The Enchanting Deception

Suhu was startled by the strange wind that swept through. Just as he was filled with doubt, he suddenly heard a cry from the rear courtyard, "A demon is coming!" Hearing about a demon in the rear, Suhu quickly grabbed his whip, rushed into the rear courtyard, held a lamp in his left hand, a whip in his right, and circled behind the main hall. The lamp in his hand was extinguished by the demonic wind. Suhu quickly turned around and called for his servants to bring more light. When he returned to the rear courtyard, he saw the attendants in a state of panic.

Suhu hurried to the bedside of Daji, his daughter. He lifted the curtains and asked, "My child, did you see anything when the demonic aura invaded just now?" Daji replied, "Father, I heard the attendants shouting 'A demon is coming' in my dream. When I rushed to see, I saw a light, but I didn't see any demons." Suhu sighed with relief and said, "Thank heaven and earth that you weren't frightened. That's enough." He comforted his daughter and then continued to inspect the surroundings, unable to rest.

Unbeknownst to him, the response he received was from a thousand-year-old fox, not Daji. When the lamp was extinguished earlier, it had been quite some time since Daji's soul was absorbed by the fox. She had long been dead. The fox had taken on her form to deceive King Zhou and bring about his downfall. This was preordained by fate and beyond human control.

Suhu felt anxious and couldn't sleep that night. He thanked the protection of heaven and ancestors for not causing harm to his beloved daughter. Otherwise, it would have been a crime against the king, and he would have had to explain himself. As soon as dawn broke, he left the inn in Enzhou and headed towards Chaoge.

His journey was long, and he traveled day and night, eating meager meals and drinking water to sustain himself. Crossing the Yellow River, he finally reached Chaoge and set up camp. Suhu sent an official into the city to arrange an audience with King Huang Feihu of the Shang dynasty. When Huang Feihu received Suhu's request for an audience and the document explaining his daughter's redemption, he immediately dispatched Longhuan to deliver a message to Suhu. Longhuan instructed Suhu to leave his men and horses outside the city walls and escorted Suhu and his daughter into the city, arranging accommodations at the Jinting Inn.

Meanwhile, powerful ministers like Fei Zhong and You Hun were displeased with Suhu's audacity. They complained, "This rebel, despite offering his daughter for redemption, doesn't understand the unpredictable moods of the king. We hold the power to control his life and death. He completely disregards us, which is infuriating."

Putting aside the ministers' grievances, let's focus on King Zhou, who was in the Longde Hall. A royal attendant informed him, "Fei Zhong requests an audience, Your Majesty." The king commanded, "Summon him." As Fei Zhong entered the court, he paid his respects and prostrated himself before the king, then reported, "Your Majesty, Suhu from Jizhou, who presented his daughter for redemption, has arrived in the capital awaiting your decision."

Upon hearing this, King Zhou was furious and exclaimed, "This man, who previously defied my orders and caused chaos, was spared and allowed to return to his homeland thanks to your advice. Yet now he dares to compose poems at the Wu Gate, mocking and belittling me. This is utterly unforgivable. Tomorrow, when I meet him, I shall enact the full force of the law to punish him for his insolence."

Fei Zhong took this opportunity to intercede, "Your Majesty, the law exists not solely for the king's benefit but for the welfare of the people. If we allow rebellious subjects to go unpunished, it would be a lawless reign. A kingdom without law is forsaken by its subjects."

The king acknowledged, "Your words are well-spoken. Tomorrow, I shall have my say." After Fei Zhong left, the king ascended the throne, and the courtiers paid their respects. The king declared, "Those with memorials may come forward. If there are no pressing matters, you may disperse."

Before he could finish his words, an official from the noon gate announced, "Lord Suhu of Jizhou is awaiting judgment at the noon gate, requesting an audience to present his daughter for redemption." The king ordered, "Issue the command."

Suhu, dressed in the attire of a condemned official, humbly arrived at the court, prostrating himself before the king and declaring, "This unworthy servant, Suhu of Jizhou, is guilty and deserves death!"

King Zhou addressed him sternly, "Suhu of Jizhou, you composed a rebellious poem at the Wu Gate, 'Never to attend the Shang dynasty again,' and when General Chonghouhu was sent to investigate, you resisted with your own forces, causing harm to our royal troops. What do you have to say for yourself now that you stand before me again?"

The king ordered his attendants, "Bring out the executioner and prepare for the beheading at the noon gate, following the law." But just as the execution was about to take place, the Prime Minister Shang Rong stepped forward to plead, "Suhu rebelled against the state, and it is just to execute the law. However, the West Duke Housheng sent a decree for Suhu to redeem his crime by presenting his daughter. This would fulfill the duty between sovereign and minister. Now that Suhu has obeyed the king's law and presented his daughter for redemption, this matter should be considered."

King Zhou hesitated, and Fei Zhong took the opportunity to argue, "The Prime Minister's words are reasonable. Let us summon Suhu's daughter, Daji, to the court. If she possesses beauty and grace and behaves courteously, we can employ her in our service and pardon Suhu. If she fails to meet our expectations, we can execute her publicly to uphold the law. This way, Your Majesty, you will not lose the trust of your subjects."

The king agreed, "Your words make sense." Thus, the king commanded his attendants, "Summon Daji for an audience."

Daji entered through the noon gate, crossed the Nine Dragon Bridge, and arrived at the Dripswater Hall. Holding a ivory tablet high, she bowed before the king, exclaiming, "Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"

King Zhou fixed his gaze upon her and saw Daji's beauty. Her jet-black hair cascaded like clouds, her almond-shaped face was delicate and rosy, reminiscent of a spring mountain. Her slender waist swayed gently, like a willow branch. She resembled a fairy from the heavens, not inferior to the celestial beings of the Yaochi Palace, and was as enchanting as Chang'e in the moon palace. Daji's red lips resembled cherries, and her sweet and gentle voice was like a harmonious melody. Her flirtatious eyes, like the curved phoenix eyes

, radiated endless charm. King Zhou was entranced and didn't know how to react.

At that moment, King Zhou stood beside his throne, commanding, "Rise, beautiful lady." He then instructed his palace attendants, "Escort Queen Su to the Shouxian Palace and wait for my return to the palace." He quickly ordered an official to proclaim, "Suhu is pardoned of all his crimes. His official position is restored, and his noble status is elevated. He will receive an additional monthly stipend of two thousand bushels of grain. Celebrate in the Xianqing Hall for three days, where all officials and ministers will congratulate the royal family, and they shall revel for three days. Two civil officials and three military officials will accompany him back to his homeland."

Suhu expressed his gratitude, while the civil and military officials felt uneasy about the king's obsession with Daji. Nevertheless, they had no choice but to attend the celebrations in the Xianqing Hall.

Let's not dwell on Suhu's redemption any longer and focus on King Zhou, who, after welcoming Daji, indulged in feasting and revelry day and night. Court affairs deteriorated, and official reports piled up like mountains, left unattended. King Zhou's administration was in disarray, and the realm fell into chaos.

Many vassal states and lords from all over the country came to Chaoge, but the documents stacked in the study remained untouched, and they were unable to meet the king in person. With the nation descending into chaos, the ministers' petitions became increasingly desperate.