In Chapter 14 of Journey to the West, Sun Wukong kills six bandits (symbolizing the ”Six Roots” of desire in Buddhist teachings) and is harshly rebuked by Tang Sanzang. Angered, he storms off and visits the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea.
The Dragon King uses a mural in his crystal palace depicting the ”Story of Zhang Liang at Yiqiao Presenting Shoes” to recount the tale of Zhang Liang’s humility and perseverance.
When they finished the tea, Pilgrim happened to turn around and saw hanging behind him on the wall a painting on the “Presentation of Shoes at Yi Bridge.” “What’s this all about?” asked Pilgrim. The Dragon King replied, “The incident depicted in the painting took place some time after you were born, and you may not recognize what it was—the threefold presentation of shoes at Yi Bridge.” “What do you mean by the threefold presentation of shoes?” asked Pilgrim.
— Journey to the West, Chapter 14
Through this parable, he persuades Sun Wukong to return to Tang Sanzang and continue their pilgrimage to the West.
“The immortal in the painting,” said the Dragon King, “was named Huang Shigong, and the young man kneeling in front of him was called Zhang Liang. Shigong was sitting on the Yi Bridge when suddenly one of his shoes fell off and dropped under the bridge. He asked Zhang Liang to fetch it, and the young man quickly did so, putting it back on for him as he knelt there. This happened three times. Since Zhang Liang did not display the slightest sign of pride or impatience, he won the affection of Shigong, who imparted to him that night a celestial manual and told him to support the house of Han. Afterwards, Zhang Liang ‘made his plans sitting in a military tent to achieve victories a thousand miles away.’ When the Han dynasty was established, he left his post and went into the mountains, where he followed the Daoist, Master Red Pine, and became enlightened in the way of immortality. Great Sage, if you do not accompany the Tang Monk, if you are unwilling to exercise diligence or to accept instruction, you will remain a bogus immortal after all. Don’t think that you’ll ever acquire the Fruits of Truth.”
— Journey to the West, Chapter 14
Original Legend
The story of “Yi Bridge and the Slipper” originates from Records of the Grand Historian by Sima Qian. It recounts how Zhang Liang, a pivotal strategist for the Han Dynasty’s founding, demonstrated humility and perseverance to earn the trust of the sage Huang Shigong.
While crossing Yi Bridge, Zhang Liang encountered Huang Shigong, who deliberately dropped his slipper into the water and demanded Zhang retrieve it. Zhang obeyed without complaint. After three such tests, Huang Shigong gifted him the Taigong Art of War, a treatise on military strategy and governance. Zhang’s mastery of this text helped Liu Bang overthrow the Qin Dynasty and establish the Han Dynasty.
The Dragon King’s parable serves as a moral lesson:
“Even Zhang Liang, a mortal, endured trials to attain wisdom. You, a divine monkey, must temper your pride and honor your vows to your master.”
The Dragon King’s reference bridges historical heroism and mythic allegory, illustrating how Journey to the West weaves classical Chinese values into its narrative.
The allusion enriches Journey to the West’s moral tapestry, reminding readers that even the mightiest—whether strategist or monkey king—must bow to wisdom and duty.
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