Chang’an, the imperial capital, was as splendid as ever. It was nestled among rivers and mountains, rich in culture and beauty. It was the 13th year of Emperor Taizong’s reign during the glorious Tang Dynasty. Peace reigned, and visitors came from across the land to pay tribute.

One morning at court, Prime Minister Wei Zheng suggested the empire should make full use of these peaceful times and expand the imperial examination system to recruit more talent. Emperor Taizong agreed and immediately issued a decree inviting scholars from all over the country to come to Chang’an and take the exam.

Far away in Haizhou, a young scholar named Chen Guangrui saw the notice. Excited, he told his mother, Madam Zhang, “If I pass the exam, I can bring honor to our family and serve the nation.”

His mother supported him wholeheartedly. She him all the classic mom warnings: “Be careful! Don’t talk to strangers! Watch your money!” With her blessings, he packed his bags and set off for Chang’an.

When the exam began, Chen Guangrui nailed every round and emerged as the Number One Scholar. Emperor Taizong personally confirmed his title and ordered a grand victory parade. Chen Guangrui rode through the city for three days in full ceremonial glory.

During one of the parades, as he passed by the estate of Prime Minister Yin Kaishan, his daughter, Yin Wenjiao, happened to be upstairs holding a silk ball for a traditional “toss to find a husband.” She took one look at Chen Guangrui—handsome, poised, practically glowing—and dropped the ball right on his head.

The Yin family, overjoyed to discover he was the Number One Scholar, wasted no time arranging the wedding. The two were soon married, and the story of their match spread far and wide as a romantic legend.

The next day at court, Emperor Taizong asked Wei Zheng where this bright young scholar should be posted. Wei Zheng replied, “Jiangzhou is in need of a governor.” And just like that, Chen Guangrui was appointed to lead the region.

He returned to his in-laws to fetch his wife, and together they visited his mother. Madam Zhang was thrilled to see her son a married man and a newly minted official. Chen Guangrui invited her to travel with them to Jiangzhou, and the three set out in high spirits, enjoying the fresh air and blooming scenery of early spring.

They stopped for a few days at a place called “Wanhua Inn.” But during their stay, Madam Zhang fell ill. To nurse her back to health, Chen Guangrui bought a fish to make soup, but the fish blinked at him. Feeling something strange, he guessed it might be a spirit fish and decided to release it back into the wild.

As the illness lingered and the weather turned hot, Madam Zhang insisted they go on ahead. Chen Guangrui arranged for her care, then continued the journey with his wife.

Unfortunately, when they reached the Hongjiang ferry crossing, they met two boatmen—Liu Hong and Li Biao—who looked shady from the start. Late that night, greedy and lustful, Liu Hong made his move. The two men murdered Chen Guangrui and his servant, dumped their bodies in the river, and kidnapped the terrified Lady Yin.

Grieving and furious, she tried to jump into the river to follow her husband, but Liu Hong stopped her. He threatened, pleaded, and manipulated. With no one to save her, she could only grit her teeth and stay alive.

Liu Hong put on Chen Guangrui’s official robes, disguised himself as the Number One Scholar, and brought her with him to Jiangzhou to assume the fake post.

Meanwhile, Chen Guangrui’s body sank to the bottom of the river, where it was discovered by the River God on his nightly patrol. Recognizing a man of merit, the god reported it to the Dragon King.

The Dragon King took one look and was stunned. “This is the scholar who freed me when I was a golden carp!” he exclaimed. He immediately summoned Chen Guangrui’s soul from the Hell, restored his body, and placed a magic pearl in his mouth to keep it from decaying. He even offered Chen Guangrui a temporary post in the underwater palace to keep him safe until justice could be done.

Back on land, Lady Yin arrived in Jiangzhou, pregnant and seething with hatred. Liu Hong played the part of the noble official flawlessly, fooling every single person he met.

Time passed. One day, while Liu Hong was away, Lady Yin wandered into the garden pavilion, missing her husband and mother-in-law. Suddenly, she collapsed with stomach pains and gave birth to a son.

Half-conscious, she heard a voice in her ear:

“I am the Star Lord of South Pole. Guanyin has sent me. here This child is destined for greatness and will one day clear your name. Raise him well.”

When she came to, she remembered every word.

When Liu Hong returned and saw the child, he immediately wanted to kill it. Lady Yin stalled: “Let’s wait until tomorrow.”

The next day, while Liu Hong was out again, she made up her mind. “If I keep him, he’ll die. If I send him away, there’s still hope.”

She bit her finger and wrote a blood letter detailing their story and the baby’s parentage. She tore off his left pinky toe as a mark of identity, wrapped him in her clothing, and placed him in a basket on a plank of wood. With silent tears and a prayer, she set him adrift on the river.

The child floated downstream to Jinshan Temple, where an old monk named Elder Master Faming found him. The monk read the blood letter, was moved by compassion, and named the boy Jiangliu, or “River Drifter.” He raised the child in the temple with kindness and care.

End of this chapter. Thank you for reading!

This is just the serialized version of Journey to the West (modern retelling). If you want to read the full book faster, check out the complete, easy-to-read English and Chinese (Simplified & Traditional) version on Amazon.

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