Tang Dynasty: Starting at Xuanwu Gate, this prince is better off not being one.

Li Yu was very troubled by the transportation problems in ancient times.

The two monks simply refused to believe that Li Yu, an eleven-year-old boy, could have crossed the Tibetan Plateau to reach India, the birthplace of Buddhism.

"When did I ever say I'd been to India? Couldn't I have just heard it from someone else?" He shook his head helplessly.

It's easy to make up lies, but to deceive them by saying that you've been there, and that you only remember this one Buddhist scripture.

"Your Highness, please stop joking. Although India is the birthplace of Buddhism, its Buddhist community has long been in decline due to years of war. How can it possibly produce Mahayana Buddhism?" Master Daoyue clasped his hands together, not believing a word of Li Yu's words.

"This shows your shallow understanding, Master!" Li Yu said, "Although that place has suffered greatly from war, it is still the birthplace of Buddhism, and there are still many temples there that pass on Buddhist teachings."

"Moreover, you may not know this, but North India has now been unified by a guy who calls himself King Harsha, who has established the Harsha Dynasty and integrated their Indian religion and Buddhism."

"So there must be plenty of Mahayana Buddhism there, haven't you ever thought about going there to explore it?"

After saying those persuasive words, Li Yu began to secretly observe the two of them.

"Amitabha Buddha, this old monk does have a heart that yearns for Mahayana Buddhism, but now I am over fifty years old. If this sutra is taken away, I fear I will die far from home, unable to bring the Dharma back to China. I truly have the will, but lack the strength..."

Master Daoyue's old face was full of regret for not being able to witness the Dharma, and he would occasionally steal glances at Xuanzang next to him.

"They're all shrewd people!" Li Yu thought to himself, realizing that anyone with even a little bit of knowledge would automatically turn into a cunning old fox once they reached a certain age.

Dao Yue, that old scoundrel, was of no use to Li Yu, so Li Yu turned his gaze to Xuanzang, who seemed about to speak several times but then stopped.

Receiving Li Yu's probing gaze, Xuanzang mustered his courage and asked, "Benefactor, may I ask, if I arrive in India and find that what you have said does not match, what will you do then?"

"What should I do?" Li Yu smiled. "I'm just saying it, and you're just listening. I'm a prince, and even if I'm wrong, you can't do anything to me. As for whether you go or not, what does that have to do with me?"

Xuanzang was speechless upon hearing these words, his mouth agape for a long time but he couldn't utter another word.

"Alas!" Seeing Xuanzang like this, Li Yu sighed and said, "You have all heard of my master Sun Simiao's great name, and you also know the old Taoist's character."

"To be honest, although I am his disciple, I am not a member of the Taoist sect, and I have no grudges against you. I have no reason to lie to you."

"It's a matter of belief; if you believe, it exists; if you don't believe, it doesn't. Whether you go or not is up to you."

After saying this, Li Yu made a move to leave, but was stopped by Xuanzang as he turned around.

"Please wait, benefactor!"

Li Yu turned around and saw Xuanzang eagerly saying, "Since Your Highness knows this place, could you please provide this humble monk with some information so that I can obtain the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures as soon as possible?"

Seeing Xuanzang's expression, Li Yu pretended to sigh: "Alas! Never mind, I have always admired people like you who are so stubborn."

"In that case, I can give you a map and provide you with money, but there are two conditions you must agree to."

"Amitabha! Your Highness, please speak freely." Xuanzang clasped his hands together and bowed.

"I want you to travel along the route through the Western Regions, record what you see and hear along the way, and then hand it to me."

"Secondly, I need you to bring back to me the complete technologies there, such as sugar boiling, metallurgy, shipbuilding, and medicine."

After saying that, he stared into Xuanzang's eyes and asked, "How about it? As long as you can do these things, I guarantee that your Buddhist sect will not only always possess Mahayana Buddhist scriptures in the future, but will also be qualified to rival the Taoist sect. As for your wealth and honor, they will naturally be within your grasp."

"Is Your Highness truly speaking of this?" Xuanzang's eyes were filled with hope. "Wealth and honor are not of concern to me, but can my Buddhist community truly flourish as you say?"

Li Yu laughed upon hearing this: "You can ask around. Anyone in Chang'an who knows me knows that I am not only a grandson of the emperor, but also a merchant who prioritizes profit."

"I'll provide the money, you provide the labor; I'll benefit, and you'll benefit too. Besides, you're a poor monk, why would I lie to you?"

After saying this, Li Yu turned around again, saying as he walked away, "That's all I have to say. I'll give you one month to consider. If you still intend to go after a month, come find me, and I will give you what I promised, and grant you a legitimate identity to travel the world. If you don't want to go, then there's no need to come looking for me again. I have absolutely no interest in your Buddhist sect..."

.........

Li Yu's figure gradually faded into the distance until it disappeared behind the temple gate, at which point the two of them let out a long sigh.

"Why are you so worried, Uncle-Master? Did Li Yu say something to you?"

After searching for Daoyue for a long time, Madam Yang finally found the place with Cui'er's help. As soon as she entered, she saw two high monks with furrowed brows sighing.

Master Daoyue had no intention of hiding anything from Yang, the girl he had watched grow up, so he told her what Li Yu had said.

"Xi'er doesn't think Li Yu's words are unbelievable," Madam Yang said with a smile. "Firstly, Li Yu is the son of the King of Zhao, who is a man of his word, so his son's reputation shouldn't be too bad either. Secondly, this child is indeed different from ordinary people. He has a very good grasp of people's thoughts, unlike a child of his early years. He would never do something like playing tricks on others."

After saying that, she couldn't help but recall how Li Yu had comforted her, speaking earnestly like a little adult!

I don't know where he got so many tricks up his sleeve, managing to trick Li Yuanji so badly...

Thinking of these things, she couldn't help but chuckle, feeling incredibly pleased. However, this scene, witnessed by Master Daoyue, left him speechless with astonishment.

It was simply because Yang was a child he had watched grow up. From the moment she was born until she became the Princess Consort of Qi, he had been by her side for the past twenty-five years.

Since marrying into the Qi Prince's mansion, she has never had such a smile on her face again.

Although he didn't know what Li Yu and she had talked about, he could tell from Xi'er's change in reaction that Li Yu, the Prince of Songshan, was definitely not simple.

Thinking of this, he looked at Xuanzang and said, "Nephew Xuanzang, this is a critical moment for the survival of Buddhism, you..."

"Uncle-Master, you don't need to say anything more!"

Xuanzang gazed intently towards India, his resolve hardening. "This journey to the west concerns the rise and fall of Buddhism," he declared. "Even if my nephew perishes on the way, he will go!"

.........