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When several years had passed he once more came to Yangdschou, and was walking in the meadow before the city gate. There he met Old Dschang's plow-boy. The latter cried out: "How are you? How are you?" and drew out ten pounds of gold, which he gave to him, saying: "My mistress told me to give you this. My master is this very moment drinking tea with old Wang in the inn."
Du Dsi Tschun took leave of him and returned to Yangdschou, where he lived in great affluence. In his old age he regretted that he had not completed his task. He once more went to the mountain to look for the ancient. But the ancient had vanished without leaving a trace. Money had a greater purchasing value in ancient China, however, than in the China of to-day.
You cannot remain here overlong. To-morrow we will escort you back." On the following day, when taking leave, Old Dschang gave him eighty ounces of gold and an old straw hat. "Should you need money," said he, "you can go to Yangdschou and inquire in the northern suburb for old Wang's drug-shop. There you can collect ten million pieces of copper. This hat is the order for them."
As a consequence he killed himself, 122 B.C. Our fairy-tale presents these events in their legendary transformation. Once upon a time there was a man who went by the name of Old Dschang. He lived in the country, near Yangdschou, as a gardener. His neighbor, named Sir We, held an official position in Yangdschou.
And when I have done this I will follow you, if needs be through fire and through water." The ancient replied: "That is right! When you have ordered these things ask for me in the temple of Laotsze beneath the two mulberry trees!" Du Dsi Tschun took the money and went to Yangdschou.
Then he ordered his plow-boy to take him home again. Quite a few of the folks at home, to whom he described his adventures, thought that Old Dschang must be a holy man, while others regarded the whole thing a magic vision. After five or six years Sir We's money came to an end. So his son took the straw hat to Yangdschou and there asked for old Wang.
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