詩曰：
白雲飛雨過南山，碧落蕭疏春色閒。樓閣金輝來紫霧；交梨玉液駐朱顏。
诗曰：
白云飞雨过南山，碧落萧疏春色闲。楼阁金辉来紫雾；交梨玉液驻朱颜。
A poem says:
White clouds and flying rain pass over the Southern Mountain;the azure heavens are clear and spare, the colours of spring at rest.Towers and pavilions gleam with gold as purple mists drift in;the immortals’ pears and jade nectar keep rosy faces young.
花迎白鶴歌仙曲；柳拂青鸞舞翠鬟。此是仙凡多隔世，妖氛一派透天關。
花迎白鹤歌仙曲；柳拂青鸾舞翠鬟。此是仙凡多隔世，妖氛一派透天关。
Flowers welcome white cranes that sing immortal airs;willows brush the blue phoenixes, dancing their green tresses.Here the immortal and the mortal are worlds apart,yet a tide of demonic miasma pierces the passes of heaven.
不言紂王貪戀妲己，終日荒淫，不理朝政。話說終南山有一煉氣士，名曰雲中子，乃是千百年得道之仙。那日閒居無事，手攜水火花籃，意欲往虎兒崖前採藥；方纔駕雲興霧，忽見東南上一道妖氣，直沖透雲霄。雲中子打一看時，點首嗟歎：「此畜不過是千年狐狸，今假托人形，潛匿朝歌皇宮之內，若不早除，必為大患。我出家人慈悲為本，方便為門……」忙喚金霞童子：「你與我將老枯松枝取一段來，待我削一木劍，去除妖邪。」童兒曰：「何不用照妖寶劍，斬斷妖邪，永絕禍根？」雲中子笑曰：「千年老狐，豈足當我寶劍！只此足矣。」童兒取松枝與雲中子，削成木劍，吩咐童子：「好生看守洞門，我去就來。」雲中子離了終南山，腳踏祥雲，望朝歌而來。怎見得，有詩為證，詩曰：
不言纣王贪恋妲己，终日荒淫，不理朝政。话说终南山有一炼气士，名曰云中子，乃是千百年得道之仙。那日闲居无事，手携水火花篮，意欲往虎儿崖前采药；方才驾云兴雾，忽见东南上一道妖气，直冲透云霄。云中子打一看时，点首嗟叹：「此畜不过是千年狐狸，今假托人形，潜匿朝歌皇宫之内，若不早除，必为大患。我出家人慈悲为本，方便为门……」忙唤金霞童子：「你与我将老枯松枝取一段来，待我削一木剑，去除妖邪。」童儿曰：「何不用照妖宝剑，斩断妖邪，永绝祸根？」云中子笑曰：「千年老狐，岂足当我宝剑！只此足矣。」童儿取松枝与云中子，削成木剑，吩咐童子：「好生看守洞门，我去就来。」云中子离了终南山，脚踏祥云，望朝歌而来。怎见得，有诗为证，诗曰：
We will say no more of King Zhou, besotted with Daji, sunk in debauchery from morning to night and paying no heed to the government. Now, on Mount Zhongnan there was a qi-refiner named Yunzhongzi, an immortal who had attained the Way more than a thousand years before. One day, being at leisure with nothing to do, he took his flower basket of water and fire in his hand, meaning to go and gather herbs below Tiger Cub Cliff. He had only just mounted a cloud and raised a mist when he suddenly saw a streak of demonic aura in the south-east, shooting straight up through the clouds into the sky. When Yunzhongzi took a good look, he nodded and sighed: “This beast is no more than a thousand-year-old fox. Now it has borrowed a human shape and lies hidden in the royal palace at Zhaoge. If it is not done away with soon, it is sure to cause great harm. For us who have left the world, compassion is the root and helping others the gate…” He hastily called the page boy Jinxia: “Go and fetch me a length of old dead pine branch. I will whittle a wooden sword and go and get rid of this evil.” The boy said, “Why not use the Demon-Revealing Sword, cut the evil thing down and be rid of the root of the trouble for ever?” Yunzhongzi laughed. “A thousand-year-old fox is not worth my precious sword! This will do.” The boy brought the pine branch to Yunzhongzi, who whittled it into a wooden sword and told the boy, “Keep good watch over the cave gate. I’ll be back before long.” Yunzhongzi left Mount Zhongnan and, treading on an auspicious cloud, made for Zhaoge. How so? There is a poem to prove it. It says:
不用乘騎與駕舟，五湖四海任遨遊。大千世界須臾至，石爛松枯當一秋。
不用乘骑与驾舟，五湖四海任遨游。大千世界须臾至，石烂松枯当一秋。
He needs no horse to ride, no boat to steer;over the five lakes and the four seas he roams at will.The great thousand worlds he crosses in a moment;rocks may crumble and pines wither — to him it is one autumn.
且不言雲中子往朝歌來除妖邪。只見紂王日迷酒色，旬月不朝，百姓皇皇。滿朝文武議論紛紛。內有上大夫梅伯與首相商容、亞相比干言曰：「天子荒淫，沉湎酒色，不理朝政，本積如山，此大亂之兆也。公等身為大臣，進退自有當盡的大義。況君有諍臣，父有諍子，士有諍友。下官與二位丞相俱有責焉。今日不免鳴鐘擊鼓，齊集文武，請駕臨軒，各陳其事，以力諍之，庶不失君臣大義。」商容曰：「大夫之言有理。」傳執殿官：「鳴鐘鼓請王陞殿。」紂王正在摘星樓宴樂，聽見大殿上鐘鼓齊鳴，左右奏：「請聖駕陞殿。」紂王不得已，吩咐妲己曰：「美人暫且安頓，待朕出殿就回。」妲己俯伏送駕。紂王秉圭坐輦，臨殿登座。文武百官朝賀畢。天子見二丞相抱本上殿，又見八大夫抱本上殿，與鎮國武成王黃飛虎抱本上殿。紂王連日酒色昏迷，情思厭倦，又見本多，一時如何看得盡，又有退朝之意。只見二丞相進前，俯伏奏曰：「天下諸侯本章候命。陛下何事旬月不臨大殿。日坐深宮，全不把朝綱整理，此必有在王左右迷惑聖聰者。乞陛下當以國事為重，無得仍前高坐深宮，廢弛國事，大拂臣民之望。臣聞天位惟艱，況今天心未順，水旱不均，降災下民，未有不因政治得失所致。願陛下留心邦本，痛改前轍，去讒遠色，勤政恤民；則天心效順，國富民豐，天下安康，四海受無窮之福矣。願陛下幸留意焉。」紂王曰：「朕聞四海安康，萬民樂業，止有北海逆命，已令太師聞仲剿除奸黨，此不過疥癬之疾，何足掛慮？二位丞相之言甚善，朕豈不知。但朝廷百事，俱有首相與朕代勞，自是可行，何嘗有壅滯之理。縱朕臨軒，亦不過垂拱而已，又何必嘵嘵於口舌哉。」君臣正言國事，午門官啟奏：「終南山有一煉氣士雲中子見駕，有機密重情，未敢擅自朝見，請旨定奪。」紂王自思：「眾文武諸臣還抱本伺候，如何了得。不如宣道者見朕閒談，百官自無紛紛議論，且免朕拒諫之名。」傳旨：「宣！」雲中子進午門，過九龍橋，走大道，寬袍大袖，手執拂塵，飄飄徐步而來。好齊整！但見：
且不言云中子往朝歌来除妖邪。只见纣王日迷酒色，旬月不朝，百姓皇皇。满朝文武议论纷纷。内有上大夫梅伯与首相商容、亚相比干言曰：「天子荒淫，沉湎酒色，不理朝政，本积如山，此大乱之兆也。公等身为大臣，进退自有当尽的大义。况君有诤臣，父有诤子，士有诤友。下官与二位丞相俱有责焉。今日不免鸣钟击鼓，齐集文武，请驾临轩，各陈其事，以力诤之，庶不失君臣大义。」商容曰：「大夫之言有理。」传执殿官：「鸣钟鼓请王升殿。」纣王正在摘星楼宴乐，听见大殿上钟鼓齐鸣，左右奏：「请圣驾升殿。」纣王不得已，吩咐妲己曰：「美人暂且安顿，待朕出殿就回。」妲己俯伏送驾。纣王秉圭坐辇，临殿登座。文武百官朝贺毕。天子见二丞相抱本上殿，又见八大夫抱本上殿，与镇国武成王黄飞虎抱本上殿。纣王连日酒色昏迷，情思厌倦，又见本多，一时如何看得尽，又有退朝之意。只见二丞相进前，俯伏奏曰：「天下诸侯本章候命。陛下何事旬月不临大殿。日坐深宫，全不把朝纲整理，此必有在王左右迷惑圣聪者。乞陛下当以国事为重，无得仍前高坐深宫，废弛国事，大拂臣民之望。臣闻天位惟艰，况今天心未顺，水旱不均，降灾下民，未有不因政治得失所致。愿陛下留心邦本，痛改前辙，去谗远色，勤政恤民；则天心效顺，国富民丰，天下安康，四海受无穷之福矣。愿陛下幸留意焉。」纣王曰：「朕闻四海安康，万民乐业，止有北海逆命，已令太师闻仲剿除奸党，此不过疥癣之疾，何足挂虑？二位丞相之言甚善，朕岂不知。但朝廷百事，俱有首相与朕代劳，自是可行，何尝有壅滞之理。纵朕临轩，亦不过垂拱而已，又何必哓哓于口舌哉。」君臣正言国事，午门官启奏：「终南山有一炼气士云中子见驾，有机密重情，未敢擅自朝见，请旨定夺。」纣王自思：「众文武诸臣还抱本伺候，如何了得。不如宣道者见朕闲谈，百官自无纷纷议论，且免朕拒谏之名。」传旨：「宣！」云中子进午门，过九龙桥，走大道，宽袍大袖，手执拂尘，飘飘徐步而来。好齐整！但见：
We will say no more for now of Yunzhongzi, coming to Zhaoge to rid it of the evil. King Zhou, lost day after day in wine and women, held no court for a month on end, and the common people grew anxious. All the civil and military officials at court were full of talk. Among them the Senior Counsellor Mei Bo said to the First Chancellor Shang Rong and the Second Chancellor Bi Gan, “The Son of Heaven is sunk in debauchery and drowned in wine and women. He pays no heed to the government, and the memorials are piling up like mountains. This is the omen of great disorder. You, my lords, are great ministers of state, and whether you go forward or hold back, you have a great duty to fulfil. What is more, a ruler has ministers who remonstrate, a father has sons who remonstrate, and a gentleman has friends who remonstrate. This humble official shares that charge with you two chancellors. Today there is nothing for it but to ring the bells and beat the drums, gather all the civil and military officials and ask His Majesty to come to the hall, so that each of us can lay his business before him and remonstrate with all his might. Only so shall we not fail the great duty between ruler and subject.” Shang Rong said, “What you say is right, counsellor.” He sent word to the officer of the hall: “Sound the bells and drums and ask the king to ascend the hall.” King Zhou was feasting in the Star-Plucking Tower when he heard the bells and drums sounding together in the great hall, and his attendants reported, “Your Majesty is asked to ascend the hall.” King Zhou had no way out of it. He said to Daji, “Rest here for now, my beauty. We shall go out to the hall and come straight back.” Daji prostrated herself to see him off. Holding his jade tablet, King Zhou rode in his carriage to the hall and took his seat on the throne. When the civil and military officials had offered their greetings, the Son of Heaven saw the two chancellors come up into the hall with memorials in their arms, then the eight counsellors with memorials in their arms, and Huang Feihu, Prince Wucheng, Guardian of the Realm, with memorials in his arms as well. King Zhou, dazed with wine and women for days on end, was listless and weary, and seeing so many memorials — how could he read them all at one sitting? — he already had half a mind to end the audience. But the two chancellors came forward, prostrated themselves and said, “The memorials of the lords of the realm await Your Majesty’s commands. Why has Your Majesty not come to the great hall for a month on end, but sat day after day deep in the palace and paid no attention at all to the business of the court? There must be someone at Your Majesty’s side who is clouding your sage judgment. We beg Your Majesty to put the affairs of state first, and not to go on as before, sitting aloof deep in the palace, letting the business of the state go slack and sorely disappointing the hopes of your ministers and people. Your servants have heard that the throne Heaven bestows is hard to hold. And now Heaven’s heart is not at peace with us: flood and drought come out of season and calamities fall on the people below — and never has such a thing happened but through failings in government. We hope that Your Majesty will give your mind to the foundations of the state, change your former course with all your heart, put away slanderers and keep far from women, labour at government and care for the people. Then Heaven’s heart will turn favourable, the state will be rich and the people prosperous, the realm will be at peace, and all within the four seas will enjoy blessings without end. We hope Your Majesty will be pleased to heed this.” King Zhou said, “We hear that all within the four seas is at peace and the people are content in their work. Only the North Sea defies Our command, and We have already ordered the Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong to wipe out the rebel band. That is no more than an itch of the skin — why should it worry Us? What you two chancellors say is excellent; do We not know it? But in all the hundred affairs of the court, the First Chancellor carries the burden for Us, and of course things get done. How could anything ever be held up? Even if We came to the hall, We would do no more than let Our robes hang and fold Our hands. So why must you keep on so about it?” While king and ministers were discussing the affairs of state, the officer of the Meridian Gate announced, “A qi-refiner from Mount Zhongnan, Yunzhongzi, asks to see Your Majesty. He has a secret matter of great weight and does not presume to come before you unbidden. I await Your Majesty’s decision.” King Zhou thought to himself: “All these civil and military officials are still standing here with their memorials in their arms. How will We ever be done with them? Better to summon this Daoist and chat with him. Then the officials will have no chance for all their talk, and We shall escape the name of a king who rejects remonstrance.” He gave the order: “Summon him!” Yunzhongzi came in at the Meridian Gate, crossed the Jiulong Bridge and walked up the broad avenue in his loose robe and wide sleeves, a fly whisk in his hand, coming on with a slow and airy step. How fine and trim he looked! This is what one saw:
頭帶青紗一字巾，腦後兩帶飄雙葉，額前三點按三光，腦後雙圈分日月。道袍翡翠按陰陽，腰下雙絛王母結。腳登一對踏雲鞋，夜晚閒行星斗怯。上山虎伏地埃塵，下海蛟龍行跪接。面如傅粉一般同，唇似丹硃一點血。一心分免帝王憂，好道長，兩手補完天地缺。
头带青纱一字巾，脑后两带飘双叶，额前三点按三光，脑后双圈分日月。道袍翡翠按阴阳，腰下双绦王母结。脚登一对踏云鞋，夜晚闲行星斗怯。上山虎伏地埃尘，下海蛟龙行跪接。面如傅粉一般同，唇似丹朱一点血。一心分免帝王忧，好道长，两手补完天地缺。
On his head a blue gauze scarf, flat as a single brushstroke; behind, its two ribbons fluttered like a pair of leaves; three dots on his brow answered to the sun, moon and stars; behind his head two rings divided sun from moon.His Daoist robe of kingfisher green matched yin and yang;at his waist a double cord was tied in a Queen Mother knot.On his feet he wore a pair of cloud-treading shoes;when he strolled at night, the stars shrank back.When he climbed the mountains, tigers crouched in the dust;when he went down to the sea, the dragons came kneeling to greet him.His face was as white as if dusted with powder,his lips as red as cinnabar, a drop of blood.With all his heart he would spare the king his cares — what a fine Daoist! — and with his two hands mend the flaws of heaven and earth.
道人左手攜定花籃，右手執著拂塵，近到滴水簷前，執拂塵打個稽首，口稱：「陛下，貧道稽首了。」紂王看這道人如此行禮，心中不悅，自思：「朕貴為天子，富有四海，『率土之濱，莫非王臣』，你雖是方外，卻也在朕版圖之內，這等可惡！本當治以慢君之罪，諸臣只說朕不能容物，朕且問他端的，看他如何應我？」紂王曰：「那道者從何處來？」道人答曰：「貧道從雲水而至。」王曰：「何為雲水？」道人曰：「心似白雲常自在，意如流水任東西。」紂王乃聰明智慧天子，便問曰：「雲散水枯，汝歸何處？」道人曰：「雲散皓月當空，水枯明珠出現。」紂王聞言，轉怒為喜，曰：「方纔道者見朕稽首而不拜，大有慢君之心；今所答之言，甚是有理，乃通智通慧之大賢也。」命左右：「賜坐。」雲中子也不謙讓，旁側坐下。雲中子欠身而言曰：「原來如此。天子只知天子貴，三教原來道德尊。」帝曰：「何見其尊？」雲中子曰：「聽衲子說來：
道人左手携定花篮，右手执着拂尘，近到滴水檐前，执拂尘打个稽首，口称：「陛下，贫道稽首了。」纣王看这道人如此行礼，心中不悦，自思：「朕贵为天子，富有四海，『率土之滨，莫非王臣』，你虽是方外，却也在朕版图之内，这等可恶！本当治以慢君之罪，诸臣只说朕不能容物，朕且问他端的，看他如何应我？」纣王曰：「那道者从何处来？」道人答曰：「贫道从云水而至。」王曰：「何为云水？」道人曰：「心似白云常自在，意如流水任东西。」纣王乃聪明智慧天子，便问曰：「云散水枯，汝归何处？」道人曰：「云散皓月当空，水枯明珠出现。」纣王闻言，转怒为喜，曰：「方才道者见朕稽首而不拜，大有慢君之心；今所答之言，甚是有理，乃通智通慧之大贤也。」命左右：「赐坐。」云中子也不谦让，旁侧坐下。云中子欠身而言曰：「原来如此。天子只知天子贵，三教原来道德尊。」帝曰：「何见其尊？」云中子曰：「听衲子说来：
With the flower basket held in his left hand and the fly whisk in his right, the Daoist came up to the foot of the eaves, raised the whisk and made a Daoist salute, saying, “Your Majesty, this poor Daoist salutes you.” Seeing the Daoist greet him in this way, King Zhou was displeased and thought to himself: “We are the Son of Heaven, exalted above all, and all within the four seas is Ours. ‘To the very shores of the land, all are the king’s subjects.’ You may live outside the world, but you are still within Our domain. How hateful! By rights We should punish him for the crime of slighting his sovereign — but then the ministers would only say that We cannot bear with others. We shall question him and get to the bottom of this, and see how he answers Us.” “Where have you come from, Daoist?” King Zhou asked. The Daoist answered, “This poor Daoist has come from the clouds and the waters.” “What do you mean, the clouds and the waters?” said the king. The Daoist said, “My heart is like the white clouds, ever free; my mind is like flowing water, going east or west as it will.” King Zhou was a clever and quick-witted Son of Heaven, and he asked at once, “And when the clouds scatter and the water dries up, where do you go then?” The Daoist said, “When the clouds scatter, the bright moon fills the sky; when the water dries up, the luminous pearl appears.” At these words King Zhou’s anger turned to delight. “Just now, Daoist, when you came before Us, you saluted but did not kneel, which showed great disrespect for your sovereign. But the answers you have given make excellent sense: you are a great worthy, of penetrating wisdom and insight.” He ordered his attendants, “Give him a seat.” Yunzhongzi made no show of declining and sat down at one side. Half rising from his seat, he said, “So that is how it is. The Son of Heaven knows only that the Son of Heaven is exalted; but of the three teachings, it is the Way and its Virtue that are truly honoured.” “In what way are they honoured?” asked the king. Yunzhongzi said, “Let this wearer of the patched robe explain:
但觀三教，惟道至尊。上不朝於天子；下不謁於公卿。避樊籠而隱跡，脫俗網以修真。樂林泉兮絕名絕利，隱岩谷兮忘辱忘榮。頂星冠而曜日，披布衲以長春。或蓬頭而跣足，或丫髻而幅巾。摘鮮花而砌笠，折野草以鋪茵。吸甘泉而漱齒，嚼松柏以延齡。歌之鼓掌，舞罷眠雲。遇仙客兮，則求玄問道；會道友兮，則詩酒談文。笑奢華而濁富，樂自在之清貧。無一毫之罣礙，無半點之牽纏。或三三而參玄論道，或兩兩而究古談今。究古談今兮歎前朝之興廢，參玄論道兮究性命之根因。任寒暑之更變，隨烏兔之逡巡。蒼顏返少，白髮還青。攜簞瓢兮到市廛而乞化，聊以充飢；提花籃兮進山林而採藥，臨難濟人。解安人而利物，或起死以回生。修仙者骨之堅秀，達道老神之最靈。判凶吉兮明通爻象，定禍福兮密察人心。闡道法，揚太上之正教；書符籙，除人世之妖氛。謁飛神於帝闕，步罡氣於雷門。扣玄關，天昏地暗；擊地戶，鬼泣神欽。奪天地之秀氣，採日月之精華。運陰陽而煉性，養水火以胎凝。二八陰消兮若恍若惚，三九陽長兮如杳如冥。按四時而採取，煉九轉而丹成。跨青鸞直沖紫府，騎白鶴遊遍玉京。參乾坤之妙用，表道德之慇懃。比儒者兮官高職顯，富貴浮雲；比截教兮五行道術，正果難成。但談三教，惟道獨尊。」
但观三教，惟道至尊。上不朝于天子；下不谒于公卿。避樊笼而隐迹，脱俗网以修真。乐林泉兮绝名绝利，隐岩谷兮忘辱忘荣。顶星冠而曜日，披布衲以长春。或蓬头而跣足，或丫髻而幅巾。摘鲜花而砌笠，折野草以铺茵。吸甘泉而漱齿，嚼松柏以延龄。歌之鼓掌，舞罢眠云。遇仙客兮，则求玄问道；会道友兮，则诗酒谈文。笑奢华而浊富，乐自在之清贫。无一毫之罣碍，无半点之牵缠。或三三而参玄论道，或两两而究古谈今。究古谈今兮叹前朝之兴废，参玄论道兮究性命之根因。任寒暑之更变，随乌兔之逡巡。苍颜返少，白发还青。携箪瓢兮到市廛而乞化，聊以充饥；提花篮兮进山林而采药，临难济人。解安人而利物，或起死以回生。修仙者骨之坚秀，达道老神之最灵。判凶吉兮明通爻象，定祸福兮密察人心。阐道法，扬太上之正教；书符箓，除人世之妖氛。谒飞神于帝阙，步罡气于雷门。扣玄关，天昏地暗；击地户，鬼泣神钦。夺天地之秀气，采日月之精华。运阴阳而炼性，养水火以胎凝。二八阴消兮若恍若惚，三九阳长兮如杳如冥。按四时而采取，炼九转而丹成。跨青鸾直冲紫府，骑白鹤游遍玉京。参乾坤之妙用，表道德之慇懃。比儒者兮官高职显，富贵浮云；比截教兮五行道术，正果难成。但谈三教，惟道独尊。」
Of all the three teachings,the Way alone is supreme.Above, we pay no court to the Son of Heaven;below, we wait on no lords or ministers.We flee the cage and hide our tracks,slip the world’s net to cultivate the true.We delight in woods and springs, cut off from fame and gain;we hide in crags and gorges, forgetting disgrace and glory.We wear star caps that shine like the sun,and robes of patched cloth in an endless spring.Some go tousle-haired and barefoot,some with twin topknots and a strip of cloth about the head.We pick fresh flowers to deck our hats,and break off wild grass to spread our mats.We sip sweet springs to rinse our teeth,and chew pine and cypress to lengthen our years.We sing, clapping our hands;we dance, and then sleep among the clouds.When we meet an immortal guest,we seek the mysteries and ask about the Way;when we gather with Daoist friends,there is poetry and wine and talk of letters.We laugh at luxury and unclean wealth,and delight in a free and clean poverty.Not a hair’s breadth of hindrance,not a speck of entanglement.In threes we probe the mysteries and discuss the Way;in twos we search the past and talk of the present.Searching the past and talking of the present, we sigh at the rise and fall of dynasties gone;probing the mysteries and discussing the Way, we seek the roots of nature and life.We let cold and heat take their turns,and follow the sun’s crow and the moon’s hare on their rounds.Wrinkled faces grow young,white hair turns black again.With bowl and gourd we go to the market to beg,just enough to keep off hunger;with flower baskets we go into the hills and woods for herbs,to help people in their need.We know how to bring people peace and do good to all things,or even raise the dead and bring them back to life.Those who cultivate immortality grow bones firm and fine;old adepts who reach the Way have spirits most numinous.We tell good fortune from ill, versed in the lines and images of the Changes;we fix weal and woe, closely reading the hearts of men.We expound the law of the Wayand spread the true teaching of the Most High;we write talismans and charmsto rid the world of men of its demonic miasma.We call on the flying spirits at the Celestial Emperor’s gates,and pace the Dipper at the Thunder Gate.We knock at the mystic pass,and heaven grows dim and the earth dark;we strike the gates of earth,and ghosts weep and gods bow in awe.We seize the finest breath of heaven and earth,and gather the essence of the sun and moon.We turn yin and yang to refine our nature,and nurse water and fire till the embryo forms.At two-eights the yin ebbs away, elusive, indistinct;at three-nines the yang grows, deep and dim.We gather by the four seasons,and refine it nine times over until the elixir is made.Astride blue phoenixes we soar straight to the Purple Palace;riding white cranes we roam the whole Jade Capital.We fathom the wondrous workings of heaven and earth,and show forth the earnest devotion of the Way and its Virtue.Beside us, the Confucians have high office and shining posts —but wealth and rank are floating clouds;beside us, the Interception Sect has its arts of the Five Phases —but the true fruit is hard to attain.Talk of the three teachings as you will:the Way alone stands highest.”
紂王聽言大悅：「朕聆先生此言，不覺精神爽快，如在塵世之外，真覺富貴如浮雲耳。但不知先生果住何處洞府？因何事而見朕？請道其詳。」雲中子曰：「貧道住終南山玉柱洞，雲中子是也。因貧道閒居無事，採藥於高峰，忽見妖氣貫於朝歌，怪氣生於禁闥，道心不缺，善念常隨，貧道特來朝見陛下，除此妖魅耳。」紂王笑曰：「深宮秘闕，禁闥森嚴，防維更密，又非塵世山林，妖魔從何而來？先生此來莫非錯了！」雲中子笑曰：「陛下若知道有妖魅，妖魅自不敢至矣。惟陛下不識這妖魅，他方能乘機蠱惑。久之不除，釀成大害。貧道有詩為證，詩曰：
纣王听言大悦：「朕聆先生此言，不觉精神爽快，如在尘世之外，真觉富贵如浮云耳。但不知先生果住何处洞府？因何事而见朕？请道其详。」云中子曰：「贫道住终南山玉柱洞，云中子是也。因贫道闲居无事，采药于高峰，忽见妖气贯于朝歌，怪气生于禁闼，道心不缺，善念常随，贫道特来朝见陛下，除此妖魅耳。」纣王笑曰：「深宫秘阙，禁闼森严，防维更密，又非尘世山林，妖魔从何而来？先生此来莫非错了！」云中子笑曰：「陛下若知道有妖魅，妖魅自不敢至矣。惟陛下不识这妖魅，他方能乘机蛊惑。久之不除，酿成大害。贫道有诗为证，诗曰：
King Zhou was delighted. “Listening to these words of yours, master, We feel Our spirits refreshed before We know it, as though We stood outside the dusty world; truly, wealth and rank seem to Us like floating clouds. But in what grotto do you really live, master? And on what business have you come to see Us? Pray tell Us everything.” Yunzhongzi said, “This poor Daoist lives in the Jade Pillar Cave on Mount Zhongnan: I am Yunzhongzi. Being at leisure with nothing to do, I was gathering herbs on a high peak when I suddenly saw a demonic aura piercing Zhaoge and an uncanny vapour rising inside the palace gates. My Daoist heart lacks nothing, and kind thoughts are ever with me, so I have come expressly to see Your Majesty and rid you of this demon.” King Zhou laughed. “The inner palace lies deep and its halls are secret; its gates are strictly kept and its guard closer still. This is no hill or forest of the dusty world. Where would a demon come from? Surely, master, you have come here by mistake!” Yunzhongzi smiled. “If Your Majesty knew there was a demon, the demon would not dare come near. It is only because Your Majesty does not know this demon for what it is that it can seize its chance to bewitch you. Leave it long without getting rid of it, and it will brew great harm. This poor Daoist has a poem to prove it. It says:
豔麗妖嬈最惑人，暗侵肌骨喪元神。若知此是真妖魅，世上應多不死身。」
艳丽妖娆最惑人，暗侵肌骨丧元神。若知此是真妖魅，世上应多不死身。」
Beauty, bewitching and seductive, most deludes a man;it eats in secret into flesh and bone and destroys the primal spirit.If men knew it for what it is, a true demon,there would be many more in the world who never die.”
紂王曰：「宮中既有妖氛，將何物以鎮之？」雲中子揭開花籃，取出松樹削的劍來，拿在手中，對紂王曰：「陛下不知此劍之妙，聽貧道道來：
纣王曰：「宫中既有妖氛，将何物以镇之？」云中子揭开花篮，取出松树削的剑来，拿在手中，对纣王曰：「陛下不知此剑之妙，听贫道道来：
King Zhou said, “If there is indeed a demonic miasma in the palace, with what will you subdue it?” Yunzhongzi opened his flower basket, took out the sword whittled from pine and, holding it in his hand, said to King Zhou, “Your Majesty does not know the wonders of this sword. Let this poor Daoist tell you:
松樹削成名『巨闕』，其中妙用少人知。雖無寶氣沖牛斗，三日成灰妖氣離。」
松树削成名『巨阙』，其中妙用少人知。虽无宝气冲牛斗，三日成灰妖气离。」
Whittled from pine, it bears the name ‘Juque’;few know the wondrous power within it.No precious aura rises from it to the Ox and the Dipper,yet in three days the demon turns to ash and its aura departs.”
雲中子道罷，將劍奉與紂王。紂王接劍曰：「此物鎮於何處？」雲中子曰：「挂在分宮樓，三日內自有應驗。」紂王隨命傳奉官：「將此劍挂在分宮樓前。」傳奉官領命而去。紂王復對雲中子曰：「先生有這等道術，明於陰陽，能察妖魅，何不棄終南山而保朕躬，官居顯爵，揚名於後世，豈不美哉！何苦甘為淡薄，沒世無聞。」雲中子謝曰：「蒙陛下不棄幽隱，欲貧道居官，貧道乃山野慵懶之夫，不識治國安邦之法，日上三竿堪睡足，裸衣跣足滿山遊。」紂王曰：「便是這等，有什麼好處？何如衣紫腰金，封妻蔭子，有無窮享用。」雲中子曰：「貧道其中也有好處：
云中子道罢，将剑奉与纣王。纣王接剑曰：「此物镇于何处？」云中子曰：「挂在分宫楼，三日内自有应验。」纣王随命传奉官：「将此剑挂在分宫楼前。」传奉官领命而去。纣王复对云中子曰：「先生有这等道术，明于阴阳，能察妖魅，何不弃终南山而保朕躬，官居显爵，扬名于后世，岂不美哉！何苦甘为淡薄，没世无闻。」云中子谢曰：「蒙陛下不弃幽隐，欲贫道居官，贫道乃山野慵懒之夫，不识治国安邦之法，日上三竿堪睡足，裸衣跣足满山游。」纣王曰：「便是这等，有什么好处？何如衣紫腰金，封妻荫子，有无穷享用。」云中子曰：「贫道其中也有好处：
When he had finished, Yunzhongzi presented the sword to King Zhou. King Zhou took it and said, “Where should this thing be placed to keep it down?” “Hang it in the Fengong Tower,” said Yunzhongzi, “and within three days you will see the proof.” King Zhou at once ordered the officer on duty: “Hang this sword in front of the Fengong Tower.” The officer took the command and went. King Zhou turned to Yunzhongzi again. “Master, with Daoist arts such as these, versed in yin and yang and able to see through demons, why not leave Mount Zhongnan and watch over Our person? You would hold high office and rank and make your name known to later ages — would that not be fine? Why condemn yourself to a plain, thin life and leave the world without a name?” Yunzhongzi thanked him. “Your Majesty does me the kindness of not scorning a hermit and would have this poor Daoist take office. But I am a lazy fellow of the hills and wilds who knows nothing of the art of ruling the state and keeping the realm at peace. When the sun is three poles high I have slept my fill, and then I roam all over the mountains, bare-chested and barefoot.” King Zhou said, “And if that is all, what good is there in it? How can it compare with purple robes on your back and gold seals at your waist, titles for your wife and office for your sons, and pleasures without end?” Yunzhongzi said, “This poor Daoist finds good things in his life too:
身消遙，心自在；不操戈，不弄怪；萬事忙忙付肚外。吾不思理正事而種韮，吾不思取功名如拾芥，吾不思身服錦袍，吾不思腰懸角帶，吾不思拂宰相之鬚，吾不思借君王之快，吾不思伏弩長驅，吾不思望塵下拜，吾不思養我者享祿千鍾，吾不思簇我者有人四被。小小廬，不嫌窄；舊舊服，不嫌穢。制芰荷以為衣，結秋蘭以為佩。不問天皇、地皇與人皇，不問天籟、地籟與人籟。雅懷恍如秋水同，興來猶恐天地礙。閒來一枕山中睡，夢魂要赴蟠桃會。那裏管玉兔東升，金烏西墜。」
身消遥，心自在；不操戈，不弄怪；万事忙忙付肚外。吾不思理正事而种韮，吾不思取功名如拾芥，吾不思身服锦袍，吾不思腰悬角带，吾不思拂宰相之须，吾不思借君王之快，吾不思伏弩长驱，吾不思望尘下拜，吾不思养我者享禄千钟，吾不思簇我者有人四被。小小庐，不嫌窄；旧旧服，不嫌秽。制芰荷以为衣，结秋兰以为佩。不问天皇、地皇与人皇，不问天籁、地籁与人籁。雅怀恍如秋水同，兴来犹恐天地碍。闲来一枕山中睡，梦魂要赴蟠桃会。那里管玉兔东升，金乌西坠。」
Free and easy in body,at ease in heart;I wield no spear,I make no mischief;all the world’s hurry and bustle I put out of mind.I do not long to see to proper business and plant leeks; I do not long to pick up fame and office like mustard seed; I do not long to wear a brocade robe; I do not long to hang a horn belt at my waist; I do not long to fawn on a chancellor and brush his beard; I do not long to borrow a king’s delights; I do not long to set crossbows in ambush and drive deep into the field; I do not long to bow down to the dust of a great man’s carriage; I do not long for a stipend of a thousand measures of grain to keep me; I do not long for a crowd about me on all four sides.My little hut —I don’t mind that it is cramped;my old, old clothes —I don’t mind that they are soiled.I make my coat of water-chestnut leaves and lotus,and string autumn orchids for my girdle.I ask nothing of the Heavenly, Earthly or Human Sovereign;I ask nothing of the pipes of heaven, of earth or of man.My lofty thoughts are like the autumn floods;when the mood takes me, I fear even heaven and earth would hem me in.At leisure I lay my head on a pillow and sleep in the hills,and my dreaming soul goes off to the Peach Banquet.What do I care if the jade hare of the moon rises in the east,or the golden crow of the sun sinks in the west?”
紂王聽罷，歎曰：「朕聞先生之言，真乃清靜之客。」忙命隨侍官：「取金銀各一盤，為先生前途盤費耳。」不一時，隨侍官將紅漆端盤捧過金銀。雲中子笑曰：「陛下之恩賜，貧道無用處。貧道有詩為證。詩曰：
纣王听罢，叹曰：「朕闻先生之言，真乃清静之客。」忙命随侍官：「取金银各一盘，为先生前途盘费耳。」不一时，随侍官将红漆端盘捧过金银。云中子笑曰：「陛下之恩赐，贫道无用处。贫道有诗为证。诗曰：
When King Zhou had heard him out, he sighed. “Hearing your words, master, We see that you are truly a guest of purity and stillness.” He hurriedly ordered the attending officer, “Bring a tray of gold and a tray of silver, for the master’s expenses on the road.” In no time the attending officer came holding up the gold and silver on trays of red lacquer. Yunzhongzi smiled. “This poor Daoist has no use for Your Majesty’s gifts, and I have a poem to prove it. It says:
隨緣隨分出塵林，似水如雲一片心。兩卷道經三尺劍，一條藜杖五弦琴。
随缘随分出尘林，似水如云一片心。两卷道经三尺剑，一条藜杖五弦琴。
Following fate and my lot, I have left the dusty world;like water, like the clouds, is this heart of mine.Two scrolls of Daoist scripture, a sword three feet long,a goosefoot staff, a five-stringed zither.
囊中有藥逢人度；腹內新詩遇客吟。一粒能延千載壽，漫誇人世有黃金。」
囊中有药逢人度；腹内新诗遇客吟。一粒能延千载寿，漫夸人世有黄金。」
In my bag are medicines to save whomever I meet;in my belly, new poems to chant for any guest.One pill can lengthen life by a thousand years —vain is the boast that the world of men has gold.”
雲中子道罷，離了九間大殿，打了一稽首，大袖飄風，揚長竟出午門去了。兩邊八大夫正要上前奏事，又被一個道人來講甚麼妖魅，便耽閣了時候。紂王與雲中子談講多時，已是厭倦，袖展龍袍，起駕還宮，令百官暫退。百官無可奈何，只得退朝。
云中子道罢，离了九间大殿，打了一稽首，大袖飘风，扬长竟出午门去了。两边八大夫正要上前奏事，又被一个道人来讲甚么妖魅，便耽阁了时候。纣王与云中子谈讲多时，已是厌倦，袖展龙袍，起驾还宫，令百官暂退。百官无可奈何，只得退朝。
When he had finished, Yunzhongzi left the great Nine-Bay Hall with a Daoist salute and, his broad sleeves flapping in the wind, strode straight out through the Meridian Gate without a backward glance. The eight counsellors on either side had been just about to step forward and present their business, but this Daoist had come along talking about some demon or other, and the time had slipped by. King Zhou, after talking with Yunzhongzi so long, was already weary. With a shake of the sleeves of his dragon robe he rose and went back to the inner palace, telling the officials to withdraw for the present. The officials could do nothing about it and had to leave the court.
話說紂王駕至壽仙宮前，不見妲己來接見，紂王心甚不安。只見侍御官接駕。紂王問曰：「蘇美人為何不接朕？」侍御官啟陛下：「蘇娘娘偶染暴疾，人事昏沉，臥榻不起。」紂王聽罷，忙下龍輦，急進寢宮，揭起金龍幔帳，見妲己面似金紙，唇如白紙，昏昏慘慘，氣息微茫，懨懨若絕。紂王便叫：「美人，早晨送朕出宮，美貌如花，為何一時有恙，便是這等垂危！叫朕如何是好？」──看官，這是那雲中子寶劍挂在分宮樓，鎮壓的這狐狸如此模樣。倘若是鎮壓的這妖怪死了，可不保得成湯天下。也是合該這紂王江山有敗，周室將興，故此紂王終被他迷惑了。表過不題。──只見妲己微睜杏眼，強啟朱唇，作呻吟之狀，喘吁吁叫一聲：「陛下！妾身早晨送駕臨軒，午時遠迎陛下，不知行至分宮樓前候駕，猛抬頭見一寶劍高懸，不覺驚出一身冷汗，竟得此危症。想賤妾命薄緣慳，不能長侍陛下於左右，永效于飛之樂耳。乞陛下自愛，無以賤妾為念。」道罷，淚流滿面。紂王驚得半晌無言，亦含淚對妲己曰：「朕一時不明，幾為方士所誤。分宮樓所挂之劍，乃終南山煉氣之士雲中子所進，言朕宮中有妖氣，將此鎮壓，孰意竟於美人作祟。乃此子之妖術，欲害美人，故捏言朕宮中有妖氣。朕思深宮邃密之地，塵跡不到，焉有妖怪之理。大抵方士誤人，朕為所賣。」傳旨急命左右：「將那方士所進木劍，用火作速焚毀，毋得遲誤，幾驚壞美人。」紂王再三溫慰，一夜無寢。──看官：紂王不焚此寶劍，還是商家天下，只因焚了此劍，妖氣綿固深宮，把紂王纏得顛倒錯亂，荒了朝政，人離天怨，白白將天下失於西伯，此也是天意合該如此。不知焚劍如何，且聽下回分解。
话说纣王驾至寿仙宫前，不见妲己来接见，纣王心甚不安。只见侍御官接驾。纣王问曰：「苏美人为何不接朕？」侍御官启陛下：「苏娘娘偶染暴疾，人事昏沉，卧榻不起。」纣王听罢，忙下龙辇，急进寝宫，揭起金龙幔帐，见妲己面似金纸，唇如白纸，昏昏惨惨，气息微茫，恹恹若绝。纣王便叫：「美人，早晨送朕出宫，美貌如花，为何一时有恙，便是这等垂危！叫朕如何是好？」──看官，这是那云中子宝剑挂在分宫楼，镇压的这狐狸如此模样。倘若是镇压的这妖怪死了，可不保得成汤天下。也是合该这纣王江山有败，周室将兴，故此纣王终被他迷惑了。表过不题。──只见妲己微睁杏眼，强启朱唇，作呻吟之状，喘吁吁叫一声：「陛下！妾身早晨送驾临轩，午时远迎陛下，不知行至分宫楼前候驾，猛抬头见一宝剑高悬，不觉惊出一身冷汗，竟得此危症。想贱妾命薄缘悭，不能长侍陛下于左右，永效于飞之乐耳。乞陛下自爱，无以贱妾为念。」道罢，泪流满面。纣王惊得半晌无言，亦含泪对妲己曰：「朕一时不明，几为方士所误。分宫楼所挂之剑，乃终南山炼气之士云中子所进，言朕宫中有妖气，将此镇压，孰意竟于美人作祟。乃此子之妖术，欲害美人，故捏言朕宫中有妖气。朕思深宫邃密之地，尘迹不到，焉有妖怪之理。大抵方士误人，朕为所卖。」传旨急命左右：「将那方士所进木剑，用火作速焚毁，毋得迟误，几惊坏美人。」纣王再三温慰，一夜无寝。──看官：纣王不焚此宝剑，还是商家天下，只因焚了此剑，妖气绵固深宫，把纣王缠得颠倒错乱，荒了朝政，人离天怨，白白将天下失于西伯，此也是天意合该如此。不知焚剑如何，且听下回分解。
Now, when King Zhou reached the Shouxian Palace, Daji did not come out to meet him, and he was very uneasy. Only the palace attendants came to receive him. “Why has Su, my beauty, not come to meet Us?” King Zhou asked. The palace attendants reported, “Your Majesty, Lady Su has been taken suddenly and violently ill. She is in a stupor and cannot rise from her bed.” At this King Zhou hurried down from his dragon carriage and rushed into the bedchamber. He lifted the gold-dragon bed curtains and saw Daji, her face as sallow as gold paper and her lips as white as plain paper, dazed and wretched, her breath faint, languishing as if at her last gasp. “My beauty!” cried King Zhou. “This morning you saw Us off from the palace, lovely as a flower. How can you have fallen ill all at once and come so close to death? What are We to do?” (This, reader, was the work of Yunzhongzi’s precious sword hanging in the Fengong Tower: it was pinning the fox down and had brought her to this state. Had it pinned the demon down until she died, would not the realm of Cheng Tang have been saved? But it was fated that King Zhou’s realm should fall and the house of Zhou should rise, and so in the end King Zhou was bewitched by her. But no more of that.) Daji opened her almond eyes a little, parted her red lips with an effort and, moaning, cried out between gasps, “Your Majesty! This morning your handmaid saw Your Majesty off to the audience, and at noon I went a long way out to meet you. Who could have known? When I reached the Fengong Tower to wait for Your Majesty, I looked up all at once and saw a precious sword hanging high, and before I knew it I broke into a cold sweat from the fright — and now I have this dangerous illness. Your lowly handmaid’s fate must be thin and her portion of happiness meagre: I shall not wait on Your Majesty at your side for long, nor share for ever the joy of birds that fly wing to wing. I beg Your Majesty to take care of yourself and not to give your lowly handmaid another thought.” When she had said this, tears streamed down her face. King Zhou was so shaken that for a long while he could not say a word. Then, with tears in his own eyes, he said to Daji, “For a moment We were blind, and We were nearly misled by a conjurer. The sword hanging in the Fengong Tower was given Us by a qi-refiner from Mount Zhongnan, Yunzhongzi, who said there was a demonic aura in Our palace and that this would hold it down. Who would have thought it would bring harm on you, my beauty, of all people? It is this fellow’s black art: he means to harm you, my beauty, and so he made up the tale of a demonic aura in Our palace. To Our mind, the inner palace is a deep and secret place where the dust of the world never reaches. How could there be any demon there? Conjurers lead people astray as a rule, and We have been duped.” He issued a command, urgently ordering his attendants, “Take the wooden sword that conjurer gave Us and burn it in the fire at once! Not a moment’s delay — it nearly frightened my beauty to death.” King Zhou comforted her tenderly again and again, and did not sleep all night. (Mark this, reader: had King Zhou not burned this precious sword, the realm would still have belonged to the house of Shang. It was only because he burned it that the demonic aura took deep and lasting hold in the inner palace and so wound itself about King Zhou that he was all upside down and confused. He let the government go to ruin, the people turned from him and Heaven was aggrieved, and he threw the realm away to the Lord of the West for nothing. This too was Heaven’s will, and so it had to be.) And what came of burning the sword? To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.