Home > Journey to the West > 06-search-for-the-scripture-pilgrim

06 The Search for the Scripture Pilgrim

In the early years of the Tang, Emperor Gaozu, Li Yuan, took his ministers' advice and opened the examinations to select men of talent. In Haizhou there was a scholar named Chen E, styled Guangrui, steeped in the classics. He went to the capital to sit the examination and took first place. Emperor Gaozu decreed that Chen Guangrui should ride through the streets of Chang'an in procession, showing his rank for three days. The Prime Minister Yin Kaishan had an unmarried daughter called Wenjiao, also known as Mantangjiao. The Prime Minister raised a silken pavilion from which his daughter was to throw an embroidered ball and choose a husband. It chanced that Chen Guangrui was passing below. The lady saw how he stood out among men and knew him for the new first-place graduate; her heart was pleased, and she threw the ball so that it struck his black gauze cap. At once pipes and flutes struck up, and a dozen maids came down, took Chen Guangrui's horse by the head and led him into the minister's residence. The Prime Minister and his wife betrothed their daughter to him, laid on a feast and drank late into the night; the couple bowed to heaven and earth and entered the bridal chamber. The next day Emperor Gaozu issued an edict appointing Chen Guangrui prefect of Jiangzhou, and bade him set out for his post without delay. Chen took leave of his parents-in-law, went home with Lady Yin to fetch his mother, née Zhang, and set out together for Jiangzhou. After several days they put up at the Liu family inn. His mother fell suddenly ill and said to him, "I am unwell. Let me rest here two days before we go on." Chen obeyed. The next morning Chen saw a man at the inn door offering a golden carp for sale, and bought it. Back in the room, about to cook it for his mother, he noticed the carp blinking without cease. Chen marvelled. "They say a fish or a snake that blinks is no ordinary creature." He sought out the fisherman and asked where the fish came from. "It was caught in the Hong River, fifteen li from here," the man said. So Chen went to the Hong River and put the carp back; it flicked its tail at him and swam away. After three days, seeing her illness no better, his mother said to him, "The weather is hot and I cannot travel. Rent me a room here; go on to your post first and fetch me when the autumn cools." Chen could do nothing but settle his mother and hurry on with Lady Yin. They came one day to the Hong River crossing, where the boatmen Liu Hong and Li Biao were waiting to ferry them over. Chen had his servant carry the luggage aboard and went on board hand in hand with Lady Yin.

 4/10   Home Previous 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next Last