Describes a situation where daily necessities, such as firewood and rice, are extraordinarily expensive, making life very difficult for people; refers to exorbitant prices and a high cost of living.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the Warring States period, Su Qin, a master of diplomatic persuasion, traveled extensively to lobby different states.
When he arrived in the State of Chu and requested an audience with the King, the palace gatekeeper, failing to extort a bribe from him, deliberately caused trouble. The gatekeeper made Su Qin wait for three days and sold him daily necessities at extremely inflated prices.
When Su Qin finally met the King of Chu, they found their conversation very engaging. Su Qin then remarked that in Chu, rice was as expensive as pearls, and firewood was as precious as cassia wood, vividly describing the exorbitant cost of living there.