Chapter 17: Su Daji Builds the Scorpion's Jar

诗曰： 虿盆极恶已满天，宫女无辜血肉朘。媚骨己无埋玉处，芳魂犹带秽腥膻。 故园有梦空歌月，此地沉冤未息肩。怨气漫漫天应惨，周家世业更安然。

The poem says: The scorpion's jar of extreme evil is now filled to the heavens; innocent palace women suffer flesh and blood stripped away. Their charming bones have no place left to bury jade; their fragrant souls still carry the foul stench of filth and 膻. In their native land, dreams are in vain as they sing beneath the moon; here, deep injustice lingers without respite. The bitter resentment spreads endlessly—surely heaven must grieve; yet the Zhou family's legacy remains undisturbed and at ease.

话说子牙用三昧真火烧这妖精。此火非同凡火，从眼、鼻、口中喷将出来，乃是精、气、神炼成三昧，养就离精，与凡火共成一处，此妖精怎么经得起！妖精在火光中，扒将起来，大叫曰：“姜子牙，我与你无冤无雠，怎将三昧真火烧我？”纣王听见火里妖精说话，吓的汗流浃背，目瞪痴呆。子牙曰：“陛下，请驾进楼，雷来了。”子牙双手齐放，只见霹雳交加，一声响喨，火灭烟消，现出一面玉石琵琶来。纣王与妲己曰：“此妖已现真形。”妲己听言，心如刀绞，意似油煎，暗暗叫苦：“你来看我，回去便罢了，又算甚么命！今遇恶人，将你原形烧出，使我肉身何安。我不杀姜尚，誓不与匹夫俱生！”妲己只得勉作笑容，启奏曰：“陛下命左右将玉石琵琶取上楼来，待妾上了丝弦，早晚与陛下进御取乐。妾观姜尚，才术两全，何不封彼在朝保驾？”王曰：“御妻之言甚善。”天子传旨：“且将玉石琵琶，取上楼来。姜尚听朕封官：官拜下大夫，特授司天监职，随朝侍用。”子牙谢恩，出午门外，冠带回异人庄上。异人设席款待，亲友俱来恭贺。饮酒数日，子牙复往都城随朝。不表。

It is said that Ziya used the Threefold True Fire to burn this demon. This fire was no ordinary flame; it erupted from the demon's eyes, nose, and mouth. It was formed by refining essence (jing), energy (qi), and spirit (shen) into the Threefold Fire, cultivating the essence of separation (li jing). Combined with ordinary fire, how could this demon possibly withstand it! The demon, amidst the flames, struggled to rise and shouted loudly: "Jiang Ziya, I have no grudge or enmity with you—why do you burn me with the Threefold True Fire?" King Zhou, hearing the demon speak from within the fire, was so frightened that sweat poured down his back and he stood there with eyes wide open in stunned bewilderment. Ziya said: "Your Majesty, please enter the pavilion—the thunder is coming." Ziya raised both hands, and at once thunder cracked violently. With a loud boom, the fire was extinguished and smoke vanished, revealing a jade zither. King Zhou said to Daji: "This demon has now revealed its true form." Hearing this, Daji felt as if her heart were pierced by a knife and her mind seared by oil. Secretly she groaned: "You came to see me—once you return, that would have been enough! What more is there to your fate!" Now I've encountered an evil person who has exposed your true form in fire, leaving my physical body no place of safety. "I will not kill Jiang Shang; I swear never to live alongside this commoner!" Daji could only feign a smile and respectfully reported: "Your Majesty, order the attendants to bring up the jade zither from below. Once I string it with silk strings, I shall play for Your Majesty's enjoyment morning and evening." "I have observed Jiang Shang—he is both talented and skilled. Why not bestow an official title upon him to serve in court and safeguard Your Majesty?" The king said: "Your words are most wise, my dear consort." The Son of Heaven issued an order: "Bring the jade zither up to the pavilion at once. "Jiang Shang, hear this imperial decree: You are hereby appointed as Xia Dafu (a lower official), and specially granted the position of Director of the Bureau of Astronomy. Serve in court accordingly." Ziya expressed his gratitude, exited through the Wumen Gate, and returned to Yiren Zhuang wearing his official cap and sash. Yiren prepared a banquet to entertain him; relatives and friends all came to offer their congratulations. After drinking for several days, Ziya once again went back to the capital city to serve in court. No further details are given.

且说妲己把玉石琵琶放于摘星楼上，采天地之灵气，受日月之精华，已后五年，返本还元，断送成汤天下。　　一日，纣王在摘星楼与妲己饮宴，酒至半酣，妲旦歌舞一回，与纣王作乐。三宫嫔妃，六院宫人，齐声喝采。内有七十馀名宫人，俱不喝采，眼下且有泪痕。妲己看了，停住歌舞，查问那七十馀名宫人，原是那一宫人。内有奉御官查得；原是中宫姜娘娘侍御宫人。妲己怒曰：“你主母谋逆赐死，你们反怀忿怒，久后必成宫闱之患。”奏与纣王，纣王大怒，传旨：“拿下楼，俱用金瓜打死！”妲己奏曰：“陛下，且不必将这起逆党击顶，暂且送下冷宫，妾有一计，可除宫中大弊。”奉御官将宫女送下冷宫。且说妲己奏纣王曰：“将摘星楼下，方圆开二十四丈阔，深五丈。陛下传旨，命都城万民，每一户纳蛇四条，都放此坑之内。将作弊宫人，跣剥乾净，送下坑中，喂此毒蛇。此刑名曰：‘虿盆’。”纣王曰：“御妻之奇法，真可剔除宫中大弊。”天子随传旨意，张挂各门。国法森严，万民遭累，勒令限期，往龙德殿交蛇。众民日日进于朝中，并无内外，法纪全消。朝廷失政，不止一日。众民纳蛇，都城那里有这些蛇，俱到外县买蛇交纳。一日，文书房胶鬲──官居上大夫，在文书房里，看天下本章，只见众民或三两成行，四五一处，手提筐篮，进九间大殿。大夫问执殿官：“这些百姓，手提筐篮，里面是甚东西？”执殿官答曰：“万民交蛇。”大夫大惊曰：“天子要蛇何用？”执殿官曰：“卑职不知。”大夫出文书房到大殿，众民见大夫叩头。胶鬲曰：“你等拿的甚么东西？”众民曰：“天子榜文，张挂各门，每一户纳蛇四条。都城那里许多蛇，俱在百里之外，买来交纳。不知圣上何用。”胶鬲曰：“你们且去交蛇。”众民去了。大夫进文书房，不看本章，只见武成王黄飞虎、比干、微子、箕子、杨任、杨修俱至，相见礼毕。胶鬲曰：“列位大人可知天子令百姓每户纳蛇四条，不知取此何用。”黄飞虎答曰：“末将昨日看操回来，见众民言，天子张挂榜文，每户纳蛇四条，纷纷不绝，俱有怨言。因此今日到此，请问列位大人，必知其详。”比干、箕子曰：“我等一字也不知。”黄飞虎曰：“列位既不知道，叫执殿官过来，你听我分付。你上心打听，天子用此物做甚么事。若得实信，速来报我，重重赏你。”执殿官领命去讫，众官随散。不表。

Meanwhile, Daji placed the jade zither on the Zhaixing Tower, drawing upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and receiving the essence of sun and moon. After five years, it returned to its original form and power, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Chengtang dynasty. One day, King Zhou was feasting with Daji on the Zhaixing Pavilion. When the wine had reached its halfway point and they were in high spirits, Daji performed a dance and sang for King Zhou's entertainment. The consorts of the three palaces and the ladies-in-waiting from the six courtyards all cheered in unison. Among them, more than seventy palace attendants did not cheer; some even had tears on their faces. Daji noticed this and stopped her performance, then inquired about the more than seventy palace attendants who had not cheered, seeking to discover which ones they were. An official of the imperial household investigated and found out: They were originally palace attendants serving Empress Jiang of the central palace. Daji angrily said: "Your late empress plotted rebellion and was executed by imperial decree. You dare to harbor resentment—this will surely become a future threat within the palace." She reported this to King Zhou, who became furious and issued an order: "Drag them down from the pavilion and have them all beaten to death with golden calabashes!" Daji reported: "Your Majesty, there is no need to immediately execute these traitors. Temporarily send them down to the cold palace. I have a plan that will eliminate a great problem within the palace." The imperial officials escorted the female attendants to the Cold Palace. Meanwhile, Daji reported to King Zhou: "Excavate a pit twenty-four zhang wide and five zhang deep in the round area beneath Zhaixing Pavilion." "Your Majesty, issue an imperial decree ordering every household within the capital to contribute four snakes, which will then be placed into this pit." Strip those corrupt palace attendants completely naked and throw them down into the pit to feed these venomous snakes. This punishment is called: "Chai Peng." King Zhou said: "Your Majesty consort's ingenious method truly can eliminate the great corruption within the palace." The Son of Heaven immediately issued an imperial decree, which was posted at all gates. The law was strict and severe; the people were burdened. They were compelled to deliver snakes within a set time limit at Longde Hall. The common people entered the court day after day, with no distinction between inside and outside; law and discipline were completely eroded away. The government had long lost its authority—it was not a matter of just one day. The people were required to deliver snakes, but how could the capital possibly have so many? They all had to buy snakes from outlying counties for submission. One day, Jiaoge of the Secretariat—holding the rank of Shang Dafu—was in his office reviewing official memorials from across the land when he saw crowds of people, either walking in threes and twos or gathering in groups of four to five, carrying baskets on their hands entering the nine-bay hall. The official asked the officer in charge of the hall: "These common people, carrying baskets on their hands—what are they holding inside?" The officer in charge replied: "The people are delivering snakes." The official was greatly shocked and asked: "What use does the Son of Heaven have for these snakes?" The officer in charge said: "I do not know, my lord." The official left the Secretariat and went to the main hall. The common people saw him and kowtowed. Jiaoge asked: "What are you carrying?" The people replied: "An imperial edict was posted at every gate, ordering each household to deliver four snakes." How could the capital have so many snakes? We all had to buy them from over a hundred li away and submit them. We do not know what use His Majesty has for them." Jiaoge said: "You may go ahead and deliver the snakes." The people left. The official returned to the Secretariat, put aside the memorials, and saw that General Wuchengwang Huang Feihuo, Bi Gan, Weizi, Jishi, Yang Ren, and Yang Xiu had all arrived. After greetings were exchanged, they sat down. Jiaoge said: "Honorable sirs, do you know that the Son of Heaven has ordered every household to deliver four snakes? No one knows what purpose this serves." Huang Feihuo replied: "Yesterday, when I returned from inspecting the troops, I overheard common people saying that an imperial edict had been posted ordering each household to deliver four snakes. The complaints were endless and filled with resentment." For this reason, I came here today to ask the honorable sirs—surely you must know the details." Bi Gan and Jishi said: "We do not know a single detail about it." Huang Feihuo said: "Since you honorable sirs are unaware, summon the officer in charge of this hall. You will hear my instructions." You must take care to find out what purpose the Son of Heaven has for these things." "If you obtain reliable information, come and report it to me quickly. I shall reward you greatly." The officer in charge accepted the order and left; the officials then dispersed. No further details are given.

且说众民又过五七曰，蛇已交完，收蛇官往摘星楼回旨奏曰：“都城众民交蛇已完，奴婢回旨。”纣王问妲己曰：“坑中蛇已完了，御妻何以治此？”妲己曰：“陛下传旨，可将前日暂寄不游宫宫人，跣剥乾净，用绳缚背，推下坑中，喂此蛇蝎。若无此极刑，宫中深弊难除。”纣王曰：“御妻所设此刑，真是除奸之要法。”蛇既纳完，命奉御官将不游宫前日送下宫人，绑出推落虿盆。”奉御官得旨，不一时将宫人绑至坑边。那宫人一见蛇狰狞，扬头吐舌，恶相难看，七十二名宫人一齐叫苦。那日胶鬲在文书房，也为这件事，逐日打听；只听得一阵悲声惨切。大夫出的文书房来，见执殿官忙忙来报：“启老爷！前日天子取蛇，放在坑中；今日将七十二名宫人，跣剥入坑，喂此蛇蝎。卑职探听得实，前来报知。”胶鬲闻言，心中甚是激烈，迳进内庭，过了龙德殿，进分宫楼，走至摘星楼下，只见众宫人赤身缚背，泪流满面，哀声叫苦，凄惨难观。胶鬲厉声大叫曰：“此事岂可行！胶鬲有本启奏！”纣王正要看毒蛇咬食宫人，以为取乐，不期大夫胶鬲启奏。纣王宣胶鬲上楼俯伏，王问曰：“朕无旨意，卿有何奏章？”胶鬲泣而奏曰：“臣不为别事，因见陛下横刑惨酷，民遭荼毒，君臣暌隔，上下不相交接，宇宙已成否塞之象。今陛下又用这等非刑，宫人得何罪！昨日臣见万民交纳蛇蝎，人人俱有怨言。今旱潦频仍，况且买蛇百里之外，民不安生。臣闻；民贫则为盗，盗聚则生乱。况且海外烽烟，诸侯离叛，东南二处，刻无宁宇，民日思乱，刀兵四起。陛下不修仁政，日行暴虐，自从盘古至今，并不曾见，此刑为何名？那一代君王所制？”王曰：“宫人作弊，无法可除，往往不息，故设此刑，名曰：‘虿盆’。”胶鬲奏曰：“人之四肢，莫非皮肉，虽有贵贱之殊，总是一体。令人坑穴之中，毒蛇吞啖，苦痛伤心。陛下观之，其心何忍，圣意何乐。况宫人皆系女子，朝夕宫中，侍陛下于左右，不过役使，有何大弊，遭此惨刑。望陛下怜赦宫人，真皇上浩荡之恩，体上天好生之德。”王曰：“卿之所谏，亦似有理。但肘腋之患，发不及觉，岂得以草率之刑治之，况妇寺阴谋险毒，不如此，彼未必知惊耳。”胶鬲厉声言曰：“‘君乃臣之元首，臣是君之股肱。’又曰：“‘亶聪明作元后，元后作民父母。’今陛下忍心丧德，不听臣言，妄行暴虐，罔有悛心，使天下诸侯怀怨，东伯侯无辜受戮，南伯侯屈死朝歌，谏官尽炮烙；今无辜宫娥，又入虿盆。陛下只知欢娱于深宫，信谗听佞，荒淫酗酒，真如重疾在心，不知何时举发，诚所谓大痈既溃

Meanwhile, after another five or seven days, the people had finished delivering all the snakes. The official in charge of collecting the snakes went to Zhaixing Pavilion and reported: "The common people of the capital have completed their snake deliveries. Your servant returns with this report." King Zhou asked Daji: "The pit is now full of snakes—how, my dear consort, shall we deal with this?" Daji said: "Your Majesty, issue an order. Take the palace attendants previously temporarily confined in Bu You Gong Palace, strip them completely naked, tie ropes around their backs, and push them down into the pit to be devoured by these snakes." "If we do not employ this ultimate punishment, it will be difficult to eradicate deep-rooted corruption within the palace." King Zhou said: "The punishment you have devised, my dear consort, is indeed a crucial method for eliminating evildoers." With the snakes already delivered, King Zhou ordered the imperial attendants to take out and push down into the Chai Peng pit those palace women who had been sent from Bu You Gong Palace several days earlier. The imperial attendants received the order and, without delay, bound the palace women to the edge of the pit. The moment those palace attendants saw the terrifying snakes, their heads raised and tongues protruded in a hideous appearance. The seventy-two palace women all cried out in agony together. On that day, Jiaoge was in the Secretariat and had also been secretly investigating this matter every day; he suddenly heard a wave of sorrowful and heart-rending cries. The official left the Secretariat just in time to see the officer in charge hurrying over to report: "Respectful greetings, my lord! On the previous day, His Majesty ordered snakes collected and placed into the pit; Today they pushed seventy-two palace attendants, stripped completely naked, into the pit to be fed to these venomous snakes." I have investigated and confirmed this information, so I come to report it now." Jiaoge, upon hearing this, was deeply moved and stormed directly into the inner court. Passing through Longde Hall and entering Fen Gong Lou, he arrived at the base of Zhaixing Pavilion, where he saw palace attendants stripped naked with ropes around their backs, tears streaming down their faces as they cried out in sorrow—a heartbreaking sight to behold. Jiaoge shouted angrily: "How can such a thing be allowed!" "Minister Jiaoge has an official memorial to present!" King Zhou was just about to watch the venomous snakes devour the palace attendants for amusement when unexpectedly Minister Jiaoge came forward with a report. King Zhou summoned Jiaoge up to the pavilion, where he knelt down. The king asked: "I have not issued any decree—what memorial do you dare present?" Jiaoge wept as he presented his memorial: "Your servant does not bring this report for any other reason, but because I have witnessed Your Majesty's unjust and cruel punishments. The people suffer greatly; the bond between ruler and subject is broken, with no communication between high and low. Heaven and earth already show signs of chaos and blockage." Now Your Majesty employs such inhumane punishments—what crime have these palace attendants committed! Yesterday, I saw the common people delivering venomous snakes and scorpions; every one of them expressed resentment. Now droughts and floods occur frequently, and to make matters worse, the people must travel over a hundred li to buy snakes—this causes great unrest among them. I have heard: "When the people are poor, they become thieves; when thieves gather, chaos arises." Moreover, smoke and fire rise beyond the borders; feudal lords have turned against us. In the southeast, unrest never ceases. The people long for rebellion daily, and war erupts from all directions. Your Majesty does not cultivate benevolent governance but instead practices daily cruelty and oppression. Since the time of Pangu until now, I have never heard of such a punishment—what is its name? Which ruler from any dynasty ever devised it?" The king said: "Palace attendants have committed corruption, and there has been no way to eliminate it; the problem never ceases. Hence this punishment was devised, called 'Chai Peng'." Jiaoge presented his memorial: "A person's limbs are all flesh and skin. Though there may be distinctions of rank, they remain one body. To have people thrown into pits to be devoured by venomous snakes causes unbearable pain and heartbreak." Your Majesty, how can you bear such a sight in your heart? What joy could possibly come from this imperial will? Moreover, these palace attendants are all women who serve day and night within the palace, attending to Your Majesty's needs. They are merely used for labor—what great crime could they have committed to suffer such a cruel punishment? I humbly request Your Majesty to show mercy and pardon these palace attendants. This would truly reflect the boundless grace of a true emperor, embodying Heaven's virtue of cherishing life." The king said: "What you have advised seems reasonable. "But dangers close at hand, in the elbow or armpit, arise before one can be aware. How could such matters be dealt with by a hasty punishment? Moreover, these female attendants and eunuchs plot secretly and dangerously; without this method, they might not even feel alarmed." Jiaoge spoke sharply: "The ruler is the head of his subjects; ministers are the arms and legs of their sovereign. He continued, saying: "It also says, 'Only a wise ruler becomes the chief; such a chief becomes the father and mother of his people.'" Now, Your Majesty has lost compassion and virtue, refusing to heed my words. You recklessly commit cruelty without any sign of repentance, causing resentment among the feudal lords across the land. The Eastern Marquis was unjustly executed; the Southern Marquis died wrongfully in Chao Ge; all advisory officials were subjected to cauldron punishment; Now innocent palace maidens are once again thrown into the scorpion jar. Your Majesty only knows to take pleasure in the inner palace, believing flatterers and listening to sycophants, indulging in debauchery and drunkenness. This is truly like a grave illness within the heart, unaware of when it will erupt—it is indeed what can be called a great abscess about to burst.

，命亦随之。陛下不一思省，只知纵欲败度，不想国家何以如磐石之安。可惜先王克勤克俭，敬天畏命，方保社稷太平，华夷率服。陛下当改恶从善，亲贤远色，退佞进忠，庶几宗社可保，国泰民安，生民幸甚。臣等日夕焦心，不忍陛下沦于昏暗，黎民离心离德，祸生不测，所谓社稷宗庙非陛下之所有也。臣何忍深言，望陛下以祖宗天下为重，不得妄听女寺之言，有废忠谏之语，万民幸甚！”纣王大怒曰：“好匹夫！怎敢无知侮谤圣君，罪在不赦！”叫左右：“即将此匹夫剥净，送入虿盆，以正国法！”众人方欲来拿，被胶鬲大喝曰：“昏君无道，杀戮谏臣，此国家大患，吾不忍见成汤数百年天下一旦付与他人，虽死我不瞑目。况吾官居谏议，怎入虿盆！”手指纣王大骂：“昏君！这等横暴，终应西伯之言！”大夫言罢，望摘星楼下一跳，撞将下来，跌了个脑浆迸流，死于非命。有诗为证： 赤胆忠心为国忧，先生撞下摘星楼。早知天数成汤灭，可惜捐躯血水流。

Your life will follow in its wake. Your Majesty does not reflect even once, only indulging desires and breaking decorum, without considering how the state can remain as stable as a rock. It is regrettable that previous kings worked diligently and lived frugally, revering Heaven and fearing fate, thus ensuring the peace of the state and the submission of both Chinese and foreign peoples. Your Majesty should abandon evil and embrace virtue, be close to the virtuous while distancing from beauty, remove flatterers and promote loyal officials. Only then may the ancestral state be preserved, peace restored in the land, and the people live happily indeed. We, your ministers, have been anxiously concerned day and night. We cannot bear to see Your Majesty fall into darkness; the people are losing their loyalty and virtue. Unforeseen calamities will arise—this is what is meant by saying that the state and ancestral temples no longer belong to Your Majesty. How could I, your minister, bear to speak further? We hope Your Majesty will place the legacy of our ancestors and the realm above all else. Do not recklessly heed the words of women and eunuchs, nor neglect loyal advice—this would be a great blessing for the people!" King Zhou became furious and said: "A fine ruffian! How dare you, ignorant as you are, insult your holy sovereign? Your crime is beyond pardon!" He shouted to those around him: "Strip this ruffian bare at once and throw him into the scorpion jar, so that national law may be upheld!" As the crowd was about to seize him, Jiaoge shouted fiercely: "This is a tyrant without virtue, killing those who advise. This is a great calamity for our nation! I cannot bear to see the hundreds of years of Chengtang's realm handed over in an instant to others. Even if I die, my eyes will not close in peace. Moreover, as a minister entrusted with the duty of remonstrating and advising, how could I possibly be thrown into the scorpion jar!" He pointed at King Zhou and shouted: "Tyrant! This kind of tyranny will ultimately fulfill the words of Xibo!" After finishing his words, the official looked down at the Zhaixing Tower and leaped. He crashed to the ground, brains splattered, dying a tragic death. There is a poem as evidence: With loyal heart and red courage for the nation's sorrow, the scholar leaped from Zhaixing Tower. Had he known Heaven's decree would bring Chengtang to ruin, it is a pity his sacrifice turned only into blood and flowing water.

话说胶鬲坠楼，粉身碎骨。纣王看见，更觉大怒，传旨：“将宫女推下虿盆，连胶鬲一齐喂了蛇蝎！”可怜七十二名宫人，齐齐高叫：“皇天后土，我等又未为非，遭此惨刑！妲己贱人！我等生不能食汝之肉，死后定啖汝阴魂！”纣王见宫人落于坑内，饿蛇将官人盘绕，吞咬皮肤，钻入腹内，苦痛非常。妲己曰：“若无此刑，焉得除宫中大患！”纣王以手拂妲己之背曰：“喜你这等奇法，妙不可言！”两边宫人，心酸胆碎。有诗为证： 虿盆蛇蝎势狰狞；宫女遭殃入此坑。一见魂飞千里外，可怜惨死胜油烹。

Now the story returns to Jiaoge falling from the tower, his body shattered beyond recognition. King Zhou saw this and became even more furious. He issued an order: "Throw the palace women into the scorpion jar and feed them to the snakes along with Jiaoge!" Alas, these seventy-two palace attendants cried out in unison: "Heaven above and Earth below! We have done no wrong yet suffer such cruel punishment!" "Da Ji, you wretch!" "While we are alive, we cannot eat your flesh, but in death, we shall surely devour your evil spirit!" King Zhou saw the palace attendants fall into the pit, where hungry snakes coiled around them, biting their flesh and burrowing into their bellies. The pain was unbearable. Da Ji said: "Without this punishment, how could we eliminate the great threat within the palace!" King Zhou brushed his hand over Da Ji's back and said: "I am delighted by such a wondrous method of yours—it is beyond words!" Palace attendants on both sides felt their hearts ache with sorrow and their courage crumble. There is a poem as evidence: The scorpion jar's serpents are monstrous and terrifying; Palace women suffer misfortune by falling into this pit. At the sight, their souls fly a thousand miles away; it is pitiful indeed—this cruel death surpasses being boiled in oil.

话说纣王将宫人入于坑内，以为美刑。妲己又奏曰：“陛下可再传旨，将虿盆左边掘一池，右边挖一沼，池中以糟邱为山；右边以酒为池。糟邱山上，用树枝插满，把肉披成薄片，挂在树枝之上，名曰：‘肉林，’右边将酒灌满，名曰：‘酒海。’天子富有四海，原该享无穷富贵；此肉林、酒海，非天子之尊，不得妄自尊享也。”纣王曰：“御妻异制奇观，真堪玩赏；非奇思妙想，不能如此。”随传旨，依法制造。非止一日，将酒池、肉林，造的完全。纣王设宴，与妲己玩赏肉林、酒池。正饮之间，妲己奏曰：“乐声烦厌，歌唱寻常，陛下传旨，命宫人与宦官扑跌，得胜者，池中赏酒，不胜者乃无用之婢，侍于御前，有辱天子，可用金瓜击顶，放于糟内。”妲己奏毕，纣王无不听从，传旨；命宫人宦官扑跌。可怜这妖孽在宫中，无所不为，宦官遭殄，伤残民命。──看官；他为何事要将宫人打死，人在糟内？妲己或二、三更现出原形，要吃糟内宫人，以血食养他妖气，惑于纣王。有诗曰： 悬肉为林酒作池，纣王无道类穷奇。虿盆怨气冲霄汉，炮烙精魂傍火炊。 文武无心扶社稷；军民有意破宫缡。将来国土何时尽？戊午旬中甲子期。

Now the story continues: King Zhou placed palace attendants into the pit and considered it a beautiful form of punishment. Da Ji then presented another proposal: "Your Majesty may issue an order to dig a pool on the left side of the scorpion jar and excavate a marsh on its right. In the pool, build a hill from wine lees; on the right side fill the marsh with wine. On the hill of wine lees, insert branches all over it and hang thin slices of meat on them; call this place "Flesh Forest." On the right side, fill the marsh completely with wine and name it "Wine Sea." The Son of Heaven possesses all under heaven; he should naturally enjoy endless wealth and honor; this "Flesh Forest" and "Wine Sea" are not to be enjoyed by anyone but the Son of Heaven himself, for none else may dare partake without due respect." King Zhou said: "My imperial wife has devised a strange and wondrous spectacle; it is truly worth admiring; without extraordinary imagination, such a thing could not be conceived." He immediately issued an order and had it constructed according to the plan. It took more than a day, but eventually the wine pool and flesh forest were fully built. King Zhou held a banquet and enjoyed the "Flesh Forest" and "Wine Pool" with Da Ji. While drinking, Da Ji presented a proposal: "The music is tiresome and the singing ordinary. Your Majesty should issue an order for palace attendants and eunuchs to wrestle with each other. Those who win shall be rewarded with wine from the pool; those who lose are useless maidservants unworthy of serving before His Majesty, disgracing the Son of Heaven. They may be struck on the head with a golden gourd and thrown into the lees." After Da Ji finished her proposal, King Zhou had no hesitation in following it. He issued an imperial decree; ordering palace attendants and eunuchs into wrestling matches. Alas, this demon in the palace did nothing but cause harm; eunuchs were slaughtered and innocent lives maimed. ──Reader; Why did he want to kill palace attendants and place them in the lees? Da Ji would sometimes reveal her true form at two or three o'clock in the morning to devour palace attendants in the lees, using their blood and flesh to nourish her demonic aura, deceiving King Zhou. There is a poem that says: Hanging meat as forest and wine as pool, King Zhou's tyranny rivals the monstrous Qiongqi. The resentment from the scorpion jar rises to the heavens; the souls of those roasted alive linger beside the flames. Civil and military officials have lost their will to support the state; soldiers and people are determined to destroy the palace. When will this land of ours finally be lost? It shall come to pass on the Jiazi day in the Wuwu decade.

话说纣王听信妲己，造酒池、肉林，一无忌惮，朝纲不整，任意荒淫。一日，妲己忽然想起玉石琵琶精之恨，设一计害子牙；作一图画。那日在摘星楼与纣王饮宴，酒至半酣，妲己曰：“妾有一图画，献与陛下一观。”王曰：“取来朕看。”妲己命官人将画叉挑著。纣王曰：“此画又非翎毛，又非走兽，又非山景，又非人物。“上画一台，高四丈九尺，殿阁巍峨，琼楼玉宇，玛瑙砌就栏杆，明珠妆成梁栋，夜现光华，照耀瑞彩，名曰：“鹿台。”妲己奏曰：“陛下万乘至尊，贵为天子，富有四海，若不造此台，不足以壮观瞻。此台真是瑶池玉阙，阆苑蓬莱。陛下早晚宴于台上，自有仙人、仙女下降。陛下得与真仙遨游，延年益寿，禄算无穷。陛下与妾，共叨福庇，永享人间富贵也。”王曰：“此台工程浩大，命何官督造？”妲己奏曰：“此工须得才艺精巧、聪明睿智、深识阴阳、洞晓生克，以妾观之，非下大夫姜尚不可。”纣王闻言，即传旨：“宣下大夫姜尚。”使臣往比干府召姜尚。此干慌忙接旨。使臣曰：“旨意乃宣下大夫姜尚。”子牙即忙接旨，谢恩曰：“天使大人，可先到午门，卑职就至。”使臣去了。子牙暗起一课，早知今日之厄。子牙对比干谢曰：“姜尚荷蒙大德提携，并早晚指教之恩。不期今日相别。此恩此德，不知何时可报。”比干曰：“先生何故出此言？”子牙曰：“尚占运命，主今日不好，有害无利，有凶无吉。”比干曰：“先生又非谏官在位，况且不久面君，以顺为是，何害之有！”子牙曰：“尚有一柬帖，压在书房砚台之下，但丞相有大难临身，无处解释，可观此柬，庶几可脱其危，乃卑职报丞相涓涯之万一耳。从今一别，不知何日能再睹尊颜！”子牙作辞，比干著实不忍，“先生果有灾迍，待吾进朝面君，可保先生无虞。”子牙曰：“数已如此，不必动劳，反累其事。”比干相送，子牙出相府，上马来到午门，迳至摘星楼候旨。奉御官宣上摘星楼，见驾毕。王曰：“卿与朕代劳，起造鹿台，俟功成之日，如禄增官，朕决不食言。图样在此。”子牙一看，高四丈九尺，上造琼楼玉宇，殿阁重檐，玛瑙砌就栏杆，宝石妆成栋梁。子牙看罢，暗想：“朝歌非吾久居之地，且将言语感悟这昏君，昏君必定不听、发怒。我就此脱身隐了，何为不可！毕竟不知子牙凶吉如何，且听下回分解。

Now, the story continues: King Zhou trusted Da Ji and built the wine pool and flesh forest without any restraint. The court's order was in disarray as he indulged recklessly in debauchery. One day, Da Ji suddenly recalled her grudge against the jade pipa spirit and devised a plan to harm Ziyi; she created a painting. On that day, while feasting with King Zhou at Zhaixing Tower, when the wine had reached half its course and they were in high spirits, Da Ji said: "I have a painting I wish to present for Your Majesty's inspection." The king said: "Bring it here for me to see." Da Ji ordered palace attendants to carry the painting on a pole. King Zhou said: "This painting is neither birds nor beasts, neither mountain scenery nor human figures. It depicts a platform, four zhang and nine chi high. Pavilions and halls rise majestically; jade towers and crystal buildings gleam with beauty. Railings are made of jasper, beams and rafters adorned with pearls. At night it radiates brilliance, casting luminous auspicious colors—it is called the "Lu Tai." Da Ji presented her proposal: "Your Majesty, as the supreme ruler of ten thousand chariots, holds the title of Son of Heaven and possesses all under heaven. If such a platform is not built, it would be insufficient to display your grandeur. This platform is truly the Jade Pool and Crystal Palace of 瑶池, the 阆苑 and Penglai of paradise. If Your Majesty holds banquets on this terrace morning or evening, surely immortals and fairy maidens will descend from above. Your Majesty would then be able to wander with true immortals, prolonging life and adding years, enjoying endless fortune and longevity. Your Majesty and I shall share this blessing together, forever enjoying the riches of this world." The king said: "This terrace will require a massive construction effort. Which official should be ordered to oversee its building?" Da Ji presented her suggestion: "This project requires a man of great talent and exquisite craftsmanship, one who is wise, intelligent, well-versed in the principles of yin-yang, and deeply knowledgeable about life and death. In my view, none but Minister Jiang Shang can accomplish this." Upon hearing these words, King Zhou immediately issued an order: "Summon Minister Jiang Shang." He sent envoys to the residence of Bi Gan to summon Jiang Shang. Bi Gan hurriedly received the imperial decree. The envoy said: "The imperial order is to summon Minister Jiang Shang." Ziyi hurriedly accepted the decree and expressed his gratitude, saying: "Your Excellency, the imperial messenger may first proceed to the Wumen Gate. I shall arrive shortly." The envoy departed. Ziyi secretly cast a divination and had long foreseen this calamity today. Ziyi bowed to Bi Gan in gratitude, saying: "Jiang Shang is deeply indebted for your great kindness and support, as well as the guidance you have given me morning and night. I did not expect our parting to come so soon today. This kindness and virtue, I do not know when I shall ever be able to repay." Bi Gan said: "Master, why say such words?" Ziyi replied: "I have divined my fate and found that today is ill-omened, bringing harm without benefit, misfortune without good fortune." Bi Gan said: "Master is not an official in the position of remonstration, and besides, you will soon appear before His Majesty. To act with harmony is right—what harm could there be!" Ziyi said: "I have left a letter, hidden beneath the inkstone in my study. If Chancellor Bi Gan ever faces great danger and has no way to resolve it, he may read this letter; perhaps then he can escape peril. This would be how I repay even a fraction of your boundless kindness." From now on, we part ways, and I do not know when again I may have the honor to see your noble countenance!" Ziyi took his leave, and Bi Gan truly could not bear to part. "If Master indeed faces misfortune," he said, "I shall go into court and present my case before His Majesty; I will ensure that you are safe without worry." Ziyi replied: "The numbers have already determined this fate. There is no need to trouble yourself, for it would only bring you more hardship." Bi Gan saw him off. Ziyi left the Chancellor's residence, mounted his horse, and arrived at Wumen Gate, proceeding directly to Zhixing Lou to await imperial orders. The palace attendants led the emperor up to Zhixing Lou, where he was presented before His Majesty and paid his respects accordingly. The king said: "You have toiled on my behalf, building the Lu Tai. When this project is completed, I shall bestow rank and increase your salary; I will never break my word." "The design plans are here." Ziyi took a look. It was four zhang and nine chi high, with jade-like towers and halls on top, multi-eave pavilions and palaces, balustrades inlaid with agate, and beams adorned with precious gems. After looking it over, Ziyi thought to himself: "Chaoguo is not a place where I can stay for long. I should try to move this foolish king with my words, but he will surely refuse to listen and become angry." If I were to escape from here and go into hiding, what could possibly be wrong with that! As for whether Ziyi will meet fortune or misfortune—this shall be revealed in the next chapter.