Bo Yi Kao

Bo Yi Kao (Chinese: 伯邑考; Pinyin: Bó Yì Kǎo) is a character in the Ming Dynasty Chinese novel "Fengshen Yanyi" ("Investiture of the Gods"). In the book, Bo Yi Kao is the eldest son of the Grand Duke of the West, Ji Chang.

Role in plot

When Ji Chang went away to the capital Zhaoge and predicted that he would not come back for seven years, Bo Yi Kao was chosen to be the next head of Mount Singing Phoenix. Once the seven years were up, Bo Yi Kao left for the capital to retrieve his father.

Bo Yi Kao left with his three grand treasures as gifts to the king. Dressed in white ceremonial robes as a sign of respect, Bo Yi Kao first met with Prince Bi Gan and was allowed to meet with the king shortly afterwards. On his knees in respect, Bo Yi Kao said: "My father committed a crime against Your Majesty, and Your Majesty spared his life. We are eternally grateful. I am here to beseech Your Majesty to let him come home, so that our family can be whole again. We will be ever and forever singing your praise." With these words, Bo Yi Kao gained the favor of King Zhou, and the sexual attraction of Daji.

Bo Yi Kao's lute-playing won the praise of the king but led Daji to wish for Bo Yi Kao to become close to her, to be able to seduce her. Her attentions were firmly rejected by Bo Yi Kao, however, who had quickly realized Daji's true intention. Due to his action, Daji's love would turn into hatred. With the chance to perform two final songs with his lute as to save his life from the king's wrath, Bo Yi Kao play with even greater skill. Stupidly however, Bo Yi Kao threw the lute at Daji in a fit of anger, which caused his death. If Bo Yi Kao would have simply played his lute and not resorted to physical action, he would have most likely have lived. After Bo Yi Kao's execution his flesh was made into large meat cakes that were sent to Ji Chang, his father, as a test.

References

*"Investiture of the Gods", Chapter 19