abnabooks #2230 - Three princes apprentice
#2230 - Three princes apprentice
Unlike the king and his ministers, who were simply shocked and praising, the three princes' eyes also held greed and desire.
Although they were princes of Yuhua City and could usually do whatever they wanted in this city, Yuhua City was just a small country.
The three princes were not satisfied with this; they had even greater desires, even wanting to become immortals and Buddhas with magical powers, free from all worldly constraints.
"Brother, these three eminent monks are so capable that we can become their disciples."
"If we learn such supernatural powers, we can do whatever we want."
"At that time, we can even expand our territory, making even large countries like Tianzhu submit at the feet of our Yuhua City."
The three princes discussed, already dreaming beautiful dreams in their hearts.
After a discussion, the three princes immediately said to the king:
"Father, we want to become disciples of those three eminent monks."
"Yes, we want to learn magical powers as disciples."
"Please, Father, grant our wish! We have made up our minds!"
The King of Yuhua City did not refuse the words of the three princes because he was also not content with being the king of a small country.
'If my three princes all possess such supernatural powers, then my Yuhua City can expand its territory.'
Thinking of this, the king couldn't help but laugh and said to the three princes:
If the Holy Monk has any requests, please feel free to make them. As long as I can do it, I will never refuse."
Hearing the king say this, Tang Sanzang couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.
"Alas, this poor monk naturally knows that the three princes are eager to learn, but unfortunately, this monk and his disciples are going to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures and cannot stay in Yuhua City for long. The matter of becoming disciples is somewhat inappropriate."
Tang Sanzang was not really refusing; otherwise, he would not have allowed Sun Wukong and the others to display their abilities. In fact, he had already seen through the intentions of the three princes.
These three princes were arrogant, domineering, and oppressed the people. Tang Sanzang naturally knew that without supernatural powers, they were already three scourges to the people.
If they learned supernatural powers, wouldn't they directly turn the world upside down? The people of Yuhua City would have even less chance of living a good life.
Tang Sanzang would definitely not let Sun Wukong and the others teach the three pest princes any supernatural powers, and Sun Wukong and the others would definitely not teach them.
However, it wouldn't hurt to discuss conditions. The people of Yuhua City were living such miserable lives, without enough food and clothing. Getting some benefits from the king and the corrupt court would also be an act of justice on behalf of Heaven.
Hearing Tang Sanzang's refusal, the three princes panicked and looked at the king with pleading eyes, asking him to find a solution.
The king nodded to the three princes and then immediately began to persuade Tang Sanzang.
"Holy Monk, it is certainly important for you to go to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures, but there is no need to rush at this moment. My Yuhua City is a poor and weak country and is often oppressed by demons.
My three royal sons want to learn skills in order to protect the people of my Yuhua City. Since the Holy Monk firmly believes in Buddhism, you should do good deeds and accumulate merit."
Hearing the king say this, Tang Sanzang pretended to nod.
"What Your Majesty says makes sense. Very well, this poor monk can agree to this matter, but there are three conditions that Your Majesty must agree to."
"Holy Monk, just speak! Not to mention three, even three hundred, as long as I can do it, I can agree."
The king assured Tang Sanzang.
"Very well, firstly, this monk and his disciples travel thousands of miles to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures in order to save the common people and benefit the people. Therefore, if we stay in Yuhua City, we must accumulate merit and do good deeds every day. Congee, clothing, and medicine must be distributed within Yuhua City to make the people prosperous and healthy."
Tang Sanzang said to the king.
"I can agree to that!"
The king didn't even think about it and agreed directly, as this was not difficult for him.
"Secondly, during the time that this monk and his disciples are in Yuhua City, there must be no exploitation of the people or bullying of civilians. This goes against our principles of morality."
Tang Sanzang continued to propose the second condition.
"This matter can also be agreed to. If such a thing happens, it will be severely punished immediately."
The king thought for a moment and agreed, after all, how long could Tang Sanzang and the others stay in Yuhua City?
"Thirdly, the king must issue an edict to reduce the taxes of the people of Yuhua City."
Tang Sanzang then said.
"This... I can also agree to that."
The King of Yuhua City hesitated a little, but after thinking about it, he nodded and agreed.
After all, temporarily reducing taxes didn't matter. Compared to long-term benefits, the king still preferred the latter.
"Very well, Wukong, are you three willing to accept these three disciples?"
Tang Sanzang said to Sun Wukong and the others, while winking at them.
When Sun Wukong and the others saw Tang Sanzang like this, they naturally understood his meaning.
"We will leave it entirely up to the master to decide."
"It's good to take in a disciple for fun."
"We can take in a disciple!"
Sun Wukong and the others smiled at each other and nodded, all expressing their willingness.
Hearing that Sun Wukong and the others were willing to accept disciples, the three princes immediately got up, came over to kneel down, and showed great respect to Sun Wukong and the others.
"Who do you want to become disciples of?"
Sun Wukong asked the three princes.
"I am willing to become a disciple of Elder Sun."
The eldest prince immediately said.
"Then I will become a disciple of Elder Pig, wanting to learn Pig Bajie's supernatural power of being hundreds of feet tall."
The second prince chose Zhu Bajie, wanting to learn Zhu Bajie's supernatural power of being hundreds of feet tall.
"Then I will become a disciple of Elder Sha."
The third prince saw that Sha Seng's Zen staff skills were extraordinary and also expressed his wish.
The three princes each chose their masters from Sun Wukong and the others and began to perform the ceremony of becoming disciples, with much courteousness.
"Excellent! The Holy Monk's three disciples have taken my three royal sons as disciples. This is truly gratifying!"
Seeing that this matter had been settled, the king was so happy that he couldn't close his mouth.
However, Guanyin, who had been monitoring this place from a distance, seemed very puzzled at this time.
"How could this be?"
She had originally thought that a conflict would occur. Earlier, she was still worried that Tang Sanzang and his disciples had fiery tempers and might not be able to stand the king and princes at the banquet, leading to a big fight.
However, the thing she was worried about did not happen. Instead, this scene of becoming disciples appeared, which really exceeded her expectations.
"But even if that's the case, it doesn't matter. Everything is still under my control."
Guanyin said very confidently. She had already formulated another plan based on the current situation.
"As long as they can get through the tribulation, it doesn't matter what kind of tribulation it is. Isn't it up to me to decide?"
As Guanyin spoke, a somewhat sinister smile appeared in her smugness.
This time, there was no fixed plan for the journey to the Western Heaven, allowing Guanyin to respond accordingly. It could be said that she was doing it very cleverly, and Guanyin could let go and display her own conspiracies and tricks.