After leaving the village, Tang Monk and his disciples resumed their journey westward.
They had traveled only about thirty or forty miles when they arrived at the border of Western Liang, the Women Kingdom.
Petition for transit
They encountered an official woman who spoke in an authoritative voice:
“No foreigner is allowed to enter the city without proper permission. It is necessary, therefore, that you register your names in the record book. That way, I can report your arrival to our queen. Only then will you be granted free passage.”
Upon hearing this, Tripitaka immediately dismounted his horse and greeted the official with due respect. The official led the way and brought them all to the posthouse.
They discovered that everyone else inside was female. As soon as they had taken their seats in the main hall, she ordered tea to be served. Even while serving, the women could not stop laughing. After finishing their tea, the official stood up and asked:
“Would you mind telling us where you come from?”
Sun Wukong replied:
“We are originally from the Eastern Lands, and by the express command of the Great Emperor of the Tang, we are heading toward the Western Paradise to pay homage to Buddha and obtain some sacred scriptures. Our master, who is the emperor’s own brother, is known by the name Tang Sanzang(Tripitaka). I, Sun Wukong, am his first disciple, and these two, Zhu Wuneng and Sha Wujing, are my brothers. With the horse, we make a total of five travelers. We carry a travel permit, so we would be deeply grateful if you would kindly grant us a safe-conduct pass so we may cross your lands.”
The official went to the Phoenix Tower, located in the capital, and said to the Guardian of the Yellow Gate:
“I am the postal official, and I wish to have an audience with the queen.”
The Guardian of the Yellow Gate ran to announce her arrival, and the official was promptly escorted into the palace, where the queen asked:
“What brings the postal official here today?”
The official replied:
“Your humble servant has just welcomed Tripitaka Tang, the brother of the Great Emperor of the Tang from the Eastern Lands, and his three disciples: Sun Wukong, Zhu Wuneng, and Sha Wujing. They are heading toward the Western Paradise in search of Buddha’s scriptures. I believed it appropriate to inform Your Majesty of their arrival and, at the same time, to consult whether they should be granted the safe-conduct pass they requested to continue their journey.”
The Queen’s Proposal
Upon hearing this, the queen was filled with joy and said to the officials, both civil and military, surrounding her:
“Last night I dreamed that golden screens emitted brilliant lights and jade mirrors shone with dazzling rays. This must surely be a favorable omen for today.”
“How can you be so certain, My Lady?” asked all the officials in unison, kneeling before the steps of the throne.
The queen replied:
“This man from the Eastern Lands is the brother of the Emperor of the Tang. Since the division of chaos, no man has ever been seen in this court. What else could this traveler of royal blood be but a gift from Heaven? I will place all the riches of the country at his feet on condition that he agrees to become our king. As for me, I am determined to become his queen. From this union will arise a prosperous lineage, thus ensuring the succession of our kingdom forever. How can this not be a good omen, when the benefits it brings are immeasurable?”
All the officials bowed their faces to the ground and began knocking their foreheads against the floor in agreement and joy.
Only the postal official dared to timidly object:
“I must admit that your idea of extending your lineage beyond the ten-thousandth generation is truly excellent. However, you must take into account that the three disciples of the master are extremely ill-mannered and their appearance inspires terror.”
The queen asked:
“According to you, what does this gentleman look like, and what features do his disciples have?”
The official replied:
“The brother of the Tang Emperor possesses such refined features, natural dignity, and such beauty of face that they are enough to honor a noble nation like the southern China of Jambudvipa.”
The queen concluded:
“In that case, we will provide all the provisions needed to the three disciples and grant them the safe-conduct pass they requested. Thus, they may continue their journey toward the Western Paradise. The gentleman will remain solely with us.”
Diplomatic Maneuvers
Two officials soon appeared and respectfully bowed before the Tang Monk.
Tripitaka returned their greeting and said:
“I, ladies, am nothing more than a poor monk. What qualities could a person as insignificant as I possess, that you should bow to me with such respect?”
After greeting him with the deference the situation required, the other officials remained standing around Tang Monk and finally said:
“We wish you, Sir, ten thousand blessings.”
Tripitaka repeated:
“I am nothing more than a poor monk. Where would I find so much happiness as you now wish for me?”
The Chief Advisor explained, bowing respectfully once again:
“Sir, this is the Country of Women of Western Liang, where, since time immemorial, no man has ever set foot. This time, however, we have had the fortune to welcome someone as distinguished as yourself from the royal family, and it is my great honor to convey to you our queen’s desire to marry you.”
Tripitaka exclaimed, trembling:
“Heaven forbid! This humble monk arrived in this great kingdom with nothing but his three disciples. I wonder— which one of us does your queen fancy?”
The postal official explained:
“When I went to the palace to report your arrival, our queen told us she had had a beautiful dream last night. She interpreted it as a good omen, and so, upon learning that a member of Chinese royalty had arrived from the great nation, she had no hesitation in offering all the riches of the kingdom at his feet, provided he accepts to marry her. You will become a chosen husband, and she shall be your queen forever.”
Proposal accepted
Tripitaka quietly asked Wukong:
“What can we do if, indeed, they insist on not letting us leave and force us to marry them?”
The Monkey King advised:
“Do not worry and accept their proposal. I will take care of everything.”
Then Wukong loudly replied:
“In my opinion, you should stay. As the ancients rightly said: however far apart two people may be, they will eventually unite if it is Heaven’s will. Nowhere will you find a better opportunity than this, I assure you.”
Tripitaka objected:
“But if we remain here, enjoying wealth and honors, no one will ever obtain the scriptures from the Western Paradise. The Great Emperor of the Tang will perish waiting!”
Then the Chief Advisor said:
“We dare not hide the truth from you. Our queen is interested only in you. Once the wedding banquet is over, provisions and a travel certificate will be given to your disciples so they may continue their journey to the Western Paradise in search of the sacred scriptures.”
The Monkey King said:
“What you have just said is very reasonable. On our part, we will raise no objection. We fully agree that our master should remain here and marry your lady. Therefore, please draw up the safe-conduct pass and allow us to depart westward as soon as possible. When we have obtained the scriptures, we will return to this place and ask you to cover the cost of our return journey. Thus, we can reach the Tang Kingdom without any difficulty.”
The Chief Advisor and the postal official bowed respectfully to the Monkey King and said:
“We thank you, Master, for resolving the issue so brilliantly.”
Bajie exclaimed:
“Not so fast, Chief Advisor. Since we have raised no objections, it would only be fair if your lady offered us a farewell feast or an engagement banquet. After all, we are the groom’s closest relatives, wouldn’t you agree?”
The Chief Advisor exclaimed:
“Of course! Right away we will have food sent to you.”
The Chief Advisor and the postal official hurried back to the palace to report the good news to the queen.
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