Great Dunhuang

Author: Wen Lan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features:
③ Baker endured the patience to wait until the next morning when Qin Wenyu left the Thousand Buddha Cave before visiting the discovered cave of scriptures. However, he never expected that Qin Wenyu had not only left the Thousand Buddha Cave but was also leaving Dunhuang. Since the beginning, Qin Wenyu, upon learning that the cave of scriptures had been discovered, immediately ordered Elder Yan to send the Buddhist scriptures and treasures to Lanzhou Prefecture. However, Elder Yan decided to write a memorial first to report to his superiors. Qin Wenyu felt it was unreliable and wanted to go to the capital personally. Early in the morning, Elder Yan ordered the constables to carry the luggage and personally see Qin Wenyu off. When Elder Yan arrived at the county government office’s corridor and said, “Why must you leave suddenly and return to the capital?” Qin Wenyu replied, “The matter of my elder brother’s murder is still unclear. Recently, the foreigners have attacked the capital, and I am very concerned about my old friends. I would like to return to the city to visit them.” Elder Yan, speaking throughly, asked, “I suspect it’s about the cave of scriptures, isn’t it?” Qin Wenyu smiled and said, “On my way back to the capital, I will pass through Suzhou and Lanzhou, reporting in the process. This is more efficient.” Elder Yan said, “I have already written the memorial and sent it by courier at night. Surely you are not still not satisfied?” Qin Wenyu replied, “Such a major matter cannot be explained clearly with just a memorial. It is safer to report in person.” Elder Yan thought for a moment and said, “That would be better. If something goes wrong, we will become criminals of the ages. However, this time, it is a great favor to you, and I feel truly guilty.” Qin Wenyu said sincerely, “Protecting national treasures is the duty of everyone, regardless of whether it is you or me.” Elder Yan deeply admired, “Brother, you are devoted to the country and truly admirable.” Qin Wenyu bowed and said, “After parting today, I do not know when we will meet again. Before leaving, I have one more request. I hope Elder Yan, considering our past friendship, will not refuse.” Elder Yan said, “Brother, you flatter me. We are like brothers, and if you have anything, just say it.” Qin Wenyu said, “Bailun and others have done me favors, and they kill the rich to help the poor, support the country against foreigners, and are not the bad Boxers. I hope you can show mercy and not be too harsh.” Elder Yan was taken aback at first but then smiled and said, “Brother, rest assured. I will handle it properly.” After everything was arranged, Qin Wenyu set off back to the capital with the camel guide, Ou Dan, as a guide. Outside the county government office gate, Qin Wenyu asked Elder Yan to stay, and Elder Yan asked Qin Wenyu to take care on the journey. Both were a little emotional.
The news spread quickly. Within half an hour, Jiang Xiaoci ran to Baker’s bedroom in the back courtyard, telling him excitedly that Elder Qin had returned to the capital. Baker quickly crossed himself and praised God, then impatiently asked Jiang Xiaoci to take him to the Thousand Buddha Cave. Jiang Xiaoci, with considerable experience, advised Baker to be cautious and wait until night to leave to avoid being seen. So, Baker impatiently waited until sunset and moonrise before sneaking out of the city like a thief. After a night of traveling, he arrived at the Thousand Buddha Cave just as dawn broke and went straight to the abbot Wang Yuanlu’s room. At this moment, the abbot was sitting cross-legged on the kang, savoring a jar of tea like medicine, with a small mountain of yellowish paper talismans made from ancient scriptures piled on the kang table beside him. The young monk on the other side of the kang was placing the talismans into a dirty yellow cloth bag. The abbot looked at the young monk and joyfully said, “The Bodhisattva has given us scriptures in the entire cave. From now on, we will no longer lack talismans.” The young monk happily replied, “These past few days, people have come like they’re attending a temple fair. If we can have this many visitors every day, that would be great.” Just as they were talking, Jiang Xiaoci called out, “Abbot,” and led Baker through the door into the room. The abbot, seeing Jiang Xiaoci bring Baker in so early, was taken aback at first but quickly got off the kang and replied, “Oh, Master Jiang is here.” Jiang Xiaoci smiled and said, “Baker, the abbot, heard that the abbot discovered the cave of scriptures and came especially to see it.” Baker then bowed and said, “I am an archaeologist and have come here for research.” Wang Yuanlu felt a bit uneasy but had to put on a smile and said, “Abbot Baker, please sit.” Then he turned and instructed the young monk, “Quickly tidy up the table and make tea.” Jiang Xiaoci stopped him and said, “No need. Let’s see the cave of scriptures first.” Wang Yuanlu quietly pulled Jiang Xiaoci aside and said, “Master Jiang, how did you bring this foreigner here?” Jiang Xiaoci asked, “What’s wrong with a foreigner?” Wang Yuanlu said, “If people see this, it will tarnish the reputation of the Three Pure Ones’ Temple and cut off our offerings.” Jiang Xiaoci scoffed, “You’re treating the god of wealth like a beggar. Are you afraid the foreigners won’t give offerings?” Wang Yuanlu worried, “I’m afraid the money from foreigners is too hot to handle. Who doesn’t know that this Baker digs graves everywhere. People behind his back call him a grave robber. I don’t want to be associated with him.” Jiang Xiaoci mocked, “It’s your lucky day to be connected with Abbot Baker! Nowadays, not only the governor or the viceroy, but even the princes and nobles, who wouldn’t want to make a few foreign friends as allies?” Wang Yuanlu said, “I don’t need allies. I only seek to be reborn, do good deeds, and achieve a good rebirth in the next life. You should take this foreigner back.” Jiang Xiaoci didn’t expect this abbot to be so stubborn and stern, so he frowned and said, “Abbot Baker traveled all night just to see the cave of scriptures. You’re telling him to leave like that?” Wang Yuanlu pouted and said, “I really can’t comply.” Jiang Xiaoci threatened, “Don’t you fear offending this foreigner?” Wang Yuanlu excused himself, “Elder Yan sent someone to remind me.” Jiang Xiaoci vouched, “If the government blames you, I’ll take the blame.” Wang Yuanlu made another excuse, “Even if the government doesn’t blame you, I can’t desecrate the Bodhisattva.” Jiang Xiaoci didn’t understand and asked, “How can this be desecrating the Bodhisattva?” Wang Yuanlu stuck his neck out and said, “As the saying goes, don’t believe in one religion or worship one god. The foreigners believe in foreign religions, so if I let them into the cave of scriptures, I will suffer retribution.” Jiang Xiaoci tried his best to persuade him, but he couldn’t convince Wang Yuanlu. Frustrated, he had to compromise and said, “Then let’s do as the abbot says. If you don’t want to enter the cave, at least take the scriptures inside and let Abbot Baker see them, right?” Wang Yuanlu was still hesitant, just saying “This, this” without committing. Jiang Xiaoci was forced to bow and plead, “Oh, abbot, if you don’t look at the monk’s face, at least look at the Buddha’s face. For my sake, you must give Abbot Baker a way out. You can’t let him bump his head against the south wall, can you?” Wang Yuanlu rolled his eyes and said, “Alright, you and Abbot Baker wait here. I’ll go inside and call for you.” Wang Yuanlu took a long time, and Jiang Xiaoci and Baker were restless, pacing like starving wolves trapped in a cage. At this moment, the young monk brought a basket of jujubes in. Jiang Xiaoci impatiently asked, “Where is your master? Why did he take so long?” The young monk answered truthfully, “My master left.” Baker’s mind raced, and he asked, “Where did he go?” The young monk said, “He went to beg for alms.” Jiang Xiaoci was shocked and said, “What did you say?” The young monk calmly replied, “My master said that the White Tiger is on duty today, so it’s not appropriate to move the treasures. Please ask the two elders to go back.” Jiang Xiaoci was furious and said, “You’re playing with us, Wang Yuanlu!” Then he looked at Baker and said, “Let’s go ourselves.” The young monk said, “My master locked the door with a big lock when he left, and even the devout believers outside were burning incense and kowtowing.” Baker was unwilling and said, “Then when will the abbot come back?” The young monk shook his head and said, “At least three days or two days, maybe ten days or half a month, who knows?” Jiang Xiaoci was furious and said, “Let’s go back. I don’t believe Wang Yuanlu can turn into a spirit and never come back to the Thousand Buddha Cave.” Saying so, he and Baker were about to leave. The young monk blocked the gate at the courtyard entrance and said, “You can’t go through the front gate. There are many visitors outside.” My master told me to take you secretly through the back gate.” Jiang Xiaoci and Baker were furious but had no choice but to follow the young monk to the back gate.