Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 291 Xuanzang: There is Buddha in India (Part )
West of Chang'an City, outside the Jinguang Gate, Xuanzang, dressed in a gray monk's robe and with a calm expression, bowed to Fang Xuanling, who had just read out the imperial edict, and said, "I accept your command. Thank you for your help, Duke."

Fang Xuanling nodded calmly and looked around.

In addition to the countless Jinwu Guards, there were monks from all the temples in Chang'an City, and even some from Luoyang and Jiannan.

In the Chang'an city behind him, the streets were almost empty, the scale was astonishing.

Almost everyone came to welcome Xuanzang back to the capital.

Fang Xuanling could immediately feel Li Chengqian's fear. In this situation, not to mention Li Chengqian, even the emperor himself would be equally fearful.

"Your Majesty has issued an edict, ordering the master to first compile Journey to the West in Hongfu Temple. I estimate that it is about time for Your Majesty to return to Chang'an." Fang Xuanling turned around and looked at Xuanzang, and the dozens of monks behind him who were transporting scriptures for him. All of these people had solemn expressions on their faces.

"Your Majesty is on this eastern expedition to Goguryeo." Xuanzang clasped his hands together and bowed, then carefully considered his words and said, "It is inevitable that soldiers will die in battle. I am willing to pray for your Majesty and the soldiers in Chang'an."

"That's very good." Fang Xuanling looked at Xuanzang in surprise. Sure enough, this was not a pedantic monk.

"Master, please come in. The prince is still waiting in the Wude Hall." Fang Xuanling nodded and waved to the side. A tall white horse was led over, along with a cassock with a red background and gold thread.

Xuanzang turned around and bowed, saying, "My Lord, I'd better walk to Chang'an. As for this cassock, I'm covered in dust and dirt, so I'll wear it later."

"If the master can't do it, I'm afraid I can't keep up." Fang Xuanling's eyes fell on the cassock, and then he said, "The master has returned from his journey to the west, and it is a time when everyone is paying attention. Besides, wearing a cassock is a Buddhist etiquette."

Xuanzang continued to bow calmly and said, "Then please change the horse. The white horse is too conspicuous."

Fang Xuanling looked at Xuanzang deeply, then nodded and said, "Okay!"

Fang Xuanling waved his hand, the white horse was replaced by a black horse, and the cassock was also taken back inside.

Afterwards, Fang Xuanling and Xuanzang mounted their horses at the same time and headed towards Chang'an together.

The two walked side by side and entered Chang'an City together.

Suddenly, all the noisy sounds in Chang'an City flooded into Xuanzang's ears.

The densely packed and shoulder-to-shoulder population of Chang'an, which stretched as far as the eye could see, filled Xuanzang's sight.

At this moment, Xuanzang's face darkened slightly.

Almost all the people in Chang'an City have come.

Xuanzang wanted to turn around and look at his fellow travelers, but he held himself back.

He knew that his fellow Taoists were only trying to show him and the Taoists the influence of Buddhism in Chang'an City, but they did not know that by doing so, they were causing the supreme ruler of the entire Chang'an City to become extremely vigilant.

Do something bad with good intentions.

Xuanzang put his palms together and bowed slightly under countless gazes.

Xuanzang ignored the hustle and bustle on the long street. There was only one person in his mind, Li Chengqian.

Prince Li Chengqian.

Xuanzang did not have a deep impression of Li Chengqian. When he left Chang'an, Li Chengqian was only ten years old and the two had no contact at all.

But Emperor Taizong and Xuanzang knew something about it.

Xuanwu Gate Incident, the heyday of the Tang Dynasty.

Of course, Falin and Gaochang are also indispensable...

The emperor went on an expedition to the east and the crown prince became regent.

When Xuanzang and his party arrived, the Tang Dynasty was far more prosperous than before. Although the emperor was no longer around, everything in the world was in good order, which showed that the prince was also a man of considerable ability.

It's not easy!

Xuanzang sighed softly in his heart, then looked up calmly with a firm and calm expression.

The Suzaku Gate is not far ahead.

……

Outside the Wude Hall, there are strict guards.

Xuanzang followed Fang Xuanling and Dou Zhijie into the Wude Hall, and immediately saw Li Chengqian sitting on the main couch in a light yellow python robe.

His expression was dignified and he looked extremely noble, and there was even an awe-inspiring aura emanating from Li Chengqian.

"I am Xuanzang, a poor monk, and I am honored to meet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Xuanzang, dressed in a gray robe, bowed deeply to Li Chengqian with his hands clasped together.

"Stand up." Li Chengqian raised his hand slightly.

At this moment, only Li Chengqian, Dou Zhijie, Fang Xuanling, Gao Shilian, Yang Shidao and Ma Zhou were in the hall.

Ma Zhou sat at a table to one side, quickly writing down every word of the conversation between Li Chengqian and Xuanzang. "Thank you, Your Highness." Xuanzang then stood up slightly.

Li Chengqian looked Xuanzang up and down. This great Buddhist master was not pale and weak as described by later generations. Instead, he had a dark complexion and a strong body. It was obvious that even ordinary soldiers in the army were no match for this master.

Yes, after seventeen years of traveling sixty thousand miles and going through countless hardships and dangers, the one who managed to survive was definitely not an ordinary person.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "I heard that when Master was in Shazhou, he had three disciples by his side. Why is it that today, outside Chang'an City, it seems that there are only two left?"

Xuanzang was somewhat surprised by Li Chengqian's question, but he still bowed and said, "Your Highness, my eldest disciple Shi Pantuo is from Gaochang. Because Gaochang was destroyed, he was unwilling to enter Yumen Pass. So after sending me to Yumen Pass, he returned to Gaochang."

"Gaochang!" Li Chengqian nodded slowly. If Huaguo Mountain was in Gaochang, then Shi Pantuo must have come to the Tang Dynasty to study Taoism. Was it Zhongnan Mountain or Kunlun Mountain?
Li Chengqian looked up and said with emotion, "It was only later that I learned that the Master and the King of Gaochang, Qu Wentai, were brothers of different surnames. What a pity."

The origin of Xuanzang as the royal brother is not a fabrication. He is indeed the royal brother of Gaochang King Qu Wentai.

"The king prepared the necessary supplies for me and also sent people to escort me to India. I cannot repay your kindness enough." Xuanzang bowed slightly.

Qu Wentai of Gaochang did help Xuanzang greatly in his journey to the West, but unfortunately, when he returned from obtaining the scriptures, Gaochang silenced him, and Ju Wentai had already died of illness.

Fortunately, Ju Wentai died of illness.

Li Chengqian looked at Xuanzang and asked, "Master, you've returned all the way from Gaochang. What's the situation in the Western Regions like now? Are there any rumors of national restoration?"

Xuanzang raised his eyebrows in surprise, then he lowered his head and clasped his hands together and said, "No!"

"That's good. Now tell me about Shi Pantuo. What kind of person is he and how could he escort the mage safely all the way west?" Li Chengqian was very interested in Shi Pantuo.

"Shi Pantuo was not actually sent to me by the King of Gaochang. He is actually a merchant from Gaochang. However, because he has been doing business for many years, he is very familiar with everything in the Western Regions. In addition, he has good skills and is almost as strong as steel and stone. That's why the trip was so smooth." Xuanzang bowed slightly.

"I see." Li Chengqian nodded slightly, then changed the subject and said, "Tell me about Master's journey. After leaving Gaochang, you went to other countries. I'm very interested."

Li Chengqian was interested, Li Shimin was interested, and all the civil and military officials of the Tang Dynasty were interested.

"Gaochang, Western Turkestan, Yanqi, Kucha, Baluka, Suyecheng, Shiguo, Pamirs, Tokharistan, and Northern Tianzhu." Xuanzang counted carefully, then said, "Tianzhu is currently experiencing internal unrest, divided into dozens of states. Add to that the Anguo, Heguo, Miguo, Shiguo, Dong'anguo, Xi'anguo, Ningyuanguo, Caoguo, Huoxunguo, Unaheguo, and Muguo, which I later visited, and there are over a hundred states within and outside of China."

Li Chengqian nodded, then looked at Xuanzang and asked calmly, "Master, have you seen the Buddha in India?"

There was silence in the Wude Hall for a moment.

Xuanzang bowed and said, "I see."

Li Chengqian immediately looked up and asked in surprise, "Did you see it?"

"After I came to India, I entered Nalanda Monastery and became a disciple of Master Jiexian, the abbot of Nalanda Monastery. At that time, the master was over a hundred years old and had long stopped accepting disciples. But after I came to India, the master took me in as a disciple because of my sincerity and taught me all the Buddhist teachings of Nalanda Monastery. At the same time, he allowed me to travel to all the countries in India without any obstacles, and he personally saw me off when I returned to Tang Dynasty." Xuanzang clasped his hands together slightly.

"Master Jiexian is still alive now?" Li Chengqian immediately grasped the key point in Xuanzang's words. His words did surprise Li Chengqian.

"Yes!" Xuanzang clasped his hands together and said, "So, in my eyes, Master Jiexian is like the Buddha."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly, his expression calming down. He said, "Master, you said that India has now been divided into dozens of states?"

"Yes!" Xuanzang clasped his hands together, but couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

"Your Majesty has issued a decree, inviting you to reside at Hongfu Temple and temporarily write your Journey to the West. As for your future arrangements, I'll need your Majesty to make a decision upon your return to the capital." Li Chengqian stood up and said, "The Tang Dynasty is currently engaged in military operations against Goguryeo, and Your Majesty is personally leading the expedition. Chang'an, and indeed the entire empire, needs peace. Please forgive me if I have been negligent."

"I dare not!" Xuanzang quickly bowed.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "I'll take the master out and take him for a walk!"

"Here!"

……

Walking in the palace, Li Chengqian remained silent until he reached the gate of Changle. He then stopped and said, "Master!"

"Your Highness!" Xuanzang clasped his hands together.

Li Chengqian looked at the entire palace and said softly, "The entire Tang Dynasty, countless people, all want is peace and stability. Some things have happened and are over, but I don't want them to happen again."

"I'll keep this in mind." Xuanzang clasped his hands together and bowed.

"I won't see you off, Master. Goodbye, Master." Li Chengqian nodded calmly.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Xuanzang clasped his hands together again, then turned and headed out of Changle Gate. Xiao Yu was already waiting with a carriage.

Li Chengqian watched Xuanzang completely disappear from his sight, then asked calmly, "How's the situation at Hongfu Temple?"

Zhang Xuan, the General of the Left Thousand Oxen Guard, stepped forward and saluted, saying, "Everything has been arranged."

"Protect this master and the scriptures he brought back. He will be extremely useful to the Tang Dynasty." Li Chengqian said softly, "Nowadays, the Zen sect of Buddhism is the only dominant force. It's time for some new voices."

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)