When the Abacus-Bead Lanterns of Chang'an West Market lit up, Pei Hongxiu's Abacus Bead Whip cracked sharply against the Taiji dart flag, causing the abacus beads on the flag surface to bounce into the character "Exhibition." Thirty carts of medicinal herbs were arranged in an Abacus Array, with Rhodiola piled into a mountain shaped like the character "Abundance," and White Cogongrass Flower stacked into a tower shaped like the character "Profit." Most wondrous of all was the central light-and-shadow array of "Contract Gold-Generating" formed by abacus beads, which prompted Persian merchants to toss in gold coins one after another.
"These are 'Abacus-Fragrant Plum Pickle', pickled according to exact abacus bead proportions!" Xiaotao lifted the lid of the earthenware jar, and the abacus beads instantly bounced into the character "Fragrance," projecting above the plum pickle a miniature carving of Huwa pickling vegetables made by abacus beads. A certain Persian merchant took a bite, and the abacus beads actually embroidered a golden-powder pattern reading "Buy Ten More Jars" right onto his beard. He exclaimed in wonder, "These abacus beads are more alluring than my own chef!"
Moli's abacus-literacy stall was surrounded by farmers, and the abacus beads bounced into the character "Read" on a contract. An old farmer actually managed to stumble through the clause about "Paying an Advance Deposit," and the abacus beads immediately embroidered a small commemorative banner on his la…
Chapter 257