第038回 The Prince Learns the Truth of His Father's Murder

第038回Chapter 38

卻說那烏雞國王太子自別大聖，不多時，回至城中。Now to tell of the Crown Prince of Wuji Guo: not long after taking leave of the Great Sage, he returned to the city.果然不奔朝門，不敢報傳宣詔，徑至後宰門首，見幾個太監在那裡把守。Sure enough, he did not go to the court gate, nor dared to have his arrival announced and summoned; he went straight to the rear palace gate, where he found several eunuchs standing guard.見太子來，不敢阻滯，讓他進去了。Seeing the Crown Prince arrive, they dared not delay him, and let him go in.好太子，夾一夾馬，撞入裡面，忽至錦香亭下。Worthy Crown Prince — he gave his horse a nudge with his legs and rushed inside, suddenly arriving beneath the Pavilion of Brocade Fragrance.只見那正宮娘娘坐在錦香亭上，兩邊有數十個嬪妃掌扇，那娘娘倚雕欄兒流淚哩。There he saw the Chief Queen sitting in the pavilion, with dozens of consorts on either side holding fans, while the Queen leaned against the carved railing, weeping.你道他流淚怎的？Now, why was she weeping, you ask?原來他四更時也做了一夢，記得一半，含糊了一半，沉沉思想。It turned out that at the fourth watch she too had had a dream — half of it she remembered, half was blurred — and she was sunk deep in thought over it.

這太子下馬，跪於亭下，叫：「母親。」那娘娘強整歡容，叫聲：「孩兒，喜呀！The Crown Prince dismounted, knelt beneath the pavilion, and called out, 'Mother.' The Queen forced her face into a smile of joy and cried, 'My child, what joy!'喜呀！What joy!這二三年在前殿與你父王開講，不得相見，我甚思量。These two or three years, attending lectures with your royal father in the front hall, I have not been able to see you, and I have missed you sorely.今日如何得暇來看我一面？How is it that today you found leisure to come see me?誠萬千之喜！Truly a joy beyond measure!誠萬千之喜！Truly a joy beyond measure!孩兒，你怎麼聲音悲慘？My child, why does your voice sound so sorrowful?你父王年紀高邁，有一日龍歸碧海，鳳返丹霄，你就傳了帝位，還有甚麼不悅？」太子叩頭道：「母親，我問你：即位登龍是那個？Your father the King is advanced in years; one day, when the dragon returns to the azure sea and the phoenix flies back to the crimson heavens, the throne will pass to you — what is there to be unhappy about?' The Crown Prince kowtowed and said, 'Mother, let me ask you: who is it that now sits upon the dragon throne?稱孤道寡果何人？」娘娘聞言道：「這孩兒發風了？Who indeed is it that styles himself 'the Solitary One, the Unworthy Ruler'?' Hearing this, the Queen said, 'Has this child taken leave of his senses?做皇帝的是你父王，你問怎的？」太子叩頭道：「萬望母親赦子無罪，敢問；It is your father the King who is Emperor — why do you ask such a thing?' The Crown Prince kowtowed again, saying, 'I beg Mother a thousand times to pardon your son of any offense, and then I dare ask;不赦，不敢問。」娘娘道：「子母家有何罪？if you do not pardon me, I dare not ask.' The Queen said, 'What offense could there be between mother and son?赦你，赦你，快快說來。」太子道：「母親，我問你三年前夫妻宮裡之事，與後三年恩愛同否如何？」娘娘見說，魂飄魄散，急下亭抱起，緊摟在懷，眼中滴淚道：「孩兒，我與你久不相見，怎麼今日來宮問此？」太子發怒道：「母親有話早說；I pardon you, I pardon you — speak quickly.' The Crown Prince said, 'Mother, let me ask you: in the affairs between husband and wife in the palace three years ago, and in the three years since, has the love and affection been the same or not?' At these words the Queen's soul scattered in fright; she hurried down from the pavilion, lifted him up, clasped him tight to her breast, and said with tears falling from her eyes, 'My child, we have not seen each other in so long — why do you come to the palace today to ask such a thing?' The Crown Prince said angrily, 'Mother, if you have something to say, say it now;不說時，且誤了大事。」娘娘才喝退左右，淚眼低聲道：「這樁事，孩兒不問，我到九泉之下，也不得明白。if you do not speak, we shall miss the great matter at hand.' Only then did the Queen wave away her attendants, and with tearful eyes and a lowered voice she said, 'This matter — if you, my child, had not asked, I should have gone to the Nine Springs without ever understanding it.既問時，聽我說：Since you ask, listen to what I have to say:

太子聞言，撒手脫身，攀鞍上馬。Hearing this, the Crown Prince broke free of her grasp, mounted his saddle, and got on his horse.那娘娘一把扯住道：「孩兒，你有甚事，話不終就走？」太子跪在面前道：「母親，不敢說。The Queen grabbed hold of him and said, 'My child, what is the matter, that you leave before your words are finished?' The Crown Prince knelt before her and said, 'Mother, I dare not speak of it.今日早朝，蒙欽差架鷹逐犬，出城打獵。This morning at court I was ordered to take hawks and hounds out of the city to hunt.偶遇東土駕下來的個取經聖僧，有大徒弟乃孫行者，極善降妖。By chance I met a holy monk journeying from the Land of the East to fetch scriptures; his eldest disciple is Sun Xingzhe, who is extremely skilled at subduing demons.原來我父王死在御花園八角琉璃井內，這全真假變父王，侵了龍位。It turns out that my father the King died in the octagonal glazed well of the royal garden, and this Taoist adept transformed himself to look like Father and usurped the dragon throne.今夜三更，父王託夢，請他到城捉怪。Tonight, at the third watch, Father appeared to him in a dream, asking him to come to the city and capture the demon.孩兒不敢盡信，特來問母。Your son dared not believe it entirely, and so has come especially to ask Mother.母親才說出這等言語，必然是個妖精。」那娘娘道：「兒啊，外人之言，你怎麼就信為實？」太子道：「兒還不敢認實，父王遺下表記與他了。」娘娘問是何物，太子袖中取出那金廂白玉珪，遞與娘娘。Now that Mother has spoken these very words, it must indeed be a demon.' The Queen said, 'My child, how can you take the words of an outsider to be true?' The Crown Prince said, 'Your son still does not dare take it as certain — Father left a token with him as proof.' The Queen asked what it was, and the Crown Prince drew from his sleeve the gold-mounted white jade tablet and handed it to the Queen.那娘娘認得是當時國王之寶，止不住淚如泉湧。The Queen recognized it as the King's own treasure of former days, and could not stop her tears from gushing forth like springs.叫聲：「主公，你怎麼死去三年，不來見我，卻先見聖僧，後見太子？」太子道：「母親，這話是怎的說？」娘娘道：「兒啊，我四更時分，也做了一夢，夢見你父王水淋淋的站在我跟前，親說他死了，鬼魂兒拜請了唐僧，降假皇帝，救他前身。She cried out, 'My lord, how is it that you died three years ago and never came to see me, yet appeared first to the holy monk and only then to the Crown Prince?' The Crown Prince said, 'Mother, what do you mean by that?' The Queen said, 'My child, at the fourth watch I too had a dream. I dreamed your father stood before me, soaking wet, and told me himself that he had died, and that his ghost had gone to entreat Tang Sanzang to subdue the false emperor and save his former body.記便記得是這等言語，只是一半兒不得分明。I do remember these very words, but half of it remained unclear to me.正在這裡狐疑，怎知今日你又來說這話，又將寶貝拿出。I was here still in doubt, when who would have thought that today you would come and say the very same thing, and bring out this treasure as well.我且收下，你且去請那聖僧急急為之。Let me keep this for now; go quickly and ask the holy monk to act on this urgently.果然掃蕩妖氛，辨明邪正，庶報你父王養育之恩也。」If indeed he sweeps away the demonic vapors and distinguishes right from wrong, it may go some way toward repaying your father's kindness in raising you.'

太子急忙上馬，出後宰門，躲離城池。The Crown Prince hastily mounted his horse, went out through the rear palace gate, and slipped away from the city.真個是噙淚叩頭辭國母，含悲頓首復唐僧。Truly it was: with tears held back he kowtowed and took leave of the Queen Mother; with grief suppressed he bowed his head and returned to report to Tang Sanzang.不多時，出了城門，徑至寶林寺山門前下馬。Before long he was out of the city gate, and rode straight to the front gate of Baolin Temple, where he dismounted.眾軍士接著太子，又見紅輪將墜。The soldiers received the Crown Prince, and just then saw the red wheel of the sun about to set.太子傳令：不許軍士亂動。The Crown Prince gave the order that the soldiers were not to stir about.他又獨自個入了山門，整束衣冠，拜請行者。He then went alone through the temple gate, straightened his robe and cap, and went to bow and request an audience with Xingzhe.只見那猴王從正殿搖搖擺擺走來，那太子雙膝跪下道：「師父，我來了。」行者上前攙住道：「請起。Just then the Monkey King came swaggering out from the main hall, and the Crown Prince fell to both knees, saying, 'Master, I have come.' Xingzhe stepped forward, helped him up, and said, 'Please rise.你到城中，可曾問誰麼？」太子道：「問母親來。」將前言盡說了一遍。Did you go into the city and ask anyone?' The Crown Prince said, 'I asked my mother,' and repeated everything he had said before.行者微微笑道：「若是那般冷啊，想是個甚麼冰冷的東西變的。Xingzhe smiled faintly and said, 'If it was that cold, it must be something icy-cold that has transformed itself.不打緊，不打緊，等我老孫與你掃蕩。No matter, no matter — let old Sun sweep it away for you.卻只是今日晚了，不好行事。Only it is late today, and not convenient to act.你先回去，待明早我來。」太子跪地叩拜道：「師父，我只在此，伺候到明日，同師父一路去罷。」行者道：「不好，不好。Go back first, and wait for me to come tomorrow morning.' The Crown Prince knelt on the ground and kowtowed, saying, 'Master, let me just stay here and wait upon you until tomorrow, and go together with you, Master.' Xingzhe said, 'No good, no good.若是與你一同入城，那怪物生疑，不說是我撞著你，卻說是你請老孫，卻不惹他反怪你也？」太子道：「我如今進城，他也怪我。」行者道：「怪你怎麼？」太子道：「我自早朝蒙差，帶領若干人馬鷹犬出城，今一日更無一件野物，怎麼見駕？If I go into the city together with you, that monster will grow suspicious — he won't say I happened upon you by chance, but that you invited old Sun, and won't that bring his blame down on you instead?' The Crown Prince said, 'If I go into the city now, he will blame me anyway.' Xingzhe said, 'Blame you for what?' The Crown Prince said, 'Since I was sent out this morning at court, leading a company of men, horses, hawks, and hounds out of the city, and today not a single wild creature has been caught, how am I to face the throne?若問我個不才之罪，監陷羑里，你明日進城，卻將何倚？If I am charged with the crime of incompetence and thrown into prison like the one at Youli, what will you have to rely on when you enter the city tomorrow?況那班部中，更沒個相知人也。」行者道：「這甚打緊？Besides, among the ranks of officials, there is not one who truly knows and understands me.' Xingzhe said, 'What does that matter?你肯早說時，卻不尋下些等你？」If you had told me earlier, would I not have found some for you already?'

好大聖，你看他就在太子面前，顯個手段，將身一縱，跳在雲端裡。Worthy Great Sage — see how, right there before the Crown Prince, he displayed his skill: with one leap of his body he sprang up into the clouds.捻著訣，念一聲「唵藍淨法界」的真言，拘得那山神、土地在半空中施禮道：「大聖，呼喚小神，有何使令？」行者道：「老孫保護唐僧到此，欲拿邪魔，奈何那太子打獵無物，不敢回朝。Forming a mudra with his fingers, he recited the true words 'Om, lan, purify the dharma realm,' and thereby summoned the local mountain god and land deity, who saluted him in midair, saying, 'Great Sage, you have called your lesser spirits — what orders do you have?' Xingzhe said, 'Old Sun is escorting Tang Sanzang here, intending to capture an evil demon. But it happens that the Crown Prince has caught nothing in his hunt, and dares not return to court.問汝等討個人情，快將獐��鹿兔、走獸飛禽，各尋些來，打發他回去。」山神、土地聞言，敢不承命，又問各要幾何。I ask you two for a favor: quickly gather some roe deer, deer, hares, and other beasts and birds, so he may be sent on his way back.' Hearing this, the mountain god and land deity dared not refuse the order, and asked how many of each were wanted.大聖道：「不拘多少，取些來便罷。」那各神即著本處陰兵，刮一陣聚獸陰風，捉了些野雞山雉、角鹿肥獐、狐獾狢兔、虎豹狼蟲，共有百千餘隻，獻與行者。The Great Sage said, 'Never mind how many — just bring some.' Each of the spirits then ordered the spectral troops of their own domain to raise a gust of spectral wind that gathered beasts, catching wild fowl and pheasants, antlered deer and fat roe, foxes, badgers, raccoon-dogs and hares, tigers, leopards, wolves, and other creatures — several hundred in all — and presented them to Xingzhe.行者道：「老孫不要，你可把他都捻就了觔，單擺在那四十里路上兩傍，教那些人不放鷹犬，拿回城去，算了汝等之功。」眾神依言，收了陰風，擺在左右。Xingzhe said, 'Old Sun doesn't want them — just crush their sinews and lay them out along both sides of the forty-li road, so that those men may pick them up without even loosing their hawks and hounds, and carry them back to the city; that will count as your merit.' The various spirits obeyed, withdrew the spectral wind, and laid the creatures out on either side of the road.

行者才按雲頭，對太子道：「殿下請回，路上已有物了，你自收去。」太子見他在半空中弄此神通，如何不信，只得叩頭拜別。Only then did Xingzhe lower his cloud and say to the Crown Prince, 'Your Highness, please go back — there is now game along the road; go and collect it yourself.' Seeing him work such divine power up in midair, how could the Crown Prince not believe him? He could only kowtow and take his leave.出山門傳了令，教軍士們回城。He went out through the temple gate and gave the order for the soldiers to return to the city.只見那路傍果有無限的野物，軍士們不放鷹犬，一個個俱著手擒捉喝采，俱道是千歲殿下的洪福，怎知是老孫的神功。Sure enough, along the roadside there was game beyond counting; the soldiers, without even loosing hawk or hound, seized the animals one after another with their bare hands, cheering and shouting, all saying it was the boundless good fortune of His Highness the Crown Prince — how were they to know it was old Sun's divine power?你聽凱歌聲唱，一擁回城。Listen — singing songs of triumph, they surged back into the city together.

這行者保護了三藏。Meanwhile Xingzhe went on protecting Sanzang.那本寺中的和尚見他們與太子這樣綢繆，怎不恭敬？Seeing how closely they were bound up with the Crown Prince, how could the monks of the temple fail to treat them with respect?卻又安排齋供，管待了唐僧，依然還歇在禪堂裡。They again arranged a vegetarian feast to entertain Tang Sanzang, who then rested once more in the meditation hall as before.將近有一更時分，行者心中有事，急睡不著。By nearly the first watch, Xingzhe, with something on his mind, was too restless to sleep.他一轂轆爬起來，到唐僧床前，叫：「師父。」此時長老還未睡哩，他曉得行者會失驚打怪的，推睡不應。He scrambled up in one motion and went to Tang Sanzang's bed, calling, 'Master.' At this time the elder had not yet fallen asleep, but knowing that Xingzhe was apt to raise sudden alarms over strange matters, he pretended to be asleep and did not answer.行者摸著他的光頭，亂搖道：「師父怎睡著了？」唐僧怒道：「這個頑皮，這早晚還不睡，吆喝甚麼？」行者道：「師父，有一樁事兒，和你計較計較。」長老道：「甚麼事？」行者道：「我日間與那太子誇口，說我的手段比山還高，比海還深，拿那妖精如探囊取物一般，伸了手去就拿將轉來。Xingzhe felt his bald head and shook it about, saying, 'Master, are you already asleep?' Tang Sanzang said angrily, 'You mischievous creature — at this hour still not asleep, what are you shouting about?' Xingzhe said, 'Master, there is a matter I want to talk over with you.' The elder said, 'What matter?' Xingzhe said, 'During the day I boasted to the Crown Prince, saying that my skill was higher than mountains and deeper than seas, and that catching that demon would be as easy as reaching into a bag for something — I'd simply put out my hand and bring it right back.卻也睡不著，想起來，有些難哩。」唐僧道：「你說難，便就不拿了罷。」行者道：「拿是還要拿，只是理上不順。」唐僧道：「這猴頭亂說。But now I can't sleep either — thinking it over, it seems there's some difficulty in it.' Tang Sanzang said, 'If you say it's difficult, then simply don't catch him.' Xingzhe said, 'Catch him I still must, only the reasoning of it doesn't sit right.' Tang Sanzang said, 'This monkey-head talks nonsense.妖精奪了人君位，怎麼叫做理上不順？」行者道：「你老人家只知念經拜佛，打坐參禪，那曾見那蕭何的律法？The demon has seized a human ruler's throne — how can you call that not sitting right in reason?' Xingzhe said, 'You, old man, only know how to chant sutras and worship the Buddha, sit in meditation and study Chan — when have you ever seen the laws that Xiao He drew up?常言道：『拿賊拿贓。』那怪物做了三年皇帝，又不曾走了馬腳，漏了風聲。As the saying goes, 'To catch a thief, catch him with the stolen goods.' That monster has been emperor for three years now, and has never once let slip a clue or leaked word of the truth.他與三宮妃后同眠，又和兩班文武共樂，我老孫就有本事拿住他，也不好定個罪名。」唐僧道：「怎麼不好定罪？」行者道：「他就是個沒嘴的葫蘆，也與你滾上幾滾。He sleeps with the consorts and queens of the three palaces, and shares his pleasures with the civil and military officials of both ranks — even if old Sun has the ability to seize him, it won't be easy to fix a charge on him.' Tang Sanzang said, 'Why won't it be easy to fix a charge?' Xingzhe said, 'Even if he were a mouthless gourd, he'd still roll about and argue his case with you a few times over.他敢道：『我是烏雞國王，有甚逆天之事，你來拿我？』將甚執照與他折辯？」He would dare to say, 'I am the King of Wuji Guo — what defiance of Heaven have I committed, that you come to seize me?' What proof would we have to argue against him?'

唐僧道：「憑你怎生裁處？」行者笑道：「老孫的計已成了。Tang Sanzang said, 'Then however you see fit to handle it, it's up to you.' Xingzhe laughed and said, 'Old Sun's plan is already made.只是干礙著你老人家，有些兒護短。」唐僧道：「我怎麼護短？」行者道：「八戒生得夯，你有些兒偏向他。」唐僧道：「我怎麼向他？」行者道：「你若不向他啊，且如今把膽放大些，與沙僧只在這裡。Only it concerns you, old man, and you tend to shield him a little.' Tang Sanzang said, 'How do I shield anyone?' Xingzhe said, 'Bajie is clumsy and dull, and you're somewhat partial to him.' Tang Sanzang said, 'How am I partial to him?' Xingzhe said, 'If you are not partial to him, then screw up your courage a bit right now, and stay here with Sha Seng.待老孫與八戒趁此時先入那烏雞國城中，尋著御花園，打開琉璃井，把那皇帝屍首撈將上來，包在我們包袱裡。and let old Sun and Bajie take this chance to go first into the city of Wuji Guo, find the royal garden, open up the glazed well, fish out the emperor's corpse, and wrap it up in our bundle.明日進城，且不管甚麼倒換文牒，見了那怪，掣棍來就打。Tomorrow when we enter the city, never mind about exchanging our travel rescript — the moment we see that monster, I'll draw my rod and strike.他但有言語，就將骨襯與他看，說：『你殺的是這個人。』卻教太子上來哭父，皇后出來認夫，文武多官見主，我老孫與兄弟們動手。If he has anything to say for himself, I'll show him the bones and say, 'This is the man you killed.' Then I'll have the Crown Prince come forward to weep for his father, the Queen come out to recognize her husband, and all the civil and military officials see their true lord — and old Sun and his brothers will set to work.這才是有對頭的官事好打。」唐僧聞言，暗喜道：「只怕八戒不肯去。」行者笑道：「如何？Only then will there be a proper opponent, and the case will be easy to press.' Hearing this, Tang Sanzang secretly rejoiced, but said, 'I'm only afraid Bajie won't be willing to go.' Xingzhe laughed and said, 'What's this?我說你護短。I said you shield him.你怎麼就知他不肯去？How do you already know he won't be willing to go?你只像我叫你時不答應，半個時辰便了。Just be like when I call you and you don't answer — give it half an hour, that's all.我這去，但憑三寸不爛之舌，莫說是豬八戒，就是豬九戒，也有本事教他跟著我走。」唐僧道：「也罷，隨你去叫他。」When I go, with nothing but my three-inch tongue that never rots, never mind Zhu Bajie — even if it were Zhu Jiujie, I'd have the ability to make him follow along with me.' Tang Sanzang said, 'Very well, go and call him as you please.'

行者離了師父，徑到八戒床邊，叫：「八戒，八戒。」那獃子是走路辛苦的人，丟倒頭，只情打呼，那裡叫得醒。Xingzhe left his master and went straight to Bajie's bed, calling, 'Bajie, Bajie.' That idiot, worn out from the day's walking, had dropped his head and was snoring away wholeheartedly — there was no waking him.行者揪著耳朵，抓著鬃，把他一拉，拉起來，叫聲：「八戒。」那獃子還打棱掙。Xingzhe grabbed him by the ear, seized his bristly mane, and gave him a pull, hauling him up, calling out, 'Bajie.' The idiot still struggled and thrashed about.行者又叫一聲，獃子道：「睡了罷，莫頑，明日要走路哩。」行者道：「不是頑，有一樁買賣，我和你做去。」八戒道：「甚麼買賣？」行者道：「你可曾聽得那太子說麼？」八戒道：「我不曾見面，不曾聽見說甚麼。」行者說：「那太子告訴我說，那妖精有件寶貝，萬夫不當之勇。Xingzhe called out again, and the idiot said, 'Let's sleep, stop fooling around — tomorrow we have to walk again.' Xingzhe said, 'I'm not fooling — there's a bit of business I want to do together with you.' Bajie said, 'What business?' Xingzhe said, 'Did you hear what the Crown Prince said?' Bajie said, 'I never even saw him, and never heard him say anything.' Xingzhe said, 'The Crown Prince told me that the demon has a treasure of such power that ten thousand men could not withstand it.我們明日進城，不免與他爭敵，倘那怪執了寶貝，降倒我們，卻不反成不美？Tomorrow when we go into the city we're bound to fight him, and if that monster wields the treasure and gets the better of us, wouldn't that turn out badly for us instead?我想著打人不過，不如先下手。I've been thinking — since we can't overpower him by force, better to strike first.我和你去偷他的來，卻不是好？」八戒道：「哥哥，你哄我去做賊哩。Let's you and I go steal it from him — wouldn't that be good?' Bajie said, 'Brother, you're tricking me into playing thief.這個買賣，我也去得。Well, this kind of business, I can go along with.果是曉得實實的幫寸，我也與你講個明白：偷了寶貝，降了妖精，我卻不奈煩甚麼小家罕氣的分寶貝，我就要了。」行者道：「你要作甚？」八戒道：「我不如你們乖巧能言，人面前化得出齋來。But if we're really going to do this right, I want to be plain with you: once we've stolen the treasure and subdued the demon, I have no patience for petty stinginess in dividing the spoils — I'm just going to take it.' Xingzhe said, 'What do you want it for?' Bajie said, 'I'm not as clever and glib-tongued as you two, able to beg alms out of people wherever I go.老豬身子又夯，言語又粗，不能念經，若到那無濟無生處，可好換齋吃麼。」行者道：「老孫只要圖名，那裡圖甚寶貝？Old Hog's body is clumsy and my speech is coarse, and I can't recite sutras — if we ever come to some place with no help and no way to live, wouldn't it be good to trade it for a meal?' Xingzhe said, 'Old Sun only cares for fame — what would I want with any treasure?就與你便了。」那獃子聽見說都與他，他就滿心歡喜，一轂轆爬將起來，套上衣服，就和行者走路。I'll just give it all to you.' When the idiot heard that it would all be given to him, he was filled with delight, scrambled up in one motion, threw on his clothes, and set off walking with Xingzhe.這是清酒紅人面，黃金動道心。Truly it is: clear wine flushes a man's face red, and yellow gold stirs even a Taoist heart.

兩個密密的開了門，躲離三藏，縱祥光，徑奔那城。The two of them quietly opened the door, slipped away from Sanzang, mounted an auspicious cloud-light, and headed straight for the city.不多時到了，按落雲頭，只聽得樓頭方二鼓矣。Before long they arrived, lowered their cloud, and heard from the watchtower that it was just the second watch.行者道：「兄弟，二更時分了。」八戒道：「正好，正好，人都在頭覺裡正濃睡也。」二人不奔正陽門，徑到後宰門首，只聽得梆鈴聲響。Xingzhe said, 'Brother, it's the second watch now.' Bajie said, 'Just right, just right — everyone will be deep in their first sleep.' The two of them did not head for the main southern gate, but went straight to the rear palace gate, where they could hear the sound of watchmen's clappers and bells.行者道：「兄弟，前後門皆緊急，如何得入？」八戒道：「那見做賊的從門裡走麼，瞞牆跳過便罷。」行者依言，將身一縱，跳上裡羅城牆。Xingzhe said, 'Brother, both the front and rear gates are tightly guarded — how are we to get in?' Bajie said, 'Whoever heard of a thief walking in through the gate? Just scale the wall unseen and be done with it.' Xingzhe agreed, and with one leap of his body sprang up onto the inner city wall.八戒也跳上去。Bajie leapt up after him.二人潛入裡面，找著門路，徑尋那御花園。The two of them slipped inside, found their way, and headed straight in search of the royal garden.

正行時，只見有一座三簷白簇的門樓，上有三個亮灼灼的大字，映著那星月光輝，乃是「御花園」。As they were making their way, they saw a triple-eaved gate tower of clustered white, above which three gleaming large characters, catching the light of stars and moon, read 'Royal Garden.'行者近前看了，有幾重封皮，公然將鎖門鏽住了，即命八戒動手。Xingzhe went up close to look and found several layers of sealing paper, the lock having plainly rusted the door shut; he at once told Bajie to get to work.那獃子掣鐵鈀，盡力一築，把門築得粉碎。The idiot drew his iron rake and, with all his strength, struck once, smashing the door to splinters.行者先舉步䟕入，忍不住跳將起來，大呼小叫。Xingzhe stepped in first, and unable to contain himself, leapt up and began shouting loudly.諕得八戒上前扯住道：「哥呀，害殺我也。Startled, Bajie rushed forward and grabbed him, saying, 'Brother, you'll be the death of me.那見做賊的這般吆喝？Whoever heard of a thief carrying on like this?驚醒了人，把我們拿住，發到官司，就不該死罪，也要解回原籍充軍。」行者道：「兄弟啊，你說我發急為何？If you wake people up and we get caught and hauled before the authorities, even if it's not a capital crime, we'll be sent back to our home district for military exile.' Xingzhe said, 'Brother, do you know why I'm so worked up?你看這：Just look at this:

八戒道：「且嘆他做甚？Bajie said, 'What's the use of sighing over it now?快幹我們的買賣去來。」行者雖然感慨，卻留心想起唐僧的夢來，說芭蕉樹下方是井。Let's hurry and get our business done.' Though moved by his feelings, Xingzhe was careful to recall Tang Sanzang's dream, which said the well was beneath a banana tree.正行走，果見一株芭蕉，生得茂盛，比眾花木不同。As they walked on, sure enough they saw a banana tree, growing lush and thick, quite different from the other flowers and trees.真是：Truly it was:

行者道：「八戒，動手麼，寶貝在芭蕉樹下埋著哩。」那獃子雙手舉鈀，築倒了芭蕉。Xingzhe said, 'Bajie, get to work — the treasure is buried beneath the banana tree.' The idiot raised his rake with both hands and struck down the banana tree.然後用嘴一拱，拱了有三四尺深，見一塊石板蓋著。Then he rooted with his snout, digging down some three or four feet, until he found a stone slab covering something.獃子歡喜道：「哥呀，造化了，果有寶貝，是一片石板蓋著哩。The idiot said delightedly, 'Brother, what luck — there really is a treasure, covered over with a stone slab.不知是罈兒盛著，是櫃兒裝著哩。」行者道：「你掀起來看看。」那獃子果又一嘴拱開，看處，又見霞光灼灼，白氣明明。I wonder if it's held in a jar or packed in a chest.' Xingzhe said, 'Lift it up and see.' The idiot rooted it open with his snout once more, and looking, saw a blazing rosy glow and a bright white vapor.八戒笑道：「造化，造化，寶貝放光哩。」又近前細看時，呀！Bajie laughed and said, 'What luck, what luck — the treasure is shining!' But when he came closer to look carefully — ah!原來是星月之光，映得那井中水亮。It turned out to be only the light of the stars and moon, reflecting off the water in the well and making it glisten.八戒道：「哥呀，你但幹事，便要留根。」行者道：「我怎留根？」八戒道：「這是一眼井，你在寺裡早說是井中有寶貝，我卻帶將兩條綑包袱的繩來，怎麼作個法兒，把老豬放下去。Bajie said, 'Brother, whenever you do something, you leave things half-done.' Xingzhe said, 'How have I left things half-done?' Bajie said, 'This is a well — if you had told me back at the temple that the treasure was in a well, I would have brought along the two ropes we use to tie our bundles. Now how are we supposed to work out some way to lower old Hog down?如今空手，這裡面東西，怎麼得下去上來耶？」行者道：「你下去麼？」八戒道：「正是要下去，只是沒繩索。」行者笑道：「你脫了衣服，我與你個手段。」八戒道：「有甚麼好衣服？As it is, we've come empty-handed — how are we to get down to whatever's inside, and back up again?' Xingzhe said, 'Do you want to go down?' Bajie said, 'That's exactly what I want to do, only there's no rope.' Xingzhe laughed and said, 'Take off your clothes, and I'll show you a trick.' Bajie said, 'What good clothes do I have?解了這直裰子就是了。」I'll just take off this robe, that's all.'

好大聖，把金箍棒拿出來，兩頭一扯，叫：「長！」足有七八丈長。The great Sage took out his gold-banded staff, pulled it at both ends, and shouted, "Grow!" — it grew to a full seven or eight zhang in length.教：「八戒，你抱著一頭兒，把你放下井去。」八戒道：「哥呀，放便放下去，若到水邊，就住了罷。」行者道：「我曉得。」那獃子抱著鐵棒，被行者輕輕提將起來，將他放下去，不多時，放至水邊。He said, "Bajie, hold on to one end, and I'll lower you down into the well." Bajie said, "Brother, lower away, but once I reach the water's edge, stop there." Xingzhe said, "I understand." The idiot clasped the iron staff, and Xingzhe lifted him lightly and lowered him down; before long, he was let down to the water's edge.八戒道：「到水了。」行者聽見他說，卻將棒往下一按。Bajie called out, "I've reached the water." Hearing this, Xingzhe gave the staff a sudden push downward.那獃子撲通的一個沒頭蹲，丟了鐵棒，便就負水，口裡哺哺的嚷道：「這天殺的，我說到水莫放，他卻就把我一按。」行者掣上棒來，笑道：「兄弟，可有寶貝麼？」八戒道：「見甚麼寶貝，只是一井水。」行者道：「寶貝沉在水底下哩，你下去摸一摸來。」呆子真個深知水性，卻就打個猛子，淬將下去。With a splash the idiot plunged headlong in, let go of the iron staff, and started treading water, grumbling and cursing under his breath, "That heaven-cursed fellow — I told him not to let go once I reached the water, and he just gave me a shove!" Xingzhe drew the staff back up and laughed, "Brother, is there any treasure down there?" Bajie said, "What treasure? There's nothing but well water." Xingzhe said, "The treasure is sunk at the bottom of the water — go down and feel around for it." The idiot, truly well versed in swimming, gave a strong kick and plunged straight down.呀！Ah!那井底深得緊。That well bottom was extremely deep.他卻著實又一淬，忽睜眼見有一座牌樓，上有「水晶宮」三個字。He gave another hard plunge, and suddenly, opening his eyes, saw a memorial archway with the three characters "Crystal Palace" written above it.八戒大驚道：「罷了，罷了，錯走了路了，蹡下海來也。Bajie cried out in astonishment, "That's it, that's it, I've taken the wrong road and stumbled straight down into the sea!海內有個水晶宮，井裡如何有之？」原來八戒不知此是井龍王的水晶宮。The sea has a Crystal Palace — how could there be one in a well?" As it turned out, Bajie did not know that this was the Crystal Palace of the Well Dragon King.

八戒正敘話處，早有一個巡水的夜叉開了門，看見他的模樣，急抽身進去報道：「大王，禍事了，井上落一個長嘴大耳的和尚來了，赤淋淋的，衣服全無，還不死，逼法說話哩。」那井龍王忽聞此言，心中大驚道：「這是天蓬元帥來也。Just as Bajie was still muttering to himself, a water-patrolling yaksha had already opened the gate; seeing what he looked like, the yaksha hurried back inside to report, "Great King, disaster! A long-snouted, big-eared monk has fallen down from the well — stark naked, not a stitch of clothing on him, and not even dead, forcing his way in and talking away." When the Well Dragon King heard this, he was greatly alarmed and thought, "This must be Marshal Tianpeng come here."昨夜夜遊神奉上敕旨，來取烏雞國王魂靈去拜見唐僧，請齊天大聖降妖。"Last night the Night-Roaming Spirit, obeying an edict from on high, came to fetch the soul of the King of Wuji to go pay respects to Tang Seng and beg the Great Sage Equal to Heaven to subdue the demon."這怕是齊天大聖、天蓬元帥來了，卻不可怠慢他，快接他去也。」"This is likely the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and Marshal Tianpeng arriving — I mustn't be discourteous. Quick, go and receive him!"

那龍王整衣冠，領眾水族，出門來厲聲高叫道：「天蓬元帥，請裡面坐。」八戒卻才歡喜道：「原來是個故知。」那獃子不管好歹，徑入水晶宮裡。The Dragon King straightened his cap and robe, and leading the host of water creatures, came out the gate and called loudly, "Marshal Tianpeng, please come in and sit." Only then was Bajie delighted, saying, "So it's an old acquaintance!" The idiot, without a thought for propriety, went straight into the Crystal Palace.其實不知上下，赤淋淋的，就坐在上面。Truly not knowing his place, stark naked as he was, he sat right down in the seat of honor.龍王道：「元帥，近聞你得了性命，皈依釋教，保唐僧西天取經，如何得到此處？」八戒道：「正為此說。The Dragon King said, "Marshal, I have recently heard that you were spared your life, took refuge in the Buddhist faith, and are escorting Tang Seng to fetch scriptures in the West — how do you come to be here?" Bajie said, "That's exactly what I've come to talk about."我師兄孫悟空多多拜上，著我來問你取甚麼寶貝哩。」龍王道：「可憐，我這裡怎麼得個寶貝？"My elder martial brother Sun Wukong sends his warmest regards, and has sent me to ask you for some treasure." The Dragon King said, "Pity me — how could I possibly have any treasure here?"比不得那江、河、淮、濟的龍王，飛騰變化，便有寶貝。"I'm nothing like the Dragon Kings of the Jiang, He, Huai, and Ji rivers, who can soar and transform at will and so possess treasures."我久困於此，日月且不能長見，寶貝果何自而來也？」八戒道：「不要推辭，有便拿出來罷。」龍王道：「有便有一件寶貝，只是拿不出來，就元帥親自來看看，何如？」八戒道：「妙妙妙，須是看看來也。」"I've long been confined here, unable even to see the sun and moon for long — where on earth would any treasure come from?" Bajie said, "Don't try to wriggle out of it — if you have one, bring it out." The Dragon King said, "Well, there is one treasure, only I can't bring it out here. Why not have the Marshal come himself and take a look?" Bajie said, "Splendid, splendid, splendid! I must go and have a look."

那龍王前走，這獃子隨後。The Dragon King walked ahead, and the idiot followed behind.轉過了水晶宮殿，只見廊廡下，橫躺著一個六尺長軀。Rounding past the halls of the Crystal Palace, he saw under the corridor a body six feet long lying stretched out.龍王用手指定道：「元帥，那廂就是寶貝了。」八戒上前看了，呀！The Dragon King pointed with his hand and said, "Marshal, over there is the treasure." Bajie stepped forward to look — ah!原來是個死皇帝，戴著沖天冠，穿著赭黃袍，踏著無憂履，繫著藍田帶，直挺挺睡在那廂。It turned out to be a dead emperor, wearing a soaring-heaven crown, an ochre-yellow robe, carefree shoes, and a Lantian jade belt, lying stiff and straight over there.八戒笑道：「難難難，算不得寶貝。Bajie laughed and said, "No, no, no, this hardly counts as treasure.想老豬在山為怪時，時常將此物當飯，且莫說見的多少，吃也吃夠無數，那裡叫做甚麼寶貝？」龍王道：「元帥原來不知。"Back when old Pig was a demon in the mountains, I often had this very sort of thing for dinner — never mind how many I've seen, I've eaten more than I can count. How could this be called treasure?" The Dragon King said, "Marshal, you don't understand."他本是烏雞國王的屍首，自到井中，我與他定顏珠定住，不曾得壞。"This is in fact the corpse of the King of Wuji. Ever since he came into this well, I've fixed his features with a face-preserving pearl, so he has not decayed at all."你若肯馱他出去，見了齊天大聖，假有起死回生之意啊，莫說寶貝，憑你要甚麼東西都有。」八戒道：「既這等說，我與你馱出去，只說把多少燒埋錢與我？」龍王道「其實無錢。」八戒道：「你好白使人？"If you're willing to carry him out and take him to the Great Sage Equal to Heaven — supposing he has a mind to restore him to life — then never mind treasure, you may have whatever you want." Bajie said, "Since that's how it is, I'll carry him out for you — but tell me, how much burial money will you give me for it?" The Dragon King said, "Truthfully, I have no money." Bajie said, "So you'd have me work for nothing?"果然沒錢，不馱。」龍王道：「不馱，請行。」八戒就走。"If you really have no money, I won't carry him." The Dragon King said, "If you won't carry him, then please be on your way." Bajie turned to leave.龍王差兩個有力量的夜叉，把屍擡將出去，送到水晶宮門外，丟在那廂，摘了辟水珠，就有水響。The Dragon King sent two sturdy yakshas to carry the corpse out, deliver it outside the gate of the Crystal Palace, and dump it there; then he removed the water-repelling pearl, and at once there came the sound of rushing water.

八戒急回頭看，不見水晶宮門，一把摸著那皇帝的屍首，慌得他腳軟筋麻，攛出水面，扳著井牆，叫道：「師兄，伸下棒來救我一救。」行者道：「可有寶貝麼？」八戒道：「那裡有，只是水底下有一個井龍王，教我馱死人，我不曾馱，他就把我送出門來，就不見那水晶宮了，只摸著那個屍首。Bajie spun around in alarm, and the gate of the Crystal Palace was gone — his hand landed right on the emperor's corpse. So flustered his legs went weak and his sinews numb, he shot up to the surface of the water, clutched at the well wall, and cried, "Elder brother, lower the staff and save me, save me!" Xingzhe said, "Is there any treasure?" Bajie said, "Treasure, nothing! There's just a Well Dragon King down at the bottom who told me to carry a corpse out. I refused, and he sent me straight out the gate — the Crystal Palace vanished, and all I touched was that corpse.諕得我手軟筋麻，掙搓不動了。"It gave me such a fright that my hands went weak and my sinews numb — I can't struggle free at all.哥呀，好歹救我救兒。」行者道：「那個就是寶貝，如何不馱上來？」八戒道：「知他死了多少時了，我馱他怎的？」行者道：「你不馱，我回去耶。」八戒道：「你回那裡去？」行者道：「我回寺中，同師父睡覺去。」八戒道：「我就不去了？」行者道：「你爬得上來，便帶你去；"Brother, please, whatever it takes, save me!" Xingzhe said, "That corpse is the treasure — why didn't you carry it up?" Bajie said, "Who knows how long he's been dead — why should I carry him?" Xingzhe said, "If you won't carry him, I'm going back." Bajie said, "Going back where?" Xingzhe said, "Back to the temple, to sleep alongside Master." Bajie said, "And I'm just to be left here?" Xingzhe said, "If you can climb up yourself, I'll take you along;爬不上來，便罷。」八戒慌了：「怎生爬得動？if you can't climb up, then never mind." Bajie panicked, "How could I possibly climb up?你想，城牆也難上，這井肚子大，口兒小，壁陡的圈牆，又是幾年不曾打水的井，團團都長的是苔痕，好不滑也，教我怎爬？"Just think — even a city wall is hard enough to climb, and this well has a wide belly and a narrow mouth, sheer walls all around, and it's a well that hasn't been drawn from in years, so the whole ring is grown over with moss — so slippery! How am I supposed to climb it?哥哥，不要失了兄弟們和氣，等我馱上來罷。」行者道：「正是，快快馱上來，我同你回去睡覺。」那獃子又一個猛子，淬將下去，摸著屍首，拽過來，背在身上，攛出水面，扶井牆道：「哥哥，馱上來了。」那行者睜睛看處，真個的背在身上，卻才把金箍棒伸下井底。"Brother, let's not lose the harmony between us as brothers — I'll carry him up, that's all." Xingzhe said, "That's the spirit. Hurry up and carry him up, and I'll go back with you to sleep." The idiot took another plunge downward, felt around for the corpse, dragged it over, hoisted it onto his back, shot up to the water's surface, and braced himself against the well wall, calling, "Brother, I've carried him up!" Xingzhe opened his eyes and looked, and indeed the corpse was slung on his back — only then did he lower the gold-banded staff down to the bottom of the well.那獃子著了惱的人，張開口，咬著鐵棒，被行者輕輕的提將出來。The idiot, thoroughly vexed by now, opened his mouth and bit down on the iron staff, and Xingzhe lifted him lightly and drew him out.

八戒將屍放下，撈過衣服穿了。Bajie set the corpse down, then fished up his clothes and put them on.行者看時，那皇帝容顏依舊，似生時未改分毫。When Xingzhe looked closely, the emperor's face was just as before, unchanged in the slightest from when he had been alive.行者道：「兄弟啊，這人死了三年，怎麼還容顏不壞？」八戒道：「你不知之。Xingzhe said, "Brother, this man has been dead three years — how has his face not decayed at all?" Bajie said, "You don't know the reason."這井龍王對我說，他使了定顏珠定住了，屍首未曾壞得。」行者道：「造化，造化。"That Well Dragon King told me he used a face-preserving pearl to fix him in place, so the corpse has never decayed." Xingzhe said, "What luck, what luck!一則是他的冤仇未報，二來該我們成功。"First, because his wrong has not yet been avenged; and second, because we are fated to achieve merit through this."兄弟快把他馱了去。」八戒道：「馱往那裡去？」行者道：「馱了去見師父。」八戒口中作念道：「怎的起？"Brother, quick, carry him along." Bajie said, "Carry him where?" Xingzhe said, "Carry him to see Master." Bajie muttered under his breath, "How did this ever start?怎的起？"How did this ever start?好好睡覺的人，被這猢猻花言巧語，哄我教做甚麼買賣，如今卻幹這等事，教我馱死人。"Here I was, perfectly happy sleeping, when this monkey with his sweet talk tricked me into some so-called business — and now it's turned into this, making me carry a dead man.馱著他，腌臢水淋將下來，污了衣服，沒人與我漿洗。"Carrying him like this, filthy water dripping down all over, staining my clothes, and no one to wash and starch them for me.上面有幾個補丁，天陰發潮，如何穿麼？」行者道：「你只管馱了去，到寺裡，我與你換衣服。」八戒道：「不羞，連你穿的也沒有，又替我換？」行者道：「這般弄嘴，便不馱罷？」八戒道：「不馱。」行者道：「便伸過孤拐來，打二十棒。」八戒慌了道：「哥哥，那棒子重，若是打上二十，我與這皇帝一般了。」行者道：「怕打時，趁早兒馱著走路。」八戒果然怕打，沒好氣，把屍首拽將過來，背在身上，拽步出園就走。"And there are already a few patches on it — when the weather turns damp, how will I ever wear it?" Xingzhe said, "Just carry him along — once we get to the temple, I'll get you a change of clothes." Bajie said, "Shameless! You don't even have a spare set for yourself, and yet you'll get one for me?" Xingzhe said, "If you're going to keep running your mouth like this, shall we just say you won't carry him at all?" Bajie said, "I won't carry him." Xingzhe said, "Then stick out your ankles and take twenty blows of the staff." Bajie panicked and said, "Brother, that staff is heavy — if I take twenty blows, I'll end up just like this emperor." Xingzhe said, "If you're afraid of the beating, then hurry up and carry him along." Bajie, truly afraid of the beating, sullenly dragged the corpse over, slung it onto his back, and strode out of the garden.

好大聖，捻著訣，念聲咒語，往巽地上吸一口氣，吹將去，就是一陣狂風，把八戒撮出皇宮內院，躲離了城池，息了風頭，二人落地，徐徐卻走將來。The great Sage formed a mudra with his fingers, recited a spell, drew in a breath toward the southeast, and blew it out — at once a fierce wind arose and swept Bajie clear out of the palace's inner courtyard, past the city walls; then the wind died down, the two of them touched ground, and they walked on slowly from there.那獃子心中暗惱，算計要報恨行者，道：「這猴子捉弄我，我到寺裡也捉弄他捉弄：攛道師父，只說他醫得活；The idiot was secretly seething, plotting how to get back at Xingzhe, and thought, "That monkey made a fool of me — once we get to the temple, I'll make a fool of him too: I'll egg Master on, telling him only that Xingzhe can bring this man back to life;醫不活，教師父念緊箍兒咒，把這猴子的腦漿勒出來，方趁我心。」走著路，再再尋思道：「不好，不好。and if he can't cure him, I'll get Master to recite the Tight-Fillet Spell and squeeze that monkey's brains right out — that would suit me fine." As he walked along, he thought it over again and again: "No good, no good.若教他醫人，卻是容易：他去閻王家討將魂靈兒來，就醫活了。"If I just say to have him cure the man, that's too easy — he'll simply go to King Yama's place and beg back the soul, and the man will be cured just like that.只說不許赴陰司，陽世間就能醫活，這法兒才好。」"I should say instead that he mustn't go down to the underworld at all, and must cure him and bring him back to life right here in the world of the living — that scheme would be much better."

說不了，卻到了山門前，徑直進去，將屍首丟在那禪堂門前。Before he had finished thinking this through, they had already reached the temple gate; he went straight in and dumped the corpse before the door of the meditation hall.道：「師父，起來看邪。」那唐僧睡不著，正與沙僧講行者哄了八戒去久不回之事。He called out, "Master, get up and see this strange sight." Tang Seng, unable to sleep, was just then talking with Sha Seng about how Xingzhe had tricked Bajie into going off and had been gone so long without returning.忽聽得他來叫了一聲，唐僧連忙起身道：「徒弟，看甚麼？」八戒道：「行者的外公，教老豬馱將來了。」行者道：「你這饢糟的獃子，我那裡有甚麼外公？」八戒道：「哥，不是你外公，卻教老豬馱他來怎麼？Suddenly hearing him call out, Tang Seng hastily got up and said, "Disciple, what is it we're to look at?" Bajie said, "Xingzhe's own grandfather — old Pig has been made to carry him here." Xingzhe said, "You worthless idiot, where would I have a grandfather?" Bajie said, "Brother, if he's not your grandfather, then why did you have old Pig carry him here?也不知費了多少力了。」"Who knows how much effort it cost me?"

那唐僧與沙僧開門看處，那皇帝容顏未改，似活的一般。When Tang Seng and Sha Seng opened the door and looked, the emperor's face was unchanged, just as if he were still alive.長老忽然慘悽道：「陛下，你不知那世裡冤家，今生遇著他，暗喪其身，拋妻別子，致令文武不知，多官不曉。The elder monk was suddenly overcome with grief and said, "Your Majesty, you never knew what enemy from a past life you would meet in this one, who took your life in secret, tearing you from wife and children, so that your civil and military officials knew nothing of it, and none of your many ministers were aware.可憐你妻子昏蒙，誰曾見焚香獻茶？」忽失聲淚如雨下。"Pitiful — your wife and consorts kept in the dark, deceived; who among them ever burned incense or offered tea to your memory?" Suddenly he could not hold back, and his tears fell like rain.八戒笑道：「師父，他死了可干你事？Bajie laughed and said, "Master, what business of yours is it that he's dead?又不是你家父祖，哭他怎的？」三藏道：「徒弟啊，出家人慈悲為本，方便為門。He's not even your own father or grandfather — why cry over him?" Sanzang said, "Disciple, for one who has left the household life, compassion is the very root, and expedient kindness is the gateway.你怎的這等心硬？」八戒道：「不是心硬，師兄和我說來，他會醫得活；"How can you be so hard-hearted?" Bajie said, "It's not that I'm hard-hearted — my elder martial brother told me he could cure him and bring him back to life;若醫不活，我也不馱他來了。」那長老原來是一頭水的，被那獃子搖動了，他就叫：「悟空，若果有手段醫活這個皇帝，正是『救人一命，勝造七級浮圖』。if he couldn't cure him back to life, I wouldn't have carried him here at all." The elder monk, who was easily swayed to begin with, was moved by what the idiot said, and cried out, "Wukong, if you truly have the skill to cure this emperor and restore him to life, this is exactly a case of 'saving one life surpasses building a seven-tiered pagoda.'我等也強似靈山拜佛。」行者道：「師父，你怎麼信這獃子亂談？"For us, that would be even better than worshipping the Buddha at Vulture Peak." Xingzhe said, "Master, how can you believe this idiot's nonsense?人若死了，或三七五七，盡七百日，受滿了陽間罪過，就轉生去了。"When a person dies, after three sevens or five sevens of days, or at most within a full seven hundred days, once he has fully suffered out his sins from the world of the living, he is reincarnated and gone.如今已死三年，如何救得？」三藏聞其言道：「也罷了。」八戒苦恨不息，道：「師父，你莫被他瞞了，他有些夾腦風。"This man has already been dead three years — how could he possibly be saved?" Hearing this, Sanzang said, "Well, never mind then." Bajie, his resentment not the least bit spent, said, "Master, don't be fooled by him — he's got a touch of brain fever.你只念念那話兒，管他還你一個活人。」真個唐僧就念緊箍兒咒，勒得那猴子眼脹頭疼。"Just recite those words of yours, and I guarantee he'll give you back a living man." Sure enough, Tang Seng began reciting the Tight-Fillet Spell, tightening it until the monkey's eyes bulged and his head ached.

畢竟不知怎生醫救，且聽下回分解。What means he used to heal and save the man in the end is not yet known; listen to the explanation in the next chapter.

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What it’s about

Wukong arranges for the crown prince, out hunting, to fall in with Tripitaka and hear that his father was murdered and replaced by the man he calls king. To convince the doubting prince, Wukong sends him quietly to question his mother, and the queen confirms that the man who shares her husband's bed has been a changed and colder stranger for three years now.

With the prince won over, Wukong and Bajie go by night into the palace garden, find the plantain-covered well, and Bajie is coaxed down into the water to haul up the king's body, perfectly preserved after three years beneath. They carry the corpse back to the monastery, whole and unrotted, so that the murdered king might yet be restored to life and to his stolen throne.

When it was written 背景

This 回 advances the Wuji mystery from accusation to proof, gathering the living witnesses, the prince and the queen, and recovering the physical evidence, the body in the well. Bajie's grumbling descent into the water is the comic set-piece of the chapter. Learners should follow the careful, almost procedural assembling of the case, unusual for the novel, and note that an uncorrupted body only sets up the next chapter's problem: a corpse is not enough, and the king must actually be brought back to life.

Words in this chapter 生词

馱duòHSK 7-9馱duò — load carried by a pack animal (HSK 7-9)
僧sēng僧sēng — (bound form) Buddhist monk (abbr. for 僧伽 (sēng qié))
戒jièHSK 5戒jiè — to guard against · to exhort · to admonish or warn · to give up or stop doing sth · Buddhist monastic discipline · ring (for a finger) (HSK 5)
獃dāiHSK 5獃dāi — foolish; stupid (variant of 呆 (dāi)) · expressionless; blank (variant of 呆 (dāi)) (HSK 5)
宮gōngHSK 6宮gōng — palace · temple · castration (as corporal punishment) · first note in pentatonic scale (HSK 6)
淬cuì淬cuì — dip into water · to temper
箍gū箍gū — hoop · to bind with hoops
叩kòu叩kòu — to knock · to kowtow
寺sìHSK 6寺sì — Buddhist temple · mosque · government office (old) (HSK 6)
裡lǐHSK 1裡lǐ — lining · interior · inside · internal · also written 裏 (lǐ) (HSK 1)
帥shuàiHSK 4帥shuài — (bound form) commander-in-chief · (bound form) to lead; to command · handsome; graceful; dashing; elegant · (coll.) cool!; sweet! · (Chinese chess) general (on the red side, equivalent to a king in Western chess) (HSK 4)
拽zhuāiHSK 7-9拽zhuāi — to throw · to fling (HSK 7-9)