Xu Zhonglin or Lu Xixing
This chapter is titled "Two Hermits Stop the Army". Following the leave of each immortal, Jiang Ziya and his generals would prepare for the expedition in three days. Once Jiang Ziya had presented a memorial to King Wu -and effectively attained his consent- the former would assign Huang Tianhua as the frontal vanguard general, Wu Ji the right, Nezha the rear, and Nangong the left. Each would thus drink a cup of wine, thank Jiang Ziya, and then take their leave. After Jiang Ziya had performed a muster call before all his generals, he would order Yellow Flying Tiger to drill the army as to ensure perfection. The great army of Zhou would thus take off the following day once external and internal affairs were well accounted for. It was the now the 24th day of the third month within the 30th year of King Zhou's reign. As the Zhou army passed between Mount Yan and Mount Shouyang, two Taoists would suddenly block their path. The Taoists known as Bo Yi and Shu Qi would reprimand Jiang Ziya for his unfilial actions -- and that he should thus await for repent on the part of King Zhou without any form of attack. The former would respond by saying that such views were exceedingly short-sided and should be avoided for further hurting of the people's will. After these Taoists had been tied up for their intrusion, they would be set free later to return to their mountain.
Once Jiang Ziya and the army of Zhou had reached the Golden Chicken Range, red flags would suddenly appear before the summit of the mountain. After an enemy camp had been effectively located above the summit, Nangong Kuo would volenteer himself to meet the enemy. Wei Ben, the enemy commander, would defeat the former with moderate ease -- and send him back to tell Jiang Ziya that he would like to see him immediately. Before Nangong was to lose his head, Wei Ben would kneel before Jiang Ziya and ask to fight under the banner of Zhou in order for his name to be recorded in the pages of history one day. Jiang Ziya would accept his service with great delight - and release Nangong due to attaining a general that could take his place. Once King Zhou had gotten word of Jiang Ziya's march to the capital of Morning Song, he would assign Kong Xuan as expeditionary commander of defense. Upon Kong Xuan's meeting with Han Rong at Sishui Pass, he would proudly declare that Jiang Ziya, King Wu, nor any other Zhou generals would be able to stand against his supreme strength -- and should thus not be feared. With these words, Kong Xuan would march westward from the gates of Sishui Pass to Golden Chicken Range where his army would halt and set up camp for the night.
Categorized Events edit
- - The memorial consent of King Wu
- - Jiang Ziya's appointing of the four vanguard generals
- - The Zhou army takes leave of Western Foothills; Arrival at Mount Yan
- - The two Taoist hermit's declaration of defiance
- - Arrival at Golden Chicken Range; Wei Ben's testing conflict with Jiang Ziya
- - Wei Ben swears his eternal loyalty; The appointment to position of left vanguard general
- - Morning Song's hearing of situation; Kong Xuan sets out as commander
- - Kong Xuan's arrival at Golden Chicken Range