古風一首：
混沌初分盤古先，太極兩儀四象懸。子天丑地人寅出，避除獸患有巢賢。燧人取火免鮮食，伏羲畫卦陰陽前。
古风一首：
混沌初分盘古先，太极两仪四象悬。子天丑地人寅出，避除兽患有巢贤。燧人取火免鲜食，伏羲画卦阴阳前。
An old-style poem:
When chaos first divided, Pangu came before all;the Supreme Ultimate, the Two Modes and the Four Images hung in their places.Heaven opened at Zi, earth at Chou, and at Yin mankind came forth;the worthy Youchao, the Nest-Builder, kept the people safe from beasts.Suiren, the Fire-Maker, brought fire, and they ate their food raw no more;Fuxi drew the trigrams and set out yin and yang.
神農治世嚐百草，軒轅禮樂婚姻聯。少昊五帝民物阜，禹王治水洪波蠲。承平享國至四百，桀王無道乾坤顛，
神农治世尝百草，轩辕礼乐婚姻联。少昊五帝民物阜，禹王治水洪波蠲。承平享国至四百，桀王无道乾坤颠，
Shennong, the Divine Farmer, ruled the world and tasted the hundred herbs;Xuanyuan brought rites and music and joined men and women in marriage.Under Shaohao and the Five Emperors the people throve and goods abounded;King Yu tamed the waters and the great floods were swept away.In peace his line held the realm four hundred years,till King Jie lost the Way and turned heaven and earth upside down,
日縱妹喜荒酒色，成湯造亳洗腥羶，放桀南巢拯暴虐，雲霓如願後蘇全。三十一世傳殷紂，商家脈絡如斷弦：
日纵妹喜荒酒色，成汤造亳洗腥膻，放桀南巢拯暴虐，云霓如愿后苏全。三十一世传殷纣，商家脉络如断弦：
day after day indulging Meixi, sunk in wine and women.Cheng Tang built Bo and washed away the stench;he banished Jie to Nanchao and saved the people from his cruelty.They had longed for him as for rain clouds in a drought; he came, and all revived.Thirty-one reigns on, the throne passed to Zhou of Yin,and the lifeline of the house of Shang was like a snapping string:
紊亂朝綱絕倫紀，殺妻誅子信讒言，穢污宮闈寵妲己，蠆盆炮烙忠貞冤，鹿臺聚斂萬姓苦，愁聲怨氣應障天，
紊乱朝纲绝伦纪，杀妻诛子信谗言，秽污宫闱宠妲己，虿盆炮烙忠贞冤，鹿台聚敛万姓苦，愁声怨气应障天，
He threw the court’s laws into chaos and tore up the moral order;he killed his wife and put his sons to death, believing slander;he fouled the inner palace in his doting on Daji;with the scorpion pit and the burning pillar he wronged the loyal and true;he hoarded riches on the Deer Terrace while all the people suffered,and voices of sorrow, breath of resentment, rose till they screened the sky;
直諫剖心盡焚炙，孕婦刳剔朝涉殲，崇信姦回棄朝政，屏逐師保性何偏，郊社不修宗廟廢，奇技淫巧盡心研，
直谏剖心尽焚炙，孕妇刳剔朝涉歼，崇信奸回弃朝政，屏逐师保性何偏，郊社不修宗庙废，奇技淫巧尽心研，
for blunt remonstrance a heart was cut out, and men were burned and roasted;pregnant women were cut open, and men who waded at dawn were destroyed;he honoured the treacherous and abandoned the business of the court;he drove off his tutors and guardians — how perverse his nature!The altars of Heaven and Earth went untended, the ancestral temple was forsaken;on strange devices and wanton crafts he spent all his mind.
昵此罪人乃罔畏，沉酗肆虐如鸇鳶。西伯朝商囚羑里，微子抱器走風湮。皇天震怒降災毒，若涉大海無淵邊。
昵此罪人乃罔畏，沉酗肆虐如鹯鸢。西伯朝商囚羑里，微子抱器走风湮。皇天震怒降灾毒，若涉大海无渊边。
He kept close with criminals and feared nothing;sodden with drink he raged, savage as a hawk or a kite.The Lord of the West came to the Shang court and was jailed at Youli;Weizi took the ritual vessels in his arms and fled, lost on the wind.August Heaven, shaken with anger, sent down calamity and poison;it was like wading a great sea that had neither bottom nor shore.
天下荒荒萬民怨，子牙出世人中仙，終日垂絲釣人主，飛熊入夢獵岐田，共載歸周輔朝政，三分有二日相沿。
天下荒荒万民怨，子牙出世人中仙，终日垂丝钓人主，飞熊入梦猎岐田，共载归周辅朝政，三分有二日相沿。
All under heaven was in turmoil, and the people cried out against him.Then Ziya came into the world, an immortal among men;all day he dangled his line, angling for a lord of men,till a flying bear came in a dream, and the king went hunting in the fields of Qi.They rode home to Zhou in one carriage, and he helped to govern the realm;two of the realm’s three parts were theirs, and so it went on, day after day.
文考未集大勳沒，武王善述日乾乾。孟津大會八百國，取彼凶殘伐罪愆。甲子昧爽會牧野，前徒倒戈反回旋。
文考未集大勋没，武王善述日干干。孟津大会八百国，取彼凶残伐罪愆。甲子昧爽会牧野，前徒倒戈反回旋。
The late King Wen had died with the great work undone;King Wu carried on his father’s work, tireless day after day.At Mengjin eight hundred states met in great assemblyto seize the cruel tyrant and punish his crimes.At first light on the jiazi day they met at Muye;the front ranks turned their spears and wheeled about.
若崩厥角齊稽首，血流漂杵脂如泉。戎衣甫著天下定，更於成湯增光妍。牧馬華山示偃武，開我周家八百年。
若崩厥角齐稽首，血流漂杵脂如泉。戎衣甫着天下定，更于成汤增光妍。牧马华山示偃武，开我周家八百年。
Their brows struck the earth like a landslide as all bowed their heads to the ground;blood ran till it floated the pestles, and fat flowed like springs.No sooner had he put on armour than the realm was settled,and he won a glory brighter even than Cheng Tang’s.He sent his horses to graze on Mount Hua to show that war was laid aside,and opened eight hundred years for our house of Zhou.
太白旗懸獨夫死，戰亡將士幽魂潛。天挺人賢號尚父，封神壇上列花箋，大小英靈尊位次，商周演義古今傳。
太白旗悬独夫死，战亡将士幽魂潜。天挺人贤号尚父，封神坛上列花笺，大小英灵尊位次，商周演义古今传。
The great white banner was hung up, and the lone tyrant was dead;the ghosts of the fallen, officers and men, lay hidden in the dark.Heaven raised up a worthy man, called the Esteemed Father (Shangfu);on the altar of investiture he laid out the flowered slips,and the heroic spirits, great and small, were honoured each in his rank.This romance of Shang and Zhou is told from ancient times to now.
成湯乃黃帝之後也，姓子氏。初，帝嚳次妃簡狄祈於高禖，有玄鳥之祥，遂生契。契事唐虞為司徒，教民有功，封於商。傳十三世生太乙，是為成湯；聞伊尹耕於有莘之野，而樂堯舜之道，是箇大賢，即時以幣帛，三遣使往聘之，而不敢用，進之於天子。桀王無道，信讒逐賢，而不能用，復歸之於湯。後桀王日事荒淫，殺直臣關龍逢，眾庶莫敢直言；湯使人哭之。桀王怒，囚湯於夏台。後湯得釋而歸國。出郊，見人張網四面而祝之曰：「從天墜者，從地出者，從四方來者，皆罹吾網！」湯解其三面，止置一面，更祝曰：「欲左者左，欲右者右，欲高者高，欲下者下；不用命者乃入吾網！」漢南聞之曰：「湯德至矣！」歸之者四十餘國。桀惡日暴，民不聊生。伊尹乃相湯伐桀，放桀於南巢。諸侯大會，湯退而就諸侯之位。諸侯皆推湯為天子。於是湯始即位，都於亳。元年乙未，湯在位，除桀虐政，順民所喜，遠近歸之。因桀無道，大旱七年，成湯祈禱桑林，天降大雨。又以莊山之金鑄幣，救民之命。作樂「大濩」，濩者護也，言湯寬仁大德，能救護生民也。在位十三年而崩，壽百歲，享國六百四十年，傳至商受而止：
成汤乃黄帝之后也，姓子氏。初，帝喾次妃简狄祈于高禖，有玄鸟之祥，遂生契。契事唐虞为司徒，教民有功，封于商。传十三世生太乙，是为成汤；闻伊尹耕于有莘之野，而乐尧舜之道，是个大贤，即时以币帛，三遣使往聘之，而不敢用，进之于天子。桀王无道，信谗逐贤，而不能用，复归之于汤。后桀王日事荒淫，杀直臣关龙逢，众庶莫敢直言；汤使人哭之。桀王怒，囚汤于夏台。后汤得释而归国。出郊，见人张网四面而祝之曰：「从天坠者，从地出者，从四方来者，皆罹吾网！」汤解其三面，止置一面，更祝曰：「欲左者左，欲右者右，欲高者高，欲下者下；不用命者乃入吾网！」汉南闻之曰：「汤德至矣！」归之者四十余国。桀恶日暴，民不聊生。伊尹乃相汤伐桀，放桀于南巢。诸侯大会，汤退而就诸侯之位。诸侯皆推汤为天子。于是汤始即位，都于亳。元年乙未，汤在位，除桀虐政，顺民所喜，远近归之。因桀无道，大旱七年，成汤祈祷桑林，天降大雨。又以庄山之金铸币，救民之命。作乐「大濩」，濩者护也，言汤宽仁大德，能救护生民也。在位十三年而崩，寿百岁，享国六百四十年，传至商受而止：
Cheng Tang was a descendant of the Yellow Emperor, of the Zi clan. In the beginning, Jiandi, second consort of Emperor Ku, prayed to Gaomei and was favoured with the omen of the dark bird, and so she bore Xie. Xie served Yao and Shun as Minister of the Masses, and for his merit in teaching the people he was enfeoffed at Shang. Thirteen generations later Taiyi was born, and he was Cheng Tang. Tang heard that Yi Yin, who farmed in the fields of Youshen, delighted in the Way of Yao and Shun: here was a man of great worth. At once he sent envoys with gifts of silk, three times over, to engage him; yet he did not dare employ Yi Yin himself, but presented him to the Son of Heaven. King Jie, who had no Way, believed slanderers and drove off the worthy. He could not make use of Yi Yin and sent him back to Tang. Later King Jie gave himself up more each day to debauchery. He killed his upright minister Guan Longpang, and none of the people dared speak out; Tang sent a man to mourn him. King Jie, enraged, imprisoned Tang at Xiatai. Later Tang was released and went home to his state. Going out into the countryside, he saw a man who had spread nets on all four sides and was praying over them: “All that fall from the sky, all that come out of the earth, all that come from the four quarters — into my nets!” Tang took down three sides of the nets, leaving only one, and prayed again: “Those that would go left, go left; those that would go right, go right; those that would fly high, fly high; those that would go low, go low. Only those that will not heed my command — into my net!” When the lands south of the Han heard of it, they said, “Tang’s virtue is perfect!” More than forty states gave him their allegiance. Jie’s evil grew more violent by the day, until the people could not live. Then Yi Yin, as Tang’s minister, helped him make war on Jie, and Jie was banished to Nanchao. The lords held a great assembly. Tang stepped back and took his place among them, but the lords all urged him to become Son of Heaven, and so Tang ascended the throne and made his capital at Bo. In his first year, a yiwei year, Tang, now on the throne, did away with Jie’s cruel government and followed what pleased the people, and near and far they came over to him. Because of Jie’s wickedness there was a great drought for seven years; Cheng Tang prayed in the Mulberry Grove, and Heaven sent down a great rain. He also cast coins from the metal of Mount Zhuang to save the people’s lives. He made music and called it Dahu. Hu means ‘protection’: it tells that Tang, generous, humane and of great virtue, could save and protect the living. He reigned thirteen years and died at the age of a hundred. His house held the realm for six hundred and forty years and was handed down until it ended with Shou of Shang:
成湯 太甲 沃丁 太庚 小甲 雍己
成汤 太甲 沃丁 太庚 小甲 雍己
Cheng Tang · Tai Jia · Wo Ding · Tai Geng · Xiao Jia · Yong Ji
太戊 仲丁 外壬 河亶甲 祖乙 祖辛
太戊 仲丁 外壬 河亶甲 祖乙 祖辛
Tai Wu · Zhong Ding · Wai Ren · Hedan Jia · Zu Yi · Zu Xin
沃甲 祖丁 南庚 陽甲 盤庚 小辛
沃甲 祖丁 南庚 阳甲 盘庚 小辛
Wo Jia · Zu Ding · Nan Geng · Yang Jia · Pan Geng · Xiao Xin
小乙 武丁 祖庚 祖甲 廩辛 庚丁
小乙 武丁 祖庚 祖甲 廪辛 庚丁
Xiao Yi · Wu Ding · Zu Geng · Zu Jia · Lin Xin · Geng Ding
武乙 太丁 帝乙 紂王
武乙 太丁 帝乙 纣王
Wu Yi · Tai Ding · Di Yi · King Zhou
紂王乃帝乙之三子也。帝乙生三子：長曰微子啟；次曰微子衍；三曰壽王。因帝乙游於御園，領眾文武玩賞牡丹，因飛雲閣塌了一梁，壽王托梁換柱，力大無比；因首相商容、上大夫梅伯、趙啟等上本立東宮，乃立季子壽王為太子。後帝乙在位三十年而崩，托孤與太師聞仲，隨立壽王為天子，名曰紂王，都朝歌。文有太師聞仲，武有鎮國武成王黃飛虎；文足以安邦，武足以定國。中宮元配皇后姜氏，西宮妃黃氏，馨慶宮妃楊氏；三宮后妃，皆德性貞靜，柔和賢淑。紂王坐享太平，萬民樂業，風調雨順，國泰民安；四夷拱手，八方賓服，八百鎮諸侯盡朝於商──有四路大諸侯率領八百小諸侯，東伯侯姜桓楚，居於東魯，南伯侯鄂崇禹，西伯侯姬昌，北伯侯崇侯虎；每一鎮諸侯領二百鎮小諸侯，共八百鎮諸侯屬商。
纣王乃帝乙之三子也。帝乙生三子：长曰微子启；次曰微子衍；三曰寿王。因帝乙游于御园，领众文武玩赏牡丹，因飞云阁塌了一梁，寿王托梁换柱，力大无比；因首相商容、上大夫梅伯、赵启等上本立东宫，乃立季子寿王为太子。后帝乙在位三十年而崩，托孤与太师闻仲，随立寿王为天子，名曰纣王，都朝歌。文有太师闻仲，武有镇国武成王黄飞虎；文足以安邦，武足以定国。中宫元配皇后姜氏，西宫妃黄氏，馨庆宫妃杨氏；三宫后妃，皆德性贞静，柔和贤淑。纣王坐享太平，万民乐业，风调雨顺，国泰民安；四夷拱手，八方宾服，八百镇诸侯尽朝于商──有四路大诸侯率领八百小诸侯，东伯侯姜桓楚，居于东鲁，南伯侯鄂崇禹，西伯侯姬昌，北伯侯崇侯虎；每一镇诸侯领二百镇小诸侯，共八百镇诸侯属商。
King Zhou was the third son of Di Yi. Di Yi had three sons: the eldest was Weizi Qi, the second Weizi Yan, and the third Prince Shou. Once, when Di Yi was strolling in the royal garden with his officials, civil and military, to admire the tree peonies, a beam of the Feiyun Pavilion gave way, and Prince Shou held up the beam while the pillar was replaced: his strength was beyond compare. So when the First Chancellor Shang Rong, the Senior Counsellors Mei Bo and Zhao Qi and others memorialized the throne asking that an heir be named to the Eastern Palace, it was the youngest son, Prince Shou, who was made crown prince. Later, after thirty years on the throne, Di Yi died, entrusting his orphaned son to the Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong, and Prince Shou was made Son of Heaven. He was called King Zhou, and his capital was Zhaoge. In civil affairs he had the Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong; in war, Huang Feihu, Prince Wucheng, Guardian of the Realm. The one was able to keep the land at peace, the other to keep the realm secure. In the Central Palace was his first wife, Queen Jiang; in the Western Palace, Consort Huang; in the Xinqing Palace, Consort Yang. The queen and consorts of all three palaces were virtuous, chaste and quiet, gentle, wise and good. King Zhou sat enjoying the great peace: the people prospered at their work, the winds came in season and the rains in measure, the realm was at peace and its people at ease. The barbarians on all four sides folded their hands in submission, the eight quarters came as guests to do homage, and all the eight hundred lords came to the Shang court — there were four great lords who led the eight hundred lesser lords: Jiang Huanchu, Lord of the East, who lived in Eastern Lu; E Chongyu, Lord of the South; Ji Chang, Lord of the West; and Chong Houhu, Lord of the North. Each of the great lords led two hundred lesser lords, eight hundred lords in all, and all of them belonged to the Shang.
紂王七年，春二月，忽報到朝歌，反了北海七十二路諸侯袁福通等。太師聞仲奉敕征北。不題。
纣王七年，春二月，忽报到朝歌，反了北海七十二路诸侯袁福通等。太师闻仲奉敕征北。不题。
In the seventh year of King Zhou’s reign, in the second month of spring, word suddenly came to Zhaoge that the seventy-two lords of the North Sea, Yuan Futong and the rest, had risen in revolt. The Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong received the royal command and marched north against them. But no more of that.
一日，紂王早朝登殿，設聚文武。但見：
一日，纣王早朝登殿，设聚文武。但见：
One day King Zhou held his morning audience. He took his place in the hall, and the officials, civil and military, assembled. This is what one saw:
瑞靄紛紜，金鑾殿上坐君王；祥光繚繞，白玉階前列文武。沉檀八百噴金爐，則見那珠簾高捲；蘭麝氤氳籠寶扇，且看他雉尾低回。
瑞霭纷纭，金銮殿上坐君王；祥光缭绕，白玉阶前列文武。沉檀八百喷金炉，则见那珠帘高卷；兰麝氤氲笼宝扇，且看他雉尾低回。
Auspicious mists drift and swirl:in the Hall of Golden Bells the sovereign sits.Lucky light coils and wreathes:before the white jade steps the officials stand in their ranks.From golden censers puffs the smoke of eight hundred aloes and sandal sticks,and there the pearl curtains are rolled up high;a haze of orchid and musk enfolds the jewelled fans,and see how the pheasant plumes sway low.
天子問當駕官：「有奏章出班，無事朝散。」言未畢，只見右班中一人出班，俯伏金階，高擎牙笏，山呼稱臣：「臣商容待罪宰相，執掌朝綱，有事不敢不奏。明日乃三月十五日，女媧娘娘聖誕之辰，請陛下駕臨女媧宮降香。」王曰：「女媧有何功德，朕輕萬乘而往降香？」商容奏曰：「女媧娘娘乃上古神女，生有聖德。那時共工氏頭觸不周山，天傾西北，地陷東南；女媧乃採五色石，煉之以補青天，故有功於百姓。黎庶立禋祀以報之。今朝歌祀此福神，則四時康泰，國祚綿長，風調雨順，災害潛消。此福國庇民之正神，陛下當往行香。」王曰：「准卿奏章。」紂王還宮。旨意傳出；次日天子乘輦，隨帶兩班文武，往女媧宮進香。──此一回紂王不來還好，只因進香，惹得四海荒荒，生民失業。正所謂：
「漫江撒下鉤和線，從此釣出是非來。」
怎見得，有詩為證：
天子问当驾官：「有奏章出班，无事朝散。」言未毕，只见右班中一人出班，俯伏金阶，高擎牙笏，山呼称臣：「臣商容待罪宰相，执掌朝纲，有事不敢不奏。明日乃三月十五日，女娲娘娘圣诞之辰，请陛下驾临女娲宫降香。」王曰：「女娲有何功德，朕轻万乘而往降香？」商容奏曰：「女娲娘娘乃上古神女，生有圣德。那时共工氏头触不周山，天倾西北，地陷东南；女娲乃采五色石，炼之以补青天，故有功于百姓。黎庶立禋祀以报之。今朝歌祀此福神，则四时康泰，国祚绵长，风调雨顺，灾害潜消。此福国庇民之正神，陛下当往行香。」王曰：「准卿奏章。」纣王还宫。旨意传出；次日天子乘辇，随带两班文武，往女娲宫进香。──此一回纣王不来还好，只因进香，惹得四海荒荒，生民失业。正所谓：
「漫江撒下钩和线，从此钓出是非来。」
怎见得，有诗为证：
The Son of Heaven had the officer in attendance ask, “Let any with memorials step forward; if there is no business, the court is dismissed.” The words were hardly out when a man stepped out from the ranks on the right, prostrated himself on the golden steps, raised his ivory tablet high, hailed the king with the cry of “Ten thousand years!” and spoke as his servant: “Your servant Shang Rong, who unworthily serves as chancellor and keeps the laws of the court, dares not leave a matter unreported. Tomorrow is the fifteenth day of the third month, the holy birthday of the goddess Nüwa. I beg Your Majesty to go in person to the temple of Nüwa and offer incense.” The king said, “What merit or virtue has Nüwa, that We should make light of Our ten thousand chariots and go to offer her incense?” Shang Rong replied, “The goddess Nüwa is a divine woman of high antiquity, born with holy virtue. In those days Gonggong butted his head against Mount Buzhou, so that the sky tilted to the north-west and the earth sank in the south-east. Nüwa gathered stones of five colours and smelted them to mend the blue sky, and so she earned the gratitude of all the people, who set up sacrifices to repay her. If Zhaoge worships this goddess of blessing, the four seasons will be healthy and peaceful, the dynasty will long endure, the winds will come in season and the rains in measure, and disasters will quietly melt away. She is a true god who blesses the realm and shelters the people, and Your Majesty ought to go and offer incense.” The king said, “We grant your petition.” King Zhou returned to the palace and his decree went out. The next day the Son of Heaven rode out in his carriage, taking the officials of both ranks, civil and military, with him, to burn incense at the temple of Nüwa — a visit it would have been better never to make, for it was this incense that threw the four seas into turmoil and cost the living their livelihood. As the saying goes:
“He cast hook and line across the river,and from then on fished up nothing but trouble.”
How so? There is a poem to prove it:
天子鑾輿出鳳城，旌旄瑞色映簪纓。龍光劍吐風雲色；赤羽幢搖日月精。
天子銮舆出凤城，旌旄瑞色映簪缨。龙光剑吐风云色；赤羽幢摇日月精。
The Son of Heaven’s carriage rolls out of the Phoenix City;banners in lucky colours glint on hatpins and tassels.Swords of dragon light breathe out the hues of wind and cloud;red-plumed streamers stir the essence of sun and moon.
堤柳曉分僊掌露；溪花光耀翠裘清。欲知巡幸瞻天表，萬國衣冠拜聖明。
堤柳晓分僊掌露；溪花光耀翠裘清。欲知巡幸瞻天表，万国衣冠拜圣明。
At dawn the willows on the dykes share dew from the immortal’s palm;the flowers by the stream shine bright on clear kingfisher robes.If you would know what it is to see the royal face on his progress:the robes and caps of ten thousand states bow down to his sacred majesty.
駕出朝歌南門，家家焚香設火，戶戶結綵鋪氈。三千鐵騎，八百御林，武成王黃飛虎保駕，滿朝文武隨行。前至女媧宮。天子離輦，上大殿，香焚爐中；文武隨班拜賀畢。紂王觀看殿中華麗。怎見得：
驾出朝歌南门，家家焚香设火，户户结彩铺毡。三千铁骑，八百御林，武成王黄飞虎保驾，满朝文武随行。前至女娲宫。天子离辇，上大殿，香焚炉中；文武随班拜贺毕。纣王观看殿中华丽。怎见得：
The royal carriage left by the south gate of Zhaoge. Every household burned incense and set out lights; every doorway was hung with coloured silks and spread with carpets. Three thousand armoured horsemen and eight hundred of the Royal Guard rode with him; Huang Feihu, Prince Wucheng, guarded the king, and the whole court, civil and military, followed in his train. So they came to the temple of Nüwa. The Son of Heaven stepped down from his carriage and went up into the main hall, and incense was burned in the censer; the officials, civil and military, made their bows in their ranks. King Zhou gazed about at the splendour of the hall. And how splendid was it?
殿前華麗，五彩金粧；金童對對執旛幢；玉女雙雙捧如意。玉鉤斜掛，半輪新月懸空；寶帳婆娑，萬對彩鸞朝斗。碧落床邊，俱是舞鶴翔鸞；沉香寶座，造就走龍飛鳳。飄飄奇彩異尋常，金爐瑞靄：裊裊禎祥騰紫霧，銀燭輝煌。君王正看行宮景，一陣狂風透膽寒。
殿前华丽，五彩金粧；金童对对执旛幢；玉女双双捧如意。玉钩斜挂，半轮新月悬空；宝帐婆娑，万对彩鸾朝斗。碧落床边，俱是舞鹤翔鸾；沉香宝座，造就走龙飞凤。飘飘奇彩异寻常，金炉瑞霭：袅袅祯祥腾紫雾，银烛辉煌。君王正看行宫景，一阵狂风透胆寒。
Before the hall, all is splendour,gold and the five colours adorn it;golden boys in pairs hold banners and streamers;jade maidens two by two bear ruyi sceptres.A jade hook hangs aslant,a half-moon new-risen in the sky;the jewelled curtains sway,where ten thousand pairs of bright phoenixes pay court to the Dipper.By the couch of the azure heavensare dancing cranes and soaring phoenixes;on the throne of aloeswoodare carved running dragons and flying phoenixes.Wondrous colours float, beyond the common;from golden censers rise lucky mists:curling, auspicious omens mount in purple haze,and silver candles blaze.As the king gazed on the temple’s splendours,a blast of wild wind chilled him to the core.
紂王正看此宮殿宇齊整，樓閣豐隆，忽一陣狂風，捲起幔帳，現出女媧聖像，容貌端麗，瑞彩翩躚，國色天姿，婉然如生；真是蕊宮仙子臨凡，月殿嫦娥下世。古語云：
「國之將興，必有禎祥；國之將亡，必有妖孽。」
紂王一見，神魂飄蕩，陡起淫心。自思：朕貴為天子，富有四海，縱有六院三宮，並無有此豔色。王曰：「取文房四寶。」侍駕官忙取將來，獻與紂王。天子深潤紫毫，在行宮粉壁之上作詩一首：
纣王正看此宫殿宇齐整，楼阁丰隆，忽一阵狂风，卷起幔帐，现出女娲圣像，容貌端丽，瑞彩翩跹，国色天姿，婉然如生；真是蕊宫仙子临凡，月殿嫦娥下世。古语云：
「国之将兴，必有祯祥；国之将亡，必有妖孽。」
纣王一见，神魂飘荡，陡起淫心。自思：朕贵为天子，富有四海，纵有六院三宫，并无有此艳色。王曰：「取文房四宝。」侍驾官忙取将来，献与纣王。天子深润紫毫，在行宫粉壁之上作诗一首：
King Zhou was gazing at the temple, its halls so neat and orderly, its towers and pavilions so lofty, when suddenly a gust of wild wind lifted the curtains and revealed the holy image of Nüwa. Her face was fair and noble, auspicious colours fluttered about her, a beauty to ravish a kingdom, of heavenly grace, so lovely she seemed alive: truly a fairy of the Pistil Palace come down to the mortal world, Chang’e from her palace in the moon descended to earth. An old saying has it:
“When a state is about to rise,there are sure to be lucky omens;when a state is about to fall,there are sure to be evil portents.”
The moment King Zhou saw her, his soul went drifting and lust rose in him all at once. He thought to himself, “We are exalted as the Son of Heaven and possess all within the four seas. Yet in all Our six courts and three palaces there is no beauty such as this.” The king said, “Bring the Four Treasures of the Study.” The attending officer hurried to fetch them and presented them to King Zhou. The Son of Heaven dipped his purple brush deep in the ink and wrote a poem on the whitewashed wall of the temple:
「鳳鸞寶帳景非常，盡是泥金巧樣粧。曲曲遠山飛翠色；翩翩舞袖映霞裳。
「凤鸾宝帐景非常，尽是泥金巧样粧。曲曲远山飞翠色；翩翩舞袖映霞裳。
“Phoenix curtains, jewelled hangings, a sight beyond compare,all in gold paint, cunningly figured.Curve on curve, her far-hill brows fly kingfisher green;fluttering, her dancing sleeves glow against her rosy gown.
梨花帶雨爭嬌豔；芍藥籠煙騁媚粧。但得妖嬈能舉動，取回長樂侍君王。」
梨花带雨争娇艳；芍药笼烟骋媚粧。但得妖娆能举动，取回长乐侍君王。」
Pear blossom wet with rain, vying in tender loveliness;peony veiled in mist, flaunting its charms.If only this enchantress could move and come to life,I would take her home to the Palace of Lasting Joy to wait upon her king.”
天子作畢，只見首相商容啟奏曰：「女媧乃上古之正神，朝歌之福主。老臣請駕拈香，祈求福德，使萬民樂業，雨順風調，兵火寧息。今陛下作詩褻瀆聖明，毫無虔敬之誠，是獲罪於神聖，非天子巡幸祈請之禮。願主公以水洗之。恐天下百姓觀見，傳言聖上無有德政耳。」王曰：「朕看女媧之容有絕世之姿，因作詩以讚美之，豈有他意？卿毋多言。況孤乃萬乘之尊，留與萬姓觀之，可見娘娘美貌絕世，亦見孤之遺筆耳。」言罷回朝。文武百官默默點首，莫敢誰何，俱鉗口而回。有詩為證：
天子作毕，只见首相商容启奏曰：「女娲乃上古之正神，朝歌之福主。老臣请驾拈香，祈求福德，使万民乐业，雨顺风调，兵火宁息。今陛下作诗亵渎圣明，毫无虔敬之诚，是获罪于神圣，非天子巡幸祈请之礼。愿主公以水洗之。恐天下百姓观见，传言圣上无有德政耳。」王曰：「朕看女娲之容有绝世之姿，因作诗以赞美之，岂有他意？卿毋多言。况孤乃万乘之尊，留与万姓观之，可见娘娘美貌绝世，亦见孤之遗笔耳。」言罢回朝。文武百官默默点首，莫敢谁何，俱钳口而回。有诗为证：
When the Son of Heaven had finished, the First Chancellor Shang Rong addressed him: “Nüwa is a true god of high antiquity and the patron of Zhaoge’s good fortune. Your old servant asked Your Majesty to come and offer incense to pray for blessing, so that the people might prosper at their work, the rains come in season and the winds in measure, and war be laid to rest. Now Your Majesty has written a poem that profanes the holy one, without the least sincere reverence. This is to offend the gods; it is not the rite proper to a Son of Heaven on a progress to pray. I beg my lord to have it washed off with water, for I fear that if the people of the realm see it, they will spread the word that His Majesty has no virtue in his rule.” The king said, “We saw that Nüwa’s face had a beauty beyond any in the world, and so We wrote a poem in praise of it. What other meaning could there be? Say no more, minister. Besides, We are the lord of ten thousand chariots. Let it stay for all the people to see: they will know how beautiful the goddess is, beyond any in the world, and they will see a work from Our own brush as well.” With that he returned to court. The officials, civil and military, nodded in silence; none dared say a word, and they all went back with their mouths shut. There is a poem to prove it:
鳳輦龍車出帝京，拈香釐祝女中英；只知祈福黎民樂，孰料吟詩萬姓驚。
凤辇龙车出帝京，拈香厘祝女中英；只知祈福黎民乐，孰料吟诗万姓惊。
The phoenix carriage and dragon chariot left the royal capitalto offer incense and pray for blessing to the heroine among women.They thought only to pray for blessing, that the people might rejoice;who would have guessed a poem would make all the people tremble?
目下狐狸為太后；眼前豺虎盡簪纓。上天垂象皆如此，徒令英雄歎不平。
目下狐狸为太后；眼前豺虎尽簪缨。上天垂象皆如此，徒令英雄叹不平。
Soon a fox will sit as queen;already jackals and tigers all wear the hatpins and tassels of office.Heaven above shows its signs in all of this,and leaves the heroes only to sigh at the wrong.
天子駕回，陞龍德殿。百姓朝賀而散。時逢望辰，三宮妃后朝君：中宮姜后，西宮黃妃，馨慶宮楊妃，朝畢而退。按下不表。
天子驾回，升龙德殿。百姓朝贺而散。时逢望辰，三宫妃后朝君：中宫姜后，西宫黄妃，馨庆宫杨妃，朝毕而退。按下不表。
The Son of Heaven’s carriage returned, and he ascended the Longde Hall, where the officials offered their congratulations and withdrew. It happened to be the day of the full moon, when the queen and consorts of the three palaces came to pay court to their lord: Queen Jiang of the Central Palace, Consort Huang of the Western Palace and Consort Yang of the Xinqing Palace. When they had paid their respects, they withdrew. But no more of that.
且說女媧娘娘降誕，三月十五日往火雲宮朝賀伏羲、炎帝、軒轅三聖而回，下得青鸞，坐於寶殿。玉女金童朝禮畢，娘娘猛抬頭，看見粉壁上詩句，大怒罵曰：「殷受無道昏君，不想修身立德以保天下，今反不畏上天，吟詩褻我，甚是可惡！我想成湯伐桀而王天下，享國六百餘年，氣數已盡；若不與他個報應，不見我的靈感。」即喚碧霞童子駕青鸞往朝歌一回。不題。
且说女娲娘娘降诞，三月十五日往火云宫朝贺伏羲、炎帝、轩辕三圣而回，下得青鸾，坐于宝殿。玉女金童朝礼毕，娘娘猛抬头，看见粉壁上诗句，大怒骂曰：「殷受无道昏君，不想修身立德以保天下，今反不畏上天，吟诗亵我，甚是可恶！我想成汤伐桀而王天下，享国六百余年，气数已尽；若不与他个报应，不见我的灵感。」即唤碧霞童子驾青鸾往朝歌一回。不题。
Now, the fifteenth day of the third month was the birthday of the goddess Nüwa, and she had gone to the Fire Cloud Palace to pay her respects to the Three Sages, Fuxi, the Flame Emperor and Xuanyuan. On her return she alighted from her blue phoenix and took her seat in her precious hall. When the jade maidens and golden boys had made their obeisance, the goddess raised her head — and saw the poem on the whitewashed wall. In a great rage she cursed: “Yin Shou, you wicked, benighted king! Instead of cultivating yourself and building up virtue to keep the realm, you now have no fear even of Heaven above, and write verses to profane me. Loathsome! As I see it, Tang overthrew Jie and became king of all under heaven, and his house has held the realm for more than six hundred years; its allotted span is spent. If I do not pay him back for this, my divine power will go unseen.” At once she called her page boy Bixia to harness the blue phoenix for a journey to Zhaoge. But no more of that.
卻說二位殿下殷郊、殷洪來參謁父王──那殷郊後來是「封神榜」上「值年太歲」；殷洪是「五穀神」：皆有名神將。正行禮間，頂上兩道紅光沖天。娘娘正行時，被此氣擋住雲路；因望下一看，知紂王尚有二十八年氣運，不可造次，暫回行宮，心中不悅。喚彩雲童兒把後宮中金葫蘆取來，放在丹墀之下；揭起蘆蓋，用手一指。葫蘆中有一道白光，其大如線，高四五丈有餘。白光之上，懸出一首旛來，光分五彩，瑞映千條，名曰「招妖旛」。不一時，悲風颯颯，慘霧迷漫，陰雲四合，風過數陣，天下群妖俱到行宮聽候法旨。娘娘吩咐彩雲：「著各處妖魔且退；只留軒轅墳中三妖伺候。」三妖進宮參謁，口稱：「娘娘聖壽無疆！」這三妖一個是千年狐狸精，一個是九頭雉雞精，一個是玉石琵琶精，俯伏丹墀。娘娘曰：「三妖聽吾密旨：成湯望氣黯然，當失天下；鳳鳴岐山，西周已生聖主。天意已定，氣數使然。你三妖可隱其妖形，托身宮院，惑亂君心；俟武王伐紂，以助成功，不可殘害眾生。事成之後，使你等亦成正果。」娘娘吩咐已畢，三妖叩頭謝恩，化清風而去。正是：
狐狸聽旨施妖術，斷送成湯六百年。
有詩為證，詩曰：
却说二位殿下殷郊、殷洪来参谒父王──那殷郊后来是「封神榜」上「值年太岁」；殷洪是「五谷神」：皆有名神将。正行礼间，顶上两道红光冲天。娘娘正行时，被此气挡住云路；因望下一看，知纣王尚有二十八年气运，不可造次，暂回行宫，心中不悦。唤彩云童儿把后宫中金葫芦取来，放在丹墀之下；揭起芦盖，用手一指。葫芦中有一道白光，其大如线，高四五丈有余。白光之上，悬出一首旛来，光分五彩，瑞映千条，名曰「招妖旛」。不一时，悲风飒飒，惨雾迷漫，阴云四合，风过数阵，天下群妖俱到行宫听候法旨。娘娘吩咐彩云：「着各处妖魔且退；只留轩辕坟中三妖伺候。」三妖进宫参谒，口称：「娘娘圣寿无疆！」这三妖一个是千年狐狸精，一个是九头雉鸡精，一个是玉石琵琶精，俯伏丹墀。娘娘曰：「三妖听吾密旨：成汤望气黯然，当失天下；凤鸣岐山，西周已生圣主。天意已定，气数使然。你三妖可隐其妖形，托身宫院，惑乱君心；俟武王伐纣，以助成功，不可残害众生。事成之后，使你等亦成正果。」娘娘吩咐已毕，三妖叩头谢恩，化清风而去。正是：
狐狸听旨施妖术，断送成汤六百年。
有诗为证，诗曰：
Meanwhile the two princes, Yin Jiao and Yin Hong, had come to pay their respects to their father the king — Yin Jiao would later be named on the Investiture List as Taisui, the presiding god of the year, and Yin Hong as the God of the Five Grains, both of them gods of renown. Just as they were making their bows, two beams of red light shot up from the crowns of their heads into the sky. The goddess, already on her way, found her cloud path blocked by this light. She looked down and saw that King Zhou still had twenty-eight years of fortune left, so she must not act rashly. For the time being she went back to her temple, much displeased. She told her page boy Caiyun to fetch the golden gourd from the rear palace and set it below the vermilion steps. She lifted off the stopper and pointed at it. Out of the gourd came a beam of white light, as thin as a thread and more than forty or fifty feet high. From the top of the white light a banner hung out, its light split into five colours, a thousand rays of good omen: it was called the Demon-Summoning Banner. In no time a mournful wind was soughing, a dismal mist spread everywhere and dark clouds closed in on every side; after a few gusts of wind, all the demons under heaven had come to the temple to await her sacred command. The goddess told Caiyun, “Let the demons from everywhere withdraw for now. Keep only the three spirits from the Tomb of Xuanyuan to attend me.” The three spirits came in to pay their respects, crying, “Long live the goddess, holy and everlasting!” Of the three, one was a thousand-year-old fox spirit, one a nine-headed pheasant spirit and one a jade pipa spirit, and they lay prostrate below the vermilion steps. The goddess said, “Hear my secret command, you three spirits. The aura over the house of Tang has darkened: it is to lose the realm. The phoenix has sung on Mount Qi: in the west, Zhou has already brought forth a sage ruler. Heaven’s will is settled, and the dynasty’s allotted span decrees it. You three must hide your demon shapes, lodge yourselves in the palace and bewitch the king’s heart. When King Wu marches against King Zhou, help him to success — but you are not to harm living creatures. When it is done, you too shall attain the true fruit.” When the goddess had given her orders, the three spirits knocked their heads to the ground, thanked her for her grace, turned into a clear breeze and were gone. Truly:
the fox heard the command and worked her demon arts,and brought to ruin the six hundred years of Tang.
There is a poem to prove it. It says:
三月中旬駕進香，吟詩一首起飛殃。只知把筆施才學，不曉今番社稷亡。
三月中旬驾进香，吟诗一首起飞殃。只知把笔施才学，不晓今番社稷亡。
In the middle of the third month the king went to burn incense,and one poem he wrote raised a disaster out of nowhere.He thought only to take up the brush and show off his talent,not knowing that this time it would cost him his realm.
按下女媧娘娘吩咐三妖，不題。
按下女娲娘娘吩咐三妖，不题。
Let us leave the goddess Nüwa and her orders to the three spirits, and say no more of them.
且言紂王只因進香之後，看見女媧美貌，朝暮思想，寒暑盡忘，寢食俱廢，每見六院三宮，真如塵飯土羹，不堪諦視；終朝將此事不放心懷，鬱鬱不樂。一日駕陞顯慶殿，時有常隨在側。紂王忽然猛省，著奉御宣中諫大夫費仲。──乃紂王之倖臣；近因聞太師仲，奉敕平北海，大兵遠征，戍外立功，因此上就寵費仲、尤渾二人。此二人朝朝蠱惑聖聰，讒言獻媚，紂王無有不從。大抵天下將危，佞臣當道。──不一時，費仲朝見。王曰：「朕因女媧宮進香，偶見其顏豔麗，絕世無雙，三宮六院，無當朕意，將如之何？卿有何策，以慰朕懷？」費仲奏曰：「陛下乃萬乘之尊，富有四海，德配堯、舜，天下之所有，皆陛下之所有，何思不得，這有何難。陛下明日傳一旨，頒行四路諸侯：每一鎮選美女百名以充王庭。何憂天下絕色不入王選乎。」紂王大悅：「卿所奏甚合朕意。明日早朝發旨。卿且暫回。」隨即命駕還宮。畢竟不知此後何如，且聽下回分解。
且言纣王只因进香之后，看见女娲美貌，朝暮思想，寒暑尽忘，寝食俱废，每见六院三宫，真如尘饭土羹，不堪谛视；终朝将此事不放心怀，郁郁不乐。一日驾升显庆殿，时有常随在侧。纣王忽然猛省，着奉御宣中谏大夫费仲。──乃纣王之幸臣；近因闻太师仲，奉敕平北海，大兵远征，戍外立功，因此上就宠费仲、尤浑二人。此二人朝朝蛊惑圣聪，谗言献媚，纣王无有不从。大抵天下将危，佞臣当道。──不一时，费仲朝见。王曰：「朕因女娲宫进香，偶见其颜艳丽，绝世无双，三宫六院，无当朕意，将如之何？卿有何策，以慰朕怀？」费仲奏曰：「陛下乃万乘之尊，富有四海，德配尧、舜，天下之所有，皆陛下之所有，何思不得，这有何难。陛下明日传一旨，颁行四路诸侯：每一镇选美女百名以充王庭。何忧天下绝色不入王选乎。」纣王大悦：「卿所奏甚合朕意。明日早朝发旨。卿且暂回。」随即命驾还宫。毕竟不知此后何如，且听下回分解。
Our story turns to King Zhou. Ever since he had gone to burn incense and seen Nüwa’s beauty, he thought of her morning and night. He forgot heat and cold and gave up sleep and food. Whenever he looked at the women of his six courts and three palaces, they seemed no better than dust for rice and mud for soup, not worth a glance. All day long he could not put the matter out of his mind, and he was sunk in gloom. One day the king went up to the Xianqing Hall, with his usual attendants at his side. Suddenly a thought struck King Zhou, and he had the chamberlain summon the Counsellor of Remonstrance, Fei Zhong. (Fei Zhong was King Zhou’s favourite. Of late, with the Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong away by royal command to put down the North Sea, campaigning far off with a great army to win merit beyond the frontier, the king had come to favour two men, Fei Zhong and You Hun. Morning after morning the pair bewitched the king’s judgement with slander and flattery, and there was nothing King Zhou would not do at their word. As a rule, when the realm is about to fall, flatterers hold power.) Before long Fei Zhong came before the king. The king said, “When We went to burn incense at the temple of Nüwa, We happened to see her face. It was lovely beyond compare, without its equal in the world, and now nobody in Our three palaces and six courts pleases Us. What is to be done? Have you some plan, minister, to ease Our heart?” Fei Zhong replied, “Your Majesty is the lord of ten thousand chariots and possesses all within the four seas; your virtue matches that of Yao and Shun. All that is under heaven belongs to Your Majesty. What could you want and not have? Nothing could be easier. Tomorrow let Your Majesty issue a decree to the four great lords: every fief under them is to choose a hundred beautiful girls to fill the royal court. Then why fear that the loveliest beauties in the world will escape Your Majesty’s choosing?” King Zhou was delighted. “Your proposal suits Us exactly. We will issue the decree at the morning audience tomorrow. You may withdraw for now.” Then he ordered his carriage and returned to the palace. To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.