Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Thus the Tang Monk and his disciples took leave of the village household and journeyed westward along the road. Before they had gone thirty or forty *li*, they had already reached the borders of the Western Liang Kingdom. Tripitaka, from atop his horse, pointed and said, "Wukong, a city lies ahead, and I can hear the clamor of voices in the marketplace. This must be the Western Liang Kingdom of Women. You must all be careful and strictly observe proper conduct. On no account let your hearts run wild or bring disorder to the teachings of the Dharma." Upon hearing this, the three disciples respectfully obeyed his stern command.

Before he had finished speaking, they arrived at the street entrance of the Eastern Pass. The people there all wore long skirts and short jackets, with powdered faces and oiled hair. Whether old or young, they were all women. They were busy buying and selling along both streets when suddenly they saw the four travelers approaching. All together they clapped their hands and laughed, their faces bright with joy, crying out, "The seed-bearers have come! The seed-bearers have come!" Tripitaka was so flustered that he pulled back his horse and could scarcely move forward. In an instant the streets were packed full, filled with nothing but laughter and chatter. Zhu Bajie shouted wildly, "I'm a castrated pig! I'm a castrated pig!" Sun Wukong said, "Idiot, stop your nonsense and put on your old ugly face." Bajie shook his head twice, raised his pair of palm-leaf ears, twisted his lotus-petal lips, and let out a great roar, which frightened the women so badly that they stumbled and fell over one another. A poem bears witness to this:

The holy monk came to Western Liang to worship Buddha,

A land of pure yin where yang was seldom found.

Farmers, scholars, artisans, merchants—all were women,

Fishermen, woodcutters, plowmen—all in rouge and gown.

Pretty girls filled the road, calling out for "seed-bearers,"

Young wives lined the streets to welcome their "powdered lords."

Had not Wugong shown his ugly face,

The sea of flowers would have trapped them beyond all hope!

Thereupon the crowd was all frightened and dared not come forward. One by one they pinched their hands, hunched their waists, shook their heads, bit their fingers, trembling and shivering, lining the roadside to stare at Tripitaka. Sun the Great Sage also made an ugly face to clear the way; Sha Wujing likewise played the fierce tiger to maintain order; Bajie led the horse, puffed out his lips, and waggled his ears.

As they advanced, they saw that the marketplace was well laid out with tidy houses and handsome shops, selling salt and rice as well as wine and tea. Drum towers and corner turrets bustled with trade; flag pavilions and guest halls hung with curtained windows. The travelers turned this way and that, when suddenly they saw a female official standing on the street, who called out in a loud voice, "Strangers from afar, you may not enter the city gates without permission. Please proceed to the post-house, register your names, and wait while I report to the throne and have your travel documents verified before you may pass." Tripitaka dismounted upon hearing this. He looked up and saw a plaque above the office bearing three characters: "Receiving-Yang Post-House." The Elder said, "Wukong, what the village people told us was true—there really is a Receiving-Yang Post-House." Sha Wujing laughed and said, "Second Brother, why don't you go to the Fetal-Viewing Spring and look—see if you have a double reflection?" Bajie said, "Don't make fun of me. Ever since I drank that cup of Fetal-Removing Spring water, the fetus has already been expelled. What would be the point of looking?" Tripitaka turned his head and said, "Wuneng, be careful what you say, be careful." Then he stepped forward and bowed to the female official.

The female official led the way and invited them all inside the post-house. They sat down in the main hall, and tea was served. He noticed that all the attendants had hair combed in three tufts and wore upper and lower garments separately—the style of women. Even the one serving tea was smiling. Shortly after, the tea was finished. The female official leaned forward and asked, "Where do you come from, honored guests?" Sun Wukong said, "We are envoys dispatched by the Great Tang Emperor in the East, journeying to the West to worship Buddha and seek the scriptures. My master is the Tang Emperor's sworn brother, called Tripitaka of the Tang. I am his senior disciple, Sun Wukong. These two are my junior brothers, Zhu Wuneng and Sha Wujing. Our party numbers five, including the horse. We carry an official travel document and request that it be examined so that we may be allowed to pass." The female official took up her brush, wrote everything down, then came forward and kowtowed, saying, "Forgive me, my lords. I am merely the postmaster of the Receiving-Yang Post-House. I truly did not know that you were lords from so great a nation—I should have come to meet you from afar." Having finished her obeisance, she rose and ordered the stewards to prepare a meal. She said, "Please sit at ease for a while, my lords, while I enter the city and report to my sovereign. We will exchange your travel documents and provide you with supplies so that you may continue your journey westward." Tripitaka sat down with a pleased expression, and we shall say no more of this.

Now the postmaster, having arranged her hat and robes, went straight to the city and arrived before the Tower of the Five Phoenixes. She said to the Palace Gate Officer, "I am the postmaster of the Receiving-Yang Post-House. I have business to report to the throne." The Palace Gate Officer immediately submitted the report. An edict was issued summoning her to the hall. The Queen asked, "What matter do you wish to report, Postmaster?" The Postmaster said, "Your humble servant received at the post-house Tripitaka of the Tang, sworn brother of the Great Tang Emperor in the East. He has three disciples named Sun Wukong, Zhu Wuneng, and Sha Wujing. The party, including the horse, numbers five. They wish to travel to the West to worship Buddha and obtain the scriptures. I have come to report to Your Majesty and to ask whether they may be permitted to exchange their travel documents and be allowed to pass." The Queen, upon hearing this report, was overjoyed. She said to her assembled civil and military officials, "Last night I dreamed of a golden screen glowing with brilliant colors and a jade mirror shining with light—this was an omen of good fortune for today." The female officials gathered to bow before the steps of the throne and said, "Your Majesty, how do you know this is an omen of good fortune for today?" The Queen said, "The man from the East is a sworn brother of the Tang Emperor. Since the time of primordial chaos, through successive dynasties, our kingdom has never seen a man arrive here. Now that the Tang Emperor's sworn brother has descended among us, I believe he has been sent by Heaven. I, with all the wealth of this kingdom, wish to take the sworn brother as my king, and I shall be his queen. Together we shall unite in the union of yin and yang, beget sons and grandsons, and pass down the imperial lineage forever. Is this not an omen of good fortune for today?" The female officials bowed and danced in praise, and there was none who was not delighted.

The postmaster again memorialized, saying, "Your Majesty's proposal is a fine thing to be handed down for ten thousand generations. But the only problem is that the Imperial Younger Brother's three disciples are too fierce and ugly in appearance." The queen said, "What does the Imperial Younger Brother look like, Minister? And how are his disciples so hideous?" The postmaster said, "The Imperial Younger Brother has a dignified bearing and a handsome countenance. Truly he is a man from the great empire of the Upper Kingdom, a personage of South Jina and the Central Splendor. Those three disciples, however, are of savage and hideous appearance, looking like monsters." The queen said, "In that case, give him his disciples to take away, exchange the travel documents, and send him on his way to the Western Heaven. What harm is there in keeping only the Imperial Younger Brother?" The officials all bowed and memorialized, saying, "Your Majesty's words are most fitting. We respectfully receive and will respectfully follow this decree. But for a marriage match, there must be no lack of a go-between. As the old saying goes: 'Marriage matches rely on the red leaf; the Old Man of the Moon ties husband and wife with a red cord.'" The queen said, "Following your counsel, we appoint the Grand Tutor of the Imperial Carriage as go-between and the postmaster of the Sun-Receiving Station as master of the wedding. Let them go first to the station to seek the Imperial Younger Brother's hand. Once he consents, We shall then set out in Our carriage to welcome him into the city." The Grand Tutor and the postmaster received the edict and left the court.

Now Tripitaka and his disciples were in the station hall enjoying a vegetarian meal when someone came from outside to report, "The Grand Tutor of the Imperial Carriage and our own official, the old mother, have arrived." Tripitaka said, "What could the Grand Tutor's purpose be in coming here?" Zhu Bajie said, "I expect it's the queen inviting us." Sun Wukong said, "It's not an invitation—it's a proposal of marriage." Tripitaka said, "Wukong, if they refuse to let us go and force the marriage, what shall we do?" Wukong said, "Master, just agree to it. Old Sun will handle it."

Before he had finished speaking, the two female officials arrived and bowed to the elder. Tripitaka returned their bows one by one, saying, "This poor monk is a man of the cloth. What virtue or ability do I have that I should presume to trouble you, great ladies, to bow to me?" The Grand Tutor saw that the elder had a lofty and impressive appearance and was secretly pleased in her heart, thinking, "Our kingdom truly has good fortune. This man would indeed make a fitting husband for our king." When the two officials had finished their bows, they rose and stood on either side, saying, "Grandfather Imperial Younger Brother, ten thousand times the joy!" Tripitaka said, "I am a man of the cloth. What joy is there for me?" The Grand Tutor bowed and said, "This is the Kingdom of Western Liang, the Land of Women. Since ancient times there has never been a man in our kingdom. Now, by great fortune, Grandfather Imperial Younger Brother has descended among us. I bear our king's command and have come especially to seek your hand in marriage." Tripitaka said, "Excellent, excellent! This poor monk has come to your noble land alone, with no children or family accompanying me. I have only three unruly disciples. I do not know which of us the great lady wishes to marry." The postmaster said, "This official has just reported at court. Our king was overjoyed and said that last night she had an auspicious dream: 'The golden screen puts forth brilliant splendor; the jade mirror displays bright light.' The Imperial Younger Brother is a man of the great kingdom of the Central Splendor. Our king wishes, with the wealth of an entire kingdom, to take Grandfather Imperial Younger Brother as her husband, that he might sit facing south and rule alone, while our king would be his empress. She has issued a decree appointing the Grand Tutor as go-between and this official as master of the wedding. That is why we have come especially to seek this marriage." When Tripitaka heard this, he lowered his head and said nothing. The Grand Tutor said, "When a great man meets his moment, he must not let it pass. A marriage proposal such as this, though it may exist in the world, is truly rare—the wealth of an entire kingdom offered in trust. Please consent quickly, Imperial Younger Brother, so that we may make our report."

The elder grew even more mute and unresponsive.

Beside him, Zhu Bajie, pouting his spade-like mouth, called out, "Grand Tutor, go back and report to the king: my master is an arhat who has cultivated the Way for a long time. He has no desire for your kingdom's wealth, nor does he care for your kingdom's beauty. Quickly exchange the travel documents and send him west. Leave me here to be taken as a husband—how about that?" When the Grand Tutor heard this, she trembled with fright and dared not reply. The postmaster said, "Though you are a man, your appearance is simply too ugly to suit our king's taste." Bajie laughed and said, "You really don't understand how to adapt. As the saying goes: 'Coarse willows make winnowing baskets, fine willows make measuring dippers—who in the world has ever seen an ugly man?'" Wukong said, "Idiot, stop your nonsense. Let the Master decide as he wishes. If he agrees, so be it; if he refuses, so be it. Don't delay the go-between's work."

Tripitaka said, "Wukong, what do you think is best?" Wukong said, "In Old Sun's opinion, you should stay here. As the saying goes, 'A marriage of a thousand miles is drawn by a thread.' Where else could you find such a fitting match?" Tripitaka said, "Disciple, if we stay here seeking wealth and honor, who will go to the Western Heaven to fetch the scriptures? Would that not betray the emperor of our Great Tang?" The Grand Tutor said, "Imperial Younger Brother, this humble official dares not conceal anything. Our king's original intention was only to seek you as her husband. She instructed your three disciples to attend the family reunion feast, then to be given provisions and sent off with the exchanged travel documents to go west to fetch the scriptures." Wukong said, "The Grand Tutor speaks sensibly. We need not make this difficult. We are willing to leave our Master here to be your king's husband. Quickly exchange the travel documents and send us west. When we return from fetching the scriptures, we can come here to visit our parents-in-law, collect our traveling expenses, and return to the Great Tang." The Grand Tutor and the postmaster bowed to Wukong, saying, "We thank the Teacher for his gracious help in bringing this about." Bajie said, "Grand Tutor, don't just make empty promises. Since we have agreed, let your king first arrange a banquet for us to drink a cup of the consent wine—how about that?" The Grand Tutor said, "Yes, yes, yes! We shall have a feast prepared at once." The postmaster and the Grand Tutor, overjoyed, went back to report to their queen.

Tang Sanzang grabbed hold of the Pilgrim and scolded him, "You monkey head, you'll be the death of me! How could you say such a thing? You want me to stay here and take a wife while you go worship Buddha at the Western Heaven? I would rather die than do such a thing."

The Pilgrim said, "Master, rest assured. How could I not know your disposition? But we have come to this place and encountered this person—we must turn the tables on her scheme."

Sanzang asked, "What do you mean, 'turn the tables on her scheme'?"

The Pilgrim said, "If you use some trick to refuse her, she won't exchange the travel documents and won't let us pass. If she turns malicious and venomous, she could order her people to cut your flesh and make it into sachets—how could any of us escape unharmed? We would have to use our demon-subduing powers. You know our hands are heavy and our weapons are fierce—with a single move, we could slaughter everyone in this kingdom. Though they stand in our way, they are not monsters or demons but the people of a kingdom. And you have always been a kind and compassionate man who has not harmed a single soul along the way. If we kill countless innocent people, how could your heart bear it? That would truly be unkind."

When Sanzang heard this, he said, "Wukong, this reasoning is soundest. But I fear that if the queen invites me inside and wants to perform the rites of husband and wife, how could I consent to lose my primal yang and ruin the virtue of the Buddhist faith? How could I let my true essence leak and fall from the body of one who belongs to the faith?"

The Pilgrim said, "Since we have agreed to the marriage today, she will certainly come out of the city in full imperial procession to receive you with the rites of an emperor. You must not decline. Sit in her phoenix palanquin and dragon carriage, ascend the treasure hall, and sit facing south. Ask the queen to bring out the imperial seal and have us brothers brought into the court. Have her stamp the travel documents with the seal, then ask the queen to write her personal signature and hand them over to us. At the same time, have a banquet prepared—it will serve both as a celebration of union with the queen and as a farewell feast for us. When the banquet is finished, have her order the procession prepared, saying only that she is escorting the three of us out of the city, after which she will return to be with the queen. If we can deceive her into joy and delight, with no intention to obstruct us and no malicious thoughts, then once we are outside the city, you will descend from the dragon carriage and phoenix palanquin. Let Shasheng attend you on either side and help you mount the white horse. I will use the immobilizing spell to make all her officials and subjects unable to move, and we will simply head west along the main road. After we have traveled a full day and night, I will recite an incantation to release the spell, and her officials and subjects will wake and return to the city. On the one hand, we will not harm their lives; on the other, you will not lose your primal essence. This is called the 'ruse of a false marriage to escape the net'—is this not a plan that achieves two goods at once?"

When Sanzang heard these words, he was like a man waking from drunkenness, like one rousing from a dream. His joy made him forget his worries, and he thanked the Pilgrim profusely, saying, "I am deeply grateful for your wise disciple's excellent counsel."

The four of them, united in heart and mind, were just deliberating when—

Now the Grand Marshal and the postmaster, without waiting for a summons, went straight to the gate of the court and stood before the white jade steps. They reported, "Your Majesty's auspicious dream was most accurate—the union of fish and water is at hand."

The queen, upon hearing the report, rolled up the beaded curtain, descended from the dragon bed, parted her cherry lips, revealed her silver teeth, and asked in a soft, smiling voice, "When you worthy minister saw the Imperial Younger Brother, what did he say?"

The Grand Marshal said, "When we arrived at the post station and had finished paying our respects to the Imperial Younger Brother, we immediately laid out the proposal of marriage. The Imperial Younger Brother still had words of refusal, but fortunately his senior disciple generously agreed and is willing to leave his master to be Your Majesty's husband and sit facing south as emperor. He only asks that the travel documents be exchanged first so that the three of them may continue west; when they have obtained the scriptures and return, they will come here to acknowledge their parents-in-law and collect traveling expenses to return to the Great Tang."

The queen smiled and said, "What else did the Imperial Younger Brother say?"

The Grand Marshal reported, "The Imperial Younger Brother said nothing further—he is willing to be matched with Your Majesty. It is only his second disciple who first wants to eat the betrothal feast and drink the nuptial wine."

Upon hearing this, the queen immediately issued an order for the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a banquet. At the same time, she ordered the imperial procession prepared to go out of the city and welcome her lord. The palace women duly obeyed the royal command, sweeping the palace halls and arranging the courtyards. One group rushed to prepare the banquet; another hastened like falling stars to ready the procession. You see, though the Kingdom of Western Liang was a nation of women, its imperial splendor was no less than that of the Central Kingdom. Behold:

Six dragons sprayed color, twin phoenixes brought auspiciousness. The six dragons spraying color supported the carriage as it emerged; the twin phoenixes bringing auspiciousness drew the palanquin as it arrived. Rich and strange fragrances spread thickly; dense and misty auspicious vapors opened forth. With golden fish and jade pendants, many officials surrounded it; with jeweled hair buns and cloud-like coils, ranks of women lined up. Peacock-feather fans shaded the imperial carriage; emerald beaded curtains cast shadows of phoenix hairpins. The music of pipes and strings was beautiful; the sounds of lutes and flutes were harmonious. A sheet of joyful feeling pierced the azure sky; boundless air of delight rose from the sacred terrace. Three-tiered canopies shook the heavens; five-colored banners reflected on the imperial steps. This land had never known the nuptial cup before; today the queen is matched with a man.

Before long, the imperial procession left the city and soon arrived at the Sun-Facing Post Station. Suddenly someone reported to the Tang monk and his three disciples, "The imperial procession has arrived!"

When Sanzang heard this, he and his three disciples straightened their clothes and went out to the hall to welcome the procession. The queen rolled up the curtain and descended from the palanquin. She asked, "Which one is the Imperial Younger Brother from the Tang dynasty?"

The Grand Marshal pointed and said, "The one standing before the incense table outside the post station gate, wearing the scholar's robe."

The queen cast her phoenix eyes and drew her moth brows together, looking carefully. Truly, he was extraordinary in appearance. You see him:

His bearing was heroic and majestic, his looks lofty and dignified. His teeth were white as silver laid in rows; his lips were red and his mouth square on all sides. His top was flat and his forehead broad, his celestial storehouse full; his eyes were elegant and his brows clear, his terrestrial pavilion long. His two ears had true lobes—a genuine outstanding man; his whole body was refined—a talented gentleman. What a fine young man, clever and handsome, a风流 scholar—worthy to be matched with the graceful maiden of Western Liang.

When the queen saw him, her heart swelled with joy and desire. Unconsciously her amorous feelings surged and her passions ran wild. She opened her small cherry mouth and called out, "Imperial Younger Brother from the Great Tang, why do you not come and ride the phoenix and mount the simurgh?"

When Sanzang heard this, his ears turned red and his face flushed. Shyly, he dared not raise his head.

Zhu Bajie stood to the side, pursing his mouth and watching the queen with glazed eyes. She was truly graceful and charming. Indeed:

Her brows were like kingfisher feathers, her skin like mutton fat. Her face was set off by peach-petal hues, her coils of hair piled with golden phoenix filaments. Her autumn waves—deep and limpid—held a seductive grace; her spring-bamboo fingers, slender and delicate, exuded a tender charm. Her crimson silk was draped at a slant, fluttering with brilliant color; her hair, pinned high with pearls and kingfisher gems, gleamed with radiant light. What need to speak of Zhaojun's famed beauty? She truly surpassed Xishi. Her willow waist gave a slight stretch, making her gold pendants chime; her lotus steps moved lightly, shifting her jade-like limbs. Even the Moon Goddess could hardly come to such a place; how could a celestial maiden of the Ninth Heaven compare? Her palace adornment was of a pattern beyond the ordinary—truly, the Queen Mother had descended to Jasper Pool.

When the Fool saw such splendor, he could not help but drool at the mouth, his heart pounding like a startled deer. For a moment his bones went soft and his sinews turned to mush—just like a snow lion facing the fire, he melted away without even realizing it.

Then the Queen stepped forward, grabbed hold of the Tripitaka Master, and in a coy and tender voice called out, "Royal Brother, Imperial Younger Brother, please ascend the dragon chariot. Come with me to the Golden Phoenix Treasure Hall, and let us be matched as husband and wife." The Elder trembled and could not stand steady, as though drunk or dazed. Pilgrim, standing at his side, instructed him, "Master, there's no need to be too modest. Please ride in the carriage with your lady teacher-wife. Quickly exchange the travel documents so that we may go and fetch the scriptures." The Elder dared not reply. He wiped at Pilgrim twice, unable to stop the tears from falling. Pilgrim said, "Master, do not be troubled. With such wealth and honor, if you do not enjoy it, what else would you have?" The Tripitaka Master, having no choice, could only obey. He wiped away his tears, forced a cheerful expression, stepped forward, and with the Queen:

Joined hands—her fair hand and his—and together sat upon the dragon chariot. The Queen, brimming with joy, desired to be matched as husband and wife; the Elder, full of anxiety and dread, thought only of bowing to the Buddha. One wished for the nuptial chamber, the wedding candles, and union as mandarin ducks; the other wished to go to Spirit Mountain in the Western Realm to behold the World-Honored One. The Empress was sincere in her feelings; the Holy Monk was false. The Empress, sincere in her feelings, hoped to live in harmony with him until old age; the Holy Monk, false in his feelings, kept his emotions locked away to nurture his primal spirit. One was delighted to see a man and could not wait to be his partner in marriage even in broad daylight; one feared encountering female beauty and thought only of escaping the net at once to reach Thunderclap Temple. The two rode together in the carriage—who would have guessed that the Tang Monk had a mind of his own?

The civil and military officials saw their sovereign and the Elder riding together in the phoenix carriage, sitting side by side. One and all, their brows bloomed with smiles and their eyes crinkled with joy. They turned the ceremonial procession around and re-entered the city. Only then did Great Sage Sun instruct Sha Seng to carry the luggage and lead the white horse, following behind the imperial entourage. Zhu Bajie ran ahead in a disorderly fashion, arriving first at the Five-Phoenix Tower, where he shouted, "How free and easy! How ready-made! This won't do, this won't do—we must drink the wedding wine and enter the bridal chamber before it counts!" He so startled the palace women who were guiding the ceremonial procession that they one and all returned to the imperial carriage and reported, "Your Majesty, that one with the long snout and big ears is shouting at the Five-Phoenix Tower, demanding wedding wine!" The Queen, upon hearing this report, leaned against the Elder's fragrant shoulder, nestled close to his peach-bloom cheek, opened her sandalwood mouth, and in a charming voice called out, "Royal Brother, Imperial Younger Brother, which of your disciples is the one with the long snout and big ears?" The Tripitaka Master said, "He is my second disciple. He was born with an enormous appetite and all his life he has sought to fill his belly. You must first arrange some food and wine for him before anything can proceed." The Queen asked urgently, "Has the Court of Imperial Entertainments prepared the banquet?" The palace women reported, "It is ready. Both meat and vegetarian dishes have been set out, in the East Pavilion." The Queen asked again, "Why two kinds?" The palace women reported, "I feared that the Tang Dynasty's Imperial Younger Brother and his disciples were accustomed to a vegetarian diet, so both meat and vegetarian dishes were prepared." The Queen then smiled enchantingly, nestling against the Elder's fragrant cheek, and said, "Royal Brother, Imperial Younger Brother, do you eat meat or vegetables?" The Tripitaka Master said, "This monk eats vegetables, but I have not yet given up wine. I will need a few cups of vegetarian wine for my second disciple and myself."

Before he finished speaking, the Grand Marshal submitted a request: "Please proceed to the East Pavilion for the banquet. Tonight is an auspicious day and a propitious hour—you may be joined in marriage with the Imperial Younger Brother. Tomorrow the heavens open upon the Yellow Path; please have the Imperial Younger Brother ascend the Treasure Hall, face south, and establish a new reign title." The Queen was overjoyed. She took the Elder's hand, and supporting each other, they descended from the dragon chariot and together entered the End Gate. And there they saw:

The immortal music wafted down from the tower,

And through the Heavenly Gates came the emerald carriage.

The phoenix towers stood open, their light shining softly;

The imperial palace was not closed, its brocade arranged in rows.

Within the Unicorn Hall, incense smoke curled upward;

Beside the Peacock Screen, shadows of chambers wound.

The pavilions and terraces rose majestic as in a great state,

The jade halls and golden horses were wondrous indeed.

When they arrived below the East Pavilion, they heard a strain of music—flutes and songs, their tones beautiful—and saw two rows of rouged and powdered ladies, their faces delicate and alluring. In the central hall, two grand feasts had been laid out: on the upper left was the vegetarian banquet, and on the upper right was the meat banquet. Below, on both sides, were individual place settings. The Queen gathered her robe sleeves, her ten fingers slender and delicate, and holding a jade cup, came to seat the guests. Pilgrim stepped forward and said, "All of us disciples eat vegetables. Please let my master take the vegetarian seat on the left, and let the three lower seats be arranged to the left and right so that my brothers and I may sit." The Grand Marshal said happily, "Exactly, exactly. Master and disciples are like father and son—they should not sit side by side." The palace women quickly rearranged the seating. The Queen passed the cups one by one, seating the three brothers. Pilgrim then exchanged a glance with the Tang Monk, instructing his master to return the courtesy. The Tripitaka Master came down, raised his jade cup, and seated the Queen. The civil and military officials bowed upward to thank the imperial grace, each taking their seat according to rank on either side. Only then did the music cease and the drinking begin.

As for Zhu Bajie, he paid no heed to propriety and let his belly loose, eating with abandon. He cared nothing for jade-like rice, steamed buns, sugar cakes, mushrooms, fragrant fungi, bamboo shoots, wood ear fungus, daylily flowers, asparagus lettuce, purple laver, turnips, taro, radishes, Chinese yam, or Solomon's seal—he gobbled up everything in one fell swoop until not a scrap remained. He drank five or seven cups of wine, then shouted from his mouth: "Bring more! Fetch the large goblets! Let me drink a few more, and then each of us can attend to his business."

Sha Wujing asked, "Such a fine feast, and you won't finish it? What business is so urgent?" The fool laughed and said, "As the ancients said, 'Let the bow-maker make bows and the arrow-maker make arrows.' Let each of us now do his part—those who recruit, recruit; those who marry, marry; those who seek the scriptures, go seek the scriptures; and those who travel, go travel. Don't let us drown in cups and neglect our affairs. Quickly issue the passport and let us be on our way. As they say: 'The general dismounts not—each hastens to his own journey.'" When the queen heard this, she at once ordered large cups to be brought. The attending officials promptly fetched several parrot-shaped gourds, cormorant-spout ladles, golden vessels, silver cups, glass goblets, crystal basins, Penglai bowls, and amber beakers, filling them to the brim with jade-like liquor and pouring nectar in steady streams. Indeed, each of them drank a full round.

Tang Sanzang rose slightly, folded his palms, and said to the queen: "Your Majesty, we are most grateful for your lavish hospitality, but the wine is enough. Please ascend the precious hall, let us exchange the passport, and early tomorrow morning send the three of them out of the city." The queen complied, taking the elder by the hand. She dismissed the banquet and ascended the golden palace hall, offering the elder the throne. Sanzang said, "No, no. The Grand Tutor said earlier that tomorrow the Yellow Way opens in the heavens; only then would I dare to ascend the throne and bear the title of sovereign. Today let us simply seal the passport and send them on their way." The queen complied and resumed her seat on the dragon couch. She then brought out a golden armchair and placed it to the left of the dragon couch, inviting Sanzang to sit. She called for the disciples to bring the travel documents. The Great Sage then told Sha Wujing to untie the bundle and take out the passport. The Great Sage presented it with both hands. The queen examined it closely. On it were nine seals of the Great Tang Emperor, and below them the seals of the Kingdom of Baoxiang, the Kingdom of Wuchang, and the Kingdom of Chechi. When the queen had finished reading, she said with a coy and dulcet smile: "Imperial Brother, your surname is also Chen?" Sanzang replied, "My lay surname is Chen, and my dharma name is Xuanzang. Because the holy grace of our Tang Emperor regarded me as an imperial brother, he bestowed upon me the surname Tang." The queen asked, "Why are your worthy disciples' names not on the passport?" Sanzang replied, "These three unruly disciples are not subjects of Tang." The queen asked, "If they are not subjects of Tang, why did they agree to accompany you?" Sanzang replied, "My eldest disciple is a native of the Country of Aolai in the Eastern Continent of Superior Veneration; the second is from Wuzhuang in the Western Continent of Cattle's Auspice; the third is from the Flowing Sand River. All three had violated heavenly ordinances, but the Bodhisattva Guanyin of the Southern Sea delivered them from suffering. Embracing goodness and taking refuge, they atone for their crimes through merit and willingly protect me on my journey to the West to obtain the scriptures. They were all taken on along the way, and therefore their dharma names were not recorded on the document." The queen said, "Shall I add their dharma names for you?" Sanzang replied: "It is entirely Your Majesty's pleasure." The queen then ordered ink and brush to be brought. They ground the fragrant ink thickly and saturated the perfumed brush. After the text of the document, she wrote the names of Sun Wukong, Zhu Wenguo, and Sha Wujing. Only then did she take out the imperial seal and stamp it square and true; she also drew a personal cipher and signature. It was passed down. Sun Wukong received it and told Sha Wujing to wrap it up properly.

The queen then brought out a tray of gold and silver fragments, descended from the dragon couch, and handed them to the Pilgrim, saying: "Take these three as funds for your journey and hasten to the Western Heaven. When you return with the scriptures, I shall reward you further." The Pilgrim said: "We who have left the world do not accept gold or silver. Along the way we have places where we may beg for food." When the queen saw that he would not accept, she brought out ten bolts of brocade and said to the Pilgrim: "You are pressed for time and cannot have clothes made. Take these to make garments for keeping warm on the road." The Pilgrim said: "Those who have left the world cannot wear brocade. We have our own coarse cloth to cover our bodies." When the queen saw that he would not accept, she ordered: "Take three pecks of imperial rice to serve as a meal on the road." When Bajie heard the word "rice," he promptly received it and tucked it into his bundle. The Pilgrim said, "Brother, our luggage is already heavy—do you have the strength to carry rice as well?" Bajie laughed and said: "You don't understand. Rice is a daily consumable—one meal and the account is settled." Thereupon they folded their palms and thanked the queen.

Sanzang said: "May I trouble Your Majesty to accompany me in sending these three out of the city? I must give them a few instructions to ensure they journey westward properly. Then I shall return to enjoy eternal glory and splendor with Your Majesty, free of all cares, so that we may truly unite as phoenix mates." The queen, unaware of the ruse, issued an order to prepare the imperial procession. Leaning against Sanzang's fragrant form, she mounted the phoenix carriage with him and departed through the western gate. Throughout the city, cups were filled with pure water and censers burned true incense—partly to view the queen's imperial procession, partly to glimpse the male body of the imperial brother. Young and old alike, all were faces of powdered beauty and brows of cloud-like tresses. Before long, the great procession left the city and arrived at the Western Pass.

Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing, united in purpose and properly attired, advanced straight toward the imperial carriage and cried out in loud, stern voices: "There is no need for Your Majesty to escort us so far. We take our leave here." The Elder slowly descended from the dragon carriage and, clasping his hands, said to the queen: "Your Majesty, please return. Allow this humble monk to go and fetch the sutras." When the queen heard this, she turned pale with shock and seized Tang Sanzang, saying: "Royal Brother, I was willing to offer you the wealth of an entire kingdom and take you as my husband. Tomorrow you would ascend the precious throne and take the throne as king, and I would become your queen. The wedding feast has already been eaten—how can you change your mind now?" When Bajie heard this, he flew into a rage, twisting his snout wildly and flapping his ears. He charged up to the carriage and shouted: "What business would we monks have becoming husbands to a powdered skeleton like you? Let my master go on his way." When the queen saw him making such an ugly, unruly spectacle, she was so terrified that her soul nearly fled from her body, and she tumbled back into the imperial palanquin. Sha Wujing, meanwhile, snatched Sanzang out of the crowd of people and helped him onto his horse.

Just then, a woman appeared from the roadside and shouted: "Tang Royal Brother, where do you think you're going? Come with me and let us enjoy the pleasures of romance." Sha Wujing cursed: "Ignorant villain!" He drew his precious staff and struck at her head. The woman conjured a whirlwind, and with a whoosh, she swept the Elder away—vanishing without a trace, no one knew where. Ah! Truly:

He had barely escaped the snare of flowers and smoke,

When he encountered the demon of romance and desire.

As to whether that woman was human or monster, and whether the old master's life would be spared or lost, let us listen to the explanation in the next chapter.