Inside the great hall.
The rain still fell thick and fast.
No one in the hall dared move.
Xuanzang stood before them all.
Outside, wind and rain darkened the sky.
He slowly began:
"Long ago, the Yuezhi Kingdom had a king named Chandana Kanishka."
"He was a wise and mighty king who governed his kingdom well."
"At his side were three men he trusted above all others. He cherished them, treated them generously, and kept them close wherever he went."
"The first was Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha, who was deeply versed in the Buddhist Dharma and could transform people's hearts."
"The second was the minister Mojara, who was full of resourceful strategies and skilled at governing the kingdom."
"The third was the great physician Charaka, whose medical skills were superb and who could cure a hundred ailments."
The Ruler of Chechi Kingdom raised his head slightly, his face ashen.
Xuanzang continued:
"Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha told the king: Your Majesty, if you heed my words, practice goodness, and accumulate virtue, you will surely encounter auspicious blessings in your next life and be forever free of calamity."
"The minister Mojara said: Your Majesty, if you employ my strategies, you will surely bring order to the kingdom, winning hearts near and far."
"The great physician Charaka said: Your Majesty, if you trust my art and nurture your body and mind, you will naturally suffer fewer illnesses and calamities, and live out your allotted years in peace."
"The king of Yuezhi did not devote himself solely to spiritual cultivation because the Buddhist Dharma was profound."
"Nor did he slight the Buddhist Dharma because governing the kingdom was most urgent."
"Still less did he neglect affairs of state because his own life mattered most."
"He made use of all three and earnestly accepted their guidance."
"When his body