Goodness and virtue gather all karmic connections,Their reputation spreads across the Four Continents.Wisdom and light reach the other shore,Whistling winds, dense clouds emerge at the horizon.All Buddhas respond in kind,Forever dwelling on the Jade Terrace for countless autumns.Shattering the worldly dream like a butterfly,Enough, let it be.Cleansing away worldly worries, leaving no sorrow.
The story tells of the Tang Monk and his disciples. Having left behind the grimy alleys and embarked on a tranquil path, time flew quickly, and they once again found themselves in the scorching heat of summer. It was just as the verses describe:
Crimson pomegranates unfurled like brocade,Lotus leaves bloomed like green plates.Green willows on both sides sheltered young swallows,While travelers escaping the heat waved their silk fans.
As they continued forward, they suddenly saw a city approaching. The Tang Monk pulled on his horse's reins and called out, "Disciples, what place is that?" Sun Wukong replied, "Master, you don't even know how to read! How did you manage to receive the Tang Emperor's decree and leave the capital?" The Tang Monk said, "I have been a monk since childhood; I am well-versed in thousands of scriptures and countless classics. How can you say I don't know how to read?" Sun Wukong said, "If you can read, then how is it you don't recognize the three large characters clearly written on that apricot-yellow flag atop the city gate? Why do you ask what place it is?" The Tang Monk rebuked, "You mischievous monkey, talking nonsense! The flag is fluttering wildly in the wind; even if there were characters, I couldn't see them clearly!" Sun Wukong retorted, "Then how did Old Sun see them?" Pigsy and Sandy Monk interjected, "Master, don't listen to Brother's tricks. From this distance, we can't even clearly make out the city itself, let alone what characters are written." Sun Wukong said, "Are they not the three characters 'Zhu Ziguo'?" The Tang Monk said, "Zhu Ziguo must be a Western kingdom. We will need to validate our travel permit." Sun Wukong said, "Say no more." Before long, they reached the city gate, dismounted, crossed the bridge, and entered through three layers of gates. It was truly a magnificent imperial city! One could see:
Towering gatehouses rose high, battlements neatly arrayed.Flowing water circulated all around, high mountains stood opposite north and south.Six main streets and three markets held abundant goods,Ten thousand households and a thousand families conducted prosperous business.Indeed, it was a metropolitan imperial capital, a grand city of the celestial realm.Travelers arrived by boat and ladder from distant lands,Jade and silk tributes flowed in from faraway regions.Its strategic advantages stretched far into the mountains,Its palace walls reached the clear sky.Three passes were tightly secured like locks and keys,Ensuring peace and prosperity for all ages.
As the master and disciples walked along the main street, they observed people of dignified bearing, neatly dressed, and speaking clearly—truly no less than the Great Tang realm. From both sides of the street, vendors and shoppers, upon suddenly seeing Pigsy's ugly appearance, Sandy Monk's dark face and tall stature, and Sun Wukong's hairy face and prominent forehead, abandoned their businesses and rushed to stare. The Tang Monk repeatedly urged, "Don't cause trouble! Keep your heads down and walk!" Pigsy obediently tucked his snout-like mouth into his chest, and Sandy Monk dared not look up. Only Sun Wukong, looking around constantly, closely followed the Tang Monk. The sensible people among the crowd soon looked their fill and returned to their affairs. But the idlers and mischievous children, roaring with laughter, came forward, throwing tiles and bricks, playing pranks on Pigsy. The Tang Monk was in a cold sweat, just urging, "Don't cause any incidents!" The idiot dared not lift his head.
Before long, they turned a corner and suddenly saw a gate with the three characters "Huitong Guan" (Reception Hall) above it. The Tang Monk said, "Disciples, let us enter this yamen." Sun Wukong asked, "Why go in?" The Tang Monk replied, "The Huitong Guan is a place where officials from all over the world gather. It is acceptable for us to impose ourselves and rest there for a while. After I have an audience with the King and had our travel permit validated, we can then hurry out of the city and continue our journey." Hearing this, Pigsy pulled his snout out, scaring dozens of the onlookers to fall down. He stepped forward and said, "Master is right. Let's go inside and hide, to avoid these annoying people making a racket." So they entered the hall, and the crowd gradually dispersed.
In the Huitong Guan were two officials, one senior and one junior, who were in the main hall checking staff, preparing to receive an official somewhere. When they suddenly saw the Tang Monk arrive, they were startled. Together they asked, "Who are you? Who are you? Where are you going?" The Tang Monk pressed his palms together and said, "This humble monk is an envoy sent by the Great Tang of the East, journeying to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures. Now that I have arrived in your esteemed land, I dare not pass through privately. I have a travel permit that I wish to have verified and approved for passage, and I humbly request to temporarily rest in your esteemed yamen." Hearing this, the two officials dismissed their attendants, straightened their hats and fastened their belts, and came down from the hall to greet him. They immediately ordered a guest room to be cleaned for him to rest and instructed that simple vegetarian provisions be prepared. The Tang Monk thanked them. The two officials then led their staff out of the hall. The servants invited the venerable guest to rest in the guest room, and the Tang Monk began to go. Sun Wukong grumbled, "This fellow is lazy! Why didn't he let Old Sun stay in the main hall?" The Tang Monk said, "This place is not subject to the jurisdiction of our Great Tang, nor is it connected to our country. Besides, superiors and other guests frequently come and go, so it is not appropriate for us to stay there." Sun Wukong said, "In that case, I insist that they treat us with due respect!" Just as he spoke, the steward arrived with provisions: a plate of white rice, a plate of white flour, two bunches of green vegetables, four pieces of tofu, two pieces of gluten, a plate of dried bamboo shoots, and a plate of wood ear mushrooms. The Tang Monk told his disciples to accept them and thanked the steward. The steward said, "There is a clean stove in the west room, and firewood is readily available. Please feel free to cook your own meal." The Tang Monk then asked, "May I ask, is your King present in the palace hall?" The steward replied, "Our Venerable Majesty has not held court for a long time. Today is an auspicious day, and he is just now discussing issuing an imperial proclamation with his civil and military officials. If you wish to validate your travel permit, you should hurry now; you might still make it. By tomorrow, it will be too late, and who knows how long you would have to wait." The Tang Monk said, "Wukong, you two prepare the vegetarian meal here. I will hurry to get the travel permit verified and return, then we can eat and go." Pigsy quickly took out the travel permit from the kasaya. The Tang Monk tidied himself and went to court, instructing his disciples repeatedly that they must not go out and cause trouble.
Before long, he arrived before the Five-Phoenix Tower. The magnificence of the palaces and the grandeur of the pavilions were beyond description. He went directly to the Duanmen (Upright Gate) and asked the reporting official to convey to the King that he wished to have his travel permit verified. The eunuch official indeed went before the jade steps and reported, "Outside the main gate of the court, there is an imperial envoy monk from the Great Tang of the East, who is traveling to Leiyin Temple in the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and seek scriptures. He wishes to have his travel permit validated and awaits your summons." Hearing this, the King was pleased and said, "I have been gravely ill for a long time and have not ascended the throne. Today, I came to the hall to issue a proclamation seeking doctors, and now an eminent monk has arrived in our country!" He immediately issued a decree to summon the monk to the foot of the steps. The Tang Monk immediately bowed down in prostration. The King then summoned him to the Golden Hall and granted him a seat, ordering the Court of Imperial Entertainments to prepare a vegetarian meal. The Tang Monk thanked him for the favor and presented his travel permit. After reading it, the King was extremely pleased and said, "Master, in your Great Tang, how many virtuous monarchs have there been? How many wise officials? And as for the Tang Emperor, why did he fall ill and then revive, sending you to travel far across mountains and rivers to seek scriptures?" Upon this question, the elder bowed slightly and pressed his palms together, saying, "This humble monk's country..."
"The Three Sovereigns governed the world, the Five Emperors established order.Yao and Shun ascended to power, Yu and Tang brought peace to the people.The multitude of Zhou's sons established their own territories.The strong preyed on the weak, dividing kingdoms and claiming kingship.Eighteen feudal lords, their territories on the fringes,Later becoming twelve, bringing peace to the universe.Though without chariots or horses, they still devoured one another.The Seven Heroes vied for supremacy, the Six States submitted to Qin.Heaven gave birth to Lu and Pei, each harboring cruelty.The realm belonged to Han, its laws strictly observed.Han yielded to Sima, Jin then plunged into disorder.North and South, twelve dynasties, then Song, Qi, Liang, Chen.Ancestors succeeded one another, Great Sui inherited the true lineage.Indulging in pleasure, without proper governance, the people suffered greatly.Our king is of the Li family, with the dynastic title Tang.Gaozu passed away, and now Taizong reigns.Rivers are clear and seas tranquil, with great virtue and benevolence.It was because, to the north of Chang'an city, there was a strange water dragon god who deliberately reduced the sweet rain, deserving to be harmed. At night, he appeared in the King's dream, begging for rescue. The King promised to pardon him and quickly summoned a wise minister. He entertained him in the palace, slowly playing chess. At noon that day, the wise minister dreamt of beheading the dragon."
Hearing this, the King suddenly groaned and asked, "Master, from which country is that wise minister?" The Tang Monk replied, "He is Prime Minister Wei Zheng, who serves before our King. He understands astronomy, knows geography, and discerns yin and yang; he is a great prime minister who can stabilize the nation and establish the state. Because he dreamt of beheading the Jing River Dragon King, that Dragon King lodged a complaint in the underworld, saying that our King had promised to save him but then killed him. That is why our King suddenly fell ill and gradually felt his life was in danger. Wei Zheng also wrote a letter for our King to take to the underworld, to be delivered to Judge Cui Shen of Fengdu City. A short while later, the Tang Emperor died, but after three days, he revived. Thanks to Wei Zheng, who moved Judge Cui to alter the document and add twenty years to the King's life. Now, our King wishes to hold a Grand Water and Land Mass, which is why he dispatched this humble monk to travel far, inquiring in various countries, to worship the Buddha Ancestor and obtain the Mahayana Tripitaka scriptures, to liberate souls from suffering and elevate them to heaven." The King groaned and sighed again, "Indeed, it is a great Celestial Empire, with a virtuous monarch and wise officials! Unlike me, who has been gravely ill for so long, without a single official to save me." Hearing this, the elder secretly observed the Emperor, seeing his sallow, emaciated face, and his spirit weak and depleted. Just as the elder was about to ask a question, an official from the Court of Imperial Entertainments reported, requesting that the Tang Monk be served his meal. The King issued a decree, saying, "Let my own meal be set out in the Pixiang Hall for the Master to share." The Tang Monk thanked him for the favor. He and the King shared their meal; no further details are mentioned.
Meanwhile, at the Huitong Guan, Sun Wukong told Sandy Monk to prepare tea and food and cook some vegetarian dishes. Sandy Monk said, "Tea and food are easy to cook, but the vegetables are difficult to prepare." Sun Wukong asked, "Why?" Sandy Monk replied, "There's no oil, salt, soy sauce, or vinegar." Sun Wukong said, "I have a few small coins here; tell Pigsy to go to the street and buy some." That lazy idiot replied, "I dare not go. My face isn't presentable, I might cause trouble, and Master would blame me." Sun Wukong said, "It's a fair transaction; you're not begging or robbing. What trouble could there be?" Pigsy said, "Did you not just see how menacing I was? I pulled out my snout at the gate here and scared a dozen people into falling. If I go into the bustling market, who knows how many people I'd scare to death!" Sun Wukong said, "You only know about the bustling market. Have you even seen what's being sold there?" Pigsy replied, "Master only told me to keep my head down and not cause trouble, so I truly haven't seen." Sun Wukong said, "Needless to say, there are wine shops, rice shops, mills, and silk and sundry goods. And indeed, there are also good teahouses, noodle shops, large flatbreads, large steamed buns. Restaurants also have good soup with rice, good spices, good vegetables, and exotic sugar cakes, steamed pastries, dim sum, rolls, fried snacks, and honeyed snacks—countless good things. How about I go buy some to treat you?" Hearing this, the idiot's mouth watered, and he audibly swallowed his saliva. He jumped up and said, "Brother! This time I'll trouble you; next time, when I save up some money, I'll treat you in return." Sun Wukong secretly laughed and said, "Sandy, cook the rice well, we'll go buy seasonings." Sandy Monk, knowing he was just playing a trick on the idiot, simply agreed, "Go ahead, but be sure to buy plenty so you can eat your fill when you return." The idiot grabbed a bowl and went out with Sun Wukong. Two officials there asked, "Where is the elder going?" Sun Wukong replied, "To buy seasonings." The official said, "Go west down this street, turn past the Drum Tower, and at Zheng's General Store, you can buy as much as you like. They have all the oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, pepper, and tea."
The two supported each other and went straight west down the street. Sun Wukong passed several teahouses and a few restaurants, not buying what they should have, not eating what they should have. Pigsy called out, "Brother, let's just buy some here!" But Sun Wukong was just teasing him; he would not buy anything. He said, "My dear brother, you're not very shrewd! Let's walk a bit further and choose something bigger to eat." As they chatted, many people followed them, vying to get a look. Soon, they arrived by the Drum Tower, where they saw countless people shouting, packed tightly together, filling the street and blocking the way. Seeing this, Pigsy said, "Brother, I'm not going! It's too noisy there. I'm afraid they're catching monks. Besides, we are suspicious strangers. What if they seize us?" Sun Wukong said, "Nonsense! Monks don't break the law; why would they seize me? Let's just walk past and go to Zheng's General Store to buy some seasonings." Pigsy said, "No, no, no! I won't cause trouble. If I squeeze into that crowd and get my ears pulled off by two people, scaring them into falling and crawling, and a few even die, I'd have to pay with my life!" Sun Wukong said, "If that's the case, then you stand still by this wall. I'll go buy what we need and come back, and I'll buy you some vegetarian noodles and flatbreads to eat." The idiot handed the bowl to Sun Wukong, leaned his snout against the wall, turned his face away, and wouldn't move for anything. Sun Wukong walked to the tower. It was indeed packed. He squeezed into the crowd and listened, and it turned out that the imperial proclamation was hung below the tower, which was why so many people were jostling to see it. Sun Wukong squeezed closer, opened his Fiery-Eyes and Golden Gaze, and upon careful inspection, saw that the proclamation read:
"I, the King of Zhu Ziguo in Western Niuhe Continent, since founding the kingdom, have seen the four directions subdued and my people living in peace. Recently, due to inauspicious national affairs, I have been gravely ill and bedridden, lingering for a long time, difficult to cure. My Imperial Medical Academy has repeatedly selected good prescriptions but has been unable to cure me. Therefore, this proclamation is now issued to widely recruit worthy individuals from all over the world. Regardless of whether they come from the north or east, from China or other countries, if there are those skilled in medicine, please ascend to the Precious Hall and treat my person. If I recover even slightly, I am willing to divide the kingdom equally; I will certainly not make an empty promise. For this reason, this proclamation is issued and displayed, and those concerned should take note."
After reading it, Sun Wukong was filled with joy and said, "The ancients said, 'Action brings three parts good fortune.' It's a good thing I didn't sit idly in the inn. With this, there's no need to buy any seasonings. Let the scripture-seeking task rest for a day; Old Sun will play doctor for a bit." The good Great Sage bent down, dropped the bowl, picked up a pinch of dust, sprinkled it upwards, chanted a spell, used his invisibility art, and quietly went forward to take down the proclamation. Then he inhaled immortal qi towards the southeast and blew it. As a whirlwind rose, he turned around and went directly to where Pigsy was standing, finding the idiot leaning his snout against the wall, seemingly asleep. Sun Wukong did not disturb him. He folded the proclamation, gently tucked it into Pigsy's chest, turned, and went back to the Huitong Guan without further mention.
Meanwhile, when the crowd below the tower saw the wind rise, they all covered their heads and closed their eyes. When the wind had passed, they found the imperial proclamation gone, and everyone was terrified. The proclamation had originally been taken out by twelve eunuchs and twelve Imperial Guards that morning. It had been hung for less than six hours when it was blown away by the wind. Trembling, they searched left and right. Suddenly, they saw a paper edge sticking out from Pigsy's chest. The crowd approached and asked, "Did you take down the proclamation?" The idiot sharply raised his head, rubbed his snout, and scared the Imperial Guards into stumbling and falling to the ground. He then turned to leave, but was restrained by a few bolder individuals who asked, "You took down the imperial proclamation seeking doctors; why aren't you going to court to treat our Venerable Majesty? Where are you going?" The idiot stammered, "Your son took down the imperial proclamation! Your grandson can cure!" The Imperial Guards asked, "What are you carrying in your chest?" Only then did the idiot lower his head to look. Indeed, there was a piece of paper. He unfolded it and, gritting his teeth, cursed, "That monkey is killing me!" With a grunt of anger, he tried to tear it apart, but he was immediately restrained by the crowd who said, "You'll die for this! This is a proclamation issued by the current King; who dares to tear it? Since you took it down and are carrying it, you must have the skill to cure the nation. Come with us quickly!" Pigsy retorted, "You people don't understand! I didn't take this down; my elder brother Sun Wukong did. He secretly tucked it into my chest and then left me. If you want to clarify this matter, I'll help you find him." The crowd said, "What nonsense are you talking? Why strike a bell that's being cast when there's a ready one to strike? You've clearly taken down the proclamation; who are we supposed to find? We won't listen to you! We're dragging you to see His Majesty!" The crowd, without distinguishing right from wrong, pushed and pulled the idiot. But the idiot stood his ground as if rooted; a dozen people couldn't budge him. Pigsy said, "You people don't know your place! If you pull any more, my stupid temper will flare up, and then don't blame me!"
Before long, the street people were agitated and surrounded him. Two elderly eunuchs among them said, "Your appearance is strange, and your voice is off. Where are you from, acting so uncivilized and strong?" Pigsy said, "We are from the East, sent to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures. My master is the Tang Emperor's sworn brother, a monk, who just went to court to validate our travel permit. My elder brother and I came here to buy seasonings. I saw the crowd below the tower and didn't dare go, so my elder brother told me to wait here. It turns out he saw the proclamation, created a whirlwind to take it down, secretly tucked it into my chest, and then left first." The eunuch said, "Earlier, I saw a white-faced, stout monk heading straight for the court gate. I suppose that was your master?" Pigsy said, "Precisely, precisely." The eunuch asked, "Where did your elder brother go?" Pigsy said, "Our group consists of four. My master went to validate the travel permit. The three of us, our luggage, and our horses are all resting at the Huitong Guan. My elder brother tricked me and went back to the inn first." The eunuch said, "Imperial Guards, don't drag him. Let us go to the inn together, and we will know the truth." Pigsy said, "You two grandmas are sensible." The Imperial Guards said, "This monk truly doesn't know his manners! Why is he calling eunuchs 'grandmas'?" Pigsy laughed, "No shame! You've reversed yin and yang! These two old women, if you don't call them 'grandmas,' you call them 'eunuchs' instead!" The crowd said, "Stop talking nonsense! Quickly go find your elder brother." The street was filled with a noisy commotion, no fewer than three to five hundred people, who together carried him to the entrance of the inn. Pigsy said, "Hold on, everyone! My elder brother isn't like me, letting you play tricks on him; he's a fierce and serious person. When you see him, you must perform a great bow, call him 'Grandpa Sun,' and he'll accept it. Otherwise, he'll change his demeanor, and this matter won't get done." All the eunuchs and Imperial Guards said, "If your elder brother is truly capable and can cure the King, he would deserve half the kingdom, and it would be proper for us to bow down."
While the idlers continued to clamor outside the gate, Pigsy led the eunuchs and Imperial Guards directly into the inn. They overheard Sun Wukong and Sandy Monk in the guest room, joking about the matter of taking down the proclamation. Pigsy stepped forward, grabbed Sun Wukong, and yelled, "Are you even a person! You tricked me into going to buy vegetarian noodles, flatbreads, and steamed buns for me to eat, but it was all empty talk! And you created a whirlwind, took down some imperial proclamation, secretly tucked it into my chest, and used me as a scapegoat! Is this how a brother acts!" Sun Wukong laughed and said, "You idiot, you must have taken the wrong path and gone somewhere else. I passed the Drum Tower, bought seasonings, and hurried back to find you, but you weren't there, so I came back first. Where would I take down an imperial proclamation?" Pigsy said, "The officials who were watching the proclamation are right here!" Before he finished speaking, the eunuchs and Imperial Guards bowed towards Sun Wukong and said, "Grandpa Sun, our King is fortunate today; Heaven has sent you down. You must surely display your profound skill and subtly apply your extraordinary wisdom to cure our King's illness. The kingdom will be shared, and the state will be divided equally." Hearing this, Sun Wukong straightened his expression, took the proclamation from Pigsy, and said to the crowd, "Are you the officials who were watching the proclamation?" The eunuchs kowtowed and said, "Your humble servants are palace eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonials, and these are the Imperial Guards." Sun Wukong said, "Indeed, I took down this proclamation seeking doctors, and therefore sent my junior brother to introduce me. Since your master is ill, as the saying goes, 'Medicine doesn't follow the seller, nor does illness beg for a doctor.' Go tell your King to personally come and invite me. I have the power to cure illness instantly." Hearing this, the eunuchs were all astonished. The Imperial Guards said, "He speaks such big words, he must have some capability. Half of us will stay here to respectfully wait, and the other half will go to court to report." So, four eunuchs and six Imperial Guards were dispatched. Without waiting for a summons, they went directly to the court and reported before the steps, "A thousand blessings, Your Majesty!" The King, who had just finished dining and was having a pleasant conversation with the Tang Monk, suddenly heard this report and asked, "Whence comes this joy?" The eunuchs reported, "Your humble servants earlier took out the imperial proclamation seeking doctors and hung it below the Drum Tower. A holy monk, Elder Sun, from the Great Tang of the East, who has traveled far to seek scriptures, took it down. He is now at the Huitong Guan and insists that the King personally invite him, for he has the power to cure illness instantly. Therefore, we have specially come to report this." Hearing this, the King was filled with joy and asked the Tang Monk, "Master, how many eminent disciples do you have?" The Tang Monk pressed his palms together and replied, "This humble monk has three mischievous disciples." The King asked, "Which one of your eminent disciples is skilled in medicine?" The Tang Monk said, "To be honest with Your Majesty, my mischievous disciples are all uncouth and mediocre talents from the mountains. They only know how to carry luggage and lead horses, cross streams and find paths, and guide this humble monk over mountains and ridges. Or, in treacherous places, they can subdue demons and capture monsters, catch tigers and tame dragons, but not one of them knows about medicinal properties." The King said, "Master, why are you so modest? That I came to the hall today and was fortunate to meet the Master is truly a divine coincidence. If your eminent disciple does not know medicine, why would he take down my proclamation and demand that I personally welcome him? He surely has the ability to cure the kingdom." He called, "My civil and military officials! My body is weak and lacking strength, so I dare not ride in a carriage. You must, on my behalf, all go outside the court and respectfully invite Elder Sun to examine my illness. When you see him, you must not be disrespectful. Address him as Divine Monk Elder Sun, and all should greet him with the respect due from a minister to a sovereign." The officials received the decree and, with the eunuchs and Imperial Guards who had seen the proclamation, went directly to the Huitong Guan, where they lined up and bowed in respect. This scared Pigsy into hiding in a side room, and Sandy Monk slipped behind the wall. The Great Sage, seeing them, sat upright and still in the center, not moving. Pigsy secretly grumbled, "This monkey is going to ruin us! How can he not return the bow or even stand up when so many officials are bowing to him!" Before long, the bowing was finished. They divided into ranks and reported, "Reporting to Divine Monk Elder Sun, we are all officials of the King of Zhu Ziguo. We have received the King's decree and respectfully invite the Divine Monk, with pure etiquette, to enter the court and examine his illness." Only then did Sun Wukong stand up and say to the crowd, "Why did your King not come?" The officials replied, "Our King is weak in body and lacking strength; he dares not ride in a carriage. He specially ordered us to act on his behalf, paying you the respect due from a minister, to invite the Divine Monk." Sun Wukong said, "If that is so, then gentlemen, please go ahead, and I will follow." The officials walked in a procession, each according to their rank. Sun Wukong straightened his clothes and set off. Pigsy said, "Brother, please don't implicate us." Sun Wukong said, "I won't implicate you. I just need the two of you to collect medicine for me." Sandy Monk asked, "Collect what medicine?" Sun Wukong replied, "If anyone brings medicine to me, receive it all, and I'll come back for it later." The two agreed, and no more was said.
Sun Wukong immediately went with the officials and arrived in a moment. The officials went ahead first and reported to the King. The King rolled up the pearl curtain high, revealed his dragon-like eyes and phoenix-like gaze, opened his golden mouth, and asked, "Which one is Divine Monk Elder Sun?" Sun Wukong stepped forward and said sternly, "Old Sun is he." The King, hearing the fierce voice and seeing the cunning appearance, was so scared that he trembled and fell onto his dragon bed. The palace maids and eunuchs frantically rushed him into the palace, saying, "He scared me to death!" All the officials blamed Sun Wukong, saying, "How can this monk be so rude and uncivilized! How dare he take down the proclamation without permission!" Sun Wukong heard them and laughed, "Gentlemen, you misunderstand me. If one is so disrespectful to people, your King's illness will not get better even in a thousand years." The officials said, "How long is a person's lifespan? It won't get better even in a thousand years?" Sun Wukong said, "He is a sick king now; when he dies, he'll be a sick ghost, and when he reincarnates, he'll still be a sick person. So, it won't get better even in a thousand years, will it?" The officials angrily said, "You monk, you are utterly ignorant of etiquette! How dare you speak such utter nonsense!" Sun Wukong laughed and said, "It's not nonsense; just listen to me explain—
The principles and methods of medicine are subtle and profound,The key is to have ingenuity in one's mind.Observing, listening, inquiring, and feeling the pulse—these four things;If one is missing, it is not complete.
First, observe his spirit and complexion,Whether moist or dry, fat or thin, awake or asleep.Second, listen to his voice, whether clear or hoarse;Hear his true words and his delusions.
Third, inquire about the origin of the illness, how many days it has lasted;What his diet is like, and his bowel movements.Fourth, feel the pulse to understand the meridians;Whether it's floating or sinking, external or internal.
If I don't observe, listen, inquire, or feel the pulse,Don't expect to be well in this life."
Among the two ranks of civil and military officials were Imperial Medical Academy officials. Upon hearing this, they praised him to the others, saying, "This monk also speaks with reason. Even an immortal doctor must observe, listen, inquire, and feel the pulse. This strictly conforms to divine and ingenious methods." The officials, following these words, instructed an attendant to report, "The elder requires the principles of observing, listening, inquiring, and feeling the pulse to correctly diagnose the illness and prescribe medicine." The King, lying on his dragon bed, repeatedly called out, "Tell him to leave! I cannot see strangers anymore!" The attendant came out of the palace and said, "Monk, our King's decree is for you to leave; he cannot see strangers." Sun Wukong said, "If he cannot see strangers, I can diagnose by suspended thread." The officials secretly rejoiced, "We have heard of suspended-thread pulse diagnosis, but never seen it. Let us report again." The attendant then re-entered the palace and reported, "Your Majesty, Elder Sun says he can perform suspended-thread pulse diagnosis without seeing your face." The King thought to himself, "I have been ill for three years, and have not yet tried this. Summon him in." The attendant immediately conveyed the order, "His Majesty has agreed to the suspended-thread pulse diagnosis; quickly summon Elder Sun into the palace for examination."
Sun Wukong then ascended to the Precious Hall. The Tang Monk met him and scolded, "You mischievous monkey, you've ruined me!" Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Good Master, I am bringing you glory; why do you say I'm ruining you?" The Tang Monk rebuked, "You've been with me for these past few years; when have you ever cured anyone! You don't even know medicinal properties, nor have you read medical books. How dare you recklessly cause such a disaster!" Sun Wukong laughed, "Master, you truly don't understand. I have a few folk remedies that can cure serious illnesses; I guarantee I can cure him. Even if he dies, it would only be the crime of a quack doctor causing death, not deserving of execution. Why are you afraid! It's nothing, it's nothing. Just sit down and see how I diagnose the pulse." The elder again said, "Have you ever seen the *Huangdi Neijing* or *Classic of Difficult Issues*, the *Compendium of Materia Medica*, or the *Pulse Classic*? What kind of chapters and sentences, how are they annotated, that you speak such nonsense and claim to know suspended-thread pulse diagnosis!" Sun Wukong laughed, "I have golden threads on me; you just haven't seen them yet." He immediately reached down, pulled three hairs from his tail, twisted them, and shouted, "Change!" They instantly transformed into three silk threads, each twenty-four feet long, corresponding to the twenty-four solar terms. He held them in his hand and said to the Tang Monk, "Are these not my golden threads?" A nearby palace eunuch said, "Elder, stop talking for now; please enter the palace for diagnosis." Sun Wukong bade farewell to the Tang Monk and followed the attendant into the palace to examine the King. It was truly a case where:With secret formulas in his heart to govern the nation,Within him lay wondrous methods to achieve longevity.
Ultimately, what illness he will diagnose and what medicine he will use, to know the full story, please listen to the next chapter's explanation.
[3 minutes ago] Chapter 113: Holy Land of Sacred Relics
[4 minutes ago] Chapter 75: The Possessed Trainee
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