Genesis of the Gods

Accompanied by her maids holding lanterns,Queen Jiang got into her coach and headed for the Fairy Longevity Palace. When the guards announced her arrival, King Zhou glanced at

Daji with halfclosed eyes. "Lady Su! Would you please meet Her Majesty for me?"he asked.

Daji walked out, bowed courteously, and escorted the queen into the court. After exchanging greetings, the queen sat down on the right side of the king, while Daji, as a mere concubine, had to remain standing. King Zhou offered a cup of wine to the queen."I'm very glad to see you here tonight, my dear wife!" he said, then ordered Gun Juan, a palace maid, to play upon a hard-wood clapper and Daji to sing and dance to entertain the queen.

Daji danced beautifully and sang with a sweet voice. When she danced her long sleeves waved up and down like graceful butterflies. It seemed as if her feet did not touch the ground. Her performance was applauded by everyone except Queen Jiang, who never even glanced at her. She sat there staring down her nose and breathing into her breast. When King Zhou noticed her expression, he smiled. "Don't you know that the years pass away in a wink, like flowing water, and that we have very little time to enjoy the pleasures of life? Daji sings and dances, and she sings as marvelously as the fairies in Heaven. Talents like hers are certainly rare in this vulgar world. Why can't you enjoy yourself?" he asked her.

At this Queen Jiang stood up, left her seat, andknelt down before the king. "There's nothing wonderful or precious about Daji's singing and dancing,"she replied.

"What, then, is wonderful and precious, if not this?"

"As I've learned, a good ruler is pleased by virtue and contemptuous of material things. He distances himself from minions and lewd concubines. A king's self-awareness is the most precious treasure of the country. The treasures of Heaven are the sun, moon and stars; those of the earth are grains and fruits; those of a country, loyal ministers and fine generals, while those of a family, filial sons and grandsons. However, Your Majesty prefers lewdness and wine, slaughters the loyal, forsakes the elders, connives with the wicked, and trusts only your favorite concubine. There's actually nothing to be prized here, for they only spell the end of the dynasty. I pray that you will repent your errors, hold fast to law and discipline, and be diligent about state affairs,so that Heaven will bless us, the people will be happy and the state will enjoy peace.I'm a mere woman, and I apologize if I've said something wrong, " she stated bravely and then excused herself.

Annoyed with her words,King Zhou turned to Daji. "What's the matter with that woman! She really doesn't know how to appreciate favors. To please her, I asked you to dance and sing, but all she did was say things to annoy me. If she weren't the queen, I would have had her beaten to death with the gold-clawed cudgel." At the third watch,King Zhou was totally drunk. "My beauty! I'm still upset by what happened earlier this evening. Would you please dance for me again to drive my depression away?" he asked.

Daji knelt down before him. "I dare not dance again, Your Majesty."

"What's that? What do you mean?"

"Her Majesty reproached me very severely, saying that dancing andsinging are the downfall of both the family and the state. I'm sure she'sright, and I'm now quite worried. To return your favor, I must serve you to thebest of my ability. But what can I do if Her Majesty holds that I've seducedyou so that you enjoy only sexual pleasure and become a tyrant? For this Iwould be condemned by all the nobles and ministers, who would have all my hairpulled out before they put me to death. But even this would be insufficient punishment for the crimes I've committed," she said, tears rolling down her cheeks like rain.

"You only have to concern yourself with me," the king said, and added angrily,"I will depose her let you take her place. Don't worry, my beauty, I know how to deal with this matter."