附录

附录 陈光蕊赴任逢灾 江流僧复仇报本

话表陕西大国长安城，乃历代帝王建都之地。自周、秦、汉以来，三州花似锦，八水绕城流，真个是名胜之邦。方今却是大唐太宗文皇帝登基，改元贞观，此时已登极十三年，岁在己巳[2]。天下太平，八方进贡，四海称臣。

忽一日，太宗登位，聚集文武众官。朝拜礼毕，有魏征丞相出班奏道：“方今天下太平，八方宁静，武将纷纷，文官少有。微臣欲依古法，开立选场，招取贤士，擢用人材。伏乞圣鉴。”太宗道：“贤卿所奏有理。”就出一道招贤榜文，颁布天下：各府州县，不拘军民人等，但有读书儒流，立志向上，文义明畅，三场[3]精通者，前赴长安应试，考取贤才授官。

此榜行至海州地方。那海州弘农县聚贤庄，有一人姓陈名萼，表字光蕊。一日入城，见了此榜，即时回家，对母张氏道：“朝廷出下黄榜[4]，诏开南省，招取贤才。孩儿意欲前去应试。倘求得一官半职，显亲扬名，封妻荫子，光显门闾，乃儿之志也。特此禀告母亲前去。”张氏道：“我儿，你去赴举，路上须要小心；得了官，早早回来。”光蕊便分付家僮收拾行李，即日拜辞母亲上路。

不则一日，已到长安。正值大开选场，光蕊就同众举子进场应考。考毕，中选。及廷试三策，唐王御笔亲赐状元，跨马游街三日。不期游到丞相殷开山门首，有丞相所生一女，名唤温娇，又名满堂娇，未曾匹配与人，正高结彩楼，抛打绣球卜婿。正值陈光蕊在楼下经过，小姐一见光蕊人材出众，况是新科状元，心内十分欢喜，就在彩楼上将绣球抛下，正打着光蕊的乌纱帽。只听得一派笙箫细乐，十数个婢妾走下楼来，把光蕊马头挽住，迎状元入了相府。即请丞相和夫人出堂，唤宾人赞礼，小姐就与光蕊拜了天地，夫妻交拜毕，又拜了岳丈、岳母。丞相分付安排酒席，欢饮一宵。二人同携素手，共入兰房。

次日五更三点，太宗驾坐金銮宝殿，文武众臣趋朝。太宗问道：“新科状元陈光蕊应授何官？”魏征丞相奏道：“臣查所属州郡，止有江州缺官。乞我主授他此职。”太宗就命光蕊为江州州主：“即收拾起身，勿误限期。”光蕊谢恩出朝，回到相府，与妻商议，拜辞岳丈、岳母，同妻前赴江州之任。离了长安登途，正是暮春天气，和风吹柳绿，细雨点花红。

光蕊便道回家，同妻参拜母亲张氏。张氏道：“恭喜我儿，且又娶亲回来。”光蕊道：“孩儿叨赖母亲福庇，忝[5]中状元。唐王赐儿游街。路往殷丞相门前经过，遇抛打绣球适中，蒙丞相将小姐招孩儿为婿。朝廷敕赐孩儿衣锦回家，除孩儿为江州州主。今来接取母亲，同去赴任。”张氏大喜，收拾行程。

在路数日，前至万花店刘小二家安下。张氏身体忽然染病，与光蕊道：“我身上不安，且在店中安歇两日再去。”光蕊遵命。至次日早晨，见店门前有一人把着个金色鲤鱼叫卖，光蕊即将一贯钱买了。欲待烹与母亲吃，只见其鱼闪闪[6]眼，光蕊道：“怪哉！闻人说鱼蛇眼，决不是等闲之物！”遂问渔人道：“这鱼那里打来的？”渔人道：“离府十五里洪江内打来的。”光蕊就把鱼送在洪江里去了。回店对母亲道知此事，张氏道：“我儿，你将去放生，甚好。”光蕊道：“此店已住三日了。钦限紧急，孩儿意欲明日起身，不知母亲身体好否？”张氏道：“我身子不快。此时路上炎热，恐添疾病。你可这里赁间房屋与我住，付些盘缠在此。你两口儿先上任去，候秋凉却来接我。”光蕊与妻商议，就租了屋宇，付了盘缠与母亲，同妻拜辞前去。

途路艰苦，甚不可言。晓行夜宿，不觉已到洪江渡口。只见稍水[7]刘洪、李彪二人撑船到岸迎接。也是光蕊前生合当有此灾难，正撞遇这冤家。光蕊令家僮将行李搬上船去，夫妇齐齐上船。刘洪睁眼看时，只见那殷小姐面如满月，眼似秋波，樱桃小口，绿柳蛮腰，真个有沉鱼落雁之容，闭月羞花之貌。刘洪陡起狼心，遂与李彪设计，将船撑至没人烟处，候至夜静三更，先将家僮杀死，次将光蕊打死，把尸首都推在水里去了。小姐见他打死了丈夫，也便将身赴水。刘洪一把抱住道：“你若从我，万事皆休；若不从时，一刀两段！”那小姐没奈何，只得权时应承，顺了刘洪。那贼把船渡到南岸，将船付与李彪自管，他就穿了光蕊衣冠，带了官凭，同小姐往江州上任去了。

却说刘洪杀死的家僮尸首，顺水流去，惟有陈光蕊的尸首，沉在水底不动。有洪江口巡海夜叉见了，星飞报入龙宫。正值龙王升殿，夜叉报道：“今洪江口不知甚人，把一个读书士子打死，将尸撇在水底。”龙王叫将尸抬来，放在面前，仔细一看，道：“此人正是救我的恩人，如何被人谋死？常言道：‘恩将恩报。’我今日须索[8]救他性命，以报日前之恩。”即写下牒文一道，差夜叉径往洪州城隍、土地处投下，要取秀才魂魄来，救他的性命。城隍、土地遂唤小鬼，把陈光蕊的魂魄交付与夜叉去。

夜叉带了魂魄到水晶宫，禀覆了龙王。龙王问道：“你这秀才姓甚名谁？何方人氏？因甚到此被人打死？”光蕊躬身施礼道：“上告龙君：小生陈萼，表字光蕊，系海州弘农县人，忝中新科状元，叨授江州州主。同妻赴任，行至江边上船，不料稍子刘洪贪谋我妻，将我打死抛尸。乞大王救我一救，没世不忘也。”龙王闻言道：“原来如此。先生，你前者所放金色鲤鱼，乃是我也。你是我的大恩人。你今有难，吾当救之。”就把光蕊的尸身放在一壁，口内含一颗定颜珠，休教损坏了，日后好还魂报仇。龙王道：“汝今真魂权且在我水府中做个都领。”光蕊叩头拜谢。龙王设宴相待不题。

却说殷小姐痛恨刘贼，恨不食肉寝皮，只因身怀有孕，未知男女，万不得已，权且勉强相从，再作区处。转盼之间，不觉已到江州，吏书门皂[9]俱来迎接，所属官员公堂设宴相叙。刘洪道：“学生到此，全赖诸公大力匡持。”属官答道：“堂尊大魁高才，自然视民如子，讼简刑清，我等合属有光。何必如此过谦？”公宴已罢，众人各散。

光阴迅速。一日，刘洪公事远出。小姐在衙思念亲夫，正在花亭上感叹，忽然身体困倦，腹内疼痛，晕闷在地，不觉生下一子，耳边听得有人嘱曰：“满堂娇，听吾叮嘱：吾乃南极星君，奉观世音菩萨法旨，特送此子与你。异日声名远大，非比等闲。刘贼若回，必害此子，汝可用心保护。汝夫已得龙王相救，日后夫妻相会，子母团圆，雪冤报仇，定有日也。谨记吾言。快醒，快醒！”言讫而去。小姐醒来，句句记得，将子抱定，无计可施。忽然刘洪回来，一见此子，便要淹杀。小姐再三哀求：“今日天色已晚，容待明日抛去江中。”

幸喜次早刘洪又有公事远出。小姐且将此子藏在身边，乳哺已及一月。小姐自思：“此番贼人回来，此子性命休矣！不如及早抛弃江中，听其生死。倘或皇天见怜，有人收养此子。——他日相逢，何以识认？……”于是咬破手指，写下血书一纸，将父母姓名、跟脚[10]缘由，备细开载；又将此子左脚上一个小指，用口咬下，以为记验；取贴身汗衫一件，包裹此子，抱出衙门。幸喜官衙离江不远。小姐到了江边，大哭一场。正欲将此子抛弃，忽见江岸岸侧飘起一片木板。小姐即朝天拜祷，将此子安在板上，用带缚住，血书系在胸前，推放江中，听其所之。小姐仍大哭回衙不题。

却说此子在木板上，顺水流去，一直流到金山寺脚下停住。那金山寺长老叫做法明和尚，修真悟道，已得无生妙诀。当日打坐参禅，忽闻得小儿啼哭之声，一时心动，急走到江边观看。只见涯边一片木板上，睡着一个婴儿。长老道：“善哉，善哉。不知是何人家所弃。出家人慈悲为本，救人一命，胜造浮图。”即将此子取起。见了怀中血书，方知来历。将此子取个乳名，叫做“江流”，托人抚养。血书紧紧收藏。

光阴似箭，日月如梭。不觉其子年长一十八岁。长老就叫他削发修行，取法名为玄奘。摩顶受戒，坚心修道。

一日，暮春天气，众人同在松阴之下讲经参禅，谈说奥妙。那酒肉和尚却被玄奘难倒。和尚大怒，骂道：“没爷娘的杂种！我是个前辈，吃盐多似饭，何事不晓！你这业畜，姓名也不知，父母也不识，还在此捣甚么鬼！”玄奘被他骂出这般言语，入寺跪告师父，眼泪双流道：“人生于天地之间，禀阴阳而资五行[11]，尽由父生母养，岂有为人在世而无父母者乎？”再三哀告，求问父母姓名。长老道：“你真个要寻父母，可随我到方丈[12]里来。”玄奘就跟着师父，直到方丈。长老到重梁之上，取下一个小匣儿，打开来，取出血书一纸，汗衫一件，付与玄奘。玄奘将血书拆开读之，才备细晓得父母姓名，并冤仇事迹。玄奘读罢，不觉哭倒在地，道：“父母之仇，不能报复，何以为人？十八年来，不识生身父母，至今日方知有母亲。此身若非师父捞救，抚养成人，亦安得有今日？待弟子去寻见母亲，然后头顶香盆，重建殿宇，报答师父之深恩也！”师父道：“你要去寻母，可带这血书与汗衫前去，只做化缘，径往江州私衙，才得你母亲相见。”玄奘领了师父言语，就装做化缘的和尚，径至江州。适值刘洪有事出外，也是天教他母子相会，玄奘就直至私衙门口抄化[13]。

那殷小姐正在衙内思想，夜来得了一梦，梦见月缺再圆。小姐自思：“我丈夫被这贼谋杀；我的儿子抛在江中，若有人收养，屈指算来，今已十八年矣，或今日天教相会，亦未可知。……”正沉吟间，忽听得私衙前有人念经，连叫“抄化”。小姐便出来问道：“你是何处来的？”玄奘答道：“贫僧乃是金山寺法明长老的徒弟。”小姐道：“你既是金山寺长老的徒弟——”叫进衙来，且请坐下，便将斋饭与玄奘吃。——“仔细看他举止言谈，好似我丈夫一般。”小姐将从婢打发开去，问道：“你这小师父，还是自幼出家？还是中年出家？姓甚名谁？可有父母否？”玄奘答道：“我也不是自幼出家，也不是中年出家。我说起来，冤有天来大，仇有海样深！我父被人打死，我母却被贼人占了。我师法明长老教我在江州衙内寻我母亲。”小姐问道：“你母姓甚？”玄奘道：“我母姓殷，名唤温娇，我父姓陈，名光蕊。我小名叫做江流，法名取为玄奘。”小姐道：“温娇就是我。——但你今有何凭据？”玄奘听说是他母亲，双膝跪下，哀哀大哭：“我娘若不信，见有血书汗衫为证。”温娇接过一看，果然是真，母子相抱而哭，就叫：“我儿快去！”玄奘道：“十八年不识生身父母，今朝才见母亲，教孩儿如何割舍？”小姐道：“我儿，你火速抽身前去！刘贼若回，他必害你性命！我明日假装一病，只说先年曾许舍百双僧鞋，来你寺中还愿。那时节，我有话与你说。”玄奘依言拜别。

却说小姐自见儿子之后，心内一喜一忧。忽一日推病，茶饭不吃，卧于床上。刘洪归衙，问其缘故，小姐道：“我幼时曾许下一愿，许舍僧鞋一百双。昨五日之前，梦见个和尚，手执利刃，要索僧鞋，便觉身子不快。”刘洪道：“这些小事，何不早说？”随升堂分付王左衙、李右衙：江州城内百姓，每家要办僧鞋一双，暑袜一双，限五日内完纳。百姓俱依限完纳讫。小姐对刘洪道：“既僧鞋做完，这里有甚么寺院，好去还愿？”刘洪道：“这江州有个金山寺、焦山寺，听你在那个寺里去。”小姐道：“久闻金山寺好个寺院，我就往金山寺去。”刘洪即唤王、李二衙，办下船只。小姐带一个心腹人，同上了船。稍水将船撑开，就投金山寺去。

却说玄奘回寺，见法明长老，把前项事说了一遍。长老甚喜。次日，只见一个丫鬟先到，说夫人来寺还愿。众僧都出寺迎接。小姐径进寺门，参了菩萨，大设斋衬[14]，唤丫鬟将僧鞋暑袜，托于盘内。来到法堂，小姐复拈心香礼拜，就教法明长老分俵[15]与众僧去讫。

玄奘见众僧散了，法堂上并无一人，他却近前跪下。小姐叫他脱了鞋袜看时，那左脚上果然少了一个小指头。当时两个又抱住而哭，拜谢长老养育之恩。法明道：“汝今母子相会，恐奸贼知之，可速速抽身回去，庶免其祸。”小姐道：“我儿，我与你一只香环。你径到洪州西北地方，约有一千五百里之程。那里有个万花店，当时留下婆婆张氏在那里，是你父亲生身之母。我再写一封书与你，径到唐王皇城之内，金殿左边，殷开山丞相是你外公。你将我的书递与外公，叫外公奏上唐王，统领人马，擒杀此贼，与父报仇，那时才救得老娘的身子出来。我今不敢久停，诚恐贼汉怪我归迟。”玄奘悲啼，甚难割舍。小姐临行又嘱道：“我儿，紧记我的言语，火速起身，勿得担误。”小姐便出寺登舟而去。

玄奘哭回寺中，告过师父，即时拜别，径往洪州。来到万花店，问那店主刘小二道：“昔年有陈客官寄下一个婆婆，在你店中，如今好么？”刘小二道：“他原在我店中，后来昏了眼，三四年并无店租还我；如今在南门头一个破瓦窑里，每日上街叫化度日。那客官一去许久，到如今竟无消息，不知为何。”玄奘听罢，即时问到南门头破瓦窑，寻着婆婆。婆婆道：“你声音好似我儿陈光蕊。”玄奘道：“我不是陈光蕊。我是陈光蕊的儿子。温娇小姐是我的娘。”婆婆道：“你爹娘怎么不来？”玄奘道：“我爹被强盗打死了，我娘被强盗霸占为妻。”婆婆道：“你怎么晓得来寻我？”玄奘道：“是我娘着我来寻婆婆。我娘有书在此，又有香环一只。”那婆婆接了书并香环，放声痛哭道：“我儿为功名到此，我只道他背义忘亲，那知他被人谋死。且喜得皇天怜念，不绝我儿之后，今日孙子来见我。”玄奘问：“婆婆的眼，如何都昏了？”婆婆道：“我因思量你父亲，终日悬望，不见他来，因此上哭得两眼都昏了。”玄奘出了窑门，便跪倒向天拜告道：“念玄奘一十八岁，父母之仇不能报复。今日领母命来寻婆婆。天若怜鉴弟子诚意，保我婆婆双眼光明！”玄奘祝罢，就进窑中，将舌尖与婆婆舔眼。须臾之间，将双眼舔开，仍复如初。婆婆觑了小和尚道：“你果是我的孙子，恰和我儿子光蕊形容无二！”婆婆又喜又悲。玄奘就领婆婆出了窑门，还到刘小二店内，将些房钱赁屋一间，与婆婆栖身；又将盘缠与婆婆道：“我此去只月余就回。”

随即辞了婆婆，径往京城，寻到皇城东街殷丞相府上。玄奘与门上人道：“小僧是亲眷，来探相公。”门上人禀知丞相。丞相道：“我与和尚并无亲戚。”夫人道：“我昨夜梦见我女儿满堂娇来家，莫不是女婿有书信回来也。”丞相便教请小和尚来到厅上。小和尚见了丞相与夫人，哭拜在地，就怀中取出一封书来，递与丞相。丞相拆开，从头读罢，放声痛哭。夫人问道：“相公，有何事故？”丞相道：“这和尚是我与你的外甥。女婿陈光蕊被贼谋死，满堂娇被贼强占为妻。”夫人听罢，亦痛哭不止。丞相道：“夫人休得烦恼。来朝奏知主上，亲自统兵，定要与女婿报仇。”

次早，丞相入朝，启奏唐王曰：“今有臣婿状元陈光蕊，带领家小往江州赴任，被稍水刘洪打死，占女为妻；假冒臣婿，为官多年。事属异变。乞陛下立发人马，剿除贼寇。”唐王见奏大怒，就发御林军六万，着殷丞相押兵前去。丞相领旨出朝，即到教场内点了兵，径往江州进发。晓行夜宿，星落鸟飞，不觉已到江州。殷丞相兵马，俱在北岸下了营寨，星夜令金牌下户，唤到江州同知、州判二人。丞相对他说知此事，叫他提兵相助，一同过江而去。天尚未明，就把刘洪衙门围了。刘洪正在梦中，听得火炮一响，金鼓齐鸣，众兵杀进私衙。刘洪措手不及，早被众兵擒倒。丞相传下军令，将刘洪一干人犯，绑赴法场，令众军俱在城外安营去了。

丞相直入衙内正厅坐下，请小姐出来相见。小姐欲待要出，又羞见父，就将绳索自缢。玄奘闻知，忙进宅内，急急将母救解，双膝跪下，对母道：“儿与外公统兵至此，与父报仇。今日贼已擒捉，母亲何故反要寻死？母亲若死，孩儿岂能存乎？”丞相亦进衙劝解。小姐道：“吾闻‘妇人从一而终’。痛夫已被贼人所杀，岂可颜[16]从贼？止因遗腹在身，只得忍耻偷生。今幸儿已长大，又见老父提兵报仇，为女儿者，有何面目相见！惟有一死以报丈夫耳！”丞相道：“此非我儿以盛衰改节，皆因出乎不得已，何得为耻！”父子相抱而哭。

玄奘亦哀哀不止。丞相拭泪道：“你二人且休烦恼。我今已擒捉仇贼，且去发落去来。”即起身到法场。恰好江州同知亦差哨兵拿获水贼李彪解到。丞相大喜，就令军牢押过刘洪、李彪，每人痛打一百大棍，取了供状，招了先年不合[17]谋杀陈光蕊情由。先将李彪钉在木驴上，推去市曹，剐了千刀，枭首示众讫。把刘洪拿至洪江渡口先年原打死陈光蕊处。丞相与小姐、玄奘三人，亲到江边，望空祭奠，活剜取刘洪心肝，祭了光蕊，烧了祭文一道。

三人望江痛哭，早已惊动水府。有巡海夜叉，将祭文呈与龙王。龙王看罢，就差鳖元帅去请光蕊来到，道：“先生，恭喜，恭喜！今有先生的夫人、公子同岳丈，俱在江边祭你。我今送你还魂去也。再有如意珠一颗，走盘珠二颗，鲛绡十端，明珠玉带一条奉送。你今日便可夫妻、父子相会也。”光蕊再三拜谢。龙王就令夜叉，将光蕊身尸送出江口还魂。夜叉领命而去。

却说殷小姐哭奠丈夫一番，又欲将身赴水而死，慌得玄奘拚命扯住。正在仓皇之际，忽见水面上一个死尸浮出，靠近江岸之旁。小姐忙向前认看，认得是丈夫的尸首，一发嚎啕大哭不已。众人俱来观看，只见光蕊舒拳伸脚，身子渐渐展动，忽地爬将起来坐下。众人不胜惊骇。光蕊睁开眼，早见殷小姐与丈人殷丞相同着小和尚，俱在身边啼哭。光蕊道：“你们为何在此？”小姐道：“因汝被贼人打死，后来妾身生下此子，幸遇金山寺长老抚养。此子长大来寻我，我教他去寻外公。父亲得知，奏闻主上，统兵到此，拿住贼人。适才生取心肝，望空祭奠我夫，不知我夫怎生又得还魂。”光蕊道：“皆因我与你昔年在万花店时，买放了那尾金色鲤鱼，谁知那鲤鱼就是此处龙王。后来逆贼把我推在水中，全亏得他救我，方才又赐我还魂，送我宝物，俱在身上。更不想你生下这儿子，又得岳丈为我报仇。真是苦尽甘来，莫大之喜！”

众官闻知，都来贺喜。丞相就令安排酒席，答谢所属官员。即日军马起程，不觉来到万花店。丞相传令众人安营。光蕊便同玄奘到刘家店来寻婆婆。那婆婆当夜得一梦，梦见枯木开花，屋后喜鹊频频喧噪。婆婆想道：“莫不是我孙儿来也？……”说犹未了，只见店门外光蕊父子齐到。小和尚指道：“这不是俺婆婆？”光蕊见了老母，连忙拜倒。母子抱头痛哭一场，把上项事说了一遍，算还了小二店钱，回见丞相。丞相即令起程，将软车护送婆婆与小姐，一同到了京城。进了相府，光蕊同小姐与婆婆、玄奘，都来见了夫人。夫人不胜之喜，分付家僮，大排筵宴庆贺。丞相道：“今日此宴，可取名为‘团圆会’。”真正合家欢乐。

次日早朝，唐王登殿。殷丞相出班叩首，将前后事情备细启奏一本，并荐光蕊才可大用。唐王准奏，就命升陈萼为学士之职，随朝理政。玄奘立意安禅，送在洪福寺内修行。后来殷小姐毕竟从容自尽。玄奘自到金山寺中报答法明师父。

不知后来事体若何，且听下回分解。

[1] 附录：世德堂本无此回唐僧身世故事。此“附录”系根据清代早期版本汪象旭的《西游证道书》第九回补入，并校以真诠本和新说本。

[2] “话表陕西大国长安城”数句：按，这一段文字是汪象旭从明代繁本《西游记》第九回中移用过来的。为保留《西游证道书》的本来面目，所以虽然此数句和世德堂本第九回篇首重复，亦不再删削。

[3] 三场：明代科举考试乡试（省级考试）共分三场：第一场考“四书”，第二场考试论，第三场考经史和时务策等。三场合格，才能到京城参加会试。

[4] 黄榜：皇帝的公告用黄纸书写，叫做黄榜。

[5] 忝（tiǎn）：羞愧。一般作谦辞用。

[6] （zhǎn）：同“眨”。

[7] 稍水：撑船的人。

[8] 须索：必须、一定要。

[9] 吏书门皂：指吏员、书手、门人、皂隶（差役），都是古代衙门的职员。

[10] 跟脚：又作“根脚”，来历，出身。

[11] 禀阴阳而资五行：这里指人承受阴阳之气而生，具备五行的材质。

[12] 方丈：传说和尚的住室一丈见方，故以方丈代指和尚居住的屋子。后用以代指寺院的主持者。

[13] 抄化：和尚向人募化。

[14] 斋衬：布施给寺院的钱物。

[15] 分俵（biào）：分配，散发。

[16] （tiǎn）颜：厚颜。，羞愧。

[17] 不合：不应该。

CHAPTER 9. Chen Guangrui, going to his post, meets disaster; Monk River Float, avenging his parents, repays his roots.

We now tell you about the city of Chang’an in the great nation’s Shaanxi Province, which was the place that kings and emperors from generation to generation had made their capital. Since the periods of Zhou, Qin, and Han,

Three counties of flowers bloomed like brocade,

And eight rivers1 flowed encircling the city.

It was truly a land of great scenic beauty. At this time the emperor Taizong2 of the Great Tang dynasty was on the throne, and the name of his reign was Zhenguan. He had been ruling now for thirteen years, and the cyclical name of the year was Jisi.3 The whole land was at peace: people came bearing tributes from eight directions, and the inhabitants of the whole world called themselves his subjects.

One day Taizong ascended his throne and assembled his civil and military officials. After they had paid him homage, the prime minister Wei Zheng4 left the ranks and came forward to memorialize to the Throne, saying, “Since the world now is at peace and tranquility reigns everywhere, we should follow the ancient custom and establish sites for civil examinations, so that we may invite worthy scholars to come here and select those talents who will best serve the work of administration and government.” “Our worthy subject has voiced a sound principle in his memorial,” said Taizong. He therefore issued a summons to be proclaimed throughout the empire: in every prefecture, county, and town, those who were learned in the Confucian classics, who could write with ease and lucidity, and who had passed the three sessions of examination,5 regardless of whether they were soldiers or peasants, would be invited to go to Chang’an to take the imperial examination.

This summons reached the place Haizhou, where it was seen by a certain man named Chen E (with the courtesy name of Guangrui), who then went straight home to talk to his mother, whose maiden name was Zhang. “The court,” he said, “has sent a yellow summons, declaring in these southern provinces that there will be examinations for the selection of the worthy and the talented. Your child wishes to try out at such an examination, for if I manage to acquire an appointment, or even half a post, I would become more of a credit to my parents, magnify our name, give my wife a title, benefit my son, and bring glory to this house of ours. Such is the aspiration of your son: I wish to tell my mother plainly before I leave.” “My son,” said she of the Zhang family, “an educated person ‘learns when he is young, but leaves when he is grown.’ You should indeed follow this maxim. But as you go to the examination, you must be careful on the way, and, when you have secured a post, come home quickly.” So Guangrui gave instructions for his family page to pack his bags, took leave of his mother, and began his journey. When he reached Chang’an, the examination site had just been opened, and he went straight in. He took the preliminary tests, passed them, and went to the court examination, where in three sessions on administrative policy he took first place, receiving the title “zhuangyuan,” the certificate of which was signed by the Tang emperor’s own hand. As was the custom, he was led through the streets on horseback for three days.

The procession at one point passed by the house of the chief minister, Yin Kaishan, who had a daughter named Wenjiao, nicknamed Mantangjiao (A Hall of Loveliness). She was not yet married, and at this time she was just about to throw down an embroidered ball from high up on a festooned tower in order to select her spouse. It happened that Chen Guangrui was passing below the tower. When the young maiden saw Guangrui’s outstanding appearance and knew that he was the recent zhuangyuan of the examinations, she was very pleased. She threw down the embroidered ball, which just happened to hit the black gauze hat of Guangrui. Immediately, lively music of pipes and flutes could be heard throughout the area as scores of maids and serving-girls ran down from the tower, took hold of the bridle of Guangrui’s horse, and led him into the residence of the chief minister for the wedding. The chief minister and his wife at once came out of their chambers, called together the guests and the master of ceremonies, and gave the girl to Guangrui as his bride. Together, they bowed to Heaven and Earth; then husband and wife bowed to each other, before bowing to the father- and mother-in-law. The chief minister then gave a big banquet and everyone feasted merrily for a whole evening, after which the two of them walked hand in hand into the bridal chamber.

At the fifth watch early next morning, Taizong took his seat in the Treasure Hall of Golden Chimes as civil and military officials attended the court. Taizong asked, “What appointment should the new zhuangyuan receive?” The prime minister Wei Zheng said, “Your subject has discovered that within our territory there is a vacancy at Jiangzhou. I beg my Lord to grant him this post.” Taizong at once made him governor of Jiangzhou and ordered him to leave without delay. After thanking the emperor and leaving the court, Guangrui went back to the house of the chief minister to inform his wife. He took leave of his father- and mother-in-law and proceeded with his wife to the new post at Jiangzhou.

As they left Chang’an and went on their journey, the season was late spring:

A soft wind blew to green the willows;

A fine rain spotted to redden the flowers.

As his home was on the way, Guangrui returned to his house where husband and wife bowed together to his mother, Lady Zhang. “Congratulations, my son,” said she of the Zhang family, “you even came back with a wife!” “Your child,” said Guangrui, “relied on the power of your blessing and was able to attain the undeserved honor of zhuangyuan. By imperial command I was making a tour of the streets when, as I passed by the mansion of Chief Minister Yin, I was hit by an embroidered ball. The chief minister kindly gave his daughter to your child to be his wife, and His Majesty appointed him governor of Jiangzhou. I have returned to take you with me to the post.” She of the Zhang family was delighted and packed at once for the journey.

They had been on the road for a few days when they came to stay at the Inn of Ten Thousand Flowers, kept by a certain Liu Xiaoer. She of the Zhang family suddenly became ill and said to Guangrui, “I don’t feel well at all. Let’s rest here for a day or two before we journey again.” Guangrui obeyed. Next morning there was a man outside the inn holding a golden carp for sale, which Guangrui bought for a string of coins. He was about to have it cooked for his mother when he saw that the carp was blinking its eyes vigorously. In astonishment, Guangrui said, “I have heard that when a fish or a snake blinks its eyes in this manner, that’s the sure sign that it’s not an ordinary creature!” He therefore asked the fisherman, “Where did you catch this fish?” “I caught it,” said the fisherman, “from the river Hong, some fifteen miles from this district.” Accordingly, Guangrui sent the live fish back to the river and returned to the inn to tell his mother about it. “It is a good deed to release living creatures from captivity,” said she of the Zhang family. “I am very pleased.” “We have stayed in this inn now for three days,” said Guangrui. “The imperial command is an urgent one. Your child intends to leave tomorrow, but he would like to know whether mother has fully recovered.” She of the Zhang family said, “I’m still not well, and the heat on the journey at this time of year, I fear, will only add to my illness. Why don’t you rent a house for me to stay here temporarily and leave me an allowance? The two of you can proceed to your new post. By autumn, when it’s cool, you can come fetch me.” Guangrui discussed the matter with his wife; they duly rented a house for her and left some cash with her, after which they took leave and left.

They felt the fatigue of traveling, journeying by day and resting by night, and they soon came to the crossing of the Hong River, where two boatmen, Liu Hong and Li Biao, took them into their boat. It happened that Guangrui was destined in his previous incarnation to meet this calamity, and so he had to come upon these fated enemies of his. After ordering the houseboy to put the luggage on the boat, Guangrui and his wife were just about to embark when Liu Hong noticed the beauty of Lady Yin, who had a face like a full moon, eyes like autumnal water, a small, cherrylike mouth, and a tiny, willowlike waist. Her features were striking enough to sink fishes and drop wild geese, and her complexion would cause the moon to hide and put the flowers to shame. Stirred at once to cruelty, he plotted with Li Biao; together they punted the boat to an isolated area and waited until the middle of the night. They killed the houseboy first, and then they beat Guangrui to death, pushing both bodies into the water. When the lady saw that they had killed her husband, she made a dive for the water, but Liu Hong threw his arms around her and caught her. “If you consent to my demand,” he said, “everything will be all right. If you do not, this knife will cut you in two!” Unable to think of any better plan, the lady had to give her consent for the time being and yielded herself to Liu Hong. The thief took the boat to the south bank, where he turned the boat over to the care of Li Biao. He himself put on Guangrui’s cap and robe, took his credentials, and proceeded with the lady to the post at Jiangzhou.

We should now tell you that the body of the houseboy killed by Liu Hong drifted away with the current. The body of Chen Guangrui, however, sank to the bottom of the water and stayed there. A yakṣa on patrol at the mouth of the Hong River saw it and rushed into the Dragon Palace. The Dragon King was just holding court when the yakṣa entered to report, saying, “A scholar has been beaten to death at the mouth of the Hong River by some unknown person, and his body is now lying at the bottom of the water.” The Dragon King had the corpse brought in and laid before him. He took a careful look at it and said, “But this man was my benefactor! How could he have been murdered? As the common saying goes, ‘Kindness should be paid by kindness.’ I must save his life today so that I may repay the kindness of yesterday.” He at once issued an official dispatch, sending a yakṣa to deliver it to the municipal deity and local spirit of Hongzhou, and asked for the soul of the scholar so that his life might be saved. The municipal deity and the local spirit in turn ordered the little demons to hand over the soul of Chen Guangrui to the yakṣa, who led the soul back to the Water Crystal Palace for an audience with the Dragon King.

“Scholar,” asked the Dragon King, “what is your name? Where did you come from? Why did you come here, and for what reason were you beaten to death?” Guangrui saluted him and said, “This lowly student is named Chen E, and my courtesy name is Guangrui. I am from the Hongnong district of Haizhou. As the unworthy zhuangyuan of the recent session of examination, I was appointed by the court to be governor of Jiangzhou, and I was going to my post with my wife. When I took a boat at the river, I did not expect the boatman, Liu Hong, to covet my wife and plot against me. He beat me to death and tossed out my body. I beg the Great King to save me.” Hearing these words, the Dragon King said, “So, that’s it! Good sir, the golden carp that you released earlier was myself. You are my benefactor. You may be in dire difficulty at the moment, but is there any reason why I should not come to your assistance?” He therefore laid the body of Guangrui to one side, and put a preservative pearl in his mouth so that his body would not deteriorate but be reunited with his soul to avenge himself in the future. He also said, “Your true soul may remain temporarily in my Water Bureau as an officer.” Guangrui kowtowed to thank him, and the Dragon King prepared a banquet to entertain him, but we shall say no more about that.

We now tell you that Lady Yin hated the bandit Liu so bitterly that she wished she could devour his flesh and sleep on his skin! But because she was with child and did not know whether it would be a boy or a girl, she had no alternative but to yield reluctantly to her captor. In a little while they arrived at Zhiangzhou; the clerks and the lictors all came to meet them, and all the subordinate officials gave a banquet for them at the governor’s mansion. Liu Hong said, “Having come here, a student like me is utterly dependent on the support and assistance of you gentlemen.” “Your Honor,” replied the officials, “is first in the examinations and a major talent. You will, of course, regard your people as your children; your public declarations will be as simple as your settlement of litigation is fair. We subordinates are all dependent on your leadership, so why should you be unduly modest?” When the official banquet ended, the people all left.

Time passed by swiftly. One day, Liu Hong went far away on official business, while Lady Yin at the mansion was thinking of her mother-in-law and her husband and sighing in the garden pavilion. Suddenly she was seized by tremendous fatigue and sharp pains in her belly. Falling unconscious to the ground, she gave birth to a son. Presently she heard someone whispering in her ear: “Mantangjiao, listen carefully to what I have to say. I am the Star Spirit of South Pole, who sends you this son by the express command of the Bodhisattva Guanyin. One day his name will be known far and wide, for he is not to be compared with an ordinary mortal. But when the bandit Liu returns, he will surely try to harm the child, and you must take care to protect him. Your husband has been rescued by the Dragon King; in the future both of you will meet again even as son and mother will be reunited. A day will come when wrongs will be redressed and crimes punished. Remember my words! Wake up! Wake up!” The voice ceased and departed. The lady woke up and remembered every word; she clasped her son tightly to her but could devise no plan to protect him. Liu Hong then returned and wanted to have the child killed by drowning the moment he saw him. The lady said, “Today it’s late already. Allow him to live till tomorrow and then have him thrown into the river.”

It was fortunate that Liu Hong was called away by urgent business the next morning. The lady thought to herself: “If this child is here when that bandit returns, his life is finished! I might as well abandon him now to the river, and let life or death take its own course. Perhaps Heaven, taking pity on him, will send someone to his rescue and to have him cared for. Then we may have a chance to meet again.” She was afraid, however, that future recognition would be difficult; so she bit her finger and wrote a letter with her blood, stating in detail the names of the parents, the family history, and the reason for the child’s abandonment. She also bit off a little toe from the child’s left foot to establish a mark of his identity. Taking one of her own inner garments she wrapped the child and took him out of the mansion when no one was watching. Fortunately the mansion was not far from the river. Reaching the bank, the lady burst into tears and wailed long and loud. She was about to toss the child into the river when she caught sight of a plank floating by the river bank. At once she prayed to Heaven, after which she placed the child on the plank and tied him securely to it with some rope. She fastened the letter written in blood to his chest, pushed the plank out into the water, and let it drift away. With tears in her eyes, the lady went back to the mansion, but we shall say no more of that.

Now we shall tell you about the boy on the plank, which floated with the current until it came to a standstill just beneath the Temple of Gold Mountain. The abbot of this temple was called Monk Faming. In the cultivation of perfection and comprehension of truth, he had attained already the wondrous secret of birthlessness. He was sitting in meditation when all at once he heard an infant crying. Moved by this, he went quickly down to the river to have a look, and discovered the baby lying there on a plank at the edge of the water. The abbot quickly lifted him out of the water. When he read the letter in blood fastened to his chest, he learned of the child’s origin. He then gave him the baby name River Float6 and arranged for someone to nurse and care for him, while he himself kept the letter written in blood safely hidden. Time passed by like an arrow, and the seasons like a weaver’s shuttle; River Float soon reached his eighteenth year. The abbot had his hair shaved and asked him to join in the practice of austerities, giving him the religious name Xuanzang. Having had his head touched and having received the commandments, Xuanzang pursued the Way with great determination.

One day in late spring, the various monks gathered in the shade of pine trees were discussing the canons of Chan and debating the fine points of the mysteries. One feckless monk, who happened to have been completely outwitted by Xuanzang’s questions, shouted angrily, “You damnable beast! You don’t even know your own name, and you are ignorant of your own parents! Why are you still hanging around here playing tricks on people?” When Xuanzang heard such language of rebuke, he went into the temple and knelt before the master, saying with tears flowing from his eyes, “Though a human being born into this world receives his natural endowments from the forces of yin and yang and from the Five Phases, he is always nurtured by his parents. How can there be a person in this world who has no father or mother?” Repeatedly and piteously he begged for the names of his parents. The abbot said, “If you truly wish to seek your parents, you may follow me to my cell.” Xuanzang duly followed him to his cell, where, from the top of a heavy crossbeam, the abbot took down a small box. Opening the box, he took out a letter written in blood and an inner garment and gave them to Xuanzang. Only after he had unfolded the letter and read it did Xuanzang learn the names of his parents and understand in detail the wrongs that had been done them.

When Xuanzang finished reading, he fell weeping to the floor, saying, “How can anyone be worthy to bear the name of man if he cannot avenge the wrongs done to his parents? For eighteen years, I have been ignorant of my true parents, and only this day have I learned that I have a mother! And yet, would I have even reached this day if my master had not saved me and cared for me? Permit your disciple to go seek my mother. Thereafter, I will rebuild this temple with an incense bowl on my head, and repay the profound kindness of my teacher.” “If you desire to seek your mother,” said the master, “you may take this letter in blood and the inner garment with you. Go as a mendicant monk to the private quarters at the governor’s mansion of Jiangzhou. You will then be able to meet your mother.”

Xuanzang followed the words of his master and went to Jiangzhou as a mendicant monk. It happened that Liu Hong was out on business, for Heaven had planned that mother and child should meet. Xuanzang went straight to the door of the private quarters of the governor’s mansion to beg for alms. Lady Yin, you see, had had a dream the night before in which she saw a waning moon become full again. She thought to herself, “I have no news from my mother-in-law; my husband was murdered by this bandit; my son was thrown into the river. If by chance someone rescued him and had him cared for, he must be eighteen by now. Perhaps Heaven wished us to be reunited today. Who can tell?”

As she was pondering the matter in her heart, she suddenly heard someone reciting the scriptures outside her residence and crying repeatedly, “Alms! Alms!” At a convenient moment, the lady slipped out and asked him, “Where did you come from?” “Your poor monk,” said Xuanzang, “is the disciple of Faming, abbot of the Temple of Gold Mountain.” “So you are the disciple of the abbot of that temple?” she asked and invited him into the mansion and served him some vegetables and rice. Watching him closely, she noticed that in speech and manner he bore a remarkable resemblance to her husband. The lady sent her maid away and then asked, “Young master! Did you leave your family as a child or when you grew up? What are your given name and your surname? Do you have any parents?” “I did not leave my family when I was young,” replied Xuanzang, “nor did I do so when I grew up. To tell you the truth, I have a wrong to avenge great as the sky, an enmity deep as the sea. My father was a murder victim, and my mother was taken by force. My master the abbot Faming told me to seek my mother in the governor’s mansion of Jiangzhou.”

“What is your mother’s surname?” asked the lady. “My mother’s surname is Yin,” said Xuanzang, “and her given name is Wenjiao. My father’s surname is Chen and his given name is Guangrui. My nickname is River Float, but my religious name is Xuanzang.”

“I am Wenjiao,” said the lady, “but what proof have you of your identity?” When Xuanzang heard that she was his mother, he fell to his knees and wept most grievously. “If my own mother doesn’t believe me,” he said, “you may see the proof in this letter written in blood and this inner garment.” Wenjiao took them in her hands, and one look told her that they were the real things. Mother and child embraced each other and wept.

Lady Yin then cried, “My son, leave at once!” “For eighteen years I have not known my true parents,” said Xuanzang, “and I’ve seen my mother for the first time only this morning. How could your son bear so swift a separation?” “My son,” said the lady, “leave at once, as if you were on fire! If that bandit Liu returns, he will surely take your life. I shall pretend to be ill tomorrow and say that I must go to your temple and fulfill a vow I made in a previous year to donate a hundred pairs of monk shoes. At that time I shall have more to say to you.” Xuanzang followed her bidding and bowed to take leave of her.

We were speaking of Lady Yin, who, having seen her son, was filled with both anxiety and joy. The next day, under the pretext of being sick, she lay on her bed and would take neither tea nor rice. Liu Hong returned to the mansion and questioned her. “When I was young,” said Lady Yin, “I vowed to donate a hundred pairs of monk shoes. Five days ago, I dreamed that a monk demanded those shoes of me, holding a knife in his hand. From then on, I did not feel well.” “Such a small matter!” said Liu Hong. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” He at once went up to the governor’s hall and gave the order to his stewards Wang and Li that a hundred families of the city were each to bring in a pair of monk shoes within five days. The families obeyed and completed their presentations. “Now that we have the shoes,” said Lady Yin to Liu Hong, “what kind of temple do we have nearby that I can go to fulfill my vow?” Liu Hong said, “There is a Temple of Gold Mountain here in Jiangzhou as well as a Temple of Burned Mountain. You may go to whichever one you choose.” “I have long heard,” said the lady, “that the Temple of Gold Mountain is avery good one. I shall go there.” Liu Hong at once gave the order to his stewards Wang and Li to prepare a boat. Lady Yin took a trusted companion with her and boarded the boat. The boatmen poled it away from the shore and headed for the Temple of Gold Mountain.

We now tell you about Xuanzang, who returned to the temple and told the abbot Faming what had happened. The next day, a young housemaid arrived to announce that her mistress was coming to the temple to fulfill a vow she had made. All the monks came out of the temple to receive her. The lady went straight inside to worship the Bodhisattva and to give a great vegetarian banquet. She ordered the housemaid to put the monk shoes and stockings in trays and have them brought into the main ceremonial hall. After the lady had again worshipped with extreme devoutness, she asked the abbot Faming to distribute the gifts to the various monks before they dispersed. When Xuanzang saw that all the monks had left and that there was no one else in the hall, he drew near and knelt down. The lady asked him to remove his shoes and stockings, and she saw that there was, indeed, a small toe missing from his left foot. Once again, the two of them embraced and wept. They also thanked the abbot for his kindness in fostering the youth.

Faming said, “I fear that the present meeting of mother and child may become known to that wily bandit. You must leave speedily so that you may avoid any harm.” “My son,” the lady said, “let me give you an incense ring. Go to Hongzhou, about fifteen hundred miles northwest of here, where you will find the Ten Thousand Flowers Inn. Earlier we left an aged woman there whose maiden name is Zhang and who is the true mother of your father. I have also written a letter for you to take to the capital of the Tang emperor. To the left of the Golden Palace is the house of Chief Minister Yin, who is the true father of your mother. Give my letter to your maternal grandfather, and ask him to request the Tang emperor to dispatch men and horses to have this bandit arrested and executed, so that your father may be avenged. Only then will you be able to rescue your old mother. I dare not linger now, for I fear that knave may be offended by my returning late.” She went out of the temple, boarded the boat, and left.

Xuanzang returned weeping to the temple. He told his master everything and bowed to take leave of him immediately. Going straight to Hongzhou, he came to the Ten Thousand Flowers Inn and addressed the innkeeper, Liu Xiaoer, saying, “In a previous year there was an honored guest here by the name of Chen whose mother remained at your inn. How is she now?” “Originally,” said Liu Xiaoer, “she stayed in my inn. Afterwards she went blind, and for three or four years did not pay me any rent. She now lives in a dilapidated potter’s kiln near the Southern Gate, and every day she goes begging on the streets. Once that honored guest had left, he was gone for a long time, and even now there is no news of him whatever. I can’t understand it.”

When Xuanzang heard this, he went at once to the dilapidated potter’s kiln at the Southern Gate and found his grandmother. The grandmother said, “Your voice sounds very much like that of my son Chen Guangrui.” “I’m not Chen Guangrui,” said Xuanzang, “but only his son! Lady Wenjiao is my mother.” “Why didn’t your father and mother come back?” asked the grandmother. “My father was beaten to death by bandits,” said Xuanzang, “and one of them forced my mother to be his wife.” “How did you know where to find me?” asked the grandmother. “It was my mother,” answered Xuanzang, “who told me to seek my grandmother. There’s a letter from mother here and there’s also an incense ring.”

The grandmother took the letter and the incense ring and wept without restraint. “For merit and reputation,” she said, “my son came to this! I thought that he had turned his back on righteousness and had forgotten parental kindness. How should I know that he was murdered? Fortunately, Heaven remembered me at least in pity, and this day a grandson has come to seek me out.”

“Grandmother,” asked Xuanzang, “how did you go blind?” “Because I thought so often about your father,” said the grandmother. “I waited for him daily, but he did not return. I wept until I was blind in both eyes.” Xuanzang knelt down and prayed to Heaven, saying, “Have regard of Xuanzang who, at the age of eighteen, has not yet avenged the wrong done to his parents. By the command of my mother, I came this day to find my grandmother. If Heaven would take pity on my sincerity, grant that the eyes of my grandmother regain their sight.” When he finished his petition, he licked the eyes of his grandmother with the tip of his tongue. In a moment, both eyes were licked open and they were as of old. When the grandmother saw the youthful monk, she said, “You’re indeed my grandson! Why, you are just like my son Guangrui!” She felt both happy and sad. Xuanzang led his grandmother out of the kiln and went back to Liu Xiaoer’s inn, where he rented a room for her to stay. He also gave her some money, saying, “In a little more than a month’s time, I’ll be back.”

Taking leave of his grandmother, he went straight to the capital and found his way to the house of the chief minister Yin on the eastern street of the imperial city. He said to the porter, “This little monk is a kinsman who has come to visit the chief minister.” The porter made the report to the chief minister, who replied, “I’m not related to any monk!” But his wife said, “I dreamed last night that my daughter Mantangjiao came home. Could it be that our son-in-law has sent us a letter?” The chief minister therefore had the little monk shown to the living room. When he saw the chief minister and his wife, he fell weeping to the floor. Taking a letter from within the folds of his robe, he handed it over to the chief minister. The chief minister opened it, read it from beginning to end, and wept without restraint. “Your Excellency, what is the matter?” asked his wife. “This monk,” said the chief minister, “is our grandson. Our son-in-law, Chen Guangrui, was murdered by bandits, and Mantangjiao was made the wife of the murderer by force.” When the wife heard this, she too wept inconsolably.

“Let our lady restrain her grief,” said the chief minister. “Tomorrow morning I shall present a memorial to our Lord. I shall lead the troops myself to avenge our son-in-law.” The next day, the chief minister went into court to present his memorial to the Tang emperor, which read:

The son-in-law of your subject, the zhuangyuan Chen Guangrui, was proceeding to his post at Jiangzhou with members of his family. He was beaten to death by the boatman Liu Hong, who then took our daughter by force to be his wife. He pretended to be the son-in-law of your subject and usurped his post for many years. This is indeed a shocking and tragic incident. I beg Your Majesty to dispatch horses and men at once to exterminate the bandits.

The Tang emperor saw the memorial and became exceedingly angry. He immediately called up sixty thousand imperial soldiers and ordered the chief minister Yin to lead them forth. The chief minister took the decree and left the court to make the roll call for the troops at the barracks. They proceeded immediately toward Jiangzhou, journeying by day and resting by night, and they soon reached the place. Horses and men pitched camps on the north shore, and that very night, the chief minister summoned with golden tablets7 the Subprefect and County Judge of Jiangzhou to his camp. He explained to the two of them the reason for the expedition and asked for their military assistance. They then crossed the river and, before the sky was light, had the mansion of Liu Hong completely surrounded. Liu Hong was still in his dreams when at the shot of a single cannon and the unisonous roll of drums, the soldiers broke into the private quarters of the mansion. Liu Hong was seized before he could offer any resistance. The chief minister had him and the rest of the prisoners bound and taken to the field of execution, while the rest of the soldiers pitched camp outside the city.

Taking a seat in the great hall of the mansion, the chief minister invited the lady to come out to meet him. She was about to do so but was overcome by shame at seeing her father again, and wanted to hang herself right there. Xuanzang learned of this and rushed inside to save his mother. Falling to his knees, he said to her, “Your son and his grandfather led the troops here to avenge father. The bandit has already been captured. Why does mother want to die now? If mother were dead, how could your son possibly remain alive?” The chief minister also went inside to offer his consolation. “I have heard,” said the lady, “that a woman follows her spouse to the grave. My husband was murdered by this bandit, causing me dreadful grief. How could I yield so shamefully to the thief? The child I was carrying—that was my sole lease on life that helped me bear my humiliation! Now that my son is grown and my old father has led troops to avenge our wrong, I who am the daughter have little face left for my reunion. I can only die to repay my husband!”

“My child,” said the chief minister, “you did not alter your virtue according to prosperity or adversity. You had no choice! How can this be regarded as shame?” Father and daughter embraced, weeping; Xuanzang also could not contain his emotion. Wiping away his tears, the chief minister said, “The two of you must sorrow no more. I have already captured the culprit, and I must now dispose of him.” He got up and went to the execution site, and it happened that the Subprefect of Jiangzhou had also apprehended the pirate Li Biao, who was brought by sentinels to the same place. Highly pleased, the chief minister ordered Liu Hong and Li Biao to be flogged a hundred times with large canes. Each signed an affidavit, giving a thorough account of the murder of Chen Guangrui. First Li Biao was nailed to a wooden ass, and after it had been pushed to the marketplace, he was cut to pieces and his head exposed on a pole for all to see. Liu Hong was then taken to the crossing at the Hong River, to the exact spot where he had beaten Chen Guangrui to death. The chief minister, the lady, and Xuanzang all went to the bank of the river, and as libations they offered the heart and liver of Liu Hong, which had been gouged out from him live. Finally, an essay eulogizing the deceased was burned.

Facing the river the three persons wept without restraint, and their sobs were heard down below in the water region. A yakṣa patrolling the waters brought the essay in its spirit form to the Dragon King, who read it and at once sent a turtle marshal to fetch Guangrui. “Sir,” said the king, “Congratulations! Congratulations! At this moment, your wife, your son, and your father-in-law are offering sacrifices to you at the bank of the river. I am now letting your soul go so that you may return to life. We are also presenting you with a pearl of wish fulfillment,8 two rolling-pan pearls,9 ten bales of mermaid silk,10 and a jade belt with lustrous pearls. Today you will enjoy the reunion of husband and wife, mother and son.” After Guangrui had given thanks repeatedly, the Dragon King ordered a yakṣa to escort his body to the mouth of the river and there to return his soul. The yakṣa followed the order and left.

We tell you now about Lady Yin, who, having wept for some time for her husband, would have killed herself again by plunging into the water if Xuanzang had not desperately held on to her. They were struggling pitifully when they saw a dead body floating toward the river bank. The lady hurriedly went forward to look at it. Recognizing it as her husband’s body, she burst into even louder wailing. As the other people gathered around to look, they suddenly saw Guangrui unclasping his fists and stretching his legs. The entire body began to stir, and in a moment he clambered up to the bank and sat down, to the infinite amazement of everyone. Guangrui opened his eyes and saw Lady Yin, the chief minister Yin, his father-in-law, and a youthful monk, all weeping around him. “Why are you all here?” said Guangrui.

“It all began,” said Lady Yin, “when you were beaten to death by bandits. Afterwards your unworthy wife gave birth to this son, who is fortunate enough to have been brought up by the abbot of the Gold Mountain Temple. The abbot sent him to meet me, and I told him to go seek his maternal grandfather. When father heard this, he made it known to the court and led troops here to arrest the bandits. Just now we took out the culprit’s liver and heart live to offer to you as libations, but I would like to know how my husband’s soul is able to return to give him life.” Guangrui said, “That’s all on account of our buying the golden carp, when you and I were staying at the Inn of Ten Thousand Flowers. I released that carp, not knowing that it was none other than the Dragon King of this place. When the bandits pushed me into the river afterward, he was the one who came to my rescue. Just now he was also the one who gave me back my soul as well as many precious gifts, which I have here with me. I never even knew that you had given birth to this boy, and I am grateful that my father-in-law has avenged me. Indeed, bitterness has passed and sweetness has come! What unsurpassable joy!”

When the various officials heard about this, they all came to tender their congratulations. The chief minister then ordered a great banquet to thank his subordinates, after which the troops and horses on the very same day began their march homeward. When they came to the Inn of Ten Thousand Flowers, the chief minister gave order to pitch camp. Guangrui went with Xuanzang to the Inn of Liu to seek the grandmother, who happened to have dreamed the night before that a withered tree had blossomed. Magpies behind her house were chattering incessantly as well. She thought to herself, “Could it be that my grandson is coming?” Before she had finished talking to herself, father and son arrived together. The youthful monk pointed to her and said, “Isn’t this my grandmother?” When Guangrui saw his aged mother, he bowed in haste; mother and son embraced and wept without restraint for a while. After recounting to each other what had happened, they paid the innkeeper his bill and set out again for the capital. When they reached the chief minister’s residence, Guangrui, his wife, and his mother all went to greet the chief minister’s wife, who was overjoyed. She ordered her servants to prepare a huge banquet to celebrate the occasion. The chief minister said, “This banquet today may be named the Festival of Reunion, for truly our whole family is rejoicing.”

Early the next morning, the Tang emperor held court, during which time the chief minister Yin left the ranks to give a careful report on what had taken place. He also recommended that a talent like Guangrui’s be used in some important capacity. The Tang emperor approved the memorial, and ordered that Chen E be promoted to Subchancellor of the Grand Secretariat so that he could accompany the court and carry out its policies. Xuanzang, determined to follow the way of Zen, was sent to practice austerities at the Temple of Infinite Blessing. Some time after this, Lady Yin calmly committed suicide after all, and Xuanzang went back to the Gold Mountain Temple to repay the kindness of abbot Faming. We do not know how things went thereafter; let’s listen to the explanation in the next chapter.