第047回 At the River of Heaven the Great King Demands Child Sacrifices

第047回Chapter 47

卻說那國王倚著龍床，淚如泉湧，只哭到天晚不住。Now the story turns to the king, who leaned against his dragon bed with tears gushing like springs, weeping without pause until nightfall.行者上前高呼道：「你怎麼這等昏亂？Sun Wukong stepped forward and called out loudly, "How can you be so utterly confused?見放著那道士的屍骸，一個是虎，一個是鹿，那羊力是一個羚羊。Look, there lie the corpses of those Daoists — one is a tiger, one is a deer, and that Yangli fellow is an antelope.不信時，撈上骨頭來看，那裡人有那樣骷髏？If you don't believe it, fish out the bones and look — where in the world does a human have bones like that?他本是成精的山獸，同心到此害你，因見氣數還旺，不敢下手。He was originally a mountain beast that had become a spirit, and joined forces with the others to come here and harm you; but seeing that your fortune was still strong, he dared not lay hands on you.若再過二年，你氣數衰敗，他就害了你性命，把你江山一股兒盡屬他了。Had two more years passed, once your fortune had waned, he would have taken your life, and your whole kingdom would have belonged to him entirely.幸我等早來，除妖邪救了你命。Fortunately we arrived in time to root out the demon evil and save your life.你還哭甚？Why are you still crying?哭甚？What is there to cry about?急打發關文，送我出去。」國王聞此，方才省悟。Quickly have the travel rescript prepared and send us on our way." Hearing this, the king at last came to his senses.那文武多官俱奏道：「死者果然是白鹿、黃虎，油鍋裡果是羊骨。All the civil and military officials memorialized, "The dead are indeed a white deer and a yellow tiger, and in the cauldron of oil are truly sheep bones.聖僧之言，不可不聽。」國王道：「既是這等，感謝聖僧。The holy monk's words must not go unheeded." The king said, "Since this is so, I am grateful to the holy monk.今日天晚，」教：「太師，且請聖僧至智淵寺。It is late today," he ordered, "Grand Preceptor, please escort the holy monk to Zhiyuan Temple for now.明日早朝，大開東閣，教光祿寺安排素淨筵宴酬謝。」果送至寺裡安歇。Tomorrow at the morning audience, throw open the Eastern Pavilion, and have the Court of Imperial Entertainments prepare a vegetarian banquet to give thanks." And so they escorted them to the temple to rest for the night.

次日五更時候，國王設朝，聚集多官，傳旨：「快出招僧榜文，四門各路張掛。」一壁廂大排筵宴，擺駕出朝，至智淵寺門外，請了三藏等，共入東閣赴宴，不在話下。At the fifth watch the next day, the king held court, gathered all his officials, and issued the decree: "Quickly post notices inviting monks, to be displayed at all four city gates and every road." At the same time a grand banquet was laid out, and he had his carriage brought out from the court to the gate of Zhiyuan Temple, where he invited Tripitaka and the others to join him in the Eastern Pavilion for the feast — but no more of that for now.

卻說那脫命的和尚聞有招僧榜，個個欣然，都入城來尋孫大聖，交納毫毛謝恩。Now to speak of those monks who had escaped death — when they heard of the notice inviting monks, every one of them rejoiced, and all came into the city to seek out the Great Sage Sun Wukong, to hand in their hairs and give thanks for his kindness.這長老散了宴，那國王換了關文，同皇后嬪妃、兩班文武，送出朝門。When the elder monk had finished the banquet, the king changed his travel rescript, and together with the empress, consorts, and the two ranks of civil and military officials, escorted them out through the court gate.只見那些和尚跪拜道傍，口稱：「齊天大聖爺爺，我等是沙灘上脫命僧人。Just then they saw those monks kneeling by the roadside, calling out, "Grandfather Great Sage Equaling Heaven, we are the monks who escaped death on the sandy shore.聞知爺爺掃除妖孽，救拔我等，又蒙我王出榜招僧，特來交納毫毛，叩謝天恩。」行者笑道：「汝等來了幾何？」僧人道：「五百名，半個不少。」行者將身一抖，收了毫毛。We heard that you, grandfather, swept away the demon evil and rescued us, and we are further grateful that our king posted notices inviting monks — so we have come especially to hand in your hairs and kowtow in thanks for this heavenly kindness." Wukong laughed and said, "How many of you have come?" The monks said, "Five hundred, not half a one missing." Wukong gave his body a shake and gathered back his hairs.對君臣僧俗人說道：「這些和尚，實是老孫放了；He said to the ruler and ministers, monks and laity alike, "These monks were in truth set free by old Monkey;車輛是老孫運轉雙關，穿夾脊，捽碎了；the carts were moved through by old Monkey channeling the two passes and threading the spine-gap, then smashed to pieces;那兩個妖道也是老孫打死了。and those two demon Daoists were also beaten to death by old Monkey.今日滅了妖邪，方知是禪門有道。Now that the demon evil has been destroyed today, you finally know that the school of Chan has the Way.向後來，再不可胡為亂信。From now on, never again act recklessly or believe blindly.望你把三教歸一：也敬僧，也敬道，也養育人才。I hope you will unite the Three Teachings into one: revere monks, revere Daoists, and also nurture talented people.我保你江山永固。」國王依言，感謝不盡，遂送唐僧出城去訖。Then I will guarantee your kingdom stands firm forever." The king followed his words, expressing endless gratitude, and then escorted Tripitaka out of the city.

這一去，只為慇懃經三藏，努力修持光一元。On this journey, all for the sake of devoutly seeking the scriptures, Tripitaka strove diligently in his cultivation, his light growing ever more whole.曉行夜住，渴飲飢餐，不覺的春盡夏殘，又是秋光天氣。Traveling by day and resting by night, drinking when thirsty and eating when hungry, before they knew it spring had ended and summer had waned, and once again it was the scenery of autumn.一日，天色已晚，唐僧勒馬道：「徒弟，今宵何處安身也？」行者道：「師父，出家人莫說那在家人的話。」三藏道：「在家人怎麼？One day, as the sky was already growing dark, Tripitaka reined in his horse and said, "Disciples, where shall we lodge tonight?" Wukong said, "Master, one who has left the family should not talk like one who stays at home." Tripitaka said, "What is it like for those who stay at home?出家人怎麼？」行者道：「在家人，這時候溫床暖被，懷中抱子，腳後蹬妻，自自在在睡覺。And what is it like for those who have left home?" Wukong said, "Those who stay at home, at this hour have warm beds and warm quilts, a child in their arms and a wife against their feet, sleeping in perfect comfort.我等出家人，那裡能夠？How could we who have left home ever manage that?便是要帶月披星，餐風宿水，有路且行，無路方住。」八戒道：「哥哥，你只知其一，不知其二。We must travel wearing moonlight and starlight, dine on wind and lodge by water — if there's a road, we go on; if there's no road, only then do we stop." Bajie said, "Brother, you know one thing but not the other.如今路多嶮峻，我挑著重擔，著實難走，須要尋個去處，好眠一覺，養養精神，明日方好捱擔；The roads now are steep and dangerous, and I'm carrying a heavy load — it's truly hard going. We need to find a place to sleep well for a while and rest up, so tomorrow I'll be fit to bear the load again;不然，卻不累倒我也？」行者道：「趁月光再走一程，到有人家之所再住。」師徒們沒奈何，只得相隨行者往前。otherwise, won't it wear me out completely?" Wukong said, "Let's press on a bit further by moonlight, and stop once we reach a place with people." The master and disciples had no choice but to follow Wukong onward.

又行不多時，只聽得滔滔浪響。They had not gone much farther when they heard the roaring surge of waves.八戒道：「罷了，來到盡頭路了。」沙僧道：「是一股水擋住也。」唐僧道：「卻怎生得渡？」八戒道：「等我試之，看深淺何如。」三藏道：「悟能，你休亂談，水之淺深，如何試得？」八戒道：「尋一個鵝卵石，拋在當中。Bajie said, "That's it, we've come to the end of the road." Sha Monk said, "It's a body of water blocking our way." Tripitaka said, "Then how are we to cross?" Bajie said, "Let me test it and see how deep it is." Tripitaka said, "Wuneng, don't talk nonsense — how can you test the depth of water?" Bajie said, "Find a pebble and throw it into the middle.若是濺起水泡來，是淺；If it splashes up bubbles, it's shallow;若是骨都都沉下有聲，是深。」行者道：「你去試試看。」那獃子摸了一塊石頭，望水中拋去，只聽得骨都都泛起魚津，沉下水底。if it sinks with a gurgling sound, it's deep." Wukong said, "Go try it and see." The idiot groped for a stone and flung it into the water; all they heard was a gurgling sound as it stirred up fish-foam and sank to the bottom.他道：「深深深，去不得！」唐僧道：「你雖試得深淺，卻不知有多少寬闊。」八戒道：「這個卻不知，不知。」行者道：「等我看看。」好大聖，縱觔斗雲，跳在空中，定睛觀看，但見那：He said, "Deep, deep, deep — we can't cross!" Tripitaka said, "You may have tested the depth, but you still don't know how wide it is." Bajie said, "That I don't know, I don't know." Wukong said, "Let me have a look." The fine Great Sage sprang up on a somersault cloud, leapt into the air, fixed his eyes and looked, and saw:

急收雲頭，按落河邊道：「師父，寬哩，寬哩，去不得！He quickly brought his cloud down and landed by the riverbank, saying, "Master, it's wide, so wide, we can't cross!老孫火眼金睛，白日裡常看千里，凶吉曉得是；With old Monkey's fiery eyes and golden pupils, in broad daylight I can usually see a thousand li and tell fortune from misfortune;夜裡也還看三五百里。even at night I can still see three or five hundred li.如今通看不見邊岸，怎定得寬闊之數？」But now I can't see the far shore at all — how can I fix how wide it is?"

三藏大驚，口不能言，聲音哽咽道：「徒弟啊，似這等怎了？」沙僧道：「師父莫哭。Tripitaka was greatly alarmed, his mouth unable to speak, and in a choked voice he said, "Disciples, ah, what shall we do about this?" Sha Monk said, "Master, don't cry.你看那水邊立的，可不是個人麼？」行者道：「想是扳罾的漁人，等我問他去來。」拿了鐵棒，兩三步，跑到面前看處，呀！Look there by the water's edge — isn't that a person standing there?" Wukong said, "That must be a fisherman pulling his net; let me go ask him." He took up his iron rod, and in two or three strides ran up to look — ah!不是人，是一面石碑。It was not a person, but a stone tablet.碑上有三個篆文大字，下邊兩行有十個小字。On the tablet were three large characters in seal script, and below them two lines of ten smaller characters.三個大字乃「通天河」，十個小字乃「徑過八百里，亙古少行人」。The three large characters read "Tongtian He" (River That Reaches Heaven), and the ten small characters read: "Eight hundred li straight across, from ancient times few travelers."行者叫：「師父，你來看看。」三藏看見，滴淚道：「徒弟呀，我當年別了長安，只說西天易走，那知道妖魔阻隔，山水迢遙。」Wukong called out, "Master, come and see this." Tripitaka looked, and shedding tears said, "Disciples, ah, when I left Chang'an in those years, I only thought the road west would be easy to walk — who knew there would be demons blocking the way and mountains and waters stretching on so far."

八戒道：「師父，你且聽，是那裡鼓鈸聲音？Bajie said, "Master, just listen — what is that sound of drums and cymbals over there?想是做齋的人家。It must be a household holding a vegetarian rite.我們且去趕些齋飯吃，問個渡口尋舡，明日過去罷。」三藏馬上聽得，果然有鼓鈸之聲：「卻不是道家樂器，足是我僧家舉事。Let's go there and beg some vegetarian food to eat, and ask about a ferry crossing to find a boat, and cross over tomorrow." Tripitaka, still on his horse, listened and indeed heard the sound of drums and cymbals: "That's surely not Daoist instruments — it must be our Buddhist monks performing a rite.我等去來。」行者在前引馬，一行聞響而來。Let us go." Wukong led the horse in front, and the group walked on, following the sound.那裡有甚正路，沒高沒低，漫過沙灘，望見一簇人家住處，約摸有四五百家，卻也都住得好。There was hardly any proper road there — up and down over uneven ground, they crossed the sandy flats, and in the distance saw a cluster of dwellings, perhaps four or five hundred households, and they seemed quite well settled.但見：Behold:

三藏下馬，只見那路頭上有一家兒，門外豎一首幢幡，內裡有燈燭熒煌，香煙馥郁。Tripitaka dismounted, and saw that at the head of the road there was a house with a banner-pole standing outside its gate; within, lamps and candles blazed brightly, and fragrant incense smoke curled thick.三藏道：「悟空，此處比那山凹河邊卻是不同。Tripitaka said, "Wukong, this place is quite different from those mountain hollows and riverbanks.在人間屋簷下，可以遮得冷露，放心穩睡。Under the eaves of a human dwelling, one can shelter from the cold dew and sleep soundly with an easy mind.你都莫來，讓我先到那齋公門首告求。None of you come along — let me go first to the gate of that almsgiving household and beg for lodging.若肯留我，我就招呼汝等；If they're willing to keep me, I'll call for you;假若不留，你卻休要撒潑。but if they won't, you must not act wild.汝等臉嘴醜陋，只恐諕了人，闖出禍來，卻倒無住處矣。」行者道：「說得有理。Your faces are ugly and fearsome, and I'm afraid you'll frighten people and bring on trouble, so that we'll have nowhere to stay after all." Wukong said, "Well said.請師父先去，我們在此守待。」Please go first, Master; we'll wait here."

那長老才摘了斗笠，光著頭，抖抖褊衫，拖著錫杖，徑來到人家門外。The elder monk then took off his bamboo hat, exposed his bare head, shook out his robe, and dragging his tin staff, went straight up to the gate of the house.見那門半開半掩，三藏不敢擅入。He saw the gate half open, half closed, and Tripitaka did not dare to enter uninvited.聊站片時，只見裡面走出一個老者，項下掛著數珠，口念阿彌陀佛，徑自來關門。He stood there a while, when he saw an old man come out from within, a string of prayer beads hanging from his neck, chanting "Amitabha Buddha," going straight to close the gate.慌得這長老合掌高叫：「老施主，貧僧問訊了。」那老者還禮道：「你這和尚，卻來遲了。」三藏道：「怎麼說？」老者道：「來遲無物了。Startled, the elder monk pressed his palms together and called out loudly, "Venerable benefactor, this poor monk greets you." The old man returned the salute, saying, "Monk, you have come too late." Tripitaka said, "What do you mean?" The old man said, "Come too late, and there's nothing left.早來啊，我舍下齋僧，盡飽吃飯，熟米三升，白布一段，銅錢十文。Had you come earlier, in my humble house we were feasting monks — all could eat their fill, three sheng of cooked rice, a length of white cloth, and ten copper coins.你怎麼這時候才來？」三藏躬身道：「老施主，貧僧不是趕齋的。」老者道：「既不趕齋，來此何幹？」三藏道：「我是東土大唐欽差往西天取經者，今到貴處，天色已晚。Why have you come only at this hour?" Tripitaka bowed and said, "Venerable benefactor, this poor monk did not come chasing the feast." The old man said, "If not for the feast, then what has brought you here?" Tripitaka said, "I am one sent by the great Tang of the Land of the East, on imperial mission to seek scriptures in the Western Heaven; today I have reached your honored region, and the sky is already dark.聽得府上鼓鈸之聲，特來告借一宿，天明就行也。」那老者搖手道：「和尚，出家人休打誑語。I heard the sound of drums and cymbals from your household and came especially to beg a night's lodging, setting off again at dawn." The old man waved his hand and said, "Monk, one who has left the family should not speak lies.東土大唐，到我這裡，有五萬四千里路。From the great Tang of the Land of the East to here is fifty-four thousand li.你這等單身，如何來得？」三藏道：「老施主見得最是。How could you, alone as you are, have come all this way?" Tripitaka said, "Venerable benefactor sees it exactly right.但我還有三個小徒，逢山開路，遇水疊橋，保護貧僧，方得到此。」老者道：「既有徒弟，何不同來？」教：「請，請，我舍下有處安歇。」三藏回頭，叫聲：「徒弟，這裡來。」But I have three disciples besides, who open roads through mountains and lay bridges over waters, protecting this poor monk, and so I have managed to reach here." The old man said, "If you have disciples, why did they not come with you?" and said, "Please, please, in my humble house there is a place for you all to rest." Tripitaka turned his head and called out, "Disciples, come here."

那行者本來性急，八戒生來粗魯，沙僧卻也莽撞，三個人聽得師父招呼，牽著馬，挑著擔，不問好歹，一陣風，闖將進去。Now Wukong was impatient by nature, Bajie coarse by birth, and Sha Monk too was reckless — the three of them, hearing their master call, led the horse and shouldered the load, and without a thought for good or ill, rushed in like a gust of wind.那老者看見，諕得跌倒在地，口裡只說：「是妖怪來了，妖怪來了。」三藏攙起道：「施主莫怕，不是妖怪，是我徒弟。」老者戰兢兢道：「這般好俊師父，怎麼尋這樣醜徒弟。」三藏道：「雖然相貌不中，卻倒會降龍伏虎，捉怪擒妖。」老者似信不信的，扶著唐僧慢走。When the old man saw them, he was so frightened he fell to the ground, his mouth only saying, "Monsters have come, monsters have come!" Tripitaka helped him up, saying, "Benefactor, don't be afraid — they are not monsters, they are my disciples." The old man said, trembling, "Such a fine, handsome master — how did he come to pick such ugly disciples?" Tripitaka said, "Though their looks are not pleasing, they are quite capable of subduing dragons and taming tigers, and of catching demons and seizing evils." The old man, half believing and half doubting, supported Tripitaka and walked slowly on.

卻說那三個兇頑闖入廳房上，拴了馬，丟下行李。Now as for those three fierce and unruly ones, they had rushed into the hall, tied up the horse, and dropped the luggage.那廳中原有幾個和尚念經，八戒掬著長嘴喝道：「那和尚，念的是甚麼經？」那些和尚聽見問了一聲，忽然擡頭：In that hall there happened to be several monks chanting sutras, and Bajie, thrusting out his long snout, shouted, "You there, monks, what sutra are you chanting?" Those monks, hearing themselves questioned, suddenly raised their heads:

這兄弟三人見那些人跌跌爬爬，鼓著掌哈哈大笑。The three brothers, seeing those people stumbling and scrambling about, clapped their hands and roared with laughter.那些僧越加悚懼，磕頭撞腦，各顧性命，通跑淨了。The monks grew all the more terrified, knocking their heads as they bowed, each looking only to save his own life, and ran off until not one remained.

三藏攙那老者，走上廳堂，燈火全無，三人嘻嘻哈哈的還笑。Tripitaka, supporting the old man, walked up into the hall — there was no lamp or candle left burning at all, and the three of them were still snickering and laughing.唐僧罵道：「這潑物，十分不善。Tripitaka scolded them, "You wretched creatures, you are utterly ill-behaved.我朝朝教誨，日日叮嚀。Morning after morning I instruct you, day after day I admonish you.古人云：『不教而善，非聖而何？The ancients said, 'To be good without being taught — if not a sage, then what?教而後善，非賢而何？To become good after being taught — if not a worthy, then what?教亦不善，非愚而何？』汝等這般撒潑，誠為至下至愚之類。To remain unimproved even after being taught — if not a fool, then what?' You lot, behaving so wildly, are truly of the lowest and most foolish sort.走進門不知高低，諕倒了老施主，驚散了念經僧，把人家好事都攪壞了，卻不是墮罪與我？」說得他們不敢回言。Barging in through the gate without knowing your place, you frightened the venerable benefactor half to death, scattered the sutra-chanting monks, and ruined this household's good affair entirely — is this not a sin that falls on me?" This left them not daring to answer back.那老者方信是他徒弟，急回頭作禮道：「老爺，沒大事，沒大事。Only then did the old man believe they truly were his disciples, and quickly turning back he made a bow, saying, "My lord, it's no great matter, no great matter.才然關了燈，散了花，佛事將收也。」八戒道：「既是了帳，擺出滿散，酒飯來，我們吃了睡覺。」老者叫：「掌燈來，掌燈來。」家裡人聽得，大驚小怪道：「廳上念經，有許多香燭，如何又教掌燈？」幾個僮僕出來看時，這裡黑洞洞的，即便點火把燈籠，一擁而至。We had just now put out the lamps and scattered the flowers — the Buddhist rite was about to conclude anyway." Bajie said, "Since it's all settled, then bring out the closing feast, the wine and rice — we'll eat and go to sleep." The old man called, "Bring lamps, bring lamps." When the household heard this, they cried out in alarm, "There's chanting going on in the hall, with so many incense candles — why call for lamps now?" Several young servants came out to look, and finding it pitch dark, at once lit torches and lanterns and crowded in together.忽擡頭見八戒、沙僧，慌得丟了火把，忽抽身關了中門。Suddenly raising their heads, they saw Bajie and Sha Monk, and in fright dropped their torches and quickly turned to shut the inner gate.往裡嚷道：「妖怪來了！They shouted as they went inside, "Monsters have come!妖怪來了！」Monsters have come!"

行者拿起火把，點上燈燭，扯過一張交椅，請唐僧坐在上面；Wukong picked up a torch and lit the lamps and candles, then pulled over an armchair and invited Tripitaka to sit upon it;他兄弟們坐在兩傍，那老者坐在前面。the brothers sat on either side, and the old man sat in front.正敘坐間，只聽得裡面門開處，又走出一個老者，拄著拐杖道：「是甚麼邪魔，黑夜裡來我善門之家？」前面坐的老者，急起身迎到屏門後道：「哥哥莫嚷，不是邪魔，乃東土大唐取經的羅漢。Just as they were settling into their seats, they heard a door open within, and out came another old man, leaning on a cane, saying, "What evil demons are these, come to my house of charity in the dead of night?" The old man seated in front hurriedly rose and hastened behind the screen-gate, saying, "Brother, don't shout — these are not evil demons, but arhats from the great Tang of the Land of the East, come to seek scriptures.徒弟們相貌雖兇，果然是相惡人善。」那老者方才放下拄杖，與他四位行禮。Though the disciples look fierce, they are truly fierce in appearance but good at heart." Only then did the old man set down his cane, and made bows to the four of them.禮畢，也坐了面前，叫：「看茶來。When the courtesies were done, he too sat down before them, and called, "Bring tea.排齋。」連叫數聲，幾個僮僕戰戰兢兢，不敢攏帳。Set out the meal." He called several times, but the young servants, trembling with fear, dared not come near to attend.

八戒忍不住問道：「老者，你這盛价兩邊走怎的？」老者道：「教他們捧齋來侍奉老爺。」八戒道：「幾個人伏侍？」老者道：「八個人。」八戒道：「這八個人伏侍那個？」老者道：「伏侍你四位。」八戒道：「那白面師父只消一個人，毛臉雷公嘴的只消兩個人，那晦氣臉的要八個人，我得二十個人伏侍方夠。」老者道：「這等說，想是你的食腸大些。」八戒道：「也將就看得過。」老者道：「有人，有人。」七大八小，就叫出有三四十人出來。Bajie, unable to hold back, asked, "Old sir, why do your fine servants keep running back and forth like that?" The old man said, "I told them to bring the meal to serve you gentlemen." Bajie said, "How many people to serve us?" The old man said, "Eight people." Bajie said, "These eight people to serve which one of us?" The old man said, "To serve you four." Bajie said, "That fair-faced master needs only one person; the hairy-faced one with the thunder-god mouth needs only two; that dark, gloomy-faced one needs eight — as for me, I'll need twenty people serving me to be enough." The old man said, "In that case, I suppose your stomach's capacity is rather larger." Bajie said, "Well, it'll just about do." The old man said, "There are people, there are people." And, scraping together all sorts, big and small, he called out some thirty or forty servants.

那和尚與老者一問一答的講話，眾人方才不怕。As the monk and the old man went on questioning and answering each other, the crowd at last stopped being afraid.卻將上面排了一張桌，請唐僧上坐；Then they set a table at the head of the room and invited Tripitaka to sit in the place of honor;兩邊擺了三張桌，請他三位坐；on either side they set three tables and invited the three disciples to sit;前面一張桌，坐了二位老者。and in front they set one table, where the two old men sat.先排上素果品菜蔬，然後是麵飯、米飯、閑食、粉湯，排得齊齊整整。First they laid out vegetarian fruits and dishes, and then noodles, rice, snacks, and thin soup, all arranged neat and orderly.唐長老舉起箸來，先念一卷《啟齋經》。The elder Tripitaka raised his chopsticks, and first recited a passage of the "Sutra for Beginning the Meal."那獃子一則有些急吞，二來有些餓了，那裡等唐僧經完，拿過紅漆木碗來，把一碗白米飯撲的丟下口去，就了了。The idiot, partly out of impatience and partly because he was hungry, did not wait for Tripitaka to finish the sutra — he took up a red-lacquered wooden bowl, and with a splash dumped a whole bowl of white rice into his mouth, and it was gone just like that.傍邊小的道：「這位老爺忒沒算計，不籠饅頭，怎的把飯籠了，卻不污了衣服？」八戒笑道：「不曾籠，吃了。」小的道：「你不曾舉口，怎麼就吃了？」八戒道：「兒子們便說謊，分明吃了；A young servant standing by said, "This old lord is quite careless — instead of holding it in his cheeks like a steamed bun, he's gone and stuffed the rice in like that — won't it soil his robes?" Bajie laughed and said, "I didn't stuff it, I ate it." The young servant said, "You never even opened your mouth to chew — how could you have eaten it?" Bajie said, "You young fellows are quick to call it a lie — I plainly ate it;不信，再吃與你看。」那小的們又端了碗，盛一碗遞與八戒。if you don't believe me, I'll eat another one for you to see." The young servants then brought another bowl, filled it, and handed it to Bajie.獃子幌一幌，又丟下口去就了了。The idiot gave it a shake, and again it went down his mouth and vanished just like that.眾僮僕見了道：「爺爺呀！The servants, seeing this, said, "Goodness, my lord!你是磨磚砌的喉嚨，著實又光又溜。」那唐僧一卷經還未完，他已五六碗過手了。Your throat must be built of polished brick, it's so smooth and slick." And by the time Tripitaka had not even finished reciting his one sutra, Bajie had already gone through five or six bowls.然後卻才同舉箸，一齊吃齋。Only after that did they all take up their chopsticks together and eat the meal at the same time.獃子不論米飯麵飯、果品閑食，只情一撈，亂噇，口裡還嚷：「添飯，添飯。」漸漸不見來了。The idiot, without distinguishing rice from noodles, fruit from snacks, simply scooped it all in and gobbled it down, all the while shouting, "More rice, more rice!" Gradually, less and less kept coming.行者叫道：「賢弟，少吃些罷，也強似在山凹裡忍餓，將就夠得半飽也好了。」八戒道：「嘴臉。Wukong called out, "Worthy brother, eat a bit less — it's already far better than starving in some mountain hollow; just about half full will do well enough." Bajie said, "Look at that face.常言道：『齋僧不飽，不如活埋』哩。」行者教：「收了家火，莫睬他。」二老者躬身道：「不瞞老爺說，白日裡倒也不怕，似這大肚子長老，也齋得起百十眾。As the saying goes, 'To feed a monk and not fill him is worse than burying him alive.'" Wukong said, "Clear away the utensils, pay him no mind." The two old men bowed and said, "To be honest with you, my lord, in the daytime it wouldn't be a problem at all — even a big-bellied elder like this could be fed enough for a hundred or more.只是晚了，收了殘齋，只蒸得一石麵飯、五斗米飯與幾桌素食，要請幾個親鄰與眾僧們散福。It's just that it's late, and we had only what was left over from the rite — steamed about a picul of noodles and rice and five dou of plain rice, along with a few tables of vegetarian dishes, meaning to invite a few relatives and neighbors and the monks to share the blessing-feast.不期你列位來，諕得眾僧跑了，連親鄰也不曾敢請，盡數都供奉了列位。We never expected you gentlemen to arrive, and the fright of it sent all the monks running off, so that we did not even dare invite the relatives and neighbors, and everything has all been offered up to you gentlemen instead.如不飽，再教蒸去。」八戒道：「再蒸去，再蒸去。」If it's not enough, we'll have more steamed." Bajie said, "Steam more, then, steam more."

話畢，收了家火桌席。When this was said, they cleared away the utensils and tables.三藏拱身，謝了齋供，才問：「老施主高姓？」老者道：「姓陳。」三藏合掌道：「這是我貧僧華宗了。」老者道：「老爺也姓陳？」三藏道：「是，俗家也姓陳。Tripitaka, bowing with folded hands, gave thanks for the meal, and then asked, "Venerable benefactor, may I ask your honored surname?" The old man said, "My surname is Chen." Tripitaka pressed his palms together and said, "Then this poor monk shares your clan name." The old man said, "My lord, is your surname also Chen?" Tripitaka said, "Yes, in my secular family I too was surnamed Chen.請問適才做的甚麼齋事？」八戒笑道：「師父問他怎的，豈不知道？"May I ask what sort of vegetarian rite you were just performing?" Bajie laughed and said, "Master, why ask him about it — don't you already know?必然是青苗齋、平安齋、了場齋罷了。」老者道：「不是，不是。」三藏又問：「端的為何？」老者道：「是一場預修亡齋。」八戒笑得打跌道：「公公忒沒眼力。It must be nothing more than a Green Sprouts Rite, a Peace Rite, or a Closing Rite." The old man said, "No, no." Sanzang asked again, "Then what exactly is it?" The old man said, "It is a Rite Performed in Advance for the Dead." Bajie laughed so hard he nearly fell over and said, "Old sir, you're truly lacking in judgment.我們是扯謊架橋哄人的大王，你怎麼把這謊話哄我？We are the very kings of spinning lies and building bridges of deceit to fool people — how dare you try to fool me with such a lie?和尚家豈不知齋事？How could a monk not know about vegetarian rites?只有個預修寄庫齋、預修填還齋，那裡有個『預修亡齋』的？There's only the Rite of Depositing Treasure in Advance and the Rite of Repaying Debts in Advance — where is there any such thing as a 'Rite Performed in Advance for the Dead'?你家人又不曾有死的，做甚亡齋？」Nobody in your family has died, so why perform a rite for the dead?"

行者聞言，暗喜道：「這獃子乖了些也。──老公公，你是錯說了。Hearing this, Xingzhe secretly rejoiced, thinking, "This idiot has gotten a bit sharper." Then he said, "Old sir, you have spoken wrongly.怎麼叫做『預修亡齋』？」那二位欠身道：「你等取經，怎麼不走正路，卻蹡到我這裡來？」行者道：「走的是正路，只見一股水擋住，不能得渡，因聞鼓鈸之聲，特來造府借宿。」老者道：「你們到水邊，可曾見些甚麼？」行者道：「止見一面石碑，上書『通天河』三字，下書『徑過八百里，亙古少人行』十字，再無別物。」老者道：「再往上岸走走，好的離那碑記只有里許，有一座靈感大王廟，你不曾見？」行者道：「未見。How can there be such a thing as a 'Rite Performed in Advance for the Dead'?" The two old men rose slightly and said, "You are on your way to fetch the scriptures — how is it you did not take the proper road, but instead stumbled your way here to us?" Xingzhe said, "We were on the proper road; it's just that a stretch of water blocked our way and we could not cross, and hearing the sound of drums and cymbals, we came especially to your estate to ask for lodging." The old man said, "When you reached the water's edge, did you see anything?" Xingzhe said, "We saw only a stone tablet, on which was written the three characters 'Tongtian River,' and beneath that ten characters reading, 'Eight hundred li straight across — from ancient times few have traveled it,' and nothing else." The old man said, "If you had walked a bit further along the bank, no more than a li or so from that tablet, you would have found a temple to the Great King Miraculous Response — did you not see it?" Xingzhe said, "We did not.請公公說說，何為靈感？」那兩個老者一齊垂淚道：「老爺啊，那大王：Please tell us, sir, what does 'Miraculous Response' mean?" The two old men both wept and said, "Oh sir, that Great King:

行者道：「施甘雨，落慶雲，也是好意思，你卻這等傷情煩惱，何也？」那老者跌腳搥胸，哏了一聲道：「老爺啊，Xingzhe said, "Bestowing sweet rain and sending down auspicious clouds is a fine intention — why then are you so grieved and troubled by it?" The old man stamped his feet and beat his chest, and with a groan said, "Oh sir,

行者道：「要吃童男女麼？」老者道：「正是。」行者道：「想必輪到你家了？」老者道：「今年正到舍下。Xingzhe said, "Does he demand to eat a boy and a girl?" The old man said, "Just so." Xingzhe said, "I suppose it must be your family's turn now?" The old man said, "This year it falls exactly on my household.我們這裡有百家人家居住。There are a hundred households living here in this place.此處屬車遲國元會縣所管，喚做陳家莊。This place belongs under the jurisdiction of Yuanhui County in the Cheli Kingdom, and is called Chenjiazhuang.這大王一年一次祭賽，要一個童男、一個童女、豬羊牲醴供獻他。This Great King must be honored with a sacrifice once a year, requiring a boy and a girl, together with pigs, sheep, and sacrificial wine, to be offered up to him.他一頓吃了，保我們風調雨順；Once he has eaten his fill, he guarantees us favorable winds and timely rains;若不祭賽，就來降禍生災。」行者道：「你府上幾位令郎？」老者搥胸道：「可憐，可憐！if we fail to make the sacrifice, he brings down calamity and disaster upon us." Xingzhe said, "How many sons do you have in your household?" The old man beat his chest and said, "Pitiful, pitiful!說甚麼令郎，羞殺我等。Don't even speak of sons — it shames us to death.這個是我舍弟，名喚陳清。This is my younger brother, named Chen Qing.老拙叫做陳澄。This unworthy old man is called Chen Cheng.我今年六十三歲，他今年五十八歲，兒女上都艱難。I am sixty-three this year, and he is fifty-eight, and both of us have had great difficulty with children.我五十歲上還沒兒子，親友們勸我納了一妾，沒奈何，尋下一房，生得一女，今年才交八歲，取名喚做一秤金。」八戒道：「好貴名。At fifty I still had no son, so my relatives and friends urged me to take a concubine. Having no other choice, I found one, and she bore me a daughter, who has just turned eight this year; her name is Yichengjin." Bajie said, "What a fine name.怎麼叫做一秤金？」老者道：「我只兒女艱難，修橋補路，建寺立塔，佈施齋僧，有一本帳目，那裡使三兩，那裡使五兩。Why is she called Yichengjin?" The old man said, "Because I had such difficulty getting children, I built bridges and repaired roads, erected temples and towers, and gave alms to feed monks, keeping an account book of it all — so much spent here, so much spent there.到生女之年，卻好用過有三十斤黃金。By the year my daughter was born, it happened that I had spent exactly thirty catties of gold on such deeds.三十斤為一秤，所以喚做一秤金。」行者道：「那個的兒子麼？」老者道：「舍弟有個兒子，也是偏出，今年七歲了，取名喚做陳關保。」行者問：「何取此名？」老者道：「家下供養關聖爺爺，因在關爺之位下求得這個兒子，故名關保。Thirty catties makes one 'cheng' (a unit of weight), so she was named Yichengjin ('One Cheng of Gold')." Xingzhe said, "And is that boy his son?" The old man said, "My younger brother has a son, also born of a concubine, who is seven this year, named Chen Guanbao." Xingzhe asked, "Why was he given that name?" The old man said, "Our household worships Lord Guan the Sage, and because this son was obtained through prayer before Lord Guan's altar, he was named Guanbao ('Protected by Guan').我兄弟二人，年歲百二，止得這兩個人種，不期輪次到我家祭賽，所以不敢不獻。Between the two of us brothers, our combined age is one hundred and twenty, and these two children are all the offspring we have — yet unexpectedly the turn for the sacrifice has fallen on our household, so we dare not refuse to offer them up.故此父子之情，難割難捨，先與孩兒做個超生道場。And so, unable to bear parting with them out of the love between father and son, we are first holding a rite for the children's release and rebirth.故曰『預修亡齋』者，此也。」That is why it is called a 'Rite Performed in Advance for the Dead' — this is the reason."

三藏聞言，止不住腮邊淚下道：「這正是古人云：『黃梅不落青梅落，老天偏害沒兒人。』」行者笑道：「等我再問他。Hearing this, Sanzang could not hold back the tears streaming down his cheeks, and said, "This is truly as the ancients said: 'The ripe yellow plums do not fall, but the green plums do; Heaven above delights in harming those without sons.'" Xingzhe laughed and said, "Let me question him further.老公公，你府上有多大家當？」二老道：「頗有些兒：水田有四五十頃，旱田有六七十頃，草場有八九十處；Old sir, how great is your family's fortune?" The two old men said, "We have a fair amount: forty or fifty qing of paddy field, sixty or seventy qing of dry field, and eighty or ninety plots of pasture land;水黃牛有二三百頭，驢馬有三二十匹，豬羊雞鵝無數。two or three hundred head of water buffalo, twenty or thirty donkeys and horses, and countless pigs, sheep, chickens, and geese.舍下也有吃不著的陳糧，穿不了的衣服。Our household has more old grain stored than we could ever eat, and more clothing than we could ever wear.家財產業，也盡得數。」行者道：「你這等家業，也虧你省將起來的。」老者道：「怎見我省？」行者道：「既有這家私，怎麼捨得親生兒女祭賽？As for family wealth and property, it too is beyond counting." Xingzhe said, "With an estate as great as this, it must be thanks to your thrift that you built it up." The old man said, "How do you see that I am thrifty?" Xingzhe said, "If you already have such a fortune, how can you bear to give up your own flesh-and-blood children for the sacrifice?拚了五十兩銀子，可買一個童男；For fifty taels of silver you could buy a boy;拚了一百兩銀子，可買一個童女。for a hundred taels of silver you could buy a girl.連絞纏不過二百兩之數，可就留下自己兒女後代，卻不是好？」二老滴淚道：「老爺，你不知道。Including all expenses, it would come to no more than two hundred taels in total, and you could keep your own children and descendants — wouldn't that be better?" The two old men, tears falling, said, "Sir, you do not understand.那大王甚是靈感，常來我們人家行走。」行者道：「他來行走，你們看見他是甚麼嘴臉？That Great King is extremely responsive to prayer, and often comes walking about among our households." Xingzhe said, "When he comes walking about, what does his face look like when you see him?有幾多長短？」二老道：「不見其形，只聞得一陣香風，就知是大王爺爺來了，即忙滿斗焚香，老少望風下拜。And how tall or short is he?" The two old men said, "We never see his form; we only smell a gust of fragrant wind, and know at once that the Great King has come. We hurry to burn incense by the bushel, and young and old alike bow down toward the wind.他把我們這人家匙大碗小之事，他都知道；He knows every detail of our households, down to the size of our spoons and bowls;老幼生時年月，他都記得。he remembers the birth years and months of everyone, young and old.只要親生兒女，他方受用。He will only accept and enjoy children who are of one's own flesh and blood.不要說二三百兩沒處買，就是幾千萬兩，也沒處買這般一模一樣同年同月的兒女。」Never mind that two or three hundred taels could not buy such a thing — even several tens of millions of taels could not buy children exactly like one's own, born in the same year and month."

行者道：「原來這等。Xingzhe said, "So that is how it is.也罷，也罷，你且抱你令郎出來，我看看。」那陳清急入裡面，將關保兒抱出廳上，放在燈前。Very well, very well — go and bring your son out here, and let me have a look at him." Chen Qing hurried inside, carried little Guanbao out to the hall, and set him down before the lamp.小孩兒那知死活，籠著兩袖果子，跳跳舞舞的吃著耍子。The little child, knowing nothing of life or death, had both sleeves full of fruit, and jumped and danced about, eating and playing happily.行者見了，默默念聲咒語，搖身一變，變作那關保兒一般模樣。When Xingzhe saw this, he silently recited a spell, shook himself, and transformed into the exact likeness of Guanbao.兩個孩兒攙著手，在燈前跳舞。The two children joined hands and danced together before the lamp.諕得那老者慌忙跪著。This so startled the old man that he hastily fell to his knees.唐僧道：「老爺，不當人子，不當人子。」這老者道：「這位老爺才然說話，怎麼就變作我兒一般模樣，叫他一聲，齊應齊走？Tang Seng said, "Sir, this is not befitting, this is not befitting." The old man said, "This gentleman was just now speaking with us — how did he suddenly turn into the very likeness of my son? When I call out, they both answer and both move together!卻折了我們年壽，請現本相，請現本相。」行者把臉抹了一把，現了本相。This will shorten our years of life — please, resume your true form, please resume your true form." Xingzhe wiped a hand across his face and returned to his true form.那老者跪在面前道：「老爺原來有這樣本事。」行者笑道：「可像你兒子麼？」老者道：「像像像，果然一般嘴臉，一般聲音，一般衣服，一般長短。」行者道：「你還沒細看哩。The old man knelt before him and said, "So you truly have such powers, sir." Xingzhe laughed and said, "Did I resemble your son?" The old man said, "Yes, yes, yes — truly the same face, the same voice, the same clothes, the same height." Xingzhe said, "You have not looked closely enough yet.取秤來稱稱，可與他一般輕重？」老者道：「是是是，是一般重。」行者道：「似這等可祭賽得過麼？」老者道：「忒好，忒好，祭得過了。」Fetch a scale and weigh me — see whether I match his weight exactly." The old man said, "Yes, yes, yes, exactly the same weight." Xingzhe said, "If it's like this, will it do for the sacrifice?" The old man said, "Excellent, excellent, it will certainly do."

行者道：「我今替這個孩兒性命，留下你家香煙後代，我去祭賽那大王去也。」那陳清跪地磕頭道：「老爺果若慈悲替得，我送白銀一千兩，與唐老爺做盤纏往西天去。」行者道：「就不謝謝老孫？」老者道：「你已替祭，沒了你也。」行者道：「怎的得沒了？」老者道：「那大王吃了。」行者道：「他敢吃我？」老者道：「不吃你，好道嫌腥。」行者笑道：「任從天命。Xingzhe said, "I will now take this child's place, so that your family's incense and lineage may continue, and I will go to be offered up to that Great King." Chen Qing knelt on the ground, kowtowed, and said, "Sir, if in your mercy you will truly take his place, I will give a thousand taels of white silver as travel expenses for Elder Tang's journey to the Western Heaven." Xingzhe said, "And won't you thank old Sun as well?" The old man said, "Once you have taken his place at the sacrifice, you will be gone from us." Xingzhe said, "How would I be gone?" The old man said, "The Great King will eat you." Xingzhe said, "He'd dare eat me?" The old man said, "If he doesn't eat you, it will likely be because he finds you too rank-smelling." Xingzhe laughed and said, "Let it be as Heaven wills.吃了我，是我的命短；If he eats me, then my life was fated to be short;不吃，是我的造化。if he doesn't eat me, then it is my good fortune.我與你祭賽去。」I will go to the sacrifice for you."

那陳清只管磕頭相謝，又允送銀五百兩。Chen Qing did nothing but kowtow in thanks over and over, and further promised to give five hundred taels of silver.惟陳澄也不磕頭，也不說謝，只是倚著那屏門痛哭。Only Chen Cheng neither kowtowed nor spoke any thanks, but merely leaned against the screen door, weeping bitterly.行者知之，上前扯住道：「老大，你這不允我，不謝我，想是捨不得你女兒麼？」陳澄才跪下道：「是，捨不得。Xingzhe understood why, stepped forward, took hold of him, and said, "Old fellow, you neither agree nor thank me — I suppose you cannot bear to part with your daughter?" Only then did Chen Cheng kneel down and say, "Yes, I cannot bear it.敢蒙老爺盛情，救替了我侄子也夠了。I am already deeply grateful for your generous kindness in saving and replacing my nephew — that alone is enough.但只是老拙無兒，止此一女，就是我死之後，他也哭得痛切，怎麼捨得？」行者道：「你快去蒸上五斗米的飯，整治些好素菜，與我那長嘴師父吃。But this unworthy old man has no son, only this one daughter — even after I die, she alone would grieve for me most bitterly — how could I bear to give her up?" Xingzhe said, "Go quickly and steam up five bushels of rice, and prepare some good vegetarian dishes for my long-mouthed disciple here to eat.教他變作你的女兒，我兄弟同去祭賽。I will have him transform into your daughter, and my brother and I will go to the sacrifice together.索性行個陰騭，救你兩個兒女性命，如何？」Let us simply perform this act of hidden virtue and save the lives of both your children — how would that be?"

那八戒聽得此言，心中大驚道：「哥哥，你要弄精神，不管我死活，就要攀扯我。」行者道：「賢弟，常言道：『雞兒不吃無工之食。』你我進門，感承盛齋，你還嚷吃不飽哩，怎麼就不與人家救些患難？」八戒道：「哥啊，變化的事情，我卻不會哩。」行者道：「你也有三十六般變化，怎麼不會？」三藏叫：「悟能，你師兄說得最是，處得甚當。Hearing this, Bajie was greatly alarmed and said, "Brother, you want to show off your own powers, and without caring whether I live or die, you're dragging me into it!" Xingzhe said, "Worthy brother, as the saying goes, 'Even a chicken does not eat food it has not earned.' When we came in, we received a lavish vegetarian feast, and you were still complaining you hadn't eaten enough — how can you now refuse to help these people out of their trouble?" Bajie said, "Brother, ah, but transformation is something I'm no good at." Xingzhe said, "You too have thirty-six transformations — how can you not be able to do it?" Sanzang called out, "Wukong, your elder brother speaks quite rightly, and has handled this very properly.常言：『救人一命，勝造七級浮屠。』一則感謝厚情；As the saying goes, 'Saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda.' First, it repays their generous hospitality;二來當積陰德；second, it is a way of accumulating hidden merit;況涼夜無事，你兄弟耍耍去來。」八戒道：「你看師父說的話，我只會變山，變樹，變石頭，變癩象，變水牛，變大胖漢還可；and besides, it's a cool evening with nothing else to do — go and have some fun with it, brother." Bajie said, "Just listen to what Master says! I can only manage to turn into a mountain, a tree, a rock, a mangy elephant, a water buffalo, or a big fat man — that much I can do;若變小女兒，有幾分難哩。」but turning into a little girl is quite a bit harder."

行者道：「老大莫信他，抱出你令愛來看。」那陳澄急入裡邊，抱將一秤金孩兒，到了廳上。Xingzhe said, "Old fellow, don't believe him — go bring out your daughter for us to see." Chen Cheng hurried inside and carried out the child Yichengjin to the hall.一家子妻妾大小，不分老幼內外，都出來磕頭禮拜，只請救孩兒性命。The whole family, wives and concubines, young and old, inner household and outer alike, all came out to kowtow and bow in worship, begging only that the children's lives be saved.那女兒頭上戴一個八寶垂珠的花翠箍；The girl wore on her head a flowered kingfisher-feather circlet set with eight treasures and hanging pearls;身上穿一件紅閃黃的紵絲襖，上套著一件官綠緞子棋盤領的披風；on her body she wore a ramie-silk jacket shimmering red and yellow, over which was a cape of official-green satin with a checkerboard collar;腰間繫一條大紅花絹裙；around her waist was tied a bright red flowered silk skirt;腳下踏一雙蝦蟆頭淺紅紵絲鞋；on her feet were a pair of toad-toed light-red ramie-silk shoes;腿上穿兩隻綃金膝褲兒。and on her legs she wore a pair of gold-threaded gauze knee-leggings.也拿著果子吃哩。She too was holding fruit and eating it.行者道：「八戒，這就是女孩兒。Xingzhe said, "Bajie, this is the girl.你快變的像他，我們祭賽去。」八戒道：「哥呀，似這般小巧俊秀，怎變？」行者叫：「快些，莫討打。」八戒慌了道：「哥哥不要打，等我變了看。」Quickly transform to look like her, and let's go to the sacrifice." Bajie said, "Brother, ah, someone so small and dainty and pretty — how can I transform into that?" Xingzhe shouted, "Hurry up, or you'll get a beating." Bajie panicked and said, "Brother, don't hit me — let me try transforming and see."

這獃子念動咒語，把頭搖了幾搖，叫：「變！」真個變過頭來，就也像女孩兒面目，只是肚子胖大，郎伉不像。The idiot recited a spell, shook his head several times, and shouted, "Change!" Sure enough, his head changed and truly came to resemble the girl's face — but his belly remained fat and huge, so his frame did not match at all.行者笑道：「再變變。」八戒道：「憑你打了罷，變不過來，奈何？」行者道：「莫成是丫頭的頭，和尚的身子？Xingzhe laughed and said, "Change some more." Bajie said, "Just beat me if you like — I can't change it any further, what can be done?" Xingzhe said, "You mean to say it will be a girl's head on a monk's body?弄的這等不男不女，卻怎生是好？Making yourself neither man nor woman like this — how will that ever do?你可佈起罡來。」他就吹他一口仙氣，果然即時把身子變過，與那孩兒一般。You must gather your dipper-power." Then Xingzhe blew a breath of immortal energy onto him, and sure enough his body at once transformed to match the child's exactly.便教：「二位老者，帶你寶眷與令郎、令愛進去，不要錯了。Xingzhe then said, "You two elders, take your family members along with your son and daughter back inside — don't make any mistakes.一會家，我兄弟躲懶討乖，走進去，轉難識認。In a little while, my brother and I here, being lazy and eager to slip away unnoticed, will go inside, and it will be harder to tell us apart.你將好果子與他吃，不可教他哭叫，恐大王一時知覺，走了風汛。Give the real children good fruit to eat, and don't let them cry out, for fear the Great King might somehow sense it and the secret leak out.等我兩人耍子去也。」Let the two of us go off and have our fun."

好大聖，吩咐沙僧保護唐僧：「我變作陳關保，八戒變作一秤金。」二人俱停當了，卻問：「怎麼供獻？Splendid Great Sage — he instructed Sha Seng to guard and protect Tang Seng, saying, "I will transform into Chen Guanbao, and Bajie will transform into Yichengjin." Once both of them were properly transformed, they asked, "How exactly are we to be presented as the offering?還是綑了去，是綁了去？Are we to be trussed up and carried, or tied up and carried?蒸熟了去，是剁碎了去？」八戒道：「哥哥，莫要弄我，我沒這個手段。」老者道：「不敢，不敢。Are we to be steamed through first, or chopped up first?" Bajie said, "Brother, don't tease me — I have no skill for that sort of thing." The old man said, "We would not dare do such a thing, we would not dare.只是用兩個紅漆丹盤，請二位坐在盤內，放在桌上，著兩個後生擡一張桌子，把你們擡上廟去。」行者道：「好好好，拿盤子出來，我們試試。」那老者即取出兩個丹盤，行者與八戒坐上。We simply use two red-lacquered vermilion trays; we ask the two of you to sit within the trays, which are then placed upon a table, and two young men carry the table between them, bearing you up to the temple." Xingzhe said, "Good, good, good — bring out the trays, and let's give it a try." The old man at once fetched out the two vermilion trays, and Xingzhe and Bajie sat upon them.四個後生擡起兩張桌子，往天井裡走走兒，又擡回放在堂上。Four young men lifted the two tables and carried them out for a short walk around the courtyard, then carried them back and set them down in the hall.行者歡喜道：「八戒，像這般子走走耍耍，我們也是上臺盤的和尚了。」八戒道：「若是擡了去，還擡回來，兩頭擡到天明，我也不怕。Xingzhe said happily, "Bajie, going for a stroll like this is quite fun — we've become monks worthy of being carried on a platter!" Bajie said, "If they carry us there and then carry us back again, carrying us back and forth until dawn, I wouldn't mind at all.只是擡到廟裡，就要吃哩，這個卻不是耍子！」行者道：「你只看著我，剗著吃我時，你就走了罷。」八戒道：「知他怎麼吃哩？It's only that once we're carried to the temple, we'll actually be eaten — that's no game at all!" Xingzhe said, "Just keep watching me — the moment he starts eating me, you run for it." Bajie said, "How would I know the order in which he eats us?如先吃童男，我便好跑；If he eats the boy first, then I can run away safely;如先吃童女，我卻如何？」老者道：「常年祭賽時，我這裡有膽大的鑽在廟後，或在供桌底下，看見他先吃童男，後吃童女。」八戒道：「造化，造化。」but if he eats the girl first, what am I to do?" The old man said, "In past years at the sacrifice, we've had some bold souls here who hid behind the temple, or under the offering table, and saw that he always eats the boy first, and the girl afterward." Bajie said, "What luck, what luck."

兄弟正然談論，只聽得外面鑼鼓喧天，燈火照耀，同莊眾人打開前門，叫：「擡出童男童女來。」這老者哭哭啼啼，那四個後生將他二人擡將出去。Just as the two brothers were talking things over, they suddenly heard gongs and drums clamoring outside, lanterns and torches blazing with light, as the whole village threw open the front gate and called out, "Bring out the boy and girl!" The old men wept and wailed, and the four young men carried the two of them out.

端的不知性命何如，且聽下回分解。Just what would become of their lives is not yet known; listen to the explanation given in the next chapter.

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What it’s about

At the broad Heaven-Reaching River the pilgrims lodge in the Chen family village and find a household in mourning. Each year the Great King of Numinous Power demands a boy and a girl as sacrifices before he will send favorable weather, and this year the chosen children are Chen Cheng's son and his brother's daughter. Tripitaka grieves for them, while Wukong and Bajie offer to take their places and confront the supposed river god at his ritual feast.

The two disciples transform into the children and sit on the sacrificial tables. Wukong answers the demon's questions carefully, but Bajie grows impatient and swings his rake when the monster reaches for him. A battle erupts beside the river; the Great King escapes into the water and shuts his gates against them. The real children are saved, yet Tripitaka cannot cross the enormous current, so defeating the creature becomes inseparable from continuing the westward road.

When it was written 背景

This chapter opens the Heaven-Reaching River arc with one of the journey's clearest encounters between local religion and organized terror. The Chen families accept an annual loss because the monster controls the weather on which their farms depend, making the disciples' intervention both rescue and challenge to an established social order. Learners should keep the two children and their disguised substitutes distinct, and notice the mixture of compassion and comedy in Bajie's performance. The river is not merely scenery: its size first traps the community in sacrifice and will soon trap Tripitaka beneath the ice.

Words in this chapter 生词

僧sēng僧sēng — (bound form) Buddhist monk (abbr. for 僧伽 (sēng qié))
齋zhāi齋zhāi — to fast or abstain from meat, wine etc · vegetarian diet · study room · building · to give alms (to a monk)
諕háo諕háo — to intimidate
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)
鈸bó鈸bó — cymbals
擡táiHSK 5擡tái — variant of 抬 (tái) (HSK 5)
僮tóng僮tóng — servant boy
秤chēngHSK 7-9秤chēng — to weigh (variant of 稱 (chēng)) (HSK 7-9)
忒tè忒tè — to err · to change
妖yāo妖yāo — goblin · witch · devil · bewitching · enchanting · monster · phantom · demon
裡lǐHSK 1裡lǐ — lining · interior · inside · internal · also written 裏 (lǐ) (HSK 1)
獃dāiHSK 5獃dāi — foolish; stupid (variant of 呆 (dāi)) · expressionless; blank (variant of 呆 (dāi)) (HSK 5)