Seething with resentment, the Dragon King of the Eastern Ocean ascended to the Heavenly Court after Wukong’s departure. He petitioned the Jade Emperor, accusing the Monkey King of ransacking his palace, stealing the Divine Sea-Anchoring Iron, and terrorizing the aquatic realm. He begged the emperor to dispatch troops to subdue the demon.
The Jade Emperor agreed and convened the gods. “Which one of you divine generals,” asked the Jade Emperor, “wishes to go down there to subdue him?”
Counsel of Celestial Amnesty
Gold Star of Venus(the Great White Venus Star or Taibai Jinxing) proposed, “Your Majesty, instead of war, summon him to heaven with a minor official post and we can control him here. If he is receptive to the Heavenly decree, he will be rewarded and promoted hereafter; but if he is disobedient to your command, we shall arrest him forthwith. Such an action will spare us a military expedition in the first place, and, in the second, permit us to receive into our midst another immortal in an orderly manner.”
The emperor approved, ordering Gold Star of Venus to deliver the offer.
Meanwhile, the Monkey King returned to Flower and Fruit Mountain, showcasing his new treasure. “Grow! Grow! Grow!” he commanded, and the Golden-Hooped Rod stretched from the heavens to the underworld. “Shrink! Shrink! Shrink!” he cried, and it became a needle tucked in his ear. The monkeys erupted in cheers.
Gold Star of Venus recruits the Monkey King
Taibai Jinxing(the Gold Star) arrived, announcing the Jade Emperor’s decree to appoint Wukong as a celestial official.
“I am the Gold Star of Venus from the West,” he said. “I came down to Earth, bearing the imperial decree of pacification from the Jade Emperor, and invite you to go to Heaven to receive an immortal appointment.”
Laughing, Wukong said, “I am most grateful for the Old Star’s visit.” He then gave the order: “Little ones, prepare a banquet to entertain our guest.”
The Gold Star said, “As a bearer of imperial decree, I cannot remain here long. I must ask the Great King to go with me at once. After your glorious promotion, we shall have many occasions to converse at our leisure.”
“We are honored by your presence,” said Wukong; “I am sorry that you have to leave with empty hands!” He then called the four mighty commanders together for this admonition: “Be diligent in teaching and drilling the young ones. Let me go up to Heaven to take a look and to see whether I can have you all brought up there too to live with me.”
Eager to explore heaven, Wukong soared skyward with the star—though his Somersault Cloud left Gold Star of Venus far behind.
At the Southern Heavenly Gate, Heavenly King Virudhaka and guards barred entry. As Wukong prepared to fight, Taibai Jinxing caught up, explaining the emperor’s edict. Reluctantly, the guards let them pass.
Monkey King’s Heavenly Appointment
In the Hall of Divine Mists, Wukong stood defiantly, refusing to bow. The gods gasped, “This wild monkey is utterly disrespectful!”
“That fellow Sun Wukong is a bogus immortal from the Region Below,” announced the Jade Emperor, “and he has only recently acquired the form of a human being. We shall pardon him this time for his ignorance of court etiquette.”
The Jade Emperor then ordered the divine officials, both civil and military, to see what vacant appointment there might be for Sun Wukong to receive. From the side came the Star Spirit of Wuqu, who reported, “In every mansion and hall everywhere in the Palace of Heaven, there is no lack of ministers. Only at the imperial stables is a supervisor needed.”
“Let him be made a Bimawen(the BanHorsePlague, keeper of the Heavenly Horses).” proclaimed the Jade Emperor.
The Jade Emperor then sent the Star Spirit of Jupiter to accompany him to the stables.
Unaware of the role’s lowly status, the Monkey King went happily with the Star Spirit of Jupiter to the stables in order to assume his duties.
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