The four disciples of Tang Sanzang continued their journey westward. Along the way, they traversed through lush green mountains and clear waters, admiring the wildflowers and grasses. Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was late autumn. The mountains were ablaze with fiery red maple leaves, and yellow flowers stood resiliently against the autumn wind. The cicadas' chirping grew lazier, and the crickets' songs carried a hint of melancholy. Lotus leaves were torn, revealing their green stems, and the ripe oranges filled the air with their fragrance. A few wild geese flew across the sky in formation.
As they traveled, night began to fall. Tang Sanzang asked, "Disciples, it's getting dark. Where shall we rest?" Sun Wukong replied, "Master, that's not right. As monks, we're used to eating in the wind and sleeping under the stars. We should be content with whatever comes our way, so there's no need to ask where to rest." Zhu Bajie chimed in, "Brother, it's easy for you since traveling is light work for you, but we're exhausted! Since crossing the Flowing Sands River, we've been climbing mountains and hills. I'm carrying this heavy load, and I can't take it anymore! We should find a place to stay, get some food, and take a break. That's the sensible thing to do." Wukong laughed, "You sound like you're complaining. You want to laze around like at Gao Village? That's not happening. As cultivators, we must endure hardships to be good disciples."
Bajie complained, "Brother, just look at how heavy this luggage is!" Wukong said, "Brother, since you and Sha Monk joined, I haven't carried the load, so I wouldn't know how heavy it is." Bajie started listing the items: "Four pieces of yellow vine, eight ropes, and extra layers of felt for rain protection. The load is slippery, so there are nails at both ends. There's the nine-ringed staff with copper and iron fittings, and a large cloak wrapped in rattan. With all this luggage, I'm carrying it every day, yet you and Master treat me like a laborer!" Wukong laughed, "Who are you complaining to?" Bajie replied, "Brother, I'm talking to you." Wukong said, "Wrong, I only care about Master's safety. You and Sha Monk are responsible for the luggage and horse. If you slack off, I'll give you a smack with my staff!"
Bajie continued, "Brother, don't talk about hitting people. That's just bullying. I know you're proud and don't want to carry the load, but the horse Master rides is strong and only carries one monk. It could carry some luggage too, as a brotherly gesture." Wukong laughed, "Do you think that's an ordinary horse? It's the third prince of the Dragon King of the Western Sea, known as the Dragon Horse. He set fire to the palace's precious pearls, and his father accused him of rebellion, breaking heavenly laws. Fortunately, Guanyin Bodhisattva saved him. He waited for Master at the Eagle Sorrow Gorge. Luckily, the Bodhisattva came, removed his scales and horns, took the pearl from his neck, and transformed him into this horse, willing to carry Master to the West to worship Buddha. It's all about fate, so don't compare yourself to him." Sha Monk asked, "Brother, is it really a dragon?" Wukong replied, "Yes, it's a dragon." Bajie added, "Brother, I've heard that dragons can summon clouds and fog, stir up earth and sand, and have the power to churn rivers and seas. Why is it moving so slowly today?" Wukong said, "If you want it to go faster, I'll make it go faster for you." With that, the Great Sage waved his golden staff, and a myriad of colorful clouds rose. The horse, seeing the staff, feared being hit and galloped like lightning, speeding off in a flash. Master couldn't rein it in and had to let it run up the mountain ridge before it slowed down. Master, catching his breath, looked up and saw a few houses nestled in the shade of a pine forest, looking quite promising.
As Master reined in the horse to observe, Wukong and the others caught up. Sha Monk asked, "Master, did you fall off the horse?" Tang Sanzang scolded, "Wukong, you mischievous monkey, you startled the horse! Luckily, I managed to stay on!" Wukong grinned, "Master, don't scold me. It was all because Zhu Bajie said the horse was moving too slowly, so I made it go faster." Bajie, having chased after the horse and out of breath, muttered, "I'm done! My back aches, and the load is heavy. I can't carry it anymore, and I still had to chase the horse!" Tang Sanzang said, "Disciples, look over there. There's a manor. We could go and ask for shelter." Upon hearing this, Wukong looked up and saw auspicious clouds hovering above, knowing it was a place touched by Buddha or immortals. Not wanting to reveal the secret, he simply said, "Alright! Let's go ask for shelter."
Tang Sanzang quickly dismounted and saw an ornate gate. Sha Monk set down the luggage, and Bajie led the horse, saying, "This family must be wealthy." Just as Wukong was about to enter, Tang Sanzang stopped him, saying, "No, as monks, we must avoid suspicion. We can't just enter without permission. Let's wait for someone to come out and then ask politely." Bajie tied up the horse and leaned against the wall, while Tang Sanzang sat on a stone drum, and Wukong and Sha Monk sat on the steps. They waited for a long time, but no one came out. Impatient, Wukong jumped up and went inside to look: he found three halls facing south, with curtains hanging high. A painting of Shoushan Fuhai hung on the screen door, and the golden lacquered pillars on both sides bore large red couplets that read, "Silk floats on the weak willow bridge at dusk, snow dots the fragrant plum in the courtyard in spring." In the center was a black lacquered incense table with an ancient bronze beast-shaped censer. Inside the hall were six armchairs, with four-season hanging scrolls on either side.
Sun Wukong was secretly observing when he suddenly heard footsteps coming from the back door. Out came a middle-aged woman who asked in a delicate voice, "Who dares to intrude into the home of a widow?" This startled the Great Sage, and he quickly bowed repeatedly, saying, "I am a monk from the Eastern Land of Tang, on a mission by imperial decree to visit the West to seek Buddhist scriptures. My master and fellow disciples are passing through this area, and as it is already late, we kindly ask the gracious Bodhisattva for a night's lodging." The woman smiled and said, "Elder, where are the other three? Please invite them in." Wukong promptly called out, "Master, please come in!" Thus, Tang Sanzang, along with Bajie and Sha Monk, entered, leading the horse and carrying their loads, as the woman came out to greet them. Upon seeing her, Bajie's eyes widened, thinking to himself that this woman was indeed well-dressed:
She wore a green silk jacket woven with gold, overlaid with a light red sleeveless jacket, and a goose-yellow embroidered skirt tied around her waist. On her feet were high-heeled flower shoes. Her hair was styled in a fashionable bun, lightly covered with black gauze, adorned with two dragon-shaped hairpins in different colors, along with a palace-style ivory comb and a gold hairpin that glimmered brightly. Despite her slightly graying hair, she still possessed a certain charm, with earrings dangling with pearl pendants. Even without makeup, she had a natural beauty, resembling a young woman.
The woman was delighted to see the three travelers and politely invited them into the hall. After exchanging greetings, she invited them to sit and have tea. Suddenly, a young girl emerged from behind a screen, carrying a golden tray with jade cups, the aroma of fragrant tea and exotic fruits wafting through the air. The young girl, with colorful sleeves and slender fingers, served the tea with grace, bowing to each of them. After tea, the woman ordered a vegetarian meal to be prepared. It was then that Tang Sanzang asked, "Gracious Bodhisattva, may I ask your surname? What is this place?" The woman replied, "This is the Western Continent of Cattle-gift. My maiden name is Jia, and I married into the Mo family. Unfortunately, my parents-in-law passed away early, and my husband and I managed the ancestral estate together. We have a wealth of riches and fertile lands, but fate did not bless us with a son, only three daughters. My husband passed away two years ago, and now I am a widow. This year, my mourning period has just ended. I have no relatives left, only my daughters and the estate. I am reluctant to remarry and leave the family fortune. Seeing that you, venerable monks, have arrived, I was thinking that since there are four of you, and I have three daughters, perhaps we could arrange a match. What do you think?"
Tang Sanzang closed his eyes and pretended not to hear. The woman continued, "We own over three hundred acres of paddy fields, over three hundred acres of dry fields, and over three hundred acres of orchards. We have over a thousand cattle, herds of mules and horses, and countless pigs and sheep. In all directions, we have estates and pastures, totaling sixty or seventy places. There is an abundance of rice and silk, and more gold and silver than we can use. If you and your disciples choose to stay, you could enjoy wealth and luxury, which surely is better than the arduous journey to the West?" Tang Sanzang remained unmoved, silent.
The woman went on, "I was born in the year of Dinghai, on the third day of the third month, at the hour of You. My husband was three years older than me, and I am now forty-five. My eldest daughter, Zhenzhen, is twenty, my second daughter, Aiai, is eighteen, and my youngest daughter, Lianlian, is sixteen. None of them are betrothed. Though I am plain, my daughters have some beauty and are skilled in needlework and crafts. Since my late husband had no sons, I raised them as sons, teaching them to read and write, compose poetry and couplets. Though we live in the mountains, we are not crude, and I believe they are worthy matches for you venerable monks. If you are willing to grow your hair and become the head of the family, wearing silk and satin, it would be far better than your current life of clay bowls and coarse robes, snow shoes and cloud hats!"
Tang Sanzang sat there, as if struck by lightning, like a frog caught in the rain, staring blankly and rolling his eyes. Bajie, enticed by the wealth and beauty, felt restless and uncomfortable, fidgeting in his chair as if sitting on pins and needles. Unable to resist, he approached and tugged at his master's sleeve, "Master! This lady is speaking to you, why aren't you responding? At least say something." Tang Sanzang suddenly snapped out of it and scolded Bajie, "You wicked creature! We are monks, how can we be swayed by wealth and tempted by beauty? What sense does that make?" The woman laughed, "Oh dear! What good is there in being a monk?" Tang Sanzang replied, "Gracious lady, what good is there in being a householder?" The woman said, "Elder, please sit and let me tell you the benefits of being a householder. Listen to me, as there's a poem to prove it: In spring, wear new silk clothes; in summer, change to light gauze and enjoy lotus flowers; in autumn, savor freshly brewed fragrant wine; in winter, drink in the warm pavilion until your face turns red. Enjoy the pleasures of all four seasons, with exquisite delicacies in abundance; on wedding nights, the bed is adorned with brocade, better than traveling and chanting Amitabha." Tang Sanzang said, "Gracious lady, you enjoy wealth and luxury, with no worries about food and clothing, and your children gathered around you, which is indeed wonderful. But we monks also have our own advantages. Listen to me, as there's a poem to prove it: Becoming a monk requires extraordinary resolve, casting aside the hall of former affections. Free from idle gossip, the body aligns with the natural order. When one's practice is complete, one ascends to the Golden Palace, realizing one's true nature and returning home. This surpasses the greedy pursuit of worldly pleasures, only to end up with a decaying body in old age."
Upon hearing this, the woman immediately became furious. "These monks are truly rude! If it weren't for the fact that you've come from such a distant land, I would have already thrown you out. I sincerely want to take you as sons-in-law, yet you insult me with your words. Even if you've sworn not to return to secular life, at least one of your companions could stay. Why are you so stubborn?" Seeing her anger, Tang Sanzang had to smile apologetically and said, "Wukong, why don't you stay here?" Wukong replied, "I have never understood these matters since I was a child; perhaps Bajie should stay." Bajie quickly interjected, "Brother, don't put me in a spot. Let's discuss this calmly."
Tang Sanzang then said, "If neither of you are willing, then perhaps Wujing should stay." Sha Monk responded, "Master, what are you saying? I was enlightened by the Bodhisattva and have been following you to learn the way. It's only been less than two months, and I haven't achieved any significant results. How can I be tempted by wealth and luxury? Even if it means death, I will go to the West and never commit such a deceitful act." Seeing them push the responsibility around, the woman was infuriated, turned around, and slammed the door behind the screen. The master and disciples were left outside with no tea or food, and no one paid them any attention. Bajie, feeling anxious, complained to Tang Sanzang, "Master, you really don't understand. You spoke too bluntly. You could have just agreed casually, coaxing her into giving us a vegetarian meal, and we could have spent a comfortable night here. Tomorrow, we could decide whether to stay or not. But now the door is shut, and we won't even get a hot meal. How are we going to endure the night?"
Sha Monk suggested, "Second Brother, why don't you stay here and become the son-in-law?" Bajie replied, "Brother, don't put me in a difficult position. Let's think of a solution." Wukong said, "What solution? If you’re willing, let Master marry the woman, and you become the live-in son-in-law. With their wealth, they would certainly provide a generous dowry and host a wedding banquet, and we could benefit from it. If you return to secular life here, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?" Bajie said, "That's easy to say, but wouldn't that mean leaving the monkhood, returning to secular life, and abandoning my wife to marry again?" Sha Monk asked, "Second Brother, do you have a wife?" Wukong replied, "You don't know, do you? He was originally the son-in-law of the Gao family in Wusizang. Later, I subdued him, and he received the Bodhisattva's precepts. Helplessly, I brought him to become a monk, making him abandon his former wife and follow Master to the West. Perhaps being away from home for so long has made him nostalgic, and upon hearing the proposal, his heart was swayed. Fool, you should just become their son-in-law. Just pay me a few respects, and I won't expose you." Bajie shouted, "Nonsense! Everyone has these thoughts, but you choose to make a fool of me. As the saying goes: 'Monks are hungry ghosts of lust,' who wouldn't want this? You're all pretending and messed up a good thing. Now there's no tea to drink, no lights to manage, and after enduring this night, the horse still needs to carry people tomorrow. If we go hungry all night, we'll be exhausted. You all sit tight, I'm going to tend to the horse." With that, Bajie hurriedly untied the reins and led the horse outside. Wukong said, "Sha Monk, stay with Master. I'll follow him to see where he takes the horse." Tang Sanzang instructed, "Wukong, go have a look, but don't mock him too much." Wukong replied, "I know." So he transformed into a red dragonfly, flew out the front door, and caught up with Bajie.
The fool led the horse, deliberately avoiding areas with grass for it to eat, and slowly made his way to the back door. There, he saw the woman and her three daughters admiring chrysanthemums outside the back door. Upon seeing Bajie, the three daughters quickly retreated inside, leaving the woman standing at the door. She asked, "Little monk, where are you going?" Bajie quickly dropped the reins and stepped forward to bow, "Madam! I'm here to tend to the horse." The woman said, "Your master is really stubborn. Wouldn't it be better to become a son-in-law in my family than to be a wandering monk heading to the West?" Bajie smiled and said, "They are following the Tang emperor's orders and dare not defy them, which is why they are unwilling to stay."
He continued, "Just now, they all pushed me out in the front hall, and I felt a bit inferior, fearing that you might dislike my long snout and big ears." The woman laughed, "I don't mind that. It's just that there's no one to head the household, so bringing someone in wouldn't be bad. I'm just afraid my youngest daughter might find you unattractive." Bajie said, "Madam, please tell your daughter not to be picky. My master, Tang Sanzang, may be good-looking, but he's not very useful. Though I may be ugly, I have some skills." The woman curiously asked, "What do you mean?" Bajie replied, "Though I'm not handsome, I'm diligent and capable. I can plow a thousand acres without oxen, just with one sweep of my rake, and the seeds will sprout. I can bring rain when there's none, and summon wind when it's calm. If the house is too low, I can add two or three stories."
"I can sweep where it's dirty, and clear blocked drains. I can handle all sorts of household matters." The woman said, "If you can manage these tasks, then go discuss it with your master. If it's not awkward, we can take you as a son-in-law." Bajie said, "No need to discuss! He's not my real parent; whether I do this or not is up to me." The woman said, "Alright, I'll go speak to my daughter." With that, she went inside and closed the back door. Bajie didn't bother to graze the horse and led it forward. Little did he know, Sun Wukong had already heard everything. He transformed back into his original form and went to Tang Sanzang, saying, "Master, Wuneng has returned with the horse." Tang Sanzang said, "If the horse isn't properly grazed, it might run away." Wukong laughed and recounted the conversation between the woman and Bajie from start to finish, leaving Tang Sanzang unsure whether to believe it.
After a while, Bajie returned, tied up the horse, and Tang Sanzang asked, "Is the horse taken care of?" Bajie replied, "There's no good grass, no place to graze." Wukong said, "No place to graze, but there's a place to lead the horse?" Hearing this, Bajie realized he was exposed and could only remain silent, frowning. Suddenly, the back door opened, and two red lanterns appeared, along with a pot of fragrant tea. The aroma filled the air as the woman, accompanied by her three daughters, stepped out, inviting Zhenzhen, Aiai, and Lianlian to greet the scripture-seeking travelers. The three girls stood in the hall and bowed, indeed looking beautiful: each with eyebrows like green feathers and faces like peach blossoms.
They were charming and graceful, like celestial maidens descending from the heavens, or Chang'e emerging from the Moon Palace. Tang Sanzang clasped his hands and bowed his head, Sun Wukong pretended not to care, and Sha Monk turned his back. As for Zhu Bajie, his eyes were fixed, his mind in turmoil, and he muttered softly, "Thank you, fairies, for your presence. Madam, please have your daughters return inside." The three girls went behind the screen, leaving only two silk lanterns. The woman asked, "Which of you four elders is willing to marry my youngest daughter?" Sha Monk said, "We've discussed it, and the one with the surname Zhu will marry in." Bajie quickly said, "Brother, don't put me in a spot, let's discuss this calmly." Wukong said, "What's there to discuss? You agreed at the back door, even called her 'mother,' what more is there to say? Master will be the groom's father, the woman will be the bride's mother, I'll be the matchmaker, and Sha Monk will be the go-between. No need to check the almanac, today is a good day. After you bow to Master, go in and become the son-in-law." Bajie said, "No! No! How can this be right?" Wukong said, "Fool, stop pretending. You've called her 'mother' so many times, what else is there to deny? Just agree, and let us enjoy the wedding feast."
Sun Wukong grabbed Bajie with one hand and the woman with the other, laughing, "Mother-in-law, take your son-in-law inside." The fool Bajie stumbled along, and the woman called to the servants, "Quickly set up tables and chairs, prepare dinner, and entertain the three guests-in-law. I'll take the son-in-law to the room first." Meanwhile, she instructed the kitchen to prepare a banquet for a family gathering the next morning. The servants busied themselves. The three disciples had dinner and quickly rested in the guest room.
Let's talk about Bajie, who followed his mother-in-law into the house. They wound through so many rooms and crossed so many thresholds that he kept stumbling. Bajie couldn't help but say, "Mother, please slow down. I'm not familiar with this place. Could you guide me a bit?" The woman laughed and said, "These are just storerooms, granaries, and mills. We haven't even reached the kitchen yet." Bajie marveled, "What a vast estate!" After stumbling around for a while longer, they finally reached the inner hall. The woman said, "Son-in-law, your senior brother said today is a good day, so we're letting you in. But in our haste, we didn't invite a master of ceremonies for the wedding. Just bow eight times towards the top, and it will suffice." Bajie said:
"Mother, you're right. You sit up there, and I'll bow a few times. That will count as the wedding ceremony and a gesture of thanks, killing two birds with one stone!" The mother-in-law laughed heartily, "Alright, alright, you're indeed a convenient son-in-law. I'll sit, and you bow." With the hall aglow with silver candles, Bajie completed his bows and asked, "Mother, which sister are you marrying to me?" The mother-in-law looked troubled, "I thought of marrying my eldest daughter to you, but I'm afraid the second daughter won't be happy. If I marry the second daughter to you, the third might be upset. If I marry the third, the eldest might be displeased. So I haven't decided." Without thinking, Bajie said, "Mother, then give them all to me, so there's no quarrel or disorder." The mother-in-law exclaimed, "What kind of reasoning is that! How can you take all three of my daughters?" Bajie replied, "Mother, nowadays, who doesn't have multiple wives? I'd gladly accept more. I learned some skills in my youth and promise to keep them all happy." The woman said, "No, no! I'll give you a handkerchief. Cover your face and have a blind wedding. As my daughters walk past you, whoever you catch will be your bride." Bajie complied, taking the handkerchief to cover his head.
There's a poem that goes: "The foolish one knows not the origin, harmed by desires, quietly ceases. Always believing in the rites of Zhou, today the groom dons the veil." The fool was ready and said, "Mother, please let the sisters come out." The mother-in-law called, "Zhenzhen, Aiai, Lianlian, come for the blind wedding and marry your husband." All he heard was the jingling of ornaments and a fragrant scent, as if fairies were walking back and forth. Bajie truly reached out to grab, but no matter how he lunged, he caught nothing. Back and forth he went, with countless figures moving, yet he caught no one. He lunged eastward and hit a pillar, stumbled westward and hit a wall, running until he was dizzy, unable to stand, and fell to the ground, his mouth swollen and head bruised. Sitting there, he panted, "Mother, your daughters are too slippery. I can't catch a single one. What do I do?"
The mother-in-law removed his veil and said, "Son-in-law, it's not that my daughters are slippery. They are just too modest to marry you." Bajie said, "Mother, if they won't, then marry me yourself." The woman laughed, "Good son-in-law, you have no sense of propriety, even wanting your mother-in-law! My three daughters are skilled and each made a pearl-embroidered shirt. Whichever one you wear will determine your bride." Bajie said, "Alright, alright, bring all three for me to try. If they all fit, then all can marry me." The woman went inside and brought out only one shirt for Bajie. The fool took off his old clothes and put on the shirt, but before he could tie the belt, he suddenly fell to the ground. It turned out ropes had tightly bound him, causing him to cry out in pain, while everyone else had vanished.
Meanwhile, Tang Sanzang, Wukong, and Sha Monk awoke to find it was already daylight. Opening their eyes, they saw no grand mansion or decorated halls, just a pine forest around them. Tang Sanzang hurriedly called for Wukong, and Sha Monk said, "Brother, it's over! We've encountered spirits!" Sun Wukong understood and smiled slightly, "Why do you say that?" Tang Sanzang said, "Look where we're sleeping!" Wukong said, "Sleeping under the pine trees isn't bad. I just wonder what trouble that fool has gotten into." Tang Sanzang asked, "Who got into trouble?" Wukong laughed, "That family of women must be manifestations of some Bodhisattvas, likely leaving at midnight, leaving poor Zhu Bajie in a bind." Hearing this, Tang Sanzang clasped his hands in prayer. Just then, they noticed a piece of paper fluttering from an ancient cypress tree. Sha Monk quickly retrieved it and showed it to the master. It contained eight lines of verse:
"The Old Mother of Mount Li has no earthly desires, the Bodhisattva of the Southern Seas calls her down the mountain. Samantabhadra and Manjusri were guests, transformed into beauties in the forest. The holy monk has virtue and no worldliness, Bajie has no Zen and is full of desire. From now on, calm your heart and amend your ways, lest indolence make the journey hard!" As the three disciples read the poem, they suddenly heard a loud shout from deep in the forest, "Master! I'm tied up! Save me! I won't dare again!" Tang Sanzang asked, "Wukong, is that Wuneng shouting?" Sha Monk said, "It is." Wukong said, "Brother, let's leave him. We should go." Tang Sanzang said, "Though this fool is silly, he has strength and remembers the grace of the Bodhisattva. Let's rescue him and let him continue with us. He should not dare to repeat his mistakes." Sha Monk packed their belongings, Wukong untied the horse, and they led Tang Sanzang into the forest to find Bajie. As the saying goes: Cultivation requires caution, only by eliminating desires can one return to truth. As for Bajie's fate, we will discuss it next time.
