May the nation and its people enjoy peace and prosperity, and may this golden age last forever.
Shen Chengze served diligently as an imperial censor, impeaching corrupt officials and rectifying bureaucracy, earning the emperor's trust and the people's affection. Several years later, due to his outstanding achievements, he was promoted to Minister of Revenue, in charge of national finances, agriculture, sericulture, and water conservancy. Upon taking office, Shen Chengze deeply understood the importance of people's livelihood and vigorously promoted policies of light taxes and levies, encouraging agriculture and sericulture. At the same time, he strengthened financial management and severely punished corruption, leading to increasingly abundant national finances and a more prosperous life for the people.
He also attached great importance to water conservancy construction and grain reserves, organizing the construction of reservoirs and dredging of waterways nationwide, and establishing a grain reserve system to effectively cope with natural disasters in various regions. Under his efforts, agriculture, handicrafts, and commerce in Dajing developed rapidly, the country's strength grew stronger day by day, and a prosperous and peaceful era unfolded.
Seeing this, neighboring countries sent envoys to pay homage, establish friendly relations with Dajing, exchange goods, and develop together. Dajing's merchant ships traveled to and from major ports, transporting specialties such as silk, tea, and porcelain to various places, and also bringing back treasures and cultures from foreign lands, promoting the exchange and integration of Chinese and foreign cultures.
Shen Jifang's clinic, "Cheng'an Hall," enjoyed a renowned reputation throughout Jiangnan and even the entire country. Her apprentices were scattered across the land, inheriting her medical skills and compassionate heart, dedicated to saving lives and healing the sick. Shen Jifang also compiled her lifelong medical experience into a book titled "Cheng'an Medical Records," which documented the diagnosis and treatment methods for various difficult and complex diseases and the efficacy of commonly used herbs, making a significant contribution to the development of traditional Chinese medicine. Many physicians regarded "Cheng'an Medical Records" as their guiding principle, and flocked to Jiangnan to visit Shen Jifang and exchange medical knowledge.
During his many years as Minister of Rites, Shen Nian'an dedicated himself to improving cultural education and etiquette systems. He presided over the revision of the "Da Jing Ritual System," which standardized etiquette and customs in the court and among the common people. He also vigorously promoted education, establishing schools throughout the country to give more children the opportunity to read and write, thus cultivating a large number of talented individuals.
Now over sixty years old, Shen Nian'an, seeing the country at peace and the people prosperous, petitioned the emperor to retire and return to his hometown. The emperor was reluctant to let him go, but understood his wishes and ultimately granted his request, bestowing upon him a large amount of wealth to recognize his achievements.
After returning to Jiangnan, Shen Nian'an lived with his younger sister, Shen Jifang, in the courtyard. Every day, the brother and sister would admire flowers, enjoy tea, play chess, and read. Occasionally, they would reminisce about their ancestors, their hearts filled with emotion. Seeing the still lush flowers and trees in the courtyard, witnessing the peaceful and prosperous lives of the people of Jiangnan, and observing the flourishing state of Dajing, they deeply understood that all of this had not come easily; it was earned by the blood and sweat of their ancestors.
Shen Nian'an often said to Shen Jifang, "Sister, our Shen family has upheld the belief of 'wholeheartedly protecting the country' for seven generations. Now we have finally lived up to the expectations of our ancestors and the trust of the people."
Shen Jifang nodded, her eyes filled with satisfaction: "Yes, peace and tranquility for the country and prosperity for generations to come is what our Shen family has always hoped for. This patriotism passed down from generation to generation will live on forever on the land of Dajing."
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