Chapter 33: Huang Feihu's Great Battle at Si Shui

诗曰： 百难千灾苦不禁，奸臣贼子枉痴心，漫夸幻术能多获，不道邪谋可易侵。 余化图功成画饼，韩荣封拜有差参。总然天意安排定，说到封神泪满襟。

The poem says: A hundred hardships and a thousand disasters are unbearable, Wicked ministers and traitorous sons in vain have foolish hearts. They boast in vain of magical arts that can yield much gain, Not knowing that evil schemes easily encroach. Yu Huatu's achievements were as empty as a painted cake; Han Rong was enfeoffed with varying ranks and titles. Though the heavens have arranged all things, when it comes to the investiture of gods, tears fill one's sleeves.

话说黄滚布开人马，等候儿子来。只见黄明、周纪远远望见一枝人马摆开，黄明对黄飞虎曰：“老爷布开人马，又见陷车，这光景不是好消息。”龙环道：“且见了老爷，看他怎说，再做处治。”数骑向前，飞虎在鞍鞽欠身，口称：“父亲！不孝儿飞虎不能全礼。”黄滚曰：“你是何人？”飞虎答曰：“我是父亲长子黄飞虎。为何反问？”黄滚大喝一声：“我家受天子七世恩荣，为商汤之股肱，忠孝贤良者有，叛逆佞奸者无。况我黄门无犯法之男，无再嫁之女。你今为一妇人，而背君亲之大恩，弃七代之簪缨，绝腰间之宝玉，失人伦之大礼，忘国家之遗荫，背主求荣，无端造反，杀朝廷命官，闯天子关隘，乘机抢掳，百姓遭殃，辱祖宗于九泉，愧父颜于人世，忠不能于天子，孝不尽于父前。畜生！你空为王位，累父飡刀！你生有愧于天下，死有辱于先人！你再有何颜见我！”飞虎被父亲一片言语说得默默无言。黄滚又曰：“畜生！你可做忠臣、孝子不做忠臣、孝子？”飞虎曰：“父亲此言怎么说？”滚曰：“你要做忠臣、孝子，早早下骑，为父的把你解往朝歌，使我黄滚解子有功，天子必不害我；我得生全，你死还是商臣，为父还有肖子。畜生！你忠孝还得两全。你不做忠臣、孝子，既已反了朝歌，目中已无天子，自是不忠；你再使开长枪，把我刺于马下，料你必投西土，任你纵横，使我眼不见，耳不闻，我也甘心。你可乐意。庶几不遗我末年披枷带索，死于藁街，使人指曰：“此某人之父，因子造反而致某于此也！”飞虎听罢，在神牛上大叫曰：“老爷不必罪我，与老爷解往朝歌去罢！”方欲下骑，傍有黄明在马上大呼曰：“长兄不可下骑！纣王无道，乃失政之君，不以吾等尽忠辅国为念，古语云：‘君使臣以礼，臣事君以忠。’国君既以不正，乱伦反常，臣又何必听其驱使！我等出五关，费了多少艰难，十死一生；今听老将军一篇言语，就死于马下无益。可怜惨死，沉冤不能表白于天下！”飞虎听得此言有理，在牛上低首不语。黄滚大骂黄明：“你们这夥逆贼！吾子料无反心，是你们这样无父无君，不仁不义，少三纲，绝五常的匹夫唆使，故做出这等事来。在我面前，况且教吾子不要下骑，这不是你等撮弄他！气杀老夫！”纵马抡刀来取黄明。黄明急用斧架开刀曰：“老将军，你听我讲。黄飞虎等是你的儿子，黄天禄等是你的孙子；我等不是你的子孙，怎把囚车来拏我等？老将军，你差了念头！自古道虎毒不食儿，如今朝廷失政，大变伦常，各处荒乱，刀兵四起，天降不祥，祸乱已现。今老将军媳妇被君欺

It is said that Huang Gun deployed his troops and waited for his son to arrive. They saw Huang Ming and Zhou Ji gazing from afar at a detachment of troops deployed in formation. Huang Ming said to Huang Feihu, "My lord has deployed his troops, and we also see siege carts; this scene does not bode well." Long Huan said, "Let us first meet my lord and hear what he has to say before taking any action." A few horsemen rode forward. Feihu, still in the saddle, bowed slightly and called out, "Father!" "I, your unworthy son Feihu, am unable to observe full courtesy." Huang Gun asked, "Who are you?" Feihu replied, "I am your eldest son Huang Feihu." "Why do you ask me this?" Huang Gun shouted angrily, "My family has received the grace and honor of seven generations from the Son of Heaven. We have been pillars of support for King Tang of Shang. There are those among us who are loyal, filial, virtuous, and good, but none who are traitorous or sycophantic." Moreover, there is not a single man in my Huang family who has broken the law, nor any daughter who has remarried. You, for the sake of a woman, have betrayed your sovereign and father's great kindness, abandoned the hereditary titles of seven generations, severed the jade pendants at your waist, violated the fundamental rites of human relationships, forgotten the legacy and protection of our nation, defected from your lord in pursuit of glory, rebelled without cause, killed officials appointed by the court, breached the passes of the Son of Heaven, seized opportunities to plunder, brought suffering upon the people, disgraced our ancestors in their graves, shamed my face before men, failed in loyalty toward the Son of Heaven, and neglected filial duty before your father. You beast! "You have squandered the throne and brought your father to suffer the blade!" You live with shame before all under heaven, and you will die bringing disgrace upon our ancestors! "What more face do you have to show yourself to me!" Feihu, silenced by his father's words, could not utter a single reply. Huang Gun said again, "You beast!" "Did I raise you to be a loyal minister and filial son, only for you not to become one?" Feihu said, "Father, what do you mean by these words?" Gun said, "If you wish to be a loyal minister and a filial son, dismount at once. I will deliver you to Chaogē for your father. If I, Huang Gun, can return my son in this way, the Son of Heaven will surely not harm me; I shall be spared, and you would still die as a minister of Shang, and I, your father, would have an exemplary son." You beast! Your loyalty and filial piety can still be fully realized. "If you do not become a loyal minister or a filial son, having already rebelled against Chaogē and shown no respect for the Son of Heaven in your eyes, this is clearly disloyalty; you could then take up your long spear, pierce me from my horse, and know that you will surely flee westward. No matter how freely you roam, if I cannot see or hear of it, I would still be content." Would you be willing to do so?" Perhaps then I would not spend my final years in chains and shackles, dying on the straw-strewn street, with people pointing and saying, "This is so-and-so's father; he was brought to this fate because his son rebelled!" After hearing these words, Feihu cried out from atop the divine ox: "My lord need not blame me. I shall go with you to Chaogē!" Just as he was about to dismount, Huang Ming shouted from his horse nearby: "Elder brother, you must not get off your horse!" King Zhou is tyrannical and lawless, a ruler who has lost the mandate of governance. He does not value our loyalty in assisting the state. As an old saying goes: "A ruler should employ his ministers with propriety; a minister should serve his ruler with loyalty." If the sovereign is himself unjust, corrupting moral order and acting contrary to natural law, why should a minister still obey his commands! We have passed through five passes, enduring countless hardships, risking death ten times for one life; now to die beneath my father's horse after hearing his words would be of no benefit. It would be pitiable indeed, a cruel death with our grievance never cleared before all under heaven!" Feihu heard these words and found them reasonable. He lowered his head in silence while seated on the ox. Huang Gun angrily scolded Huang Ming, "You band of traitors! My son could not possibly have rebelled of his own accord. It is you, who are disrespectful to father and sovereign, lacking in humanity and righteousness, violating the Three Bonds and severing the Five Constants, who have incited him into such actions." In front of me, you even dared to tell my son not to dismount. This is clearly your doing!" You have driven an old man to his death with anger!" With a furious cry, he spurred his horse forward and brandished his sword toward Huang Ming. Huang Ming quickly raised his axe to parry the blade and said, "General, please listen to me." Huang Feihu is your son, and Huang Tianlu is your grandson; we are not your descendants. Why then do you seize us with prison carts?" General, you have the wrong idea!" As an old saying goes, "Even a tiger does not eat its own young," but now the court has lost its mandate of governance; moral order is in great disorder. All regions are in chaos and war rages everywhere. Heaven has sent ill omens, and calamity is already upon us. Now, General, your daughter-in-law has been wronged by the sovereign.

辱，亲女被君摔死，沉冤无伸；不思为一家骨肉报雠，反解儿子往朝歌受戮。语云：‘君不正，臣投外国；父不慈，子必参商。’”黄滚大怒：“反贼，巧言舌辩，气杀我！”把刀望黄明劈来，黄明架刀，大叫：“黄老儿！你‘天睛不肯去，只待雨淋头’！你做一世大帅，不识时务，只管把刀来劈我。独不想吾手中斧无眉少目，万有一伤，把老将军一生英名置于乌有。小侄怎敢！”黄滚大怒，纵马舞刀，飞来直取。周纪曰：“老将军，今日得罪也罢，忍不住了。”黄明、周纪、龙环、吴谦四将，把黄滚围裹垓心，斧戟交加，奔腾战马。黄飞虎在傍，见四将把父亲围住，面上甚有怒色，沉思曰：“这匹夫可恶！我在此尚，把老爷欺侮。”只见黄明大叫曰：“长兄！我等将老爷围住，你们不快快出关，还要等请？”飞彪、飞豹、天禄、天爵、天祥，一齐连家将车辆，冲出关去。黄滚见儿子撞出关去，气冲肝腑，跌下马来，随欲拔剑自刎。黄明下马，一把抱住，口称：“老爷何必如此？”黄滚醒回，睁目大骂：“无知强盗！你把我逆子放走了，还要在此支吾！”黄明曰：“末将一言难尽，真是有屈无伸。我受你的儿子气，已是无限了。他要反商，我几番苦劝，动不动只要杀我四人。我等没奈何，共议只到界牌关，见了黄将军，设法拏解朝歌，洗我四人一身之怨。末将以目送情，老将军只管说闲话不睬，末将犹恐泄了机会，反为不美。”黄滚曰：“据你怎么讲？”黄明曰：“老将军快上马，出关赶飞虎，只说：“黄明劝我‘虎毒不食儿’，你们都回来，我同你？往西岐去投见武王。何如？’”黄滚笑曰：“这畜生好言语，反来诱我！”黄明曰：“终不然当真去，此是哄他进关。老将军在府内设酒饭与他吃，我四人打点绳索挠钩，老将军击钟为号，吾等一齐上手，把你三子、三孙俱拿入陷车，解往朝歌。只望老将军天恩，保我四条金带，感德不浅！”黄滚听罢，叹曰：“黄将军，你原来是个好人。”黄滚忙上马，赶上关来，大呼曰：“我儿！黄明劝我，著实有理。我也自思，不若同你往西岐去罢。”飞虎自忖：“父亲为何有此言语？”飞豹曰：“还是黄明的圈套。我等速回，听其指挥，以便行事。须进关入府，拜见父亲。”黄滚曰：“一路鞍马，快收拾酒饭，你们吃了，同往西岐去便了。”且说两边忙排酒食上来，黄滚相陪，饮了四、五杯酒，见黄明站在傍边，黄滚把金钟击了数下，黄明听见，只当不知。且说龙环对黄明说：“如今怎样了？”黄明曰：“你二人将老将军资蓄打点上车，收拾乾净。你一把火烧起粮草堆来。我们一齐上马。老

She was humiliated and disgraced; your own beloved daughter was thrown to death by him, her grievance left unavenged; you do not even consider avenging the blood of your family, yet instead you would deliver your son to Chaogē to be slaughtered. As an old saying goes: "If a sovereign is unjust, ministers may seek foreign lands; if a father is not kind, the son must inevitably become estranged." Huang Gun was furious: "Traitor! With your eloquent lies and flattery, you have driven me to my death with anger!" He raised his sword and swung it at Huang Ming. Huang Ming parried the blow, shouting, "Old fool Huang! You 'refuse to go when the sky is clear, waiting only for rain to fall on your head'!" "You have been a great general all your life yet fail to recognize the times. You keep swinging your sword at me." Have you no thought that my axe, though lacking eyes and eyebrows, could still strike by chance? Should I accidentally wound you, it would reduce General's lifelong reputation to nothing. "How dare I, your nephew!" Huang Gun was enraged and spurred his horse forward, brandishing his sword to strike directly at him. Zhou Ji said, "General, if today we must offend, then so be it; I can no longer hold back." The four generals Huang Ming, Zhou Ji, Long Huan, and Wu Qian surrounded General Huang Gun in the center of the battlefield. Axes and halberds clashed as their horses galloped fiercely. Huang Feihu, watching from the side as his father was surrounded by the four generals, showed a very angry expression. He pondered and said, "This wretch is despicable! While I am still here, he dares to insult my father." Just then Huang Ming shouted, "Elder brother!" We have surrounded my lord. If you do not quickly leave the pass, are you waiting for an invitation?" Feibiao, Feipao, Tianlu, Tianjue, and Tianxiang, together with their household retainers and carriages, charged out of the pass. Huang Gun saw his son break through the pass and flee; in a rage, he fell from his horse. He immediately drew his sword to commit suicide. Huang Ming dismounted, rushed forward, and embraced him tightly, saying, "My lord, why do you act so?" Huang Gun came to his senses, opened his eyes wide, and scolded angrily: "Ignorant bandits! You let my rebellious son escape, yet you still dare to dawdle here!" Huang Ming said, "Your subordinate cannot express all in one sentence; it is truly a grievance with no recourse. I have already endured enough humiliation from your son. He wished to rebel against Shang, and on many occasions I tried hard to dissuade him, yet he threatened to kill the four of us at the slightest provocation. We had no choice but to discuss together and proceed only as far as Jiepaiguan Pass. There, we met General Huang and planned to devise a way to capture him and deliver him to Chaogē, thus clearing the grievance that clings to our four men. Your subordinate tried in vain with glances and gestures, but General only spoke idle words and ignored us. I feared the opportunity might be lost, which would have been most unfortunate." Huang Gun asked, "According to you, what should we do?" Huang Ming said, "General, quickly mount your horse and ride out of the pass to chase Feihu. Just say: 'Huang Ming advised me that "even a tiger does not eat its young." You all come back, I will go with you.'" Go west to Qi and present yourself before King Wu. How is that?"' Huang Gun laughed and said, "This wretch speaks well, yet tries to lure me!" Huang Ming said, "We are not really going there. This is just a ruse to get him back into the pass." General, you may set up a banquet of food and drink for him within the mansion. The four of us will prepare ropes and grappling hooks. When General strikes the bell as a signal, we shall all act at once and seize your three sons and three grandsons, placing them in prison carts to be sent to Chaogē. We only hope for General's heavenly grace to preserve our four golden sashes; your kindness will never be forgotten!" After hearing this, Huang Gun sighed and said, "General Huang, you are indeed a good man." Huang Gun quickly mounted his horse and rode back to the pass, shouting loudly, "My son! Huang Ming has advised me with good reason. I have also been thinking, and it is better for me to go with you westward to Qi." Feihu pondered to himself: "Why would my father say such things?" Feipao said, "This is still Huang Ming's trap. We should return quickly and follow his orders so that we may act accordingly." We must enter the pass, go to the mansion, pay respects to our father, and see what he says." Huang Gun said, "After such a long journey on horseback, quickly prepare food and drink. After you have eaten, we will go together to Qi." Meanwhile, both sides hurriedly prepared food and drink. Huang Gun accompanied them, drinking four or five cups of wine. Seeing Huang Ming standing nearby, Huang Gun struck the golden bell several times. Hearing this, Huang Ming pretended not to know what it meant. Meanwhile, Long Huan asked Huang Ming, "What shall we do now?" Huang Ming said, "You two prepare the General's belongings and load them onto the carts. Make sure everything is in order." Then set fire to the stacks of grain and fodder. We shall all mount our horses together." old

将军必定问我，我自有话回他。”二人去讫。黄滚见黄明听钟响不见动手，叫到案傍来，问曰：“方才钟响，你怎的不下手？”黄明曰：“老将军，刀斧手不齐，怎么动得手？倘或知觉走了，反为不美。”且说龙环、吴谦二将，把黄老将军家私都打点上车，就放一把火烧将起来。两边来报：“粮草堆火起！”众人齐上马出关，黄滚叫苦：“我中了这夥强盗的计了！”黄明曰：“老将军，实对你讲：纣王无道，武王乃仁明圣德之君。我们此去借兵报雠，你去就去；你不去便是催督不完，烧了仓廒，已绝粮草，到了朝歌，难逃一死。总不如一同归武王，此为上策。”黄滚沉吟长吁曰：“臣非纵子不忠，奈众口难调。老臣七世忠良，今为叛亡之士。”望朝歌大拜八拜，将五十六个帅印挂在银安殿，老将军点兵三千，共家将人等，合有四千馀人，救灭火光，离了高关。有诗为证，诗曰： 设计施谋出界牌，黄明周纪显奇才。谁知汜水关难过，怎脱天罗地网灾。 余化通玄多奥妙，法施异宝捉将来。不是哪吒相接应，焉得君臣破鹿台。

General will surely ask me, but I have my own words to say to him." The two men left. Huang Gun, seeing that Huang Ming had heard the bell but did not act, called him over to the table and asked, "Earlier when the bell rang, why didn't you take action?" Huang Ming said, "General, since the executioners were not all present, how could I act?" If they had become aware and escaped, it would have been most unfortunate." Meanwhile, the two generals Long Huan and Wu Qian prepared all of General Huang's belongings onto carts and then set a fire to burn them down. From both sides came reports: "The stacks of grain and fodder are on fire!" Everyone mounted their horses together and left the pass. Huang Gun lamented, "I have fallen into this band of robbers' trap!" Huang Ming said, "General, I will speak plainly to you: King Zhou is a tyrant without virtue, while King Wu is a wise and virtuous ruler." We are going now to seek an army for revenge. If you wish to go, then go; if you do not go, we cannot complete our mission. The granaries have already been burned and the supplies cut off; when we reach Chao Ge, you will be unable to escape death." It is better for us all to return together to King Wu. This is the best course of action." Huang Gun sighed deeply and hesitated, saying, "I am not allowing my son to be disloyal; it is merely that the will of the people cannot be easily changed. An old minister who has served with loyalty for seven generations, now I have become a traitor." Facing Chao Ge, he bowed eight times. He hung the fifty-six general's seals in the Yin'an Hall. General Huang mustered 3,000 soldiers, together with his family retainers and others, totaling more than 4,000 people, to extinguish the fire and left Gaoguan Pass. There is a poem as evidence; it says: A plan was devised and strategy applied beyond the boundary marker, Huang Ming and Zhou Ji displayed their extraordinary talents. Who could have known that Sishui Pass would be so difficult to cross? How can one escape the disaster of a heavenly net and earthly trap? The remaining transformations are profound and wondrous, With extraordinary treasures applied, he will capture the general. Were it not for Nezha's timely assistance, how could the ruler and ministers have broken through Lütai?

话说黄滚同众人并马而行。黄滚曰：“黄明，我见你为吾子，不是为他，是害了我一门忠义。界牌关外便是西岐，那个不妨；只此八十里至汜水关，守关者乃韩荣，麾下一将余化，此人乃左道，人称他‘七首将军’，此人道法通玄，旗开拱手，马到成功。坐下火眼金睛兽，用方天戟，我们一到，料是个个被擒，决难逃脱。我若解你往朝歌，尚留我老身一命；今日一同至此，真是荆山失火，石玉俱焚。此正天数难逃，吾命所该。”又见七岁孙儿在马上啼哭，又添惨切。不觉失声叹曰：“我等遭此缧绁；你得何罪于天地，也逢此诛身之厄！”黄滚一路上不绝口叹息，不觉行至汜水关，安下人马，扎了辕门。

The story continues: Huang Gun rode together with the others. Huang Gun said, "Huang Ming, I see that you act for me as my son, not for others. Yet in doing so, you have ruined the loyalty and righteousness of our entire family. The boundary marker pass leads directly to Qi; there is nothing to fear from that side; only eighty li remain to Sishui Pass. The commander of the pass is Han Rong, and under his command is a general named Yu Hua. This man practices dark arts; people call him "Seven-Headed General." He has profound magical abilities, and with but a wave of his hand or the arrival of his horse, he achieves success effortlessly. He rides a beast with fiery eyes and golden vision, wields the Fang Tian spear, and when we arrive, I expect each of us will be captured; there is no way to escape. If I were to take you back to Chao Ge, at least my old life might still be spared; Today we have come together this far—it is truly like a fire in Jing Mountain, where both stone and jade are burned. This is precisely the course of heaven's will; it is my fate." He also saw his seven-year-old grandson crying on horseback, adding to the sorrow. Unable to help himself, he sighed aloud and said, "We have suffered such misfortune; what crime have you committed against heaven and earth that you too must face this calamity of death!" Huang Gun continued to sigh and lament along the way. Without realizing it, they had arrived at Sishui Pass, where they set up their troops and established a camp gate.

却说韩荣探马报到：“黄滚同武成王反出界牌，兵至关前扎营。”韩荣听罢，低首自思：“黄老将军，你官居总帅，位极人臣，为何纵子反商，不谙事体，其实可笑。”命左右：“擂鼓聚将听用。”诸军参谒毕，韩荣曰：“黄滚纵子造反，其至此地，须商议仔细酌量。”众将领令。那韩荣调人马阻塞咽喉，按下不表。

Meanwhile, Han Rong's scouts reported: "Huang Gun has rebelled with General Wu Chengwang from beyond the boundary marker and has set up camp before the pass." After hearing this, Han Rong lowered his head and thought to himself: "General Huang, you held the position of supreme commander, the highest rank among ministers. Why did you allow your son to rebel against Shang? You do not understand the proper conduct of affairs; it is truly laughable." He ordered his attendants, "Beat the drum and summon the generals for orders." After all the officers had paid their respects, Han Rong said, "Huang Gun has allowed his son to rebel. He has now arrived at this place; we must deliberate carefully and weigh our options." The generals accepted the orders. Han Rong mobilized his troops to block the strategic pass, but this will be set aside for now.

且说黄滚坐在帐里，看看两边子孙，点首曰：“今日齐齐整整，两傍侍立，到明日不知先少谁人？”众人听著，各有不忿之意。

Meanwhile, Huang Gun sat in his tent and looked at the descendants on both sides. Nodding, he said, "Today they are all gathered here in order, standing by my side; but tomorrow I wonder who will be missing first?" Hearing this, the people present each felt a sense of resentment.

且说次日余化领命，布开人马，军前搦战。营门官报入。黄滚问：“你们谁去走走？”只见黄飞虎曰：“孩儿前去。”上了五色神牛，提枪在手，催骑向前。见一将生的古怪形容，怎见得，诗曰： 脸似搽金须发红，一双怪眼镀金瞳，虎皮袍衬连环铠，玉带束宝现玲珑。 秘授玄功无比赛，人称“七首”似飞熊。翠蓝旛上书名字，余化先行手到功。

Meanwhile, on the following day, Yu Hua accepted his orders and deployed troops to challenge the enemy before the army. The camp gate officer reported inside. Huang Gun asked, "Who among you would like to go out and fight?" Just then Huang Feihuo said, "Let me go ahead." He mounted his five-colored divine ox, held the spear in hand, and urged it forward. He saw a general with an unusual and strange appearance. How was this so? A poem describes it: His face is like gold paint, his beard and hair red; A pair of strange eyes with golden pupils gleam. Tiger-skin robe under linked armor shines bright, Jade sash girds treasures that sparkle in the light. Secretly taught mystical arts without equal, People call him "Seven-Headed," fierce as a flying bear. On the emerald-blue banner was written his name; Yu Hua led the charge and achieved success with but one strike.

话说余化一骑向前，此人自不曾会武成王，见来将仪容异相，五柳长髯，飘扬脑后，丹凤眼，卧蚕眉，提金錾提芦杵，坐五色神牛。余化问曰：“来者何人？”武成王答曰：“吾乃武成王黄飞虎是也。今纣王失政，弃纣归周。汝乃何人？”余化答曰：“末将未会大王尊颜。大王乃成汤社稷之臣，若论满朝富贵，尽出黄门。何事不足，而作反叛之人？”飞虎曰：“将军之言虽是，各有衷曲，一言难尽。即以君臣之道而论，古云：‘君使臣以礼，臣事君以忠。’普天下尽知纣王无道，羞于为臣。今又乱伦败德，污蔑纪纲，残贼仁义，不恤士民。天下诸侯，皆知有岐周矣。三分天下，周土已得二分，可见天命有归，岂是人力。吾今止借此关一往，望将军容纳，不才感德无涯。”余化叹曰：“大王此言差矣！末将把守关隘，以尽臣职。大王不反，末将自当远迎。大王今系叛亡，末将与大王成为敌国，岂有放大王出关之理！大王难道此理也不知？我劝大王请速下战骑，俟末将关主解往朝歌，请旨定夺。百司自有本章保奏，念大王平日之功，以赦叛亡之罪，或未可知。若想善出此关，大王乃缘木求鱼，非徙无益，而又害之也。”飞虎曰：“五关已出有四，岂在汝这汜水关！敢出言无状，放马来与你见个雌雄。”飞虎举枪，直取余化。余化画戟相迎。二兽相交，枪戟并举，一场大战。 二将阵前势无比，立见输赢定生死。狻猊摆尾斗麒麟，却似苍龙搅海水。 长枪荡荡蟒翻身，摆动金钱豹子尾。将军恶战不寻常，不至败亡心不止。

The story continues: Yu Hua rode forward alone. This was the first time he had encountered General Wu Chengwang. Seeing the approaching general's unusual appearance—long beard in five strands flowing behind his head, phoenix eyes, and a thick eyebrow—he wielded a golden chisel and a pestle, riding on a five-colored divine ox. Yu Hua asked, "Who dares approach?" General Wu Chengwang replied, "I am General Huang Feihuo, the Duke of Wucheng. Now King Zhou has lost his virtue; I have abandoned him and returned to the Zhou." Who are you?" Yu Hua replied, "Your servant has not yet had the honor of meeting Your Majesty's noble countenance. Your Majesty is a minister who upheld the state of Chengtang. If we speak of wealth and honor throughout the court, they all come from the Huang family. What could possibly be lacking that you have become a rebel?" Feihuo said, "Though the general's words are true, each has his own hidden grievances; it is hard to explain in one sentence. Even speaking of the way between ruler and minister, as an old saying goes: "A ruler should treat his ministers with propriety; a minister serves his ruler with loyalty." Everyone under heaven knows that King Zhou is tyrannical and without virtue. We are ashamed to serve as his ministers. Now he has further disrupted the moral order, defiled the principles of conduct, destroyed benevolence and righteousness, and shows no concern for his people. All the feudal lords under heaven now know of Qi Zhou. Three parts of the world, two have already fallen to Zhou; this clearly shows that Heaven's will has a destination—it is not something human effort can change. I now merely wish to pass through this pass once, and I hope the general will allow it; your kindness would be deeply appreciated." Yu Hua sighed and said, "Your Majesty's words are mistaken! As a lowly general, I am here to guard the pass and fulfill my duty as a minister. If Your Majesty does not rebel, your servant will naturally welcome you from afar. But now that Your Majesty has become a traitor and defector, your servant and you have become enemies. How could I possibly allow Your Majesty to pass through the pass!" Does Your Majesty not even know this principle?" I advise Your Majesty to quickly dismount from your war beast and allow me, the commander of this pass, to take you to Chao Ge for imperial judgment. The various offices will naturally submit official petitions on your behalf, and if they recall Your Majesty's past merits, it is possible that the crime of rebellion may be pardoned. If you wish to pass through this gate without conflict, Your Majesty is like a fish climbing a tree—it will not only be of no help but will bring harm as well." Feihuo said, "We have already passed four of the five passes; what difference does your Sishui Pass make! Daring to speak so impudently, I will ride forth and settle this with you!" Feihuo raised his spear and charged directly at Yu Hua. Yu Hua met him with a halberd. The two beasts clashed, spears and halberds raised together; it was a great battle. The two generals on the battlefield were evenly matched in strength, and their fates would soon be decided. The suan ni swished its tail to fight the qilin, as if a blue dragon stirred up the sea. The long spear waved wildly as the python turned its body; it shook the golden coin-shaped tail of a leopard. The fierce battle between the generals was no ordinary affair, and neither would cease until one had been defeated or killed.

话说武成王展放钢枪，使得性发，似一条银蟒裹住余化。只杀的他马仰人翻。余化掩一戟就走。飞虎赶来。追至两肘之地，余化挂下画戟，揭起战袍，囊中取出一旛，名曰：“戮魂旛。”──此物是蓬莱岛一气仙人传授，乃左道傍门之物。──望空中一举，数道黑气，把飞虎罩住，平空拎去了。望辕门摔下，众士卒将武成王拏了。余化掌得胜鼓回府。旗门小校飞报守将韩荣曰：“余将军今日已捉反臣黄飞虎听令。”韩荣传令：“推来。”众士卒将飞虎推至檐前。飞虎立而不跪。荣曰：“朝廷何事亏你，一旦造反？”飞虎笑曰：“似足下坐守关隘，自谓贵职，不过狐假虎威，借天子之威福以弹压此一方耳。岂知朝政得失，祸乱之由，君臣乖违之故？我今既被你所获，无非一死而已，何必多言！”韩荣曰：“吾既守此关隘，擒拏叛逆，不过尽吾职守，吾亦不与你辩。且送下囹圄监候，馀党尽获起解。”

The story continues: General Wu Chengwang wielded his steel spear with great skill, moving so swiftly that it seemed like a silver python had wrapped around Yu Hua. He killed so fiercely that the enemy's horses reared and men fell over. Yu Hua parried with his halberd and fled. Feihuo chased after him. He pursued until they were within two arm's length, when Yu Hua dropped his halberd, lifted up his battle robe, and took out a banner from his pouch. It was called the "Lushen Banner." ——This item was passed down by the First Breath Immortal of Penglai Island; it is an object from the left-hand path, a heretical art. ——He raised it toward the sky, and several dark-colored vapors shot up, enveloping Feihuo. In an instant, he was lifted into the air and taken away. He was thrown toward the camp gate, where the soldiers seized General Wu Chengwang and captured him. Yu Hua beat the drum of victory and returned to his mansion. A junior officer at the banner gate rushed to report to the defending general Han Rong: "General Yu has today captured the rebellious minister Huang Feihuo and awaits your orders." Han Rong gave an order: "Bring him out." The soldiers pushed Feihuo forward to the eaves of the hall. Feihuo stood upright without kneeling. Rong said, "What has the imperial court ever done to wrong you, that in a moment you have rebelled?" Feihuo laughed and said, "As for you, sitting in charge of the pass, considering yourself a noble official, you are nothing but a fox borrowing the tiger's might. You merely use the emperor's authority to oppress this region." How could you know of the gains and losses in court affairs, the causes of disaster and disorder, or the reasons for the breach between ruler and minister? "Now that I have been captured by you, there is nothing left but death. Why speak so much!" Han Rong said, "I have been in charge of this pass and captured a rebel. This is merely fulfilling my duty. I will not argue with you." "Send him to the prison for detention, and capture all his remaining followers to be brought here as well."

且说黄滚在营中闻报说飞虎被擒，黄滚叹曰：“畜生！你不听为父之言，可惜这场功劳，落在韩荣手里！”一宿已过，次日来报：“余化请战！”黄滚问：“何人出去？”黄明、周纪曰：“末将愿往。”二将上马，拎斧出营，大呼曰：“余化匹夫！擒吾长兄，此恨怎消？”纵马舞斧来取。余化画戟急架相还。三骑相交，戟斧并举，一场大战。诗曰： 三将昂昂杀气高，征云霭霭透青霄。英雄踊跃多威武，俊杰胸襟胆量豪。 逆理莫思封拜福，顺时应自得金鳌。从来理数皆如此，莫用心机空自劳。

Meanwhile, Huang Gun in the camp heard a report that Feihuo had been captured. Huang Gun sighed and said, "Beast!" "You did not listen to your father's words. It is a pity that this great achievement has fallen into Han Rong's hands!" One night passed, and the next day a report came: "Yu Hua requests battle!" Huang Gun asked, "Who will go out to fight?" Huang Ming and Zhou Ji said, "We volunteers shall go." The two generals mounted their horses, took up their axes, and rode out of the camp, shouting loudly: "Yu Hua, commoner!" "You have captured my eldest brother. How can this grudge be forgotten?" They spurred their horses and swung their axes toward Yu Hua. Yu Hua quickly raised his halberd to block the attack. The three riders clashed, their halberds and axes raised high in a fierce battle. A poem says: Three generals proudly raise their killing intent, War clouds loom dark and pierce the blue sky. Heroes leap forward with great valor, Outstanding men possess bold hearts and heroic courage. Those who defy reason should not expect rewards or blessings; Those who follow the right time shall naturally attain golden turtles of fortune. Since ancient times, all principles and numbers have been like this—do not waste your efforts on scheming in vain.

话说三将交锋，未及三十回合，余化拨马便走。二将赶来。余化依旧将戮魂旛举起如前，把二将拏去见韩荣。韩荣分付：“发下监禁。”不表。

The story continues: the three generals engaged in battle, but before thirty exchanges of blows, Yu Hua turned his horse and fled. The two generals chased after him. Yu Hua once again raised the Lushen Banner as before, and with it he captured the two generals and brought them to Han Rong. Han Rong ordered: "Send them down for imprisonment." No further details are given.

且言探马报人中营：“启元帅！二将被擒。”黄滚低首不言。又报：“余化请战！”黄滚又问：“谁出马？”黄飞彪、飞豹曰：“孩儿愿为长兄报雠。”二将上马，拎枪出营，骂曰：“余化匹夫！以妖法擒吾弟兄三人！”拨马来取。三将又战二十回合。余化拨马败走。飞豹二将亦赶下来。余化也如前法，又把二将拿去见韩荣，也是送下囹圄监候。黄滚闻二将又被擒去，心下十分懊恼。次日又报：“余化请战！”黄滚问曰：“谁再去退战？”帐下龙环、吴谦曰：“终不然畏彼妖法便罢？吾二人愿往。”二将上马，拎戟出营，见余化，气冲牛斗，厉声大叫：“匹夫！将左道之术，擒吾长兄，与贼势不两立！”三马交还，战二十回合，余化依旧败走。二将赶来，亦被余化拏去见韩荣，依旧发下囹圄。余化连四阵捉七员将官。韩荣设酒与余化贺功。不表。

Meanwhile, a scout galloped into the enemy camp and reported: "Your Highness!" "Two generals have been captured." Huang Gun lowered his head and said nothing. Another report came: "Yu Hua requests battle!" Huang Gun asked again, "Who will ride out?" Huang Feibiao and Feibao said, "We children are willing to avenge our eldest brother." The two generals mounted their horses and took up their spears as they rode out of the camp, cursing: "Yu Hua, base commoner!" "You used demonic arts to capture our three brothers!" They spurred their horses forward and charged at Yu Hua. The three generals fought for another twenty exchanges of blows. Yu Hua turned his horse and retreated in defeat. The two generals, Feibiao and Feipao, also chased after him. Yu Hua used the same method as before and captured the two generals again, bringing them to Han Rong for imprisonment. Huang Gun, upon hearing that his two generals had been captured once more, was extremely annoyed and upset. The next day another report came: "Yu Hua requests battle!" Huang Gun asked, "Who will go again to repel the attack?" Lóng Huán and Wú Qiān under his command said: "Surely we cannot just give up because of that demon's arts?" "We two are willing to go." The two generals mounted their horses, raised their halberds, and rode out of camp. Seeing Yu Hua, they were filled with rage that reached the heavens, and shouted fiercely: "Commoner!" "You used heretical arts to capture our eldest brother. We cannot coexist with you, a traitor!" The three horses clashed again in battle for twenty exchanges of blows, and Yu Hua once more retreated in defeat. The two generals chased after him, but were also captured by Yu Hua and brought to Han Rong, where they were imprisoned as before. Yu Hua had now captured seven officers in four consecutive battles. Han Rong prepared a banquet to celebrate Yu Hua's achievements and honor him with wine. No further details are provided.

话说黄滚在中军，见两边诸将被擒，又见三个孙儿站立在傍，心下十分不忍，点头落泪：“我儿！你年不过十三四岁，为何也遭此厄？”又报：“余化请战。”只见次孙黄天禄欠身曰：“小孙愿为父、叔报雠。”黄滚分付曰：“是必小心。”黄天禄上马，提枪出营，见余化曰：“匹夫赶尽杀绝，但不知你可有造化受其功禄！”纵马摇枪直取，余化急架忙迎。二马相交，枪戟并举。黄天禄年纪虽幼，原是将门之子，传授精妙，枪法如神。不分起倒，一勇而进。正是“初生之犊猛于虎”。后人看至此，有枪赞曰： 乾坤真个少，盖世果然稀。老君炉里鍊，曾敲十万八千槌。磨塌泰山昆仑顶，战乾黄河九曲溪。上阵不粘尘世界，回来一阵血腥飞。

Meanwhile, in the central camp, Huang Gun saw that many of his generals had been captured on both sides. Looking at his three grandsons standing nearby, he felt deeply moved and shed tears: "My sons!" "You are no more than thirteen or fourteen years old—why must you suffer such a fate?" Another report came: "Yu Hua requests battle." Just then, his second grandson Huang Tianlu stepped forward and said, "I, your young grandson, am willing to avenge my father and uncle." Huang Gun instructed him: "You must be careful at all costs." Huang Tianlu mounted his horse, took up his spear, and rode out of the encampment. Seeing Yu Hua he said, "You wretch who spares no one—do you even know if your fate allows you to enjoy such glory and fortune?" He spurred his horse forward, brandishing his spear directly at Yu Hua, who quickly raised his weapon in defense. The two horses clashed as spears and halberds were raised together in fierce combat. Though Huang Tianlu was young, he was the son of a general and had been taught refined techniques. His spear skills were as divine as they could be. He fought with no regard for retreat or advance, charging forward with bold courage. Indeed, "A newly born calf is bolder than a tiger." Later readers who came to this point commented with admiration: Truly rare in the world, Indeed unparalleled. Refined in Laojun's furnace, Struck by ten thousand eight hundred hammers. Grinding down the peaks of Mount Tai and Kunlun, Fighting dry the winding Yellow River's nine bends. Going to battle leaves no trace in the world; Returning brings a storm of blood and death.

话说黄天禄使开枪如翻江怪兽，势不可当。天禄见战不下余化，在马上卖一个名解。唤做：‘丹凤入昆仑。’一枪正刺中余化左腿。余化负痛，落荒便走，天禄不知好歹，赶下阵来。余化虽败，此术尚存，依旧举旛如前，把黄天禄拏去见韩荣。也发下囹圄监候。黄飞虎屡见将他黄门人拏来，心上甚是懊恼。忽见次子天禄又拏到，飞虎不觉流泪满面。可怜！正是父子关心，骨肉情切。且不说他父子悲咽，有话难言。再表黄滚闻报次孙被擒，心中甚是凄惋。想一想，无策可施，“……如今只存公、孙三人，料难出他地网天罗。往前不得出关，去后一无退步……。”黄滚把案一拍：“罢！罢！罢！”忙传令，命家将等，共三千人马，你们把车辆上金珠细软之物献于韩荣，买条生路，放你们出关。我公、孙料不能俱生。”众家将跪而告曰：“老爷且省愁烦，‘吉人自有天相’，何必如此？”黄滚曰：“余化乃左道妖人，皆系幻术，我何能抵当？若被他擒获，反把我平昔英名一旦化为乌有。”又见二孙在旁啼泣，黄滚亦泣曰：“我儿，你也不知可有造化，我替你哀告韩荣，不知他可肯饶你二人。”黄滚把头上盔除下，摘去腰间玉带，解甲宽袍，腰悬玉玦，领著二孙，迳往韩荣帅府门前来。众将见是黄元帅亲自如此，俱不敢言语。黄滚至府前，对门官曰：“烦你通报韩总兵，只说黄滚求见。”军政官报与韩荣。韩荣曰：“你来也无用了。”忙令军卒分排两傍，众将分开左右，韩荣出仪门，至大门口，只见黄滚缟素跪下，后跪黄天爵、天祥。不知吉凶如何？且听下回分解。

The story continues: Huang Tianlu wielded his spear like a monstrous beast stirring up the river, unstoppable in his might. Seeing that he could not overcome Yu Hua, Huang Tianlu performed a famous maneuver while on horseback. It was called: "The Vermilion Phoenix Enters Kunlun." With a single thrust, he struck Yu Hua directly in the left leg. Yu Hua, wounded and in pain, fled into the wilderness. Huang Tianlu, unaware of the danger, pursued him from the battlefield. Though Yu Hua had been defeated, he still possessed his art. As before, he raised the banner and captured Huang Tianlu to present him to Han Rong. He was also sent down for imprisonment and placed under watch. Huang Feihuo, repeatedly seeing his men from the Huang family captured, was deeply annoyed and upset in heart. Suddenly, he saw that his second son Tianlu had also been captured; Huang Feihuo could not help but weep tears of sorrow. How pitiful! Indeed, the bond between father and son is deep, and the affection of flesh and blood is profound. Without further mention of their sorrowful weeping and unspoken words, let us turn to another matter. Meanwhile, Huang Gun heard the report that his second grandson had been captured and felt deeply sorrowful in heart. He thought for a moment, but could think of no plan to put into action: "…Now only my son and grandson remain. I cannot possibly escape his web that spreads across heaven and earth." "We can go forward no further to pass through the pass, nor is there any way back behind us…" Huang Gun slammed his hand on the table and said: "Enough!" "Enough!" "Enough!" He quickly gave orders, commanding his household generals and men, a total of three thousand soldiers: "You all must present the gold, jewels, and valuables from your carriages to Han Rong in exchange for a way out. He will let you pass through this pass." "My son and grandson likely cannot both survive." The household generals knelt before him and pleaded: "My lord, please cease your worries. 'A man of good fortune will naturally be aided by heaven.' Why must you act in such a way?" Huang Gun said: "Yu Hua is an evil sorcerer who practices false arts. All are illusions; how can I possibly resist them?" "If captured by him, my reputation built over the years will be reduced to nothing in an instant." Seeing his two grandsons weeping nearby, Huang Gun also wept and said: "My son, I do not know whether you will have any fortune. I shall plead with Han Rong for your lives; I wonder if he will spare the two of you." Huang Gun removed the helmet from his head, took off the jade sash at his waist, unfastened his armor and loosened his robe, hung a jade pendant from his belt, and led his two grandsons directly to the gate of Han Rong's headquarters. The soldiers saw that General Huang himself had come in such a manner, and none dared to speak. Huang Gun arrived at the front of the mansion and said to the gate official: "Please inform General Han, and tell him Huang Gun wishes to see him." The military official reported this to Han Rong. Han Rong said: "It is of no use for you to come." He quickly ordered the soldiers to line up on both sides, and the generals spread out left and right. Han Rong exited through the ceremonial gate and arrived at the main entrance. There he saw Huang Gun kneeling in white mourning clothes, followed by Huang Tianjue and Huang Tianxiang also kneeling behind him. Unknown yet whether it would bring fortune or misfortune. Stay tuned for the next chapter to find out.