崇侯虎恃才妄作，提兵远伐，孰知今日损军折将，心甚羞惭。只得将败残军兵收聚，扎下行营，纳闷中军，郁郁不乐，对众将曰：“吾自行军，征伐多年，未尝有败；今日折了梅武，损了三军，如之奈何？”旁有大将黄元济谏曰：“君侯岂不知‘胜败乃兵家常事’，想西伯侯大兵不久即至，破冀州如反掌耳。君侯且省愁烦，宜当保重。”侯虎军中置酒，众将欢饮。不题。有诗为证，诗曰：
Our story turns to Chong Houhu. Trusting in his own prowess, he had acted rashly and led his army far afield, never dreaming that today he would lose men and officers, and he was deeply ashamed. There was nothing for it but to gather the remnants of his beaten army and pitch a field camp. He sat brooding in his command tent, sunk in gloom, and said to his officers, “In all my years of marching and making war, I have never been defeated. Now today I have lost Mei Wu and my army has suffered. What is to be done?” The general Huang Yuanji, at his side, counselled him: “My lord, surely you know the saying, ‘Victory and defeat are all in a soldier’s day.’ The Lord of the West’s great army will be here before long, I’m sure, and then taking Jizhou will be as easy as turning over your hand. Spare yourself these worries, my lord, and take good care of yourself.” Chong Houhu had wine set out in the camp, and the officers drank merrily. But no more of that. There is a poem to prove it. It says:
侯虎提兵事遠征，冀州城外駐行旌；三千鐵騎摧殘後，始信當年浪得名。
侯虎提兵事远征，冀州城外驻行旌；三千铁骑摧残后，始信当年浪得名。
Chong Houhu led his troops on a far campaignand halted his marching banners outside Jizhou.When three thousand armoured horsemen had crushed him,men believed at last his old renown was empty.
且言蘇護把人馬暗暗調出城來，只待劫營。時至初更，已行十里。探馬報與蘇護，護即傳令，將號炮點起。一聲響亮，如天崩地塌，三千鐵騎，一齊發喊，衝殺進營。如何抵當，好生利害，怎見得：
且言苏护把人马暗暗调出城来，只待劫营。时至初更，已行十里。探马报与苏护，护即传令，将号炮点起。一声响亮，如天崩地塌，三千铁骑，一齐发喊，冲杀进营。如何抵当，好生利害，怎见得：
Our story turns to Su Hu. He had quietly moved his troops out of the city and was waiting only for the moment to raid the camp. By the first watch of the night they had gone ten li. Scouts reported to Su Hu, and he at once gave the order to fire the signal gun. There was a deafening roar, as if the sky were falling and the earth caving in, and three thousand armoured horsemen raised a shout as one and charged into the camp, cutting down all before them. How could anyone hold them off? It was fearsome indeed. And how fearsome was it?
黃昏兵到，黑夜軍臨。黃昏兵到，衝開隊伍怎支持？黑夜軍臨，撞倒寨門焉可立？人聞戰鼓之聲，惟知愴惶奔走；馬聽轟天之炮，難分南北東西。刀槍亂刺，那明上下交鋒；將士相迎，豈知自家別個。濃睡軍東衝西走；未醒將怎著頭盔。先行官不及鞍馬，中軍帥赤足無鞋。圍子手東三西四；拐子馬南北奔逃。劫營將驍如猛虎；衝寨軍一似蛟龍。着刀的連肩拽背；着槍的兩臂流紅；逢劍的砍開甲胄；遇斧的劈破天靈。人撞人，自相踐踏；馬撞馬，遍地屍橫。着傷軍哀哀叫苦；中箭將咽咽悲聲。棄金鼓幡幢滿地；燒糧草四野通紅。只知道奉命征討，誰承望片甲無存。愁雲直上九重天，一派敗兵隨地擁。只見三路雄兵，人人敢勇，個個爭先，一片喊殺之聲，衝開七層圍子，撞倒八面虎狼。
黄昏兵到，黑夜军临。黄昏兵到，冲开队伍怎支持？黑夜军临，撞倒寨门焉可立？人闻战鼓之声，惟知怆惶奔走；马听轰天之炮，难分南北东西。刀枪乱刺，那明上下交锋；将士相迎，岂知自家别个。浓睡军东冲西走；未醒将怎着头盔。先行官不及鞍马，中军帅赤足无鞋。围子手东三西四；拐子马南北奔逃。劫营将骁如猛虎；冲寨军一似蛟龙。着刀的连肩拽背；着枪的两臂流红；逢剑的砍开甲胄；遇斧的劈破天灵。人撞人，自相践踏；马撞马，遍地尸横。着伤军哀哀叫苦；中箭将咽咽悲声。弃金鼓幡幢满地；烧粮草四野通红。只知道奉命征讨，谁承望片甲无存。愁云直上九重天，一派败兵随地拥。只见三路雄兵，人人敢勇，个个争先，一片喊杀之声，冲开七层围子，撞倒八面虎狼。
At dusk the troops arrive, in the black of night the army falls.At dusk the troops arrive: they break the ranks — how can they hold?In the black of night the army falls: they batter down the stockade gate — how can it stand?Men hear the war drums and know only to run in panic;horses hear the sky-shaking cannon and cannot tell north from south, east from west.Sabres and spears stab wildly: who can tell high from low in the clash?Officers and men run into each other: how can they tell their own side from the enemy?Soldiers deep in sleep dash east and run west;officers not yet awake — how can they put on their helmets?The vanguard officer has no time to saddle his horse; the commander of the centre runs barefoot, without shoes.The ring of guards is scattered, three to the east, four to the west;the flanking cavalry flee north and south.The raiding officers are fierce as tigers;the troops storming the stockade are like flood dragons.Those hit by a sabre are cleft from shoulder to back;those struck by a spear bleed red down both arms;those met by a sword have helmet and armour hacked apart;those met by an axe have the crowns of their heads split open.Man collides with man, and they trample one another;horse collides with horse, and corpses lie everywhere.Wounded soldiers moan and cry in pain;officers struck by arrows sob and choke.Gongs and drums, flags and banners lie abandoned everywhere;the grain and fodder burn, and the fields all around glow red.They knew only that they had orders to march and punish; who expected that not a scrap of armour would be left?Clouds of sorrow rise straight to the ninth heaven; the routed troops crowd together wherever they are.See the bold troops of the three columns, every man daring, each one vying to be first, one great roar of “Kill!”, breaking through seven rings of guards and overthrowing tigers and wolves on all eight sides.
單言蘇護，一騎馬，一條槍，直殺入陣來，捉拿崇侯虎。左右營門，喊聲振地。崇侯虎正在夢中聞見殺聲，披袍而起，上馬提刀，衝出帳來。只見燈光影裡，看蘇護金盔金甲，大紅袍，玉束帶，青驄馬，火龍槍，大叫曰：“侯虎休走！速下馬受縛！”拈手中槍劈心刺來。崇侯虎落慌，將手中刀對面來迎，兩馬交鋒。正戰時，只見這崇侯虎長子應彪帶領金葵、黃元濟殺將來助戰。崇營左糧道門趙丙殺來，右糧道門陳季貞殺來。兩家混戰，夤夜交兵。怎見得：
单言苏护，一骑马，一条枪，直杀入阵来，捉拿崇侯虎。左右营门，喊声振地。崇侯虎正在梦中闻见杀声，披袍而起，上马提刀，冲出帐来。只见灯光影里，看苏护金盔金甲，大红袍，玉束带，青骢马，火龙枪，大叫曰：“侯虎休走！速下马受缚！”拈手中枪劈心刺来。崇侯虎落慌，将手中刀对面来迎，两马交锋。正战时，只见这崇侯虎长子应彪带领金葵、黄元济杀将来助战。崇营左粮道门赵丙杀来，右粮道门陈季贞杀来。两家混战，夤夜交兵。怎见得：
Our story turns to Su Hu himself. One man, one horse, one spear, he fought his way straight into the enemy camp to capture Chong Houhu. At the camp gates to left and right, the shouting shook the earth. Chong Houhu was still dreaming when he heard the sounds of slaughter. He threw on his robe and rose, mounted, seized his broadsword and burst out of his tent. There in the lamplight he saw Su Hu: golden helmet, golden armour, a robe of deep red, a jade belt, a dappled grey horse and a fire-dragon spear. “Don’t run, Chong Houhu!” Su Hu roared. “Get down off your horse and be bound!” And he thrust his spear straight at Chong Houhu’s heart. In a panic Chong Houhu met it head-on with the broadsword in his hand, and the two horses closed. As they fought, Chong Houhu’s eldest son, Yingbiao, came charging up with Jin Kui and Huang Yuanji to join the fight. Then Zhao Bing came fighting in through the supply gate on the left of Chong’s camp, and Chen Jizhen through the supply gate on the right. The two sides fought in a wild melee in the dead of night. And how did the battle look?
征雲籠地戶，殺氣鎖天關。天昏地暗排兵，月下星前布陣。四下裡齊舉火把，八方處亂掌燈球。那營裡數員戰將廝殺；這營中千匹戰馬如龍。燈影戰馬，火映征夫。燈影戰馬，千條烈焰照貔貅；火映征夫，萬道紅霞籠獬豸。開弓射箭，星前月下吐寒光；轉背掄刀，燈裡火中生燦爛。鳴金小校，懨懨二目竟難睜；擂鼓兒郎，漸漸雙手不能舉。刀來槍架，馬蹄下人頭亂滾；劍去戟迎，頭盔上血水淋灕。錘鞭並舉，燈前小校盡傾生；斧鐧傷人，目下兒郎都喪命。喊天振地自相殘，哭泣蒼天連叫苦。只殺得滿營炮響衝霄漢，星月無光斗府迷。
征云笼地户，杀气锁天关。天昏地暗排兵，月下星前布阵。四下里齐举火把，八方处乱掌灯球。那营里数员战将厮杀；这营中千匹战马如龙。灯影战马，火映征夫。灯影战马，千条烈焰照貔貅；火映征夫，万道红霞笼獬豸。开弓射箭，星前月下吐寒光；转背抡刀，灯里火中生灿烂。鸣金小校，恹恹二目竟难睁；擂鼓儿郎，渐渐双手不能举。刀来枪架，马蹄下人头乱滚；剑去戟迎，头盔上血水淋漓。锤鞭并举，灯前小校尽倾生；斧锏伤人，目下儿郎都丧命。喊天振地自相残，哭泣苍天连叫苦。只杀得满营炮响冲霄汉，星月无光斗府迷。
Clouds of war shroud the gates of earth;the air of slaughter locks the passes of heaven.In darkness of sky and earth the troops are ranged;under the moon, before the stars, the lines are drawn.On every side torches are raised together;in all eight quarters lanterns are held up in confusion.In that camp a few officers fight it out;in this camp a thousand warhorses surge like dragons.Lamplight shadows the warhorses,firelight shines on the fighting men.Lamplight shadows the warhorses:a thousand fierce flames light up the pixiu;firelight shines on the fighting men:ten thousand red rays wrap the xiezhi.They draw their bows and loose their arrows,and under moon and stars a cold light flashes;they wheel and swing their sabres,and amid lamps and fire there is a dazzling blaze.The petty officers sounding the gongsare so weary they can scarcely open their eyes;the lads beating the drumslittle by little can no longer lift their arms.Sabre comes, spear parries,and heads roll every which way beneath the hooves;sword goes, halberd meets it,and blood drips and streams from the helmets.Hammers and iron whips rise together,and before the lamps the petty officers all lose their lives;axes and maces wound men,and before one’s eyes the lads all perish.Shouting to the sky, shaking the earth, they slaughter one another;weeping to blue Heaven, they cry out in pain.They fight until cannon roar through the camp, up to the Milky Way,and stars and moon lose their light and the Dipper’s mansion is lost in the murk.
話說兩家大戰，蘇護有心劫營，崇侯虎不曾防備，冀州人馬以一當十。金葵正戰，早被趙丙一刀砍於馬下。侯虎見勢不能支，且戰且走。有長子應彪保父，殺一條路逃走，好似喪家之犬，漏網之魚。冀州人馬，凶如猛虎，惡似豺狼，只殺的屍橫遍野，血滿溝渠。急忙奔走，夜半更深，不認路途而行，只要保全性命。蘇護趕殺侯虎敗殘人馬約二十餘里，傳令鳴金收軍。蘇護得全勝回冀州。
话说两家大战，苏护有心劫营，崇侯虎不曾防备，冀州人马以一当十。金葵正战，早被赵丙一刀砍于马下。侯虎见势不能支，且战且走。有长子应彪保父，杀一条路逃走，好似丧家之犬，漏网之鱼。冀州人马，凶如猛虎，恶似豺狼，只杀的尸横遍野，血满沟渠。急忙奔走，夜半更深，不认路途而行，只要保全性命。苏护赶杀侯虎败残人马约二十余里，传令鸣金收军。苏护得全胜回冀州。
Now, in this great battle between the two sides, Su Hu had planned his raid and Chong Houhu had made no preparations, so every man of Jizhou was a match for ten. Jin Kui was in the thick of the fighting when Zhao Bing cut him from his saddle with one stroke of his sabre. Chong Houhu, seeing he could not hold, fell back fighting. His eldest son, Yingbiao, guarding his father, hacked open a path, and they fled like dogs that have lost their home, like fish slipped through the net. The men of Jizhou were fierce as tigers and savage as jackals and wolves, and they fought until corpses lay strewn across the fields and the ditches ran full of blood. The fugitives ran headlong in the dead of night, not knowing what road they were on, thinking only of saving their lives. Su Hu chased Chong Houhu’s broken army for some twenty li, cutting them down, then had the gongs sounded to call back his troops. Su Hu returned to Jizhou in complete victory.
單言崇侯虎父子，領敗兵迤邐望前正走，只見黃元濟、孫子羽催後軍趕來，打馬而行。侯虎在馬上叫眾將言曰：“吾自提兵以來，未嘗大敗；今被逆賊暗劫吾營，黑夜交兵，未曾準備，以致損折軍將。此恨如何不報！吾想西伯侯姬昌自在安然，違避旨意，按兵不動，坐觀成敗，真是可恨！”長子應彪答曰：“軍兵新敗，銳氣已失，不如按兵不動，遣一軍催西伯侯起兵前來接應，再作區處。”侯虎曰：“我兒所見甚明。到天明收住人馬，再作別議。”言未畢，一聲炮響，喊殺連天，只聽得叫：“崇侯虎快快下馬受死！”侯虎父子、眾將，急向前看時，見一員小將，束髮金冠，金抹額，雙搖兩根雉尾，大紅袍，金鎖甲，銀合馬，畫桿戟，面如滿月，唇若塗朱，厲聲大罵：“崇侯虎，吾奉父親之命，在此候爾多時。可速倒戈受死！還不下馬，更待何時！”侯虎大罵曰：“好賊子！你父子謀反，忤逆朝廷，殺了朝廷命官，傷了天子軍馬，罪業如山。寸磔汝屍，倘不足以贖其辜。偶爾夤夜中賊奸計，輒敢在此耀武揚威，大言不慚。不日天兵一到，汝父子死無葬身之地。誰與我拿此反賊？”黃元濟縱馬舞刀，直取蘇全忠。全忠用手中戟，對面相還，兩馬相交，一場大戰：
单言崇侯虎父子，领败兵迤逦望前正走，只见黄元济、孙子羽催后军赶来，打马而行。侯虎在马上叫众将言曰：“吾自提兵以来，未尝大败；今被逆贼暗劫吾营，黑夜交兵，未曾准备，以致损折军将。此恨如何不报！吾想西伯侯姬昌自在安然，违避旨意，按兵不动，坐观成败，真是可恨！”长子应彪答曰：“军兵新败，锐气已失，不如按兵不动，遣一军催西伯侯起兵前来接应，再作区处。”侯虎曰：“我儿所见甚明。到天明收住人马，再作别议。”言未毕，一声炮响，喊杀连天，只听得叫：“崇侯虎快快下马受死！”侯虎父子、众将，急向前看时，见一员小将，束发金冠，金抹额，双摇两根雉尾，大红袍，金锁甲，银合马，画杆戟，面如满月，唇若涂朱，厉声大骂：“崇侯虎，吾奉父亲之命，在此候尔多时。可速倒戈受死！还不下马，更待何时！”侯虎大骂曰：“好贼子！你父子谋反，忤逆朝廷，杀了朝廷命官，伤了天子军马，罪业如山。寸磔汝尸，倘不足以赎其辜。偶尔夤夜中贼奸计，辄敢在此耀武扬威，大言不惭。不日天兵一到，汝父子死无葬身之地。谁与我拿此反贼？”黄元济纵马舞刀，直取苏全忠。全忠用手中戟，对面相还，两马相交，一场大战：
Our story turns to Chong Houhu and his son. They were straggling on with their beaten troops when Huang Yuanji and Sun Ziyu came hurrying up with the rearguard, whipping their horses on. Chong Houhu called to his officers from the saddle, “Since I first led troops, I have never suffered a great defeat. Now this rebel traitor has raided my camp by stealth and fought me in the black of night when I was not prepared, and so I have lost men and officers. How can I not avenge this? And then I think of Ji Chang, Lord of the West, sitting safe and sound, evading the royal command, keeping his troops idle and waiting to see who wins. It is truly hateful!” His eldest son, Yingbiao, replied, “Our troops have just been beaten and have lost their edge. Better to hold them where they are and send a detachment to hurry the Lord of the West into marching here to support us. Then we can decide what to do.” Chong Houhu said, “You see it clearly, my son. When it is light we will rally the men and horses and think again.” Before he had finished, a cannon boomed and cries of “Kill!” rose to the sky, and they heard someone shout, “Chong Houhu, get down off your horse and meet your death!” Chong Houhu, his son and his officers looked hastily ahead and saw a young officer: a gold cap binding up his hair, a gold band across his brow, two pheasant plumes swaying above, a robe of deep red, golden chain armour, a silver-grey horse and a halberd with a painted shaft. His face was like the full moon and his lips as red as if painted with vermilion. He cursed them in a harsh voice: “Chong Houhu, on my father’s orders I have been waiting here for you a long time. Throw down your arms and die! If you don’t get off your horse now, what are you waiting for?” Chong Houhu cursed back: “You young villain! You and your father have plotted rebellion and defied the court; you have killed officers of the court and cut down the Son of Heaven’s troops. Your crimes are piled mountain-high. Even if your corpse were hacked to pieces inch by inch, it would not atone for them. I happened to fall for your villainous trick in the dead of night, and now you dare to stand here flaunting your prowess and boasting without shame! Any day now the royal army will arrive, and you and your father will die with no place to be buried. Who will seize this rebel for me?” Huang Yuanji spurred his horse and, whirling his sabre, went straight for Su Quanzhong. Quanzhong met him with the halberd in his hand. The two horses closed, and a great battle followed:
刮地寒風聲似颯，滾滾征塵飛紫雪，駜駜撥撥馬蹄鳴，叮叮噹當袍甲結。齊心刀砍錦征袍，舉意槍刺連環甲。只殺的搖旗小校手連顛，擂鼓兒郎槌亂匝。
刮地寒风声似飒，滚滚征尘飞紫雪，駜駜拨拨马蹄鸣，叮叮当当袍甲结。齐心刀砍锦征袍，举意枪刺连环甲。只杀的摇旗小校手连颠，擂鼓儿郎槌乱匝。
A cold wind scours the ground with a soughing roar; the dust of battle billows up like flying purple snow. Clip-clop, clatter-clatter go the hooves; clink and clank go robe and armour as they lock.Heart and soul, the sabre hacks at the brocade war robe;with full intent, the spear stabs at the linked-ring armour.They fight until the petty officers waving flags have trembling handsand the lads beating drums flail their sticks in a jumble.
二將酣戰，正不分勝負。孫子羽縱馬舞叉，雙戰全忠。全忠大喝一聲，刺子羽於馬下。全忠復奮勇來戰侯虎。侯虎父子雙迎上來，戰住全忠。全忠抖擻神威，好似弄風猛虎，攪海蛟龍，戰住三將。正戰間，全忠賣個破綻，一戟把崇侯虎護腿金甲挑下了半邊。侯虎大驚，將馬一夾，跳出圍來，往外便走。崇應彪見父親敗走，意急心忙，慌了手腳，不提防被全忠當心一戟刺來。應彪急閃時，早中左臂，血淋袍甲，幾乎落馬。眾將急上前架住，救得性命，望前逃走。全忠欲要追趕，又恐黑夜之間不當穩便，只得收了人馬進城。此時天色漸明，兩邊來報蘇護。護令長子到前殿問曰：“可曾拿了那賊？”全忠答曰：“奉父親將令，在五崗鎮埋伏，至半夜敗兵方至，孩兒奮勇刺死孫子羽；挑崇侯虎護腿甲；傷崇應彪左臂，幾乎落馬，被眾將救逃。奈黑夜不敢造次追趕，故此回兵。”蘇護曰：“跑了這老賊！我兒且自安息。”不題。不知崇侯虎往何路借兵，且聽下回分解。
二将酣战，正不分胜负。孙子羽纵马舞叉，双战全忠。全忠大喝一声，刺子羽于马下。全忠复奋勇来战侯虎。侯虎父子双迎上来，战住全忠。全忠抖擞神威，好似弄风猛虎，搅海蛟龙，战住三将。正战间，全忠卖个破绽，一戟把崇侯虎护腿金甲挑下了半边。侯虎大惊，将马一夹，跳出围来，往外便走。崇应彪见父亲败走，意急心忙，慌了手脚，不提防被全忠当心一戟刺来。应彪急闪时，早中左臂，血淋袍甲，几乎落马。众将急上前架住，救得性命，望前逃走。全忠欲要追赶，又恐黑夜之间不当稳便，只得收了人马进城。此时天色渐明，两边来报苏护。护令长子到前殿问曰：“可曾拿了那贼？”全忠答曰：“奉父亲将令，在五岗镇埋伏，至半夜败兵方至，孩儿奋勇刺死孙子羽；挑崇侯虎护腿甲；伤崇应彪左臂，几乎落马，被众将救逃。奈黑夜不敢造次追赶，故此回兵。”苏护曰：“跑了这老贼！我儿且自安息。”不题。不知崇侯虎往何路借兵，且听下回分解。
The two fought on, hot and hard, and neither could get the better of the other. Then Sun Ziyu spurred his horse and, brandishing his fork, joined in against Quanzhong, two against one. With a great shout Quanzhong ran Ziyu through and toppled him from his horse. Then he turned with fresh fury on Chong Houhu. Chong Houhu and his son both came at him together and held him in combat. Quanzhong roused all his might, like a fierce tiger at play in the wind, like a flood dragon churning the sea, and held off all three of them. In the middle of the fight Quanzhong feigned an opening, and with one flick of his halberd he tore away half of the golden armour guarding Chong Houhu’s leg. Chong Houhu, badly shaken, clapped his legs to his horse, leapt clear of the fight and fled. When Chong Yingbiao saw his father running, he was so anxious and flustered that he lost his head, and he was caught off guard by a halberd thrust that Quanzhong aimed at his heart. Yingbiao dodged in haste, but it caught him in the left arm; blood streamed down his robe and armour, and he all but fell from his horse. The officers rushed forward to fend off the attack and saved his life, and they fled on ahead. Quanzhong wanted to give chase, but he feared it would be unwise in the dark of night, so he had no choice but to gather his men and go back into the city. By now day was slowly breaking, and from both sides men came to report to Su Hu. Su Hu had his eldest son come to the front hall and asked him, “Did you capture that villain?” Quanzhong answered, “On your orders, Father, I lay in ambush at Wugang. The beaten troops did not come until midnight. Your son fought hard and killed Sun Ziyu, tore off the armour guarding Chong Houhu’s leg and wounded Chong Yingbiao in the left arm so that he nearly fell from his horse, but his officers rescued him and they got away. As it was dark, I did not dare to chase them rashly, and so I brought the troops back.” Su Hu said, “So the old villain got away! Go and rest now, my son.” But no more of that. Where would Chong Houhu go to borrow troops? To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.