Now, Ao Tu had come to Chechi Kingdom to discourse on the Dao.
Hearing this, the soldier guarding the city said, "Forgive my discourtesy! So you are a Perfected One of profound Daoist mastery."
Ao Tu said, "You flatter me. May I ask where your kingdom's Three Imperial Preceptors currently reside?"
The soldier pointed due south and said, "Head south. It isn't far."
Ao Tu headed toward the southern part of the city. Along the way, he encountered scholars, craftsmen, ordinary citizens, children, and others. All looked lively, and few had the sallow faces of the underfed, so he knew that the people of Chechi Kingdom were faring reasonably well.
He came to several shops, each with lamps lit and banners hung, remaining open after nightfall. Upon finding a rice shop, Ao Tu went inside. Seeing that Ao Tu looked like a Daoist, the shop assistant immediately greeted him with a smile.
Ao Tu asked the price of rice, and the assistant said:
"You must be from out of town, Daoist priest?"
Ao Tu said, "Indeed. How did you know?"
The rice shop assistant said, "You may not know this, Daoist priest, but our king reveres the Dao and cherishes worthy men. Any Daoist who comes to our kingdom receives a reward, with a monthly allowance of five dou of rice. There's no need to spend your own money buying grain."
Ao Tu said, "I have only just arrived in your kingdom and have yet to receive the king's reward. I am on my way to visit your State Preceptors' temple. It would hardly do to go empty-handed, so I came to buy some of the five grains as a courtesy gift."
The rice shop assistant said, "I see. How much would you like?"
Ao Tu said, "One dou each