In the meditation hall of Baolin Temple, Tang Sanzang was sitting under the lamp, sometimes reciting the "Liang Huang Repentance" and sometimes reading the "Peacock Sutra." He sat there until midnight, then finally packed up the scriptures and prepared to sleep. Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound outside, followed by a gust of strong wind.
Fearing the lamp would be blown out, Tang Sanzang quickly shielded the flame with his sleeve. The light flickered, making him a bit uneasy. Feeling drowsy, he leaned over the scripture table to rest. Although his eyes were closed, his mind remained alert, and he could hear the eerie wind whistling outside the window. The sound was like a gentle drizzle, yet at times it roared fiercely, as if covering the stars in the sky and sending dust swirling everywhere. Sometimes the wind was gentle, and other times so fierce it was frightening.
Suddenly, he heard someone faintly calling "Master!" outside the meditation hall. He looked up and saw a person standing there, drenched and with tears in their eyes, repeatedly calling "Master! Master!" Tang Sanzang straightened up and said, "Are you a demon or ghost, coming here at night to play tricks on me? I am a monk from the Tang Dynasty, with three disciples who are masters at subduing demons. If they see you, they will surely vanquish you. You'd better leave quickly."
The person leaned against the door and said, "Master, I am not a demon or ghost." Tang Sanzang asked, "Then why have you come here at this late hour?" The person replied, "Master, take a closer look at me." Tang Sanzang looked carefully and was surprised to see the person wearing a high crown, a jade belt, a yellow robe, cloud-patterned shoes, and holding a jade tablet, resembling an emperor. Shocked, Tang Sanzang quickly asked, "Which emperor has graced us with your presence? Please sit." He reached out to help, but his hand passed through thin air, and when he looked again, it was still the same person. Tang Sanzang then asked, "Which country are you the emperor of, and why have you come here?"
The person, with tears streaming down, explained, "Master, my home is directly west of here, only forty miles away. There is a city I built named Wujiguo." Tang Sanzang asked, "Why are you so distressed, Your Majesty?" The person replied, "Five years ago, my country suffered a severe drought, and the people were in great distress. I was deeply troubled." Tang Sanzang nodded and sighed, "Your Majesty, as the ancient saying goes, 'When the nation is righteous, Heaven is favorable.' You should care for your people, open the granaries, repent past mistakes, and promote virtuous governance, and naturally, the weather will be favorable."
The person continued, "Our granaries were empty, and there was no money or food, not even for me. I followed the example of King Yu, sharing the hardships with the people, praying for rain, but three years passed, and the rivers and wells dried up. Later, a Taoist priest arrived, capable of summoning wind and rain. I asked him to pray for rain, and indeed, it poured heavily. I was so pleased that I became sworn brothers with him." Tang Sanzang said, "That was indeed fortunate for Your Majesty." The person sighed, "But later, he took advantage of my unguarded moment, pushed me into a well, sealed it with a stone slab, and I've been dead for three years, becoming a wrongful ghost!"
Tang Sanzang, realizing he was speaking to a ghost, was so scared that he felt weak all over, with his hair standing on end. Helplessly, he asked, "Your Majesty, what you say doesn't make sense. You've been dead for three years, how did the officials and palace concubines not notice your absence?" The person replied, "Master, the skills of that demon are truly rare! After harming me, he transformed in the garden, taking on my exact appearance without any difference. Now he occupies my throne, seizes my lands, and controls all my officials and concubines."
Tang Sanzang said, "Your Majesty, you are too timid." The person asked, "Why do you say I'm timid?" Tang Sanzang replied, "Even though the demon has some powers and can look exactly like you, why didn't you go to the underworld to file a complaint and express your grievances?" The person sighed, "His powers are vast, and he is well-acquainted with the underworld officials. The city god often drinks with him, the Dragon King is his relative, and even the Eastern Peak Heavenly King and the ten judges of the underworld are his friends. I have nowhere to seek justice."
Tang Sanzang continued, "If you can't complain in the underworld, why come to the mortal world to find me?" The person said, "Master, I dare not come to you on my own. The Night Roaming God used divine wind to bring me here. He said my three years of water disaster should end, and told me to pay you a visit. He also mentioned that you have a disciple, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, who is especially skilled at subduing demons. I came to ask for your help to capture the demon in my country and clarify the truth. I would be eternally grateful." Tang Sanzang asked, "Your Majesty, you want my disciple to help deal with the demon?" The person replied, "Exactly! Exactly!"
Tang Sanzang said, "My disciple may not be good at other things, but when it comes to subduing demons and monsters, that's his specialty. However, I'm afraid the situation might not be so simple." The man asked, "Why is it not simple?" Tang Sanzang explained, "Since the demon can transform to look exactly like you, and all the civil and military officials follow his orders, and the palace concubines are affectionate towards him, even if my disciple has the skills, he wouldn't dare act recklessly. If caught, we could be accused of deceiving the emperor, and that would be troublesome." The man said, "There is someone in the court who can help." Tang Sanzang asked, "That's great! Is it a prince who is in charge?" The man replied, "No, it's my own son, the crown prince."
Tang Sanzang asked, "Has the crown prince been demoted by the demon?" The man answered, "No, he is still in the Golden Throne Hall, or in the Five Phoenix Tower, either studying with scholars or engaging with Taoists. For the past three years, the demon has forbidden the crown prince from entering the palace and seeing his mother." Tang Sanzang inquired, "Why is that?" The man explained, "The demon fears that if the mother and son meet, the truth might be revealed, so he prevents them from seeing each other."
Hearing this, Tang Sanzang sympathized, "Your plight is truly pitiable. My father was also killed by water bandits, and my mother was wronged by them, eventually giving birth to me. I survived in the water, thanks to the master of Jinshan Temple who saved me. Thinking of my own childhood without parents, and now this prince also losing his parents, it's truly heart-wrenching!" He then asked, "Since there is a crown prince in the court, how can I meet him?" The man said, "Tomorrow morning, he will go hunting outside the city. Master, you can take the opportunity to meet him."
Tang Sanzang asked, "He is under the demon's control and can't even see his mother. How can a monk like me meet him?" The man said, "Tomorrow, he will lead three thousand troops out of the city to hunt. Master, you will surely see him. When you do, please relay my words to him; he will surely believe you." Tang Sanzang said, "He is just an ordinary person, deceived by the demon, calling the demon his father every day. How will he believe me?" The man said, "In case he doesn't believe, I will leave a token with you." Tang Sanzang asked, "What kind of token?" The man placed the golden box with the white jade tablet down and said, "This is the token."
Tang Sanzang asked, "What use does it have?" The man explained, "After the demon transformed into me, he lacked this treasure. He deceived everyone, saying it was taken by a Taoist, and for the past three years, it has been missing. When my son sees it, he will surely recognize the truth." Tang Sanzang said, "Alright, I will keep it and have my disciple help you solve this problem. Where do you plan to wait?" The man said, "I dare not wait. I will ask the Night Roaming God to send me back to the palace, to deliver a dream to the queen, so that mother and son can unite, and you and your disciples can work together." Tang Sanzang nodded in agreement, "You may go." After the spirit took his leave, he accidentally tripped, startling Tang Sanzang awake, realizing it was all a dream. He quickly called out in the dim light, "Disciples! Disciples!"
Bajie woke up groggily and asked, "What land? What land? I used to be a carefree hero, living happily by eating people every day. Then you became a monk and dragged us along to protect you on this journey! We were supposed to be monks, but now we're like servants, carrying bags and leading horses by day, and serving you by night! Why are you calling us in the middle of the night now?" Tang Sanzang said, "Disciple, I just dozed off at the table and had a strange dream." Wukong immediately jumped up and said, "Master, dreams are just what you think about. You haven't even reached the mountain and you're already worried about demons, anxious about the long journey to Thunderclap Temple, and thinking about Chang'an, wondering when you'll return, so your mind is restless and dreams are plenty. As for me, I only focus on reaching the West to see the Buddha, and have no dreams at all."
Tang Sanzang said, "Disciple, this dream of mine is not about missing home. As soon as I closed my eyes, a strong wind blew through, and outside the meditation room stood an emperor, claiming to be the King of Wujiguo, drenched and in tears." He recounted the details of his dream to Wukong. Wukong laughed and said, "No need to say more. He came to you in a dream, clearly bringing business to me, old Sun. There must be a demon usurping the throne and seizing the kingdom. I'll help him distinguish the truth. As soon as my staff strikes, the truth will be revealed." Tang Sanzang said, "Disciple, he mentioned that the demon has great powers." Wukong replied, "What do I care about his great powers! Once he knows I'm coming, he'll be too scared to find a place to hide!" Tang Sanzang said, "I remember he left a treasure as a token." Bajie interjected, "Master, don't trouble yourself. It was just a dream, don't take it seriously." Sha Seng added, "Better safe than sorry. Let's light a fire and open the door to take a look." Wukong indeed opened the door, and they all saw, under the starlight and moonlight, a golden box with a white jade tablet placed on the steps.
Bajie went over to pick it up and asked, "Brother, what's this thing?" Wukong said, "This is the treasure from the king's hand, called a jade tablet. Master, since we have this item, it seems the matter is real. Tomorrow, when we catch the demon, it'll all depend on me, old Sun, but you'll need to prepare for three things." Bajie said, "Alright, alright! It was just a dream, and you're taking it seriously. They haven't even come to bother us yet, and you're asking me to prepare for three things."
Tang Sanzang returned to the room and asked, "What are the three things?" Wukong said, "Tomorrow, you'll need to endure being framed, humiliated, and plagued." Bajie laughed, "One of those is tough enough, how can you handle three?" Tang Sanzang, being a wise elder, asked, "Disciple, what do you mean by these three things?" Wukong said, "No need to say much, I'll give you two items first." Wukong plucked a hair, blew some celestial breath on it, and shouted, "Transform!" It turned into a red lacquered box. He placed the white jade tablet inside and said, "Master, hold onto this. At dawn, wear your brocade robe and go to the main hall to recite scriptures. I'll go check out the city. If there's a demon, I'll kill him and make a name for myself; if not, we'll avoid unnecessary trouble."
Tang Sanzang said, "Exactly! Exactly!" Wukong continued, "If the crown prince doesn't leave the city, then forget it. But if he does as in the dream and goes out, I'll definitely bring him to meet you." Tang Sanzang asked, "How should I respond when I meet him?" Wukong said, "When he comes, I'll inform you first. You slightly open the box lid, and I'll transform into a two-inch-tall little monk and enter it. You hold me along with the box. When the prince enters the temple to worship Buddha, you ignore him. If he sees you unmoved, he'll surely try to grab you. Let him beat, bind, or kill you as he wishes." Tang Sanzang exclaimed, "Oh dear! What if he really kills me?" Wukong said, "Don't worry, I'm here. At the critical moment, I'll protect you. If he asks, say you're an envoy from the Eastern Land on a pilgrimage to the West for scriptures. If he asks about treasures, say the brocade robe is a third-rate treasure, and there's something even better. If he inquires further, say there's a treasure in the box that knows the past and future of fifteen hundred years. Then release me. I'll tell the prince about the dream. If he believes, he'll catch the demon and avenge his father, and we'll gain a reputation; if not, show him the white jade tablet. He might be young and not recognize it."
Tang Sanzang was delighted and said, "Disciple, this plan is excellent! But speaking of treasures, one is called the brocade robe, another the white jade tablet. What will you call the treasure you transform into?" Wukong said, "Let's call it the Emperor's Treasure." Tang Sanzang remembered it well. The master and disciples stayed awake all night, eagerly anticipating the dawn, wishing to see the sun rise and disperse the stars.
Soon, the east began to lighten. Wukong reminded Bajie and Sha Seng, "Don't disturb the monks, and don't wander around. Once I succeed, we'll leave together." After saying this, he bid farewell to Tang Sanzang, whistled, and somersaulted into the sky. Using his fiery eyes, he looked west and indeed saw a city. How did he see it so quickly? Because the city was only forty miles from the temple, standing a bit higher allowed him to see it. Wukong flew closer for a detailed look and indeed saw the city shrouded in demonic mist and clouds, with ominous winds swirling.
Wukong looked at the city from the sky and thought to himself, "If the true king were on the throne, there should be an auspicious glow of five colors surrounding it. But now, because a demon has taken the dragon throne, the entire city gate is shrouded in black mist." As he was contemplating this, he suddenly heard a cannon blast. The east gate opened wide, and a grand procession of people and horses came out, truly majestic and imposing. This troop was out for a hunt, and their momentum was fierce. They emerged from the east gate of the forbidden city, spreading out across the grassy plains. Colorful flags fluttered in the wind, white horses galloped past, the sound of war drums echoed in the sky, and spears charged forward in pairs. The soldiers, holding hawks and leading dogs, were all exceptionally brave. Cannons roared thunderously, and the lances gleamed in the sunlight. Everyone held crossbows, each with a carved bow slung at their side. They set nets at the foot of the hills and laid ropes along the paths. With a loud sound, a thousand riders charged out; cunning rabbits couldn't escape, foxes met their end, and even deer weren't spared. The wild pheasants and mountain quails had nowhere to hide. These people were here to hunt fierce beasts and shoot down flying creatures.
The troop exited the city and strolled to the eastern suburbs, traveling twenty miles in no time, reaching a high ground. In the central camp, there was a young general, wearing a helmet and armor, donned in bright battle robes, holding a treasured green sword, riding a yellow horse, with a bow strung at his waist. He looked extraordinary and commanding. Wukong was secretly pleased in the air, thinking, "No doubt, that must be the emperor's crown prince. Let me have some fun with him." So, Wukong descended from the clouds, ran to the front of the prince's horse, and transformed into a white rabbit, darting around in front of the prince's horse. The prince, seeing this, was delighted and immediately picked up his bow, drawing it fully, and shot an arrow straight at the rabbit. In reality, Wukong intentionally let him hit the target. With quick reflexes, Wukong caught the arrowhead, leaving the arrow's feathered shaft to fall in front, then dashed away. The prince, seeing his arrow hit the white rabbit, spurred his horse to chase after it. No matter how fast or slow the prince's horse ran, Wukong managed to stay just ahead of him. In this manner, Wukong gradually led the prince to the mountain gate of Baolin Temple.
Upon reaching the mountain gate, Wukong returned to his original form, and the rabbit disappeared, leaving only an arrow stuck in the threshold. He quickly ran inside and said to Tang Sanzang, "Master, he's here! He's here!" Then he transformed into a two-inch-tall little monk and hid inside the red box.
The prince arrived at the mountain gate, but the white rabbit was nowhere to be seen, only the arrow with carved feathers stuck in the threshold. He was astonished, exclaiming, "How strange! I clearly hit the white rabbit, but now it's gone, leaving only the arrow here! It seems like it's become a spirit over the years." He pulled out the arrow and looked up to see the words "Imperial Baolin Temple" written above the gate.
The prince said, "I see. I remember my father once sent gold and silk to build this temple from the Golden Luan Hall. I didn’t expect to pass by today. What a coincidence, I should go in and have a look."
The prince dismounted, intending to enter, and the officials escorting him, along with the three thousand troops, also arrived, crowding into the mountain gate. The monks in the temple were so frightened that they hurried out to greet them and led the prince into the main hall to pay respects to the Buddha statue.
The prince looked around, intending to stroll through the temple, when he suddenly saw a monk sitting right in the center. He was immediately infuriated, "This monk is truly disrespectful! I brought so many people up the mountain, and although there was no advance notice, you should have come out to greet us. Now the troops are at the door, and you're still sitting there unmoved?" He ordered, "Arrest him for me!" As soon as he spoke, the officers on both sides stepped forward, seized Tang Sanzang, and prepared to tie him up with ropes.
At this moment, Wukong silently recited an incantation inside the box, secretly praying, "Heavenly guardians and the Six Ding Six Jia, I am about to subdue a demon, but this crown prince, ignorant of the situation, wants to bind my master. You must come to protect him; if he truly gets bound, you will all be at fault!" Upon hearing Wukong's plea, the deities dared not ignore him and thus protected Tang Sanzang well. The people couldn't even touch Tang Sanzang's bald head, as if there was an invisible wall preventing them from getting close. The prince was furious, "Where did you come from, using this invisibility trick to deceive me!" Tang Sanzang stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I have no invisibility trick. I am a monk from the Eastern Land, going to Thunderclap Monastery to worship Buddha and seek scriptures." The prince scoffed, "Your Eastern Land may be the Central Plains, but it's quite poor. What treasures do you have? Show me." Tang Sanzang replied, "This robe I wear is a third-rate treasure; there are even better first-rate and second-rate ones!" The prince was incredulous, "Your robe is half-exposed; how much could it be worth, yet you dare call it a treasure!" Tang Sanzang said, "Though this robe is incomplete, there are a few verses that speak of its preciousness: 'The Buddhist robe, half-bared, needs no argument, its true nature hidden, free from worldly dust. Thousands of threads and needles form the true fruit, nine jewels and eight treasures unite the primordial spirit. Crafted with reverence by celestial maidens and holy women, bestowed upon the meditative monk to cleanse the body of impurities. Not welcoming the emperor is one thing, but your father's injustice remains unavenged, truly a life lived in vain!'"
Upon hearing this, the prince was furious, "This monk is spouting nonsense! You exaggerate with your words about that half-piece of clothing. What injustice of my father remains unavenged? Speak and let me hear." Tang Sanzang took a step forward, clasped his hands, and asked, "Your Highness, how many kinds of gratitude exist between heaven and earth?" The prince answered, "There are four kinds of gratitude." Tang Sanzang asked, "Which four?" The prince replied, "The gratitude of heaven and earth for covering and supporting, the gratitude of the sun and moon for shining upon us, the gratitude of the nation and its land and waters, and the gratitude of parents for raising us." Tang Sanzang laughed, "Your Highness is mistaken. People only have the gratitude of heaven and earth, the sun and moon, the nation and its land and waters. Where does the gratitude of parents for raising come from?" The prince angrily retorted, "Monk, you idle, freeloading shaven-headed one! If people weren't raised by their parents, where would their bodies come from?" Tang Sanzang said, "Your Highness, I do not know. But in this red box, there is a treasure called the 'Emperor's Treasure,' which knows the past and future of fifteen hundred years, hence it knows there is no gratitude of parents for raising, and that's why I have been waiting here for a long time."
Upon hearing this, the prince commanded, "Bring it out for me to see." Tang Sanzang opened the box lid, and Wukong jumped out, running around chaotically on both sides. The prince said, "What can this little thing know?" Hearing this, Wukong felt dissatisfied with his small size, so he used his magic, stretched his waist, and grew to three or four feet tall. The soldiers were startled, "If he grows that fast, in no time, he'll break through the sky." Wukong grew back to his original size and stopped growing. The prince asked, "Emperor's Treasure, the old monk says you can know the fortunes of the past and future. Do you have a tortoise shell for divination? Do you have yarrow sticks for divination? On what basis do you determine people's fortunes?" Wukong said, "I need nothing; with just my three-inch tongue, I know everything." The prince said, "This guy is talking nonsense again. From ancient times to now, the 'I Ching' has been extremely profound, determining all the fortunes under heaven, letting people know how to seek benefits and avoid harm. That's why tortoise shells are used for divination, and yarrow sticks for divination. Listening to you, on what basis do you determine fortunes? You speak nonsense, deceiving people's hearts!"
Wukong said, "Your Highness, don't be impatient, listen to me slowly. You are originally the crown prince of Wujiguo. Five years ago, there was a drought every year, and the people suffered. Your emperor and ministers prayed sincerely. When there wasn't a drop of rain, a Taoist from Zhongnan Mountain came. He could call the wind and rain, turn stones into gold. Your father overly favored him and became sworn brothers with him. Is this true?" The prince said, "Yes, yes, yes! Continue." Wukong said, "Three years later, the Taoist was nowhere to be seen. At that time, who was claiming to be the emperor?" The prince said, "Indeed, there was a Taoist. My father became sworn brothers with him, eating and living together. Three years ago, while playing in the imperial garden, a gust of divine wind from him swept the golden box and white jade tablet from my father's hand back to Zhongnan Mountain. To this day, my father still misses him. Because he hasn't been seen, my father has no heart for enjoyment and has kept the garden closed for three years. If not my father, who else could be the emperor?" Upon hearing this, Wukong couldn't help but laugh continuously. The prince asked again, but Wukong didn't answer, only laughed.
The crown prince saw Wukong laughing instead of speaking and became furious, "What's wrong with this guy? What's so funny?" Wukong quickly said, "There's much more to say! But there are too many people here; this isn't the place to talk." Hearing this, the prince sensed there was more to the story, so he waved his sleeve, instructing the soldiers to withdraw. The accompanying officials quickly relayed the order, and the three thousand troops stationed themselves outside the gate. In the hall, only the prince remained seated, with Tang Sanzang standing in front and Wukong on the left. The monks from the temple also withdrew, allowing Wukong to step forward earnestly and say, "Your Highness, those taken away by the wind were your biological parents. The one sitting on the throne now is the Taoist who prayed for rain."
The prince immediately retorted, "Nonsense! Since the Taoist left, our country has enjoyed favorable weather, and the people live in peace. According to you, that wouldn't be my father. I'm young and can tolerate you; if my father heard these words, he would have had you torn to pieces long ago!" With that, he ordered Wukong to step down.
Wukong turned to Tang Sanzang and said, "See? I knew he wouldn't believe me, and indeed he doesn't! Let's just give him a treasure, get a travel document, and hurry west." Tang Sanzang handed the red box to Wukong. Wukong took it, gave his body a shake, and the box disappeared—it was made from his own hair, which he reabsorbed. Then, he presented the white jade tablet to the prince with both hands.
The prince, surprised, exclaimed, "Good monk! Good monk! Five years ago, you were that Taoist who tricked away my family's treasure, and now you're disguised as a monk offering it back!" He commanded, "Seize him!" Tang Sanzang, frightened, pointed at Wukong and said, "You, Bimawen! Always causing trouble and getting me involved!" Wukong quickly stopped him, "Don't shout! Don't let the news leak! I'm not called the Emperor's Treasure; I have a real name too." The prince angrily said, "Come up here! Tell me your real name so I can send you to the judicial office for sentencing!" Wukong said, "I am the senior disciple of this elder, named Sun Wukong. I accompany my master to fetch scriptures from the Western Heaven and stayed here last night. My master was reading scriptures at night, and at the third watch, he dreamt of your father, who said he was harmed by the Taoist and pushed into the octagonal glazed well in the imperial garden. The Taoist transformed into his likeness. The entire court, both civil and military, are unaware, and you, being young, don't understand, and are restricted from entering the palace. The garden is also closed to prevent the truth from coming out. Your father specially came to ask me to subdue the demon. I was worried it might not be a demon, so I checked from the air, and indeed it was a demon. Just as I was about to catch him, you went out hunting. The jade rabbit you shot was me, and I led you to the temple to meet my master and tell you the truth, every word of it. Since you recognize the white jade tablet, how can you not think of your parents' nurturing grace and avenge your family?"
The prince, hearing this, felt both sorrow and conflict in his heart. "If I don't believe it, he speaks as if it's partly true; if I do believe it, the one sitting on the throne is clearly my father." He was truly caught between a rock and a hard place, pondering deeply. Wukong, seeing his hesitation, stepped forward again and said, "Your Highness, there's no need for doubt. Why not return to the kingdom and ask your mother about their marital relationship compared to three years ago? Just ask this, and you'll know the truth." The prince, finding this reasonable, said, "Yes! I'll go ask my mother." He immediately got up, holding the jade tablet, ready to leave. Wukong held him back, saying, "If you return with all these troops, won't the news leak, making my plan difficult to succeed? You must ride back alone, without fanfare, and avoid the main gate, entering through the rear gate. When you see your mother, don't shout; speak quietly. That demon is powerful, and if the news leaks, both your and your mother's lives will be in danger." The prince cautiously agreed, and as he left the mountain gate, he instructed the officers, "Hold the camp steady, no movement. I have matters to attend to; wait for my return before entering the city together." Watch him: commanding the troops to station, he mounted his horse and swiftly returned to the city. As for what he said when he met the empress, that will be revealed in the next installment.
