Gao Yiye watched the common folk scrambling for cake crumbs all over the street and spread her hands. “The Deity is giving the people of Heyang County a festival.”
Thirty-Two asked, “What festival will this one be?”
Qiu Ju guessed, “I reckon this ti it’s ‘The Deity’s Whim Festival.'”
Dong Xue chid in, “I think it should be called the ‘Deity’s Egg Cake Festival.”
Li Daoxuan was both amused and exasperated. “No. This ti it’s called the ‘Deity’s Fright Festival.'”
Hearing him speak, Gao Yiye quickly looked up. “Huh? The Deity has co! Why is it called the Fright Festival?”
Li Daoxuan replied, “Frightened by your Dao Xuan Deity’s Demon Elimination Tale Episode Five.”
Gao Yiye flushed slightly. “Huh? Did the Deity not like that plot? Fairy Chang’e falling for you, isn’t that wonderful?”
Li Daoxuan explained, “Chang’e is Hou Yi’s wife, did you know that? Another man’s wife falling in love with ? What kind of horrifying developnt is that? We wouldn’t even need to wait for the Tian Peng marshal to arrive; Hou Yi himself would co after , bow in hand, demanding my life!”
Gao Yiye gasped in shock. “Huh? Fairy Chang’e is Hou Yi’s wife? No one ever told that!”
Li Daoxuan buried his face in his hands.
Beside him, Thirty-Two, Qiu Ju, and Dong Xue also simultaneously hid their faces in their hands.
Li Daoxuan advised, “Storytelling can soar freely, but try to create your own content. Don’t just ss around in other people’s stories like this, or you’ll easily end up in embarrassing situations.”
Gao Yiye lowered her head pitifully. “Understood! I was wrong.”
Li Daoxuan said, “Hmm, knowing you were wrong is good. Change the content of this episode.”
Gao Yiye promptly obeyed, and Qiu Ju and Dong Xue bowed as well. “As you command!”
They were also involved in this.
Just then, Gao Yiye suddenly spoke up again. “Deity, if it were just you against Hou Yi one-on-one, could you defeat him?”
Li Daoxuan declared, “Hou Yi, as a ranged ADC, has a very brittle constitution. His one-on-one capability is weak. Any assault-type hero could eliminate him instantly. Mhm, that’s exactly how it is.”
A flush crept over Gao Yiye’s small face: Wow, so the Deity is even more powerful than Hou Yi. Then even if he snatched Fairy Chang’e away, there’d be nothing to fear. But… altering this part is probably better anyway. If he really did end up with Fairy Chang’e… inside, I would probably feel a bit…
Li Daoxuan noticed, “Your expression seems off. What are you thinking about now?”
Gao Yiye stamred, “Nothing, nothing! I’ll go back and revise Episode Five imdiately!”
While they were horsing around like this.
Over on the other side, the city’s residents were scrambling for cake crumbs at top speed. Many grabbed several large chunks, hugging them contentedly as they hurried ho.
Once the ground was cleared, everyone turned their attention to the rooftops. Nurous people climbed onto various roofs to collect the crumbs that had landed there.
A large group of commoners discovered an enormous piece of cake, as big as a boulder, tucked in a small alley. They actually divided tasks: so guarded the alley ends while others called friends and family. Together, they set about cutting up the giant cake inside the alley.
When the scrambling finally ended, the streets were clean, though the sweet scent of cake still clung to the city.
Once their food was secure, the people’s minds began to clear.
“Where did this delicious egg cake co from?”
“It fell from the sky!”
“But why did egg cakes fall from the sky?”
“How would I know? All I know is these Egg Cakes are delicious.”
“You…”
As the common folk murmured among themselves, the great drum at the county office entrance began to clang loudly. Crowds rushed toward the county office, gathering in the square before its doors.
Daoist Ma Tianzheng wielded the drumsticks, striking the drum with peculiar dance-like movents. Only as the crowd thickened did Ma Tianzheng lower the drumsticks. Turning to face everyone, he bood with laughter, “Good people! Do you know whence the Egg Cakes you just enjoyed ca?”
The people shook their heads. Of course, they had no idea.
Ma Tianzheng declared: “They were bestowed upon you by Dao Xuan Deity! The Deity’s aning is this: though bandits approach, fret not! While the Deity watches over this place, you need only eat well and sleep well. Worry not a whit about these ruffians!”
The crowd paused, montarily stunned. Then, after a brief silence, soone cheered. Soon, the entire throng roared with joy. The jubilation swiftly swept through the entire county, imrsing everyone in sheer delight.
Recalling the Deity’s typical flair, Ma Tianzheng shouted, “Today marks the ‘Deity’s Egg Cake Festival’! Fill your bellies, my friends! Rejoice and feast upon these cakes!”
“It’s a festival!”
“Feast on Egg Cakes!”
“Who fears bandits now?”
“Eat!…”
“Co to think of it, after a few bites of this cake, I feel I could make one too. Honestly, give eggs, flour, sugar, and yeast, I absolutely could whip it up!”
“Don’t be foolish! In this great disaster year, where’d you find those things?”
Li Daoxuan overheard their chatter and smiled inwardly: Those very things, Gaojia Village has aplenty.
Since solving the grain shortage, Gaojia Village had begun raising poultry and livestock. The ducklings reared by Gao San Niang had multiplied into a sizable flock.
Even within the Gaojia Business Circle, soone had bought ducks from Gao San Niang, made braised duck, and opened a shop. Business was thriving.
Moreover, Gaojia Village now boasted decent numbers of chickens, pigs, and cattle.
Seems reasonable to gently foster trade between our counties now, Li Daoxuan mused.
Gaojia Village and Chengcheng County could sell their goods here in Heyang County. Unique products from Heyang County could flow back to Gaojia Village and Chengcheng County. Let the people exchange resources and share techniques.
More interaction breeds stronger bonds, after all.
There’s that fellow who claid he could bake the cake after tasting it, yes? If we transport eggs, yeast, and sugar here, perhaps he truly will produce cakes. He could even sell them back to Gaojia Village.
Fully unleash the culinary might of China’s Yellow River eco-gastronomy hub! Spread their food culture far and wide.
Let the people of Gaojia Village—who’ve just achieved basic sustenance but tasted scant delights—expand their palates.
“Thirty-Two,” Li Daoxuan conveyed, “Upon your return to Gaojia Village, assemble a small caravan. Transport goods to Heyang County: eggs, sugar, yeast, fabric, cotton, and such. Sell these to the local folk.”
Gao Yiye was still alongside Thirty-Two and relayed the Decree of the Deity. Thirty-Two grasped its aning instantly: “Gaojia Village has diversified its products significantly over the years. Heyang County, however, currently owes its supplies only to the Deity’s gift of flour. They’ll need sundry daily necessities to truly enrich their lives.”
The Deity could certainly bestow these things directly upon Heyang County. Yet the choice to have Thirty-Two “sell” them from Gaojia Village held a clear purpose he comprehended at once.
The two counties needed greater interaction. More interaction would forge deeper bonds.
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