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16 The Kingdom of Wuji

Since the king would not give over his entreaties, they had no choice but to let him mount the throne hall, face south as sovereign, and proclaim a general amnesty. He also opened the eastern pavilion and prepared a sumptuous vegetarian feast in honour of the Tang Monk and his disciples. The king of Wuji further gave orders to summon the court painters to make portraits of the four pilgrims, which he had enshrined in the Golden Throne Hall. After resting one night, the four came the next day to take their leave. The king offered them the treasures that guarded his kingdom, gold and silver, satins and silks, in gratitude; but the Tang Monk would not accept the smallest part. The king could not bear to let them go so simply. He arrayed his full imperial escort and begged the Tang Monk to take the seat of honour, with the civil and military officials of both ranks leading the way, while he himself, together with the consorts of the three palaces and the household of the crown prince, held the nave and pushed the wheels of the carriage, attending them all the way out of the city. Outside the city the Tang Monk descended from the dragon carriage and bade them all farewell. The king said, unable to bear parting, "Master, when you return with the scriptures, you must surely visit my realm once more." Only when the Tang Monk had promised did the king, weeping, go back to the city with his ministers. The four pilgrims braced their spirits and continued westward. To learn what happened next, read the next volume: The Fiery Cloud Cave.

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