Tripitaka and his disciples left the Lion-Camel Kingdom and continued their journey westward. After several months, winter came again.
Ignoring the icy winds, they pressed forward, eating and sleeping in the wilderness despite the wind and rain.
City of Children
Soon they sighted another city, and turning toward Wukong, Tripitaka asked:
“What kind of place is that?”
Wukong replied:
“We’ll know when we get there. If it’s one of the western kingdoms, we will need to have our travel documents sealed. But if it’s only a district or a prefecture, we can pass through without stopping.”
He had barely finished speaking when they arrived at the city gates.
Tripitaka dismounted from his horse and crossed the outer wall. Soon they came across an old soldier curled up against a wall trying to shelter from the cold wind, sleeping with nothing but the sky above him.
Wukong approached and gently shook the old man’s shoulder. The elder slowly stirred awake. Upon seeing Wukong, he blinked as if unable to believe his eyes, then prostrated himself face-down on the ground, repeatedly touching his forehead to the earth while saying:
“Honorable sir, you are most welcome.”
Wukong asked:
“Why all this commotion? I’m not a spirit—why do you call me ‘honorable sir’?”
The old soldier redoubled his prostration and asked:
“Are you not a thunder god?”
Wukong replied:
“Of course not. I’m merely a monk from the Eastern Lands heading westward toward the Western Paradise in search of sacred scriptures. I woke you only to ask the name of this region.”
Only then did the soldier seem to calm down slightly. He yawned like a horse might, stretched once more, and answered:
“Oh, forgive me. This place used to be called the Kingdom of Bhiksu, but now it’s known as the City of Children.”
Wukong asked again:
“Does a king rule in this city?”
“Of course,” confirmed the old soldier.
Tang Monk exclaimed in surprise:
“How strange! There seems to be no connection at all between ‘Bhiksu’ and ‘Children.’”
Bajie remarked:
“Probably because the former ruler was named Bhiksu, and upon his death, the throne passed to a younger prince.”
“Nonsense!” said Tripitaka.
“Let’s just enter the city and see what we can find out.”
The Goose-Cage Mystery
The master and his disciples walked street after street. Everywhere they saw signs of wealth and prosperity that seemed endless. Soon they also noticed that in front of every house stood a goose cage.
Tripitaka asked:
“Have you noticed? Why would every house have a goose cage in front?”
Bajie looked around and saw that all the cages were covered with five-colored curtains, prompting him to exclaim with a smile:
“Today must be an auspicious day for weddings or welcoming guests. Just look at those curtains!”
Wukong retorted:
“Nonsense! How could everyone celebrate on the same day? There must be another reason. I’ll go take a closer look.”
Tripitaka pulled at his sleeve and advised:
“It’s better not to. As soon as people see your face, they’ll run away.”
Wukong concluded:
“In that case, I’ll transform myself.”
With a slight shake of his body, he changed into a small bee.
It was easy for him to fly to one of the cages and slip inside the curtain.
Inside sat a child. Puzzled, he flew to another cage and found another child in the same position.
In fact, he found children seated in eight or nine of the cages he inspected. What surprised him most was that there were no girls. Some were playing, some silently crying, and others were eating fruit or sleeping peacefully.
The Monkey King resumed his original form and, returning to Tang Monk, said:
“There are only children inside those cages. The oldest appear to be about seven years old, while the youngest are barely five. I don’t understand what they could possibly be doing there.”
Tripitaka appeared even more puzzled than before.
The Official’s Revelation
As they turned a corner, they came upon an official building marked: “Department of Dispatches Pavilion.”
Officials in the pavilion announced their arrival to the department head, who immediately came out to greet them. After exchanging formal greetings and sitting down, the official asked:
“Which lands are you from?”
Tripitaka replied:
“This humble servant is an envoy of the Great Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, whose kingdom lies in the Eastern Lands. By the Emperor’s express wish, I am traveling westward in search of sacred scriptures. We therefore request that your sovereign seal our travel documents so that we may continue our journey after enjoying your hospitality for one night.”
The head of the pavilion ordered tea to be served and told his subordinates to prepare food.
Once everything was ready, he invited the guests to sit at the table. While they enjoyed a vegetarian dinner, attendants cleaned the guest rooms reserved for them.
Tripitaka thanked him warmly and said:
“There is something I would like to ask. Would you mind explaining how people here raise their children?”
The official replied:
“I mean no offense, but why would a monk concern himself with such matters?”
Tang Monk responded:
“The people here don’t seem much different from those in my homeland. However, upon entering the city, I noticed that in front of every house there is a sort of goose cage containing a child. That is precisely what I fail to understand. Would you kindly explain it to me?”
The official lowered his voice almost to a whisper as he replied:
“I advise you not to concern yourselves with this matter. Please don’t ask questions about it. In fact, don’t even mention it. What you should do now is rest so you can continue your journey tomorrow.”
Tang Monk refused to give up and kept insisting the official provide a reasonable explanation, but the man simply shook his head and waved his finger significantly, repeating only:
“Please be especially careful not to speak of this matter.”
Then Tripitaka grabbed the official by the arm and refused to let him leave, asking repeatedly about the reason behind this strange custom. Finally, the official had no choice but to dismiss his subordinates. Once alone, he whispered:
“The goose cages you mentioned are directly connected to the cruelty constantly displayed by our sovereign. Why insist on asking about it?”
Tripitaka inquired:
“What exactly do you mean? It is essential that you help me understand this entire matter before I retire for the night.”
The official finally explained:
“Formerly, this place was known as the Bhiksu Kingdom, but recently the folk songs people sing have gradually changed its name to the City of Children. About three years ago, an old man disguised as a Taoist priest arrived here with a sixteen-year-old maiden whose beauty rivalled that of the Bodhisattva Guanyin. For unknown reasons, he presented her to our sovereign, who was so overjoyed that he immediately conferred upon her the title of Queen of Beauty. Obsessed with her charms, he hasn’t glanced at any other concubines since. Day and night he indulges in carnal pleasures with her, weakening his body daily and completely neglecting state affairs. His health has deteriorated so severely that he lacks strength to eat or drink, having virtually lost all will to live.”
“The imperial physicians have repeatedly tried to find a cure, but to no avail. Meanwhile, the Taoist who calls himself the Royal Father-in-Law claims to possess a secret formula for prolonging the sovereign’s life. The only complication is that this extraordinary remedy requires ingredients from beyond the great ocean. There might be some truth to this, as he once traveled to the Three Islands and Ten Islets to gather rare herbs. After returning, he prepared some medicines but cunningly insists they’ll only take effect when consumed with a broth made from the hearts of 1,111 children. Our sovereign would not only recover but gain immortality lasting a thousand years.”
“The children you saw caged like geese are those selected for slaughter – precisely why they’re being fattened and cared for. Worst of all, their parents dare not even weep openly for fear of royal wrath. Their only recourse is to vent frustration by renaming this place the City of Children. When you attend court tomorrow, simply request your travel documents sealed without mentioning this matter. Remember well.”
With this, he hastily withdrew.
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