Journey to the West: 81 Cases Chapter 2

 

Chapter 2: The Prince of Gaochang and the Princess of Yanqi

As soon as these words were spoken, even the princess's maids were stunned. The merchants and citizens of Yiwu at the city gate fell silent.

The act of "kneeling to serve as a stirrup" was originally a high honor, where one kneels on the ground and bends their back for someone to step on. This practice was most prevalent in Buddhist countries like India, where even some kings would personally kneel to serve as a stirrup for esteemed monks. However, among the nobles of the Western Regions, it was generally a servant's action to assist their master in mounting or dismounting.

Everyone knew that Princess Long Shuang was using this to humiliate Prince Qu Zhisheng of Gaochang. Even her maids and the Long Cavalry felt it was inappropriate. After all, Qu Zhisheng was a prince of a major Western Region country, and the relationship between Yanqi and Gaochang had always been tense. Such humiliation could easily lead to war if Gaochang's king were to become enraged.

Everyone watched as Qu Zhisheng hesitated, hoping he would refuse. But instead, after a moment's pause, he suddenly began to wave his arms excitedly. He tumbled off his horse, crawled to Princess Long Shuang's horse, and said seriously, "Princess, ever since I saw you three years ago in the Yanqi palace, your peerless beauty has been etched in my mind. For three years, I have tossed and turned, unable to sleep, thinking of you every day. I dare not hope for your favor, but just hearing your voice and seeing your face every day would make me willing to endure any suffering!" Then he knelt heavily, placing his hands on the ground, arching his back, and loudly said, "Please dismount, Princess!"

The crowd was stunned, watching the prince of Gaochang kneel on the ground.

Tang Sanzang felt this was highly inappropriate. He quickly dismounted, walked to Qu Zhisheng's side, and clasped his hands together in prayer. "Amitabha. Prince, the Buddha's teachings address the ailments of all beings. The root of these ailments lies in self-attachment. Believing the body is the self leads to greed, anger, and ignorance. Please reconsider."

Qu Zhisheng turned his tear-filled eyes to Tang Sanzang and choked out, "Thank you, Master, for your guidance. But... why is it that after seeing her just once three years ago, I cannot forget her? Is this not the fate arranged for me by the Buddha? As the prince of Gaochang, I live freely, caring not for wealth or power, nor for the countless beauties in the palace. My elder brothers fight fiercely for the throne, but I see it as worthless. I thought nothing could bind me in this life, but you tell me, why did one glance three years ago take my soul?"

Tang Sanzang smiled wryly. Brahman, whose secular name was Wang, was his fellow monk. Although ten years his senior, Brahman incorporated Buddhist teachings into his Zen poems, creating his unique style, which Tang Sanzang greatly admired. Unexpectedly, his Buddhist verses had reached the Western Regions.

Qu Zhisheng wiped his tears, smiled, and said, "Master, I'd rather be a servant than a prince of Gaochang because I cannot overcome my heart." Then he respectfully said, "Please dismount, Princess!"

Tang Sanzang sighed and stepped aside. Princess Long Shuang listened coldly to Qu Zhisheng's words, showing no emotion. She lifted her foot, placed her soft leather boot on his back, and was about to dismount.

At that moment, a loud shout came from the city, "Stop—"

Then the sound of galloping horses filled the air as dozens of warhorses thundered towards them. At the city gate, the leading rider raised his hand, and thirty warhorses simultaneously reined in, neighing as they came to a stop. Their synchronized movements displayed the skill of seasoned warriors.

Leading the group was a burly man with a full beard, robust limbs, and wearing leather armor with a long sword at his waist. Seeing Qu Zhisheng kneeling on the ground and Princess Long Shuang about to step on his back, he became furious. He dismounted in a rage and strode over, grabbing Qu Zhisheng by the neck and hauling him up.

"Third Brother, what are you doing?" the man bellowed. "Don't disgrace our father and Gaochang's honor!"

Qu Zhisheng looked fearful and whispered, "Second Brother..."

Tang Sanzang then realized that this was Qu Deyong, the second prince of Gaochang.

Qu Deyong glared at Princess Long Shuang, then looked at Qu Zhisheng's injured face and dusty clothes, feeling both angry and pitying. "Third Brother, why are you acting so foolishly? I understand your feelings, but... can you marry her? Even if our two countries were on good terms, do you think their king would let her marry you to secure Yanqi's future?"

"But I am willing to be her servant!" Qu Zhisheng said calmly, pushing Qu Deyong away. "Even if I can't marry her, serving her is better than being a prince."

"You're a prince of Gaochang!" Qu Deyong roared, exasperated.

"So what?" Qu Zhisheng sighed. "If being a servant gets me what I want and being a prince doesn't, then I'd rather be a servant."

Qu Deyong was speechless, his anger boiling over. Qu Zhisheng knelt again and loudly said, "Please dismount, Princess!"

"Don't push us too far!" Qu Deyong glared at Princess Long Shuang. "If your foot dares touch my brother's back, I will lead my army to raze Yanqi to the ground!"

Princess Long Shuang sneered, lifted her foot, and kicked Qu Zhisheng in the back, sending him sprawling. Her blue eyes burned with anger. "Qu Deyong, who is pushing whom too far? Tell me, who killed the Yanqi caravan in the Moheyan Desert?"

Tang Sanzang turned pale and lightly gripped Ashu's hand, finding him trembling with fear as he stared at the giant-like Qu Deyong.

Qu Deyong paused, seeing Qu Zhisheng about to speak, and pressed his shoulder, laughing coldly. "I heard about a caravan being attacked in the Moheyan Desert but didn't know it was Yanqi's. Your question is curious."

"Curious?" Princess Long Shuang stared at him. "That caravan had sixty-three people, including more than twenty Sogdians and Yanqi people, armed with twenty bows and everyone with curved swords. Who in this area could have wiped them out?"

Qu Deyong laughed. "Who? Bandits? Tang soldiers? Turks? Shatuo people? Or maybe the Karluks? It could be anyone, so why blame us?"

Princess Long Shuang's face darkened. "Fine, I didn't expect you to admit it. But we Yanqi will remember this. When we find the real culprit, I hope we meet on the battlefield."

"Princess, it wasn't like that—" Qu Zhisheng shouted.

"Shut up—" Qu Deyong and Princess Long Shuang yelled simultaneously.

But Qu Zhisheng didn't back down. He stood between them, looking up at Princess Long Shuang, pleading. "Princess, there's already too much conflict and suffering in the world. Our countries struggle to survive between powerful neighbors. Why add to the bloodshed? If you're willing, I'll persuade my father to make peace with Yanqi. Together, our countries could control the Silk Road. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Princess Long Shuang showed a mocking smile. "So you can propose to me, hoping I'll marry into Gaochang to secure peace?"

Qu Zhisheng blushed, but her words struck his deepest desire. He looked at her with hope.

"Fine, very well!" Princess Long Shuang laughed. "But let me tell you, Qu Zhisheng, even if I were to marry a beggar covered in sores, I'd never marry you!"

Her words were laced with scorn and determination. She spurred her horse and rode off, followed by her maids and the Long Cavalry, leaving Qu Zhisheng covered in dust.

Qu Zhisheng stared at her retreating figure, laughing bitterly before spitting blood and collapsing. Tang Sanzang caught him, preventing him from falling to the ground.

Qu Zhisheng pushed Tang Sanzang away and stood up, his face twisted with a dreadful smile. "Long Shuangyue! I, Qu Zhisheng, swear by the thousand Buddhas of the future world that if I cannot marry you, let me suffer eternal torment in hell, never to reincarnate; let my descendants be slaves and prostitutes for all generations... Heavens, hear my vow—"

This vicious oath shocked everyone, even Qu Deyong.

At the city gate, the crowd of merchants and travelers continued to grow. They watched in stunned silence, witnessing what could be the most extreme vow ever made.

Tang Sanzang was deeply shaken, knowing Qu Zhisheng had lost his mind. He placed his palm on Qu Zhisheng's forehead, chanting, "The image is not real, the body is empty. Like fetching the moon from water, like catching the wind in a tree. You can't grasp it, you can't chase it. Beings follow karma, as in a dream! Roar—"

With his shout, Qu Zhisheng's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed. Tang Sanzang sighed in relief, telling Qu Deyong, "Second Prince, his mind is overtaxed. Let him sleep for a while. He'll be better when he wakes."

Qu Deyong thanked him profusely, took his brother, and ordered a cart to take Qu Zhisheng into Yiwu City. He then asked Tang Sanzang, "Master, what is your name, and how do you know my brother?"

"Amitabha, I am Tang Sanzang from Chang'an. I met the Third Prince while crossing the Moheyan Desert," Tang Sanzang replied.

Qu Deyong was surprised and immediately bowed. "So you are Master Tang Sanzang! Your fame has spread across the Western Regions. My brother and I were ordered by our father to find you when we came to Yiwu. Please come to Gaochang!"

Tang Sanzang politely declined, explaining that he intended to travel to the West to seek the Buddha's teachings.

Qu Deyong didn't insist. He was preoccupied with his brother's condition and had to leave. Before departing, he told Tang Sanzang, "There is a great temple in Yiwu with Han monks. It should be convenient for you to stay there. I have urgent matters to attend to, but I will visit you again."

Tang Sanzang nodded, and they parted ways. The city gate returned to normal, and Tang Sanzang and Ashu led their horse into the city. Unlike in the Central Plains, entering the city required paying a tax, but monks were exempt.

Inside Yiwu, the streets were narrow, lined with adobe houses. Unlike the Central Plains, the flat roofs here didn't need to handle heavy rainfall. The bustling market spilled into the streets, with stalls selling goods from both the East and West. Tang Sanzang marveled at the variety and diversity, guided by Ashu's explanations of the different languages and customs.

Ashu explained that Sogdian merchants had to learn multiple languages, including Persian, Chinese, and Sanskrit, as they traded along the Silk Road. Tang Sanzang was impressed by the intricate connections between cultures and economies.

Following the market, they found the Great Awakening Temple, a large complex blending local and Indian architectural styles. Tang Sanzang and Ashu were welcomed warmly by the resident monks, many of whom were Chinese. They shared their stories, bringing tears to Tang Sanzang's eyes as they spoke of their longing for their homeland.

After washing and eating, Tang Sanzang and Ashu rested, recovering their strength. In the evening, Tang Sanzang gently asked Ashu about the attack on their caravan. Ashu reluctantly revealed that it was indeed Gaochang soldiers led by Qu Deyong.

Tang Sanzang sighed, understanding the complex political tensions driving the violence. They spent the following days visiting various temples, studying scriptures, and sharing teachings with the local monks.

One day, while exploring a cave temple adorned with ancient murals, Tang Sanzang was interrupted by the arrival of a Gaochang envoy named Huanxin. He had been sent by the King of Gaochang to invite Tang Sanzang to their kingdom, promising safe passage and assistance.

Despite his reservations, Tang Sanzang agreed, understanding the importance of such alliances. Huanxin's meticulous preparations impressed him, and they set off for Gaochang, accompanied by a grand escort.

The abbot of the Great Awakening Temple explained to Tang Sanzang that in the Western Regions, hosting esteemed monks was a matter of great pride and influence. Tang Sanzang realized that his journey would be filled with both spiritual and political challenges, but he remained determined to seek the ultimate truth and spread the teachings of the Buddha.