They finally reached a stretch of wasteland twenty miles outside the capital, and the bailiffs called a halt to rest and eat.
"Time to eat! If you don't like the rations, you can buy your own! Big steamed buns are five hundred cash each, meat buns are one silver tael each! Chicken legs are five taels each, and braised pork is ten taels a bowl!"
Everyone was handed a palm-sized cake made of wild herbs and dried greens, with no water.
Chapter 17