Chapter nine
Chen Guangrui, going to his post, meets disaster.
Monk River Float, avenging his parents, repays his roots.
chénguāngruǐfùrènféngzāi陈光蕊赴任逢灾jiāngliúsēngfùchóubàoběn江流僧复仇报本
How to read this chart:
Chang'an Court Session
Chang'anEmperor Taizong discusses establishing civil examinations with Prime Minister Wei Zheng to select talented scholars for government service. The court issues a summons for imperial exams across the empire.
Exam Preparation
HaizhouChen Guangrui informs his mother (Lady Zhang) of his plan to take the imperial exams. Lady Zhang encourages him but urges caution on his journey.
Exam in Chang'an
Chang'anChen Guangrui successfully passes the imperial exams. He wins first place as Zhuangyuan. The emperor personally awards him a title. He is honored with a procession.
Marriage via Embroidered Ball
Chang'anDuring the Zhuangyuan procession, Chen Guangrui is struck by an embroidered ball thrown from Yin Kaishan’s tower. Yin Kaishan arranges his marriage to Lady Yin (Wenjiao) in a formal ceremony.
Appointment as Governor of Jiangzhou
Chang'anThe emperor appoints Chen Guangrui as governor of Jiangzhou. He informs his new wife and mother-in-law before departing for his post.
Return Home & Golden Carp Incident
Inn of Ten Thousand FlowersWhile traveling to Jiangzhou, Chen Guangrui buys a live golden carp, which is actually the Dragon King in disguise. He releases it back into the Hong River as an act of kindness, unknowingly saving the Dragon King who will later repay him.
Mother's Illness at the Inn of Ten Thousand Flowers
Inn of Ten Thousand FlowersLady Zhang falls ill while traveling with Chen Guangrui and Lady Yin. They decide to rest at the inn, run by Liu Xiaoer, to allow her to recover.
Golden Carp Incident at the Inn
Inn of Ten Thousand FlowersChen Guangrui buys a live golden carp (the Dragon King in disguise) from a fisherman. He releases it into the Hong River as an act of kindness, unknowingly saving the Dragon King who will later repay him.
Mother's Temporary Stay at the Inn
Inn of Ten Thousand FlowersLady Zhang is still unwell, so the couple rents a house for her care and leaves her money before continuing their journey to Jiangzhou.
Journey to Jiangzhou and Boatmen Ambush
Hong RiverAt the Hong River, boatmen Liu Hong and Li Biao murder Chen Guangrui and the houseboy. They kidnap his wife, Lady Yin, and impersonate him to reach Jiangzhou while holding her hostage.
Discovery of Bodies in Hong River and Dragon King's Intervention
Dragon Palace of Hong RiverA yaksha discovers Chen Guangrui's body at the Hong River mouth and alerts the Dragon King. The Dragon King recognizes Chen as his benefactor, preserves his body with a pearl, and keeps his soul for future revival and vengeance.
Lady Yin's Suffering, Vision, and Child Abandonment
JiangzhouLady Yin gives birth to a son while imprisoned by Liu Hong, after a vision from the Star Spirit of the South Pole who foretells the child's destiny. Fearing Liu Hong's cruelty, she writes a blood letter, bites off the infant's toe as a mark, and abandons him on a river-bound plank.
Rescue of Abandoned Child
Temple of Gold MountainAbbot Monk Faming rescues a baby on a river plank, names him 'River Float', and raises him at Gold Mountain Temple. At 18, the boy becomes a monk named Xuanzang after receiving Buddhist commandments.
Revelation of Parentage
Temple of Gold MountainAfter being taunted about unknown parentage, Xuanzang learns the truth from his abbot's hidden box containing a blood letter and his mother's garment. He vows to seek justice for his parents.
Sanzang's Quest to Jiangzhou
Temple of Gold MountainArmed with the blood letter and garment, Xuanzang resolves to find his mother in Jiangzhou. His abbot instructs him to present evidence at the governor's mansion.
Reunion with Mother
JiangzhouXuanzang, a mendicant monk, meets Lady Yin at the governor's mansion. After recognizing her as his mother through a blood-letter and the missing toe, they reunite emotionally after 18 years.
Pretense of Illness
JiangzhouLady Yin pretends to be ill to visit the Temple of Gold Mountain. This prompts Liu Hong to order 100 pairs of monk shoes. Xuanzang and Lady Yin confirm their relationship again at the temple.
Departure for Hongzhou
Temple of Gold MountainLady Yin gives Xuanzang a plan to seek her father and avenge his father. Xuanzang departs the temple, carrying her letter for assistance.
Reunion and Healing of Grandmother Zhang
HongzhouXuanzang tracks down his blind grandmother, Lady Zhang, at a dilapidated potter's kiln. He miraculously restores her sight by licking her eyes. He provides her with shelter and money, taking her to safety at Liu Xiaoer's inn.
Appealing to the Chief Minister
Chang'anXuanzang visits Yin Kaishan, presenting a letter that reveals his identity as the grandson. Yin Kaishan learns about Chen Guangrui's murder. He plans to seek justice.
Military Justice in Jiangzhou
JiangzhouYin Kaishan leads troops to capture Liu Hong and Li Biao. After executions and rituals, they perform libations at the riverbank for Chen Guangrui.
Revival of Chen Guangrui
Hong RiverThe Dragon King revives Chen Guangrui's body and returns his soul, reuniting the family in an emotional reconciliation.
Soul Return and Bandit Libation
JiangzhouLady Yin recounts the events. She describes their arrest of the bandits. The bandits' liver and heart are offered as libations to her late husband's soul. Chen Guangrui explains how releasing a golden carp (the Dragon King) saved him and returned his soul.
Military Celebration
JiangzhouAfter arresting the bandits, officials celebrate with a banquet. Yin Kaishan orders troops to march home. They stop at the Inn of Ten Thousand Flowers for camp.
Grandmother's Reunion
Inn of Ten Thousand FlowersAt the inn, Chen Guangrui and Xuanzang seek Lady Zhang. She had dreamed of a withered tree blooming, believing her grandson was coming. They reunite emotionally.
Family Reunion at the Inn
Inn of Ten Thousand FlowersAfter reconciling with Lady Zhang and Lady Yin, they pay the innkeeper and travel to the capital.
Imperial Court Promotion
Chang'anThe emperor approves Chen Guangrui's promotion to Subchancellor. Xuanzang is sent to the Temple of Infinite Blessing for austerities.
Lady Yin's Passing
HaizhouAfter the family's reunion and Chen Guangrui's promotion, Lady Yin calmly commits suicide.
Sanzang Returns to Gold Mountain Temple
Temple of Gold MountainXuanzang returns to the Gold Mountain Temple to repay the kindness of Abbot Faming.