Early the next morning, Taizong held court and gathered his civil and military officers; the scripture-seeking rescript was written out, and the precious seal of free passage was affixed.

The 文牒, a written rescript, and the 通行寶印, precious seal of free passage, are the credentials that turn a monk into the emperor's official envoy. The journey begins with paperwork.

The Directorate of Astronomy reported: 'Today falls under the auspicious star of the Honored Man, fit for setting out on a distant road.' The Tang king was greatly pleased.

The 欽天監, Directorate of Astronomy, was a real office of state, and fixing auspicious dates for imperial undertakings was a real part of its work. No great enterprise began on a bad day.

Then the gate-officer reported: 'The Imperial Brother, the Dharma Master, awaits your command outside the court gate.' He was straightway summoned up to the treasure-hall, and the king said: 'Imperial Brother, today is an auspicious day for setting out. Here is the passport for the barriers.'

The 通關文牒, passport for the barriers, has to be presented and stamped at every frontier the pilgrim crosses. Keep it in mind: it will be produced in kingdom after kingdom for the rest of the novel.

'I have also a purple-gold alms-bowl, which I give you to beg your food along the way; and I have chosen two attendants for the long journey.'

The 紫金缽盂, purple-gold alms-bowl, is the emperor's own gift, and its purpose is stated plainly — to beg food with. The sworn brother of the Son of Heaven is going out to beg. 長 in 長行, the long journey, is cháng.

'And I bestow upon you a horse, given as your strength for the far road. You may set out upon your journey at once.'

為 in 送為遠行腳力, given as your strength for the far road, is wéi. 腳力 is literally foot-strength, and it is what you call the animal that does the walking for you.

Xuanzang, greatly pleased, thanked him for the grace, received the things, and showed not the least wish to linger.

更無留滯之意, not the least wish to linger. He takes the gifts, gives thanks, and is ready to walk out of the only life he has ever had.

The Tang king ordered his carriage and, with his many officers, escorted him out beyond the barrier. There the monks of the Hongfu Temple and his disciples had brought Xuanzang's winter and summer garments, and had them waiting outside the barrier.

那 is the pointing nà; 將 in 將玄奘的冬夏衣服 is the disposal jiāng; 相 in 相等, waiting for him, is xiāng. Note what they have brought: his winter clothes and his summer clothes. His own monks have worked out that he will be gone through both.

When the Tang king saw them, he first had the baggage and horse made ready, and then had an officer take up the flask and pour wine.

著 in 著官人執壺, had an officer take up the flask, is the causative zhuó. Baggage first, horse second, wine last — the emperor is doing this in the right order, and saving the cup for the end.