Chapter 127: Encountering The Black Water River On The Road
However, the King of the Fadi Kingdom wanted to kill Tang Sanzang.
The ministers were frightened and hurriedly advised against it.
The King of the Fadi Kingdom asked the reason.
The minister said: “Your Majesty, if it were an ordinary monk, you could kill as many as you like. But that Tang Sanzang cannot be killed; he comes from the Great Tang!”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom said somewhat dissatisfied:
“So what if he comes from the Great Tang? One from the Great Tang is still just a monk.”
The minister hurriedly said: “Your Majesty, do not act rashly! I have heard that monk is the King Tang’s royal brother!”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom’s expression changed slightly as he said: “King Tang’s royal brother?”
The minister said: “Yes, Your Majesty! That monk’s Buddhist name is Tang Sanzang. King Tang Li Shimin sent him on the Journey for Sutras to the Western Heaven. King Tang Li Shimin has always been a warlike ruler. Having obtained the lands of the Four Seas, he still is not satisfied and often raises armies to cross the seas and attack neighboring countries, forcing myriad nations to submit. If Your Majesty acts rashly, you may anger him, and then the kingdom will not survive!”
Hearing this, all the ministers knelt and said: “Your Majesty, please think thrice!”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom knew his ministers were right, so he retracted his order and said:
“Very well, spare this Tang Sanzang’s life for now. It is not that I fear that Li Shimin. Though his Great Tang has soldiers and weapons, my Fadi Kingdom also has over ten thousand elite troops and may not lose in battle. It is just that I have always revered the Buddhist Dharma and do not wish for the people of two countries to suffer in war, hence I retract my order.”
Hearing this, the ministers all said:
“Yes, Your Majesty’s virtue is the fortune of the kingdom!”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom said: “Summon the high monk from the Great Tang to the hall!”
Tang Sanzang ascended the hall, with Ba Jie and Sha Seng following closely behind.
At first, the three were far away, so it was still fine.
When the three came close to bow, the King of the Fadi Kingdom suddenly saw Ba Jie and Sha Seng’s faces and was so scared that he nearly stood up to flee, saying: “What what what are these two things!”
Tang Sanzang said: “Your Majesty need not be alarmed. They are not things; they are this poor monk’s two disciples. Though they have ugly appearances, they are good people.”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom let out a slight sigh of relief and said: “They are actually the high monk’s disciples. How could they have such appearances? They scared me to death.”
Tang Sanzang said: “Your Majesty, extraordinary people have extraordinary looks. This poor monk’s two disciples may have strange appearances, but they possess real abilities. This poor monk has been able to reach this place on the Westward Journey thanks to their protection along the way.
The King of the Fadi Kingdom said: “I see. Please be seated, high monk.”
Attendants brought chairs.
Tang Sanzang said: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting a seat.”
He then sat down properly.
The King of the Fadi Kingdom carefully looked Tang Sanzang over and said:
“The high monk is indeed a man of the Great Tang, with extraordinary bearing. That the high monk has come to our country from ten thousand miles away is our country’s fortune. I shall immediately order a banquet to entertain the holy monk.”
Tang Sanzang said: “Your Majesty, this poor monk has come here not for a banquet, but for another important matter.”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom naturally knew Tang Sanzang’s purpose, but he was unwilling to stop the war, so he preemptively blocked Tang Sanzang’s words: “Besides the banquet, I also have gold and silver and beautiful jade to give. Please do not refuse, high monk.”
Tang Sanzang refused: “This poor monk is a monk and does not seek gold and silver or beautiful jade.”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom said: “Besides gold and silver and beautiful jade, I can also give the high monk beautiful maidservants and concubines to attend to daily needs.”
Tang Sanzang refused: “This poor monk is a monk and abstains from lust.”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom said:
“High monk, whatever you seek, I can promise. Only one thing: do not interfere in our country’s affairs. Otherwise, do not blame me for being ruthless!”
Tang Sanzang said: “Your Majesty, that is exactly why this poor monk has come.”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom said: “No need to say more. Unless the Huoluo Kingdom dismantles the great bridge, I absolutely will not stop the war!”
Tang Sanzang said: “Your Majesty, you hold a whole kingdom in your hands, so why must you go to such lengths over one great bridge, exhausting the people and draining resources to raise this unjust army?”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom snorted coldly: “You monk only know how to strike bells and chant sutras. How could you understand state affairs?”
Ba Jie stepped forward and said: “Old king, don’t speak so loftily. Can’t Old Pig see through it? You raise this army just to collect that ‘bridge toll,’ don’t you?”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom said angrily: “You, how insolent!”
Tang Sanzang stood up, bowed, and said: “Your Majesty, this poor monk’s disciple spoke out of turn. Please quell your anger. He could not bear to see a great war about to start, with the common people suffering, hence his words.”
Hearing this, the King of the Fadi Kingdom angrily stood up, his face unsightly.
Tang Sanzang’s words seemed to be about Ba Jie, but in fact they were implicitly pointing at him, saying he was rashly starting a war and causing the common people to suffer.
If it had been before, he would have long ordered these people including Tang Sanzang executed. But now, because of Tang Sanzang’s status as the Great Tang’s royal brother, he could not resort to force.
The King of the Fadi Kingdom said angrily: “You bunch of monks, what do you know of state affairs? Am I doing this for my own benefit? Our country is poor and weak; everything I do is for the common people and out of necessity!”
Tang Sanzang shook his head: “Your Majesty is mistaken. Everyone in both countries knows that the Fadi Kingdom’s national power is stronger than the Huoluo Kingdom’s. Yet this poor monk, coming from the Huoluo Kingdom to the Fadi Kingdom, has seen and heard along the way that the common people of the Fadi Kingdom are far worse off than those of the Huoluo Kingdom. In this poor monk’s view, Your Majesty should stop the war and let the common people recuperate, which would benefit both country and people.”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom said angrily: “What a bold monk, daring to lecture me! You! Court is dismissed!”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom flicked his sleeve and left, dismissing the court.
Seeing the king upset, his subordinate ministers hurried to offer counsel:
“Your Majesty, I have a plan that can vent Your Majesty’s anger.”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom said: “What plan do you have?”
The minister said: “That Tang Sanzang is from Buddhism and skilled in debate, so Your Majesty naturally cannot outtalk him. But our country has many monks. Why doesn’t Your Majesty issue an order to have those monks debate with him? Even if he is a high monk, he is only one person. How can he outdebate all the monks in our country? Once he loses, he will slink away in shame.”
Hearing this, the King of the Fadi Kingdom was overjoyed: “Good plan! I shall issue the decree right now to summon the monks!”
At that time, on the other side.
Ao Tu and Wukong arrived at the frontline battlefield.
Wukong said: “Little Dragon, what plan do you have to stop the war?”
Ao Tu transformed his appearance into that of an official from the Huoluo Kingdom and said: “Great Sage, please follow me, and you will soon know.”
Seeing this, Wukong also transformed his appearance.
Ao Tu led Wukong openly into the Fadi Kingdom’s military camp and said: “We are envoys from the Huoluo Kingdom, come to seek an audience with your general.”
The guarding soldiers hurriedly reported, and soon Ao Tu and Wukong were led inside.
The Fadi Kingdom’s general saw Ao Tu and Wukong and asked:
“What do you want with this general?”
Ao Tu said: “We have come to the general for the sake of the general’s future.”
The Fadi Kingdom’s general said: “For my what future?”
Ao Tu said: “In war between two countries, there must be a winner and loser. If the general wins, fine; if he loses, he will face severe punishment. Now the general is attacking while my country defends, with similar forces. How many chances of victory does the general have? I have a plan that can let the general neither win nor lose, preserving his future.”
The Fadi Kingdom’s general said: “What plan?”
Ao Tu said: “General, cooperate with my army to stalemate here without harming soldiers. Report upward: ‘mutual wins and losses.’ Would that not be wonderful?
Hearing this, the Fadi Kingdom’s general laughed loudly:
“I thought it was some brilliant plan. This general is loyal to my king and is no traitor. Men, hang these two from the tent!”
Seeing this, Wukong prepared to act and said: “Little Dragon, your plan didn’t work!”
Ao Tu said: “General, hold on, allow me one word.”
The Fadi Kingdom’s general said: “No more flowery words. Today, no matter what you say, you cannot escape death!”
Ao Tu said: “I can pay money.”
The Fadi Kingdom’s general said: “How much money can you pay?”
