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22 The Kingdom of Western Liang

Wukong shot a glance at the Tang Monk, signaling him to return the courtesy. Understanding, the Tang Monk too raised his jade cup and approached the civil and military officials at the meat table. Seeing the future monarch offer wine in person, the officials all bowed and thanked him. Meanwhile Bajie ate without restraint. He paid no heed whether it was vegetarian noodles, rice, steamed cakes, sweet pastries, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, wood ear fungus, or purple laver — he ate and drank to his heart's content, calling out as he ate, "Eat fast, eat fast — eat up and we disband!" After one round of wine the Tang Monk stood up, pressed his palms together, and said to the Queen, "We have drunk enough. Your Majesty, please endorse our travel documents, and while daylight remains, send my three disciples out of the city." The Queen did as he asked, took the Tang Monk by the hand, ascended to the Golden Throne Hall, and bade him take the throne. The Tang Monk hastened to say, "No — I dare not ascend the throne until tomorrow's auspicious hour. Today let us first endorse the travel documents and send the disciples out of the city." The Queen heeded the Tang Monk's words, sat back upon the dragon couch, ordered a golden chair placed to its left, and invited the Tang Monk to sit. Wukong presented the travel documents. The Queen took them, looked them over, and asked the Tang Monk with a smile, "Why are your distinguished disciples' names not on the document?" The Tang Monk said, "These three unruly disciples were all taken on along the way; their Dharma names have not yet been recorded." The Queen said, "Shall I add them for you?" The Tang Monk answered, "I am obliged to you, Your Majesty." The Queen took up a brush, dipped it thickly in fragrant ink, wrote the names of Sun Wukong, Zhu Wuneng, and Sha Wujing, affixed the great seal squarely, and then handed the document to Wukong to keep safe. The Queen ordered a tray of gold and silver brought out as traveling expenses for Wukong and the other two. Wukong declined, "Monks do not accept gold or silver — along the way there are always places to beg alms." The Queen then ordered ten bolts of brocade brought, but Wukong refused again, "Monks cannot wear brocade — plain cloth is protection enough." The Queen also ordered three jin of imperial rice brought out. Bajie saw it at once, took it, and stowed it in his pack. Wukong said, "Fool — the luggage is heavy enough already, and you still have strength to carry rice?" Bajie laughed, "Brother Monkey, you don't understand — rice is something consumed daily. One meal finishes it off." The Tang Monk said, "May I trouble Your Majesty to accompany this poor monk in seeing off these three? Let me give them a few instructions so they may set their minds at ease about fetching the scriptures." Unaware of the plot, the Queen issued orders for her carriage, mounted the phoenix carriage with the Tang Monk, and rode out of the city. All the way to the West Gate, Wukong and the other two understood each other perfectly. In unison they called out loudly, "Your Majesty need not see us farther — we take our leave now!" The Tang Monk too stepped down from the phoenix carriage, cupped his hands to the Queen, and said, "Your Majesty, pray return — this poor monk goes to fetch the scriptures." The Queen turned pale with shock, clutched at the Tang Monk, and said, "Brother Imperial, I offered you the wealth of a whole kingdom to be my husband. We have eaten the wedding banquet — how can you go back on your word now?" Bajie worked himself into a frenzy, twisted his mouth wildly, shook his ears about, rushed before the carriage, and shouted, "Who wants to marry a painted skeleton like you? Release my master so we may be on our way!" The Queen was frightened out of her wits and fell back into her carriage. Amid the confusion Sandy snatched the Tang Monk out of the crowd and helped him onto his horse. Suddenly a woman flashed out from the roadside and shouted, "Imperial Brother Tang, do not flee!" Sandy raised his staff to strike, but the woman summoned a whirlwind, and with a whoosh she carried the Tang Monk away — his whereabouts became unknown. Wukong leaped at once onto a cloud, shaded his eyes with his hand, and looked in all directions. He saw only a whirlwind carrying dust northwestward. Wukong cried, "Go quickly and rescue Master!" Bajie and Sandy hastily slung the luggage onto the horse, jumped into midair, and chased after it to the northwest. Meanwhile Wukong and the others pursued the whirlwind until they came to a high mountain. Before them was a cave entrance with two stone doors, above which six large characters read "Pipa Cave on Mount Dudi". Bajie raised his rake to smash the door, but Wukong held him back, saying, "Not so fast — let old Sun go first and scout the situation."

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