PureInsight | March 27, 2024
[PureInsight.org] After the construction of the Buddha tower, the divine power of Mo Le was repeatedly propagated by the giants, and his name spread to other countries. Some countries were dissatisfied with Motian Kingdom and came to challenge it.
The first country to challenge Motian Kingdom was the country of Kanshi. The King of Kanshi sent a declaration of war to Motian Kingdom, claiming that the people on the border of Motian Kingdom had been harassing the people of Kanshi, and he came to challenge Mo Le specifically for this reason. Mo Le ordered an investigation into the matter and found no evidence of such harassment. Nonetheless, Mo Le accepted the challenge, began mobilizing troops and supplies, and gave orders at every level. Mo Le went to see Meng Gang and found that the priest was calm and peaceful, and did not take the war to heart.
Queen Wen Mei had a dream at night, in which she saw Mo Le wearing golden armor and Mo Cai wearing silver armor, standing side by side. In the morning, Wen Mei asked Mo Le, "Will my younger sister go with you on this expedition?" Mo Le replied, "Let her stay in the palace with you. War is a man's business." Wen Mei said, "But I dreamed that she was wearing silver armor and standing with you. I think she should go with you." Mo Le was taken aback and said, "I will consult with the priest and see what he says."
Mo Le went to see the priest Meng Gang. After hearing Mo Le's account, Meng Gang said, "From the dream, it seems that the princess should go to war. I will ask for guidance from the gods." After that, the priest opened a censer and took out three sticks of sandalwood incense. After offering the incense, Meng Gang and Mo Le bowed together. Meng Gang saw the princess in silver armor emitting a bright light, and many foreigners were kneeling on the ground, looking up at her. The image of the war god Li Tian appeared in the sky. Meng Gang said, "Guided by the gods, many people will be connected to the princess. Let her go. The war-god will bless her."
Mo Le returned to the palace and asked Mo Cai, "Sister, do you want to go to battle with me?" Mo Cai opened her eyes wide and said, "Of course I want to, but I also feel it's not appropriate." Mo Le said, "The gods want you to go with me. Be prepared!" Mo Cai took a breath in surprise and said happily, "Is it really true? I'm so happy to be with my brother again."
Before setting out, Mo Le went to the pagoda to worship the gods and pray for their protection. Meng Gang told Mo Le, "When I was meditating, I saw a big tree with its canopy extending continuously. People were kneeling and worshiping wherever the canopy extended. I also saw the King holding a golden scepter in his left hand and a sword in his right, standing under the tree with an imposing manner. The canopy drooped down and formed a cloud of auspiciousness. Two golden characters appeared on it: victory. Do not worry, King. With the protection of the gods and the treasure bestowed by the heavens, you will surely return in triumph without fighting a battle." Mole said, "I don't want to cause much bloodshed. I do not want our citizens to suffer, nor do I want the wives and children of the people of other countries to be separated. I hope that the gods will help me and, as the priest said, I can defeat the enemy without fighting." Meng Gang said, "As a King, you are benevolent and love both your people and yourself. The heavens will surely protect our country."
The vanguard of Motian Kingdom's army is composed of giants who built the Buddha tower and can take on ten opponents at once. They carry shields and spears, and their leader is Zi Xing.
At a place called Zi Shu forest on the border of Motian Kingdom, both sides lined up for battle. Upon seeing Motian Kingdom's army, the King of Kanshi Kingdom was shocked. He saw that they were formidable and full of killing intent. Then he looked at King Mo Le of Motian Kingdom, who wore golden armor and held a shiny golden staff in his left hand and a sword in his right. The sword seemed as though it would fly up into the air, and behind him, a yellow flag fluttered in the wind. The Kanshi King's heart trembled, and he instinctively put his hand on his chest, feeling that they were bound to lose this battle. He regretted sending the declaration of war, and the soldiers of the Kanshi Kingdom were also shaken, feeling that the opponent's strength was too strong and their momentum too great.
Mo Le took a few steps forward and thundered, "Listen, King of Kanshi, I am the army of righteousness. If you do not want war, you can retreat on your own and protect your people. Let there be peace between our two countries. If you don't listen, my country will not show weakness." As he spoke, he waved the golden staff a few times. The King of Kanshi saw the staff shimmering and felt uneasy. He quickly ordered his messenger to retreat. After withdrawing to a certain distance, the King of Kanshi personally wrote a letter and sent someone to see Mo Le. The person who came was carrying a back staff (a symbol of apology, such people are called "negative guilt messengers"), approached Mo Le, and knelt down to deliver the letter. After Mo Le read the letter, he handed it to Mo Cai.
Mo Le said to the messenger, "Please put down the back staff and go back to tell the King that I will host a banquet for him tomorrow. Please don't refuse." After the guilt messenger left, Mo Le said, "The King of Kanshi is seeking a truce and peace." Mo Cai said, "Brother, can we really win without fighting? The golden staff is so magical. The God of War is protecting our country. The folk songs are true, and what the priests say is true too. We are so lucky."
Mo Le hosted a banquet for the King of Kanshi and they became sworn brothers, making a peace agreement. After staying for a few days, Mo Le led his army back to the capital. The entire kingdom celebrated their victory.
Three months later, the King of Shi Zhen learned that the King of Kanshi had lost without fighting and made peace, which made him feel disdain for the King. He sent a letter to humiliate the King of Kanshi and issued a challenge to Mo Le. The messenger who delivered the letter wore a red shirt, black pants, and a white cloth wrapped around his head embroidered with a black axe, symbolizing that they would not stop fighting until they had won. Mo Le received the challenge.
Mo Le went to the Buddhist pagoda to pay his respects, lit incense, and knelt down. After getting up, the priest asked, "How many soldiers do you plan to bring with you on this campaign, Your Majesty?" Mo Le replied, "I was just about to discuss this with you. I want to bring eight hundred soldiers with me. The gods are protecting our country, and I don't want to waste the lives and money of our people." The priest smiled slightly and nodded.
Mo Le set out with his sister and 800 soldiers. The morale of the Motian army was high, and their weapons were excellent. Mo Le had a sword called the Zhenwei Treasure Sword, which could cut iron like mud, and a sword dragon that could charge into battle. Mo Cai had a winged dragon that was extremely intelligent and could snatch weapons from the enemy and bring them back to her. After a small battle, the Motian army defeated the vanguard of the Shi Zhen army. The defeated soldiers of Shi Zhen country spared no effort to spread the news of the King of Motian's majesty among their own army, and the King of Shi Zhen country decided to surrender. The territory of Motian expanded greatly, and those who surrendered willingly became citizens. Wide roads were built, allowing people to come worship the gods and buddhas in the pagoda, and the reputation of Motian Kingdom spread even further.
Under the protection of gods and buddhas, Motian Kingdom prospered, and there was never a famine. Where there was war, there was always the miraculous experience of defeating enemies without fighting.
After the construction of the Buddhist pagoda, one year later, the crown prince was born with auspicious signs. Mo Le saw a golden imperial carriage in the sky, while Mo Cai saw a golden bird hovering over the palace. Wen Mei saw a group of gods descending, and one of them handed her a golden swaddling cloth. Everyone believed that the prince was not an ordinary child, so Mo Le named him Mo Qi.
(To be continued)
Chinese version: https://www.zhengjian.org/node/241923
