Reasons for Rebellion

Before long, a frail little girl of seven or eight ran in from outside, calling, "Mother!" She threw herself into the middle-aged woman's arms and warily eyed the strangers who had suddenly entered.

Di Renjie smiled kindly and greeted the little girl. "Hungry?"

The little girl remained guarded, but she nodded.

Di Renjie then asked the woman, "How many people are left in this village?"

The middle-aged woman sighed and shook her head. "I don't know either. All the men in the village joined the rebellion and fled into the mountains. Only us old folks, women, and children who couldn't run away are left.

Yesterday at noon, government troops came to the village and seized everyone they saw. My daughter and I only escaped by hiding in the heated brick bed's hollow. Today, we were so hungry we couldn't bear it anymore, so we came out to look for food."

Di Renjie said softly, "Ma'am, go check the other houses and see how many people are left. Bring them all here."

The middle-aged woman asked doubtfully, "But what if the government troops come back?"

Di Renjie smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'm here."

The woman was even more perplexed. "You? What use can an old man like you be?"

As Di Renjie considered how to answer, Li Yuanfang cut in, "Don't let his age fool you. He's worth an army of thousands."

The woman stared in amazement. "I-Is that true?"

Di Renjie chuckled. "Yes. If they come, they'll run the moment they see me."

After looking Di Renjie over in his fine clothes, the woman exclaimed, "Could you be the Earth God appearing before us?"

Di Renjie burst into laughter. "Yes, yes, yes. I am the local Earth God. These three are my attendants. I heard that you were suffering, so