Chapter 68

When all wholesome karmic conditions are gathered in perfection, fame spreads throughout the four continents. The light of wisdom reaches the other shore, with a rushing wind; dark clouds rise at the horizon's edge. All Buddhas respond in turn, dwelling forever on the Jasper Terrace for myriad ages without end. Breaking free from the butterfly dream of the human world—let it rest, let it rest; wash away the dust and gloom, and stir no sorrow. Now the story tells how the Master and his disciples cleansed themselves of filth in the alley and set out on the road of carefree wandering. Time passed swiftly, and again the hot season was upon them. Truly: The pomegranate spreads its brocade pellets, Lotus leaves unfurl their green plates. On both roads, green willows hide the swallows; Passersby flee the heat, waving their silk fans. As they journeyed on, they suddenly saw a city drawing near. Sanzang reined in his horse and called out, "Disciples, what place is that?" Wukong said, "Master, so you cannot read characters—how did you ever manage to leave the court with the Tang King's decree?" Sanzang said, "I have been a monk since childhood and have mastered all the scriptures and classics. How can you say I cannot read?" Wukong said, "If you can read, then how is it that on the city wall there is a yellow apricot banner with three large characters clearly written on it, yet you do not recognize them, but ask what place it is?" Sanzang scolded, "You reckless ape, talking nonsense. The banner is flapping wildly in the wind—even if there were characters, one cannot make them out clearly." Wukong said, "How is it that old Sun can see them?" Bajie and Sha Seng said, "Master, do not listen to elder brother's mischief. Looking from such a distance, we cannot even make out the city clearly—how can he see what characters are written?" Wukong said, "Are they not the three characters 'Zhu Zi Guo'?" Sanzang said, "Zhu Zi Guo must be a royal domain in the western lands—we will need to exchange the travel document." Wukong said, "No need to say more." Before long, they arrived at the city gate, dismounted, crossed the bridge, and passed through the three layers of gates. Truly it was a fine imperial capital, for one could see: The gate towers rose high, with battlements evenly arrayed. Living waters flowed all around, and north and south faced each other with tall mountains. On six streets and three markets, goods were abundant; in ten thousand households and a thousand shops, commerce thrived. Truly this was where an emperor held court—a great capital of heavenly prefecture. From distant lands came tribute-bearing envoys; from far-off regions, jade and silk filled the stores. The strategic terrain stretched far with linked mountains, and the palace walls reached up to the clear Han River. Three passes were tightly locked, and for ten thousand ages joy and peace prevailed. As the master and disciples walked along the great thoroughfares, they saw that the people were stately, their clothes and caps neat, their speech clear and refined—truly not inferior to the world of the Great Tang. The merchants on both sides, catching sight of Zhu Bajie's hideous appearance, Sha Seng's dark face and tall frame, and Sun Wukong's hairy face and broad brow, abandoned their wares and all crowded around to gape. Sanzang kept urging, "Do not stir up trouble—keep your heads down and walk." Bajie obeyed, tucking his gourd-like snout into his chest. Sha Seng dared not look up; only Wukong looked this way and that, keeping close beside Tang Seng. Among the onlookers, those who were sensible took a glance and went back to their business. But the idle loafers and mischievous urchins laughed and clamored, rushing forward to throw tiles and bricks at Bajie in sport. Tang Seng broke out in a cold sweat, constantly pleading, "Do not cause any incident." The dullard dared not raise his head. Before long, they turned a corner and suddenly saw a gate wall bearing the words "Hall of Assembled Guests." Tang Seng said, "Disciples, let us enter this government office." Wukong said, "What business have we entering?" Tang Seng said, "The Hall of Assembled Guests is where all the world meets and convenes—we may impose upon them as well. Let us rest inside for a while; I will go to see His Majesty, exchange the travel document, and then we will leave the city and continue on our way." At these words, Bajie thrust out his snout and startled several dozen of the onlookers. He stepped forward and said, "What Master says is right—let us go inside and hide ourselves, to avoid the clamor of these rabble." They then entered the hall, and the crowd gradually dispersed. Now in that hall there were two ambassadors, one principal and one deputy, both in the main hall checking the rosters of porters, preparing to go somewhere to receive officials. They were startled at the sight of Tang Seng's arrival and said in unison, "What people are these? What people are these? Where are you going?" Sanzang pressed his palms together and said, "Your poor monk is a subject of the Great Tang in the East, dispatched by His Majesty to fetch scriptures from the Western Heavens. Having now arrived at your precious domain, I dare not pass through without due procedure. I have a travel document to be verified and stamped for passage, and I beg to lodge temporarily in your honorable offices." When the two ambassadors heard this, they dismissed their attendants, straightened their caps and girdles, and descended from the hall to welcome and meet him. They immediately ordered that a guest room be cleaned for him to rest, and directed that a vegetarian meal be prepared. Sanzang thanked them. The two officials then led their men out of the hall. The attendants invited the master to rest in the guest room, and Sanzang prepared to go. Wukong said resentfully, "This fellow is detestable—why will he not let old Sun stay in the main hall?" Sanzang said, "This place is not under the jurisdiction of our Great Tang, nor is it allied with our country. Besides, officials and travelers from higher authorities come and go at all times, so they cannot well receive us here." Wukong said, "If that is so, then I will make him receive us anyway." As they were speaking, a steward brought the provisions—a tray of white rice, a tray of white flour, two bunches of green vegetables, four blocks of bean curd, two gluten cakes, a tray of dried bamboo shoots, and a tray of wood ear mushrooms. Sanzang told his disciples to accept them and thanked the steward. The steward said, "In the western room there are clean stoves and pots, and firewood is readily available—please cook your own meal." Sanzang said, "Let me ask you something: is the king holding court in the hall?" The steward said, "His Majesty has long not held court. Today happens to be an auspicious day, and he is discussing with his civil and military officials the posting of a royal proclamation. If you wish to exchange your travel document, go quickly now and you may still catch him; come tomorrow, and you will not be able to, for who knows how long you might have to wait." Sanzang said, "Wukong, you prepare the meal here while I hurry to have the travel document verified, then I will return and we can eat and be on our way." Bajie quickly brought out the cassock and travel document. Sanzang dressed himself properly and entered the court, only instructing his disciples not to go out and stir up trouble. In no time, he arrived before the Five Phoenix Tower. The magnificence of the halls and pavilions, the splendor of the towers and terraces, were beyond description. He went all the way to the End Gate and requested the petitioning officials to convey his business to the heavenly court—that he wished to have his travel document verified. The Yellow Gate official indeed proceeded before the jade steps and reported, "Outside the court gate there is a monk dispatched as envoy by the Great Tang in the East, on his way to the Thunderclap Monastery in the Western Heavens to worship the Buddha and seek scriptures. He wishes to have his travel pass verified and requests an audience." When the king heard this, he was pleased and said, "I have been long ill and have not held court. Today I ascend the hall to post a proclamation seeking a physician, and already a high monk has arrived in our kingdom." He then issued a decree summoning him to the foot of the steps. Sanzang immediately bowed and prostrated himself. The king further summoned him up to the golden hall, granted him a seat, and ordered the Court of Imperial Entertainments to prepare a vegetarian feast. Sanzang thanked him for the favor and presented the travel document. After the king had read it, he was greatly delighted and said, "Venerable Master, in your Great Tang, how many generations of sovereigns have been righteous? How many ministers have been worthy? And as for the Tang King, for what illness did he revive from the dead, that he would send you on so distant a journey over mountains and rivers to seek scriptures?" At this question, the elder rose slightly and pressed his palms together, saying, "In your poor monk's land: The Three August Ones ruled the world, and the Five Emperors divided the social order. Yao and Shun held the throne in righteousness; Yu and Tang brought peace to the people. The sons of the Zhou dynasty were many, each establishing his own domain. They relied on strength to bully the weak, carving out kingdoms and calling themselves lords. There were eighteen feudal lords, their territories bordering the frontier dust. Later these became twelve, and the cosmos grew tranquil. But because they lacked chariots and horses, they fell to devouring one another. The Seven Powers contended for supremacy, and the Six States returned to Qin. Heaven gave birth to Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, each harboring unkind intent. The rivers and mountains fell to Han, and the laws were reverently observed. Han passed to Sima, and Jin again fell into turmoil. North and South saw twelve dynasties—Song, Qi, Liang, and Chen. Generations of ancestors followed in succession, until the Great Sui inherited the true mandate. Its ruler enjoyed flowers without the Way, and the people suffered grievously. Then our king of the Li clan came, whose dynasty bears the name Tang. The late emperor passed away, and the present ruler is Shimin. The rivers run clear and the seas are calm; great virtue and generous benevolence prevail. Now it happened that north of Chang'an city there was a strange dragon spirit of the waters, who, by shortening the season's sweet rains, deserved to perish. In a dream by night, he came to entreat the king to save him from peril. The king gave his word to pardon him and early summoned a worthy minister. He detained him within the hall and slowly played a game of chess with him. When the day reached noontide, that worthy minister, in a dream, beheaded the dragon's body." When the king heard these words, he suddenly uttered a groaning sound and asked, "Dharma Master, from which state does that worthy minister come?" Tripitaka replied, "He is the prime minister before our king's throne, named Wei Zheng. He knows astronomy, understands geography, and distinguishes yin and yang—he is a great chancellor who brings peace to the state and secures the kingdom. Because he slew the Dragon King of the Jing River in a dream, that Dragon King lodged a complaint in the underworld, saying that our king had promised to save him but then slew him. Thus our king fell suddenly ill and gradually felt his life in danger. Wei Zheng also wrote a letter which our king carried to the underworld, addressed to Judge Cui Jue of Fengdu City. Shortly after, the Tang King died, but on the third day he was restored to life. By the help of Wei Zheng, who moved Judge Cui to alter the document, the king's lifespan was increased by twenty years. Now he wishes to hold a Water-Land Great Assembly, and for that reason he has sent me, a humble monk, on a long journey across distant roads to seek out various kingdoms, to pay homage to the Buddha, and to fetch the three collections of Mahayana scriptures, in order to deliver the suffering and sinful souls to ascend to heaven." The king again groaned and sighed, "Truly it is a great heavenly dynasty, with a righteous sovereign and worthy ministers. Unlike me, a lone widower, who has been ill for a long time and has not a single minister to save me." Hearing this, the elder stole a glance and saw that the emperor was sallow and emaciated, his form wasted and his spirit failing. The elder was about to inquire further when an officer of the Court of Imperial Banquets memorialized to invite Tang Monk to partake of a meal. The king issued an order: "Set out the meal in the Hall of Fragrant Cassia, together with my own repast, and share it with the Dharma Master." Tripitaka gave thanks for the favor and dined with the king—but of that no more. Now it happened that the Pilgrim, in the Hall of Assembled Harmony, had set Sha Monk to prepare tea and rice and to arrange vegetarian dishes. Sha Monk said, "Tea and rice are easy to cook, but vegetables are hard to prepare." The Pilgrim asked, "Why?" Sha Monk replied, "There is no oil, salt, sauce, or vinegar." The Pilgrim said, "I have a few coppers here—tell Bajie to go to the market and buy them." That sluggard, wishing to shirk, said, "I dare not go—my looks are too unseemly, I fear I might cause trouble, and then Master would blame me." The Pilgrim said, "Fair trade—we neither beg nor rob—what trouble could there be?" Bajie said, "You didn't see the commotion just now? When I stuck my snout out at the gate, I scared more than a dozen people senseless; if I go into the crowded market, who knows how many I'd frighten to death!" The Pilgrim said, "You only know about the crowded market, but have you seen what is sold there?" Bajie said, "Master only told me to keep my head down and not cause trouble, so truly I did not see." The Pilgrim said, "No need to speak of the wine shops, rice stores, mills, and silk and miscellaneous goods—but there are also excellent tea houses, noodle shops, big baked cakes, big steamed buns, and in the restaurants there are fine soups and rice, fine peppers and spices, fine vegetables, as well as rare sweet cakes, steamed pastries, dim sum, fried treats, honeyed delicacies—countless good things. How about I go buy some to treat you?" When that sluggard heard this, his mouth watered, his throat gurgled as he swallowed saliva, and he jumped up saying, "Elder Brother, this time I'll let you treat me; next time when I save up money, I'll invite you in return." The Pilgrim chuckled to himself and said, "Sha Monk, cook the rice well; we'll go buy seasonings." Sha Monk also knew he was teasing the sluggard, but he went along and replied, "Go, and be sure to buy plenty, so you can eat your fill when you come back." That sluggard grabbed a bowl and followed the Pilgrim out the door. Two attending officials asked, "Elders, where are you going?" The Pilgrim said, "To buy seasonings." The man said, "Go west along this street, turn past the corner at the drum tower—there is the Zheng family grocery store; no matter how much you buy, they have oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, ginger, pepper, and tea leaves in full supply." The two of them, hand in hand, went straight west up the street. The Pilgrim passed several tea houses and several restaurants—what he should have bought he did not buy, what he should have eaten he did not eat. Bajie called out, "Elder Brother, let's just buy some here and make do." But the Pilgrim was only teasing him and had no intention of buying; he said, "Worthy younger brother, you have no business sense—let's walk a bit more and choose a big place to buy and eat." As they chatted, they also drew a large crowd of onlookers following and staring. Before long they reached the drum tower, and there they saw beneath the tower an immense throng of people shouting and jostling, filling the street and blocking the way. When Bajie saw this, he said, "Elder Brother, I'm not going further. The crowd there is so noisy—they might be seizing monks, and besides, we are strangers of suspicious appearance—if they seize us, what then?" The Pilgrim said, "Nonsense! Monks have broken no law—why would they seize me? Let's go over to the Zheng family shop and buy some seasonings." Bajie said, "Stop, stop, stop—I don't want to cause trouble. If I squeeze into that crowd and my ears get brushed against and knock people over, and they fall and tumble and a few die, I'll have to pay with my life!" The Pilgrim said, "If that's the case, you stand still here at the base of this wall, and I'll go over and buy the stuff, then come back and buy you some plain noodles and baked cakes to eat." That sluggard handed his bowl to the Pilgrim, propped his snout against the wall base, turned his face away, and would not move for anything. This Pilgrim walked to the tower side and indeed found it jam-packed. As he pushed into the crowd to listen, it turned out that a royal proclamation was posted beneath the tower, which was why so many people were vying to look at it. The Pilgrim squeezed near, flashed his fiery golden eyes, and looked carefully—on the proclamation was written: "I, the King of Zhuzi Kingdom in the West Ox-Continent, since ascending the throne, have kept all quarters pacified and the common people safe and tranquil. Of late, because of inauspicious state affairs, I have been laid low with a chronic illness that has dragged on for a long time without recovery. The imperial medical officers of this kingdom have repeatedly chosen fine prescriptions, yet have been unable to cure me. Now I issue this proclamation to summon broadly all worthy physicians under heaven—whether from the north, the east, central lands, or foreign states—if there be any skilled in medicine, let him ascend the precious hall and treat my person. Should I be slightly restored to health, I am willing to divide the state and share the throne—this is no empty promise. Therefore this proclamation is issued and posted. Let all who see it take note." Having read it, he was filled with delight and said, "The ancients said: 'In action there is a share of fortune.' It is well that I did not sit idly in the hall. Now there is no need to buy any seasonings; let us put aside the scripture-fetching business for one day, and let Old Sun have some fun playing doctor." Good Great Sage! He bent down, set aside the bowl, picked up a pinch of earth, sprinkled it upward, recited a spell, and using the art of invisibility, lightly stepped forward and tore down the proclamation. Then, facing the Xun quarter of the wind, he breathed out a mouthful of immortal air, raised a whirlwind that scattered all the people. He then turned back and went straight to where Bajie stood, and saw that sluggard propping his snout against the wall base, as if asleep. The Pilgrim did not startle him; he folded the proclamation, gently tucked it into Bajie's bosom, turned his steps, and went first back to the Hall of Assembled Harmony—of which no more. But to resume — when the people downstairs saw the wind rise, each covered his head and shut his eyes. Before they knew it, the wind had passed and the imperial proclamation was gone. All were terrified. That proclamation had been brought out at early court by twelve eunuchs and twelve imperial guards; it had not been hung even three hours when the wind blew it away. Trembling, they searched left and right, and suddenly saw a corner of paper showing from Zhu Bajie's bosom. The crowd came near and said, "Did you tear down the proclamation?" The dullard raised his head with a jerk and pouted his snout. The few guards were so frightened that they stumbled and fell to the ground. He then turned to leave, but several bolder ones in front pulled him and said, "You have torn down the imperial proclamation calling for a physician — why do you not enter court and heal our sovereign, and where else do you intend to go?" The dullard said in panic, "It was your son who tore down the imperial proclamation, and your grandson who knows how to heal." The guards said, "What is that you have tucked in your bosom?" Only then did the dullard lower his head and look — and indeed there was a sheet of paper. He unfolded it, gritted his teeth, and cursed, "That monkey has ruined me!" With a hateful cry he was about to tear it up, but the crowd immediately held him fast and said, "You are a dead man. This is the proclamation issued by the present king — who dares tear it? Since you have put it in your bosom, you must have the skill to heal the state. Come with us at once." Bajie shouted, "You do not know. This proclamation was not torn down by me; it was torn down by my elder brother Sun Wukong. He secretly tucked it into my bosom and then abandoned me and went away. If you want this matter cleared up, I will go with you to find him." The crowd said, "What nonsense is this? Strike the bell that is before you rather than cast a new one? You have torn down the proclamation — whom are we to look for? Never mind, we will drag you to see His Majesty." That mob, without distinguishing right from wrong, shoved and pulled at the dullard. But the dullard planted his feet as if they had taken root, and over ten men could not budge him. Bajie said, "You have no idea of rank. If you pull me any longer until my dullard temper flares up, do not blame me." Before long the commotion stirred the whole neighborhood, and they surrounded him. Among them were two elderly eunuchs who said, "You have a most peculiar appearance and your voice is wrong — where are you from, that you are so boorish and stubborn?" Bajie said, "We were sent from the East Land to fetch scriptures from the Western Heaven. My master is the royal brother of the Tang king and a Dharma master; he just entered court to exchange his rescript. My elder brother and I came here to buy provisions. I saw the crowd downstairs and dared not go near, so my elder brother told me to wait here. He saw the proclamation, stirred up a whirlwind, tore it down, secretly put it in my bosom, and went off first." The eunuch said, "I saw earlier a fair-faced, plump monk heading straight for the court gate — that must have been your master?" Bajie said, "Exactly, exactly." The eunuch said, "Where did your elder brother go?" Bajie said, "Our company has four persons. My master went to exchange the rescript; the other three of us, with our luggage and horse, are all lodged in the Guest House. My elder brother played this trick on me and went back to the Guest House first." The eunuch said, "Guards, do not pull him. We will all go to the Guest House together, and then we shall know the truth." Bajie said, "You two old ladies understand matters." The guards said, "This monk truly does not know quality — why do you chase after eunuchs and call them 'ladies'?" Bajie laughed and said, "Shame on you, you who have turned yin and yang upside down. These two old mommies — if you do not call them 'grannies' or 'ladies,' why do you call them 'eunuchs'?" The crowd said, "Stop your cheek. Hurry and find your elder brother." The people in the street made a great hubbub — no fewer than three or five hundred — and together they carried him to the gate of the Guest House. Bajie said, "Gentlemen, stop. My elder brother is not like me, for you to make sport of as you please. He is a fierce and utterly serious man. When you see him, you must perform a grand ceremony and address him as 'Elder Master Sun'; then he will respond. Otherwise, he will change his expression, and this business will not succeed." All the eunuchs and guards said, "If your elder brother truly has the skill to heal the king, he deserves half the kingdom, and we ought to bow before him." Those idle onlookers all clamored outside the gate. Bajie led the eunuchs and guards straight into the Guest House. Just then he heard Pilgrim and Sha Seng in the guest room laughing and talking about the business of tearing down the proclamation. Bajie stepped forward, grabbed hold, and shouted, "Are you even a man? You tricked me into going to buy vegetarian noodles, baked cakes, and steamed buns for me to eat — but it was all talk. And then you stirred up a whirlwind and tore down some imperial proclamation, secretly tucked it into my bosom, and made me put on airs. Is this how brothers treat each other?" Pilgrim laughed and said, "You dullard, you must have taken the wrong road and gone somewhere else. I passed by the Drum Tower, bought the provisions, and hurried back but could not find you, so I came first. Where did I tear down any imperial proclamation?" Bajie said, "The officials in charge of the proclamation are right here." Before he finished, the eunuchs and guards bowed toward Pilgrim and said, "Elder Master Sun, today our king is fortunate — Heaven has sent you down. We beg you to display your great expertise, apply a little of your healing skill, and cure our king's illness. Then you shall have a share of the rivers and mountains, and half the kingdom shall be yours." When Pilgrim heard this, he put on a serious expression, took the proclamation from Bajie, and said to the crowd, "Are you the officials who posted the proclamation?" The eunuchs kowtowed and said, "We servants are inner ministers of the Directorate of Ceremonial; these men are Embroidered Uniform Guard officers." Pilgrim said, "This proclamation calling for a physician was indeed torn down by me, and I sent my junior disciple to bring you here. Since your sovereign is ill, as the saying goes: 'Medicine is not sold lightly, nor is illness treated on request.' Go and tell that king to come in person and invite me — I have the power to cure the disease with a touch of my hand." When the eunuchs heard this, they were all astonished. The guards said, "Such bold words must come from a man of great capacity. Let half of us stay here to urge him with all respect, and let the other half enter court to report." So they divided — four eunuchs and six guards — and without waiting for a summons, they went straight into court and reported at the steps: "Your Majesty, a thousand congratulations." The king had just finished his meal with Tripitaka and was conversing at leisure; when he heard this report he asked, "From where do these congratulations come?" The eunuch reported, "We servants took out the imperial proclamation calling for physicians this morning and posted it under the Drum Tower. A holy monk, Elder Sun, who has come from afar from the Great Tang in the East Land to fetch scriptures, has torn it down. He is now in the Guest House and demands that Your Majesty go in person to invite him, for he has the power to cure the disease with a touch of his hand. Therefore we have come specially to inform you." When the king heard this, his heart was filled with joy, and he asked Tripitaka, "Dharma Master, how many worthy disciples do you have?" Tripitaka pressed his palms together and replied, "Your poor monk has three reckless disciples." The king asked, "Which of those worthy disciples is skilled in medicine?" Tripitaka said, "To tell Your Majesty the truth, those reckless disciples of mine are all rustic fools from the mountains; they know only how to carry bundles and lead the horse, cross streams and find fords, and guide your poor monk over mountains and across ridges. At most, on perilous and difficult roads, they can subdue demons and capture monsters, and seize tigers and tame dragons — but not one of them knows anything of medicinal properties." The king said, "Dharma Master, why be so modest? I was holding court today and was fortunate to encounter your coming to court — truly a heavenly fate. If your worthy disciple does not know medicine, why would he tear down my proclamation and bid me go in person to welcome him? Surely he must have the ability to heal the state." He commanded: "All you civil and military ministers — I am weak and feeble and dare not ride in my palanquin. You may go on my behalf to the court exterior and respectfully invite Elder Sun to examine my illness. When you see him, you must not treat him lightly; address him as 'Divine Monk Elder Sun' and meet him with the rites due between sovereign and minister." The multitude of ministers received the decree and, together with the eunuchs and marshals who had posted the proclamation, went straight to the Hall of Universal Fellowship. They arranged themselves in ranks and made their obeisances. This so frightened Bajie that he hid in the side chamber, while Sha Seng crouched under the wall. The Great Sage, however, sat in the middle, perfectly motionless. Bajie secretly grumbled to himself, "This ape is positively going to be the death of us! How can he let so many officials bow to him without returning the courtesy, nor even standing up?" In a short while, the obeisances were completed, and the officials divided into ranks to report: "We make bold to address the divine monk, Elder Sun: we are all ministers of the King of Scarlet Purple Kingdom. By the king's decree, we have come with pure rites to invite the divine monk to enter the court and examine the king's illness." Only then did the Great Sage stand up and say to the crowd, "Why has your king not come himself?" The ministers replied, "Our king is weak and timid in body, and dares not ride in his carriage; he has specially commanded us to perform the rites of a sovereign's proxy and humbly invite the divine monk." The Great Sage said, "If that is so, then let all of you proceed ahead, and I shall follow." The ministers, each according to their rank, formed into lines and departed. The Great Sage straightened his clothes and rose. Bajie said, "Elder Brother, be sure not to drag us into this." The Great Sage said, "I won't drag you in—I only need you two to collect medicines for me." Sha Seng asked, "Collect what medicines?" The Great Sage said, "Whenever someone brings medicine to me, take it all in, according to the amount, and wait for me to return to use it." The two acknowledged the order, and we shall say no more of them. The Great Sage then went with the many officials, and in no time they arrived. The ministers went in first and reported to the king, who had the pearl curtain raised high. He flashed his dragon eyes and phoenix pupils, opened his golden mouth and imperial voice, and asked, "Which one is the divine monk, Elder Sun?" The Great Sage stepped forward and said in a stern voice, "Old Sun is here!" When the king heard the ferocious tone and saw the sinister appearance, he was so frightened that he trembled and fell back upon his dragon couch. The ladies-in-waiting and palace eunuchs hurriedly supported him into the inner chambers, crying, "You have frightened me to death!" All the officials angrily reproached the Great Sage: "How can this monk be so coarse and boorish? How dare he just presumptuously tear down the proclamation?" When the Great Sage heard this, he laughed and said, "All of you have wrongly blamed me. If one treats people with such slowness, your king's illness will not be cured even in a thousand years." The ministers said, "How many years of life can a man have? Even after a thousand years, it would still not be cured?" The Great Sage said, "Right now he is a sick king; when he dies, he will be a sick ghost; and in his next reincarnation, he will still be a sick man—so would it not be that even a thousand years would not cure him?" The ministers angrily said, "You monk have no manners at all—how dare you spout such nonsense?" The Great Sage laughed and said, "It is not nonsense; listen to me explain: The principles of medicine are subtle and profound; The main thing is to have the mind turn things around. Looking, listening, asking, and feeling the pulse—these four tasks; If any one is lacking, the whole is incomplete: First, look at his spirit and complexion, Moist or dry, fat or thin, rising or sleeping; Second, listen to his voice, clear or muddy, Hear his true words and wild ravings; Third, ask the origin of the illness, how many days, How he eats and drinks, and how he relieves himself; Fourth, then feel the pulse to understand the channels, Whether superficial or deep, exterior or interior—what type. If I do not look, listen, ask, and feel the pulse, In this life he will never find peace." Among the civil and military officials, there were physicians of the Imperial Medical Institute. When they heard these words, they praised him before the crowd, saying, "This monk speaks reasonably. Even the immortals, when treating illness, must look, listen, ask, and feel the pulse, in full accordance with the divine skill and subtle art." Following these words, the officials ordered the attendant eunuch to report: "The elder wishes to use the principles of looking, listening, asking, and feeling the pulse, and only then can he diagnose and prescribe medicine." The king, lying on his dragon couch, called out repeatedly, "Send him away—I cannot bear to see the face of a stranger." The attendant came out of the palace and said, "You monk, our king's decree is to send you away; he cannot bear to see a stranger's face." The Great Sage said, "If he cannot bear to see a stranger's face, then I can diagnose the pulse by a suspended silk thread." The officials secretly rejoiced, saying, "Diagnosing by a suspended silk thread—we have heard of it, but never seen it. Let us report again." The attendant then entered the palace and reported, "Your Majesty, the elder Sun does not need to see your face; he can diagnose by a suspended silk thread." The king thought to himself, "In my three years of illness, I have never tried this. Summon him in." The attendant quickly transmitted the order: "His Majesty has permitted the suspended silk diagnosis; quickly summon Elder Sun into the palace to examine the pulse." The Great Sage then ascended the precious hall. Tang Sanzang met him and scolded, "You vile monkey, you have ruined me!" The Great Sage laughed, "Good Master, I was adding to your glory, and yet you say I ruin you?" Sanzang shouted, "In all these years you have followed me, when have I ever seen you cure anyone? You don't even know the properties of medicines, nor have you read medical texts—how dare you recklessly bring down such a calamity upon us?" The Great Sage laughed, "Master, you do not understand. I have a few rustic prescriptions that can cure great illnesses; I assure you I can heal him. Even if I kill him with my treatment, the worst charge would be 'quack doctor causing death,' and that would not merit execution—so what are you afraid of? No matter, no matter. Just sit down and watch my pulse-taking skill." The elder further said, "When have you ever seen chapters and verses from the *Plain Questions*, the *Classic of Difficulties*, the *Materia Medica*, or the *Pulse Canon*, and how are they annotated? How can you talk such nonsense and claim to know suspended silk diagnosis?" The Great Sage laughed, "I have the gold thread on my person—you have never seen it." He then reached down, plucked three fine hairs from his tail, twisted them in his hand, and called out, "Change!" They changed into three silk threads, each two zhang and four chi long, corresponding to the twenty-four solar terms. He held them in his hand and said to Tang Sanzang, "Is this not my gold thread?" The attendant eunuch standing nearby said, "Elder, stop arguing and please enter the palace to make the diagnosis." The Great Sage took leave of Tang Sanzang and followed the attendant into the palace to examine the illness. Truly: In his heart he held secret formulas to govern the kingdom; Within he concealed wondrous arts to prolong life. But as to what illness he would find and what medicines he would use—if you wish to know the outcome, listen to the explanation in the next chapter.