Chapter 8: Fang Bi and Fang Fan Return to Chaoguo

诗曰： 美人祸国万民灾，驱逐忠良若草莱。擅宠诛妻夫道绝；听谗杀子国储灰。 英雄弃主多亡去；俊彦怀才尽隐埋。可笑纣王孤注立，纷纷兵甲起尘埃。

The poem says: A beautiful woman brings calamity to the state and disaster to ten thousand people, driving out loyal officials as if they were weeds. Abusing favor by killing one's wife causes the way of husbandhood to be severed; Listening to slander and killing one's son reduces the nation's heir to ashes. Heroes abandon their lords and mostly perish; Outstanding talents, harboring ability, are all buried in obscurity. It is laughable that King Zhou stood alone as a last resort; armies and weapons arose in confusion, raising up dust and turmoil.

话言晁田、晁雷押姜环至西宫跪下。黄妃曰：“姜娘娘，你的对头来了。”姜后屈刑凌陷，一目睁开，骂曰：“你这贼子！是何人买嘱你陷害我，你敢诬执我主谋弑君！皇天后土，也不佑你！”姜环曰：“娘娘役使小人，小人怎敢违旨。娘娘不必推辞，此情是实。”黄妃大怒：“姜环，你这匹夫！你见姜娘娘这等身受惨刑，无辜绝命，皇天后土，天必杀汝！”

The story says Chao Tian and Chao Lei escorted Jiang Huan to kneel before the Western Palace. Queen Huang said, "Empress Jiang, your opponent has come." Princess Jiang was subjected to cruel torture; with one eye open, she cursed and said, "You wretched son! Who has bribed you to frame me? How dare you falsely accuse my sovereign of plotting regicide!" Heaven above and Earth below will not protect you either!" Jiang Huan said, "Your Majesty commands the lowly servant; how could I dare to disobey your orders. "Your Majesty need not feign ignorance; this matter is indeed true." Queen Huang became furious: "Jiang Huan, you wretch! You see Empress Jiang suffering such cruel punishment and dying an innocent death. Heaven above and Earth below—Heaven will surely kill you!"

不言黄妃勘问，且说东宫太子殷郊、二殿下殷洪弟兄正在东宫无事弈棋。只见执掌东宫太监杨容来启：“千岁，祸事不小！”太子殷郊此时年方十四岁，二殿下殷洪年方十二岁，年纪幼小，尚贪嬉戏，竟不在意。杨容复禀曰：“千岁不要弈棋了，今祸起宫闱，家亡国破！”殿下忙问曰：“有何大事，祸及宫闱？”杨容含泪曰：“启千岁：皇后娘娘不知何人陷害，天子怒发西宫，剜去一目，炮烙二手，如今与刺客对词，请千岁速救娘娘！”殷郊一声大叫；同弟出东宫，竟进西宫。进得宫来，忙到殿前。太子一见母亲浑身血染，两手枯焦，臭不可闻，不觉心酸肉颤，近前俯伏姜后身上，跪而哭曰：“娘娘为何事受此惨刑！母亲，你总有大恶，正位中宫，何轻易加刑。”姜后闻子之声，睁开一目，母见其子，大叫一声：“我儿！你看我剜目烙手，刑甚杀戮。这个姜环做害我谋逆；妲己进献谗言残我手目；你当为母明冤洗恨，也是我养你一场！”言罢大叫一声“苦死我也！”呜咽而绝。

Without mentioning Queen Huang's interrogation, let us speak of Prince Yin Jiao of the Eastern Palace and his younger brother, Prince Yin Hong, who were playing chess idly in the Eastern Palace. Suddenly, Yang Rong, the eunuch in charge of the Eastern Palace, came forward and announced: "My prince, a great calamity has occurred!" At this time, Crown Prince Yin Jiao was only fourteen years old, and the second prince, Yin Hong, was twelve. Both were still young children who enjoyed play, so they paid no attention to it. Yang Rong continued, "My prince, do not play chess any longer; today a disaster has erupted within the palace walls—our family is destroyed and our nation in ruins!" The prince hurriedly asked, "What great matter could bring calamity to the palace?" Yang Rong, with tears in his eyes, said: "Your Highness, I beg to report: the Empress Dowager is being framed by someone unknown. The Son of Heaven was enraged and went westward into the palace, gouged out one eye, and burned both hands with red-hot iron. Now she is confronting an assassin in court; please, Your Highness, rescue Her Majesty immediately!" Yin Jiao let out a loud cry; along with his younger brother, rushed from the Eastern Palace into the Western Palace. Upon entering the palace, they hurried to the front of the hall. The crown prince, upon seeing his mother covered in blood, her hands charred and dry with a foul stench, could not help but feel heart-wrenching sorrow and tremble. He rushed forward, fell to the ground before Princess Jiang, knelt, and wept bitterly: "Your Majesty, for what crime have you endured such cruel punishment! Mother, if you had committed some great wrongdoing, being seated as the Empress Dowager in the central palace, why was this punishment so easily imposed upon you." Princess Jiang heard her son's voice and opened one eye. Mother seeing her child, let out a loud cry: "My son! Look at my gouged-out eyes and burned hands—this punishment is worse than death. This Jiang Huan framed me for treason; Daji spread slander and caused the injury to my hands and eyes; you must clear your mother's name and avenge this injustice—after all, I raised you for this very purpose!" After saying this, she let out another loud cry: "This is killing me!" She wept bitterly and then died.

太子殷郊见母气死，又见姜环跪在一旁，殿下问黄妃曰：“谁是姜环？”黄妃指姜环曰：“跪的这个恶人就是你母亲对头。”殿下大怒，只见西宫门上挂一口宝剑，殿下取剑在手：“好逆贼！你欺心行刺，敢陷害国母！”把姜环一剑砍为两断，血溅满地。太子大叫曰：“我先杀妲己以报母雠！”提剑出宫，掉步如飞。晁田、晁雷见殿下执剑前来，只说杀他，不知其故，转身就跑往寿仙宫去了。黄妃见殿下杀了姜环，持剑出宫，大惊曰：“这冤家不谙事体。”叫殷洪：“快赶回你哥哥来！说我有话说！”殷洪从命，出宫赶叫曰：“皇兄！黄娘娘叫你且回去，有话对你说！”殷郊听言，回来进宫。黄妃日：“殿下，你忒暴躁，如今杀了姜环，人死无对，你待我也将铜斗烙他的手，或用严刑拷讯，他自招成，也晓得谁人主谋，我好回旨。你又提剑出宫赶杀妲己，只怕晁田、晁雷到寿仙宫见那昏君，其祸不小！”黄妃言罢，殷郊与殷洪追悔不及。

Prince Yin Jiao, seeing his mother die of grief and spotting Jiang Huan kneeling nearby, asked Queen Huang: "Who is this Jiang Huan?" Queen Huang pointed at Jiang Huan and said, "This evil man kneeling here is your mother's enemy." The prince became furious. Seeing a fine sword hanging on the gate of the Western Palace, he took it in hand and said: "You wretched traitor! With treacherous intent you plotted to assassinate, daring to frame our Empress Dowager!" He beheaded Jiang Huan with a single stroke of the sword, splattering blood all over the ground. Prince Yin Jiao shouted, "I shall kill Daji first to avenge my mother's death!" Hefting the sword, he left the palace and strode away as swiftly as flying. Chao Tian and Chao Lei, seeing the prince come forward with a sword drawn, thought he was coming to kill them and did not know why. They turned around and fled toward Shouxian Palace. Queen Huang, seeing the prince kill Jiang Huan and then leave with a sword in hand, was greatly alarmed and said: "This troublemaker is ignorant of proper conduct." She called to Yin Hong: "Quickly, go back and bring your elder brother back! I have something important to say!" Yin Hong obeyed and went out of the palace, shouting as he ran: "Imperial elder brother! Queen Huang is calling you back to say something important!" Yin Jiao heard this and returned into the palace. Queen Huang said: "Your Highness, you are too hasty. Now that you have killed Jiang Huan, the dead cannot answer for themselves. If you had used a copper cauldron to burn his hands or applied severe interrogation methods, he would have confessed and revealed who was behind this plot, allowing me to report back properly. If you now take up your sword and go out of the palace to kill Daji, I fear that Chao Tian and Chao Lei will rush to Shouxian Palace and tell that foolish emperor about it—this could bring great disaster!" After Queen Huang finished speaking, Yin Jiao and Yin Hong regretted their actions too late.

晁田、晁雷跑至宫门，慌忙传进宫中，言：“二殿下持剑赶来！”纣王闻奏大怒：“好逆子！姜后谋逆行刺，尚未正法。这逆子敢持剑进宫弑父，总是逆种，不可留。著晁田、晁雷取龙凤剑，将二逆子首级取来，以正国法！”晁田、晁雷领剑出宫，已到西宫。时有西宫奉御官来报黄妃曰：“天子命晁田、晁雷捧剑来诛殿下。”黄妃急至宫门，只见晁田兄弟二人，捧天子龙凤剑而来。黄妃问曰：“你二人何故又至我西宫？”晁田二人便对黄贵妃曰：“臣晁田、晁雷奉皇上命，欲取二位殿下首级，以正弑父之罪。”黄妃大喝一声：“这匹夫！适才太子赶你同出西宫，你为何不往东宫去寻，却怎么往我西宫来寻？我晓得你这匹夫倚天子旨意，遍游内院，玩弄宫妃。你这欺君罔上的匹夫，若不是天子剑旨，立斩你这匹夫驴头，还不速退！”晁田兄弟二人只吓得魂散魄消，喏喏而退，不敢仰视，竟往东宫而来。

Chao Tian and Chao Lei ran to the palace gate, hurriedly passing word into the palace: "The second prince is coming with a sword!" King Zhou heard this report and became furious: "You wretched rebellious son! Princess Jiang plotted rebellion and assassination, yet has not been punished. This rebellious son dares to enter the palace with a sword to kill his father; he is truly a traitorous seed and cannot be spared. Order Chao Tian and Chao Lei to fetch the Dragon and Phoenix sword, cut off the heads of these two rebellious sons, and bring them back to uphold national law!" Chao Tian and Chao Lei took up the sword and left the palace; they had already arrived at the Western Palace. At that time, a court official from the Western Palace came to report to Queen Huang: "The Son of Heaven has ordered Chao Tian and Chao Lei with sword in hand to execute Your Highness." Queen Huang hurried to the palace gate, where she saw Chao Tian and his brother holding up the Son of Heaven's Dragon and Phoenix sword. Queen Huang asked: "Why have you two come again to my Western Palace?" Chao Tian and his brother then said to the noble concubine Huang: "Ministers Chao Tian and Chao Le are following His Majesty's orders, wishing to behead the two princes in order to punish their crime of patricide." Queen Huang shouted fiercely: "You wretch! Just now, the crown prince drove you both out of the Western Palace; why didn't you go to the Eastern Palace to look for him, yet here you are coming back to my Western Palace?" I know that you wretches rely on the Son of Heaven's orders, wandering freely through the inner palace and toying with the concubines. You base men who deceive the Son of Heaven and disregard imperial authority—if it were not for the Son of Heaven's sword order, I would immediately behead you both! Go away at once!" Chao Tian and his brother were so frightened that they lost their wits, stammered in fear, dared not look up, and hurriedly retreated toward the Eastern Palace.

黄妃忙进宫中，急唤殷郊兄弟二人。黄妃泣曰：“昏君杀子诛妻，我这西宫救不得你，你可往馨庆宫杨贵妃那里，可避一二日。若有大臣谏救，方保无事。”二位殿下双双跪下，口称：“贵妃娘娘，此恩何日得报。只是母死，尸骸暴露，望娘娘开天地之心，念母死冤枉，替他讨得片板遮身，此恩天高地厚，莫敢有忘！”黄妃曰：“你作速去，此事俱在我，我回旨自有区处。”

Queen Huang quickly entered the palace and urgently called for the two brothers Yin Jiao. Queen Huang wept and said: "This foolish emperor kills his son and executes his wife. I cannot protect you in this Western Palace; you must go to Concubine Yang of Xinqing Palace for a few days to take shelter. If there are ministers who plead on your behalf, then you may remain safe." The two princes both knelt down and said: "Noble Concubine, when will we ever be able to repay this kindness. But now our mother is dead, her body left exposed. I beg you, Noble Concubine, to show us the compassion of Heaven and Earth, take pity on her wrongful death, and help obtain a piece of wood to cover her remains. This kindness will be as boundless as heaven and earth; we shall never forget it!" Queen Huang said: "You must go quickly. I will handle all of this. Matters are in my hands, and I shall deal with the imperial report myself."

二殿下出宫门，迳往馨庆宫来，只见杨妃身倚宫门，望姜皇后信息。二殿下向前哭拜在地。杨贵妃大惊，问曰：“二位殿下，娘娘的事怎样了？”殷郊哭诉曰：“父王听信妲己之言，不知何人买嘱姜环架捏诬害，将母亲剜去一目，炮烙二手，死于非命。今又听妲己谗言，欲杀我兄弟二人。望姨母救我二人性命！”杨妃听罢，泪流满面，呜咽言曰：“殿下，你快进宫来！”二位殿下进宫。杨妃沉思：“晁田、晁雷至东宫，不见太子，必往此处追寻。待我把二人打发回去，再作区处。”杨妃站立宫门，只见晁田兄弟二人行如狼虎，飞奔前来。杨妃命：“传宫官，与我拿了来人！此乃深宫内阙，外官焉敢在此，法当夷族！”晁田听罢，向前口称：“娘娘千岁！臣乃晁田、晁雷；奉天子旨，找寻二位殿下。上有龙凤剑在，臣不敢行礼。”杨妃大喝曰：“殿下在东宫，你怎往馨庆宫来？若非天子之命，拿问贼臣才好。还不快退去！”晁田不敢回言，只得退走。兄弟计较：“这件事怎了？晁雷曰：“三宫全无，宫内生疏，不知内庭路径，且回寿仙宫见天子回旨。”二人回去。不表。

The two princes left through the palace gate and went straight to Xinqing Palace. There, they saw Concubine Yang leaning against the palace gate, waiting for news about Empress Jiang. The two princes approached her, wept bitterly, and fell to their knees in reverence. Concubine Yang was greatly startled and asked: "Your Highnesses, what has become of the Empress?" Yin Jiao wept and recounted: "My father the king believed Daji's words, not knowing who bribed Jiang Huan to frame my mother. They gouged out one of her eyes and burned both her hands with red-hot irons, causing her untimely death. Now he has again listened to Daji's slander and wishes to kill my brother and me." I beg you, Aunt, to save our lives!" After hearing this, Concubine Yang wept bitterly and said: "Your Highness, quickly come into the palace!" The two princes entered the palace. Concubine Yang pondered: "Chao Tian and Chao Lei went to the Eastern Palace but did not find the crown prince; they will surely come here in pursuit. I must first send them back, then I shall think of a way." Concubine Yang stood at the palace gate when she saw Chao Tian and his brothers coming like wolves and tigers, rushing forward. Concubine Yang ordered: "Summon the palace officials and seize these men for me! This is a deep inner palace; how dare outsiders enter here? By law, their entire clan should be exterminated!" After hearing this, Chao Tian stepped forward and respectfully said: "Your Majesty! We are ministers Chao Tian and Chao Le; we have followed the Son of Heaven's order to search for the two princes. We hold the Dragon and Phoenix sword above; we dare not pay respects." Concubine Yang shouted: "The princes are in the Eastern Palace—why have you come to Xinqing Palace? If it were not for an imperial order, I should arrest you as traitorous ministers. Go away at once!" Chao Tian dared not reply and had to retreat. The brothers discussed among themselves: "How can we resolve this matter? Chao Lei said, "All three palaces are unfamiliar to us; we do not know the inner palace paths. Let us return to Shouxian Palace to report back to His Majesty." The two of them returned. No further details are given.

且言杨妃进宫，二位殿下来见。杨妃曰：“此间不是你弟兄所居之地，眼目且多，君昏臣暗，杀子诛妻，大变纲常，人伦尽灭。二位殿下可往九间殿去，合朝文武末散；你去见皇伯微子、箕子、比干、微子启、微子衍、武成王黄飞虎，就是你父亲要为难你兄弟，也有大臣保你。”二位殿下听罢，叩头拜谢姨母指点活命之恩，洒泪而别。杨妃送二位殿下出宫。杨妃坐于绣墩之上，自思叹曰：“姜后元配，被奸臣做陷，遭此横刑，何况偏宫！今妲己恃宠，蛊惑昏君，倘有人传说二位殿下自我宫中放出去，那时归罪于我，也是如此行径，我怎经得这般惨刑。况我侍奉昏君多年，并无一男半女；东宫太子乃自己亲生之子，父子天性，也不过如此，三纲已绝，不久必有祸乱。我以后必不能有甚好结果。”杨妃思想半日，凄惶自伤，掩了深宫，自缢而死。有宫官报入寿仙宫中。纣王闻杨妃自缢，不知何故，传旨：“用棺椁停于白虎殿。”

Let us now speak of Concubine Yang entering the palace, where the two princes came to see her. Concubine Yang said: "This place is not suitable for you brothers to stay. There are many eyes and ears here; the king is foolish, his ministers corrupt. He kills sons and executes wives—this great disruption of moral order has destroyed all human relationships. The two princes should go to Jiujian Hall, where the entire court's civil and military officials have not yet dispersed; you may go and see your uncle Weizi, Ji Zi, Bi Gan, Weizi Qi, Weizi Yan, and General Huang Feihu of the Wu Cheng Wang. Even if your father wishes to trouble you brothers, there will be ministers who protect you." After hearing this, the two princes kowtowed and bowed in gratitude to their aunt for her life-saving advice, shedding tears as they parted. Concubine Yang saw the two princes out of the palace. Concubine Yang sat on a brocade cushion, thinking to herself and sighing, "Empress Jiang was the legitimate wife of the king but was framed by treacherous ministers and suffered such unjust punishment. How much worse must it be for those in lesser positions! Now that Daji holds favor and bewitches the foolish king, if anyone were to spread rumors that the two princes were released from my palace, then blame would fall upon me. Such treatment as I have seen is already unbearable; how could I endure such cruel punishment?" Moreover, for many years I have served this foolish king and have not borne a single son or daughter; the Crown Prince of the East Palace is his own flesh and blood, yet father-son affection has been treated so carelessly. The Three Bonds have already been severed; disaster will surely follow soon. I certainly cannot expect a good outcome for myself in the future." After thinking about it all day, Concubine Yang became despondent and mournful. She locked herself in the inner palace and hanged herself to death. A palace official reported this news into Shouxian Palace. King Zhou heard of Concubine Yang's suicide and did not know the reason. He issued an order: "Place her coffin in Baihu Hall."

且说晁田、晁雷来至寿仙宫，只见黄贵妃乘辇回旨。纣王曰：“姜后死了？”黄妃奏曰：“姜后临绝，大叫数声道：‘妾待圣躬十有六载，生二子，位立东宫，自待罪宫闱，谨慎小心，夙夜匪懈，御下并无嫉妒。不知何人妒我，买刺客姜环，坐我一个大逆不道罪名，受此惨刑，十指枯焦，筋酥骨碎，生子一似浮云，恩爱付于流水，身死不如禽兽，这场冤枉无门可雪，只传与天下后世，自有公论。’万望妾身转达天听。姜后言罢气绝，尸卧西宫。望陛下念元配生太子之情，可赐棺椁，收停白虎殿，庶成其礼，使文武百官无议，亦不失主上之德。”纣王传旨：“准行。”黄妃回宫。只见晁田回旨，纣王问：“太子何在？”晁田等奏曰：“东宫寻觅，不知殿下下落。”王曰：“莫非只在西宫？”晁田对曰：“不在西宫；连馨庆宫也不在。”纣王言曰：“三宫不在，想在大殿。必须擒获，以正国法。”晁田领旨出宫来。不表。

Meanwhile, Chao Tian and Chao Lei arrived at Shouxian Palace, where they saw Consort Huang riding in a palanquin to return the imperial decree. King Zhou said, "Is Empress Jiang dead?" Consort Huang reported, "On the verge of death, Empress Jiang cried out several times: 'For sixteen years I have served Your Majesty. I bore two sons and was appointed Crown Prince. While serving in the palace, I remained cautious and diligent day and night, never slacking, and governed my subordinates without jealousy." "I do not know who envied me, but someone hired the assassin Jiang Huan to falsely accuse me of a grave crime of treason. I have suffered such cruel punishment—my fingers charred and dry, my tendons softened and bones shattered. My sons are as fleeting as clouds; all affection has flowed away like water. To die thus is worse than an animal's death. This injustice cannot be redressed through any channel. It will only be passed on to future generations, where there will surely be a just verdict.'" She earnestly hopes that her words may reach the ears of Heaven." After Empress Jiang finished speaking, she died from grief and lay in state in the West Palace. "I hope Your Majesty will remember the affection for your first wife, who bore the Crown Prince. Please grant her a coffin and have her body placed in Baihu Hall to rest temporarily. This would fulfill proper rites, prevent discussion among civil and military officials, and not lose the virtue of His Majesty." King Zhou issued an order: "Approved." Consort Huang returned to her palace. Just then, Chao Tian returned with the imperial decree, and King Zhou asked, "Where is the Crown Prince?" Chao Tian and others reported: "We have searched throughout the East Palace but do not know where the prince has gone." The king said, "Could he perhaps be in the West Palace?" Chao Tian replied: "He is not in the West Palace; he is also not in Xinqing Palace." King Zhou said, "He is not in any of the three palaces. He must be in the main hall. We must capture him and uphold national law." Chao Tian accepted the order and left the palace. No further details are given.

且言二殿下往长朝殿来，两班文武俱不曾散朝，只等宫内信息。武成王黄飞虎听得脚步怆惶之声，望孔雀屏里一看，见二位殿下慌忙错乱，战战兢兢，黄飞虎迎上前曰：“殿下为何这等慌张？”殷郊看见武成王黄飞虎，大叫：“黄将军救我兄弟性命！”道罢大哭，一把拉住黄飞虎袍服，顿足曰：“父王听信妲己之言，不分皂白，将我母亲剜去一目，铜斗烧红，烙去二手，死于西宫。黄贵妃勘问，并无半点真情。我看见生身母亲受此惨酷之刑，那姜环跪在前面对词，那时心甚焦躁，不曾思忖，将姜环杀了；我复仗剑，欲杀妲己；不意晁田奏准父王，父王赐我二人死。望列位皇伯怜我母亲受屈身亡，救我殷郊，庶不失成汤之一脉！”言罢，二位殿下放声哭。两班文武齐含泪上前曰：“国母受诬，我等如何坐视。可鸣钟击鼓，请天子上殿，声明其事；庶几罪人可得，洗雪皇后冤枉。”

Meanwhile, the two princes went to Changchao Hall, where civil and military officials had not yet dismissed court, waiting for news from within the palace. General Huang Feihu of the Wu Cheng King heard hurried and anxious footsteps. Looking toward the peacock screen, he saw the two princes in a state of panic and trembling with fear. Huang Feihu stepped forward to greet them and asked, "Your Highness, why are you so frightened?" Yin Jiao saw General Huang Feihu of Wu Cheng and cried out, "General Huang, save my brothers' lives!" After saying this, he burst into tears and grabbed General Huang Feihu's robe, stamping his feet and saying, "My father the king listened to Daji's words without discernment. He did not distinguish between black and white and had my mother have one eye gouged out. A red-hot copper basin was used to brand her both hands before she died in the West Palace." Consort Huang investigated and found no trace of truth in it. I witnessed my own mother suffer such cruel punishment. At that time, Jiang Huan was kneeling before her and giving testimony. My heart was so agitated I did not think carefully and killed Jiang Huan; I then took up my sword again to kill Daji; Unbeknownst to me, Chao Tian had obtained the king's approval. My father the king ordered my brother and me to be executed. I beg you, revered uncles of the royal family, to pity my mother who died wrongfully and save me, Yin Jiao. Only then will the lineage of King Chengtang not be lost!" After saying this, the two princes burst into loud weeping. The civil and military officials on both sides approached with tears in their eyes and said, "Our queen mother was falsely accused. How can we stand by and do nothing? We should ring the bells and beat the drums to summon His Majesty onto the throne hall, and publicly declare this matter; only then can we capture the guilty party and clear Empress Jiang's name."

言未了，只听得殿西首一声喊叫，似空中霹雳，大呼曰：“天子失政，杀子诛妻，建造炮烙，阻塞忠良，恣行无道，大丈夫既不能为皇后洗冤，太子复雠，含泪悲啼，效儿女之态！古云：‘良禽择木而栖，贤臣择主而仕。’今天子不道，三纲已绝，大义有乖，恐不能为天下之主，我等亦耻为之臣。我等不若反出朝歌，另择新君，去此无道之主，保全社稷！”众人看时，却是镇殿大将军方弼、方相兄弟二人。黄飞虎听说，大喝一声：“你多大官，敢如此乱言！满朝该多少大臣，岂到得你讲！本当拿了你这等乱臣贼子，还不退去！”方弼兄弟二人低头喏喏，不敢回言。

Before the words were finished, a loud cry was heard from the west side of the hall, as if thunder had struck from the sky. A voice shouted, "Your Majesty has lost his virtue, killing sons and executing wives, building torture devices like the red-hot copper basin, obstructing loyal officials, and acting without morality. If a man cannot clear Empress Jiang's injustice or a crown prince take revenge, to weep with tears and display such childish sorrow is disgraceful! Ancient words say: "A good bird chooses a tree to roost in, and a virtuous minister selects his ruler before serving." Today the Son of Heaven is unjust, the Three Bonds have been severed, and righteousness has been betrayed. I fear he cannot be a ruler for all under heaven; we are ashamed to serve as his ministers. We might as well abandon Chao Ge and seek a new ruler, leaving this tyrant behind to preserve the state!" When everyone looked, it was none other than the two brothers Fang Bi and Fang Xiang, the great generals in charge of guarding the throne hall. Huang Feihu heard this and shouted angrily: "What rank do you hold to dare speak so recklessly! There are many ministers in the entire court; how could it come to your turn to speak!" I should seize you, this kind of traitorous minister, and drive you away at once!" The two brothers Fang Bi lowered their heads in silence, too afraid to reply.

黄飞虎见国政颠倒，叠现不祥，也知天意人心，俱有离乱之兆，心中沉郁不乐，咄咄无言；又见微子、比干、箕子诸位殿下，满朝文武，人人切齿，个个长吁，正无甚计策；只见一员官，身穿大红袍，腰系宝带，上前对诸位殿下言曰：“今日之变，正应终南山云中子之言，古云‘君不正，则臣生奸佞’。今天子屈斩太师杜元铣，治炮烙坏谏官梅伯，今日又有这异事。皇上清白不分，杀子诛妻，我想起来，那定计奸臣，行事贼子，他反在旁暗笑。可怜成汤社稷，一旦丘墟，似我等不久终被他人所掳。”言者乃上大夫杨任。黄飞虎长叹数声：“大夫之言是也！”百官默默。二位殿下悲哭不止。

Huang Feihu saw the state's affairs in chaos and signs of misfortune piling up. He realized that Heaven's will and public sentiment both indicated a coming upheaval, which left him feeling deeply 郁闷 (yùn yù) and unhappy, muttering silently; he also saw Prince Weizi, Bi Gan, Ji Zi and other princes, as well as civil and military officials throughout the court, all filled with anger and sighing deeply. No one had a good plan; Just then, an official appeared wearing a bright red robe and holding a precious sash around his waist. He stepped forward and said to the princes: "Today's turmoil exactly fulfills what Yunzhongzi of Zhongnan Mountain predicted long ago. As ancient words say, 'When a ruler is unjust, ministers become corrupt.'" Today the Son of Heaven executed Grand Tutor Du Yuanxi wrongfully and used the red-hot copper basin to punish the remonstrating official Mei Bo. Today, there is yet another strange event. The emperor cannot distinguish between innocence and guilt, killing his son and executing his wife. Thinking about it, the scheming ministers who plotted this treachery must have been secretly laughing from the sidelines. "Pity the state of Chengtang, which has suddenly become a wasteland. I fear that we too will soon be captured by others." The speaker was Shang Dafu Yang Ren. Huang Feihu sighed deeply and said, "What the official has said is true!" The hundred officials remained silent. The two princes continued to weep bitterly without ceasing.

只见方弼、方相分开众人，方弼夹住殷郊，方相夹住殷洪，厉声高叫曰：“纣王无道，杀子而绝宗庙，诛妻有坏纲常，今日保二位殿下往东鲁借兵，除了昏君，再立成汤之嗣。我等反了！”二人背负殿下，迳出朝歌南门去了。──大抵二人气力甚大，彼时不知跌倒几多官员，那里当得住他！后人有诗为证，诗曰： 方家兄弟反朝歌，殿下今番脱网罗。漫道美人能破舌，天心已去奈伊何。

Just then, the brothers Fang Bi and Fang Xiang pushed through the crowd. Fang Bi seized Yin Jiao by the arms while Fang Xiang did the same to Yin Hong. They shouted in a fierce voice: "King Zhou is tyrannical; he has killed his son and destroyed ancestral rites, executed his wife and violated moral order. Today we will protect these two princes as they go east to Lu for troops, remove this foolish king, and reestablish the descendants of King Chengtang." We are rebelling!" The two men carried the princes on their backs and left directly through the southern gate of Chao Ge. ——The two men were extremely strong, and at that time they knocked down many officials; how could anyone have stopped them! Later generations have a poem to confirm this, the poem says: The Fang brothers rebelled against Chao Ge; today the princes escape from their net. Do not say a beautiful woman can break tongues—Heaven's will has already turned, what can she do about it?

话说众多文武见反了方弼、方相，大惊失色。独黄飞虎若为不知。亚相比干近前曰：“黄大人，方弼反了，大人为何独无一言？”黄飞虎答曰：“可惜文武之中，并无一位似方弼二人的。方弼乃一夯汉，尚知不忍国母负屈，太子枉死，自知卑小，不敢谏言，故此背负二位殿下去了。若圣旨追赶回来，殿下一死无疑，忠良尽皆屠戮。此事明知有死无生，只是迫于一腔忠义，故造此罪孽，然情甚可矜。”百官未及答，只听后殿奔逐之声。众官正看，只见晁田兄弟二人捧宝剑到殿前，言曰：“列位大人，二位殿下可曾往九间殿来？”黄飞虎曰：“二位殿下方才上殿哭诉冤枉，国母屈勘遭诛，又欲赐死太子，有镇殿大将军方弼、方相听见，不忿沉冤，把二位殿下背负，反出都城，去尚未远。你既奉天子旨意，速去拿回，以正国法。”晁田、晁雷听得是方弼兄弟反了，吓得魂不附体。话说那方弼身长三丈六尺，方相身长三丈四尺，晁田兄弟怎敢惹他？一拳也经不起。晁田自思：“此是黄飞虎明明奈何我。我有道理。”晁田曰：“方弼既反，保二位殿下出都城去了，末将进宫回旨。”

Now the many civil and military officials saw that Fang Bi and Fang Xiang had rebelled and were greatly alarmed. Only Huang Feihu acted as if he did not know. Prince Bi Gan stepped forward and said, "Minister Huang, Fang Bi has rebelled; why does your honor remain silent?" Huang Feihu replied: "It is a pity that among the civil and military officials, there are none who resemble Fang Bi's two brothers. Fang Bi is a rough man, yet he still knows to be moved by the injustice suffered by our queen mother and the Crown Prince's wrongful death. Knowing his own low status, he dared not remonstrate directly, so he chose to carry off the two princes instead." If an imperial decree were sent in pursuit, the princes would surely die, and all loyal officials would be slaughtered. Everyone knows this act means certain death with no hope of survival, yet they were driven by a single heart of loyalty and righteousness. Thus, they committed this crime, but their situation is truly deserving of sympathy." Before the officials could respond, they heard the sound of pursuit coming from behind the throne hall. While everyone was watching, they saw Chao Tian and his brother arrive at the hall with a sword in hand. He said to the officials: "Honorable ministers, have the two princes come here to Jiujian Hall?" Huang Feihu said, "The two princes just came to the hall and wept bitterly over their injustice. The queen mother was wrongfully investigated and executed, and now the Crown Prince is about to be put to death as well. General Fang Bi and his brother heard of this and could not bear the deep injustice. They carried off the two princes and fled from the capital city; they have not gone far yet." Since you have received His Majesty's order, go quickly to capture them and uphold national law." Chao Tian and Chao Lei heard that the brothers Fang Bi had rebelled, and were so frightened their souls seemed to leave their bodies. Now Fang Bi was six zhang and six chi tall, while Fang Xiang stood at five zhang and four chi. How could the brothers Chao Tian dare to confront them? They couldn't even withstand a single punch. Chao Tian thought to himself, "This is clearly Huang Feihu deliberately making things difficult for me. I have a reason." Chao Tian said, "Since Fang Bi has rebelled and taken the two princes out of the capital city, I shall return to the palace with my report."

晁田来至寿仙宫见纣王，奏曰：“臣奉旨到九间殿，见文武未散，找寻二位殿下不见。只听百官道：二位殿下见文武哭诉冤情，有镇殿将军方弼、方相保二位殿下反出都城，投东鲁借兵去了。请旨定夺。”纣王大怒曰：“方弼反了，你速赶去拿来，毋得疏虞纵法！”晁田奏曰：“方弼力大勇猛，臣焉能拿得来。要拿方弼兄弟，陛下速发手诏，著武成王黄飞虎方可成功，殿下亦不致漏网。”纣王曰：“速行手敕，著黄飞虎速去拿来！”──晁田将这个担儿卸与黄飞虎。晁田奉手敕至大殿，命武成王黄飞虎速擒反叛方弼、方相，并取二位殿下首级回旨。黄飞虎笑曰：“我晓的，这是晁田与我担儿挑。”即领剑敕出午门。只见黄明、周纪、龙环、吴炎曰：“小弟相随。”黄飞虎曰：“不必你们去。”自上五色神牛，催开坐下兽──两头见日，走八百里。

Chao Tian arrived at Shouxian Palace to see King Zhou and reported, "Your servant received the imperial order and went to Jiujian Hall. I found that civil and military officials had not dispersed yet, but could not find the two princes. I heard the officials say: The two princes wept and pleaded their injustice before civil and military ministers. General Fang Bi and Fang Xiang protected them as they rebelled against the capital city and fled east to Lu for reinforcements." I respectfully request Your Majesty's decision." King Zhou was furious and said, "Fang Bi has rebelled! You must go quickly to capture him. Do not let this matter slip through your fingers or you will be punished!" Chao Tian reported, "Fang Bi is strong and fierce. How could I possibly capture him? To capture the brothers Fang Bi, Your Majesty must quickly issue a decree and order General Huang Feihu of Wu Cheng. Only then can it be done successfully, and the princes will not escape." King Zhou said, "Issue the imperial decree immediately and order Huang Feihu to go quickly and capture them!" --Chao Tian passed this burden over to Huang Feihu. Chao Tian, carrying the imperial decree, went to the main hall and ordered General Huang Feihu of Wu Cheng to quickly capture the rebels Fang Bi and Fang Xiang, as well as bring back the heads of the two princes for his report. Huang Feihu smiled and said, "I understand now; this is a burden that Chao Tian has passed to me." He immediately took the imperial decree with his sword and exited through Wumen Gate. Just then, Huang Ming, Zhou Ji, Long Huan, and Wu Yan said, "We will accompany you." Huang Feihu said, "You need not go with me." He mounted his five-colored divine ox and urged the beast beneath him forward—two beasts under the sun, covering eight hundred li.

且言方弼、方相背负二位殿下，一口气跑了三十里，放下来。殿下曰：“二位将军，此恩何日报得。”方弼曰：“臣不忍千岁遭此屈陷，故此心下不平，一时反了朝歌。如今计议，前往何方投脱。”正商议间，只见武成王黄飞虎坐五色神牛飞奔赶来。方弼、方相著慌，忙对二位殿下曰：“末将二人，一时卤莽，不自三思，如今性命休矣，如何是好！”殿下曰：“将军救我兄弟性命，无恩可酬，何出此言。”方弼曰：“黄将军来拿我等，此去一定伏诛。”殷郊急著，黄飞虎已赶到面前。二位殿下轵道旁跪下曰：“黄将军此来，莫非捉获我等？”黄飞虎见二殿下跪于道旁，滚下神牛，亦跪于地上，口称：“臣该万死！殿下请起。”殷郊曰：“将军此来有甚事？”飞虎曰：“奉命差遣，天子赐龙凤剑前来，请二位殿下自决，臣方敢回旨意。非臣敢逼弑储君。请殿下速行。”殷郊听罢，兄弟跪告曰：“将军尽知我母子衔冤负屈。母遭惨刑，沉魂莫白；再杀幼子，一门尽绝。乞将军可怜衔冤孤儿，开天地仁慈之心，赐一线再生之路。倘得寸土可安，生则衔环，死当结草，没世不敢忘将军之大德！”黄飞虎跪而言曰：“臣岂不知殿下冤枉，君命概不由己。臣欲要放殿下，便得欺君卖国之罪；欲要不放殿下，其实深负沉冤，臣心何忍。”彼此筹画，再三沉思，俱无计策。只见殷郊自思，料不能脱此灾：“也罢，将军既奉君命，不敢违法，还有一言，望将军不知可施此德，周旋一脉生路？”黄飞虎曰：“殿下有何事？但说不妨。”郊曰：“将军可将我殷郊之首级回都城回旨。可怜我幼弟殷洪，放他逃往别国。倘他日长成，或得借兵报怨，得泄我母之沉冤。我殷郊虽死之日，犹生之年。望将军可怜！”殷洪上前急止之曰：“黄将军，此事不可。皇兄乃东宫太子；我不过一郡王。况我又年幼，无有大施展，黄将军可将我殷洪首级回旨，皇兄或往东鲁，或去西岐，借一旅之师。倘可报母弟之雠，弟何惜此一死！”殷郊上前一把抱住兄弟殷洪，放声大哭曰：“我何忍幼弟遭此惨刑！”二人痛哭，彼此不忍，你推我让，那里肯舍。方弼、方相看见如此苦情疼切，二人一声叫：“苦杀人也！”泪如瓢倾。黄飞虎看见方弼有这等忠心，自是不忍见，甚是凄惶，乃含泪教“方弼不必啼哭，二位殿下不必伤心。此事惟有我五人共知。如有漏泄，我举族不保。方弼过来，保殿下往东鲁见姜桓楚；方相，你去见南伯侯鄂崇禹，就言我在中途放殿下往东鲁，传与他，救他两路调兵，靖奸洗冤。我黄飞虎那时自有处治。”方弼曰：“我弟兄二人今日早朝，不知有此异事，临朝保驾，不曾带有路费；如今欲分头往东南二路去，这事怎了？”飞虎曰：“此事你我俱不曾打点。”飞虎沉思半晌曰：“可将我内悬宝玦，拿来前途货卖，权作路费。上有金厢，价值百金。二位殿下，前途保重。方弼、方相，你兄弟宜当用心，其功不小。臣回宫复命。”飞虎上骑回朝歌。进城时日色已暮，百官尚在午门，黄飞虎下骑。比干曰：“黄将军，怎样了？”黄飞虎曰：“追赶不上，只得回旨。”百官大喜。且言黄飞虎进宫候旨。纣王问曰：“逆子叛臣，可曾拿了？”黄飞虎曰：“臣奉手敕，追赶七十里，到三叉路口，问来往行人，俱言不曾见。臣恐有误回旨，只得回来。”纣王曰：“追袭不上，好了逆子叛臣！卿且暂退，明日再议。”黄飞虎谢恩出午门，与百官各归府第。

Meanwhile, Fang Bi and Fang Xiang carried the two princes on their backs and ran thirty li in one breath before setting them down. The prince said, "Generals, when will I ever be able to repay this kindness?" Fang Bi said, "Your Majesty cannot bear the injustice suffered by His Highness. Therefore, my heart was not at peace and I rebelled against Chaoguo in a moment of anger." Now we must decide where to go for refuge." While they were still discussing, suddenly General Huang Feihu of Wu Cheng rode his five-colored divine ox flying toward them. Fang Bi and Fang Xiang were alarmed, hurriedly saying to the two princes, "Your servants acted rashly without thinking thrice. Now our lives are doomed; what should we do!" The prince said, "Generals saved the lives of my brothers and I. There is no way to repay such a kindness; why say such words?" Fang Bi said, "General Huang has come to capture us. There is no doubt we will be executed." Yin Jiao was in a hurry when General Huang Feihu had already arrived before them. The two princes knelt by the roadside and said, "General Huang, is your coming here to capture us?" Huang Feihu saw the two princes kneeling by the roadside, rolled off his divine ox, knelt on the ground as well, and said, "Your servant deserves ten thousand deaths! Please rise, Your Highness." Yin Jiao said, "General, what business brings you here?" Feihu said, "I have been dispatched by imperial order. The Son of Heaven has granted me the Dragon and Phoenix Sword to come here and ask the two princes to decide for yourselves; only then will I dare return with my report." It is not that your servant dares to force you to kill a crown prince. Please, Your Highness, act quickly." After hearing this, Yin Jiao and his brother knelt down and pleaded, "General, you are fully aware of the injustice suffered by my mother and me. My mother was subjected to cruel punishment; her soul remains unrecognized in death; To kill my young son would mean the complete extinction of our family. We beg you, General, to take pity on this wronged orphan and show us the kindness of heaven and earth by granting a thread of hope for rebirth. If we can be granted even an inch of land to find peace, in life I shall repay your kindness with a ring, and in death I will tie grass as a token. I shall never forget the great virtue you have shown me for all time!" Huang Feihu knelt and said, "How could your servant not know that Your Highness has been wronged? But the orders of the Son of Heaven cannot be resisted. If I were to release you, I would bear the crime of deceiving His Majesty and betraying my country; but if I do not release you, it is a deep betrayal of your unjust suffering. How could my heart bear such cruelty?" They deliberated back and forth, pondered repeatedly, but found no solution. Just then, Yin Jiao thought to himself and realized he could not escape this disaster. "Well," he said, "since General has received the Son of Heaven's order and dares not break the law, I have one more request. I hope you will do me a favor without knowing it—can you find a way to spare at least a thread of life for my descendants?" Huang Feihu asked, "What is it that Your Highness wishes to request? Speak freely." Yin Jiao said, "General, you may take my head back to the capital as your report. Have mercy on my younger brother Yin Hong and let him escape to another country. If one day he grows up, perhaps he may borrow an army for revenge and avenge my mother's injustice." Though I die today, it will be as if I have lived. I beg you, General, take pity!" Yin Hong stepped forward and urgently stopped him, saying, "General Huang, this cannot be done. My elder brother is the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace; I am merely a prince of a fief. Moreover, I am still young and have no great influence. General Huang, you may take my head as your report; my elder brother can go to the East Lu or West Qi and borrow an army of even a single division. If this could avenge our mother and brother, how could I not be willing to die for it!" Yin Jiao stepped forward, embraced his younger brother Yin Hong tightly, and wept aloud, saying, "How could I bear to see my young brother suffer such cruel punishment!" The two brothers cried in agony, each unwilling to let the other die. They pushed and pulled at one another, neither willing to part. Fang Bi and Fang Xiang saw this heartbreaking scene of deep sorrow and cried out together, "This is too painful!" Their tears poured down like rain from a ladle. Huang Feihu, seeing the deep loyalty of Fang Bi in this situation, could not bear to witness it and felt deeply distressed. He wept as he said, "Fang Bi, do not cry any longer; the two princes need not grieve so. This matter is known only to us five people. If there is any leakage of this, my entire family will not be safe. Fang Bi, come here. Take the prince to East Lu and see Jiang Huanchu; Fang Xiang, you go and see Duke Nabe He Chongyu. Tell him that I have released the prince on the way to East Lu; pass this message along so he can raise troops from both sides to quell the villains and clear their grievances." At that time, I, Huang Feihu, will deal with it myself." Fang Bi said, "My brother and I were at the early court session today and did not foresee this unusual event. When we escorted His Majesty to court, we did not bring any travel expenses; Now that we want to split up and go separately to the east and south routes, how can this matter be resolved?" Feihu said, "This matter was not prepared by either of us." After pondering for a while, Feihu said, "We can take my precious jade pendant from inside and sell it ahead on the road as temporary travel expenses. It has a golden frame and is worth hundreds of gold pieces." The two princes, take good care on your journey ahead. Fang Bi and Fang Xiang, you brothers should be diligent; the merit of this task is no small matter. Your servant will return to court to report." Feihu mounted his horse and returned to Chaoguo. When he entered the city, it was already evening; officials were still at Wumen Gate. Huang Feihu dismounted from his horse. Bi Gan asked, "General Huang, how did it go?" Huang Feihu said, "I could not catch up and had no choice but to return with my report." The officials were greatly relieved. Meanwhile, Huang Feihu entered the palace to await his imperial decree. King Zhou asked, "Have you captured the rebellious son and traitorous ministers?" Huang Feihu replied, "Your servant received the imperial decree and chased them for seventy li. At a three-way crossroads, I asked passersby but all said they had not seen them." I feared making an error in my report and returned instead." King Zhou said, "They could not be caught. Well then, the rebellious son and traitors are free to go!" You may withdraw for now; we will discuss it further tomorrow." Huang Feihu thanked the king and exited Wumen Gate, then returned with the officials to their respective mansions.

且说妲己见未曾拿住殷郊，复进言曰：“陛下，今日走脱了殷郊、殷洪，倘投了姜桓楚，只恐大兵不久即至，其祸不小。况闻太师远征，不在都城。不若速命殷破败、雷开，点三千飞骑，星夜拿来，斩草除根，恐生后患。”纣王听说：“美人此言，正合朕意。”忙传手诏：“命殷破败、雷开点飞骑三千，速拿殿下，毋得迟误取罪！”殷、雷二将领诏，要往黄飞虎府内，来领兵符，调选兵马。黄飞虎坐在后厅，思想：“朝廷不正，将来民愁天怨，万姓皇皇，四海分崩，八方播乱，生民涂炭，日无宁宇，如何是好！”正思想间，军政司启：“老爷，殷、雷二将听令。”飞虎曰：“令来。”二将进后厅，行礼毕。飞虎问曰：“方才散朝，又有何事？”二将启曰：“天子手诏，命末将领三千飞骑，星夜追赶殿下，捉方弼等以正国法；特来请发兵符。”飞虎暗想：“此二将赶去，必定拿来；我把前面方便付与流水。”乃吩咐殷破败、雷开曰：“今日晚了，人马未齐；明日五更，领兵符速去。”殷、雷二将，不敢违令，只得退去。这黄飞虎乃是元戎，殷、雷二将乃是麾下，焉敢强辩，只得回去。不表。

Meanwhile, Daji, having failed to capture Yin Jiao, spoke up again and said, "Your Majesty, today Yin Jiao and Yin Hong escaped. If they go to Jiang Huanchu, I fear that a large army will soon arrive, which would bring great disaster. Moreover, it is said the Grand Tutor is on a distant campaign and not in the capital city. It would be better to quickly order Yin Pobai and Lei Kai to mobilize three thousand flying cavalry, rush out at night to capture them, eradicate the weeds before they grow, and prevent future troubles." King Zhou heard this and said, "Lady Daji's words are exactly in line with my thoughts." He quickly issued an imperial decree: "Order Yin Pobai and Lei Kai, mobilize three thousand flying cavalry to capture the prince immediately. Do not delay or you will be held accountable!" The generals Yin and Lei received the decree, went to General Huang Feihu's residence to obtain the military orders, and began selecting troops. Huang Feihu sat in the back hall, thinking to himself: "The court is corrupt. In time, the people will suffer and heaven will be angry. The ten thousand subjects will live in fear; the four seas will fall into chaos, disorder will spread across all directions, and the common people will endure great suffering. There will be no day of peace—what should I do!" While he was deep in thought, the military office official announced: "Sir, Generals Yin and Lei are here to receive your orders." Feihu said, "Come forward." The two generals entered the back hall and completed their bows. Feihu asked, "Just after court was dismissed, what is this matter now?" The two generals replied, "An imperial decree has been issued by the Son of Heaven. It orders your servants to lead three thousand flying cavalry and chase after the prince at night, capturing Fang Bi et al. in order to uphold national law; we have come especially to request the military orders." Feihu thought secretly, "If these two generals go quickly, they will surely bring him back; I should let the favorable conditions ahead flow away like water." He then instructed Yin Pobai and Lei K'ai, "It is already late today, and the troops are not yet assembled; go quickly at dawn tomorrow with the military orders." Generals Yin and Lei, daring not to disobey the order, had no choice but to withdraw. Huang Feihu was a high-ranking general; Generals Yin and Lei were his subordinates, so how could they dare to argue? They had no choice but to return. No further mention is made of this.

且言黄飞虎对周纪曰：“殷破败来领兵符，调三千飞骑，追赶殿下。你明日五更，把左哨疾病、衰老、懦弱不堪的点三千与他去。”周纪领命。次早五更，殷、雷二将等发兵符。周纪下教场，令左哨点三千飞骑，发与殷、雷二将领去。二将观之，皆老弱不堪，疾病之卒，又不敢违令，只得领人马出南门而去。一声炮响，催动三军，那老弱疾病之兵，如何行得快，急得二将没奈何，只得随军征进。有诗为证，诗曰： 三千飞骑出朝歌，呐喊摇旗擂鼓锣。队伍不齐叫“难走”，行人拍手笑呵呵。

Meanwhile, Huang Feihu said to Zhou Ji, "General Yin Pobai has come for the military orders and is mobilizing three thousand flying cavalry to chase after the prince. Tomorrow at dawn, you will select from the left vanguard those who are sick, old, or too weak and assign three thousand of them to go with him." Zhou Ji accepted the order. The next morning at dawn, Generals Yin and Lei waited for the military orders to be issued. Zhou Ji went to the drill ground and ordered the left vanguard to select three thousand flying cavalry, who were then given to Generals Yin and Lei. The two generals observed them; they were all old, weak, or sick soldiers. Daring not to disobey orders, they had no choice but to lead the troops out through the southern gate and leave. A cannon shot sounded, urging the three armies forward. However, these old and sickly soldiers could not move quickly. The two generals were extremely anxious but had no choice but to accompany their troops on the march. There is a poem as evidence, which says: Three thousand flying cavalry leave Chaoguo, shouting and waving flags while beating drums and gongs. The ranks are not in order, calling it "hard to move"; passersby clap their hands and laugh happily.

不言殷破败、雷开追赶殿下；且言方弼、方相保二位殿下行了一二日，方弼与弟言曰：“我和你保二位殿下反出朝歌，囊箧空虚，路费毫无，如何是好！虽然黄老爷赐有玉玦，你我如何好用，倘有人盘诘，反为不便。来此正是东南二地，你我指引二位殿下前往；我兄弟再投他处，方可两全。”方相曰：“此言极是。”方弼请二位殿下，说曰：“臣有一言，启二位千岁：臣等乃一勇之夫，秉性愚卤；昨见殿下负此冤苦，一时性起，反了朝歌，并不曾想到路途窵远，盘费全无。今欲将黄将军所留玉玦货卖使用，又恐盘诘出来，反为不便。况逃灾避祸，须要隐秀些方是。适才臣想一法，必须分路各自潜行，方保万全。望二位千岁详察。非臣不能终始。”殷郊曰：“将军之言极当。但我兄弟幼小，不知去路，奈何！”方弼曰：“这一条路往东鲁，这一条路往南都，俱是大路，人烟凑集，可以长行。”殷郊曰：“既然如此，二位将军不知往何方去？何时再能重会也？”方相曰：“臣此去，不管那镇诸侯处暂且安身；俟殿下借兵进朝歌时，臣自来投拜麾下，以作前驱耳。”四人各各洒泪而别。

No mention is made of Generals Yin Pobai and Lei K'ai chasing after the prince; instead, let us speak of Fang Bi and Fang Xiang. After escorting the two princes for one or two days, Fang Bi said to his brother: "My brother and I have escorted these two princes in rebellion from Chaoguo, but our bags are empty and we have no travel expenses at all—what should we do!" Although Lord Huang has given us jade pendants, how can you and I use them? If someone were to question us, it would only cause trouble. We are now in the southeast regions; you and I should guide these two princes toward there; my brother and I must seek refuge elsewhere, so that we may both be safe." Fang Xiang said, "This is a very good idea." Fang Bi addressed the two princes, saying: "Minister has something to say to Your Highnesses: we are merely men of courage, with simple and rustic natures; yesterday, upon seeing Your Highness endure such injustice and suffering, we acted on impulse and rebelled against Chaoguo. We never considered that the journey would be so long and that we would have no funds at all. Now, I wish to sell the jade pendants left by General Huang for use, but I fear that if questioned about them, it would cause trouble. Moreover, in order to escape disaster and avoid misfortune, we must be more discreet. Just now I thought of a plan: we must split up and travel separately in secret to ensure complete safety. I respectfully request Your Highnesses to consider this carefully. "It is not that I am unable to remain loyal from beginning to end." Yin Jiao said, "General's words are entirely reasonable. But my brother and I are young and do not know the way to go—what can we do!" Fang Bi said, "This road leads east to Donglu, and this other one south to Nandu. Both are major roads with many people and can be traveled for a long distance." Yin Jiao asked, "If that is the case, where will the two generals go?" "When can we meet again?" Fang Xiang replied, "Wherever I go, I will temporarily take refuge with some local feudal lord; when Your Highness borrows troops to march on Chaoguo, I will come and submit myself under your command as a vanguard." The four men wept bitterly before parting.

不表方弼、方相别殿下，投小路而去；且说殷郊对殷洪曰：“兄弟，你投那一路去？”殷洪曰：“但凭哥哥。”殷郊曰：“我往东鲁，你往南都。我见外翁，哭诉这场冤苦，舅爷必定调兵。我差官知会你，你或借数万之师，齐伐朝歌，擒拿妲己，为母亲报雠。此事不可忘了！”殷洪垂泪点头：“哥哥，从此一别，不知何日再会？”兄弟二人放声大哭，执手难分。有诗为证，诗曰： 旅雁分飞实可伤，兄南弟北苦参商。思亲痛有千行泪；失路愁添万结肠。 横笛几声催暮霭；孤云一片逐沧浪。谁知国破人离散，方信倾城在女娘。”

No further mention is made of Fang Bi and Fang Xiang parting from the prince and taking a small road to leave; instead, let us speak about Yin Jiao addressing Yin Hong: "Brother, which route will you take?" Yin Hong replied, "I leave it entirely to my elder brother." Yin Jiao said: "I will go east to Donglu; you will go south to Nandu. I will go to my father-in-law, weepfully plead this injustice; my uncle will surely raise an army. I will send officials to inform you; you may borrow tens of thousands of troops, march together on Chaoguo, capture Daji, and avenge our mother. "Do not forget this matter!" Yin Hong wept and nodded: "Elder brother, since parting now, I wonder when we will meet again?" The two brothers burst into loud sobs, holding each other's hands and unable to separate. There is a poem as evidence; the poem says: Traveling geese flying apart truly cause sorrow, elder brother to the south and younger brother to the north—suffering like Shen and Shang. Thinking of their parents brings tears in thousands; worry over losing the right path adds ten thousand knots to their hearts. A few flute notes cut through the evening mist; a single lonely cloud follows the surging waves. Who could have known that when a state falls, people scatter—only then does one believe that the downfall of an empire lies in a woman."

话言殷洪上路，泪不能乾，凄凄惨惨，愁怀万缕。况殿下年纪幼小，身居宫阙，那晓的跋涉长途。行行且止，后绊前思，腹内又饥。你想那殿下深居宫中，思衣则绫锦，思食则珍馐，那里会求乞于人！见一村舍人家，大小俱在那里吃饭。殿下走到跟前，便教：“拿饭与孤家用！”众人看见殿下身著红衣，相貌非俗，忙起身曰：“请坐，有饭。”忙忙取饭放在桌上。殷洪吃了，起身谢曰：“承饭有扰，不知何时还报你们。”乡人曰：“小哥那里去？贵处？上姓？”殷洪曰：“吾非别人，纣王之子殷洪是也。如今往南都见鄂崇禹。”那些人听是殿下，忙叩在地，口称：“千岁！小民不知，有失迎迓，望乞恕罪。”殿下曰：“此处可是往南都去的路？”乡民曰：“这是大路。”殿下离了村庄，望前趱行，一日走不上二三十里。大抵殿下乃深宫娇养，那里会走路。此时来到前不巴村，后不把店，无处可歇，心下著慌。又行二三里，只见松阴密襍，路道分明，见一座古庙，殿下大喜，一迳奔至前面。见庙门一匾，上书[轩辕庙]。殿下进庙，拜倒在地，言曰：“轩辕圣主，制度衣裳，礼乐冠冕，日中为市，乃上古之圣君也。殷洪乃成汤三十一代之孙，纣王之子。今父王无道，杀子诛妻，殷洪逃难，借圣帝庙宇安宿一夜，明日早行。望圣帝护佑！若得寸土安身，殷洪自当重修殿宇，再换金身。”此时殿下一路行来，身体困倦，圣座下和衣睡倒。不表。

As Yin Hong set out on his journey, he could not dry his tears; filled with sorrow and desolation, countless worries weighed upon him. Moreover, the prince is young and resides in the palace—how could he know of the hardships of a long journey? He walked on and then stopped, hesitating between backward glances and forward thoughts, his stomach also hungry. You must think that the prince lives deep in the palace, thinking of clothes and he has brocade, thinking of food and he is served delicacies—how would he ever beg from others! He saw a farmhouse where people of all ages were eating. The prince walked up and ordered, "Bring food for me to eat!" When the villagers saw that the prince was dressed in red robes and had an extraordinary appearance, they quickly rose and said, "Please sit; we have food." They hurriedly took out rice and placed it on the table. After Yin Hong had eaten, he stood up and thanked them, saying, "I have troubled you by accepting this meal; I wonder when I can repay it to you." The villagers asked, "Young man, where are you going? Where is your destination?" What is your surname?" Yin Hong said, "I am no one else; I am Yin Hong, the son of King Zhou. Now I am going to Nandu to meet E Chongyu." Upon hearing that it was the prince, those people hurriedly knelt on the ground and cried out: "Your Highness!" We humble commoners did not know, and failed to welcome Your Highness properly; we humbly beg for forgiveness." The prince asked, "Is this the road leading to Nandu?" The villagers replied, "This is a main road." The prince left the village and hurried forward; in one day he could not travel more than twenty or thirty li. After all, the prince had been coddled in the palace his whole life and did not know how to walk long distances. At this time, he arrived at a place with no village ahead and no inn behind, nowhere to rest, and his heart grew anxious. After walking another two or three li, he saw a dense grove of pines with a clear path ahead and spotted an ancient temple. The prince was overjoyed and rushed straight toward it. He saw a plaque above the temple gate, which read [Xuanyuan Temple]. The prince entered the temple, knelt and bowed to the ground, saying: "Holy Emperor Xuanyuan, you established systems of clothing, created rites and music with ceremonial caps and crowns, and set up markets at noon—you are a sage ruler from ancient times. Yin Hong is the thirty-first generation descendant of King Chengtang and the son of King Zhou. Now, my father-king is tyrannical, killing his son and 诛 ing his wife. Yin Hong has fled in hardship and seeks to spend one night under the holy emperor's temple for shelter, then will depart early tomorrow. I humbly request your holy protection!" If I can find a place to settle, Yin Hong will certainly rebuild the temple and replace its golden statue." At this time, after traveling all day, the prince was exhausted and fell asleep in his clothes beneath the holy altar. No further mention is made of it.

且言殷郊望东鲁大道一路行来，日色将暮，止走了四五十里。只见一府第，上昼“太师府”。殷郊曰：“此处乃是宦门，可以借宿一宵，明日早行。”殿下曰：“里边有人否？”问了一声，见里边无人答应，殿下只得又进一层门。只听的里面有人长叹，作诗曰： “几年待罪掌丝纶，一片丹心岂白湮。辅弼有心知为国，坚持无地伺私人。孰知妖孽生宫室，致使黎民化鬼磷。可惜野臣心魏阙，乞灵无计叩枫宸。”

Meanwhile, Yin Jiao traveled along the main road toward Donglu; as the sun was about to set, he had only covered forty or fifty li. He saw a mansion with an inscription above its gate reading "Tai Shi Fu." Yin Jiao said: "This place is the residence of a high official; I can stay here for one night and depart early tomorrow." The prince asked, "Is there anyone inside?" After asking once, he saw no one answered from within. The prince had no choice but to enter another gate inward. He heard someone inside sighing deeply, reciting a poem: "Years have passed in disgrace as I hold the silk and regulations—how can my loyal heart be forgotten? With intent to assist, I know it is for the state; yet with no place to stand, how can I serve private interests?" Who could have known that demons would arise within the palace, causing the common people to turn into ghostly lights? Alas, my loyal minister's heart is for Wei Que, but with no way to seek divine aid, I knock in vain at the phoenix throne."

话说殿下听毕里面作诗，殷郊复问曰：“里面有人么？”里面听有人声，问曰：“是谁？”天色已晚，黑影之中，看得不甚分明。殷郊曰：“我是过路投亲，天色晚了，借府上一宿，明日早行。”那里面老者问曰：“你声音好像朝歌人？”殷郊答曰：“正是。”老者问曰：“你在乡，在城？”殿下曰：“在城。”殿下曰：“在城。”──“你既在城，请住来问你一声。”殿下向前一看：“呀，原来是老丞相！”商容见殷郊，下拜曰：“殿下何事到此？老臣有失迎迓，望乞恕罪。”商容又曰：“殿下乃国之储贰，岂有独行至此，必国有不祥之兆。请殿下坐了，老臣听说详细。”殷郊流泪，把纣王杀子诛妻事故细说一遍。商容顿足大叫曰：“孰知昏君这等暴横，绝灭人伦，三纲尽失！我老臣虽是身在林泉，心怀魏阙，岂知平地风波，生此异事，娘娘竟遭惨死，二位殿下流离涂炭。百官为何钳口结舌，不犯颜极谏，致令朝政颠倒！殿下放心，待老臣同进朝歌，直谏天子，改弦易辙，以救祸乱。”即唤左右：“吩咐整治酒席，款待殿下，候明日修本。”

As the prince finished hearing the poem recited from within, Yin Jiao asked again: "Is there someone inside?" From inside, a voice was heard asking, "Who is it?" It was already late in the day; in the darkness, one could not see clearly. Yin Jiao said: "I am a traveler seeking relatives; it is getting late, so I would like to borrow your mansion for the night and leave early tomorrow." The old man inside asked: "Your voice sounds similar to someone from Chaoguo?" Yin Jiao replied, "That is correct." The old man asked: "Are you from the countryside or the city?" The prince said, "In the city." The prince said: "In the city." "If you are from the city, please come forward and I will ask you a question," said the old man. The prince looked ahead and exclaimed: "Ah! It is none other than the old prime minister!" Shang Rong, upon seeing Yin Jiao, knelt and said: "Your Highness, why have you come here? An old minister has failed to welcome you properly; I beg for your forgiveness." Shang Rong added: "Your Highness is the heir to the throne; how could you possibly travel alone here? This must be an ill omen for the state. Please sit, Your Highness. The old minister would like to hear the details." Yin Jiao wept and recounted in detail how King Zhou had killed his son and executed his wife. Shang Rong stamped his foot and cried out in anguish: "Who could have known this tyrant would be so cruel and ruthless, extinguishing human ethics and completely abandoning the Three Bonds! Though I, an old minister, have retired to the mountains and springs, my heart still lingers for Wei Que. How could I have known that such turmoil would arise from nothing, causing this extraordinary tragedy? The Empress Dowager has suffered a cruel death, and the two princes are now in exile and suffering." Why have all the officials remained silent with their mouths sealed, failing to courageously remonstrate and advise against this, leading to such a reversal of justice in court affairs! Your Highness may rest assured. Let me, the old minister, accompany you back to Chaoguo and directly remonstrate with His Majesty. We must change course and policies in order to avert this disaster." He immediately called out to his attendants: "Prepare the wine feast, entertain His Highness well, and prepare a memorial for submission tomorrow."

不言殷郊在商容府内，且说殷、雷二将领兵追赶二位殿下，虽有人马三千，俱是老弱不堪的，一日止行三十里，不能远走。行了三日，走上百里远近。一日，来到三叉路口，雷开曰：“长兄，且把人马安在此处，你领五十名精壮士卒，我领五十名精壮士卒，分头追赶；你往东鲁，我往南都。”殷破败曰：“此意甚善。不然，日同老弱之卒，行走不上二三十里，如何赶得上，终是误事。”雷开曰：“如长兄先赶著，回来也在此等我。若是我先赶著回来，也在此等兄。”殷破败曰：“说得有理。”二人将些老弱军卒屯札在此，另各领年壮士卒五十名，分头赶来，不知二位殿下性命如何，且看下回分解。

Without mentioning Yin Jiao's stay at Shang Rong's mansion, let us now speak of Generals Yin and Lei leading troops in pursuit of the two princes. Although they had an army of three thousand men, most were old or weak and unfit for battle; each day they could only advance thirty li and were unable to travel far. After traveling for three days, they had covered about a hundred li. One day, they arrived at a three-way crossroads. Lei Kai said: "Elder brother, let us station the troops here for now; you lead fifty strong and capable soldiers, and I will also take fifty strong and capable soldiers to pursue separately; you go toward Donglu, and I shall head toward Nandu." Yin Pobai said: "This plan is excellent. Otherwise, with the old and weak soldiers, we can only travel twenty or thirty li a day; how could we possibly catch up? It would ultimately be a waste of time." Lei Kai said: "If you, my elder brother, reach them first, return here and wait for me. If I catch up to them first and return, I will also wait for you here." Yin Pobai replied: "That makes sense." The two men stationed the old and weak soldiers here, while each led fifty strong young soldiers to pursue separately. As for whether the lives of the two princes would be in danger, we shall see in the next chapter.