Praying for Rain in Fengxian County (II)

Meanwhile, the Water Virtue Star Lord recounted his suffering and begged Wukong for help.

After hearing this, Wukong thought to himself, "No wonder the old man said it would rain in a few days." After thinking for a moment, he did not immediately agree to the Water Virtue Star Lord. Instead, he said that he would take Tang Sanzang to the Courier Station in the city first and then make a decision for him.

Because Wukong had experienced many hardships and gained extensive knowledge along the way, he was thorough in his considerations and would not easily agree to promises without knowing the whole story.

Knowing Wukong's violent temper, the Water Virtue Star Lord dared not urge him further. He simply instructed the water ghost to take a few fresh peaches from the river and offer them to the four of them to eat on their journey.

Wukong glanced at the peach and couldn't help but laugh:

"Water Virtue Star Lord, you're so carefree! Along this journey, wild grasses wither and struggle to grow, Willow grow weak and lifeless, yet you still have fresh peaches to eat?"

Water Virtue Star Lord smiled wryly:

"Great Sage, you may not know this, but these are not fresh peaches from this year. They were offerings from last year by those ignorant commoners. I used my divine power to preserve them, and today I offer them to you Great Sage disciples."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang quickly bowed and thanked him, saying he dared not accept the gift. He declined several times, but could not refuse any longer, so he had no choice but to accept the peach.

Afterwards, the four of them bid farewell to the Water Virtue Star Lord and headed into the city.

Upon reaching the city gate, one sees three large characters on the gate: "Fengshan County," and many people are entering and exiting the city gate.

Tang Sanzang looked around and said, "Could it be that we've taken the wrong path?"

So he stopped an Old Man, bowed, and asked:

"May I ask, Old Man, when I came here I heard this was Fengxian County, but now it is Fengshan County. Have I taken the wrong road?"

The Old Man said, "Monk, you haven't gone to the wrong place. This is Fengxian County, which was later renamed Fengshan County."

Tang Sanzang asked, "Then why was the name changed?"

The Old Man said, "It's because we've offended Heaven, and it won't rain here. That's why we changed the name of our prefecture, hoping to deceive Heaven and Earth and beg for Sweet Rain!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang was startled and dared not utter a word.

How dare the people here be so audacious as to openly deceive Heaven and Earth?

Wukong said, "Master, I'm afraid this matter involves quite a lot!"

Bajie said, "If you ask me, let's go into the city and stay for the night, then leave as soon as possible tomorrow morning to avoid trouble!"

Tang Sanzang said, "Let's go into the city and take a look."

The four then went into the city.

Upon entering the city gate and arriving at the market, I saw no vendors selling vegetables or meat, no sellers of cloth or needles and thread, no fortune tellers, no repairmen, no vendors of wine, candied fruit, baked fruit, or cakes.

There was only one type of goods sold: wooden ladles, basins, Wooden Buckets, earthenware jars, and pottery jars. People were packed together, and there were many buyers and sellers.

Tang Sanzang thought to himself that these must have been bought to fetch water.

The four travelers walked through the streets to the Courier Station, where they identified themselves and presented their Passbook. The Courier Station Official, after reading them, dared not delay and immediately reported to the County Governor.

Before long, the old County Governor arrived and ordered a vegetarian feast to be prepared to entertain Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

Tang Sanzang clasped his hands in greeting and said:

"This humble monk and his disciple will stay for one night and depart tomorrow morning. We dare not trouble County Marquis Excellency to prepare a lavish feast."

The old County Governor said, "Elder, it might be inconvenient for you to leave the city tomorrow morning. If you're not in a hurry, please stay a few more days."

Tang Sanzang asked, "Why is that?"

The old County Governor said, "Tomorrow is a festival in our Fengxian County. At that time, all the people of the county will gather in the west of the city early in the morning to offer the Incense and Candles and candles they have prepared. If the elder wishes to Journey Westward, I'm afraid it will be inconvenient for him to travel there."

Tang Sanzang asked, "Will it be possible to travel there the Postcelestial?"

The old County Governor said, "No, not either."

Tang Sanzang asked, "Why is it still not possible?"

The old County Governor said, "The Postcelestial is also a festival, and it will rain heavily then. Every household will have to take out earthenware jars and pottery vats to collect water. The rain will continue for seven or eight days, making it inconvenient to travel."

Tang Sanzang said, "Then we can set off after the rain stops, right?"

The old County Governor said, "It's still not possible."

Tang Sanzang asked, "Why is that?"

The old County Governor said, "After the rain stops, there will be a festival, during which all the people of the prefecture will kneel and pray to the west, so it is inconvenient for them to go out."

Wukong couldn't help but ask, "Elsewhere, even if festivals are close together, they're at least once every ten days Half a Month. How come so many festivals here coincide?"

Bajie laughed, "Isn't it great to have a festival? It's festive, and we get to Buddhist vegetarian meal!"

Upon hearing this, the old County Governor sighed, "Elders, you are unaware of the reasons why we have so many festivals here!"

Wukong asked, "What's the reason behind this?"

The old County Governor said, "Tomorrow morning's festival is called ' Escape Hardship Festival,' followed by ' Rainfall Festival,' and then ' Day of Suffering '!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong pondered for a moment and asked, "What is the meaning of these festivals?"

The old County Governor said, "Our place was originally called Fengxian County. For some reason, we angered Heaven, and for three years there was no rain. There was a severe drought year after year, and the land was barren year after year. The wells were dry, and the springs were dry. The people of the county could not survive! Fortunately, at this time, a Dharma Master came from the east and taught us to change the name of the county, thus deceiving Heaven and sending down sweet rain, which saved all living beings!"

Tang Sanzang asked, "You have deceived Heaven and Earth and Heaven and Earth; aren't you afraid of their punishment?"

The old County Governor said, "Who wouldn't be afraid? But if we don't deceive Heaven and Earth, it won't rain, and all the people in the prefecture will lose their lives. What other choice do we have?"

Wukong asked, "And then?"

The old County Governor said, "Later, as expected, he incurred the wrath of Heaven and Earth and Earth. A celestial being descended and suppressed the Dharma Master at the foot of the mountain west of the city. To thank the Dharma Master, the people of the prefecture knelt and prayed to the west, pleading with Heaven for mercy. They renamed the mountain Sweet Rain Mountain and designated this day of the year as the Day of Suffering, in commemoration of the Dharma Master's Merit."

Tang Sanzang sighed, "Amitabha Buddha!"

Wukong asked, "Then how did the other two festivals originate?"

The old County Governor said, "After the Dharma Master was suppressed under Sweet Rain Mountain, the prefecture still saw no Rain Water, the crops could not grow, and the people had no choice but to plead with the Dharma Master again. So, at this time every year, the Dharma Master escaped from the mountain and used his magic to bring rain. This is the origin of the other two festivals."

After listening, Wukong finally understood the cause and effect of the matter.

Wukong said, "So, tomorrow is the day the Dharma Master will be freed?"

The old County Governor replied, "That's right."

Wukong said to Tang Sanzang, "Master, since that's the case, why don't we stay in the city for a few days and see what that Dharma Master is really like?"

Tang Sanzang nodded.

The old County Governor said, "In that case, please have the elders rest at the Courier Station. I will send someone to bring supplies later. I will take my leave now."

Bajie laughed and said, "You're such a shameless official. When other officials are in office, they always refer to themselves as 'this humble official,' never as 'this superior official.'"

The old County Governor smiled and said, "Elder, you misunderstand. My surname is Shangguan."

Tang Sanzang laughed and said, "So it's the surname of County Marquis."

Wukong said, "Shangguan! Old Sun remember now, I've seen you before!"

Bajie said, "This Monkey is always boasting. When have you ever seen him?"

Wukong laughed and said, "I've seen him, so what? Why are you talking big? Old Sun, even know he's afraid of his wife!"

Tang Sanzang scolded, "Wukong, how dare you be so rude!"

The old County Governor exclaimed in surprise, "Elder, you truly possess magical powers! This matter is beyond the knowledge of outsiders, yet you foresaw it! I am indeed somewhat afraid of my wife! Afraid of my wife!"