詩曰：
天下荒荒起戰場，致生讒佞亂家邦。忠言不聽商容諫，逆語惟知費仲良。
诗曰：
天下荒荒起战场，致生谗佞乱家邦。忠言不听商容谏，逆语惟知费仲良。
A poem says:
All under heaven was in turmoil, and battlefields arose;slanderers and flatterers were bred to throw the state into chaos.He would not heed the loyal words of Shang Rong’s remonstrance;he knew only perverse speech, and thought Fei Zhong a good man.
色納狐狸友琴瑟，政由豺虎逐鸞凰。甘心亡國為污下，贏得人間一捏香。
色纳狐狸友琴瑟，政由豺虎逐鸾凰。甘心亡国为污下，赢得人间一捏香。
In his lust he took in a fox and wooed her with zither and lute;he left the government to jackals and tigers, who drove off the phoenixes.Content to lose his realm, he sank to the lowest depths,and all he won in the world of men was a pinch of fragrance.
話說宜生接了回書，竟往西岐。不題。
话说宜生接了回书，竟往西岐。不题。
Now, Yisheng took the reply and went straight back to Xiqi. But no more of that.
且說崇黑虎上前言曰：「仁兄大事已定，可作速收拾行裝，將令愛送進朝歌，遲恐有變。小弟回去，放令郎進城。我與家兄收兵回國，具表先達朝廷，以便仁兄朝商謝罪。不得又有他議，致生禍端。」蘇護曰：「蒙賢弟之愛，與西伯之德，吾何愛此一女而自取滅亡哉。即時打點無疑，賢弟放心。只是我蘇護止此一子，被令兄囚禁行營，賢弟可速放進城，以慰老妻懸望。舉室感德不淺！」黑虎道：「仁兄寬心，小弟出去，即時就放他來，不必罣念。」二人彼此相謝。出城，行至崇侯虎行營。兩邊來報：「啟老爺：二老爺已至轅門。」侯虎急傳令：「請！」黑虎進營，上帳坐下。侯虎曰：「西伯侯姬昌好生可惡！今按兵不舉，坐觀成敗。昨遣散宜生來下書，說蘇護進女朝商，至今未見回報。賢弟被擒之後，吾日日差人打聽，心甚不安。今得賢弟回來，不勝萬千之喜！不知蘇護果肯朝王謝罪？賢弟自彼處來，定知蘇護端的，幸道其詳。」黑虎厲聲大叫曰：「長兄，想我兄弟二人，自始祖一脈，相傳六世，俺兄弟係同胞一本，古語有言：『一樹之果，有酸有甜；一母之子，有愚有賢。』長兄，你聽我說：蘇護反商，你先領兵征伐，故此損折軍兵。你在朝廷也是一鎮大諸侯，你不與朝廷幹些好事，專誘天子近於佞臣，故此天下人人怨惡你。五萬之師總不如一紙之書，蘇護已許進女朝王謝罪。你折兵損將，愧也不愧？辱我崇門。長兄，從今與你一別，我黑虎再不會你！兩邊的，把蘇公子放了！」兩邊不敢違令，放了全忠，上帳謝黑虎曰：「叔父天恩，赦小侄再生，頂戴不盡。」崇黑虎曰：「賢侄可與令尊說，叫他速收拾朝王，毋得遲滯。我與他上表，轉達天子，以便你父子進朝謝罪。」全忠拜謝出營，上馬回冀州。不題。
且说崇黑虎上前言曰：「仁兄大事已定，可作速收拾行装，将令爱送进朝歌，迟恐有变。小弟回去，放令郎进城。我与家兄收兵回国，具表先达朝廷，以便仁兄朝商谢罪。不得又有他议，致生祸端。」苏护曰：「蒙贤弟之爱，与西伯之德，吾何爱此一女而自取灭亡哉。即时打点无疑，贤弟放心。只是我苏护止此一子，被令兄囚禁行营，贤弟可速放进城，以慰老妻悬望。举室感德不浅！」黑虎道：「仁兄宽心，小弟出去，即时就放他来，不必罣念。」二人彼此相谢。出城，行至崇侯虎行营。两边来报：「启老爷：二老爷已至辕门。」侯虎急传令：「请！」黑虎进营，上帐坐下。侯虎曰：「西伯侯姬昌好生可恶！今按兵不举，坐观成败。昨遣散宜生来下书，说苏护进女朝商，至今未见回报。贤弟被擒之后，吾日日差人打听，心甚不安。今得贤弟回来，不胜万千之喜！不知苏护果肯朝王谢罪？贤弟自彼处来，定知苏护端的，幸道其详。」黑虎厉声大叫曰：「长兄，想我兄弟二人，自始祖一脉，相传六世，俺兄弟系同胞一本，古语有言：『一树之果，有酸有甜；一母之子，有愚有贤。』长兄，你听我说：苏护反商，你先领兵征伐，故此损折军兵。你在朝廷也是一镇大诸侯，你不与朝廷干些好事，专诱天子近于佞臣，故此天下人人怨恶你。五万之师总不如一纸之书，苏护已许进女朝王谢罪。你折兵损将，愧也不愧？辱我崇门。长兄，从今与你一别，我黑虎再不会你！两边的，把苏公子放了！」两边不敢违令，放了全忠，上帐谢黑虎曰：「叔父天恩，赦小侄再生，顶戴不尽。」崇黑虎曰：「贤侄可与令尊说，叫他速收拾朝王，毋得迟滞。我与他上表，转达天子，以便你父子进朝谢罪。」全忠拜谢出营，上马回冀州。不题。
Meanwhile, Chong Heihu stepped forward and said, “My good brother, now that the great matter is settled, you should get your baggage ready quickly and send your daughter to Zhaoge. If you delay, I fear something may go wrong. Your younger brother will go back and let your son into the city. My elder brother and I will withdraw our troops and go home, and send a memorial to the court ahead of you, so that you can go to the Shang court and beg pardon. Don’t let any new objections arise and bring on disaster.” Su Hu said, “With your kindness, worthy brother, and the goodness of the Lord of the West, why should I cling to this one daughter and bring destruction on myself? I will make ready at once, have no doubt of it; set your mind at rest, worthy brother. Only, I, Su Hu, have but this one son, and your elder brother is holding him prisoner in his camp. Let him come into the city quickly, worthy brother, to comfort my old wife, who waits for him in suspense. My whole household will be deeply grateful!” Heihu said, “Set your heart at ease, my good brother. As soon as your younger brother gets out there, I will release him. Don’t give it another thought.” The two of them thanked each other. Heihu left the city and went to Chong Houhu’s camp. The attendants on either side reported: “My lord, the Second Master has reached the camp gate.” Chong Houhu at once gave the order: “Ask him in!” Heihu came into the camp, went up into the tent and sat down. Chong Houhu said, “Ji Chang, Lord of the West, is utterly hateful! He keeps his troops idle and sits back to see who wins and who loses. Yesterday he sent San Yisheng with a letter saying that Su Hu would present his daughter at the Shang court, and so far no word has come back. Since you were taken, worthy brother, I have sent men out every day for news, and I have been very uneasy. Now that you are back, worthy brother, I am overjoyed beyond words! But is Su Hu really willing to go to court and beg the king’s pardon? You have come from there, worthy brother, so you must know the truth about Su Hu. Please tell me everything.” Heihu shouted in a harsh voice, “Elder brother, think: we two brothers come of a single line from our first ancestor, handed down through six generations, and we are brothers of one womb, from one root. An old saying has it: ‘Of the fruit on one tree, some is sour and some is sweet; of the sons of one mother, some are foolish and some are wise.’ Elder brother, listen to me. When Su Hu broke with the Shang, you were the first to lead troops against him, and so you lost men. You are one of the great lords of the realm at court, yet you do the court no good at all; all you do is lead the Son of Heaven to keep close to flatterers, and that is why everyone in the realm resents and hates you. Your army of fifty thousand turned out to be worth less than a single letter: Su Hu has already agreed to present his daughter to the king and beg his pardon. You lost men and officers — are you ashamed or not? You have disgraced the house of Chong. Elder brother, from this day we part. I, Heihu, will never see you again! You there! Release the young lord Su!” The attendants dared not disobey. They released Quanzhong, who came up into the tent and thanked Heihu: “Uncle, your kindness is as great as Heaven’s. You have spared your nephew and given me a new life; I shall never be able to thank you enough.” Chong Heihu said, “My good nephew, tell your father to make ready quickly to go to court, and not to delay. I will send up a memorial for him and have it passed on to the Son of Heaven, so that you and your father can go to court and beg pardon.” Quanzhong bowed his thanks, left the camp, mounted his horse and rode back to Jizhou. But no more of that.
崇黑虎怒發如雷，領了三千人馬，上了金睛獸，自回曹州去了。
崇黑虎怒发如雷，领了三千人马，上了金睛兽，自回曹州去了。
Chong Heihu, his rage bursting out like thunder, took his three thousand men, mounted his golden-pupilled beast and went back to Caozhou on his own.
且言崇侯虎愧莫敢言，只得收拾人馬，自回本國，具表請罪。不題。
且言崇侯虎愧莫敢言，只得收拾人马，自回本国，具表请罪。不题。
Our story turns to Chong Houhu. Too ashamed to say a word, he could only gather up his men and horses and go back to his own state, where he sent up a memorial asking to be punished. But no more of that.
單言蘇全忠進了冀州，見了父母，彼此感慰畢。護曰：「姬伯前日來書，真是救我蘇氏滅門之禍。此德此恩，何敢有忘！我兒，我想君臣之義至重，君叫臣死，不敢不死，我安敢惜一女，自取敗亡哉。今只得將你妹子進往朝歌，面君贖罪。你可權鎮冀州，不得生事擾民。我不日就回。」全忠拜領父言。蘇護隨進內，對夫人楊氏將「姬伯來書勸我朝王」一節細說一遍。夫人放聲大哭。蘇護再三安慰。夫人含淚言曰：「此女生來嬌柔，恐不諳侍君之禮，反又惹事。」蘇護曰：「這也沒奈何，只得聽之而已。」夫妻二人不覺傷感一夜。
单言苏全忠进了冀州，见了父母，彼此感慰毕。护曰：「姬伯前日来书，真是救我苏氏灭门之祸。此德此恩，何敢有忘！我儿，我想君臣之义至重，君叫臣死，不敢不死，我安敢惜一女，自取败亡哉。今只得将你妹子进往朝歌，面君赎罪。你可权镇冀州，不得生事扰民。我不日就回。」全忠拜领父言。苏护随进内，对夫人杨氏将「姬伯来书劝我朝王」一节细说一遍。夫人放声大哭。苏护再三安慰。夫人含泪言曰：「此女生来娇柔，恐不谙侍君之礼，反又惹事。」苏护曰：「这也没奈何，只得听之而已。」夫妻二人不觉伤感一夜。
Our story turns to Su Quanzhong. He went into Jizhou and saw his father and mother, and they were overcome with feeling and comforted one another. Su Hu said, “The letter Lord Ji sent the other day truly saved the house of Su from destruction. Such kindness, such grace — how could I ever forget it! My son, as I see it, the duty between ruler and subject weighs heaviest of all: when the ruler bids his subject die, the subject dare not refuse to die. How could I dare grudge one daughter and bring ruin on myself? Now there is nothing for it but to take your sister to Zhaoge, to face the king and atone for my crime. You must hold Jizhou in my place for the time being. Do not stir up trouble or harass the people. I shall be back before long.” Quanzhong bowed and accepted his father’s words. Su Hu then went into the inner apartments and told his wife, Madam Yang, in detail all about how Lord Ji had written to urge him to go to court. His wife burst out sobbing aloud, and Su Hu comforted her again and again. Through her tears she said, “This girl has been delicate and soft since the day she was born. I’m afraid she doesn’t know the etiquette of waiting on a king and will only stir up more trouble.” Su Hu said, “There’s nothing to be done about it. We can only let it take its course.” Before they knew it, husband and wife had spent the whole night in grief.
次日，點三千人馬，五百家將，整備氈車，令妲己梳粧起程。妲己聞令，淚下如雨，拜別母親、長兄，婉轉悲啼，百千嬌媚，真如籠煙芍藥，帶雨梨花。子母怎生割捨。只見左右侍兒苦勸，夫人方哭進府中，小姐也含淚上車。兄全忠送至五里而回。蘇護壓後，保妲己前進。只見前面打兩桿貴人旗旛，一路上饑餐渴飲，朝登紫陌，暮踐紅塵，過了些綠楊古道，紅杏園林，見了些啼鴉喚春，杜鵑叫月。在路行程非止一兩日，逢州過縣，涉水登山。那日抵暮，已至恩州。只見恩州驛驛丞接見。護曰：「驛丞，收拾廳堂，安置貴人。」驛丞曰：「啟老爺：此驛三年前出一妖精，以後凡有一應過往老爺，俱不在裏面安歇。可請貴人權在行營安歇，庶保無虞。不知老爺尊意如何？」蘇護大喝曰：「天子貴人，豈懼甚麼邪魅。況有館驛，安得停居行營之禮！快去打掃驛中廳堂住室，毋得遲誤取罪！」驛丞忙叫眾人打點廳堂內室，準備鋪陳，注香灑掃，一色收拾停當，來請貴人。蘇護將妲己安置在後面內室裏，有五十名侍兒在左右奉侍。將三千人馬俱在驛外邊圍繞；五百家將在館驛門首屯劄。蘇護正在廳上坐著，點上蠟燭。蘇護暗想：「方纔驛丞言此處有妖怪，此乃皇華駐節之所，人煙湊集之處，焉有此事？然亦不可不防。」將一根豹尾鞭放在案桌之旁，剔燈展玩兵書。只聽得恩州城中戍鼓初敲，已是一更時分。蘇護終是放心不下，乃手提鐵鞭，悄步後堂，於左右室內點視一番；見諸侍兒并小姐寂然安寢，方纔放心；復至廳上再看兵書，不覺又是二更。不一時，將交三鼓，可煞作怪，忽然一陣風響，透人肌膚，將燈滅而復明。怎見得：
次日，点三千人马，五百家将，整备毡车，令妲己梳粧起程。妲己闻令，泪下如雨，拜别母亲、长兄，婉转悲啼，百千娇媚，真如笼烟芍药，带雨梨花。子母怎生割舍。只见左右侍儿苦劝，夫人方哭进府中，小姐也含泪上车。兄全忠送至五里而回。苏护压后，保妲己前进。只见前面打两杆贵人旗旛，一路上饥餐渴饮，朝登紫陌，暮践红尘，过了些绿杨古道，红杏园林，见了些啼鸦唤春，杜鹃叫月。在路行程非止一两日，逢州过县，涉水登山。那日抵暮，已至恩州。只见恩州驿驿丞接见。护曰：「驿丞，收拾厅堂，安置贵人。」驿丞曰：「启老爷：此驿三年前出一妖精，以后凡有一应过往老爷，俱不在里面安歇。可请贵人权在行营安歇，庶保无虞。不知老爷尊意如何？」苏护大喝曰：「天子贵人，岂惧甚么邪魅。况有馆驿，安得停居行营之礼！快去打扫驿中厅堂住室，毋得迟误取罪！」驿丞忙叫众人打点厅堂内室，准备铺陈，注香洒扫，一色收拾停当，来请贵人。苏护将妲己安置在后面内室里，有五十名侍儿在左右奉侍。将三千人马俱在驿外边围绕；五百家将在馆驿门首屯札。苏护正在厅上坐着，点上蜡烛。苏护暗想：「方才驿丞言此处有妖怪，此乃皇华驻节之所，人烟凑集之处，焉有此事？然亦不可不防。」将一根豹尾鞭放在案桌之旁，剔灯展玩兵书。只听得恩州城中戍鼓初敲，已是一更时分。苏护终是放心不下，乃手提铁鞭，悄步后堂，于左右室内点视一番；见诸侍儿并小姐寂然安寝，方才放心；复至厅上再看兵书，不觉又是二更。不一时，将交三鼓，可煞作怪，忽然一阵风响，透人肌肤，将灯灭而复明。怎见得：
The next day Su Hu mustered three thousand men and horses and five hundred of his household guards, had a felt-hung carriage made ready and told Daji to dress her hair and make ready for the journey. When Daji heard the order, her tears fell like rain. She bowed in farewell to her mother and her elder brother, her sobs rising and falling, sweet and sorrowful, with a hundred thousand charms — truly like a peony veiled in mist, a pear blossom wet with rain. How could mother and daughter bear to part? Only when the maids around them had pleaded hard did her mother go weeping back into the residence, and the young mistress, in tears, climbed into the carriage. Her brother Quanzhong saw her five li on her way and turned back. Su Hu brought up the rear, guarding Daji as they went on. At the head of the column were carried two banners proclaiming a noble lady. All along the road they ate when they were hungry and drank when they were thirsty; mornings found them on the purple lanes, evenings in the red dust. They passed along old roads lined with green willows and by orchards of red apricot blossom; they met with crows cawing to call up the spring and cuckoos crying to the moon. They were on the road for more than a day or two, passing prefectures and counties, fording rivers and climbing hills. One day, as dusk came on, they reached Enzhou, and the master of the Enzhou post station came out to receive them. Su Hu said, “Station master, get the hall ready and lodge the noble lady.” The station master said, “My lord, three years ago a demon appeared at this station, and since then none of the gentlemen passing through have stayed the night inside. Might I ask the noble lady to rest in your camp for now? Then we can be sure no harm will come. What does my lord think?” Su Hu roared, “She is the Son of Heaven’s noble lady — what evil spirit should she fear? Besides, when there is a post station here, what propriety would there be in stopping in a field camp? Go and sweep out the hall and the rooms of the station at once. Don’t be slow about it, or you will answer for it!” The station master hurriedly called his people to make ready the hall and the inner rooms. They set out the bedding and hangings, lit incense, sprinkled and swept, and when everything was in order, he came to invite the noble lady in. Su Hu lodged Daji in the inner rooms at the back, with fifty maids to wait on her on either side. The three thousand men and horses were posted all round the outside of the station, and the five hundred household guards were stationed at its gate. Su Hu sat in the hall with the candles lit. He thought to himself, “The station master said just now that there is a demon here. But this is where the king’s envoys halt on their missions, a place where people gather thick. How can there be any such thing? Still, I had better be on my guard.” He laid a leopard-tail iron whip beside the table, trimmed the lamp and opened a book on the art of war to read. Then he heard the garrison drums of Enzhou begin to beat: it was the first watch. Still Su Hu could not set his mind at rest. Iron whip in hand, he stole quietly into the rear hall and looked round the rooms on either side. Only when he saw the maids and the young mistress all sleeping peacefully did his mind rest easy. He went back to the hall and read his book again, and before he knew it the second watch had come. Before long, just as the drums were about to strike the third watch — strange to say — there came the sound of a sudden gust of wind that pierced to the very skin. The lamp went out and then came alight again. And what kind of wind was it?
非干虎嘯，豈是龍吟。淅凜凜寒風撲面，清冷冷惡氣侵人，到不能開花謝柳，多暗藏水怪山精。悲風影裏露雙睛，一似金燈在慘霧之中；黑夜叢中探四爪，渾如鋼鉤出紫霞之外；尾擺頭搖如狴犴；猙獰雄猛似狻猊。
非干虎啸，岂是龙吟。淅凛凛寒风扑面，清冷冷恶气侵人，到不能开花谢柳，多暗藏水怪山精。悲风影里露双睛，一似金灯在惨雾之中；黑夜丛中探四爪，浑如钢钩出紫霞之外；尾摆头摇如狴犴；狰狞雄猛似狻猊。
It was no tiger’s roar,nor yet a dragon’s cry.Chill and biting, the cold wind beat in one’s face; clear and icy, an evil air crept into one’s flesh. This was no wind to open the flowers or wither the willows; rather, water monsters and mountain sprites lurked hidden in it.In the shadow of the mournful wind two eyes showed,like golden lamps in a dismal fog;out of the thick of the black night four claws reached,just like steel hooks thrust out from beyond the purple clouds;its tail lashed and its head swung like a bi’an;it was as savage and mighty as a suanni.
蘇護被這陣怪風吹得毛骨聳然。心下正疑惑之間，忽聽後廳侍兒一聲喊叫：「有妖精來了！」蘇護聽說後邊有妖精，急忙提鞭在手，搶進後廳，左手執燈，右手執鞭，將轉大廳背後，手中燈已被妖風撲滅。蘇護急轉身，再過大廳，急叫家將取進燈火來時，復進後廳，只見眾侍兒慌張無措。蘇護急到妲己寢榻之前，用手揭起幔帳，問曰：「我兒，方纔妖氣相侵，你曾見否？」妲己答曰：「孩兒夢中聽得侍兒喊叫『妖精來了』，孩兒急待看時，又見燈光，不知是爹爹前來，並不曾看見甚麼妖怪。」護曰：「這個感謝天地庇佑，不曾驚嚇了你，這也罷了。」護復安慰女兒安息，自己巡視，不敢安寢。──不知這個回話的乃是千年狐狸，不是妲己。方纔滅燈之時，再出廳前取得燈火來，這是多少時候了，妲己魂魄已被狐狸吸去，死之久矣；乃借體成形，迷惑紂王，斷送他錦繡江山。此是天數，非人力所為。有詩為證：
苏护被这阵怪风吹得毛骨耸然。心下正疑惑之间，忽听后厅侍儿一声喊叫：「有妖精来了！」苏护听说后边有妖精，急忙提鞭在手，抢进后厅，左手执灯，右手执鞭，将转大厅背后，手中灯已被妖风扑灭。苏护急转身，再过大厅，急叫家将取进灯火来时，复进后厅，只见众侍儿慌张无措。苏护急到妲己寝榻之前，用手揭起幔帐，问曰：「我儿，方才妖气相侵，你曾见否？」妲己答曰：「孩儿梦中听得侍儿喊叫『妖精来了』，孩儿急待看时，又见灯光，不知是爹爹前来，并不曾看见甚么妖怪。」护曰：「这个感谢天地庇佑，不曾惊吓了你，这也罢了。」护复安慰女儿安息，自己巡视，不敢安寝。──不知这个回话的乃是千年狐狸，不是妲己。方才灭灯之时，再出厅前取得灯火来，这是多少时候了，妲己魂魄已被狐狸吸去，死之久矣；乃借体成形，迷惑纣王，断送他锦绣江山。此是天数，非人力所为。有诗为证：
The strange wind made Su Hu’s hair stand on end and his flesh creep. While he was still wondering what it meant, he suddenly heard a maid scream in the rear hall: “A demon is coming!” Hearing that there was a demon at the back, Su Hu snatched up his whip and rushed toward the rear hall, lamp in his left hand and whip in his right. He was just rounding the back of the main hall when the demon wind blew out the lamp in his hand. Su Hu turned back at once and crossed the main hall again, shouting for his guards to bring lights. When he went into the rear hall again, he found the maids flustered and helpless. Su Hu hurried to Daji’s bed, lifted the curtains with his hand and asked, “My child, an evil presence came at us just now. Did you see it?” Daji answered, “In my sleep your child heard the maids crying, ‘A demon is coming!’ I was just going to look when I saw a light. I didn’t know it was you coming, Father, and I didn’t see any demon at all.” Su Hu said, “For this we must thank Heaven and Earth for their protection: you were not frightened. Well, so much the better.” He comforted his daughter again and told her to go back to sleep, while he himself kept watch and dared not rest — never knowing that the one who had answered him was the thousand-year-old fox, not Daji. From the moment the lamp went out until he had gone back to the front hall and fetched a light — think how long that was! By then the fox had sucked away Daji’s souls, and she had long been dead. The fox had borrowed her body to take human shape, so as to bewitch King Zhou and bring his splendid realm to ruin. This was Heaven’s reckoning, not the work of any man. There is a poem to prove it:
恩州驛內怪風驚，蘇護提鞭撲滅燈。二八嬌容今已喪，錯看妖魅當親生。」
恩州驿内怪风惊，苏护提鞭扑灭灯。二八娇容今已丧，错看妖魅当亲生。」
In the Enzhou post station a strange wind struck terror;Su Hu took up his whip, and his lamp was snuffed out.The lovely girl of sixteen was already gone;he mistook a demon for his own flesh and blood.
蘇護心慌，一夜不曾著枕：「幸喜不曾驚了貴人，托賴天地祖宗庇佑；不然又是欺君之罪，如何解釋。」等待天明，離了恩州驛，前往朝歌而來。曉行夜住，饑餐渴飲，在路行程，非止一日。渡了黃河，來至朝歌，按下營寨。蘇護先差官進城，用「腳色」見武成王黃飛虎。飛虎見了蘇護進女贖罪文書，忙差龍環出城，吩咐蘇護，把人馬劄在城外，令護同女進城，到金亭館驛安置。
苏护心慌，一夜不曾着枕：「幸喜不曾惊了贵人，托赖天地祖宗庇佑；不然又是欺君之罪，如何解释。」等待天明，离了恩州驿，前往朝歌而来。晓行夜住，饥餐渴饮，在路行程，非止一日。渡了黄河，来至朝歌，按下营寨。苏护先差官进城，用「脚色」见武成王黄飞虎。飞虎见了苏护进女赎罪文书，忙差龙环出城，吩咐苏护，把人马札在城外，令护同女进城，到金亭馆驿安置。
Su Hu was so shaken that he never laid his head on a pillow all night. “Happily the noble lady was not frightened,” he thought, “thanks to the protection of Heaven and Earth and of my ancestors. Otherwise it would have been one more crime of deceiving the king — how could I ever have explained it away?” He waited for daylight, then left the Enzhou post station and set off for Zhaoge. Travelling by day and resting by night, eating when hungry and drinking when thirsty, they were on the road for many a day. They crossed the Yellow River, came to Zhaoge and pitched camp. Su Hu first sent an officer into the city with his particulars to present to Huang Feihu, Prince Wucheng. When Feihu saw Su Hu’s papers offering his daughter in atonement for his crime, he hurriedly sent Long Huan out of the city with instructions for Su Hu: he was to leave his men and horses camped outside the walls and come into the city with his daughter, and lodge at the Jinting Guesthouse.
當時權臣費仲、尤渾見蘇護又不先送禮物，歎曰：「這逆賊，你雖則獻女贖罪，天子之喜怒不測，凡事俱在我二人點綴，其生死存亡，只在我等掌握之中，他全然不理我等，甚是可惡！」
当时权臣费仲、尤浑见苏护又不先送礼物，叹曰：「这逆贼，你虽则献女赎罪，天子之喜怒不测，凡事俱在我二人点缀，其生死存亡，只在我等掌握之中，他全然不理我等，甚是可恶！」
Now the powerful ministers Fei Zhong and You Hun saw that once again Su Hu had sent them no presents beforehand. They said with a sigh, “That rebel! You may be presenting your daughter to atone for your crime, but the Son of Heaven’s pleasure and anger cannot be foreseen, and everything depends on how the two of us colour things. Whether he lives or dies, survives or perishes, lies wholly in our hands — and he pays us no heed at all. Most hateful!”
不講二人懷恨，且言紂王在龍德殿，有隨侍官啟駕：「費仲候旨。」天子命：「傳宣。」只見費仲進朝，稱呼禮畢，俯伏奏曰：「今蘇護進女，已在都城候旨定奪。」紂王聞奏，大怒曰：「這匹夫，當日強辭亂政，朕欲置於法，賴卿等諫止，赦歸本國；豈意此賊題詩午門，欺藐朕躬，殊屬可恨。明日朝見，定正國法，以懲欺君之罪。」費仲乘機奏曰：「天子之法，原非為天子而重，乃為萬姓而立。今叛臣賊子不除，是為無法。無法之朝，為天下之所棄。」王曰：「卿言極善。明日朕自有說。」費仲退散已畢。次日天子登殿，鐘鼓齊鳴，文武侍立。但見：
不讲二人怀恨，且言纣王在龙德殿，有随侍官启驾：「费仲候旨。」天子命：「传宣。」只见费仲进朝，称呼礼毕，俯伏奏曰：「今苏护进女，已在都城候旨定夺。」纣王闻奏，大怒曰：「这匹夫，当日强辞乱政，朕欲置于法，赖卿等谏止，赦归本国；岂意此贼题诗午门，欺藐朕躬，殊属可恨。明日朝见，定正国法，以惩欺君之罪。」费仲乘机奏曰：「天子之法，原非为天子而重，乃为万姓而立。今叛臣贼子不除，是为无法。无法之朝，为天下之所弃。」王曰：「卿言极善。明日朕自有说。」费仲退散已毕。次日天子登殿，钟鼓齐鸣，文武侍立。但见：
We will say no more of the two men nursing their grudge. Our story turns to King Zhou in the Longde Hall. An attending officer announced, “Fei Zhong awaits Your Majesty’s command.” The Son of Heaven ordered, “Send him in.” Fei Zhong came in, made his salutations and bows, and prostrated himself. “Su Hu has come to present his daughter,” he said. “He is in the capital now, awaiting Your Majesty’s decision.” At this King Zhou flew into a rage. “That churl! That day he argued insolently and threw the government into disorder. We meant to deal with him by law, and it was only because you and the others talked Us out of it that We pardoned him and sent him home. Who would have thought the villain would write a poem on the Meridian Gate and treat Us with contempt? It is utterly hateful. When he comes to court tomorrow, We will certainly uphold the law of the land and punish him for the crime of insulting his sovereign.” Fei Zhong seized the moment. “The Son of Heaven’s law,” he said, “was never made weighty for the Son of Heaven’s own sake: it was set up for the sake of all his people. If rebels and traitors are not done away with now, there is no law; and a court without law is one the realm will cast aside.” The king said, “Excellent advice, minister. Tomorrow We shall know what to say.” Fei Zhong withdrew. The next day the Son of Heaven ascended the hall. Bells and drums sounded together, and the civil and military officials stood in attendance. This is what one saw:
銀燭朝天紫陌長，禁城春色曉蒼蒼。池邊弱柳垂青瑣，百轉流鶯繞建章。
银烛朝天紫陌长，禁城春色晓苍苍。池边弱柳垂青琐，百转流莺绕建章。
Silver candles light the way to court down the long purple lanes;in the palace city, spring is grey and dim at dawn.By the pool, slender willows droop over the blue-lattice gates;orioles, warbling their hundred turns of song, circle the Jianzhang Palace.
劍佩風隨鳳池步；衣冠身惹御爐香。共沐恩波鳳池上，朝朝染翰侍君王。
剑佩风随凤池步；衣冠身惹御炉香。共沐恩波凤池上，朝朝染翰侍君王。
Swords and pendants sway in the breeze at each step by the Phoenix Pool;robes and caps take on the scent of the royal censers.Together they bathe in waves of grace at the Phoenix Pool,and every morning dip their brushes to serve their king.
天子陞殿，百官朝賀畢。王曰：「有奏章者出班，無事且散。」言未畢，午門官啟駕：「冀州侯蘇護候旨午門，進女請罪。」王命：「傳旨宣來。」蘇護身服犯官之服，不敢冠冕衣裳，來至丹墀之下俯伏，口稱：「犯臣蘇護，死罪！死罪！」王曰：「冀州蘇護，你題反詩午門，『永不朝商』，及至崇侯虎奉敕問罪，你尚拒敵天兵，損壞命官軍將，你有何說，今又朝君！」著隨侍官：「拿出午門梟首，以正國法！」言未畢，只見首相商容出班諫曰：「蘇護反商，理當正法；但前日西伯侯姬昌有本，令蘇護進女贖罪，以完君臣大義。今蘇護既尊王法，進女朝王贖罪，情有可原。且陛下因不進女而致罪，今已進女而又加罪，甚非陛下本心。乞陛下憐而赦之。」紂王猶豫未定，有費仲出班奏曰：「丞相所奏，望陛下從之。且宣蘇護女妲己朝見。如果容貌出眾，禮度幽閒，可任役使，陛下便赦蘇護之罪；如不稱聖意，可連女斬於市曹，以正其罪。庶陛下不失信於臣民矣。」王曰：「卿言有理。」──看官：只因這費仲一語，將成湯六百年基業送與他人。這且不題。但言──紂王命隨侍官：「宣妲己朝見。」妲己進午門，過九龍橋，至九間殿滴水簷前，高擎牙笏，進禮下拜，口稱萬歲。紂王定睛觀看，見妲己烏雲疊鬢，杏臉桃腮，淺淡春山，嬌柔柳腰，真似海棠醉日，梨花帶雨，不亞九天仙女下瑤池，月裏嫦娥離玉闕。妲己啟朱唇似一點櫻桃，舌尖上吐的是美孜孜一團和氣，轉秋波如雙彎鳳目，眼角裏送的是嬌滴滴萬種風情。口稱：「犯臣女妲己願陛下萬歲，萬歲，萬萬歲！」只這幾句，就把紂王叫的魂遊天外，魄散九霄，骨軟筋酥，耳熱眼跳，不知如何是好。當時紂王起立御案之旁，命：「美人平身。」令左右宮妃：「挽蘇娘娘進壽仙宮，候朕躬回宮。」忙叫當駕官傳旨：「赦蘇護滿門無罪，聽朕加封：官還舊職，國戚新增，每月加俸二千擔。顯慶殿筵宴三日，眾百官首相慶賀皇親，誇官三日。文官二員、武官三員送卿榮歸故地。」蘇護謝恩，兩班文武見天子這等愛色，都有不悅之意，奈天子起駕還宮，無可諍諫，只得都到顯慶殿陪宴。
天子升殿，百官朝贺毕。王曰：「有奏章者出班，无事且散。」言未毕，午门官启驾：「冀州侯苏护候旨午门，进女请罪。」王命：「传旨宣来。」苏护身服犯官之服，不敢冠冕衣裳，来至丹墀之下俯伏，口称：「犯臣苏护，死罪！死罪！」王曰：「冀州苏护，你题反诗午门，『永不朝商』，及至崇侯虎奉敕问罪，你尚拒敌天兵，损坏命官军将，你有何说，今又朝君！」着随侍官：「拿出午门枭首，以正国法！」言未毕，只见首相商容出班谏曰：「苏护反商，理当正法；但前日西伯侯姬昌有本，令苏护进女赎罪，以完君臣大义。今苏护既尊王法，进女朝王赎罪，情有可原。且陛下因不进女而致罪，今已进女而又加罪，甚非陛下本心。乞陛下怜而赦之。」纣王犹豫未定，有费仲出班奏曰：「丞相所奏，望陛下从之。且宣苏护女妲己朝见。如果容貌出众，礼度幽闲，可任役使，陛下便赦苏护之罪；如不称圣意，可连女斩于市曹，以正其罪。庶陛下不失信于臣民矣。」王曰：「卿言有理。」──看官：只因这费仲一语，将成汤六百年基业送与他人。这且不题。但言──纣王命随侍官：「宣妲己朝见。」妲己进午门，过九龙桥，至九间殿滴水檐前，高擎牙笏，进礼下拜，口称万岁。纣王定睛观看，见妲己乌云叠鬓，杏脸桃腮，浅淡春山，娇柔柳腰，真似海棠醉日，梨花带雨，不亚九天仙女下瑶池，月里嫦娥离玉阙。妲己启朱唇似一点樱桃，舌尖上吐的是美孜孜一团和气，转秋波如双弯凤目，眼角里送的是娇滴滴万种风情。口称：「犯臣女妲己愿陛下万岁，万岁，万万岁！」只这几句，就把纣王叫的魂游天外，魄散九霄，骨软筋酥，耳热眼跳，不知如何是好。当时纣王起立御案之旁，命：「美人平身。」令左右宫妃：「挽苏娘娘进寿仙宫，候朕躬回宫。」忙叫当驾官传旨：「赦苏护满门无罪，听朕加封：官还旧职，国戚新增，每月加俸二千担。显庆殿筵宴三日，众百官首相庆贺皇亲，夸官三日。文官二员、武官三员送卿荣归故地。」苏护谢恩，两班文武见天子这等爱色，都有不悦之意，奈天子起驾还宫，无可诤谏，只得都到显庆殿陪宴。
The Son of Heaven ascended the hall, and the officials offered their greetings. When they had done, the king said, “Let any with memorials step forward; if there is no business, the court is dismissed.” The words were hardly out when the officer of the Meridian Gate announced, “Su Hu, Marquis of Jizhou, awaits Your Majesty’s command at the Meridian Gate. He has come to present his daughter and ask for punishment.” The king commanded, “Pass on Our order: summon him.” Su Hu came in the dress of an accused official, not daring to wear his cap and robes of office. He came below the vermilion steps, lay prostrate and said, “Your criminal subject Su Hu! I deserve to die! I deserve to die!” The king said, “Su Hu of Jizhou! You wrote a rebel poem on the Meridian Gate — ‘will never pay court to the Shang again’ — and when Chong Houhu came by royal command to punish you, you even resisted the royal army and did harm to the officers and men We had commissioned. What have you to say for yourself, coming to court now after all?” He ordered the attending officers, “Take him out through the Meridian Gate, cut off his head and hang it up for all to see, to uphold the law of the land!” Before he had finished speaking, the First Chancellor, Shang Rong, stepped out from the ranks and remonstrated: “Su Hu rebelled against the Shang, and by rights he should be put to death. But the other day Ji Chang, Lord of the West, sent up a memorial: he had Su Hu present his daughter to atone for his crime, so as to make whole the great duty between ruler and subject. Now that Su Hu has bowed to the king’s law and come to court to present his daughter and atone, there are grounds for leniency. Besides, Your Majesty found him guilty because he would not present his daughter; to punish him still, now that he has presented her, can hardly be what Your Majesty truly intends. I beg Your Majesty to take pity on him and pardon him.” King Zhou hesitated and could not make up his mind. Then Fei Zhong stepped out from the ranks and said, “I hope Your Majesty will grant what the Chancellor asks. But first summon Su Hu’s daughter, Daji, to an audience. If her looks prove outstanding and her manners gentle and refined, so that she is fit to serve you, then Your Majesty may pardon Su Hu’s crime. If she does not please Your Majesty, he can be beheaded in the marketplace along with his daughter, as his crime deserves. Then Your Majesty will not break faith with your ministers and people.” The king said, “What you say makes sense, minister.” (Mark this, reader: it was this one remark of Fei Zhong’s that handed Cheng Tang’s inheritance of six hundred years over to others. But no more of that for now.) King Zhou ordered the attending officer, “Summon Daji to Our presence.” Daji came in through the Meridian Gate, crossed the Jiulong Bridge and came to the foot of the eaves of the Nine-Bay Hall. There she raised an ivory tablet high, made her obeisance and bowed down, hailing the king with the cry of “Ten thousand years!” King Zhou fixed his eyes on her and looked. He saw Daji’s hair piled at her temples like dark clouds, a face like apricot blossom and cheeks like peach blossom, brows as faint as hills in spring and a waist as soft and slender as a willow. She was truly like a crabapple flower drunk with sunshine, a pear blossom wet with rain — no less lovely than a fairy of the ninth heaven come down to the Jasper Pool, or Chang’e of the moon leaving her palace of jade. When Daji parted her red lips, like a single cherry, what came from the tip of her tongue was all sweet warmth; when she turned the autumn ripples of her eyes, a pair of curving phoenix eyes, what they sent from their corners was a melting allure of ten thousand kinds. She said, “Daji, daughter of your criminal subject, wishes Your Majesty ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!” With just these few words she called King Zhou’s soul out of him to wander beyond the heavens and his spirit to scatter to the ninth sky. His bones went limp and his sinews melted, his ears burned and his eyes twitched, and he did not know what to do with himself. Then and there King Zhou rose and stood beside the royal desk. “Rise, my beauty,” he commanded. To the palace ladies at his side he said, “Take Lady Su by the arm into the Shouxian Palace, to wait there for Our return.” Then he hurriedly had the officer in attendance proclaim his decree: “Su Hu and his whole household are pardoned and held guiltless. Let him hear the honours We add: he is restored to his former office and newly made kin to the royal house, and his stipend is raised by two thousand loads of grain a month. There shall be a banquet in the Xianqing Hall for three days, at which all the officials and the First Chancellor shall congratulate the king’s new kinsman, and for three days he shall parade in his honours. Two civil officials and three military officers shall escort you home in glory.” Su Hu gave thanks for the king’s grace. When the civil and military officials of both ranks saw the Son of Heaven so taken with a woman’s looks, they were all displeased; but the Son of Heaven had already risen and gone back to the inner palace, and there was no one to remonstrate with, so they could only all go to the Xianqing Hall and keep Su Hu company at the banquet.
不言蘇護進女榮歸：天子同妲己在壽仙宮筵宴，當夜成就鳳友鸞交，恩愛如同膠漆。紂王自進妲己之後，朝朝宴樂，夜夜歡娛，朝政隳墮，章奏混淆。群臣便有諫章，紂王視同兒戲。日夜荒淫，不覺光陰瞬息，歲月如流，已是二月不曾設朝；只在壽仙宮同妲己宴樂。天下八百鎮諸侯多少本到朝歌，文書房本積如山，不能面君，其命焉能得下。眼見天下大亂。不知後事如何，且聽下回分解。
不言苏护进女荣归：天子同妲己在寿仙宫筵宴，当夜成就凤友鸾交，恩爱如同胶漆。纣王自进妲己之后，朝朝宴乐，夜夜欢娱，朝政隳堕，章奏混淆。群臣便有谏章，纣王视同儿戏。日夜荒淫，不觉光阴瞬息，岁月如流，已是二月不曾设朝；只在寿仙宫同妲己宴乐。天下八百镇诸侯多少本到朝歌，文书房本积如山，不能面君，其命焉能得下。眼见天下大乱。不知后事如何，且听下回分解。
We will say no more of Su Hu, who had presented his daughter and gone home in glory. The Son of Heaven feasted with Daji in the Shouxian Palace, and that night they came together like a pair of phoenixes, their love as close as glue and lacquer. From the time Daji was presented to him, King Zhou feasted every morning and revelled every night. The government went to ruin and the memorials were thrown into confusion. If his ministers sent in remonstrances, King Zhou treated them as child’s play. Day and night he gave himself up to debauchery. Time passed in the blink of an eye and the months flowed by like water, and before he knew it, two months had gone by without his once holding court; he stayed in the Shouxian Palace, feasting and making merry with Daji. Memorials beyond counting came to Zhaoge from the eight hundred lords of the realm, and in the Office of Documents they piled up like mountains. With no way to lay them before the king, how could any commands come down? It was plain to see that the realm was heading for great disorder. To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.