World scene

Author: Sha Tian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: The northwest sides of Lianhuashan are surrounded by the prosperous Yanhe Plain. Shanyang City stands at the southeastern end of the plain, leaning against Lianhuashan. The Bile River, originating from Lianhuashan, flows gently from the south of Shanyang City and merges into the largest tributary of Yanhe, the Zongzi River. The Bile River used to be crystal clear with fish and shrimp swimming in abundance, but such sights are rarely seen now. As soon as the Bile River flows out of Lianhuashan, it is greeted by the quaint small town of Shazhen on the northern bank. In the early days of the liberation, Shazhen was a bustling southern exit for Shanyang, with a three-li street along the river lined with shops. The buildings were all made of blue bricks and tiles with curved roofs and upturned eaves, and the "Wangtiangou" (a type of decorative roof finial) sat proudly atop them. The street was wider on the east and narrower on the west, forming a trumpet shape. In the old days, merchants and guild masters believed that if the "zhuantou" (the front part of a shop) of their stores was half a brick ahead of their neighbors', their business would thrive. Therefore, the street grew narrower from east to west. The parapets on the shop facades were also taller one after another. The street was filled with hotels, snack shops, tea houses, department stores, flower shops, general stores, blacksmiths, and saddle shops, all bustling with business, more so than in any ordinary county. This book takes the marriage and family lives of the six sisters of the Lin family as the main storyline, while the (subplot) follows Qiu Zhongjun, the mayor of Shanyang City, who represents the interests of the masses wholeheartedly, in his relentless struggle against corrupt officials. Through the portrayal of their life philosophies, attitudes, values, and goals, the book analyzes the humanistic spirit embedded in their characters and the immense potential they hold to drive social progress, recreating the diverse human experiences during the most important historical period of New China. The book highlights the theme that "kind women turn the darkness of life into light," as said by Charles Dickens.