Chapter 4: Enzhou Inn: The Fox Dies and Daji Perishes

天下荒荒起战场，致生谗佞乱家邦。忠言不听商容谏，逆语惟知费仲良。 色纳狐狸友琴瑟，政由豺虎逐鸾凰。甘心亡国为污下，赢得人间一捏香。

The world is desolate and warfields arise everywhere, giving rise to slanderers who bring chaos to the state. Loyal advice was not heeded by Shang Rong's remonstrance, while only seditious words were known to Fei Zhongliang. Colorful foxes and friends with zithers are admitted, while politics is controlled by jackals and tigers driving away phoenixes and 鸾凰 (luanhuang). Willingly bringing about the destruction of the state for sordid gains, they only earn a pinch of fragrance in the world.

话说宜生接了回书，竟往西岐。不题。

It is said that Yisheng received the reply letter and went to Xi Qi. No further mention.

且说崇黑虎上前言曰：“仁兄大事已定，可作速收拾行装，将令爱送进朝歌，迟恐有变。小弟回去，放令郎进城。我与家兄收兵回国，具表先达朝廷，以便仁兄朝商谢罪。不得又有他议，致生祸端。”苏护曰：“蒙贤弟之爱，与西伯之德，吾何爱此一女而自取灭亡哉。即时打点无疑，贤弟放心。只是我苏护止此一子，被令兄囚禁行营，贤弟可速放进城，以慰老妻悬望。举室感德不浅！”黑虎道：“仁兄宽心，小弟出去，即时就放他来，不必罣念。”二人彼此相谢。出城，行至崇侯虎行营。两边来报：“启老爷：二老爷已至辕门。”侯虎急传令：“请！”黑虎进营，上帐坐下。侯虎曰：“西伯侯姬昌好生可恶！今按兵不举，坐观成败。昨遣散宜生来下书，说苏护进女朝商，至今未见回报。贤弟被擒之后，吾日日差人打听，心甚不安。今得贤弟回来，不胜万千之喜！不知苏护果肯朝王谢罪？贤弟自彼处来，定知苏护端的，幸道其详。”黑虎厉声大叫曰：“长兄，想我兄弟二人，自始祖一脉，相传六世，俺兄弟系同胞一本，古语有言：‘一树之果，有酸有甜；一母之子，有愚有贤。’长兄，你听我说：苏护反商，你先领兵征伐，故此损折军兵。你在朝廷也是一镇大诸侯，你不与朝廷干些好事，专诱天子近于佞臣，故此天下人人怨恶你。五万之师总不如一纸之书，苏护已许进女朝王谢罪。你折兵损将，愧也不愧？辱我崇门。长兄，从今与你一别，我黑虎再不会你！两边的，把苏公子放了！”两边不敢违令，放了全忠，上帐谢黑虎曰：“叔父天恩，赦小侄再生，顶戴不尽。”崇黑虎曰：“贤侄可与令尊说，叫他速收拾朝王，毋得迟滞。我与他上表，转达天子，以便你父子进朝谢罪。”全忠拜谢出营，上马回冀州。不题。

Let us speak of Chong Heihu, who stepped forward and said, "Dear elder brother, the great matter has already been settled. You should quickly prepare your belongings and send your beloved daughter to Chaoguo; otherwise, there may be unexpected changes if it is delayed. I will return and let your son enter the city." My brother and I will withdraw our troops back to our country, prepare a memorial first to present it to the imperial court, so that you can go to Shang to apologize to the emperor. "There must not be any other discussions, which could lead to disasters." Su Hu said, "I am grateful for my esteemed younger brother's kindness and the virtue of Xi Bo. How could I not cherish this one daughter while bringing about my own destruction?" He immediately made all necessary preparations without hesitation; my esteemed younger brother may rest assured. However, I have only this one son; he has been imprisoned in the camp by your elder brother. Esteemed younger brother, you may quickly let him enter the city to comfort my old wife's anxious longing. "My entire household is deeply grateful for this kindness!" Heihu said, "Dear elder brother, please be at ease. I will go out and immediately release him; there is no need to worry." The two men thanked each other. They left the city and arrived at Chong Houhu's camp. Servants on both sides reported, "Your honor: Second master has already arrived at the gate of the tent." Houhu quickly gave orders, "Please him in!" Heihu entered the camp and sat down inside the tent. Houhu said, "Duke Ji Chang of Xi Bo is really despicable! Now he holds his troops back and does nothing, merely watching the outcome. Yesterday I sent Sanyisheng to deliver a letter, saying that Su Hu would send his daughter to Shang. Up until now there has been no reply. After you were captured, I have sent people day by day to inquire about your situation; my heart has been very uneasy. Now that I have received the return of my esteemed younger brother, it brings me immeasurable joy! I wonder if Su Hu will indeed go to court and apologize to His Majesty? Since my esteemed younger brother has come from there, you must know the true situation of Su Hu. Please kindly explain in detail." Heihu shouted in a stern voice, "Elder brother, I recall that my two brothers and I are descendants of the same ancestor, passed down for six generations. We are blood brothers from one family. An old saying goes: 'The fruits on one tree can be both sour and sweet; children of the same mother can be either foolish or virtuous.'" Elder brother, listen to me: Su Hu rebelled against Shang. You led the troops first in an expedition, hence suffering losses of soldiers and men. You are also a great feudal lord in the imperial court. Instead of doing good deeds for the court, you especially entice the Son of Heaven to be close to sycophants; thus, people all over the world resent and hate you. An army of 50,000 is not as effective as a single letter; Su Hu has already agreed to send his daughter to court and apologize to the king. You have lost troops and generals—should you feel ashamed or not? This disgraces our Chong family. Elder brother, from now on, after this parting, I Heihu will never see you again! "Those of you on both sides, release Su Gongzi!" The men on both sides dared not disobey the order and released Quanzhong, who went to the tent to thank Heihu. He said, "Uncle's grace is as vast as heaven; you have granted my nephew a second life. I can never repay this debt fully." Chong Heihu said, "My esteemed nephew may inform your father and tell him to quickly prepare for the court audience with the king; do not delay." I will submit a memorial on his behalf, transmitting it to His Majesty, so that you and your father may enter court to apologize." Quanzhong bowed in thanks and left the camp, mounted his horse, and returned to Jizhou. No further mention.

崇黑虎怒发如雷，领了三千人马，上了金睛兽，自回曹州去了。

Chong Heihu was furious as thunder, led 3,000 troops, mounted the Golden-Eyed Beast, and returned to Caozhou on his own.

且言崇侯虎愧莫敢言，只得收拾人马，自回本国，具表请罪。不题。

Meanwhile, Chong Houhu was too ashamed to speak; he had no choice but to prepare his troops and return to his own country, submitting a memorial to request clemency. No further mention.

单言苏全忠进了冀州，见了父母，彼此感慰毕。护曰：“姬伯前日来书，真是救我苏氏灭门之祸。此德此恩，何敢有忘！我儿，我想君臣之义至重，君叫臣死，不敢不死，我安敢惜一女，自取败亡哉。今只得将你妹子进往朝歌，面君赎罪。你可权镇冀川，不得生事扰民。我不日就回。”全忠拜领父言。苏护随进内，对夫人杨氏将“姬伯来书劝我朝王”一节细说一遍。夫人放声大哭。苏护再三安慰。夫人含泪言曰：“此女生来娇柔，恐不谙侍君之礼，反又惹事。”苏护曰：“这也没奈何，只得听之而已。”夫妻二人不觉伤感一夜。

Speaking of Su Quanzhong, after entering Jizhou and seeing his parents, they were all mutually moved and comforted. Hu said, "The letter from Duke Ji arrived the other day; it truly saved our Su family from a disaster that would have wiped out our entire lineage. This virtue and this kindness—how could I ever forget them! My son, I think the righteousness between ruler and subject is of utmost importance. When a sovereign commands his minister to die, one dares not refuse death. How could I possibly cherish this one daughter at the cost of bringing about my own downfall? Now I have no choice but to send your younger sister to Chaoguo, where she will appear before the sovereign and redeem our sins. You may temporarily govern Jichuan; do not create disturbances or trouble the people. "I will return shortly." Quanzhong respectfully accepted his father's words. Su Hu then went inside and explained in detail to Lady Yang, his wife, the part about "Duke Ji's letter advising me to court the king." The lady burst into loud weeping. Su Hu comforted her repeatedly. The lady, with tears in her eyes, said, "This daughter of mine was born delicate and tender; I fear she is not familiar with the etiquette of serving a sovereign. She might instead bring trouble." Su Hu said, "There's nothing to be done about it; we can only let things take their course." The couple could not help but feel sorrowful for the entire night.

次日，点三千人马，五百家将，整备毡军，令妲己梳妆起程。妲己闻令，泪下如雨，拜别母亲、长兄，婉转悲啼，百千娇媚，真如笼烟芍药，带雨梨花。子母怎生割舍。只见左右侍儿苦劝，夫人方哭进府中，小姐也含泪上车。兄全忠送至五里而回。苏护压后，保妲己前进。只见前面打两杆贵人旗旛，一路上饥餐渴饮，朝登紫陌，暮践红麈，过了些绿杨古道，红杏园林，见了些啼鸦唤春，杜鹃叫月。在路行程非止一两日，逢州过县，涉水登山。那日抵暮，已至恩州。只见恩州驿驿丞接见。护曰：“驿丞，收拾厅堂，安置贵人。”驿丞曰：“启老爷：此驿三年前出一妖精，以后凡有一应过往老爷，俱不在里面安歇。可请贵人权在行营安歇，庶保无虞。不知老爷尊意如何？”苏护大喝曰：“天子贵人，岂惧甚么邪魅。况有馆驿，安得停居行营之礼！快去打扫驿中厅堂住室，毋得迟误取罪！”驿丞忙叫众人打点厅堂内室，准备铺陈，注香洒扫，一色收拾停当，来请贵人。苏护将妲己安置在后面内室里，有五十名侍儿在左右奉侍。将三千人马俱在驿外边围绕；五百家将在馆驿门首屯札。苏护正在厅上坐著，点上蜡烛。苏护暗想：“方才驿丞言此处有妖怪，此乃皇华驻节之所，人烟凑集之处，焉有此事？然亦不可不防。”将一根豹尾鞭放在案桌之旁，剔灯展玩兵书。只听得恩州城中戍鼓初敲，已是一更时分。苏护终是放心不下，乃手提铁鞭，悄步后堂，于左右室内点视一番；见诸侍儿并小姐寂然安寝，方才放心；复至厅上再看兵书，不觉又是二更。不一时，将交三鼓，可煞作怪，忽然一阵风响，透人肌肤，将灯灭而复明。怎见得： 非干虎啸，岂是龙吟。淅凛凛寒风扑面，清冷冷恶气侵人，到不能开花谢柳，多暗藏水怪山精。悲风影里露双睛，一似金灯在惨雾之中；黑夜丛中探四爪，浑如钢钩出紫霞之外；尾摆头摇如狴犴；狰狞雄猛似狻猊。

The next day, they mustered 3,000 soldiers and 500 household generals, fully prepared the felt-clad troops, and ordered Daji to dress up and set out on the journey. Upon hearing the order, Daji wept like rain. She bowed to bid farewell to her mother and elder brother, turning in sorrowful wails with a thousand charms of delicacy; she was truly like peonies shrouded in mist or pear blossoms drenched by drizzle. How could mother and daughter bear to part? As the attendants on both sides earnestly urged, Lady Yang finally wept into the mansion, while Miss Daji also boarded the carriage with tears in her eyes. Her elder brother Quanzhong saw her off as far as five li and then returned. Su Hu brought up the rear, ensuring Daji's safe advance ahead. They could see two tall flags of noble attendants in front; along the way, they ate when hungry and drank when thirsty. By day they ascended purple roads, by night they tread red dust. They passed through ancient paths shaded with green willows and orchards filled with blooming apricot trees. They saw crows crying out for spring and cuckoos calling in the moonlight. The journey took more than one or two days; they passed through states and counties, crossed rivers and climbed mountains. On that day at dusk, they had already arrived in Enzhou. They saw the Enzhou post station's chief officer come to greet them. Hu said, "Postmaster, prepare the hall and arrange accommodations for the noble lady." The postmaster said, "Your honor: Three years ago, a demon appeared in this post station. Since then, all passing officials have not stayed inside." I suggest the noble lady temporarily stay at the camp to ensure safety and avoid any mishap. I wonder what your honor's opinion is?" Su Hu shouted angrily, "A noble person of the Son of Heaven—how could they fear any demons or evil spirits? Moreover, there is a guesthouse and post station; how can one possibly follow the etiquette of staying in a camp instead?" Quickly go clean the hall and rooms inside the post station! Do not delay or you will be held accountable!" The postmaster hurriedly ordered the people to prepare and tidy up the hall and inner rooms, arranging furnishings, burning incense, sweeping, and thoroughly preparing everything before coming to invite the noble lady. Su Hu arranged for Daji to stay in a private room at the back, with fifty attendants on either side serving her. He stationed all 3,000 men and horses around outside the post station; the five hundred household generals were stationed at the entrance of the guesthouse. Su Hu was sitting in the hall, candles lit. Su Hu thought to himself, "Just now the postmaster said there was a demon here. This is where imperial envoys have stayed; it's a place with dense population and bustling people—how could such a thing be possible? Still, one cannot afford to be careless." He placed a leopard-tail whip beside the table and trimmed the lamp while reading military texts. Just then, from within Enzhou city came the first beat of the night watch drum—it was already the First Watch. Su Hu could not help but remain uneasy, so he took up an iron whip in hand and quietly stepped into the back hall, inspecting each room on both sides. Seeing that all the attendants and Miss Daji were sleeping peacefully, he finally felt at ease; He returned to the hall again to read military texts, and before long it was already the Second Watch. Before long, as the Third Drum was about to sound, something strange happened. Suddenly a gust of wind blew through, chilling their skin and causing the lamp to go out and then reignite. How was it described: It had nothing to do with a tiger's roar, nor could it be the howl of a dragon. The piercing cold wind struck their faces, the chilling foul air invaded their bodies. It was not a scene of blooming flowers or weeping willows, but rather one where hidden water spirits and mountain goblins lurked in darkness. In the shadow of the mournful wind, a pair of eyes gleamed—like golden lanterns shining through bleak fog; From within the darkness emerged four claws, like steel hooks emerging beyond purple mist; Tail swaying and head shaking like a fierce beast of punishment; Its ferocious and mighty appearance resembled that of a lion.

苏护被这阵怪风吹得毛骨耸然。心下正疑惑之间，忽听后厅侍儿一声喊叫：“有妖精来了！”苏护听说后边有妖精，急忙提鞭在手，抢进后厅，左手执灯，右手执鞭，将转大厅背后，手中灯已被妖风扑灭。苏护急转身，再过大厅，急叫家将取进灯火来时，复进后厅，只见众侍儿慌张无措。苏护急到妲己寝榻之前，用手揭起幔帐，问曰：“我儿，方才妖气相侵，你曾见否？”妲己答曰：“孩儿梦中听得侍儿喊叫‘妖精来了’，孩儿急待看时，又见灯光，不知是爹爹前来，并不曾看见甚么妖怪。”护曰：“这个感谢天地庇佑，不曾惊吓了你，这也罢了。”护复安慰女儿安息，自己巡视，不敢安寝。──不知这个回话的乃是千年狐狸，不是妲己。方才灭灯之时，再出厅前取得灯火来，这是多少时候了，妲己魂魄已被狐狸吸去，死之久矣；乃借体成形，迷惑纣王，断送他锦绣江山。此是天数，非人力所为。有诗为证： 恩州驿内怪风惊，苏护提鞭扑灭灯。二八娇容今已丧，错看妖魅当亲生。”

Su Hu was so startled by this strange wind that his hair stood on end and his bones trembled. Just as he was wondering in confusion, suddenly a servant from the back hall cried out, "A demon is coming!" Upon hearing that a demon had appeared in the back, Su Hu hurriedly took up his whip and rushed into the rear hall. Holding a lamp in his left hand and the whip in his right, he turned around behind the main hall when suddenly the wind from the demon extinguished the lamp in his hand. Su Hu quickly turned around, crossed back through the main hall, and urgently called for his household generals to bring in more lights. When he rushed into the rear hall again, he saw all the attendants panicking and at a loss. Su Hu hurried to the foot of Daji's bed, raised his hand to lift the curtain, and asked, "My daughter, did you see anything when the demonic aura invaded just now?" Daji replied, "While I was asleep, I heard the servant girl cry out 'A demon is coming!' When I hurried to look, I saw a light again. Not knowing it was my father arriving, I did not see any demon at all." Su Hu said, "Thank heaven and earth for protecting you and not frightening you. Well then, let it be at that." Su Hu comforted his daughter to rest again, but he himself patrolled the premises and dared not sleep. -- Unbeknownst to them, the one answering was a fox spirit of a thousand years, not Daji herself. When the lamp was extinguished earlier, and then he went out in front of the hall to fetch a light again, so much time had already passed that Daji's soul had long been devoured by the fox spirit; she had died long ago. It then took her body to assume form, deceiving King Zhou and leading him to the ruin of his splendid empire. This is the will of heaven; it is not something that human effort can alter. There is a poem to attest to this: Strange winds startled the Enzhou Inn, Su Hu raised his whip and extinguished the lamp. The beauty of her sixteen-year-old face is now lost; mistakenly regarded a demon as one's own flesh and blood."

苏护心慌，一夜不曾著枕：“幸喜不曾惊了贵人，托赖天地祖宗庇佑；不然又是欺君之罪，如何解释。”等待天明，离了恩州驿，前往朝歌而来。晓行夜住，饥餐渴饮，在路行程，非止一日。渡了黄河，来至朝歌，按下营寨。苏护先差官进城，用“脚色”见武成王黄飞虎。飞虎见了苏护进女赎罪文书，忙差龙环出城，吩咐苏护，把人马札在城外，令护同女进城，到金亭馆驿安置。

Su Hu was anxious, spending the whole night without resting his head on a pillow: "Thankfully, I did not startle my noble lady; this is all thanks to the protection of heaven and earth as well as our ancestors; otherwise it would have been a crime of deceiving the king, which I could never explain away." He waited until dawn and left Enzhou Inn, heading toward Chaoguo. Travelling by day and resting at night, eating when hungry and drinking when thirsty, the journey on the road took more than one day. After crossing the Yellow River, they arrived at Chaoguo and set up camp. Su Hu first sent an official into the city to present his credentials to General Huang Feihu, the Duke of Wucheng. After Huang Feihu saw the document from Su Hu offering his daughter as a means to atone for a crime, he quickly dispatched Long Huan out of the city and ordered Su Hu to station his troops outside the city. He instructed Su Hu to enter the city with his daughter and have them lodged at Jinting Guanyi Inn.

当时权臣费仲、尤浑见苏护又不先送礼物，叹曰：“这逆贼，你虽则献女赎罪，天子之喜怒不测，凡事俱在我二人点缀，其生死存亡，只在我等掌握之中，他全然不理我等，甚是可恶！”

At that time, the powerful ministers Fei Zhong and You Hun saw that Su Hu had not first presented gifts. They sighed and said, "This rebel! Although you have offered your daughter to atone for a crime with us, the king's moods are unpredictable. Everything depends on our two of us to manage; his life or death is entirely in our hands. He pays no heed whatsoever to us—how despicable!"

不讲二人怀恨，且言纣王在龙德殿，有随侍官启驾：“费仲候旨。”天子命：“传宣。”只见费仲进朝，称呼礼毕，俯伏奏曰：“今苏护进女，已在都城候旨定夺。”纣王闻奏，大怒曰：“这匹夫，当日强辞乱政，朕欲置于法，赖卿等谏止，赦归本国；岂意此贼题诗午门，欺藐朕躬，殊属可恨。明日朝见，定正国法，以惩欺君之罪。”费仲乘机奏曰：“天子之法，原非为天子而重，乃为万姓而立。今叛臣贼子不除，是为无法。无法之朝，为天下之所弃。”王曰：“卿言极善。明日朕自有说。”费仲退散已毕。次日天子登殿，钟鼓齐鸣，文武侍立。但见： 银烛朝天紫陌长，禁城春色晓苍苍。池边弱柳垂青琐，百转流莺绕建章。 剑佩风随凤池步；衣冠身惹御炉香。共沐恩波凤池上，朝朝染翰侍君王。

Without mentioning the two men's resentment, let us speak of King Zhou in Longde Hall. A court official approached and announced, "Fei Zhong is waiting for an audience." The king commanded, "Summon him in." Fei Zhong entered the court and after performing his courtesies, prostrated himself and reported, "Su Hu has sent in his daughter. She is already in the capital city awaiting Your Majesty's decision." King Zhou, upon hearing the report, became furious and said, "This ruffian! On that day he used strong words to disrupt governance. I wanted to punish him according to law, but relied on your advice to stop me and spared his life, sending him back to his native land; Who could have expected this bandit to compose a poem at the Wumen Gate, showing contempt for me? It is most despicable. "Tomorrow morning's court session will surely apply state law to punish this crime of deceiving the sovereign." Fei Zhong seized the opportunity and added, "The king's law was not originally established for the sake of the king alone, but for the benefit of all the people. If today we do not eliminate this traitorous minister and his son, it would mean there is no law at all." "A court without law will be abandoned by the people of the world." The king said, "Your words are most wise. Tomorrow I shall deal with it myself." Fei Zhong withdrew and the court session ended. The next day, the king ascended the throne hall; bells and drums rang in unison as civil and military officials stood in attendance. One could see: Silver candles reached toward the sky, a purple path stretched long; In the forbidden city, spring colors turned pale at dawn. Willows by the pond drooped with emerald locks, while warbling orioles circled around Jianzhang Palace in endless song. Swords and pendants swayed like wind following the steps of Fengchi; robes and caps carried the fragrance from the imperial incense burner. Together they bathed in the grace of imperial favor upon Fengchi, day by day writing with brushes to serve their king.

天子升殿，百官朝贺毕。王曰：“有奏章者出班，无事且散。”言未毕，午门官启驾：“冀州侯苏护候旨午门，进女请罪。”王命：“传旨宣来。”苏护身服犯官之服，不敢冠冕衣裳，来至丹墀之下俯伏，口称：“犯臣苏护，死罪！死罪！”王曰：“冀州苏护，你题反诗午门，‘永不朝商’，及至崇侯虎奉敕问罪，你尚拒敌天兵，损坏命官军将，你有何说，今又朝君！“著随侍官：”拿出午门枭首，以正国法！”言未毕，只见首相商容出班谏曰：“苏护反商，理当正法；但前日西伯侯姬昌有本，令苏护进女赎罪，以完君臣大义。今苏护既尊王法，进女朝王赎罪，情有可原。且陛下因不进女而致罪，今已进女而又加罪，甚非陛下本心。乞陛下怜而赦之。”纣王犹豫未定，有费仲出班奏曰：“丞相所奏，望陛下从之。且宣苏护女妲己朝见。如果容貌出众，礼度幽闲，可任役使，陛下便赦苏护之罪；如不称圣意，可连女斩于市曹，以正其罪。庶陛下不失信于臣民矣。”王曰：“卿言有理。”──看官：只因这费仲一语，将成汤六百年基业送与他人。这且不题。但言──纣王命随侍官：“宣妲己朝见。”妲己进午门，过九龙桥，至九间殿滴水檐前，高擎牙笏，进礼下拜，口称万岁。纣王定睛观看，见妲己乌云叠鬓，杏脸桃腮，浅淡春山，娇柔柳腰，真似海棠醉日，梨花带雨，不亚九天仙女下瑶池，月里嫦娥离玉阙。妲己启朱唇似一点樱桃，舌尖上吐的是美孜孜一团和气，转秋波如双弯凤目，眼角里送的是娇滴滴万种风情。口称：“犯臣女妲己愿陛下万岁，万岁，万万岁！”只这几句，就把纣王叫的魂游天外，魄散九霄，骨软筋酥，耳热眼跳，不知如何是好。当时纣王起立御案之旁，命：“美人平身。”令左右宫妃：“挽苏娘娘进寿仙宫，候朕躬回宫。”忙叫当驾官传旨：“赦苏护满门无罪，听朕加封：官还旧职，国戚新增，每月加俸二千担。显庆殿筵宴三日，众百官首相庆贺皇亲，夸官三日。文官二员、武官三员送卿荣归故地。”苏护谢恩，两班文武见天子这等爱色，都有不悦之意，奈天子起驾还宫，无可诤谏，只得都到显庆殿陪宴。

The king ascended the hall and after all officials had paid homage and offered congratulations, the king said, "Ministers with petitions may step forward; those without business are dismissed." Before the words were finished, an official at Wumen announced, "Jizhou Hou Su Hu is waiting for Your Majesty's command at Wumen Gate to present his daughter and plead guilty." The king commanded, "Issue the order to summon him in." Su Hu, dressed as a criminal official and without his hat or ceremonial robes, knelt at the red steps below and cried out, "Guilty minister Su Hu, I am guilty of death!" "Death is my due!" The king said, "Su Hu of Jizhou, you composed a rebellious poem at Wumen Gate saying 'I will never again pay homage to the Shang dynasty.' When Cheng Houhu was commissioned by imperial decree to punish you, you still resisted the heavenly troops and damaged the lives of officials and generals. What do you have to say for yourself? And yet here you are before me now!" "Summon an attendant official: 'Drag Su Hu out of Wumen Gate and behead him publicly to uphold the law!'" Before the words were finished, Prime Minister Shang Rong stepped forward and advised, "Su Hu rebelled against the Shang dynasty; he should be executed according to law; but yesterday, Duke Ji Chang of Xibo submitted a memorial requesting that Su Hu be allowed to offer his daughter as atonement for his crime in order to preserve the great virtue between ruler and subject." Now that Su Hu has respected royal law by presenting his daughter before the king as atonement, there is some leniency to be shown. Moreover, if Your Majesty had punished him for not sending in his daughter, and now that he has sent her you punish him again, it is most contrary to the king's true intentions. I humbly request Your Majesty show mercy and pardon him." King Zhou hesitated, undecided. Then Fei Zhong stepped forward and said, "What the prime minister has proposed, I hope Your Majesty will follow. And also summon Su Hu's daughter Daji to appear before court." If her appearance is extraordinary and she displays graceful manners, then she may be put to service. In that case, Your Majesty can pardon Su Hu's crime; if she does not meet the king's approval, then both mother and daughter may be executed in public to punish their crimes." Thus Your Majesty will remain trustworthy to your subjects and ministers." The king said, "Your words are reasonable." -- Reader: It was because of these words from Fei Zhong that the six-hundred-year-old foundation of King Chengtang's dynasty was handed over to another. Let us not dwell on this for now. But let us return to King Zhou, who ordered an attendant official: "Summon Daji to court." Daji entered Wumen Gate, crossed the Jiulong Bridge, and arrived at the eaves of the nine-bay hall. She raised a jade tablet high in her hands, performed the proper courtesies, knelt to pay homage, and cried out "Ten thousand years!" King Zhou fixed his gaze and observed Daji. He saw her jet-black hair arranged in elegant coils, a peach-blossom face with apricot cheeks, light eyebrows like spring mountains, a tender willow-like waist—truly she was as if a begonia drunk on the sun or pear blossoms weeping in the rain. She was no less beautiful than an immortal maiden descending from 瑶池 (Yaochi) Heaven, or Chang'e leaving her jade palace in the moon. Daji opened her red lips, like a single cherry blossom; from the tip of her tongue came a warm and pleasant aura. Her eyes, as graceful as those of a phoenix with their autumnal glances, sent forth a thousand delicate charms from the corners of her eyes. She said, "The daughter of guilty minister Su Hu, Daji, wishes Your Majesty ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! And ten thousand ten thousand years!" Just these few words were enough to send King Zhou's soul soaring beyond the heavens, his spirit scattering into the nine skies. His bones softened and his tendons melted; his ears burned and his eyes fluttered—completely at a loss for what to do next. At that moment, King Zhou rose from beside the imperial desk and commanded, "Fair lady, rise." He ordered palace ladies on his left and right: "Lead Su Niangniang into Shouxian Palace and await my return to the palace." He hurriedly ordered an official to announce the imperial decree: "Pardon Su Hu and his entire family of all crimes. Restore their former positions, add new titles as royal relatives, and increase their monthly stipend by two thousand dan." A three-day banquet was held in Xianqing Hall. All the ministers and prime minister celebrated the royal relative's honor, praising and congratulating them for three days. Two civil officials and three military officers were sent to escort you with honors back to your native land." Su Hu expressed his gratitude. The civil and military officials on both sides, seeing how the king favored beauty so much, all felt displeased. However, since the king had already risen to return to the palace, there was no opportunity for them to remonstrate or advise further. Thus they could only accompany him to attend the banquet at Xianqing Hall.

不言苏护进女荣归：天子同妲己在寿仙宫筵宴，当夜成就凤友鸾交，恩爱如同胶漆。纣王自进妲己之后，朝朝宴乐，夜夜欢娱，朝政隳堕，章奏混淆。群臣便有谏章，纣王视同儿戏。日夜荒淫，不觉光阴瞬息，岁月如流，已是二月不曾设朝；只在寿仙宫同妲己宴乐。天下八百镇诸侯多少本到朝歌，文书房本积如山，不能面君，其命焉能得下。眼见天下大乱。不知后事如何，且听下回分解。

Without mentioning Su Hu's honored return after presenting his daughter: that night, the king and Daji dined together in Shouxian Palace. They consummated their union as phoenix and 鸾 (luan), their affection growing like glue and lacquer. After Daji was presented to him, King Zhou feasted and enjoyed himself every day and night. Court affairs fell into disarray, and memorials became confused and neglected. Even if the ministers submitted remonstrances, King Zhou treated them as mere child's play. Day and night he indulged in debauchery, unaware that time passed swiftly like a stream; it had already been two months since the court was last convened. He spent all his time feasting and enjoying himself in Shouxian Palace with Daji. The eight hundred feudal lords from across the realm had submitted numerous memorials to Chaoguo, and official documents piled up like mountains in the office of records. Unable to meet with the king directly, how could their decrees be issued? Before long, great chaos spread across the land. What will happen next? Stay tuned for the following chapter.