Now, Jisai Kingdom was suffering from floods, but its King was unwilling to invite anyone from a neighboring kingdom to control the waters.
Tang Sanzang pitied the people and earnestly tried to persuade the King of Jisai Kingdom.
Yet the King of Jisai Kingdom considered himself the ruler of a superior state and refused to lower himself to invite anyone from a barbarian kingdom.
Seeing this, Tang Sanzang thought of the displaced people and could only beg Buddha's forgiveness in his heart before greatly exaggerating the benefits of flood control to the King of Jisai Kingdom, speaking of such things as canal transport, trade, and filling the treasury.
In truth, Tang Sanzang himself understood these matters only halfway, but for the sake of controlling the floods, he chose to set aside his precepts and let his tongue run like a river.
The King of Jisai Kingdom was somewhat tempted by what he heard.
The kingdom was indeed impoverished and weak, its treasury empty, and as its King, he too wanted to fill the treasury.
Still, he could not set aside his pride and refused to seek help from a barbarian kingdom.
Seeing this, Tang Sanzang thought of the many disaster victims, gritted his teeth, and volunteered to take the matter upon himself, promising to travel abroad and ask to borrow someone skilled in flood control on the King of Jisai Kingdom's behalf.
The King of Jisai Kingdom was delighted.
Tang Sanzang was a man of the Great Tang. Even if his mission failed and he was humiliated by a barbarian kingdom, it would not be the King who lost face.
The King of Jisai Kingdom promptly arranged for numerous attendants and soldiers to protect Tang Sanzang, partly to ensure his safety and partly for fear that he might run away.