Is “Bribed Fei Zhong to secure the release of the imprisoned King Wen” true?
attested in history
According to the Records of the Grand Historian, 'Annals of Zhou', San Yisheng and others presented beautiful women and rare objects to King Zhou, who was delighted and released the Earl of the West. The historical record indeed contains the strategy of offering gifts to secure release.
San Yisheng
In official history, he was an important civil official under King Wen of Zhou, while in the novel he is depicted as a cunning strategist who lobbies various parties and devises plans to rescue his lord.