
Journey to the West - An Audio Drama Series· Folge 23
Journey to the West - Chapter 11 Part 1
Donnerstag, 1. Februar 2024 · 25 min
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Tang Tai Zong abruptly ended his trip in the Underworld and returned alive to his palace, which no one prepared for...
*Lin was recovering from acute bronchitis at the time of recording so in case you feel she sounded a little different, that would be the reason.
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Thank you, Journey to the West and audio drama series. Chapter 11, Part One We returned to Taizong, who was following the steps of Judge Tsui and Marshall Jew after escaping from his enemies and creditors. After walking for a long time, they reached what is called the Six Fold Paths of Transmigration. There were beings who soared on clouds, dressed in colorful mist, ones with official appointments, who had a goldfish shaped tablet hanging on their waist, as well as monks, nuns, Taoist and secular people, walking beasts and flying birds and all sorts of ghosts and monsters. Every single one of them was running into the whales of transmigration like waves, each moving in different directions. The Tang Emperor asked what does
this mean? The judge answered. Your Majesty, given how wise and intelligent you are, do keep this in mind and inform the living. This is called the Sixfold Paths of Transmigration. Those who do good ascend to the path of immortals. Those who remain loyal are reborn to the path of nobility. Those who are filial reincarnate to the path of blessing.
Those who lived justly returned to the path of humans. Those who accumulated virtue advanced to the path of wealth, and those who commit sin fall to the path of ghosts. The Tongue Emperor nodded at his words and sighed. Ah, how truly good is goodness to do? Goodwill? Never bring illness in a good heart. Always abide on a good way.
Your doors will fling wide. Let no evil thoughts arise and all mischief you must despise. Don't say there is no retribution for God's have their disposition. The judge let the tongue emperor all the way to the path of nobility for rebirth. He bowed and told the emperor. Your Majesty. This is where you exit.
This humble judge shall make my way back. I will instruct Marshall Drew to escort you a little further. The Tongue Emperor thanked him, saying. I appreciate you bringing me such a long way, the judge reminded once you made it back to the world of the living. Your Majesty, do remember to hold that grand mass of land and water to deliver those aimless and wronged souls.
Never forget, Only when the underworld is free from noises of complaint can the world above enjoy the blessing of peace. Anything that was wrong could be made right. Teach the people of the world about doing good. That way I guarantee your bloodline will continue to flow and your empire will forever stand.
The town emperor nodded at everything he said before bidding farewell to Judge Thuy. Then, following Marshall Jew, he entered the door. Inside the door the Marshall found a brown horse fully equipped with ring and saddle. He urged the Tang Emperor to mount the horse before leading them away. The horse ran like an arrow, and before long they arrived at the Bank of the Way river outside Chang'an, and on the surface of the water were a pair of golden carp turning waves in the river. The Tongue Emperor was delighted to see this, so he reigned in the horse to keep on watching and willing to leave. The Marshall urged.
Your Majesty, we need to hurry up. We need to get inside the city while it is still early. The Tongue Emperor only lingered around and refused to go. The Marshall then pulled on his foot and shouted, if you won't go now. When, and with a loud splash, the emperor was pushed off the horse and into the Way river, effectively taking him out of the underworld and back to the world of the living. We now speak of the tongue officials who are still in mourning.
In the White Tiger Hall with the royal family, there were discussions on the release of an edict of mourning which would inform the nation of the sad news and announce the crowning of the air. Just then, Wei Jung said from the side. Do hold on my dear colleagues, let's not do this. Don't do this at all.
Should the lower governments be disturbed, I fear there will be havoc. Let us wait for one more day. Our emperor is sure to return to life from a distance, came XI Jinzong, who said Prime Minister Wei is absurdly wrong here. As the ancient saying goes, spilt water can't be retrieved, just as dead people can't return to life.
Why talk such nonsense now and mess with people's minds? What do you even hope to accomplish? Wei Jung answered. To tell you the truth, Mr. Hsu, this humble clerk has mastered the skills of the immortal nature since a young age. My predictions are the most accurate and I can guarantee His Majesty is not dead.
Just as they were talking, a voice could be heard from inside the coffin yelling non-stop. I'm drowning to death. Every official, civil or military was shaken with fright. The Empress and concubines too were scared out of their wits. Before long everyone had run out of the hall completely terrified. Who would dare come near the coffin? Now it was all thanks to the righteous Shimao Kong, the just Prime Minister Way, the courageous Chinchu Bao and the bold Yuchu Xindo who rushed to the coffin calling Your Majesty. Should you have any worry left unaddressed, please let us know. Do not halt the place and frighten your family, Wei Jung explained.
This is no haunting. It's His Majesty coming back to life. Bring the tolls here this instant they opened up the coffin and indeed found Tyson sitting inside, still repeating. I'm drowning to death. Who is here to save me and pull me out? And the rest came forward to lift him up saying wake up, Your Majesty, don't be afraid. We are all here to protect you.
The Tang Emperor finally opened his eyes and said what an old deal we went through. First we escaped the trouble of menacing underworld ghosts and now we are suffering from death in water, the minister said. Calm down, Your Majesty. There is nothing to fear. What disaster in the water is here? The tongue Emperor explained.
We were just riding a horse all the way to the Bank of the Way river and saw two fish splashing around. This Marshall Jew tricked us and pushed us off the horse. We fell into the river and nearly drowned to death. Weijung said. The ghostly aura has yet left you, Your Majesty. They immediately instructed the Imperial physicians to prepare a herbal soup with sedating effects as well as a porridge diet.
Only after taking them a couple of times did the Emperor return to himself and understand his surroundings. Since the Tang Emperor's death, 3 full days have passed before he returned to the throne alive. It was already late, so the ministers urged the Emperor to go to bed first before excusing themselves the next morning. They took off their morning apparel and put on colourful garments as they waited outside the gates for summoning. After being carried to his bedroom by his subjects and having taken several rounds of medicine and food, Taizo had a solid night's sleep to recover.
He slept till the sun was up and his spirits were heightened. Look at the way he's dressed, drawing the towering crown, wearing the robe of yellow ochre tied on his waist, the green jade belt from LAN Tien. He wore shoes symbolizing his undefeated road to the throne. Stunning, surpassing anyone in the court, all inspiring enough for the day's glory to be restored. What a great tongue Emperor of justice and virtue His Majesty named Lee, who died and rose again. The tongue emperor climbed up to the treasure hall of gold carriage, where the officials gathered after all the formalities, the ministers lined up according to their posts. Then came the imperial announcement. Should there be business come
forth and report, otherwise court will be dismissed. At that moment, civil officials from the East side and military officials from the West side all came forward and prostrated themselves before the pale jade steps, asking in unison. Your Majesty has been caught in a dream since the other morning.
Why did it take so long for you to wake up? Taizong then detailed his adventures starting from the moment Wei Jung handed him the letter all the way to when Marshall Drew pushed him into the river. The officials heard the story and were full of praise. They then compiled the events and informed all the local officials in the country so that they could submit their words of congratulation. We will speak no more on that.
Afterwards, Taizo released an imperial edict of amnesty to prisoners nationwide. A review of those jailed for serious charges was also done. At the time, judges from the Ministry of Justice delivered a list of over 400 criminals scheduled for hanging or beheading. Taizo released them home so they could say goodbye to their parents and siblings, as well as entrust their properties to relatives and descendants. They were to return on the same day, a year later, to receive the punishment they deserved.
The prisoners thanked the throne and left. On top of that, an announcement on the welfare of orphans was released. The Emperor also reviewed a list of about 3000 palace maids, both old and young, before releasing an edict to have them married to military personnel and all was good in and out of the palace. After Taizo freed the palace maids and gave leave to the prisoners on death row, he also released an Imperial proclamation to be posted throughout the land. In the proclamation were teachings on doing good and never bowing to evil thought.
From then on not one person in the country acted without good intentions. A notice to recruit the virtuous was also issued in order to find someone to bring fruits and melons to the underworld, and one treasure room worth of gold and silver were entrusted to Yishu Qingdur to bring to the Hunan city of Kaifeng, where they would be paid back to Xiang Liang. After the notice had gone up for several days, a virtuous man agreed to deliver the offerings.
He was originally from Jingzhou. His last name was Liu and given name Chuan. He came from a very wealthy family. It was only because his wife, Li Tsui Lian, pulled off a golden hairpin to give to monks as arms in front of their house that Liu Chen gave her a good scolding. He blamed her for betraying womanly manners by leaving her room without permission. Madame Lee was so upset she hung herself to death. This left their two young children, a boy and a girl, crying day and night.
Liu Chen couldn't stand watching this and so, without a better choice, he decided to end his own life as well. He thereby abandoned his properties and children and intended to deliver the melons by death. After he pulled off the imperial notice, he was brought to the tongue Emperor. The Emperor released an edict and sent him to the lodge of the Golden Pavilion, where he would put a pair of pumpkins on his head, put some yellow paper money for the dead in his sleeves, and swallow poison.
And so Liu Chen did die by poison as his soul, carrying the melons on his head, came to the Ghost Gate. The guard at the gate shouted. Who are you? How dare you come here? Lu Chen answered. I am an imperial envoy of Emperor type Song of Great Tang. I am here to present melons as offerings to the 10 kings of the underworld. The Ghost guard happily led him inside. Lu Chen then came straight to the Treasure Hall of Diversity and met King yen as he presented the melons. He said by the elders of the tongue Emperor I have brought melons from far away as a token of thanks to the 10 kings for your great mercy.
King Yan was delighted and said what a trustworthy and virtuous emperor Taizhong is. They accepted the melons and began asking the name and origin of the envoy. Liu Chen answered. The samble man is a resident of Jingzhou. My last name is Liu and my given name is Chen. Due to my wife Lee hanging herself to death, leaving a pair of children without care, I volunteered to leave my property and children behind in order to sacrifice my body for the country.
That's why I came specifically to offer the melons on behalf of my Emperor. Thank you, Your Majesties, for your hospitality. The 10 Kings heard his words and immediately ordered a search for Liu Chen's wife, Madame Lee. Ghost messengers quickly brought her to the Hall of Diversity, where husband and wife were able to reunite after a thorough discussion of what took place before, the couple thanked the 10 kings again. King Yanlua then checked the register of life and death and found out both of them were granted longevity comparable to immortals.
He quickly ordered the ghost messengers to send them back to the world above the Ghost Messenger, reported Li Tsui Lian has been dead for a while now and her body is no longer available. Where could a soul attach to King Yan? Said the royal younger sister Liu Ying is about to die an unprompted death today.
You may borrow her body and let Li Tsui Yan's soul return to life. The Ghost Messenger received the orders and took Luchen and his wife back to the living world. As they left the Underworld with a chill wind circling around, they soon arrived outside the mighty city of Chang'an. Liu Chen so was pushed into the lodge of the Golden Pavilion while Tsui Li and So was brought into the residential quarters of the palace. Princess Yu Yin was at that moment strolling on Green Leichen under the shade of flowers when the Ghost Messenger bumped right into her and pushed her onto the ground. The messenger then snatched her soul and pushed the soul of Tsui Lian into her body.
We will speak no more of how the ghost messenger reported back to the underworld, the palace mates. Having witnessed Yuyin. Fall to her death hurried to the Hall of Gold carriage to report to the Empress saying Her Royal Highness the Princess has dropped dead. The Empress was alarmed and reported to Taizo right away as I heard the news and nodded with a sigh.
This is indeed true. We asked the 10 kings of the underworld about the well-being of the family. They said all would be well, but they were afraid my royal younger sister would not live very long. They were proved right. The royal family gathered in grief as they all came to the shade under the flowers.
They found that the Princess was still breathing slightly. The town emperor instructed. Stop weeping, stop weeping, let's not alarm her. He then went up to lift her head with his hand, calling my royal sister. Wake up, wake up. The Princess suddenly turned over and yelled. Walk slowly, my dear, Wait for me, Tizon said. Sister, it's just us here.
The Princess looked up with open eyes, asking. Who are you? How dare you drag me here? Taizo answered. It's your royal brother and sister-in-law, the Princess said. Where did I ever get a royal brother and sister-in-law? I was born in a family named Lee. My baby name is Lee Tsui Lian. My husband's name is Liu Chuan.
We are both from Jingzhou. 3 months ago I pulled out a golden hairpin and gave it us arms for the monks. My husband blamed me for going out of doors without permission and betraying womanly manners. He scolded me and I became so enraged that I hung myself to death with a white silk sash. I left behind two children who cried day and night.
Now, because my husband acted as envoy of the Tang Emperor, he went to the underworld to offer melons. King yen took pity on us and sent us back. Here he was walking in front of me. I was behind and couldn't catch up with him before tripping over how rude you all are. You don't even know my name.
How dare you drag me here like this? Taizong heard her words and told the crowd Our sister must have become delirious after the fall. She isn't making any sense and so he ordered the Imperial Clinic to prepare herbal soup and had Yuyin brought into the palace. Later, when the Tang Emperor arrived at court, an aide suddenly entered to report. Your Majesty, the envoy of Melons, Lu Chen has returned to life and awaits your summoning outside the gate. The Emperor was shocked and quickly summoned Lu Chen inside. As Lu Chen prostrated under the Vermilion steps, Taizon asked how was the business of offering the melons. Lu Chen then gave a thorough account of his journey. The Emperor then asked.
What did you see in the underworld? Luchen answered. Your subject didn't move very far, so I didn't see much. I only heard King yen ask about my origin and name. I told him everything about me abandoning my family and volunteering for this task due to my wife hanging herself to death. He then ordered a ghost messenger to bring my wife along so we could reunite in the Hall of Diversity.
Meanwhile, he reviewed the register of life and death and said both of us were destined to enjoy longevity comparable to immortals. That's why the ghost messenger was ordered to send us back here. I was walking at the front and my wife was following behind. It's very fortunate that we can come back to life, only that I have no idea where my wife has gone.
The tongue Emperor asked in astonishment. What did King yen say about your wife? Yu Chen answered. King yen didn't say much. I only heard the ghost messenger say Li Tui yen has been dead for a while now and her body is no longer available then King yen said The royal younger sister of Tang, Li Yu Yin is about to die an unprompted death today. You may borrow her body and let Li Tui Yen's soul return to life.
I have no idea where this royal younger sister of Tang is or where she lives, so I haven't gone around to look for her yet. The Tang Emperor heard this and was filled with delight. He then told his many officials about the incident with Princess Yu Yin, concluding what she said exactly matches Yu Chen's words.
Weijung Deng reported the royal younger sister happened to live a short life. Since she spoke such words so soon after waking up. This must be Luchen's wife coming back to life using her body. Such things do happen. Let's invite the Princess out here and see what she has to say about it, the town emperor said.
We just ordered the Imperial clinic to prepare medication. We wonder how things are now. He then ordered the concubines inside to invite the Princess out. The Princess, meanwhile, was still blabbering. What medicine are you feeding me? This isn't even my home. My home is built with cool tiles, not like this House of joinders with its gaudy doors.
Let me out. Let me out. As she was shouting, several mates plus a couple of eunuchs lifted her all the way to the hall. The Tang Emperor asked do you still recognize your husband? Yu Yin answered. What do you mean? We've been married since young. I gave birth to and raised his son and daughter. How could I not recognize him?
The Tang Emperor then told the servants to take her away. The Princess then left the treasure hall and came straight to the J steps where she saw Liu Chen. She seized hold of him saying My husband, Where did you go? Why wouldn't you wait for me? I fell over and had these nonsensical people shouting around me.
What is happening? Liu Chen recognized his wife's style of speech but saw that it was not his wife's face, so he dared not acknowledge her, the Tang Emperor said. Truly men have seen mountains cracking or the gaping of us, but none has seen the living exchanged for the debt. What a virtuous ruler. He then took his royal sister's make up boxes, garments and jewelry and gifted them to Liu Chen as if they were dowry. An imperial edict was also issued to exempt him from any compulsory service in the future, as he was to take the royal sister home with him.
The couple thanked the throne before the steps and happily returned home. And so they left the emperor and came straight back to the city of Jingzhou where they found their own property and two children in good shape. They then spread the word on how they were rewarded for their virtues. We shall speak no more of that journey. To the West and Audio Drama Series is an independent production by The 5th Monkey.
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