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16 The Kingdom of Wuji

The Tang Monk bowed and said, "This humble monk is the Tang Monk of the Eastern Land, on his way to the Thunderclap Monastery to worship the Buddha, seek the scriptures and present treasures." The prince said disdainfully, "That Central Plain of your eastern land is poorer than anywhere. What treasures could you have?" The Tang Monk pointed at himself and said, "The cassock I wear is a treasure of the third rank. And there are still better treasures of the second rank and the first!" The prince grew curious and said, "Your robe is all ragged; what can it be worth? Tell me of the other treasures." The Tang Monk brought out the red box and said the treasure was inside. The prince told him to take it out and show it. The Tang Monk pulled off the lid, and out jumped the little monk that Wukong had become, crying "Ya! Ya!" and running about on both sides. The prince said doubtfully, "Such a tiny creature - what can he know?" Hearing this, Wukong used his magic and stretched his waist, growing several inches, and went on growing until he had reached his full height before he stopped. The prince and the soldiers beside him stared open-mouthed in amazement. The prince asked, "Lidihuo, since you know what is to come and what has passed, good fortune and ill, tell me my own affairs." Wukong had the prince send his attendants away, then told him all about the prince's origins, and about the great drought in the Kingdom of Wuji five years earlier and how the Taoist had prayed for rain. The prince was astonished to hear it told without the slightest error. Wukong then told him what had happened to the king of Wuji. The prince said, "There you are wrong. The truth is that three years ago in the royal garden that Taoist raised a magic wind and carried the white jade tablet from my father's hand back to Mount Zhongnan. My father still longs for him, and has had no heart for pleasure, so the royal garden has been closed these three years." Wukong said gravely, "Your Highness, the one who went away upon the wind was your own father. He who now sits as king is the false Taoist who prayed for rain." The prince would not believe it and called Wukong's words again and again "nonsense." Seeing that the prince did not believe him, Wukong resumed his true form and presented the white jade tablet with both hands to the prince. Though the prince recognised it as his father's old possession, he was still uncertain. Wukong declared who he was and told how the king had sent a dream to his master. Then he said, "Return to your country, Your Highness, and ask your mother the queen one question: how does her love for her husband now compare with what it was three years ago? One question and you will know the truth." The prince thought this reasonable, tucked the jade tablet into his sleeve, and left. Wukong caught hold of the prince and warned him, "You must enter the city alone, on a single horse, go in by the back gate to see your mother, and speak in a low voice. That monster has vast powers; if word should leak out, your lives will be forfeit." The prince agreed. Outside the mountain gate he ordered the officers to make camp and not move, and rode back to the city himself. The prince entered the city quietly and went straight to the rear gate. In the inner palace he found his mother the queen sitting in the Brocade Fragrance Pavilion, leaning against the carved railing and weeping. The prince hastily dismounted, knelt below the pavilion, and bowed to the queen. After mother and son had exchanged some family talk, the prince said, "There is one thing I wish to ask my mother. I beg you to pardon your son." The queen said, "What crime can there be between mother and son? You are pardoned; speak quickly." The prince asked, "Mother, I ask you: is the love between husband and wife in the palace these last three years the same as it was three years ago?" Tears welled in the queen's eyes and she began to speak, then stopped. The prince said urgently, "Mother, say it at once; do not let a great matter be ruined." The queen said softly, "Had you not asked, my son, I would never have understood it even in the nine springs below. Three years ago he was warm, so warm; three years since, cold as ice. When I pressed him earnestly at my pillow, he said he was old and failing, and his strength was gone." At these words the prince's anger flared up. The queen said, "My son, what has happened after all? Tell your mother quickly." The prince knelt before her and told her everything: how his father had sent a dream to the Tang Monk and the rest. Then he took out the white jade tablet and gave it to her. The queen recognised it as the king's treasure and could not stop her tears from gushing forth. The queen said, "My son, this very morning I too dreamed that your father stood before me dripping wet, saying he was dead, and that his ghost had begged the Tang Monk to subdue the false emperor and save him. At first I doubted, but now I believe. I will keep the treasure for now. Go quickly and ask the holy monk to subdue the demon, to tell the false from the true, and so repay the kindness of your father who reared you." The prince, weeping, bowed farewell to his mother, mounted in haste, left by the rear gate and slipped away from the city, returning to tell the Tang Monk and Wukong everything about his meeting with the queen. Wukong laughed. "Tomorrow this old Sun will sweep this monster away for Your Highness. Please return to the city first." The prince said, "I came out hunting today; if I bring back no game at all, that monster will grow suspicious."

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