Jia Sixie, author of China's first agricultural encyclopedia, was one of the leading agronomists (农学家) in Chinese history. In the late years of the Northern Wei Dynasty, he wrote Qimin Yaoshu, the 【小题1】 (early) and most complete agricultural encyclopedia still in existence in China.

Jia Sixie was born in Yidu County in Shandong Province. During his childhood, Jia's family wasn't wealthy, but had 【小题2】 rich collection of books. This provided the young Jia with an opportunity: to read ancient Chinese literature 【小题3】 (wide) on agriculture. He completed Qimin Yaoshu during the wars, 【小题4】 he saw the sufferings of the poor farmers. 【小题5】 he firmly believed was that the development of agriculture could help those farmers out.

The book, which has 92 chapters in 10 volumes and nearly 120,000 characters, 【小题6】 (cover) a wide range of topics and records on production experiences and methods. It includes advice on farming, fishery and sideline occupations. In the book, he emphasized the importance of seed breeding in order to cultivate better 【小题7】 (variety).

Qimin Yaoshu was first distributed mainly among common people. In the late Tang Dynasty, the book was introduced to Japan. So far, the book 【小题8】 (translate) into several languages. Qimin Yaoshu is considered 【小题9】 an important summary of farming knowledge. At present, it is still studied by Chinese farmers and students 【小题10】 (major) in agriculture.

The 16^th to 18^th centuries witnessed the peak time of Suzhou classical gardens, featuring around 250 gardens. A survey from 2015 to 2018 showed that Suzhou is home 【小题1】 108 classical gardens, 57 of 【小题2】 are in the historical neighborhood of Gusu District. The gardens reflect the importance of natural beauty in Chinese culture. Great Wave Pavilion, which 【小题3】 ( build ) in the 11th century, is the oldest existing garden in Suzhou.

2024 is the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar and it is the first time that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED)【小题1】 (include) the term “Chinese dragon” in its dictionary. The Chinese dragon has two definitions in the OED, with the first one about its physical image and the second one on its figurative and allusive (典故的) nature.

Emperors in ancient dynasties were dressed in a Dragon Robe, a traditional silk-woven costume with dragon designs, 【小题2】 (symbolize) imperial power and authority. Jade Seals (玉玺), often 【小题3】 (carve) with dragons, also symbolize the authority of the emperor.

Contrary 【小题4】 the Western dragon, the image of the Chinese dragon, despite undergoing constant changes, has represented various’ positive 【小题5】 (quality) including prosperity, authority, strength and good fortune.

In ancient Chinese belief, dragons 【小题6】 (associate) with the control of the weather, particularly rain. The dragon’s ability to bring rain was seen as crucial for agriculture, which made it 【小题7】 positive symbol for the fertility of the land.

With the rising China Chic trend and the country’s booming cultural creative industry, the Chinese dragon in folktale is now 【小题8】 (common) seen in creative products such as tear-off calendars, dolls, dragon-themed jewelry as well as the “dragon blind boxes” 【小题9】 appeal to young consumers.

Whether it is through the hands of a national-level intangible (非物质) cultural heritage inheritor 【小题10】 the hands of a Generation Z “blind box” designer, the Chinese dragon carries forward the Chinese cultural spirit.