Chapter 226: Lankāvatāra Sūtra
After dusk fell, the sunlight on the horizon quickly lost its color, leaving only a trace of white in the western sky. In front of the Imperial City’s study, the winter plum blossoms bloomed, setting off a touch of delicate red. Yang Kang strode into the hall.
“Father Emperor!”
The Jin Emperor, Wanyan Honglie, put down the scroll in his hand and said gently, “Kang’er is here.”
“Mm!”
Yang Kang replied thus, his gaze fixed on Wanyan Honglie.
Since the Mongols captured Daxing Prefecture and the Jin Dynasty moved its capital, Father Emperor had been tirelessly devoted to state affairs. His once good health had led to him losing weight, and his hair had turned gray, though it was neatly combed. He was still vigorous and possessed more presence than before.
If I were to become emperor, I would likely have Father Emperor’s imposing demeanor, Yang Kang thought to himself.
“Father Emperor, your son has something to report.”
“Speak slowly.”
“Alright.”
Yang Kang sat down and said, “Sha Tongtian and Hou Tonghai have returned.”
Wanyan Honglie did not interrupt, listening quietly.
“It was supposed to be foolproof, but when we made our move in the Poyang Lake section, an old man whose skill was not inferior to Master Ouyang suddenly appeared. The plan failed, and your son is incompetent.”
Wanyan Honglie said with a pleasant expression, “Kang’er, there’s no need to blame yourself. While success brings joy, failure should not lead to self-reproach. Learn from your mistakes, reflect on where the problem lies, why there was no backup plan, no remedial measures. Your status is now different from before; you will one day rule the Jin Dynasty, not be the little prince you once were. Do not let emotions dictate your decisions and neglect thoroughness.”
Hearing that he would one day rule the Jin Dynasty, Yang Kang felt his blood boil. He suppressed his emotions and said, “Father Emperor is right, your son understands.”
“The reason I say this is that killing Tolay, Hua Zheng, and those people would not prevent Mongolia from sending another imperial envoy to Lin’an, nor a second or third team.”
“What Father Emperor says is absolutely true.”
“Therefore, we must act through the Lin’an Court and try to persuade Shi Miyuan to convince the Song Emperor to refuse the alliance. This is a method that addresses both the symptoms and the root cause, and it is also the remedy I mentioned. Any plan must have a backup. The Jin Dynasty and the Khwarazmian Empire are on good terms. Now, I will speak about the Khwarazmian Empire.”
Yang Kang suddenly remembered that in Zhongdu, Father Emperor had said that once he gained power, he would unite with the Khwarazmian Empire, which would surely turn the tide and eliminate the Mongols.
He blurted out, “Father Emperor intends to send an imperial envoy to the Khwarazmian Empire.”
“Kang’er is intelligent. If the Khwarazmian Empire sends troops, we can attack from both sides. Even if Genghis Khan had three heads and six arms, he would not be my match.”
“Father Emperor, I came to you for another matter: someone from the Vajra Sect has arrived. After I visit Shaoshi Mountain, I will go to the Khwarazmian Empire on your behalf and pay a visit to the Vajra Sect leader along the way.”
Wanyan Honglie’s face showed joy upon hearing Yang Kang’s words. The Vajra Sect was powerful, and the masters who were currently protecting him were from the Vajra Sect.
With skilled guards, travel was worry-free.
He smiled, “It’s a long journey to the Khwarazmian Empire. Why should Kang’er go? You just handle the matters in Lin’an properly. I will arrange for someone to take a generous gift to the Vajra Sect.”
“Your son understands. Then I will go to Lin’an to find Shi Miyuan.”
“Mm, Kang’er grasps things instantly. Your father is pleased. With you and me, father and son, working together, this world will surely belong to Kang’er in the future.”
Yang Kang listened, his blood boiling. “Father Emperor, rest assured. Qiu Qianren is already assisting your son. The Iron Palm Sect has considerable influence in Jinghu Road and has dealings with local officials. If Father Emperor wishes to go southward, the Iron Palm Sect will provide support, and taking Jinghu Road will be as easy as picking something up from the ground.”
“Good, good. With you like this, what more could I ask for.”
The father and son talked intimately, detailing how to negotiate in Lin’an, what to say when the imperial envoy reached the Khwarazmian Empire, and how to use the Vajra Sect. When the night had completely deepened, Yang Kang bid farewell to Wanyan Honglie, left the Imperial City, and went to the residence where the visitors from the Vajra Sect were staying.
The wind rustled, stirring waves of plum blossom fragrance. Yang Kang passed through corridors and buildings. In the brightly lit hall, Baoxiang, who had assassinated the former Jin Emperor, was chatting with several monks.
He strode forward into the hall and said to a monk in the center, who had a round face, large ears, a straight nose, a square mouth, and was ten spans wide at the waist, “Master Baoshu, you have waited a long time. I have good news to tell you.”
Baoxiang said, “Eldest Senior Brother, I told you the Crown Prince treats people with great hospitality. How was it?”
Baoshu, the eldest disciple of Huo Gong Toutuo, who had cultivated the “Great Strength Vajra Finger” and “Vajra Prajna Palm” to the peak of perfection, said, “Indeed, he is kind, respectful, frugal, and modest. It is my great fortune to have met the Crown Prince.”
“Master, you are too polite. Please be seated.”
The Vajra Sect’s visit was grand. Several of Baoxiang’s senior brothers had accompanied him, along with dozens of people from the Western Regions martial world, vowing to sweep Shaoshi Mountain.
After everyone was seated, Yang Kang said, “Father Emperor has sent an envoy to the Vajra Sect with ten years’ worth of incense money, enough to allow the Vajra Sect to overpower the Shaolin Temple of the Western Regions. When Master goes to Shaoshi Mountain, I will accompany Master Ouyang and the Iron Palm Sect Leader Qiu to lend support.”
“Amitabha, thank you, Crown Prince.”
Baoshu was overjoyed. While Ouyang Feng and others accompanying them to Shaolin Temple was secondary, the main reason was that the Vajra Sect had few followers in the harsh and cold Western Regions. Ten years of incense money would be enough to expand their influence and suppress that old fellow Ku Hui.
Yang Kang and Baoshu talked through the night. As dawn broke, the spirited Yang Kang first found Qiu Qianren and discussed the plan for the trip to Shaoshi Mountain and then to Lin’an, asking the Iron Palm Sect to arrange for disciples to gather information about the Mongolian imperial envoy in Lin’an in advance. Afterward, he began to make arrangements for the trip to Shaoshi Mountain.
…
Zhou Yan arrived at Shaoshi Mountain again. Before his eyes were still the long, wide stone steps stretching for eight li. On the opposite mountain, five waterfalls cascaded down, splashing like pearls and jade, exuding a magnificent momentum. Turning a bend along the mountain path, one would find the Shaolin Temple with its yellow walls and green tiles.
Yanbo Diaosou and Liang Xiaowu were also accompanying him. However, the eccentric Fishing Old Man had little interest in ancient temples and Chan courtyards. He went to Songshan to explore the mountains and rivers alone.
Liang Xiaowu lodged at the inn to look after the horses. When Yang Kang and his party arrived at Shaoshi Mountain, they would be a grand procession, and news would surely be gathered. At that time, the young escort would accompany Yanbo Diaosou up the mountain.
The spring chill was sharp, and wild plum blossoms bloomed.
In front of the temple, a Tianzhu Monk clasped his hands together, his eyes devout.
Zhou Yan reported his name to the reception monk and waited for several hundred breaths. A little novice monk who had received him before hurried over. The little monk first glanced at the Tianzhu Monk, then said to Zhou Yan, “The Abbot requests your presence.”
“Thank you, young benefactor.”
The little novice monk led the way. Through one courtyard and one corridor, in the time it took to eat a meal, they arrived at a secluded Chan courtyard. The Abbot of Shaolin Temple, Master Ku Cheng, had been waiting in the courtyard for a long time.
“I pay my respects to the Abbot Master.”
“Head Escort, you are too polite.”
“This humble monk pays respects to the Abbot,” said the Tianzhu Monk, clasping his hands together.
“And this?”
“It’s a long story. Please allow me to explain slowly.”
“Please do!” Ku Cheng clasped his hands in return to the Tianzhu Monk. The three entered the Chan room. After the little novice monk served tea, he withdrew. Zhou Yan then explained in detail the origin of the Tianzhu Monk’s arrival in the Central Plains and the information he had gathered about the Vajra Sect disciples and people from the Western Regions martial world coming to Kaifeng Prefecture.
Zhou Yan had delivered a letter escort. Ku Cheng already knew that the Vajra Sect intended to provoke the Shaolin Temple. The Abbot had also sent people to the Shaolin Temple of the Western Regions. Through this exchange, he had a general understanding of the Vajra Sect’s strength, so he was not surprised.
What moved Ku Cheng was the Tianzhu Monk’s journey from India to the Central Plains in search of the Golden Doll because the people of India were suffering from poisonous insects. Ku Cheng thanked Zhou Yan for coming up the mountain to deliver the letter and then said to the Tianzhu Monk, “Master, you have a compassionate heart and do compassionate deeds. Well done, well done.”
The Tianzhu Monk clasped his hands together, “Amitabha. Do not fear great matters, do not slight small matters. Employ all your compassion and wisdom to the utmost.”
Ku Cheng said, “Master, your Buddhist teachings are profound. You might as well stay at our temple for a while, allowing my fellow disciples and me to listen and learn from you.”
“This humble monk also wishes to read scriptures and discuss Dharma with the Abbot Master.”
“I couldn’t ask for more!”
The two exchanged words and began to discuss Buddhist teachings. Zhou Yan, who was well-versed in Taoist classics, understood everything. It was not difficult for him to grasp the profound meanings of Buddhism, and it reminded him of listening to Wang Chuyi and Ma Yu speak in the past.
In the evening, Zhou Yan, the Tianzhu Monk, and Ku Cheng ate a vegetarian meal with several old monks. Afterward, the monks began to expound scriptures. He listened attentively, his mind clear, and he gained a great deal.
…
It was late at night. Zhou Yan returned to his guest room in the temple. The courtyard was serene. Deep yellow lamplight flowed onto the mottled bluestone, bearing the marks of time. The night breeze gently blew, and the ancient trees swayed softly. The Tianzhu Monk approached, holding scriptures.
Zhou Yan, standing by the window gazing into the distance, asked, “Master, what is this?”
The Tianzhu Monk replied, “Patriarch Bodhidharma crossed the sea eastward and brought the original text of the Lankāvatāra Sūtra to the Central Plains. This humble monk must recite and study it.”
“Lankāvatāra Sūtra?” Zhou Yan murmured to himself.
“The Abbot said that there are four Chinese translations of the Lankāvatāra Sūtra in the Central Plains, and three still exist today. They are the Lankāvatāra Abatara Sutra, with a total of four volumes. The Sutra of Entering Lankā, with a total of ten volumes. The Mahayana Sutra of Entering Lankā, with a total of seven volumes. This humble monk has the four-volume Lankāvatāra Sūtra and will recite it one by one, compare the translations, and then see what differences there are from the original text.”
“I see,” Zhou Yan nodded, his heart stirred. The Nine Yang Manual was within the original text of the Lankāvatāra Sūtra.
