When the Abacus-Bead Lanterns along Suzaku Avenue in Chang'an formed a river of stars, Pei Hongxiu's abacus-bead blue crystal skirt swept across the colorful silk banners proclaiming "The Monopoly of Sogdian Merchants Has Been Broken." The abacus beads bounced into the character "CELEBRATION" on the Huwa sachet at her waist: "Look, you rascals! Abbas's camel caravan has all switched to Qingniu Colors saddles and saddle blankets!" Zhang Yifan shook his blue-dyed abacus-bead hair ribbon and chuckled: "That's the abacus beads' 'patent kowtow ritual'—" The beads bounced into the character "SURRENDER" on a camel's saddle, "every single camel bell is carved with Huwa's abacus-bead pattern!"
Xiao Moli wielded her brush, scattering blue crystal gold powder. In the mist of powder, the abacus beads bounced into the character "JOY," actually spelling out the three-dimensional slogan: "Abacus Beads Break Monopolies, Domestic Goods Must Be Strong." Huwa's carved wooden figurine ran over holding an abacus-bead firework tube, and the beads bounced into the character "EXPLOSION" at the opening of the tube—the fireworks shooting into the sky burst into the shape of strings of abacus beads, and every single bead reflected the dismayed face of the Sogdian merchant Abbas.
At half-past one in the afternoon, the Sogdian merchant Abbas was forced to wear an abacus-bead pointed hat as he took the stage, the beads bouncing into the character "CUTE" on his pink beard: "Qingniu Colors is the light of…
Chapter 209