Calamities in Journey to the West? My heart and form are both void.

Summary

In a conversation between an old farmer and a group led by Xuanzang, the farmer demonstrates a surprising lack of fear towards demons, casually discussing his struggles with poverty and oppressive local authorities. Despite having little to eat, he welcomes the travelers and shares his meager rations. The farmer explains the harsh realities of life in his village, where most of the harvest is taken by officials, leaving families with barely enough to survive. Xuanzang and his companions offer silver to help, but the farmer panics, fearing repercussions for accepting it. The encounter highlights the deep injustices and fears faced by the oppressed, revealing the pervasive suffering in the world.

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