Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

How much can a steamed bun cost?

In normal years, it could sell for about 2-3 coins. Although there were differences between rich and poor areas, the differences were not significant.

But now...

Someone answered timidly:

"Fifteen coins, right? Who can afford a sesame seed cake these days?"

"No, my family bought two for the kids last Mid-Autumn Festival, and they cost twenty coins."

"The gentlemen in the capital are all wealthy; they should have at least thirty coins, right?"

Thirty coins? Are you eating the flesh of a god? Thirty coins for a lousy steamed bun? With that money, I can buy more millet and get through the winter.

The crowd was buzzing with discussion.

General Di Gong smiled and waited for them to finish speaking before letting out a long sigh.

"You won't believe it, but these days a single steamed bun costs a thousand coins! A thousand coins!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

A single steamed bun to stave off hunger, a thousand coins? That's simply a fantasy.

"My ox only sold for two thousand coins. You can trade two steamed buns for an ox like that?"

"A thousand coins is enough for a family to eat for half a year, and now you want to exchange it for a steamed bun? Isn't that crazy?"

"Impossible! Who could afford that? A thousand coins for a single steamed bun? The whole world would starve!"

"Last month, the wealthy Wang family in town held a funeral and bought ten steamed buns to distribute to the coffin bearers. That cost ten thousand coins! But even the wealthy Wang wasn't that rich!"

"If that day ever comes, we might as well just eat tree bark!"

An elderly man squeezed through the crowd and, with trembling hands, bowed to the Earth God General:

"General, you must be lying to us. How are the people supposed to survive if each steamed bun costs a thousand coins?"

General Digong quietly watched the crowd.

"This is not alarmist; it is a fact that is happening in the capital."

"These prices will soon affect us here, how will we afford it?"

"But the officials in the capital can afford it. How do they eat it? They simply increase taxes, levies, and make up for lost taxes."

"Whose taxes have been increased? Whose levies have been added? Whose taxes have been supplemented?"

The voice of the Earth God General grew louder and louder.

It is gradually igniting the people's discontent and anger.

"Fellow villagers, this is the truth!"

"The imperial court is obsessed with war and expansion, officials disregard human life, and wealthy gentry are heartless. Layer upon layer, they are squeezing us dry!"

He ripped open the front of his shirt, revealing a gruesome array of scars.

"I once served the imperial court, but what was the result? This is what I got in return."

"It's the landlords, the powerful families, the government officials, the imperial court—they won't let us live! They force us to sell our children just to afford a simple steamed bun!"

"What do you suggest we do now?"

It must be said that those who succeed are not to be underestimated when it comes to their words.

General Di's words were more effective than threatening him with a knife.

The people surrounding them were already red-eyed with rage.

The world does not want people to live.

The only option is to rise up in rebellion!

Anger spread among the villagers, quickly brewing into a powder keg ready to explode.

The Earth God General's rallying cry became the fuse that ignited their anger.

"If he won't let us live, then we have no choice but to kill him!!"

"Kill him!"

The first person instinctively echoed, but then felt it was too outrageous and covered his mouth.

But immediately, he let go.

Because everyone was shouting loudly:

"kill!"

"kill!"

"kill!"

The sound resounded through the sky.

"Great! Here's an opportunity..."

The Earth God General began to incite the people to follow him into battle.

...

After a while.

Inside the courtyard of a wealthy local family that the Yellow Turbans had just seized.

The Earth God General sat in the main seat with a stern expression.

I tilted my head back and gulped down half a bowl of chilled plum juice.

He clicked his tongue in satisfaction and exhaled a breath of cool air through his teeth.

Two bodyguards stood beside him, fanning him with palm-leaf fans.

Seven or eight generals were standing there waiting for orders.

General Di wiped the corner of his mouth.

"Listen up, everyone."

"Take a few steamed buns and, following my usual routine today, gather all the villagers from the nearby villages."

"Everyone who is breathing, regardless of age or gender, should be brought in as the vanguard."

Those people immediately started showering him with flattery.

"General, that's brilliant! That move is really effective."

"It's more effective than fighting with knives without losing a single soldier."

"I was watching from below just now, and those peasants all had their eyes red with greed, wishing they could sell their lives to the general on the spot."

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

This ability is indeed remarkable; a few words are worth thousands of elite soldiers.

However, some people have raised questions.

"General, this method only works on those who are passionate, but what if you encounter someone who isn't? What if you run into a blockhead?"

General Digong beckoned to him with his finger.

The man immediately came over with a smile.

The Earth God General raised his hand and slapped him hard across the face.

"Are you a pig?"

"If you can't think outside the box, don't be a general; go be a cook."

"First, try fanning the steamed buns. If that doesn't work, then use talisman water. If the talisman water still doesn't work, then draw your sword."

"Can you draw your sword?"

"The villagers are the most timid. Kill a few to establish your authority. With blood splattered on their faces, let's see who dares to stand still. Hang the dead ones on the trees at the village entrance, and the rest will naturally follow."

"If killing three isn't enough, kill ten; if ten isn't enough, slaughter half the village."

Everyone suddenly realized what was happening and clapped and cheered.

"General, you are truly a master strategist. With those three powerful blows, even a stone would have to follow you."

"Alright, stop flattering us. Don't bring the corrupt practices of the court to the Yellow Turbans."

General Di waved his hand: "Go get to work."

Everyone immediately scattered like birds and beasts, laughing.

No sooner had they left than soldiers rushed in.

"General."

"His Majesty the Great Sage Emperor of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom has ordered you to hurry up and expel the people."

"With the imperial examinations of the Great Yan Dynasty imminent, we must guard against any weakness in our defenses. The time of the palace examination will be the perfect opportunity for us to launch a major attack on the city."

"You must gather at least 50,000 people within five days, without fail!"

......