Chapter 90

诗曰： 眼有明兮耳有聪，能于千里决雌雄。神机才动情先泄，密计方行事已空。 轩庙借灵凭鬼使，棋山毓秀仗桃丛。谁知名载封神榜，难免降魔杵下红。

The poem says: With eyes bright and ears keen, one can decide between male and female from a thousand li away. When divine strategy begins to move, emotions are already revealed; when secret plans are just about to be carried out, the matter has already become futile. Xuanmiao borrowed spirits and relied on ghostly messengers; Qishan, endowed with beauty, depended on peach thickets. Who could know that names inscribed on the Immortal Deities List would inevitably face crimson beneath the magic pestle for subduing demons.

话说高明、高觉同钦差官往孟津来，行至辕门，传：“旨意下！”旗门官报入中军，袁洪与众将接旨，进中军帐开读，诏曰： “尝闻：将者乃三军之司令，系社稷之安危。将得其人，国有攸赖；苟非其才，祸遂莫测，则国家又何望焉。兹尔元帅袁洪，才兼文武，学冠天人，屡建奇功，真国家之柱石，当代之人龙也！今特遣大夫陈友解汤羊、御酒、金帛、锦袍，用酬戍外之劳，慰朕当宁之望。尔当克勤克荩，扑灭巨逆，早安边疆，以靖海宇；朕不惜茅土重爵，以待有功。尔其钦哉！特谕。”

Now, Gao Ming and Gao Jue, together with the imperial envoy, were traveling toward Mengjin. Upon arriving at the gate of the 辕门 (Yuanmen), they heard an announcement: "The edict has been issued!" The flag gate official reported into the central camp, and Yuan Hong along with his generals received the edict. They entered the central command tent to read it aloud. The decree stated: "I have often heard that a general is the commander of the entire army, bearing responsibility for the safety or peril of the state." When one obtains an appropriate general, the nation can rely on him; If it is not a man of talent, then calamity will be unpredictable, and what hope does the state have? Now your marshal Yuan Hong, you possess both literary and martial talents, surpassing even the heavens in learning. You have repeatedly achieved remarkable feats; indeed, you are a pillar of the nation and a dragon among men of this age! Now, I specially dispatch Grand Officer Chen You to deliver Tang sheep, imperial wine, gold and silk, and brocade robes as a reward for your labors beyond the borders and to comfort my longing from the palace. You should diligently and earnestly work to quell this great rebellion, bring early peace to the borderlands, and stabilize the realm; I will not hesitate to bestow noble titles and lands upon those who have rendered service. You must take this most seriously! This is a special imperial decree."

袁洪谢恩毕，款待天使；又令高明、高觉进见。高明、高觉上帐参谒袁洪，行礼毕，袁洪认得他是棋盘山桃精、柳鬼；高明、高觉也认得袁洪是梅山白猿。彼此大喜，各相温慰，深喜是一气同枝。正是： 不是武王洪福天，焉能“七圣”死梅山。

After Yuan Hong had finished expressing his gratitude, he entertained the celestial envoy; He also ordered Gao Ming and Gao Jie to present themselves for an audience. Gao Ming and Gao Jiao entered the tent to pay respects to Yuan Hong. After completing their bows, Yuan Hong recognized them as the peach spirit and willow demon from Qipan Mountain; Gao Ming and Gao Jia also recognized Yuan Hong as the white gibbon of Meishan. Both sides were greatly pleased, warmly consoling each other, and rejoiced deeply at being of the same kindred spirit. Indeed: Were it not for King Wu's great fortune from heaven, how could the "Seven Saints" have perished on Meishan?

高明、高觉在营中与众将相见，各各致意。次日，袁洪修谢恩本，打发天使回朝歌。不表。当日，袁洪命高明、高觉二将往周营搦战。二人慨然出营，至周营，大呼曰：“著姜尚来见我！”哨马报入中军，子牙问左右：“谁去走一遭？”傍有哪吒曰：“弟子愿往。”子牙许之。哪吒领令出营，忽见二人步行而来，好凶恶！怎见得： 一个面如蓝靛腮如灯；一个脸似青松口血盆。一个獠牙凸暴如钢剑；一个海下胡须似赤绳。一个方天戟上悬豹尾；一个加钢板斧似车轮。一个棋盘山上称柳鬼；一个得手人间叫高明。正是：神荼郁垒诚如此，要阻周兵闹孟津。

Gao Ming and Gao Juo met with the generals in the camp, exchanging greetings and conveying their regards. The next day, Yuan Hong prepared a memorial to express his gratitude and sent the celestial envoy back to Chaoguo. No further details are given. On that day, Yuan Hong ordered the two generals Gao Ming and Gao Ju to go to the Zhou camp to issue a challenge. The two men left the camp resolutely, arriving at the Zhou encampment and loudly calling out: "Bring out Jiang Shang to see me!" The scout horseman reported into the central camp. Ziya asked his attendants, "Who will go and meet them?" Beside him stood Nezha, who said, "Disciple is willing to go." Ziya agreed. Nezha accepted the order and left the camp. Suddenly, he saw two men walking toward him—how fierce they looked! How could one describe them: One had a face as blue as indigo and cheeks like lanterns; The other had a face like a green pine tree and a mouth resembling a blood-soaked basin. One had fangs protruding sharply like steel swords; the other had a beard hanging down like a crimson rope. One carried a square-tipped halberd with a leopard's tail dangling from it; the other wielded an iron-edged battle-axe as large as a cartwheel. One was the Willow Demon who claimed dominance on Qipan Mountain; the other, Gao Ming, was known as a formidable figure in the human world. Indeed: just like Shen Tu and Yu Lei, they were truly fearsome, determined to block the Zhou forces from causing chaos in Mengjin.

话说哪吒大呼曰：“来者何人？”高明答曰：“吾乃高明、高觉是也；今奉袁洪将军将令，特来擒拿反叛姜尚耳。你是何人，敢来见我？”哪吒大喝曰：“好孽畜，敢出大言！”摇手中火尖枪，直取二将。高明、高觉举戟、斧劈面迎来。三将交兵，大战在龙潭虎穴。哪吒早现出三头八臂，祭起乾坤圈，正中高觉顶门上，打得个一派金光，散漫于地。哪吒复祭九龙神火罩，把高明罩住，用手一拍，即现九条火龙，须臾烧罢。哪吒回营来见子牙，言圈打高觉，罩住高明一事，子牙大喜。不表。且说高明等二人进营，来见袁洪曰：“姜尚所仗无他，俱倚的是三山五岳门人，故此所在，侥幸成功，不曾遇著我等奥妙之人，莫说是姜尚几个门人，何怕你有通天彻地手段，岂能脱得吾辈之手也！”众人俱各欢喜。次日，高明、高觉又往周营搦战。哨马报入中军：“启元帅：高明、高觉请元帅答话。”子牙问哪吒曰：“你昨日回我灭了二将，今日又来，何也？”哪吒曰：“想必高明二人有潜身小术，请师叔亲临，吾等便知真实。”子牙传令，六百诸侯齐出，看子牙用兵。高明对弟高觉曰：“哪吒言吾等有潜身小术，俱出来一看吾等真实。”言未了，只听炮响，见周营大队排开，似盔山甲海，射目光华。子牙乘四不相，来至军前，看见二将相貌凶恶，丑陋不堪，大喝曰：“高明、高觉，不顺天时，敢勉强而阻逆王师，自讨杀身之祸也！”高明大笑曰：“姜子牙！我知你是昆仑之客，你也不曾会我等这样高人。今日成败定在此举也。”说罢，二将使戟、斧冲杀过来。这边李靖、杨任二骑冲出，也不答话，四处兵器交加。正是四将赌斗，怎见得，有诗为证，诗曰： 四将交锋在孟津，人神仙鬼孰虚真。从来劫运皆天定，纵有奇谋尽堕尘。

Now, Nezha shouted loudly: "Who dares approach?" Gao Ming replied, "We are Gao Ming and Gao Yue; we have come under the orders of General Yuan Hong to specially capture the rebellious Jiang Shang." Who are you, daring to confront me?" Nezha roared, "You wretched beast, how dare you speak so boldly!" He brandished his fire-tipped spear and charged directly at the two generals. Gao Ming and Gao Yue raised their halberds and axes, rushing forward to meet him head-on. The three generals engaged in battle, clashing fiercely amidst the dragon pools and tiger dens. Nezha quickly manifested his three heads and eight arms, summoning the Qiankun Ring, which struck precisely on Gao Yue's forehead. It hit with a burst of golden light, scattering him to the ground. Nezha then summoned the Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Canopy, trapping Gao Ming within it. With a single clap of his hands, nine fiery dragons appeared and quickly consumed him in flames. Nezha returned to the camp and reported to Ziya about striking Gao Yue with the ring and trapping Gao Ming in the fire canopy. Ziya was greatly pleased. No further details are given. Meanwhile, Gao Ming and the other returned to camp and presented themselves before Yuan Hong, saying: "Jiang Shang has no extraordinary strength; he merely relies on his disciples from the Three Mountains and Five Great Peaks. Therefore, wherever they are, their success is purely by chance, for we have not yet encountered someone as profound as ourselves. Not only a few of Jiang Shang's disciples, but even if you possess abilities that reach through heaven and earth, how could you escape our hands!" The others were all delighted. The next day, Gao Ming and Gao jue went to the Zhou camp again to issue a challenge. A scout horseman reported into the middle camp: "Your Excellency, Gao Ming and Gao ju request a response from the general." Ziya asked Nezha: "You returned yesterday and defeated two generals for me, yet they have come again today. Why is that?" Nezha said: "It must be that Gao Ming and his companion possess some minor technique for concealing themselves. Please, Uncle, come in person, and we shall know the truth." Ziya gave orders, and all six hundred feudal lords marched out to witness Ziya's strategy. Gao Ming said to his younger brother Gao Jue: "Nezha claims we have some minor concealment technique. Let us all come out and show them our true abilities." Before he could finish speaking, a cannon roared. Looking up, they saw the Zhou army deployed in full force, like mountains of armor and seas of helmets, gleaming with reflected light. Ziya rode the Sibuxiang and arrived at the front of his army. Seeing the two generals' fierce appearance and repulsive looks, he roared: "Gao Ming and Gao Jue! You defy the will of heaven and dare to stubbornly resist our royal forces—this is only inviting a death sentence upon yourselves!" Gao Ming laughed loudly, saying: "Jiang Ziya! I know you are a guest from Kunlun Mountain, but you have never encountered someone of our caliber before. Today's victory or defeat will be decided by this very encounter." No sooner had he finished speaking than the two generals charged forward with halberds and axes. On this side, Li Jing and Yang Ren rode out together without saying a word, their weapons clashing in all directions. Indeed, the four generals were locked in fierce combat. How could one describe it? A poem serves as evidence: Four generals clash at Mengjin; among men, gods, spirits, and ghosts, who is real or false to know? From ancient times, all calamities are heaven's decree; even the most ingenious strategies will ultimately fall into dust.

话说杨戬在傍，见高明、高觉一派妖气，不是正人，仔细观看，以备不虞。只见杨任取出五火扇来，照高明一扇，只听得“呼”的一声，化一道黑光而去。李靖也祭起黄金塔来，把高觉罩在里面，一时也不见了。袁洪同众将正在辕门看高明兄弟二人大战周兵，见杨任用五火扇子扇高明，又见李靖用塔罩高觉，忙命吴龙、常昊接战。二将大叫曰：“周将不必回营，吾来也！”哪吒登风火轮来战吴龙；杨戬使三尖刀敌住常昊；四将大战。袁洪心下自思曰：“今日定要成功，不可错过。”把白马催开，使一条宾铁棍来战子牙。傍有雷震子、韦护二人截住袁洪相杀。怎见得，有赞为证，赞曰： 凛凛寒风起，森森杀气生。白猿使铁棒；雷震棍更雄。韦护降魔杵，来往势犹凶。舍命安天下，拚生定太平。

Now, Yang Jian, standing nearby, observed the demonic aura surrounding Gao Ming and Gao Jiu. He realized they were not righteous men and carefully watched them in case of unexpected trouble. Just then, Yang Ren took out the Five-Flame Fan and waved it toward Gao Ming. With a "whoosh," a black light shot away from him. Li Jing also summoned the Golden Pagoda, trapping Gao Jue inside it; in an instant, he too vanished. Yuan Hong, along with his generals, was watching from the 辕门 (Yuan Men) as Gao Ming and his brother fiercely battled the Zhou forces. Seeing Yang Ren use the Five-Flame Fan on Gao Ming and Li Jing trap Gao Jue in the pagoda, he quickly ordered Wu Long and Chang Hao to engage in battle. The two generals shouted loudly: "Zhou generals need not return to your camp—we are coming!" Nezha mounted his Wind-Fire Wheel and rushed forward to fight Wu Long; Yang Jian wielded his three-pointed spear to confront Chang Hao; the four generals engaged in fierce battle. Yuan Hong thought to himself: "Today is the day I must achieve success; I cannot miss this opportunity." He spurred his white horse forward and wielded a staff of silver iron to fight Ziya. Beside them, Leizhenzi and Wei Hu intercepted Yuan Hong and joined the battle. How could one describe this scene? A verse serves as evidence: A chilling wind rises, a deadly aura spreads. The white gibbon wields an iron staff; Leizhenzi's staff is even more formidable. Wei Hu wields the demon-subduing pestle, moving back and forth with fierce momentum. They risk their lives for the peace of the world, vying to bring stability through life or death.

话说雷震子展风雷翅，飞在空中，那条棍从顶上打来。韦护祭起降魔杵，此杵岂同小可，如须弥山一般打将下来。袁洪虽是得道白猿，也经不起这一杵，袁洪化白光而去，止将鞍马打得如泥。杨戬祭哮天犬咬常昊；常昊乃是蛇精，狗也不能伤他。常昊知是仙犬，先借黑气走了。哪吒祭起神火罩，罩住吴龙；吴龙也化青气走了。总是一场虚话。

Now, Leizhenzi spread his wind-thunder wings and flew into the air; a staff struck down from above. Wei Hu summoned his demon-subduing pestle. This pestle was no ordinary weapon; it came crashing down like Mount Sumeru itself. Though Yuan Hong was a cultivated white gibbon, he could not withstand this single strike. Yuan Hong transformed into a streak of white light and vanished, leaving only his saddle and horse beaten to pieces like mud. Yang Jian summoned the Howling Sky Dog to bite Chang Hao; Chang Hao was a serpent spirit, and the dog could not harm him. Realizing it was a divine beast, Chang Hao first borrowed black mist to escape. Nezha summoned the Divine Fire Canopy and trapped Wu Long within it; Wu Long also transformed into a wisp of green mist and fled. It was all for naught, an empty struggle.

子牙鸣金回营。杨戬上帐曰：“今日会此一阵，俱为无用。当时弟子别师尊时，师父曾有一言分付弟子说：‘若到孟津，谨防梅山七圣阻隘。’教弟子留心。今日观之，奈宝不能成功，俱化青黑之气而走。元帅宜当设计处治，方可成功。若是死战，终是无用。”子牙曰：“吾自有道理。”当日至晚，子牙帐中鼓响，众将官上帐听令。子牙命李靖领柬帖：“你在八卦阵正东上，按震方，画有符印，用桃桩，上用犬血，……如此而行。”又命雷震子领柬帖：“你在正南上，按离方，亦有符印，也用桃桩，上用犬血，……如此而行。”命哪吒领柬帖：“在正西上，按兑方，也用桃桩，上用犬血，……如此而行。”又命杨任：“在正北上，按坎方，也用桃桩，上用犬血，……如此而行。杨戬，你可引战，用五雷之法，望桃桩上打下来。韦护，你用瓶盛乌鸡、黑狗血，女人尿屎和匀，装在瓶内，见高明、高觉赶上我阵中，你可将瓶打下，此秽污浊物压住他妖气，自然不能逃走。此一阵可以擒二竖子也。”众门人听令而去。子牙先出营，布开八卦，暗合九宫，将桃桩钉下。正是： 设计要擒桃柳鬼，这场辛苦枉劳神。

Ziya sounded the gong and returned to camp. Yang Jian entered the tent and said, "Today's battle was all in vain. When I parted from my master, the teacher once gave me a warning: 'If you reach Mengjin, be wary of the Seven Saints of Meishan blocking your path.' He instructed me to remain vigilant. Observing today's events, it seems that none of them can achieve success; they all transformed into green and black mist and fled. The general should devise a plan to deal with them in order to succeed. If we fight them directly, it will ultimately be of no use." Ziya said: "I have my own plan in mind." That day, by evening, the drums sounded at Ziya's tent, and all the generals entered to receive orders. Ziya ordered Li Jing to take the letter and said: "You will be stationed at the due east position of the Bagua Formation, according to the Zhen direction. There are talismans drawn there; use peach stakes with dog's blood on them... proceed in this manner." He also ordered Leizhenzi to take the letter and said: "You will be stationed at due south, according to the Li direction. There are also talismans there; use peach stakes as well, with dog's blood on them,... proceed in this manner." He ordered Nezha to take the letter and said: "You will be stationed at due west, according to the Dui direction. Use peach stakes there as well, with dog's blood applied,... proceed in this manner." He also ordered Yang Ren: "You will be stationed at due north, according to the Kan direction. Use peach stakes as well, apply dog's blood,... proceed in this manner." Yang Jian, you may lead the attack and use the Five Thunder Method to strike down upon the peach stakes. Wei Hu, you are to use a bottle to hold black-cock blood and black-dog blood, mix them with the urine and excrement of a woman until evenly blended, and put it inside the bottle. When you see Gao Ming and Gao Jue rushing into my formation, smash the bottle; this filthy mixture will suppress their demonic aura, and naturally they will be unable to escape. With this formation, we can capture those two rascals." All the disciples received their orders and departed. Ziya first left camp, laid out the Bagua formation, secretly aligning it with the Jiugong system, and drove in the peach stakes. Indeed: A plan to capture peach and willow spirits—this effort proves fruitless and exhausts one's spirit in vain.

子牙安置停当。且说高明听著子牙传令安八卦方位，用乌鸡、黑狗血，钉桃桩拿他兄弟，二人大笑不止：“空费心机！看你怎样捉我二人！”次日，子牙亲临辕门搦战。袁洪命高明、高觉出营，大呼曰：“姜子牙，你自称扫荡成汤大元帅。据吾看，你不过一匹夫耳！你既是昆仑之士，理当遣将调兵，共决雌雄；为何钉桃桩，安符印，周围布八卦，按九宫，用门人将乌鸡、黑狗血秽污之物压我二人。吾非鬼魅精邪，岂惧你左道之术也！”二人道罢，放步摇斧、举戟，直取子牙。子牙左右有武吉、南宫适二马齐出，急架忙迎。四将交兵，枪刀并举。高明逞精神，如同猛虎；南宫适使气力，一似欢龙；高觉戟剌摆长旛；武吉枪来生杀气。四将酣战。子牙催四不相，仗剑也来助战；未及数合，便往阵中败走。高明笑曰：“不要走！吾岂惧你安排，吾来也！”兄弟二人随后赶入阵来。刚入得八卦方位，东有李靖，南有雷震子，西有哪吒，北有杨任，四面发起符印，处处雷鸣；韦护在空中将一瓶秽污之物往下打来，那些鸡犬秽血，溅得满地。高明、高觉化阵青光，早已不见了。众门人亲自观见，莫知去向。子牙收兵回营，升帐坐下，大怒曰：“岂知今日本营先有奸细私透营内之情，如此何日成功也！将吾机密之事尽被高明知道，此是何说！”杨戬在傍曰：“师叔在上：料左右将官自在西岐共起义兵，经过三十六路征伐，今进五关，经过数百场大战，苦死多少忠良，今日至此，克成汤只在目下，岂有这样之理。据弟子观之，此二人非是正人，定有些妖气，那光景大不相同。望师叔详察。今弟子往一所在去来，自知虚实。”子牙曰：“你往那里去？”杨戬曰：“机不可泄，泄则不能成功也。”子牙许之。杨戬当晚别子牙去讫。且说高明、高觉来见袁洪，言子牙用八卦阵，将钉桃桩的事说了一遍。袁洪具表往朝歌报捷。高觉听的周营子牙与杨戬共议，杨戬要往一所在去，又听见杨戬不肯说，兄弟二人曰：“凭你怎样寻吾根脚，料你也不能知道！”二人又大笑一回。不表。

Ziya had everything arranged properly. Meanwhile, Gao Ming, hearing Ziya issue orders to set up the Bagua positions and use black-cock and black-dog blood along with peach stakes to capture them, burst into laughter. "All this effort is in vain!" "See if you can catch the two of us!" The next day, Ziya personally went to the gate and challenged them to battle. Yuan Hong ordered Gao Ming and Gao Jiao to leave camp, and they shouted loudly: "Jiang Ziya, you claim to be the great general who will sweep away Chengtang. In my view, you are nothing but a common man! Since you claim to be from Kunlun, you should have sent generals and mobilized troops to decide the outcome in battle; why are you nailing peach stakes, placing talismans, arranging the Bagua around us in accordance with the Jiugong pattern, and using your disciples to smear filth such as black-cock blood and dog's blood upon us? We are not ghosts or demons; how could we fear your left-hand arts!" After saying this, the two men took a step forward, brandishing axes and raising halberds, rushing straight at Ziya. Ziya's left and right were guarded by Wu Ji and Nangong Shi, who both rode out together to quickly intercept and meet the attack. The four generals engaged in battle, raising spears and swords at once. Gao Ming displayed his strength with the ferocity of a tiger; Nangong Shi exerted all his might, like a jubilant dragon; Gao Jiao wielded his halberd and waved a long banner; Wu Ji's spear struck with deadly intent. The four generals fought fiercely. Ziya urged Sibuxiang forward, sword in hand, to join the battle; Before several exchanges could take place, they turned and fled back into their formation. Gao Ming laughed and said: "Don't run! How could I fear your arrangements? Watch me come!" The two brothers then rushed into the formation. As soon as they entered the Bagua positions, to the east was Li Jing, to the south Leizhenzi, to the west Nezha, and to the north Yang Ren. Talismans were activated from all four directions, and thunder roared everywhere; Wei Hu in the air smashed a bottle of filthy substances downward, and the blood from chickens and dogs splattered all over the ground. Gao Ming and Gao Jiao transformed into streaks of green light and had already vanished. All the disciples witnessed it with their own eyes, yet none knew where they had gone. Ziya withdrew his troops and returned to camp, entered the tent, sat down, and angrily said: "How could I know that today there were already spies in our camp who had secretly revealed information from within. If this continues, when will we ever achieve success! All my secret plans have been discovered by Gao Ming—what is the explanation for this!" Yang Jian said from the side: "Master Uncle, please forgive my boldness. Surely among our generals and officers in the west of Qi who have joined us to raise an army for justice, after enduring thirty-six campaigns, advancing through five passes, and fighting hundreds of major battles, countless loyal men have died. We have come this far, and now we are on the verge of defeating Chengtang—how could such a thing happen? In my view, these two men are not righteous people; they must be possessed of demonic energy. The scene was clearly different from the norm. I beg you, Master Uncle, to investigate carefully. Now I shall go to a certain place and will personally discover the truth." Ziya asked: "Where are you going?" Yang Jian replied: "The plan must not be revealed; if it is, success will not be achieved." Ziya gave his approval. Yang Jian bid farewell to Ziya that evening and departed. Meanwhile, Gao Ming and Gao Jia returned to see Yuan Hong and recounted how Ziya had used the Bagua Formation. They explained in detail about the peach stakes being driven into the ground. Yuan Hong submitted a report to Chaoguo to announce his victory. Gao Jiao heard that in the Zhou camp, Ziya and Yang Jian were discussing something. Yang Jian had said he was going to a certain place but refused to reveal where. The two brothers laughed: "No matter how you try to trace our origins, I wager you cannot find out!" The two of them burst into laughter once more. We will not dwell on this further.

且说杨戬离了周营，借土遁往玉泉山金霞洞来，正是： 遁中道术真玄妙，咫尺清风万里程。

Meanwhile, Yang Jian left the Zhou camp and used earth 遁 (earth-cloaking technique) to travel directly to Jin Xia Cave on Yuquan Mountain. Indeed: The art of 遁术 is truly wondrous; a breath of fresh wind covers ten thousand miles in an instant.

话说杨戬来至金霞洞，见洞门紧闭，杨戬洞外敲门。多时，一童子出来，见是师兄，忙问曰：“师兄何来？”杨戬曰：“烦贤弟通报。”童子进洞内，见玉鼎真人，启曰：“师兄杨戬在洞府外求见。”真人起身分付曰：“著他进来。”杨戬来至碧游床前下拜。真人曰：“你今到此为何？”杨戬把孟津事说了一遍。真人曰：“此业障是棋盘山桃精、柳鬼。桃、柳根盘三十里，采天地之灵气，受日月之精华，成气有年。今棋盘山有轩辕庙，庙内有泥塑鬼使，名曰千里眼，顺风耳；二怪托其灵气，目能观看千里，耳能详听千里；千里之外，不能视听也。你可叫姜子牙著人往棋盘山去，将桃、柳根盘掘挖，用火焚尽；将轩辕庙二鬼泥身打碎，以绝其灵气之根；再用一重雾常锁营寨，……如此如此，则二鬼自然绝也。”杨戬受命，离了玉泉山，复往周营而来。军政官报与子牙，子牙令入中军，问杨戬曰：“此去如何？”杨戬摇头不语，犹恐泄机。子牙曰：“你今日为何如此？”杨戬曰：“弟子今日不敢言，且随弟子行之。”子牙并依杨戬，不去阻挡。杨戬执定令旗下帐，把后队大红旗二千杆令三军磨旗；又令一千名军士擂鼓鸣锣，恍然有惊天动地之势。子牙见杨戬加此，不如其故。杨戬方来对子牙曰：“高明、高觉二人乃是棋盘山桃精、柳鬼。他凭托轩辕庙二鬼之灵，名曰千里眼，顺风耳。如今须用旗招展不住，使千里眼不能观看；锣鼓齐鸣，使顺风耳不能听察。请元帅命将往棋盘山，掘挖此根，用火焚之；再令将官去把轩辕庙里二鬼打碎；然后用大雾一重，常锁行营，此怪方能除也。”子牙听说：“既然如此，吾自有治度。”子牙令李靖：“领三千人马，速往棋盘山，去挖绝其根。”又令雷震子：“去打碎泥塑鬼使。”后人有诗叹之，诗曰： 虎斗深山渊斗龙，高明高觉逞邪踪。当时不遇仙师指，难灭轩辕二鬼风。

As the story goes, Yang Jian arrived at Jin Xia Cave and found the cave entrance tightly shut. He knocked on the door from outside the cave. After a long time, a young boy came out and saw it was his senior brother. He hurriedly asked: "Senior Brother, where have you come from?" Yang Jian said: "Would you please inform my master for me." The young boy went inside the cave and saw Yuding Zhenren, then reported: "Senior Brother Yang Jian is requesting an audience outside the cave." The True Man stood up and gave instructions: "Let him in." Yang Jian approached the Biyou bed, knelt down, and paid his respects. The True Man asked: "Why have you come here today?" Yang Jian recounted the events at Mengjin in full. The True Man said: "This karmic obstacle is caused by a peach spirit and willow ghost from Qipan Mountain. Their roots spread over thirty li, drawing on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, absorbing the essence of sun and moon for many years. Now at Qipan Mountain there is a Xuanyuan Temple, and inside the temple are clay statues of ghost messengers named Qianliyan (Thousand-Mile Eye) and Shunfeng'er (Wind-Listening Ear); these two monsters have taken on their spiritual energy, allowing them to see a thousand li with their eyes and hear clearly for a thousand li with their ears; Beyond a thousand li, they cannot see or hear. You should tell Jiang Ziya to send someone to Qipan Mountain, dig up the roots of the peach and willow trees, and burn them completely with fire; smash the clay bodies of the two ghost messengers in the Xuanyuan Temple to cut off their spiritual energy at its source; then use a dense fog to constantly shroud the camp,... proceed in this way, and then these two ghosts will naturally be destroyed." Yang Jian accepted the instructions, left Yuquan Mountain, and returned to the Zhou camp. The military official reported this to Ziya, who ordered Yang Jian into his central command and asked: "How did it go?" Yang Jian shook his head in silence, still fearing the plan might be revealed. Ziya asked: "Why are you acting this way today?" Yang Jian replied: "Disciple dares not speak now, but please follow my lead." Ziya followed Yang Jian's suggestion and did not interfere. Yang Jian took the command flag, went out of camp, and ordered the rear forces to raise two thousand red banners for all three armies to prepare their flags; He also ordered one thousand soldiers to beat drums and sound gongs, creating a sudden spectacle as if the heavens were shaken and earth moved. Ziya saw Yang Jian take these actions but did not understand their purpose. Yang Jian finally approached Ziya and said: "Gao Ming and Gao Jie are actually peach spirits and willow ghosts from Qipan Mountain. They rely on the spiritual power of two ghost messengers at Xuanyuan Temple, named Qianliyan and Shunfong'er. Now we must keep the banners flying constantly so that Qianliyan cannot see; the gongs and drums must be sounded together, so Shunfeng'er cannot hear. Please have the general send troops to Qipan Mountain to dig up these roots and burn them with fire; then order the generals to go and smash the two ghosts inside Xuanyuan Temple; only then can we use a thick fog to constantly surround our camp, and only in this way can these monsters be eliminated." Ziya listened and said: "If that is the case, I have my own plan for dealing with it." Ziya ordered Li Jing: "Lead three thousand troops and rush to Qipan Mountain immediately to dig up and destroy their roots." He also ordered Leizhenzi: "Go and smash the clay statues of the ghost messengers." Later generations composed a poem lamenting this, which goes: Tigers clash in the deep mountains; dragons contend in the abyss. Gao Ming and Gao Jiejie display their demonic traces. At that time, without the guidance of a divine master, it would have been hard to quell the evil winds of the two ghosts at Xuanyuan.

话说子牙安排已定，只等二门人来回令。且说高明、高觉只听得周营中鼓响锣鸣不止，高觉曰：“长兄，你看看怎样？”高明曰：“一派尽是红旗招展，连眼都愰花了。兄弟，且可听听看。”高觉曰：“锣鼓齐鸣，把耳朵都震聋了，如何听得见一些儿？”二人急躁。不表。只见李靖人马去掘桃、柳的根盘；雷震子去打泥塑的鬼使；子牙在帐内望二人回来，方好用计破之。次日，子牙在中军，忽报：“雷震子回来。”子牙令至中军，问其“打泥鬼如何？”雷震子曰：“奉令去打碎了二鬼，放火烧了庙宇，以绝其根，恐再为祟；待周王伐纣功成，再重修殿宇未迟。”子牙大悦，随在帐前令哪吒、武吉在营布起一坛，设下五行方位，当中放一镡，四面八方俱镇压符印，安治停当。只见李靖掘桃、柳鬼根盘已毕，来至中军回话。子牙大喜。正是： 李靖掘根方至此，袁洪举意劫周营。

Now that Ziya had made all his arrangements, he only waited for his two disciples to return with their report. Meanwhile, Gao Ming and Gaojue heard the continuous sound of drums and gongs from the Zhou camp. Gaojue said to his elder brother: "Elder Brother, you take a look at what is happening." Gao Ming replied: "All I see are red banners flying everywhere; it's so dazzling that my eyes can't even focus." "Brother, let us listen for a moment." Gaojue said: "The gongs and drums are ringing together, shaking our ears to deafness; how can we possibly hear anything at all?" The two of them became very anxious. No further details are given. Just then, Li Jing's troops went to dig up the roots of the peach and willow trees; Leizhenzi went to smash the clay statues of the ghosts. Ziya waited in his tent for the two men to return, so that he could then proceed with his plan to defeat them. The next day, while Ziya was in the central command, a report suddenly came: "Leizhenzi has returned." Ziya summoned him to the central command and asked, "How did it go with smashing the clay ghosts?" Leizhenzi said: "As ordered, I smashed the two ghosts and set fire to the temple to destroy their roots, so they will not cause trouble again; once King Zhou of Zhou has successfully attacked and defeated King Zhou [of Shang], it is not too late to rebuild the temple." Ziya was very pleased. Immediately, in front of his tent he ordered Nezha and Wuji to set up an altar within the camp, arranging the five elements according to their positions. In the center they placed a cauldron, and on all sides were talismans and seals to subdue and control the area; everything was arranged properly. Just then, Li Jing arrived at the central command after having finished digging up the roots of the peach and elm tree ghosts to report. Ziya was greatly pleased. Indeed: Li Jing digs up the roots and arrives here, while Yuan Hong plots to attack Zhou's camp.

话说子牙在中军共议：“东伯侯还不见来？”忽报：“三运督粮官郑伦来至。”子牙令至帐前，郑伦回令毕，交纳粮印。郑伦听得土行孙已死，著实伤悼。不表。且说袁洪在营中自思：今与周兵屡战，未见输赢，枉费精神，虚费日月。”令左右暗传与常昊、吴龙：“令高明、高觉冲头阵，今夜劫姜尚的营。”又令：“参军殷破败、雷开为左右救应，殷成秀、鲁仁杰为断后；务要一夜成功。”众将听令，只等黄昏行事。话说子牙在中军，忽见一阵风从地而起，卷至帐前。子牙见风色怪异，搯指一算，早知其意。子牙大喜，传令：“中军帐钉下桃桩，镇压符印，下布地网，上盖天罗，黑雾迷漫中军。令各营俱不可轻动。李靖拒住东方；杨任拒住西方；哪吒拒住南方；雷震子拒住北方；杨戬、韦护在将台左右保护。”子牙令南宫适、武吉、郑伦、龙须虎等：“各防守武王营寨。”众将得令而去。子牙沐浴上台，等候袁洪来劫营寨。诗曰： 子牙妙算世无双，动地惊天势莫当。二鬼有心施密计，三妖无计展疆场。 遭殃杨任归神去，逃死袁洪免丧亡。莫说孟津多恶战，连逢劫杀损忠良。

Now Ziya was in central command discussing with others: "The Duke of Dongbo still has not arrived?" Suddenly a report came: "Zhen Lun, the third-ranking official overseeing grain transport, has arrived." Ziya summoned him to in front of his tent. After Zhen Lun reported and finished his orders, he handed over the grain seal. Zheng Lun heard that Tuxingsun had died and was genuinely grieved. No further details are given. Meanwhile, Yuan Hong in his camp reflected to himself: "Now I have fought many battles with the Zhou forces and neither side has won or lost; it is a waste of effort and time." He ordered his attendants to secretly pass the message to Chang Hao and Wu Long: "Order Gao Ming and Gaojiao to lead the vanguard, and launch a night raid on Jiang Shang's camp tonight." He also ordered: "Have the military advisor Yin Pobai and Lei Kai serve as left and right reinforcements, while Yin Chengxiu and Lu Renjie will be responsible for covering the rear; we must succeed in one night." The generals listened to the orders and waited for dusk to take action. Now Ziya, in central command, suddenly saw a gust of wind rising from the ground and swirling toward his tent. Ziya observed that the wind was strange in appearance, made a calculation by counting on his fingers, and immediately understood its meaning. Ziya was greatly delighted and gave orders: "Drive a peach stake into the central command tent, place talismans and seals for subjugation, lay an earth net beneath it, cover it with a heavenly net above, and let thick black fog envelop the central command. Order all camps not to move lightly." Li Jing would guard the east; Yang Ren guarded the west; Nezha guarded the south; Leizhenzi guarded the north; and Yang Jian and Wei Hu would protect on both sides of the general's platform." Ziya ordered Nan Gongdi, Wuji, Zheng Lun, Longxu Hu and others: "Each of you is to defend King Wu's camp." The generals received the orders and went off. Ziya bathed, ascended to the platform, and waited for Yuan Hong to launch a raid on the camp. The poem says: Ziya's brilliant calculations are unmatched in the world; his power shakes the earth and startles the heavens, unstoppable. The two ghosts plot secretly with ill intent, while the three demons have no strategy to expand their battlefield. Yang Ren suffers misfortune and returns to the gods; Yuan Hong escapes death and avoids destruction. Do not say that there are many fierce battles at Mengjin—continuously facing ambushes and killings, loyal men suffer losses.

话说袁洪当晚打点人马劫营，大破子牙，以成全功。才至二更时分，高明、高觉为头一队，袁洪为二队。鲁仁杰对殷成秀曰：“贤弟，据我愚见，今夜劫营，不但不能取胜，定有败亡之祸。况姜子牙善于用兵，知玄机变化，且门下又多道德之士，此行岂无准备。我和你且在后队，见机而作。”殷成秀曰：“兄长之言甚善。”不说他二人各自准备，且说高明、高觉来至周营，点起大炮，响一声喊杀进营来。袁洪同常昊、吴龙从后接应。子牙在将台上披发仗剑，踏罡布斗，霎时四下里风云齐起，这正是子牙借昆仑之妙术，取神荼、郁垒。不知凶吉如何，且听下回分解。

Now Yuan Hong that night prepared his troops to raid the camp, determined to defeat Ziya and achieve complete success. Just as it reached two hours after midnight, Gao Ming and Giao Jue led the first unit, while Yuan Hong commanded the second. Lu Renjie said to Yin Chengxiu: "Dear younger brother, in my humble opinion, tonight's raid on the camp will not only fail to bring victory but is certain to bring disaster and defeat. After all, Jiang Ziya is skilled in military strategy, understands the mysteries of transformation, and has many virtuous disciples under his command. How could he possibly be unprepared for this attack? You and I should stay in the rear unit and act according to circumstances." Yin Chengxiu said: "Your words, elder brother, are very wise." Without mentioning how the two of them each made their preparations, let us instead speak of Gao Ming and Gaojia who arrived at Zhou's camp, raised a big cannon, and with one loud shout charged into the camp. Yuan Hong, together with Chang Hao and Wu Long, came from behind to provide support. Ziya, on the general's platform, let his hair loose and held a sword in hand. He stepped through the Ganzhen formation and suddenly winds and clouds arose from all directions. This was precisely Ziya employing the wondrous techniques of Kunlun to summon Shentu and Yulei. Whether this brings fortune or misfortune remains unknown; we shall hear in the next chapter.