Jiang Yan looked down at the playful fox portrait, his ears slightly reddened, his eyes filled with tenderness and love. "Madam, your Majesty's gold can buy three thousand bags, and the Queen Mother's banknotes can buy five thousand acres of rice seeds." He leaned close to her ear, his voice as gentle as a breeze, "But I made a mistake in my calculations—"
"Hmm?" Su Jinli tilted her head slightly, with a hint of doubt in her eyes, and looked at Jiang Yan quietly.
"I've included your wife's smile in the relief funds." Jiang Yan straightened up, a doting smile on his face. Just then, Su Qingyao approached with elegant steps, carrying a half-melted bottle of rouge. "Sister, what are you doing..." Jiang Yan was slightly startled, his eyes fixed on the steaming copper basin.
Su Qingyao placed the copper basin on the table. The liquid "Tian Shui Bi" rouge in the basin was still emitting wisps of green smoke. "Jinli, this shade can be exchanged for fifty stone of fine rice." She gently poked the fox on Jiang Yan's official robe with a teasing smile. "Next time, make it fatter. It will look more valuable."
Sunlight gradually climbed over the eaves of the bookstore, its golden glow gently shone on the donation box at the door, illuminating it like a beacon of hope. Su Jinli watched as the bearded man led more people in like a tide. In their arms, they held not only books of hope, but also copper coins, hairpins, and even half a dry biscuit, carefully wrapped in rags. These seemingly insignificant items embodied the people's deep concern for the victims. The storyteller in the teahouse next door seemed to be infected by the warm atmosphere. Suddenly, he struck the wake-up stick with force and said in a loud voice: "Listen carefully! Miss Su saved Jiangnan with a wolf-hair brush, and Jiang Zhuangyuan persuaded the officials with his clean hands..."
Jiang Yan gently picked up the wolf-hair brush and meticulously added a phoenix holding a rice ear beside Su Jinli's fox painting. The ink slowly fell onto the dark patterns of the official's robe, colliding with the warmth of her fingertips, as if transmitting an invisible force. As Su Jinli watched this scene, her thoughts drifted back to her past life in the Prime Minister's residence. Back then, even charitable acts like distributing porridge to disaster relief were ruthlessly withheld by her stepmother, leaving her filled with helplessness and grievance. Yet, now, tightly gripping the brush that could save countless victims, a complex wave of emotions welled up within her, and her nose couldn't help but tingle.
"What's wrong, Madam?" Jiang Yan keenly noticed the change in Su Jinli's mood. He quickly put down his pen, stretched out his fingertips, and gently wiped the corners of her eyes, his eyes full of concern and heartache.
"Nothing." Su Jinli tilted her head slightly, a bright smile spreading across her face. She reached for the abacus and began to piddle with it expertly. The crisp clatter of the beads echoed like a beautiful hope for the future. "I was just figuring out that once the floods recede south of the Yangtze River, I'll have my eldest sister make a rouge called 'Grassroots Green' as a reward for all the people who donated grain."
Meanwhile, the abacus that Qian, the shopkeeper, had dropped into the gutter, was swollen from the water, a symbol of his narrow-mindedness. Meanwhile, on the account book of Jinyun Bookstore, the words "Huaben Saves the Country" (huaben huaben succumbed to the turmoil) stood out even more brightly, against the backdrop of countless copper coins donated by the people. This couple, who started out selling sugar paintings on the street, worked their way up step by step. With a pen and a pad of paper, they created the sweetest, most heartwarming story of national salvation in this world of suffering. This story has become a beloved tale among the people of Beijing, inspiring others to rise to the occasion in the face of adversity and write their own legends with love and courage.
Over time, the influence of Jinyun Bookstore's "Storybooks to Save the Nation" campaign grew ever wider. Literati from across the country responded, using their pens as swords to create works related to disaster relief, injecting further cultural power into this charitable campaign. Their words depicted the devastation afflicting Jiangnan, awakening sympathy and concern for the victims. They also celebrated the heroic deeds of Su Jinli, Jiang Yan, and others, spreading this message of love and responsibility throughout Dajing.
Inspired by the work of Jinyun Bookstore, the citizens of Beijing spontaneously organized themselves into various mutual aid groups for disaster relief. Some went to the streets to spread awareness and encourage more people to donate money and supplies; others volunteered to help organize and transport supplies, ensuring they reached the disaster-stricken areas south of the Yangtze River. The entire capital was immersed in an atmosphere of unity and shared purpose.
In the Jiangnan disaster area, the food, rice seeds, and other supplies collected by Su Jinli, Jiang Yan, and others were like a timely rain, bringing hope of life to the victims. Bags of millet were distributed to the hungry victims, bringing them a sense of warmth and care in their difficult situation. Mu of rice fields, after being planted with rice seeds, gradually burst into vibrant life, as if proving the tenacity and perseverance of life.
The victims who received books like "Flying Fox" drew strength from these stories during their difficult times. In their makeshift shelters, they sat together, listening to the stories and temporarily forgetting the pain of the disaster. These books not only brought them spiritual comfort but also filled them with confidence for the future.
However, Su Jinli and Jiang Yan were not satisfied. They knew the road to rebuilding was long, and that the victims needed not only material assistance but also spiritual support and guidance. Therefore, they decided to offer a series of cultural lectures and skills training courses in Jiangnan to help the victims improve their abilities and prepare for the future.
Su Jinli personally served as a cultural lecturer, sharing historical stories and cultural knowledge with the victims in a lively and engaging manner, inspiring their love for life and aspirations for the future. Jiang Yan, in turn, invited skilled craftsmen from various industries to provide skills training for the victims, such as farming techniques and handicrafts, enabling them to master a skill and better make a living after the disaster.
Su Qingyao wasn't idle either. She opened a rouge workshop in Jiangnan, teaching local women how to blend rouge and donating a portion of the profits to disaster relief efforts. The "Grassroots Green" rouge she created was a huge hit, becoming a cherished remembrance of this act of love.
Princess Shou'an also frequently visited Jiangnan, bringing daily necessities and toys from the palace to the children in the disaster-stricken areas. She also played with the children and told them interesting stories from the palace, bringing them joy and warmth amidst their suffering.
Thanks to the concerted efforts of all, the Jiangnan disaster area has gradually regained its former vitality and vigor. The land once ravaged by floodwaters is now a scene of prosperity. In the fields, golden ears of rice sway in the breeze, as if to show the joy of a good harvest. In the villages, newly built houses are scattered in an orderly manner, and the laughter of children echoes in every corner.
Su Jinli and Jiang Yan stood on the land of Jiangnan, their hearts filled with joy as they took in the sight. They knew that this disaster relief effort had not only saved countless lives but also brought them profound joy and growth. Through their actions, they demonstrated the power of love and responsibility, making the story of "Storybooks Save the Nation" a timeless tale, inspiring generations to bravely lend a helping hand in the face of adversity and warm the world with love. Jinyun Bookstore will continue to carry this mission and responsibility, blossoming into an even more brilliant legacy in the long history of culture.
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