第003回 Monkey Seizes the Golden-Banded Cudgel and Strikes His Name from the Register of the Dead

第003回Chapter 3

卻說美猴王榮歸故里，自剿了混世魔王，奪了一口大刀。Now the story tells how the Handsome Monkey King returned home in glory, having already wiped out the Demon King Confusion of the World and seized a great broadsword.逐日操演武藝，教小猴砍竹為標，削木為刀，治旗幡，打哨子，一進一退，安營下寨，頑耍多時。Day after day he drilled in the martial arts, teaching the young monkeys to cut bamboo for spears and whittle wood for swords, to arrange banners and pennants, to blow whistles, to advance and retreat in formation, to pitch camp and set up strongholds — they played at this for a long while.忽然靜坐處，思想道：「我等在此，恐作耍成真，或驚動人王，或有禽王、獸王認此犯頭，說我們操兵造反，興師來相殺，汝等都是竹竿木刀，如何對敵？Suddenly, sitting quietly, he fell to thinking: "We are here, and I fear that what began as play may turn real — that we might alarm some Human King, or that some Bird King or Beast King might seize on this as an offense, saying we are drilling troops and plotting rebellion, and raise an army to come and fight us. Yet all of you have only bamboo poles and wooden swords — how could you face an enemy?須得鋒利劍戟方可。We really need sharp swords and halberds before this will do.如今奈何？」眾猴聞說，個個驚恐道：「大王所見甚長，只是無處可取。」正說間，轉上四個老猴，兩個是赤尻馬猴，兩個是通背猿猴，走在面前道：「大王，若要治鋒利器械，甚是容易。」悟空道：「怎見容易？」四猴道：「我們這山向東去，有二百里水面，那廂乃傲來國界。What is to be done now?" When the monkeys heard this, every one of them was alarmed, saying, "Great King's foresight runs deep, but there is nowhere for us to get such things." Just as they were speaking, four old monkeys stepped forward — two red-buttocked horse monkeys and two long-armed gibbon monkeys — and came before him, saying, "Great King, if you wish to obtain sharp weapons, that is easy enough." Wukong said, "How is it easy?" The four monkeys said, "East of this mountain, across two hundred li of water, lies the territory of the Aolai Kingdom.那國界中有一王位，滿城中軍民無數，必有金銀銅鐵等匠作。Within that kingdom's borders there is a king's throne, and in the city countless soldiers and civilians — there must surely be smiths who work gold, silver, copper, and iron.大王若去那裡，或買或造些兵器，教演我等，守護山場，誠所謂保泰長久之機也。」悟空聞說，滿心歡喜道：「汝等在此頑耍，待我去來。」If the Great King goes there, and either buys or has forged some weapons, and trains us with them, we could guard this mountain stronghold — this is truly what one calls the plan for lasting peace and security." When Wukong heard this, he was filled with joy and said, "You all stay here and play; wait for me to go and come back."

却说美猴王荣归故里，自剿了混世魔王，夺了一口大刀。逐日操演武艺，教小猴砍竹为标，削木为刀，治旗幡，打哨子，一进一退，安营下寨，顽耍多时。忽然静坐处，思想道：「我等在此，恐作耍成真，或惊动人王，或有禽王、兽王认此犯头，说我们操兵造反，兴师来相杀，汝等都是竹竿木刀，如何对敌？须得锋利剑戟方可。如今奈何？」众猴闻说，个个惊恐道：「大王所见甚长，只是无处可取。」正说间，转上四个老猴，两个是赤尻马猴，两个是通背猿猴，走在面前道：「大王，若要治锋利器械，甚是容易。」悟空道：「怎见容易？」四猴道：「我们这山向东去，有二百里水面，那厢乃傲来国界。那国界中有一王位，满城中军民无数，必有金银铜铁等匠作。大王若去那里，或买或造些兵器，教演我等，守护山场，诚所谓保泰长久之机也。」悟空闻说，满心欢喜道：「汝等在此顽耍，待我去来。」

好猴王，即縱觔斗雲，霎時間過了二百里水面。The good Monkey King at once mounted his somersault cloud, and in an instant crossed the two hundred li of water.果見那廂有座城池，六街三市，萬戶千門，來來往往，人都在光天化日之下。Sure enough, he saw a city there, with its six great streets and three markets, its ten thousand households and thousand gates, people coming and going, all moving about beneath the bright light of day.悟空心中想道：「這裡定有現成的兵器，我待下去買他幾件，還不如使個神通覓他幾件倒好。」他就捻起訣來，念動咒語，向巽地上吸一口氣，呼的吹將去，便是一陣狂風，飛沙走石，好驚人也：Wukong thought to himself, "There must surely be ready-made weapons here — instead of going down to buy a few pieces, would it not be better to use some magic power to procure them?" So he formed a magic sign with his fingers, recited a spell, drew a breath toward the southeast, and blew it out with a puff — and at once a fierce wind arose, sending sand flying and stones rolling, truly a fearsome sight:

好猴王，即纵觔斗云，霎时间过了二百里水面。果见那厢有座城池，六街三市，万户千门，来来往往，人都在光天化日之下。悟空心中想道：「这里定有现成的兵器，我待下去买他几件，还不如使个神通觅他几件倒好。」他就捻起诀来，念动咒语，向巽地上吸一口气，呼的吹将去，便是一阵狂风，飞沙走石，好惊人也：

風起處，驚散了那傲來國君王，三市六街，都慌得關門閉戶，無人敢走。Where the wind rose, it startled and scattered the ruler of the Aolai Kingdom, and in the three markets and six streets everyone panicked, shutting their doors and barring their gates, and no one dared to walk about.悟空才按下雲頭，徑闖入朝門裡，直尋到兵器館、武庫中，打開門扇看時，那裡面無數器械：刀、槍、劍、戟、斧、鉞、毛、鐮、鞭、鈀、撾、簡、弓、弩、叉、矛，件件俱備。Wukong then brought his cloud down, went straight in through the palace gate, and made his way directly to the weapons hall and the armory. Opening the doors to look, he found countless weapons inside: swords, spears, blades, halberds, axes, battle-axes, spears with hair tassels, sickles, whips, rakes, hooked weapons, batons, bows, crossbows, forks, and lances — every kind was there in full.一見甚喜道：「我一人能拿幾何？Seeing this, he was greatly pleased, and thought, "How many can one person carry?還使個分身法搬將去罷。」好猴王，即拔一把毫毛，入口嚼爛，噴將出去，念動咒語，叫聲：「變！」變做千百個小猴，都亂搬亂搶，有力的拿五七件，力小的拿三二件，盡數搬個罄淨。I had better use a body-dividing technique to move them all away." The good Monkey King at once plucked out a handful of hairs, chewed them fine in his mouth, and spat them out, reciting a spell and shouting, "Change!" They changed into hundreds of little monkeys, all scrambling and grabbing wildly — the strong ones taking five or seven pieces, the weaker ones taking two or three — until every single weapon had been carried off, leaving nothing behind.徑踏雲頭，弄個攝法，喚轉狂風，帶領小猴，俱回本處。He then stepped onto his cloud, worked a technique to gather everything up, summoned back the fierce wind, and led the little monkeys, all of them together, back to their own place.

风起处，惊散了那傲来国君王，三市六街，都慌得关门闭户，无人敢走。悟空才按下云头，径闯入朝门里，直寻到兵器馆、武库中，打开门扇看时，那里面无数器械：刀、枪、剑、戟、斧、钺、毛、镰、鞭、钯、挝、简、弓、弩、叉、矛，件件俱备。一见甚喜道：「我一人能拿几何？还使个分身法搬将去罢。」好猴王，即拔一把毫毛，入口嚼烂，喷将出去，念动咒语，叫声：「变！」变做千百个小猴，都乱搬乱抢，有力的拿五七件，力小的拿三二件，尽数搬个罄净。径踏云头，弄个摄法，唤转狂风，带领小猴，俱回本处。

卻說那花果山大小猴兒，正在那洞門外頑耍，忽聽得風聲響處，見半空中丫丫叉叉，無邊無岸的猴精，諕得都亂跑亂躲。Now the story tells how the monkeys, young and old, on Huaguoshan were just then playing outside the cave gate, when suddenly they heard the sound of wind, and saw in midair a jagged, boundless mass of monkey spirits — this frightened them so much that they all scattered and ran to hide.少時，美猴王按落雲頭，收了雲霧，將身一抖，收了毫毛，將兵器都亂堆在山前，叫道：「小的們，都來領兵器。」眾猴看時，只見悟空獨立在平陽之地，俱跑來叩頭問故。After a while, the Handsome Monkey King brought his cloud down, dispersed the clouds and mist, gave his body a shake to gather back his hairs, and piled all the weapons in a heap before the mountain, calling out, "You little ones, come and receive your weapons." When the monkeys saw this, they beheld Wukong standing alone on the level ground, and they all ran up, kowtowing and asking what had happened.悟空將前使狂風、搬兵器，一應事說了一遍。Wukong told them the whole story of how he had raised the fierce wind and carried off the weapons.眾猴稱謝畢，都去搶刀奪劍，撾斧爭槍，扯弓扳弩，吆吆喝喝，耍了一日。When the monkeys had finished thanking him, they all went scrambling for swords and grabbing blades, snatching axes and fighting over spears, pulling bows and drawing crossbows, shouting and hollering, and made merry with this for a whole day.

却说那花果山大小猴儿，正在那洞门外顽耍，忽听得风声响处，见半空中丫丫叉叉，无边无岸的猴精，諕得都乱跑乱躲。少时，美猴王按落云头，收了云雾，将身一抖，收了毫毛，将兵器都乱堆在山前，叫道：「小的们，都来领兵器。」众猴看时，只见悟空独立在平阳之地，俱跑来叩头问故。悟空将前使狂风、搬兵器，一应事说了一遍。众猴称谢毕，都去抢刀夺剑，挝斧争枪，扯弓扳弩，吆吆喝喝，耍了一日。

次日，依舊排營。The next day, they set up their camps and ranks as before.悟空會聚群猴，計有四萬七千餘口。Wukong gathered the assembled monkeys, and counted in all more than forty-seven thousand.早驚動滿山怪獸，都是些狼、蟲、虎、豹、麖、麂、獐、��、狐、狸、獾、狢、獅、象、狻猊、猩猩、熊、鹿、野豕、山牛、羚羊、青兕、狡兒、神獒……This soon alarmed all the wild beasts that filled the mountain — wolves, insects, tigers, leopards, elk, muntjacs, roe deer, wild boars, foxes, raccoon dogs, badgers, civets, lions, elephants, lion-like suan-ni, orangutans, bears, deer, wild pigs, mountain oxen, antelope, blue rhinoceros, cunning creatures, divine hounds...各樣妖王，共有七十二洞，都來參拜猴王為尊。All the various demon kings, seventy-two caves' worth in all, came to pay homage to the Monkey King as their sovereign.每年獻貢，四時點卯。Every year they offered tribute, and at each of the four seasons they came to report and be counted.也有隨班操演的，也有隨節徵糧的。Some took their turn in the drilling and training, others were levied for grain according to the season.齊齊整整，把一座花果山造得似鐵桶金城。Everything was orderly and well-arranged, until the whole of Huaguoshan was made as sturdy as an iron bucket and a walled city of gold.各路妖王，又有進金鼓、進彩旗、進盔甲的，紛紛攘攘，日逐家習舞興師。The demon kings of every region also brought gongs of gold, colorful banners, and suits of armor as offerings, bustling about busily, practicing martial dances and raising troops day after day.

次日，依旧排营。悟空会聚群猴，计有四万七千余口。早惊动满山怪兽，都是些狼、虫、虎、豹、麖、麂、獐、𤜱、狐、狸、獾、狢、狮、象、狻猊、猩猩、熊、鹿、野豕、山牛、羚羊、青兕、狡儿、神獒……各样妖王，共有七十二洞，都来参拜猴王为尊。每年献贡，四时点卯。也有随班操演的，也有随节征粮的。齐齐整整，把一座花果山造得似铁桶金城。各路妖王，又有进金鼓、进彩旗、进盔甲的，纷纷攘攘，日逐家习舞兴师。

美猴王正喜間，忽對眾說道：「汝等弓弩熟諳，兵器精通，奈我這口刀著實榔槺，不遂我意，奈何？」四老猴上前啟奏道：「大王乃是仙聖，凡兵是不堪用。While the Handsome Monkey King was in the midst of his joy, he suddenly said to the assembly, "You are all thoroughly versed in bows and crossbows, and expert with your weapons, but this broadsword of mine is truly clumsy and heavy, and does not suit my liking — what is to be done?" The four old monkeys came forward and reported, "Great King, you are an immortal sage; ordinary weapons are not fit for your use.但不知大王水裡可能去得？」悟空道：「我自聞道之後，有七十二般地煞變化之功，觔斗雲有莫大的神通；But we do not know whether the Great King is able to go into the water?" Wukong said, "Ever since I attained the Dao, I have mastered the seventy-two transformations of earthly power, and my somersault cloud has boundless magical ability;善能隱身遯身，起法攝法。I am skilled at hiding my body and vanishing it, at summoning magic and gathering it in.上天有路，入地有門；I have a road to heaven above and a gate into the earth below;步日月無影，入金石無礙；I can walk without casting a shadow beneath sun or moon, and pass through metal and stone without hindrance;水不能溺，火不能焚。Water cannot drown me, fire cannot burn me.那些兒去不得？」四猴道：「大王既有此神通，我們這鐵板橋下，水通東海龍宮。Is there anywhere I cannot go?" The four monkeys said, "If the Great King has such magical powers, then beneath this Iron Plank Bridge of ours, the water leads straight through to the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea.大王若肯下去，尋著老龍王，問他要件甚麼兵器，卻不趁心？」悟空聞言，甚喜道：「等我去來。」If the Great King is willing to go down there, seek out the old Dragon King, and ask him for some kind of weapon, would that not suit your heart's desire?" When Wukong heard this, he was overjoyed and said, "Wait here while I go and come back."

美猴王正喜间，忽对众说道：「汝等弓弩熟谙，兵器精通，奈我这口刀著实榔槺，不遂我意，奈何？」四老猴上前启奏道：「大王乃是仙圣，凡兵是不堪用。但不知大王水里可能去得？」悟空道：「我自闻道之后，有七十二般地煞变化之功，觔斗云有莫大的神通；善能隐身遯身，起法摄法。上天有路，入地有门；步日月无影，入金石无碍；水不能溺，火不能焚。那些儿去不得？」四猴道：「大王既有此神通，我们这铁板桥下，水通东海龙宫。大王若肯下去，寻著老龙王，问他要件甚么兵器，却不趁心？」悟空闻言，甚喜道：「等我去来。」

好猴王，跳至橋頭，使一個閉水法，捻著訣，撲的鑽入波中，分開水路，徑入東洋海底。The good Monkey King leapt to the head of the bridge, performed a water-parting technique, formed the magic sign with his fingers, and plunged with a splash into the waves, parting the waters before him, and went straight down into the depths of the Eastern Ocean.正行間，忽見一個巡海的夜叉，擋住問道：「那推水來的，是何神聖？As he was making his way along, he suddenly saw a patrolling yaksha who blocked his path and asked, "You who come pushing through the water — what god or sage are you?說個明白，好通報迎接。」悟空道：「吾乃花果山天生聖人孫悟空，是你老龍王的緊鄰，為何不識？」那夜叉聽說，急轉水晶宮傳報道：「大王，外面有個花果山天生聖人孫悟空，口稱是大王緊鄰，將到宮也。」東海龍王敖廣即忙起身，與龍子、龍孫、蝦兵、蟹將出宮迎道：「上仙請進，請進。」直至宮裡相見，上坐獻茶畢，問道：「上仙幾時得道？Speak plainly, so that I may properly announce and welcome you." Wukong said, "I am Sun Wukong, the sage born of heaven and earth from Huaguoshan, close neighbor to your old Dragon King — why do you not recognize me?" When the yaksha heard this, he hurried back to the Crystal Palace to report, "Great King, outside there is a certain Sun Wukong, the sage born of heaven and earth from Huaguoshan, who calls himself your close neighbor, and is about to arrive at the palace." The Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, Ao Guang, at once rose to his feet, and together with his dragon sons and grandsons, his shrimp soldiers and crab generals, came out of the palace to welcome him, saying, "Exalted Immortal, please come in, please come in." They went straight into the palace to meet, and after being seated and served tea, the Dragon King asked, "When did the Exalted Immortal attain the Dao?授何仙術？」悟空道：「我自生身之後，出家修行，得一個無生無滅之體。What immortal arts were you taught?" Wukong said, "Ever since I was born, I left my family to cultivate the Way, and attained a body that is neither born nor destroyed.近因教演兒孫，守護山洞，奈何沒件兵器。Recently, because I have been training my children and grandchildren to guard our mountain cave, I find myself lacking a proper weapon.久聞賢鄰享樂瑤宮貝闕，必有多餘神器，特來告求一件。」龍王見說，不好推辭，即著鱖都司取出一把大桿刀奉上。I have long heard that my worthy neighbor enjoys the pleasures of a palace of jade and shell towers, and must surely have some divine weapon to spare — so I have come especially to beg for one." When the Dragon King heard this, he could not well refuse, and at once had the Mandarin Fish Commander bring out a great halberd-blade sword to present to him.悟空道：「老孫不會使刀，乞另賜一件。」龍王又著鮊太尉領鱔力士，擡出一桿九股叉來。Wukong said, "Old Sun does not know how to use a sword — pray grant me something else." The Dragon King then had Perch Commandant lead Eel Strongman to carry out a nine-pronged fork.悟空跳下來，接在手中，使了一路，放下道：「輕，輕，輕，又不趁手。Wukong jumped down, took it in his hands, put it through its paces, then set it down, saying, "Light, light, it's too light — still not to my hand.再乞另賜一件。」龍王笑道：「上仙，你不曾看，這叉有三千六百斤重哩。」悟空道：「不趁手，不趁手。」龍王心中恐懼，又著鯾提督、鯉總兵擡出一柄畫桿方天戟。Pray grant me yet another." The Dragon King laughed and said, "Exalted Immortal, you have not looked closely — this fork weighs three thousand six hundred catties." Wukong said, "Not right, not right for my hand." The Dragon King, growing fearful in his heart, then had Bream Superintendent and Carp Commander-in-chief carry out a painted-shaft square-sky halberd.那戟有七千二百斤重。That halberd weighed seven thousand two hundred catties.悟空見了，跑近前，接在手中，丟幾個架子，撒兩個解數，插在中間道：「也還輕，輕，輕。」老龍王一發害怕道：「上仙，我宮中只有這根戟重，再沒甚麼兵器了。」悟空笑道：「古人云：『愁海龍王沒寶』哩！When Wukong saw it, he ran up close, took it in hand, ran through several stances, tried a couple of maneuvers, then planted it in the middle and said, "Still too light, light, light." The old Dragon King grew even more afraid, and said, "Exalted Immortal, in my whole palace only this halberd is the heaviest — there is no other weapon left." Wukong laughed and said, "As the old saying goes, 'Pity the Dragon King of the Sea, who has no treasure' — indeed!你再去尋尋看，若有可意的，一一奉價。」龍王道：「委的再無。」Go and look again — if there is anything suitable, I will pay you its full price for it." The Dragon King said, "Truly, there is nothing more."

好猴王，跳至桥头，使一个闭水法，捻著诀，扑的钻入波中，分开水路，径入东洋海底。正行间，忽见一个巡海的夜叉，挡住问道：「那推水来的，是何神圣？说个明白，好通报迎接。」悟空道：「吾乃花果山天生圣人孙悟空，是你老龙王的紧邻，为何不识？」那夜叉听说，急转水晶宫传报道：「大王，外面有个花果山天生圣人孙悟空，口称是大王紧邻，将到宫也。」东海龙王敖广即忙起身，与龙子、龙孙、虾兵、蟹将出宫迎道：「上仙请进，请进。」直至宫里相见，上坐献茶毕，问道：「上仙几时得道？授何仙术？」悟空道：「我自生身之后，出家修行，得一个无生无灭之体。近因教演儿孙，守护山洞，奈何没件兵器。久闻贤邻享乐瑶宫贝阙，必有多余神器，特来告求一件。」龙王见说，不好推辞，即著鳜都司取出一把大杆刀奉上。悟空道：「老孙不会使刀，乞另赐一件。」龙王又著鲌太尉领鳝力士，抬出一杆九股叉来。悟空跳下来，接在手中，使了一路，放下道：「轻，轻，轻，又不趁手。再乞另赐一件。」龙王笑道：「上仙，你不曾看，这叉有三千六百斤重哩。」悟空道：「不趁手，不趁手。」龙王心中恐惧，又著鯾提督、鲤总兵抬出一柄画杆方天戟。那戟有七千二百斤重。悟空见了，跑近前，接在手中，丢几个架子，撒两个解数，插在中间道：「也还轻，轻，轻。」老龙王一发害怕道：「上仙，我宫中只有这根戟重，再没甚么兵器了。」悟空笑道：「古人云：『愁海龙王没宝』哩！你再去寻寻看，若有可意的，一一奉价。」龙王道：「委的再无。」

正說處，後面閃過龍婆、龍女道：「大王，觀看此聖，決非小可。Just as they were speaking, from behind there appeared the Dragon Queen and the Dragon Princess, who said, "Great King, looking at this sage, he is certainly no ordinary being.我們這海藏中，那一塊天河定底的神珍鐵，這幾日霞光艷艷，瑞氣騰騰，敢莫是該出現，遇此聖也？」龍王道：「那是大禹治水之時，定江海淺深的一個定子，是一塊神鐵，能中何用？」龍婆道：「莫管他用不用，且送與他，憑他怎麼改造，送出宮門便了。」老龍王依言，盡向悟空說了。In our sea treasury there is that piece of divine iron that once fixed the depth of the Milky Way — these past few days it has been glowing with brilliant rosy light and auspicious vapors rising all about; could it be that it is fated to appear now, and to meet this sage?" The Dragon King said, "That is the measuring rod from the time when Great Yu controlled the floods, the one that fixed the depths of the rivers and seas — it is a piece of divine iron, but what use could it possibly serve him?" The Dragon Queen said, "Never mind whether it is useful to him or not — just give it to him, let him do with it whatever remaking he pleases, and simply see him out of the palace gates." The old Dragon King followed this advice, and told Wukong all about it.悟空道：「拿出來我看。」龍王搖手道：「扛不動，擡不動，須上仙親去看看。」悟空道：「在何處？Wukong said, "Bring it out and let me see it." The Dragon King waved his hand and said, "It cannot be shouldered, it cannot be carried — the Exalted Immortal himself must go and look at it." Wukong said, "Where is it?你引我去。」Lead me there."

正说处，后面闪过龙婆、龙女道：「大王，观看此圣，决非小可。我们这海藏中，那一块天河定底的神珍铁，这几日霞光艳艳，瑞气腾腾，敢莫是该出现，遇此圣也？」龙王道：「那是大禹治水之时，定江海浅深的一个定子，是一块神铁，能中何用？」龙婆道：「莫管他用不用，且送与他，凭他怎么改造，送出宫门便了。」老龙王依言，尽向悟空说了。悟空道：「拿出来我看。」龙王摇手道：「扛不动，抬不动，须上仙亲去看看。」悟空道：「在何处？你引我去。」

龍王果引導至海藏中間，忽見金光萬道。The Dragon King indeed led the way into the middle of the sea treasury, where suddenly they saw ten thousand rays of golden light.龍王指定道：「那放光的便是。」悟空撩衣上前，摸了一把，乃是一根鐵柱子，約有斗來粗，二丈有餘長。The Dragon King pointed and said, "The thing giving off that light is it." Wukong hitched up his clothes and went forward, felt it over with his hand, and found it to be an iron pillar, about the thickness of a rice-measuring tub, and more than two zhang long.他儘力兩手撾過道：「忒粗忒長些，再短細些方可用。」說畢，那寶貝就短了幾尺，細了一圍。He gripped it with all his strength in both hands and said, "Much too thick and much too long — it would do better a bit shorter and thinner." No sooner had he said this than the treasure shortened by several feet and grew a full span thinner.悟空又顛一顛道：「再細些更好。」那寶貝真個又細了幾分。Wukong hefted it once more and said, "A bit thinner still would be even better." And sure enough, the treasure grew thinner by several more degrees.悟空十分歡喜，拿出海藏看時，原來兩頭是兩個金箍，中間乃一段烏鐵。Wukong was overjoyed, and taking it out to look at it in the light of the sea treasury, he found that both ends were capped with golden hoops, with a section of black iron in between.緊挨箍有鐫成的一行字，喚做：「如意金箍棒，重一萬三千五百斤。」心中暗喜道：「想必這寶貝如人意。」一邊走，一邊心思口念，手顛著道：「再短細些更妙。」拿出外面，只有二丈長短，碗口粗細。Right beside the hoop there was a line of engraved characters, reading: "The Ruyi Jingu Bang — Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod — weight thirteen thousand five hundred catties." In his heart he secretly rejoiced, thinking, "This treasure must indeed be compliant to my wishes." As he walked along, thinking it over and murmuring aloud, hefting it in his hand, he said, "A bit shorter and thinner still would be even better." By the time he brought it outside, it was only about two zhang long and as thick around as a bowl's mouth.

龙王果引导至海藏中间，忽见金光万道。龙王指定道：「那放光的便是。」悟空撩衣上前，摸了一把，乃是一根铁柱子，约有斗来粗，二丈有余长。他尽力两手挝过道：「忒粗忒长些，再短细些方可用。」说毕，那宝贝就短了几尺，细了一围。悟空又颠一颠道：「再细些更好。」那宝贝真个又细了几分。悟空十分欢喜，拿出海藏看时，原来两头是两个金箍，中间乃一段乌铁。紧挨箍有镌成的一行字，唤做：「如意金箍棒，重一万三千五百斤。」心中暗喜道：「想必这宝贝如人意。」一边走，一边心思口念，手颠著道：「再短细些更妙。」拿出外面，只有二丈长短，碗口粗细。

你看他弄神通，丟開解數，打轉水晶宮裡。Just watch him work his magic power — he swung it through its paces and turned cartwheels of movement, all the way back into the Crystal Palace.諕得老龍王膽戰心驚，小龍子魂飛魄散，龜鱉黿鼉皆縮頸，魚蝦鰲蟹盡藏頭。This so frightened the old Dragon King that his gall shook and his heart trembled; the young dragon princes' souls scattered in terror; the turtles, soft-shelled turtles, river turtles, and alligators all drew in their necks, and the fish, shrimp, sea-turtles, and crabs all hid their heads.悟空將寶貝執在手中，坐在水晶宮殿上，對龍王笑道：「多謝賢鄰厚意。」龍王道：「不敢，不敢。」悟空道：「這塊鐵雖然好用，還有一說。」龍王道：「上仙還有甚說？」悟空道：「當時若無此鐵，倒也罷了；Wukong held the treasure in his hand and sat himself down in the hall of the Crystal Palace, and said to the Dragon King with a laugh, "Many thanks for my worthy neighbor's generous kindness." The Dragon King said, "I would not presume, I would not presume." Wukong said, "This piece of iron, though it is fine to use, there is still one more thing to say." The Dragon King said, "What more does the Exalted Immortal have to say?" Wukong said, "If I had never had this iron, it would have been well enough and done with;如今手中既拿著他，身上更無衣服相趁，奈何？but now that I hold it in my hand, I have no clothing on my body to match it — what is to be done?你這裡若有披掛，索性送我一副，一總奉謝。」龍王道：「這個卻是沒有。」悟空道：「一客不犯二主。If you have any armor here, you might as well give me a set along with it, and I will thank you for both at once." The Dragon King said, "That, however, I do not have." Wukong said, "One guest does not trouble two hosts.若沒有，我也定不出此門。」龍王道：「煩上仙再轉一海，或者有之。」悟空又道：「走三家不如坐一家。If you have none, then I am determined not to leave through this gate." The Dragon King said, "I beg the Exalted Immortal to make the rounds of one more sea — perhaps there it may be found." Wukong said again, "Better to sit in one house than to walk to three.千萬告求一副。」龍王道：「委的沒有，如有即當奉承。」悟空道：「真個沒有？I beg most earnestly that you grant me a set." The Dragon King said, "Truly there is none — if there were, I would certainly offer it." Wukong said, "Is it really true there is none?就和你試試此鐵！」龍王慌了道：「上仙，切莫動手，切莫動手，待我看舍弟處可有，當送一副。」悟空道：「令弟何在？」龍王道：「舍弟乃南海龍王敖欽、北海龍王敖順、西海龍王敖閏是也。」悟空道：「我老孫不去，不去。Then I shall just try out this iron on you!" The Dragon King, alarmed, said, "Exalted Immortal, by no means raise your hand, by no means — let me see whether my younger brothers have any, and I shall certainly have one sent to you." Wukong said, "Where are your younger brothers?" The Dragon King said, "My younger brothers are Ao Qin, Dragon King of the Southern Sea; Ao Shun, Dragon King of the Northern Sea; and Ao Run, Dragon King of the Western Sea." Wukong said, "Old Sun will not go to them, no, I will not.俗語謂『賒三不敵見二』，只望你隨高就低的送一副便了。」老龍道：「不須上仙去。As the saying goes, 'A promise of three is no match for two in hand' — I only ask that you make do, high or low, and send me a set." The old Dragon King said, "There is no need for the Exalted Immortal to go himself.我這裡有一面鐵鼓、一口金鐘，凡有緊急事，擂得鼓響，撞得鐘鳴，舍弟們就頃刻而至。」悟空道：「既是如此，快些去擂鼓撞鐘。」真個那鼉將便去撞鐘，鱉帥即來擂鼓。I have here an iron drum and a golden bell — whenever there is urgent business, if the drum is beaten till it sounds and the bell is struck till it rings, my younger brothers will arrive in an instant." Wukong said, "Since that is so, hurry and beat the drum and strike the bell." Sure enough, the dragon general went off to strike the bell, and the soft-shelled turtle marshal came at once to beat the drum.

你看他弄神通，丢开解数，打转水晶宫里。諕得老龙王胆战心惊，小龙子魂飞魄散，龟鳖鼋鼍皆缩颈，鱼虾鳌蟹尽藏头。悟空将宝贝执在手中，坐在水晶宫殿上，对龙王笑道：「多谢贤邻厚意。」龙王道：「不敢，不敢。」悟空道：「这块铁虽然好用，还有一说。」龙王道：「上仙还有甚说？」悟空道：「当时若无此铁，倒也罢了；如今手中既拿著他，身上更无衣服相趁，奈何？你这里若有披挂，索性送我一副，一总奉谢。」龙王道：「这个却是没有。」悟空道：「一客不犯二主。若没有，我也定不出此门。」龙王道：「烦上仙再转一海，或者有之。」悟空又道：「走三家不如坐一家。千万告求一副。」龙王道：「委的没有，如有即当奉承。」悟空道：「真个没有？就和你试试此铁！」龙王慌了道：「上仙，切莫动手，切莫动手，待我看舍弟处可有，当送一副。」悟空道：「令弟何在？」龙王道：「舍弟乃南海龙王敖钦、北海龙王敖顺、西海龙王敖闰是也。」悟空道：「我老孙不去，不去。俗语谓『赊三不敌见二』，只望你随高就低的送一副便了。」老龙道：「不须上仙去。我这里有一面铁鼓、一口金钟，凡有紧急事，擂得鼓响，撞得钟鸣，舍弟们就顷刻而至。」悟空道：「既是如此，快些去擂鼓撞钟。」真个那鼍将便去撞钟，鳖帅即来擂鼓。

少時，鐘鼓響處，果然驚動那三海龍王，須臾來到，一齊在外面會著。Before long, where the bell and drum sounded, they did indeed alarm the three sea Dragon Kings, who arrived in a moment and all gathered together outside.敖欽道：「大哥，有甚緊事，擂鼓撞鐘？」老龍道：「賢弟，不好說。Ao Qin said, "Elder brother, what urgent matter is there, that you beat the drum and strike the bell?" The old Dragon King said, "Worthy brother, it is hard to say.有一個花果山甚麼天生聖人，早間來認我做鄰居。There is someone from Huaguoshan, some sort of sage born of heaven and earth, who this morning came claiming to be my neighbor.後要求一件兵器，獻鋼叉嫌小，奉畫戟嫌輕；Afterward he asked for a weapon — I offered a steel fork, he complained it was too small; I presented a painted halberd, he complained it was too light;將一塊天河定底神珍鐵，自己拿出手，丟了些解數。then that piece of divine iron that once fixed the depth of the Milky Way, he took it out with his own hands and ran through a few maneuvers with it.如今坐在宮中，又要索甚麼披掛。Now he is sitting in the palace, and on top of it demands some kind of armor.我處無有，故響鐘鳴鼓，請賢弟來。I have none to give, and so I rang the bell and beat the drum to summon you, worthy brothers.你們可有甚麼披掛，送他一副，打發出門去罷了。」敖欽聞言，大怒道：「我兄弟們點起兵拿他不是？」老龍道：「莫說拿，莫說拿。Do any of you have some armor to give him, so we may send him off and be done with it?" When Ao Qin heard this, he grew greatly angry and said, "Why do we brothers not raise troops and seize him?" The old Dragon King said, "Do not speak of seizing him, do not speak of it.那塊鐵，挽著些兒就死，磕著些兒就亡；That piece of iron — brush against it lightly and you die; graze it just a little and you perish;挨挨兒皮破，擦擦兒觔傷。」西海龍王敖閏說：「二哥不可與他動手。press close to it and your skin breaks; rub against it and your sinews are torn." Ao Run, the Dragon King of the Western Sea, said, "Second brother, you must not raise a hand against him.且只湊副披掛與他，打發他出了門，啟表奏上上天，天自誅也。」北海龍王敖順道：「說的是。Let us simply put together a set of armor for him, send him off out of the gate, and then submit a memorial to Heaven above — Heaven itself will deal with him." Ao Shun, the Dragon King of the Northern Sea, said, "Well said.我這裡有一雙藕絲步雲履哩。」西海龍王敖閏道：「我帶了一副鎖子黃金甲哩。」南海龍王敖欽道：「我有一頂鳳翅紫金冠哩。」老龍大喜，引入水晶宮相見了，以此奉上。I have here a pair of lotus-thread cloud-walking boots." Ao Run, the Dragon King of the Western Sea, said, "I have brought a suit of gold chain-mail armor." Ao Qin, the Dragon King of the Southern Sea, said, "I have a phoenix-winged purple-gold cap." The old Dragon King, greatly pleased, led them into the Crystal Palace to be presented to Wukong.悟空將金冠、金甲、雲履都穿戴停當，使動如意棒，一路打出去，對眾龍道：「聒噪，聒噪。」四海龍王甚是不平，一邊商議進表上奏不題。Wukong put on the golden cap, the golden armor, and the cloud-walking boots, all properly arranged, then wielded his Ruyi Rod and fought his way straight out, saying to the assembled dragons, "Noisy, noisy — forgive the trouble." The four Sea Dragon Kings were greatly displeased, and set about discussing among themselves how to submit a memorial of complaint — but no more of that for now.

少时，钟鼓响处，果然惊动那三海龙王，须臾来到，一齐在外面会著。敖钦道：「大哥，有甚紧事，擂鼓撞钟？」老龙道：「贤弟，不好说。有一个花果山甚么天生圣人，早间来认我做邻居。后要求一件兵器，献钢叉嫌小，奉画戟嫌轻；将一块天河定底神珍铁，自己拿出手，丢了些解数。如今坐在宫中，又要索甚么披挂。我处无有，故响钟鸣鼓，请贤弟来。你们可有甚么披挂，送他一副，打发出门去罢了。」敖钦闻言，大怒道：「我兄弟们点起兵拿他不是？」老龙道：「莫说拿，莫说拿。那块铁，挽著些儿就死，磕著些儿就亡；挨挨儿皮破，擦擦儿觔伤。」西海龙王敖闰说：「二哥不可与他动手。且只凑副披挂与他，打发他出了门，启表奏上上天，天自诛也。」北海龙王敖顺道：「说的是。我这里有一双藕丝步云履哩。」西海龙王敖闰道：「我带了一副锁子黄金甲哩。」南海龙王敖钦道：「我有一顶凤翅紫金冠哩。」老龙大喜，引入水晶宫相见了，以此奉上。悟空将金冠、金甲、云履都穿戴停当，使动如意棒，一路打出去，对众龙道：「聒噪，聒噪。」四海龙王甚是不平，一边商议进表上奏不题。

你看這猴王，分開水道，徑回鐵板橋頭，攛將上来。Now watch this Monkey King part the waterways and go straight back to the head of the Iron Plank Bridge, leaping up and out.只見四個老猴領著眾猴，都在橋邊等候。There he found the four old monkeys leading the assembled monkeys, all waiting by the bridge.忽然見悟空跳出波外，身上更無一點水濕，金燦燦的走上橋來。Suddenly they saw Wukong leap out from beyond the waves, his body not wet with so much as a drop of water, walking up onto the bridge all glittering gold.諕得眾猴一齊跪下道：「大王好華彩耶！This so startled the monkeys that they all knelt down together, saying, "Great King, what splendid finery!好華彩耶！」悟空滿面春風，高登寶座，將鐵棒豎在當中。What splendid finery!" Wukong, his face all wreathed in spring breeze, ascended in high state to his throne, and set the iron rod upright in the middle.那些猴不知好歹，都來拿那寶貝，卻便似蜻蜓撼鐵樹，分毫也不能禁動。Those monkeys, not knowing any better, all came to try to take hold of the treasure, but it was just like a dragonfly trying to shake an iron tree — not a hair's breadth could they budge it.一個個咬指伸舌道：「爺爺呀！One by one they bit their fingers and stuck out their tongues, saying, "Goodness me!這般重，虧你怎的拿來也！」悟空近前，舒開手，一把撾起，對眾笑道：「物各有主。So heavy — however did you manage to carry it here!" Wukong came forward, spread open his hand, seized it up in one grip, and said to the assembly with a laugh, "Everything has its rightful owner.這寶貝鎮於海藏中，也不知幾千百年，可可的今歲放光。This treasure has lain locked away in the sea treasury who knows how many thousands of years, and it just happened to give off its light this very year.龍王只認做是塊黑鐵，又喚做天河鎮底神珍。The Dragon King took it for nothing more than a lump of black iron, also calling it the Divine Treasure that Fixes the Bottom of the Milky Way.那廝每都扛擡不動，請我親去拿之。Those fellows could none of them shift it an inch, and had to ask me to go myself and take it.那時此寶有二丈多長，斗來粗細。At that time this treasure was more than two zhang long, and as thick around as a rice-measuring tub.被我撾他一把，意思嫌大，他就小了許多；When I gripped it once in my hand, meaning that it was too big, it shrank by a good deal on its own;再教小些，他又小了許多；I told it to grow smaller still, and it shrank by a good deal more;再教小些，他又小了許多。I told it to grow smaller still again, and it shrank by a good deal more yet.急對天光看處，上有一行字，乃『如意金箍棒，一萬三千五百斤』。Then, looking at it quickly in the light of the sky, I saw a line of characters on it, reading: 'Ruyi Jingu Bang, weight thirteen thousand five hundred catties.'你都站開，等我再叫他變一變著。」他將那寶貝顛在手中，叫：「小！Now all of you stand back, and watch while I make it change once more." He hefted the treasure in his hand and called out, "Small!小！Small!小！」即時就小做一個繡花針兒相似，可以揌在耳朵裡面藏下。Small!" And in an instant it shrank down to the size of an embroidery needle, small enough to be tucked away inside his ear.眾猴駭然，叫道：「大王，還拿出來耍耍。」猴王真個去耳朵裡拿出，托放掌上叫：「大！The monkeys were astonished, and cried out, "Great King, take it out again and let us play with it some more." The Monkey King duly reached into his ear and took it out, set it on his open palm, and called, "Big!大！Big!大！」即又大做斗來粗細，二丈長短。Big!" And at once it grew large again, back to the thickness of a rice-measuring tub and two zhang in length.他弄到歡喜處，跳上橋，走出洞外，將寶貝揝在手中，使一個法天像地的神通，把腰一躬，叫聲：「長！」他就長的高萬丈，頭如泰山，腰如峻嶺，眼如閃電，口似血盆，牙如劍戟；Reaching a peak of delight, he leapt onto the bridge, walked out of the cave, gripped the treasure in his hand, and worked the magic power of matching Heaven and Earth in form — bowing at the waist, he shouted, "Grow!" And he himself grew to a height of ten thousand zhang, his head like Mount Tai, his waist like a great ridge, his eyes like flashes of lightning, his mouth like a blood-red bowl, his teeth like swords and halberds;手中那棒，上抵三十三天，下至十八層地獄。and the rod in his hand reached up to touch the thirty-three layers of Heaven above, and down to the eighteenth level of Hell below.把些虎豹狼蟲、滿山群怪、七十二洞妖王，都諕得磕頭禮拜，戰兢兢魄散魂飛。This so terrified the tigers, leopards, wolves, and worms, all the assembled monsters filling the mountain, and the demon kings of the seventy-two caves, that they all kowtowed and bowed in worship, trembling with fright, their souls scattered and their spirits flown.霎時收了法像，將寶貝還變做個繡花針兒，藏在耳內，復歸洞府。In a moment he withdrew the magical form, changed the treasure back into an embroidery needle, tucked it away inside his ear, and returned once more to his cave dwelling.慌得那各洞妖王，都來參賀。This threw all the demon kings of the various caves into a flurry, and they all came to offer their congratulations.

你看这猴王，分开水道，径回铁板桥头，撺将上来。只见四个老猴领著众猴，都在桥边等候。忽然见悟空跳出波外，身上更无一点水湿，金灿灿的走上桥来。諕得众猴一齐跪下道：「大王好华彩耶！好华彩耶！」悟空满面春风，高登宝座，将铁棒竖在当中。那些猴不知好歹，都来拿那宝贝，却便似蜻蜓撼铁树，分毫也不能禁动。一个个咬指伸舌道：「爷爷呀！这般重，亏你怎的拿来也！」悟空近前，舒开手，一把挝起，对众笑道：「物各有主。这宝贝镇于海藏中，也不知几千百年，可可的今岁放光。龙王只认做是块黑铁，又唤做天河镇底神珍。那厮每都扛抬不动，请我亲去拿之。那时此宝有二丈多长，斗来粗细。被我挝他一把，意思嫌大，他就小了许多；再教小些，他又小了许多；再教小些，他又小了许多。急对天光看处，上有一行字，乃『如意金箍棒，一万三千五百斤』。你都站开，等我再叫他变一变著。」他将那宝贝颠在手中，叫：「小！小！小！」即时就小做一个绣花针儿相似，可以揌在耳朵里面藏下。众猴骇然，叫道：「大王，还拿出来耍耍。」猴王真个去耳朵里拿出，托放掌上叫：「大！大！大！」即又大做斗来粗细，二丈长短。他弄到欢喜处，跳上桥，走出洞外，将宝贝揝在手中，使一个法天像地的神通，把腰一躬，叫声：「长！」他就长的高万丈，头如泰山，腰如峻岭，眼如闪电，口似血盆，牙如剑戟；手中那棒，上抵三十三天，下至十八层地狱。把些虎豹狼虫、满山群怪、七十二洞妖王，都諕得磕头礼拜，战兢兢魄散魂飞。霎时收了法像，将宝贝还变做个绣花针儿，藏在耳内，复归洞府。慌得那各洞妖王，都来参贺。

此時遂大開旗鼓，響振銅鑼，廣設珍饈百味，滿斟椰液萄漿，與眾飲宴多時，卻又依前教演。At this he threw open the banners and drums, sounded the bronze gongs, and laid out a great spread of rare delicacies of every flavor, poured full cups of coconut liquor and grape wine, and feasted and drank with the assembly for a long while, after which he returned once more to drilling as before.猴王將那四個老猴封為健將，將兩個赤尻馬猴喚做馬流二元帥，兩個通背猿猴喚做崩芭二將軍。The Monkey King made the four old monkeys his chief officers, calling the two red-buttocked horse monkeys the twin Marshals Maliu, and the two long-armed gibbon monkeys the twin Generals Bengba.將那安營下寨、賞罰諸事，都付與四健將維持。All matters of pitching camp and setting up strongholds, of rewards and punishments, he entrusted to the four chief officers to manage.

此时遂大开旗鼓，响振铜锣，广设珍馐百味，满斟椰液萄浆，与众饮宴多时，却又依前教演。猴王将那四个老猴封为健将，将两个赤尻马猴唤做马流二元帅，两个通背猿猴唤做崩芭二将军。将那安营下寨、赏罚诸事，都付与四健将维持。

他放下心，日逐騰雲駕霧，遨遊四海，行樂千山。With his mind now at ease, he spent his days riding clouds and driving mist, roaming freely over the four seas and taking his pleasure among a thousand mountains.施武藝，遍訪英豪；He displayed his martial skill, seeking out heroes far and wide;弄神通，廣交賢友。he worked his magic powers, making friends broadly with the worthy.此時又會了個七弟兄，乃牛魔王、蛟魔王、鵬魔王、獅驼王、獼猴王、��狨王，連自家美猴王七個。At this time he also came to know six sworn brothers: the Bull Demon King, the Flood Dragon Demon King, the Roc Demon King, the Lion-Camel King, the Macaque King, and the Yu-rong King — together with the Handsome Monkey King himself, seven in all.日逐講文論武，走斝傳觴，絃歌吹舞，朝去暮回，無般兒不樂。Day after day they discoursed on letters and debated on arms, passed round wine cups and poured out drink, sang to strings and danced to flutes, setting out at dawn and returning at dusk, and there was no pleasure they did not enjoy.把那萬里之遙，只當庭闈之路；That distance of ten thousand li they treated as no more than the path across their own courtyard;所謂點頭徑過三千里，扭腰八百有餘程。as the saying goes, a nod of the head crosses three thousand li, a twist of the waist covers eight hundred more.

他放下心，日逐腾云驾雾，遨游四海，行乐千山。施武艺，遍访英豪；弄神通，广交贤友。此时又会了个七弟兄，乃牛魔王、蛟魔王、鹏魔王、狮驼王、猕猴王、𤟹狨王，连自家美猴王七个。日逐讲文论武，走斝传觞，弦歌吹舞，朝去暮回，无般儿不乐。把那万里之遥，只当庭闱之路；所谓点头径过三千里，扭腰八百有余程。

一日，在本洞吩咐四健將安排筵宴，請六王赴飲，殺牛宰馬，祭天享地，著眾怪跳舞歡歌，俱吃得酩酊大醉。One day, in his own cave, he ordered the four chief officers to prepare a banquet, and invited the six kings to come and drink; oxen were slaughtered and horses killed, offerings made to Heaven and to Earth, and the assembled demons were made to sing and dance for joy, until all were drunk to the point of oblivion.送六王出去，卻又賞��大小頭目。After seeing the six kings off, he then went on to reward the chieftains, great and small.攲在鐵板橋邊松陰之下，霎時間睡著。Leaning against the pines by Iron Plank Bridge, he fell asleep in an instant.四健將領眾圍護，不敢高聲。The Four Stalwart Commanders stood guard around him, not daring to speak loudly.只見那美猴王睡裡，見兩人拿一張批文，上有「孫悟空」三字，走近身，不容分說，套上繩，就把美猴王的魂靈兒索了去，踉踉蹌蹌，直帶到一座城邊。Now as the Handsome Monkey King slept, he saw two men holding a warrant on which were written the three characters "Sun Wukong"; they came up close, and without letting him say a word, threw a rope over him and dragged off the Monkey King's soul, stumbling and staggering, straight to the edge of a city.猴王漸覺酒醒，忽擡頭觀看，那城上有一鐵牌，牌上有三個大字，乃「幽冥界」。The Monkey King, gradually sobering from his wine, suddenly raised his head to look, and saw above the city an iron tablet bearing three great characters: "Region of Darkness."美猴王頓然醒悟道：「幽冥界乃閻王所居，何為到此？」那兩人道：「你今陽壽該終，我兩人領批，勾你來也。」猴王聽說，道：「我老孫超出三界外，不在五行中，已不伏他管轄，怎麼朦朧，又敢來勾我？」那兩個勾死人，只管扯扯拉拉，定要拖他進去。The Handsome Monkey King suddenly came to his senses and said, "The Region of Darkness is where the King of Hell dwells—why have I come here?" The two men said, "Your allotted span of life on earth is now at an end, and we two, bearing the warrant, have come to summon you." Hearing this, the Monkey King said, "Old Monkey has risen beyond the Three Realms and is no longer within the Five Elements; I am no longer subject to his jurisdiction—how dare you come so recklessly to summon me?" The two death-summoners, paying no heed, kept pulling and tugging, determined to drag him in.這猴王惱起性來，耳朵中掣出寶貝，幌一幌，碗來粗細。This angered the Monkey King, and he drew the treasure from his ear; with a shake it grew to the thickness of a rice bowl.略舉手，把兩個勾死人打為肉醬。With a slight swing of his hand, he beat the two death-summoners into paste.自解其索，丟開手，輪著棒，打入城中。He untied the rope himself, cast it aside, and wielding his cudgel, fought his way into the city.諕得那牛頭鬼東躲西藏，馬面鬼南奔北跑。He so terrified the ox-headed demons that they scattered east and west, and the horse-faced demons fled south and north.眾鬼卒奔上森羅殿，報著：「大王，禍事！The demon soldiers rushed up to the Hall of Senluo, reporting, "Great King, disaster!禍事！Disaster!外面有一個毛臉雷公打將來了。」Outside there is a hairy-faced Thunder God come charging in!"

一日，在本洞吩咐四健将安排筵宴，请六王赴饮，杀牛宰马，祭天享地，著众怪跳舞欢歌，俱吃得酩酊大醉。送六王出去，却又赏𤛮大小头目。攲在铁板桥边松阴之下，霎时间睡著。四健将领众围护，不敢高声。只见那美猴王睡里，见两人拿一张批文，上有「孙悟空」三字，走近身，不容分说，套上绳，就把美猴王的魂灵儿索了去，踉踉跄跄，直带到一座城边。猴王渐觉酒醒，忽抬头观看，那城上有一铁牌，牌上有三个大字，乃「幽冥界」。美猴王顿然醒悟道：「幽冥界乃阎王所居，何为到此？」那两人道：「你今阳寿该终，我两人领批，勾你来也。」猴王听说，道：「我老孙超出三界外，不在五行中，已不伏他管辖，怎么朦胧，又敢来勾我？」那两个勾死人，只管扯扯拉拉，定要拖他进去。这猴王恼起性来，耳朵中掣出宝贝，幌一幌，碗来粗细。略举手，把两个勾死人打为肉酱。自解其索，丢开手，轮著棒，打入城中。諕得那牛头鬼东躲西藏，马面鬼南奔北跑。众鬼卒奔上森罗殿，报著：「大王，祸事！祸事！外面有一个毛脸雷公打将来了。」

慌得那十代冥王急整衣來看，見他相貌兇惡，即排下班次，應聲高叫道：「上仙留名！In alarm, the Ten Kings of the Underworld hastily straightened their robes to go and look; seeing his fierce and ferocious countenance, they at once arranged themselves in order of rank and called out in unison, "Exalted Immortal, pray leave your name!上仙留名！」猴王道：「你既認不得我，怎麼差人來勾我？」十王道：「不敢，不敢。Exalted Immortal, pray leave your name!" The Monkey King said, "Since you don't even recognize me, how dare you send men to summon me?" The Ten Kings said, "We would not presume, we would not presume.想是差人差了。」猴王道：「我本是花果山水簾洞天生聖人孫悟空。It must be that the messengers erred." The Monkey King said, "I am the sage born of Heaven and Earth, Sun Wukong of the Water Curtain Cave on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit.你等是甚麼官位？」十王躬身道：「我等是陰間天子十代冥王。」悟空道：「快報名來，免打。」十王道：「我等是秦廣王、初江王、宋帝王、忤官王、閻羅王、平等王、泰山王、都市王、卞城王、轉輪王。」悟空道：「汝等既登王位，乃靈顯感應之類，為何不知好歹？What offices do you all hold?" The Ten Kings bowed and said, "We are the Ten Kings of the Underworld, sovereigns of the shades." Wukong said, "Quickly report your names, and I'll spare you a beating." The Ten Kings said, "We are King Qinguang, King Chujiang, King Songdi, King Wuguan, King Yanluo, King Pingdeng, King Taishan, King Dushi, King Bianchang, and King Zhuanlun." Wukong said, "Since you have all ascended to kingship, you must be beings of numinous power and manifest response—why then do you not know good from ill?我老孫修仙了道，與天齊壽，超昇三界之外，跳出五行之中，為何著人拘我？」十王道：「上仙息怒。Old Monkey has cultivated immortality and attained the Way; my span of life equals that of Heaven, I have transcended beyond the Three Realms and leapt out of the Five Elements—why have you had men detain me?" The Ten Kings said, "Exalted Immortal, calm your anger.普天下同名同姓者多，敢是那勾死人錯走了也？」悟空道：「胡說！Under all Heaven there are many who share the same name—might it not be that the death-summoners went to the wrong place?" Wukong said, "Nonsense!胡說！Nonsense!常言道：『官差吏差，來人不差。』你快取生死簿子來我看！」十王聞言，即請上殿查看。As the saying goes: 'Whether the fault lies with the official or the clerk, the messenger who came is never at fault.' Quickly bring out the Register of Life and Death for me to see!" Hearing this, the Ten Kings at once invited him up to the hall to examine it.

慌得那十代冥王急整衣来看，见他相貌凶恶，即排下班次，应声高叫道：「上仙留名！上仙留名！」猴王道：「你既认不得我，怎么差人来勾我？」十王道：「不敢，不敢。想是差人差了。」猴王道：「我本是花果山水帘洞天生圣人孙悟空。你等是甚么官位？」十王躬身道：「我等是阴间天子十代冥王。」悟空道：「快报名来，免打。」十王道：「我等是秦广王、初江王、宋帝王、忤官王、阎罗王、平等王、泰山王、都市王、卞城王、转轮王。」悟空道：「汝等既登王位，乃灵显感应之类，为何不知好歹？我老孙修仙了道，与天齐寿，超升三界之外，跳出五行之中，为何著人拘我？」十王道：「上仙息怒。普天下同名同姓者多，敢是那勾死人错走了也？」悟空道：「胡说！胡说！常言道：『官差吏差，来人不差。』你快取生死簿子来我看！」十王闻言，即请上殿查看。

悟空執著如意棒，徑登森羅殿上，正中間南面坐下。Wukong, gripping his wish-fulfilling cudgel, went straight up into the Hall of Senluo and sat himself down squarely in the middle, facing south.十王即命掌案的判官取出文簿來查。The Ten Kings at once ordered the judge in charge of the records to fetch out the ledgers for inspection.那判官不敢怠慢，便到司房裡捧出五六簿文書並十類簿子。The judge, not daring to be slow, went to the record office and brought out five or six volumes of documents along with the ten categories of registers.逐一查看：臝蟲、毛蟲、羽蟲、昆蟲、鱗介之屬，俱無他名。He examined them one by one: among the classes of naked creatures, furred creatures, feathered creatures, insects, and scaly and shelled creatures, none bore his name.又看到猴屬之類，原來這猴似人相，不入人名；Then he came to the category of simians, and it turned out that this monkey, though resembling a human in form, was not entered under human names;似臝蟲，不居國界；resembling the naked creatures, he did not dwell within their domain;似走獸，不伏麒麟管；resembling the beasts, he was not subject to the unicorn's rule;似飛禽，不受鳳凰轄。resembling the birds, he was not governed by the phoenix.另有個簿子，悟空親自檢閱，直到那「魂」字一千三百五十號上，方注著孫悟空名字，乃「天產石猴，該壽三百四十二歲，善終」。There was, however, a separate register, which Wukong examined himself, and there, in the file of "souls," at number 1350, was recorded the name Sun Wukong: "A stone monkey born of Heaven, allotted a lifespan of three hundred and forty-two years, to die a natural death."悟空道：「我也不記壽數幾何，且只消了名字便罷。Wukong said, "I don't even remember how long a lifespan I've had—it's enough simply to strike out the name.取筆過來。」那判官慌忙捧筆，飽掭濃墨。Bring me a brush." The judge hastily presented a brush, well soaked in thick ink.悟空拿過簿子，把猴屬之類，但有名者，一概勾之。Wukong took the register, and wherever a name appeared under the category of simians, he crossed it all out without exception.捽下簿子道：「了帳，了帳，今番不伏你管了。」一路棒，打出幽冥界。He flung down the register and said, "The account is settled, the account is settled—from now on I am no longer under your control!" And with a single sweep of his cudgel, he fought his way out of the Region of Darkness.那十王不敢相近，都去翠雲宮，同拜地藏王菩薩，商量啟表，奏聞上天，不在話下。The Ten Kings dared not go near him; they all went instead to the Palace of Turquoise Clouds, together paid homage to the Bodhisattva Dizang, and consulted on drafting a memorial to report the matter to Heaven—but that need not be told here.

悟空执著如意棒，径登森罗殿上，正中间南面坐下。十王即命掌案的判官取出文簿来查。那判官不敢怠慢，便到司房里捧出五六簿文书并十类簿子。逐一查看：臝虫、毛虫、羽虫、昆虫、鳞介之属，俱无他名。又看到猴属之类，原来这猴似人相，不入人名；似臝虫，不居国界；似走兽，不伏麒麟管；似飞禽，不受凤凰辖。另有个簿子，悟空亲自检阅，直到那「魂」字一千三百五十号上，方注著孙悟空名字，乃「天产石猴，该寿三百四十二岁，善终」。悟空道：「我也不记寿数几何，且只消了名字便罢。取笔过来。」那判官慌忙捧笔，饱掭浓墨。悟空拿过簿子，把猴属之类，但有名者，一概勾之。捽下簿子道：「了帐，了帐，今番不伏你管了。」一路棒，打出幽冥界。那十王不敢相近，都去翠云宫，同拜地藏王菩萨，商量启表，奏闻上天，不在话下。

這猴王打出城中，忽然絆著一個草紇繨，跌了個躘踵，猛的醒來，乃是南柯一夢。As for the Monkey King, having fought his way out of the city, he suddenly tripped over a tussock of grass, stumbled and fell, and awoke with a start—it had all been but a dream of the Southern Bough.才覺伸腰，只聞得四健將與眾猴高叫道：「大王，吃了多少酒，睡這一夜，還不醒來？」悟空道：「睡還小可，我夢見兩個人來此勾我，把我帶到幽冥界城門之外，卻才醒悟。Just as he was stretching himself, he heard the Four Stalwart Commanders and the assembled monkeys calling loudly, "Great King, how much wine did you drink, that you've slept a whole night and still haven't woken?" Wukong said, "Sleep was a small matter—I dreamed that two men came here to summon me, and took me to the very gates of the city of the Region of Darkness; only just now did I come to my senses.是我顯神通，直嚷到森羅殿，與那十王爭吵，將我們的生死簿子看了，但有我等名號，俱是我勾了，都不伏那廝所轄也。」眾猴磕頭禮謝。I displayed my divine powers and shouted my way straight to the Hall of Senluo, quarreled there with the Ten Kings, and made them bring out our Register of Life and Death for me to see; wherever our names and titles appeared, I struck them all out—we are no longer subject to that lot's jurisdiction." The assembled monkeys kowtowed in thanks.自此，山猴多有不老者，以陰司無名故也。From this time on, many of the mountain monkeys did not grow old, because their names were no longer entered in the underworld records.

这猴王打出城中，忽然绊著一个草纥繨，跌了个躘踵，猛的醒来，乃是南柯一梦。才觉伸腰，只闻得四健将与众猴高叫道：「大王，吃了多少酒，睡这一夜，还不醒来？」悟空道：「睡还小可，我梦见两个人来此勾我，把我带到幽冥界城门之外，却才醒悟。是我显神通，直嚷到森罗殿，与那十王争吵，将我们的生死簿子看了，但有我等名号，俱是我勾了，都不伏那厮所辖也。」众猴磕头礼谢。自此，山猴多有不老者，以阴司无名故也。

美猴王言畢前事，四健將報知各洞妖王，都來賀喜。When the Handsome Monkey King had finished telling of what had happened, the Four Stalwart Commanders reported it to the demon kings of the various caves, who all came to offer their congratulations.不幾日，六個義兄弟又來拜賀，一聞銷名之故，又個個歡喜，每日聚樂不題。Within a few days, his six sworn brothers also came to pay their respects, and on hearing the reason for the erasure of his name, every one of them rejoiced as well; day after day they gathered in merrymaking, which need not be told in detail.

美猴王言毕前事，四健将报知各洞妖王，都来贺喜。不几日，六个义兄弟又来拜贺，一闻销名之故，又个个欢喜，每日聚乐不题。

卻表啟那個高天上聖大慈仁者玉皇大天尊玄穹高上帝，一日駕坐金闕雲宮靈霄寶殿，聚集文武仙卿早朝之際，忽有丘弘濟真人啟奏道：「萬歲，通明殿外有東海龍王敖廣進表，聽天尊宣詔。」玉皇傳旨：「著宣來。」敖廣宣至靈霄殿下，禮拜畢，傍有引奏仙童接上表文。Now let us turn to speak of that Most High, Greatly Compassionate and Benevolent Sage of the Heavens, the Jade Emperor, the Mysterious Firmament's High Supreme Sovereign, who one day sat enthroned in the Hall of Miraculous Mist within the Golden Portal of the Cloud Palace, gathering the civil and martial immortal ministers for the morning audience, when suddenly the True Man Qiu Hongji came forward and memorialized, "Your Majesty, outside the Hall of Universal Brightness the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, Ao Guang, has submitted a memorial and awaits the Heavenly Sovereign's summons." The Jade Emperor issued the decree: "Let him be summoned in." Ao Guang was summoned to below the Hall of Miraculous Mist, and when he had finished paying his respects, an immortal page in attendance who conducted memorials took up the document and presented it.玉皇從頭看過。The Jade Emperor read it through from beginning to end.表曰：The memorial read:

却表启那个高天上圣大慈仁者玉皇大天尊玄穹高上帝，一日驾坐金阙云宫灵霄宝殿，聚集文武仙卿早朝之际，忽有丘弘济真人启奏道：「万岁，通明殿外有东海龙王敖广进表，听天尊宣诏。」玉皇传旨：「著宣来。」敖广宣至灵霄殿下，礼拜毕，傍有引奏仙童接上表文。玉皇从头看过。表曰：

聖帝覽畢，傳旨：「著龍神回海，朕即遣將擒拿。」老龍王頓首謝去。When the Sage Emperor had finished reading, he issued the decree: "Let the Dragon Spirit return to the sea; We shall at once dispatch a general to seize the culprit." The old Dragon King kowtowed his thanks and withdrew.

圣帝览毕，传旨：「著龙神回海，朕即遣将擒拿。」老龙王顿首谢去。

下面又有葛仙翁天師啟奏道：「萬歲，有冥司秦廣王賫奉幽冥教主地藏王菩薩表文進上。」傍有傳言玉女接上表文。Below, the Celestial Master Ge, the Immortal Elder, also came forward and memorialized, "Your Majesty, King Qinguang of the underworld has come bearing a memorial submitted by the Lord of the Underworld, the Bodhisattva Dizang." A jade maiden in attendance who conveyed messages took up the memorial and presented it.玉皇亦從頭看過。The Jade Emperor likewise read it through from beginning to end.表曰：The memorial read:

下面又有葛仙翁天师启奏道：「万岁，有冥司秦广王赍奉幽冥教主地藏王菩萨表文进上。」傍有传言玉女接上表文。玉皇亦从头看过。表曰：

玉皇覽畢，傳旨：「著冥君回歸地府，朕即遣將擒拿。」秦廣王亦頓首謝去。When the Jade Emperor had finished reading, he issued the decree: "Let the Lord of the Underworld return to the Halls of Darkness; We shall at once dispatch a general to seize the culprit." King Qinguang likewise kowtowed his thanks and withdrew.

玉皇览毕，传旨：「著冥君回归地府，朕即遣将擒拿。」秦广王亦顿首谢去。

大天尊宣眾文武仙卿，問曰：「這妖猴是幾年產育，何代出身，卻就這般有道？」一言未已，班中閃出千里眼、順風耳道：「這猴乃三百年前天產石猴。The Great Heavenly Sovereign summoned all the civil and martial immortal ministers and asked, "This demon monkey—in what year was he born, from what age does he come, and how has he attained such power in the Way?" Before the words were fully spoken, from the ranks stepped forth Thousand-Li Eye and Wind-Following Ear, who said, "This monkey is a stone monkey born of Heaven three hundred years ago.當時不以為然，不知這幾年在何方修煉成仙，降龍伏虎，強銷死籍也。」玉帝道：「那路神將下界收伏？」言未已，班中閃出太白長庚星，俯伏啟奏道：「上聖，三界中凡有九竅者，皆可修仙。At the time we thought nothing of it; we know not in what place these recent years he has cultivated himself into an immortal, subduing dragons and taming tigers, and forcibly striking his name from the register of death." The Jade Emperor said, "Which divine general shall descend to the mortal world to subdue him?" Before the words were finished, from the ranks stepped forth the Star of Great White, Long Geng, who prostrated himself and memorialized, "Most High Sage, among all within the Three Realms, any creature possessing the nine orifices may cultivate immortality.奈此猴乃天地育成之體，日月孕就之身，他也頂天履地，服露餐霞，今既修成仙道，有降龍伏虎之能，與人何以異哉？Yet this monkey is a body nurtured by Heaven and Earth, a form conceived by the sun and moon; he too bears the sky upon his head and treads the earth beneath his feet, feeding on dew and dining on mist. Now that he has cultivated the way of immortality and possesses the power to subdue dragons and tame tigers, how is he different from a man?臣啟陛下，可念生化之慈恩，降一道招安聖旨，把他宣來上界，授他一個大小官職，與他籍名在籙，拘束此間。Your servant petitions Your Majesty: in consideration of the merciful kindness that nurtures all life, might you grant a decree of pacification and enlistment, summoning him up to the Upper Realm, bestowing upon him some minor office, and entering his name in the immortal registers, so as to keep him restrained here among us?若受天命，後再陞賞；If he accepts the Heavenly Mandate, he may later be promoted and rewarded;若違天命，就此擒拿。if he defies the Heavenly Mandate, then he may be seized on the spot.一則不動眾勞師，二則收仙有道也。」玉帝聞言甚喜，道：「依卿所奏。」即著文曲星官修詔，著太白金星招安。In this way, firstly, no troops need be mobilized or armies wearied, and secondly, there would be a proper method for winning over an immortal." Hearing this, the Jade Emperor was greatly pleased and said, "We shall act upon Our minister's memorial." He at once ordered the Star Lord of Literary Constellation to draft the decree, and bade the Great White Planet carry out the pacification and enlistment.

大天尊宣众文武仙卿，问曰：「这妖猴是几年产育，何代出身，却就这般有道？」一言未已，班中闪出千里眼、顺风耳道：「这猴乃三百年前天产石猴。当时不以为然，不知这几年在何方修炼成仙，降龙伏虎，强销死籍也。」玉帝道：「那路神将下界收伏？」言未已，班中闪出太白长庚星，俯伏启奏道：「上圣，三界中凡有九窍者，皆可修仙。奈此猴乃天地育成之体，日月孕就之身，他也顶天履地，服露餐霞，今既修成仙道，有降龙伏虎之能，与人何以异哉？臣启陛下，可念生化之慈恩，降一道招安圣旨，把他宣来上界，授他一个大小官职，与他籍名在箓，拘束此间。若受天命，后再升赏；若违天命，就此擒拿。一则不动众劳师，二则收仙有道也。」玉帝闻言甚喜，道：「依卿所奏。」即著文曲星官修诏，著太白金星招安。

金星領了旨，出南天門外，按下祥雲，直至花果山水簾洞，對眾小猴道：「我乃天差天使，有聖旨在此，請你大王上界。The Great White Star received the decree, went out beyond the Southern Heavenly Gate, brought his auspicious cloud down to earth, and went straight to the Water Curtain Cave on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, where he said to the assembled little monkeys, "I am an envoy sent by Heaven, bearing an imperial decree here; I request your Great King to ascend to the Upper Realm.快快報知。」洞外小猴一層層傳至洞天深處，道：「大王，外面有一老人，背著一角文書，言是上天差來的天使，有聖旨請你也。」美猴王聽得大喜，道：「我這兩日正思量要上天走走，卻就有天使來請。」叫：「快請進來。」猴王急整衣冠，門外迎接。Go quickly and report this." The little monkeys outside the cave passed the word in, layer upon layer, to the depths of the cave-heaven, saying, "Great King, outside there is an old man carrying a document tucked under his arm, who says he is a Heavenly envoy sent down, bearing an imperial decree inviting you." The Handsome Monkey King was overjoyed to hear it, and said, "These past two days I have indeed been thinking of taking a trip up to Heaven, and now here comes a Heavenly envoy to invite me." He called out, "Quickly invite him in." The Monkey King hastily straightened his cap and robe and went out the gate to receive him.金星徑入當中，面南立定道：「我是西方太白金星，奉玉帝招安聖旨，下界請你上天，拜受仙籙。」悟空笑道：「多感老星降臨。」教小的們安排筵宴款待。The Great White Star went straight in, stood facing south in the center, and said, "I am the Great White Star of the West, and by the Jade Emperor's decree of pacification and enlistment I have come down to the mortal world to invite you up to Heaven, to receive and bow to the immortal registers." Wukong laughed and said, "I am most grateful for the old Star's visit." He told the little ones to prepare a banquet in welcome.金星道：「聖旨在身，不敢久留。The Great White Star said, "Bearing the decree upon me, I dare not linger long.就請大王同往，待榮遷之後，再從容敘也。」悟空道：「承光顧，空退，空退。」即喚四健將，吩咐：「謹慎教演兒孫，待我上天去看看路，卻好帶你們上去同居住也。」四健將領諾。Pray let the Great King come along with me now; once you have been gloriously promoted, we may converse at our leisure." Wukong said, "I am honored by your visit—forgive me for not seeing you off properly, forgive me." He then called the Four Stalwart Commanders and instructed them, "Teach and train our children and grandchildren with care; wait until I have gone up to Heaven to see how the road lies, and then I shall bring you all up to live there together." The Four Stalwart Commanders assented.

金星领了旨，出南天门外，按下祥云，直至花果山水帘洞，对众小猴道：「我乃天差天使，有圣旨在此，请你大王上界。快快报知。」洞外小猴一层层传至洞天深处，道：「大王，外面有一老人，背著一角文书，言是上天差来的天使，有圣旨请你也。」美猴王听得大喜，道：「我这两日正思量要上天走走，却就有天使来请。」叫：「快请进来。」猴王急整衣冠，门外迎接。金星径入当中，面南立定道：「我是西方太白金星，奉玉帝招安圣旨，下界请你上天，拜受仙箓。」悟空笑道：「多感老星降临。」教小的们安排筵宴款待。金星道：「圣旨在身，不敢久留。就请大王同往，待荣迁之后，再从容叙也。」悟空道：「承光顾，空退，空退。」即唤四健将，吩咐：「谨慎教演儿孙，待我上天去看看路，却好带你们上去同居住也。」四健将领诺。

這猴王與金星縱起雲頭，昇在空霄之上。So the Monkey King and the Great White Star rose together upon the clouds, ascending into the empty firmament above.正是那：Truly it was thus:

这猴王与金星纵起云头，升在空霄之上。正是那：

畢竟不知授個甚麼官爵，且聽下回分解。In the end, we do not yet know what office and rank were to be conferred upon him; hear the next chapter's explanation.

毕竟不知授个甚么官爵，且听下回分解。