Emperor Taizong originally intended to confine Wei Zheng here, preventing him from killing the Dragon King, thus making him a trustworthy person. However, although Emperor Taizong was the ruler of a country and the emperor appointed by Heaven, he was not a person with supernatural powers. How could he know the cause and effect of this place? After a while, Wei Zheng fell asleep. Emperor Taizong thought to himself, "It's no wonder that my ministers suffer for the affairs of the country."
After a while, a blood-red dragon head fell from the clouds in Chang'an. The guards dared not underestimate it and immediately reported to Emperor Taizong. At that moment, Wei Zheng suddenly woke up and confessed his sins to Emperor Taizong. Upon further questioning, he revealed that he had already killed the Jing River Dragon King in his dream. When the soldiers presented the dragon head, it was indeed the head of the Jing River Dragon King. Wei Zheng was speechless.
Later that night, Emperor Taizong dreamt that the Jing River Dragon King suddenly appeared before him, carrying his head and demanding his return. Emperor Taizong was greatly alarmed. Suddenly, a Jurchen woman stepped forward, waved a willow branch, and the headless dragon, weeping sadly, headed northwest. This was none other than Guanyin Bodhisattva, who had come to find the pilgrim on his journey to the West. She resided in the local earth god temple in Chang'an, and having heard the cries of ghosts and gods at night, she came to drive away the wicked dragon and save the emperor. The Dragon King, left with no other option, had to descend to the underworld to lodge a complaint.
Within a few days, Emperor Taizong indeed forgot his fate and entered the underworld. Because Wei Zheng's friend had worked there, the Ten Kings of Hell, upon their trial, discovered that Wei Zheng's friend had unjustly made two entries in the Book of Life and Death, extending Emperor Taizong's thirteen-year reign by twenty years. Helpless, they released Emperor Taizong back to the underworld.
Afterwards, Zhu Taiwei, the Grand Commandant of the previous dynasty, escorted Emperor Taizong back to the capital. On the way, they encountered the eighteen levels of hell. Taizong stopped to look at them and, seeing the suffering of the wronged souls in hell, felt unbearable pain. After returning to the capital, a compassionate thought arose in his heart. He then remembered the Jurchen woman who had saved him that night. At that time, both the Eastern and Southern continents had believers in Confucianism and Taoism, but Buddhism had very little influence and was not widely promoted. Taizong had not yet realized the true nature of Guanyin. Only after someone pointed it out did he realize it. Thinking of this, he made a great vow to promote Buddhism among the people. Just now, he invited the son of the top scholar surnamed Chen to talk about Buddhism. It can be seen that under the heavenly way, every drink and every bite is predetermined, and the cause and effect are intertwined, mysterious and profound.
As a result, Guanyin transformed into an old monk and made a ruckus at the Buddhist assembly, putting on a great show of being a wise and virtuous person. This led to the decision that the person to obtain the scriptures would be Xuanzang (since these two characters are difficult to type, we'll just call him Tang Seng). She then bestowed two treasures upon Tang Seng and transformed into the image of Guanyin herself before flying away, not forgetting to show off a bit before she left.
The following morning, Emperor Taizong held court, gathered civil and military officials, and drafted the travel permit for the journey to the West, affixing the imperial seal. An official from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau reported, "Today is an auspicious day for a long journey." The Emperor was overjoyed. Then a palace eunuch reported, "Your Majesty, the Buddhist monk, awaits your orders outside the palace gate." He immediately summoned the monk to the palace and said, "Your Majesty, today is an auspicious day for your journey. This is the travel permit. I also have a purple-gold alms bowl for you to use for begging along the way. I have also selected two long-distance attendants and a silver horse for your journey. You may now proceed on your journey."
Xuanzang was overjoyed. After thanking the emperor and receiving the gifts, he showed no further intention of lingering. The Tang emperor, along with many officials, escorted him to the border. There, they found the monks and disciples of Hongfu Temple waiting for Xuanzang outside the pass with his winter and summer clothes. Upon seeing this, the Tang emperor first ordered his luggage and horses to be packed, and then instructed his officials to serve wine. Emperor Taizong raised his cup and asked, "What is your elegant title, my imperial brother?" Xuanzang replied, "This humble monk is a monk; I dare not use such a title."
Emperor Taizong said, "The Bodhisattva said that there is a Tripitaka Master in the Western Paradise. Brother Xuanzang, could you point to the sutra and choose a name, such as Tripitaka?" Xuanzang thanked the Emperor again, accepted the imperial wine, and said, "Your Majesty, alcohol is the first precept for monks. This humble monk, being a human, does not drink." Emperor Taizong said, "Today's journey is different from other matters. This is plain wine; drink only this cup to express my farewell." Xuanzang dared not refuse. He accepted the wine and was about to drink when he saw Emperor Taizong lower his head, pick up a pinch of dust with his imperial finger, and flick it into the wine. Xuanzang did not understand the meaning. Emperor Taizong laughed and said, "Brother Xuanzang, once you go to the Western Paradise, when will you return?"
Tripitaka said, “I have made a great vow that if I do not obtain the true scriptures, I will be forever condemned to hell. It is probably because I am favored by the king and have no choice but to be loyal to the country. My journey is truly uncertain and my fate is unknown. I have heard that the road to the Western Paradise is long and fraught with many tribulations. After I leave, it may be two or three years, or five or seven years. Just look at the pine branches at the mountain gate pointing east, and I will return. Otherwise, I will never return.”
Emperor Taizong said, "As time goes by and the journey becomes longer, my brother, you may drink this wine: 'I would rather cherish a handful of soil from my homeland than covet ten thousand taels of gold from a foreign land.'" Sanzang then understood the meaning of the "clod of soil," thanked the emperor, drank it all, and took his leave. The Tang emperor returned.
The eighteen monkeys' hearts are true and their hearts are at peace.
It is said that Tang Sanzang was ordered by Emperor Taizong to travel to the Western Paradise to worship Buddha and seek Buddhist scriptures. Along the way, he traveled through rivers and streams, encountering fierce tigers and demons, as well as being bullied by chivalrous thieves and bandits. There were many dangerous moments on the journey, but he never changed his determination to obtain the scriptures.
With Liu Boqin's guidance, they arrived at the foot of Liangjie Mountain. There, they saw a majestic mountain, like five fingers. Sanzang dismounted and led his horse. After traveling only a few miles, they heard someone faintly calling, "Master! Master!" Sanzang was greatly surprised. The voice seemed to be calling him. He quickly went forward and saw a large hole under the rocks. A monkey's head was sticking out of the hole, with branches entwined around it. The voice was coming from inside.
The monkey was none other than the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun Wukong. Upon seeing Sanzang arrive, he followed Guanyin Bodhisattva's instructions and argued with her, confirming that he hadn't mispronounced the name. He quickly said, "Master, why did you only arrive now? Good, good! Save me, and I'll guarantee you a journey to the Western Paradise!"
Sanzang, filled with doubt, stepped forward for a closer look and saw—a pointed mouth and sunken cheeks, with fiery golden eyes. Moss piled on his head, and vines grew in his ears. His temples were sparse with hair but covered in green grass, and his chin was beardless but covered in green stubble. His brows were covered in dirt, his nose in a muddy hollow, he looked utterly disheveled, his fingers thick, his palms heavy with grime. Fortunately, his eyes moved, and his voice was melodious. Though his speech was fluent, his body was not. It was none other than the Great Sage Sun Wukong of five hundred years ago, now struggling to escape the Heavenly Net.
This Tang monk, sincere and bold, stepped forward, plucked the grass from his temple, and removed the sedge from his chin, asking, "What do you want to say? Why are you shouting here?"
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