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03 Revolt Against Heaven

One day Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, and Tai Guang, King of the Underworld, came together to the Hall of Divine Mists to lay charges against Sun Wukong: that he had raided the Eastern Sea and thrown the realm of the dead into turmoil. The Jade Emperor read the two kings' memorials and asked his ministers, ‘What origin has this demon monkey, that he should be possessed of such powers?’ The Thousand-Mile Eye and the Wind-Following Ear stepped forward. ‘May it please Your Majesty, that creature is a stone monkey born of heaven three hundred years ago. Where he trained himself to immortality we do not know, but he can ascend to heaven or descend to earth, and can subdue dragons and tame tigers.’ ‘Which of my generals will go down and bring this demon monkey to heel?’ asked the Jade Emperor. The Great White Planet, standing by, said, ‘Better to summon the creature up to heaven and give him some small office to hold him in check; that would spare us the cost of war.’ The Jade Emperor thought this sound, and commanded the Great White Planet to go and offer terms. The Great White Planet came to Flower-Fruit Mountain and was led by the apes into Sun Wukong's presence. ‘By the Jade Emperor's sacred decree I have come down to invite you to heaven, there to receive the register of immortals.’ Wukong was overjoyed. ‘These last few days I have been thinking of going up to heaven for a look — and here is a heavenly envoy come to invite me. I will go with you gladly.’ Wukong took leave of his apes and with a single somersault left the Great White Planet far behind. In a moment he was at the Southern Gate of Heaven, and would not wait to be announced but pressed straight in. The Growth Heavenly King, who guarded the Southern Gate, barred his way with drawn sword and would not let him pass. Wukong flew into a thunderous rage. ‘Your king has invited me to heaven to take high office, and you dare stand in my way?’ Even as they wrangled, the Great White Planet arrived and said quickly to the Heavenly King, ‘This is an immortal from the world below. I bear the Jade Emperor's decree summoning him. Stand aside at once.’ At this the Growth Heavenly King and his heavenly soldiers put up their weapons and cleared the way. The Great White Planet led Wukong straight to the Hall of Divine Mists and reported before the throne, ‘Your servant received the decree and has brought the demon immortal.’ Wukong, seeing the Jade Emperor, did not bow, but only stared about him. ‘Which is the demon immortal?’ asked the Jade Emperor. Wukong bowed slightly and answered, ‘This old Sun is he!’ The ministers on either side, seeing such rudeness, cried out against him and prayed that he be punished. But the Jade Emperor said, ‘He is a demon immortal from below, newly come to the shape of a man, and knows nothing of courtly rites. Let him be pardoned for now.’ The Jade Emperor asked his ministers what offices stood vacant. The Star Lord of Military Measure replied, ‘Every office in heaven is filled; only the Royal Stables lack a chief steward.’ The Jade Emperor at once appointed Wukong Keeper of the Heavenly Horses. The ministers called upon him to give thanks; but Wukong, not knowing whether the rank was high or low, merely cupped his hands. Wukong was escorted to the Royal Stables by the Star Officer of Wood Virtue to take up his post. The stewards, clerks, grooms and menials of every degree came out to greet him, and Wukong strode in with head held high, well pleased. Wukong examined the registers and counted the horses: in the Royal Stables were a thousand heavenly steeds, every one a fine and noble beast. He bade his men attend each to his own duty and tend the horses with care, and within half a month every one of them was sleek and fat. One day, at leisure, the others invited Wukong to drink. In the midst of the revelry he set down his cup and asked, ‘What rank is this Keeper of the Horses? What grade does it hold?’ Those about him exchanged glances, and after a while one said, ‘The Keeper of the Horses is nothing but a head groom. It holds no grade at all.’ At this Wukong's anger flared. Through clenched teeth he shouted, ‘In the world below this old Sun was king and lord of all — and you have tricked me into heaven to be slighted with the tending of horses! I will be Keeper of the Horses no longer!’ He kicked over the table and benches, drew the golden-hooped rod from his ear, and fought his way clean out of the Royal Stables.

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