Prince Li You of the Great Tang Dynasty begs the noble families to their deaths!

Before entering the Tang Dynasty, Xuanzang wrote a sincere and remorseful letter of apology, entrusting the generals at the border to deliver it to Chang'an. He did this both to apologize to Emperor Li Shimin and to express his strong desire to return to his hometown.

The hometown of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang was Yanshi, near Luoyang in Henan Province, which is very close to Shaolin Temple on Mount Song.

Xuanzang spent most of his childhood at the Pure Land Temple in Luoyang.

Although Master Xuanzang was a monk, he also had the simple wish of returning to his roots.

Moreover, he now needs to seize the time to translate many Sanskrit scriptures for monks in the Central Plains to study and discuss, so as to promote Buddhism and correct its origins.

It was precisely because of the chaos, conflict, and contradictions within Buddhism in China that Xuanzang conceived the idea of ​​traveling abroad to seek Buddhist scriptures.

The best place to translate Buddhist scriptures would be the Pure Land Temple in Luoyang or the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song. In these two places, Xuanzang could reunite with his relatives and friends, though it is unknown whether his old friends from those years are still around.

Of course, everything that Master Xuanzang wanted to do had to be based on the understanding of the Tang emperor.

In a sense, after escaping the country, Xuanzang became a wanted criminal of the imperial court.

Fortunately, Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty was very accommodating. He ordered the border guards to open the city gates immediately and let Xuanzang in. He also treated the monk with the utmost courtesy and extended a warm invitation to him to come to Chang'an.

The emperor wanted to personally receive this eminent monk who had created a miracle on earth.

As for the monk Xuanzang personally, he did not like such elaborate ceremonies.

However, based on past experience dealing with many monarchs, this etiquette is necessary.

Whether it was the monarch himself or the people from all walks of life in the country, everyone loved this grand and magnificent ceremony.

Xuanzang understood that after he became famous, there were some things he could not do as he pleased, and he had to do them according to the "ideals" of the government and the people.

Only in this way would the Tang Dynasty government allow him to stay in a certain place and honestly translate Buddhist scriptures.

In the Tang Dynasty, the power of the government and the emperor was the strongest.

Unlike the countries of India, religion not only attracted the attention of the lower classes, but also received great attention from the upper classes.

However, Buddhism is not the only religion in India.

The sheer number and variety of its sects, and the complex and chaotic state of the people's thoughts, left even the well-informed Master Xuanzang in awe.

Xuanzang carefully considered the questions the emperor might ask and marked them on a piece of paper.

Then he summoned a young monk named Yuance.

Monk Yuance was originally a grandson of the King of Silla.

However, he disliked a luxurious life and devoted himself to Buddhism, so he became Xuanzang's disciple and followed Xuanzang around.

He took out a Buddhist scripture translated by the monk Xuanzang, and the master and disciple worked together to translate it until late at night.

……

Three days later, just as Li Qianku, the magistrate of Chang'an County, had predicted, the Indian scriptures that Xuanzang had obtained were displayed on Zhuque Street. There were a total of 657 copies, as well as a great many Buddha relics.

The streets of Chang'an were deserted as people flocked to Zhuque Avenue to catch a glimpse of the Buddhist scriptures and relics.

Of course, most of them were just there to join in the fun, with only a few being Buddhist enthusiasts and monks.

Regardless of whether they had ever studied Buddhism, the people of Chang'an were all moved by the story of Master Xuanzang's arduous journey to seek Buddhist teachings. In a very short time, he became one of the most renowned cultural figures in the Tang Dynasty.

While the people were visiting the Buddhist scriptures, Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, together with Crown Prince Li Tai, received the Buddhist monk Xuanzang in the palace.

The atmosphere of the meeting was very harmonious.

However, Li Shimin did not understand Buddhism, and the questions he asked about Buddhism were very basic.

Xuanzang patiently answered the emperor's questions.

However, it was Prince Li Tai who was learned and asked profound questions about Buddhism, which impressed Master Xuanzang.

Near the end, the emperor suddenly asked a rather strange question.

"Would the monk be willing to serve as an official in the imperial court?"

Xuanzang was stunned, somewhat confused about Li Shimin's meaning.

"May I ask, Your Majesty, what official position would you prefer for this humble monk?"

"The Master is resolute, knowledgeable, and his learning surpasses that of most officials in the court. He can first serve in the Secretariat."

Master Xuanzang smiled slightly: "Your Majesty, all my studies are in Buddhism, and I have no knowledge of the affairs of the people. If I were to enter the court, wouldn't I become a laughing stock? Most of the Buddhist scriptures I brought back are written in Sanskrit. If they cannot be translated into Chinese, my journey to the West will lose its meaning."

"I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to take this humble monk back to Shaolin Temple on Mount Song, where I will collaborate with eminent monks from Luoyang and other regions to translate the original Buddhist scriptures. I have a basic understanding of Sanskrit and can also teach this scripture to the elders, thus ensuring the continuation of the translation work."

Xuanzang's statement that he had "a rudimentary understanding of Sanskrit" was actually a very humble expression.

In fact, during the Tang Dynasty, Xuanzang's Sanskrit proficiency was already at an all-time high.

The 657 Buddhist scriptures are truly a vast collection.

Xuanzang once roughly calculated that, based on the daily translation volume of himself and his several close disciples, even if he lived to be seventy years old, he could only translate about one-tenth of the scriptures.

Therefore, Master Xuanzang not only needed the assistance of many Buddhist colleagues, but also needed to set up Sanskrit tutoring classes for these colleagues.

Given Xuanzang's level of expertise at that time, coupled with the invaluable Buddhist scriptures he brought back, eminent monks from all over the country would flock to him to study and observe them.

Of course, this excludes scoundrels like Monk Yuanjue.

Li Shimin's gaze flickered slightly: "What the Master says is quite right. However, I do hope that the Master can stay at Hongfu Temple in Chang'an. I will send a letter to Shaolin Temple in Luoyang, asking the eminent monks there to move to Hongfu Temple to assist the Master in translating scriptures."

The emperor's tone hardened.

Based on past experience, Xuanzang keenly sensed that, for some reason, the emperor might be reluctant to release him from Chang'an.

"I have heard that Elder Xuzhen of Hongfu Temple is a master of Buddhism and also a Sanskrit scholar. It is my honor to be able to translate scriptures at Hongfu Temple."

Seeing that the monk had accepted his proposal, Li Shimin was very satisfied.

He decided to make one more small request.

"I heard from the Crown Prince that the Master has traveled to more than a hundred countries in the Western Regions and was warmly received by King Harsha of India. He must have a good understanding of the customs, culture and geography of the regions west of our Great Tang."

"This humble monk knows a little about it."

"I hope that while translating scriptures, the Master will record the geographical and cultural knowledge of the Western Regions that you have seen, compile it into a book, and make it available for the emperor and his ministers of the Great Tang Dynasty to read and browse."

Xuanzang paused for a moment, then said, "This matter is not difficult, but we need to send more people to assist this humble monk."

"It's alright. You can make use of any eminent monks from Chang'an and Luoyang. The same goes for virtuous men from other regions."

"Very well, Your Majesty. This humble monk thanks Your Majesty for your kindness."

Thus, Xuanzang officially began his career of translating and writing books at Hongfu Temple.

He decided to name the book he wrote for Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, "The Great Tang Records on the Western Regions".