Chapter 1: King Zhou Visits Nüwa Temple to Burn Incense

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。 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， 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： 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， 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， 昵此罪人乃罔畏，沉酗肆虐如鸇鸢。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。 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。 文考末集大勋没，武王善述日乾乾。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。 若崩厥角齐稽首，血流漂杵脂如泉。戒衣甫著天下定，更于成汤增光妍。牧马华山示偃武，开我周家八百年。 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。

A classical-style poem: In the beginning of chaos, Pan Gu was first; Taiji's two instruments and four images hung. The son of Heaven, Chou Di, and Ren Yin emerged; they drove away beastly troubles and had the wisdom of Chao Xian. Sui Ren obtained fire to avoid raw food, Fu Xi drew trigrams before yin and yang. Shennong governed the world by tasting a hundred herbs; Xuanyuan united rites, music, and marriage. Shaohao, among the Five Emperors, saw people and goods flourish; Yu Wang controlled floods and eliminated surging waves. The peaceful reign lasted for four hundred years, but King Jie was unjust and turned the heavens and earth upside down. He indulged in Mei Xi's company, wasting himself on wine and beauty; Cheng Tang established Bo to cleanse the stench. He exiled Jie to Nanchao, rescuing people from tyranny. As wished for like clouds and rain, peace was finally restored. The thirty-first generation passed to Yin Zhou; the Shang lineage was like a broken string: The court's order became chaotic, and moral standards were lost. He killed his wife and son, believing flatterers' words. The palace was defiled as Daji was favored. Loyalty was punished by 虿盆 and roasting. Wealth was hoarded at Lutai, causing the people great suffering; sorrowful cries filled the air like a veil in the sky: Those who dared to advise were 剖心 (had their hearts cut out) or burned alive. Pregnant women were 剖剔 (cut open), and those crossing roads at dawn were killed. He trusted villains and neglected state affairs, banishing his teachers and mentors—how biased was his nature! He abandoned ancestral rites and temple sacrifices, instead devoting himself to bizarre skills and luxurious crafts: He favored criminals without fear, indulging in drunkenness and cruelty like a vulture or kite. Xibo served the Shang dynasty but was imprisoned at Youli; Weizi carried ceremonial objects and fled into obscurity. The Son of Heaven's wrath brought disaster down like a plague, as if wading through the vast ocean with no bottom in sight. The world was desolate, and the people were filled with resentment. Jiang Ziya emerged as a divine being among mortals; all day he fished with lines to attract rulers. A flying bear entered his dream at Qi's fields. He joined King Wu of Zhou and assisted in governance, forming two-thirds of the realm that continued through time. Wen Wang completed great achievements before his death; Wu Wang diligently followed in his footsteps, striving day by day. A grand assembly at Mengjin gathered eight hundred states to punish the tyrant and correct his crimes. On the day of Jiazi, just before dawn, they assembled at Musye; the vanguard turned their spears back in revolt and retreated. They fell to their knees with horns broken, all bowing together; blood flowed so much it floated shields, fat like a spring. The robe was just donned when the world was pacified, and further glory was added to Cheng Tang's legacy. Pasturing horses on Mount Hua showed a cessation of warfare; this opened our Zhou dynasty for eight hundred years. The white flag was raised, the tyrant died alone; fallen generals and soldiers became hidden spirits in the afterlife. Heaven raised a wise man, honored as Shangfu; on the Fengshen Altar, floral lists were arranged. Great and small spirits received their ranks; the tales of Shang and Zhou have been passed down through ancient and modern times.

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。契事唐虞为司徙，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！”归之者四十馀国。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： 成汤　　太甲　　沃丁　　太庚　　小甲　　雍己 太戊　　仲丁　　外壬　　河亶甲　祖乙　　祖辛 沃甲　　祖丁　　南庚　　阳甲　　盘庚　　小辛 小乙　　武丁　　祖庚　　祖甲　　廪辛　　庚丁 武乙　　太丁　　帝乙　　纣王

Cheng Tang was a descendant of Huangdi, surnamed Zi. Initially, Di Ku's second concubine Jiandi prayed at Gaomei; she had an auspicious omen of a black bird and thus gave birth to Qi. Qi served the Tang and Yu dynasties as Siku, taught the people with merit, and was enfeoffed in Shang. After thirteen generations, Taiyi was born; this was Cheng Tang; He heard that Yi Yin was farming in the wilds of You Shen, and he took joy in the ways of Yao and Shun. This was a great sage; immediately, with gifts of silk and money, three envoys were sent to invite him, but they dared not employ him directly, instead presenting him to the Son of Heaven. King Jie was unjust, believed flatterers and drove away sages, yet could not employ him; he returned to Cheng Tang. Later, King Jie indulged daily in debauchery and killed the upright minister Guanlongpeng; no common people dared to speak openly. Cheng Tang sent someone to mourn for him. King Jie became angry and imprisoned Cheng Tang at Xiatai. Later, Cheng Tang was released and returned to his state. When leaving the suburbs, he saw a man setting up a net on all four sides and praying: "Those falling from heaven, rising from earth, coming from any direction—may they all fall into my net!" Cheng Tang untied three sides of the net, leaving only one side, and changed his prayer: "Those who wish to go left may go left; those who wish to go right may go right; those wishing to fly high may do so; those wanting to descend may descend;" "Only those who defy the mandate of heaven shall fall into my net!" Those in the south of Han heard this and said, "The virtue of Cheng Tang is supreme!" More than forty states submitted to him. King Jie's wickedness grew more oppressive day by day, and the people could barely survive. Yi Yin then assisted Cheng Tang in attacking King Jie, exiling him to Nanchao. The feudal lords held a grand assembly; Cheng Tang stepped back and took the position among the feudal lords. All the feudal lords recommended Cheng Tang as Son of Heaven. Thus, Cheng Tang began his reign and established his capital at Bo. In the first year, Yiwu, during Cheng Tang's reign, he abolished King Jie's oppressive policies and followed what pleased the people; near and far submitted to him. Because of King Jie's unjust rule, there was a seven-year drought; Cheng Tang prayed at Sanglin, and heavy rain fell from the sky. He also used gold from Zhuangshan to cast currency, saving the people's lives. He composed a musical piece called "Dahu," where "hu" means protection; it signified that Cheng Tang, with his broad benevolence and virtue, could protect and save the people. He reigned for thirteen years before passing away at the age of a hundred. His dynasty lasted 640 years, ending with Shang Shou: Cheng Tang 　　 Taijia 　　 Woding 　　 Taigeng 　　 Xiao Jia 　　 Yongji Taigu 　　 Zhongding 　　 Waining 　　 Hedan Jia 　 Zuyi 　　 Zu Xin Wojia 　　 Zuding 　　 Nangeng 　　 Yangjia 　　 Pangeng 　　 Xiaoxin Xiao Yi 　　 Wuding 　　 Zugeng 　　 Zu Jia 　　 Linxin 　　 Gending Wuyi 　　 Taoding 　　 Diyi 　　 Zhou Wang

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。

Zhou Wang was the third son of Emperor Yi. Emperor Yi had three sons: the eldest was Weizi Qi; the second son was Weizi Yan; the third was Shouwang. Because Emperor Yi toured the Yuyuan, leading his ministers and officials to admire peonies, a beam of Feiyun Pavilion collapsed. Shouwang held up the beam and replaced it with a column, showing incomparable strength; Because Prime Minister Shang Rong, Grand Official Mei Bo, Zhao Qi and others submitted a memorial to establish the Crown Prince, they thus appointed the youngest son, Shouwang, as heir apparent. Later, Emperor Yi reigned for thirty years before passing away. He entrusted the orphaned crown prince to Taishi Wen Zhong, who then installed Shouwang as Son of Heaven, naming him Zhou Wang, with his capital at Chaoguo. In civil affairs there was Taishi Wen Zhong; in military matters there was Zhen Guo Wuchengwang Huang Feihu; Their civil wisdom could stabilize the state, and their martial strength could secure the nation. The empress in the central palace was Jiang Shi; the concubine of Xigong was Huang Shi, and the concubine of Xinqinggong was Yang Shi; The three palace empresses and consorts were all virtuous, chaste, gentle, and kind. Zhou Wang enjoyed peace and prosperity; the people lived in happiness, with favorable winds and timely rains, a peaceful state and contented populace; The four barbarian regions submitted, and all eight directions were pacified. Eight hundred feudal lords paid homage to the Shang—four major feudal lords led 800 minor feudal lords: Dongbo Hou Jiang Huanchu, residing in Donglu; Nanbo Hou E Chongyu; Xibo Hou Ji Chang; Beibo Hou Chonghou Hu; Each major feudal lord governed 200 minor feudal lords, totaling eight hundred feudal lords under the Shang.

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 Zhou Wang's reign, in the second month of spring, a sudden report arrived at Chaoguo: Yuan Futong and others from seventy-two feudal lords of the Northern Sea had rebelled. Taishi Wen Zhong was commissioned to campaign northward. Not mentioned.

一日，纣王早朝登殿，设聚文武。但见： 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。

One day, Zhou Wang ascended the throne early for court and convened his civil and military officials. He saw: Ominous mists swirling, the Son of Heaven sat on Jinluan Hall; Luminous radiance surrounded, civil and military officials stood in formation before the white jade steps. The scent of chen 檀 filled eight hundred golden incense burners; one could see those pearl curtains high above drawn up; Fragrant sandalwood and musk enveloped the jade fan, and behold, the pheasant tail lowered gently.

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：“漫江撤下钩和线，从此钓出是非来。”怎见得，有诗为证： 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。 堤柳晓分仙掌露；溪花光耀翠裘清。欲知巡幸瞻天表，万国衣冠拜圣明。

The Son of Heaven asked the official in charge: "If there are memorials to be presented, step forward; if not, dismiss court." Before the sentence was finished, a man from the right side stepped forward, knelt on the golden steps, held up his ivory tablet high, and cried out in homage: "Minister Shang Rong awaits punishment as prime minister, overseeing court affairs. I dare not withhold news of an important matter." Tomorrow is the fifteenth day of the third month, the birthday of Nüwa Niangniang. I request Your Majesty to grace Nuwa Palace with your presence and offer incense." The king said, "What virtue or merit does Nüwa have that I should leave my imperial carriage to personally present incense?" Shang Rong replied, "Nüwa Niangniang is a divine woman from ancient times and was born with sacred virtue. At that time, Gonggong Shi struck his head against the Buzhou Mountain, causing the sky to tilt northwest and the earth to collapse in the southeast; Nüwa collected five-colored stones, refined them to mend the azure sky, and thus earned merit among the people. The common people established sacrifices to repay her. Now, by worshipping this deity of blessings in Chaoguo, the four seasons will be peaceful and prosperous; the nation's fortune will last long, with favorable winds, timely rains, and calamities quietly disappearing. This is a true deity who protects the state and its people; Your Majesty should personally go to present incense." The king said, "Your memorial is approved." Zhou Wang returned to the palace. The imperial decree was issued; The next day, the Son of Heaven rode in a palanquin, accompanied by civil and military officials from both sides, to present incense at Nuwa Palace. ——It would have been better if Zhou Wang had not come; because of this incense offering, it caused chaos across the four seas and left the people unemployed. As the saying goes: "Carelessly casting hooks into the river, from then on, troubles were fished out." How can this be seen? A poem serves as evidence: The Son of Heaven's palanquin left Fengcheng, imperial banners and colors reflected on the hairpins and sashes. The dragon-sword exhaled a color like wind and clouds; Red-feathered banners swayed with the essence of sun and moon. Morning dew on willows by the embankment was like fairy hands parting it; The stream's flowers shone, illuminating emerald robes with clarity. To know the emperor's inspection and homage to heaven, ten thousand nations in their robes and hats paid tribute to his sage rule.

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： 殿前华丽，五彩金妆；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。

The imperial procession left the southern gate of Chaoguo; every household burned incense and lit fires, while each family decorated with colorful cloth and laid down felt. Three thousand iron cavalry, eight hundred imperial guards; Wuchengwang Huang Feihhu protected the procession, while civil and military officials throughout the court accompanied him. They arrived at Nuwa Palace ahead of time. The Son of Heaven left the palanquin, ascended to the main hall, and incense was burned in the censer; Civil and military officials followed their ranks to pay homage and congratulations. Zhou Wang observed the splendor of the hall. How can this be seen: Before the hall, it was magnificent and adorned with five colors and gold; Golden boys in pairs held banners and standards; Jade girls in pairs presented yuruis (auspicious symbols). A jade hook hung obliquely, a half-moon new moon hanging in the sky; Jade canopies swayed gently, ten thousand pairs of colorful 鸾 birds facing the stars. Beside the emerald bed, dancing cranes and phoenixes flew; The chenxiang throne was crafted to resemble dragons and phoenixes in flight. The drifting, extraordinary colors were unlike the ordinary; from golden censers rose auspicious mists: the swaying signs of good fortune ascended through purple mist, and silver candles shone brilliantly. The king was just admiring the scenery of the palace when a sudden gust of wind pierced with bone-chilling cold.

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，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： “凤鸾宝帐景非常，尽是泥金巧样妆。曲曲远山飞翠色；翩翩舞袖映霞裳。 梨花带雨争娇艳；芍药笼烟骋媚妆。但得妖娆能举动，取回长乐侍君王。”

Zhou Wang was just admiring how neat and orderly the palace buildings were, with pavilions and towers grandly constructed, when suddenly a gust of wind blew up, lifting the curtains to reveal the sacred image of Nüwa. Her appearance was graceful and beautiful, adorned with auspicious colors; she possessed the beauty of a national treasure, her demeanor gentle as if alive; She was truly a fairy from Rui Palace descending to the mortal world, and Chang'e from the Moon Palace coming down to this life. An old saying goes: "When a nation is about to prosper, there must be auspicious omens; when a nation is about to perish, there will surely be demons and evils." Upon seeing her, King Zhou was so overwhelmed that his spirit wavered, and suddenly a lustful desire arose in him. He thought to himself: "I am the Son of Heaven, rich and mighty over all under heaven. Even with six halls and three palaces, there is none among them who possesses such beauty." The king said, "Bring the four treasures of the scholar's desk." The attendants hurriedly fetched them and presented them to King Zhou. The Son of Heaven thoroughly soaked the purple-tipped brush and composed a poem on the pink wall of the temporary palace: "The phoenix and 鸾's treasure tent presents an extraordinary scene, all adorned with gold leaf in exquisite patterns. Winding distant mountains fly emerald hues; Graceful dancing sleeves reflect rosy garments. Pear blossoms with rain vie for delicate beauty; Peonies shrouded in smoke display charming adornment. If only this enchanting beauty could be captured, I would bring her back to Changle Palace to serve as my queen."

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。有请为证： 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。 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。

After the Son of Heaven finished writing, he saw Chancellor Shang Rong presenting a memorial and said, "Nüwa is an ancient orthodox deity, the patron of good fortune in Chao Ge. As an old minister, I respectfully request that Your Majesty burn incense and pray for blessings and virtue, so that the ten thousand people may enjoy peace in their work, rains fall at proper times, winds blow gently, and wars and fires cease. Now, Your Majesty's poem is disrespectful to the holy and wise, showing no sincere reverence. This is an offense against the sacred, not in accordance with the proper rites of a Son of Heaven visiting for prayers. I pray that Your Majesty wash it away with water. Otherwise, I fear the people of the realm will see this and spread rumors that His Sacred Majesty lacks virtue in governance." The king said, "I saw Nüwa's appearance and found her to have a beauty beyond the world. I composed this poem merely to praise her; how could there be any other intention? You must not speak so much." Moreover, I am the Son of Heaven. Leaving it for the people to see will show both the beauty and uniqueness of the Empress, as well as my calligraphy." After speaking, he returned to court. The civil and military officials nodded in silence, none daring to question or oppose; all kept their mouths shut and returned quietly. Let the following serve as evidence: Phoenix palanquins and dragon carriages leave the imperial capital, burning incense to pray for a heroine among women; They only knew of praying for blessings so that the common people might be happy, but who could have foreseen that reciting poetry would startle ten thousand households. Now a fox is the Empress Dowager; Before our eyes, jackals and tigers all wear official caps. The heavens display such omens; they only cause heroes to sigh at the injustice.

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。

隆重 The Son of Heaven returned and ascended the Longde Hall. The people paid homage and then dispersed. It was the day of the full moon, when the three palace consorts paid homage to the king: Empress Jiang from the central palace, Consort Huang from the western palace, and Consort Yang from Xinqing Palace. After paying their respects, they withdrew. This will be set aside for now.

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，享国六百馀年，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。

Let us now speak of the birthday of Empress Nüwa. On the fifteenth day of the third month, she went to Huoyun Palace to pay homage to Fuxi, Yandi, and Xuanyuan, the three sages, and then returned. Dismounting from her green 鸾, she sat in the treasure hall. After the jade girls and golden boys had finished paying homage, the Empress suddenly looked up and saw the poem on the pink wall. She became furious and scolded, "Yin Shou is an unjust and corrupt king! Instead of cultivating virtue to preserve his realm, he now dares to defy Heaven by composing a poem that insults me—how despicable!" I think King Cheng Tang defeated Jie and became the ruler of all under heaven, enjoying a reign lasting over six hundred years, but now his destiny has run its course; If I do not give him some retribution, my divine power will not be evident." She immediately summoned the jade-tailed boy to drive the green 鸾 and go back to Chao Ge once. This will not be detailed further.

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，高四五丈有馀。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：“著各处妖魔且退；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： 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。

lords Now let us speak of the two princes, Yin Jiao and Yin Hong, who came to pay respects to their father. Later on the "Fengshen Bang," Yin Jiao became the "Annual Tai Sui." Yin Hong was the "Five Grains God": both were renowned divine generals. While performing their respects, two beams of red light shot up from above them toward the sky. Just as the Empress was proceeding, this aura blocked her path through the clouds; She looked down and realized that King Zhou still had twenty-eight years of destiny left; she could not act rashly. She returned to the temporary palace for now, but was displeased in her heart. She called Caiyun Tonger and had him fetch the golden gourd from the rear palace, placing it beneath the vermilion steps; She lifted the lid of the gourd and pointed at it with her hand. A beam of white light, as thin as a thread, shot out from the gourd, more than four or five zhang tall. Above the white light hung a banner, radiating five colors and countless auspicious rays. It was called the "Zhaoyao Banner." In no time, a mournful wind blew fiercely, gloomy mists spread thickly, and dark clouds gathered from all directions. After several gusts of wind passed, demons from across the realm arrived at the temporary palace to await her divine command. The Empress instructed Caiyun, "Order all the demons and monsters to withdraw for now; leave only the three demons from Xuanyuan's tomb to attend." The three demons entered the palace and paid homage, saying, "Long live the Empress! May your sacred life be endless!" These three demons were a fox spirit of a thousand years, a nine-headed pheasant spirit, and a jade zither spirit. They all knelt on the vermilion steps. The Empress said, "Three demons, listen closely to my secret decree: King Cheng Tang's aura is dimming; he will lose his realm; A phoenix sings on Qishan Mountain—the Western Zhou already has a sage ruler. Heaven's will is set, and it is the course of destiny. The three of you may conceal your demonic forms, take residence in the palace, and confuse the king's heart; await King Wu's campaign against Zhou to assist in achieving success. Do not harm living beings." After the matter is accomplished, you will also attain true enlightenment." After the Empress gave her orders, the three demons kowtowed in gratitude and vanished as a clear breeze. Indeed: The fox listens to the decree and casts demonic arts, bringing an end to Cheng Tang's six hundred years of rule. There is a poem as evidence; the poem says: "In mid-March, the Son of Heaven goes to burn incense. A single poem rises and brings disaster. He only knew to wield his brush in a display of talent, but did not know that this time the state would perish."

按下女娲娘娘吩咐三妖，不题。

Let us set aside Empress Nüwa's instructions to the three demons for now.

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，著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。此二人朝朝蠹惑圣聪，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。

Let us now speak of King Zhou, who after burning incense and seeing Nüwa's beauty, thought of her day and night. He forgot the cold and heat seasons entirely, neglecting sleep and food. Every time he saw his six halls and three palaces—his concubines—he found them as unappealing as dust in rice or mud in soup, unable to bear looking at them closely; He could not put this matter out of his mind for a single day and was constantly troubled and unhappy. One day, the king ascended Xianqing Hall; at that time, attendants were present by his side. Suddenly, King Zhou had a realization and ordered the palace attendants to summon Zhongjian Dafu Fei Zhong. He was a favored minister of King Zhou; Recently, upon hearing that the Grand Master Zhong was commissioned to pacify the Northern Sea and led a large army on a distant campaign, establishing merit abroad, King Zhou therefore favored Fei Zhong and You Hun. These two men day by day corrupted the king's wisdom, offering flattery and slander; King Zhou followed them without exception. Generally speaking, when a realm is on the verge of peril, it is because sycophants hold power. —In no time at all, Fei Zhong came to pay his respects. The king said, "Because I visited the Nüwa Temple to burn incense, I happened to see her beautiful face—so radiant and peerless. None among my three palaces and six halls can match my desires. What should I do?" Do you have any plan that might console my heart?" Fei Zhong presented a memorial and said, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, possessing all under heaven. Your virtue matches Yao and Shun. Whatever exists in the world belongs to Your Majesty. What could you possibly desire that you cannot obtain? How difficult can this be? Tomorrow, if Your Majesty issues an edict and proclaims it to the feudal lords in all four directions: each fief shall select one hundred beautiful women to fill the royal court. How could Your Majesty worry that the most beautiful woman in the realm would not be chosen?" King Zhou was greatly pleased and said, "What you have presented is very much in line with my wishes. Issue the decree at court tomorrow morning." You may return for now." He immediately ordered his carriage and returned to the palace. What will happen next remains to be seen in the following chapter.