In the early morning, the mist had not yet dissipated over the land of southern Shandong, but the Caowa market in Linshu County, Linyi City, Shandong Province, was already awakened by the rising and falling shouts of vendors. Looking around, long lines of vehicles with license plates from Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, and other provinces stretched out. Inside the market, freshly cooked mutton soup steamed, and handicrafts such as willow baskets and rattan flower baskets gleamed naturally in the sunlight, ready to welcome visitors from all directions.
In the intangible cultural heritage zone at the southeast corner of the Caowa Market, willow branches nourished by the Shu River are transformed into exquisite flower baskets, screens, and cultural and creative ornaments bearing the inscription "Linshu Etiquette" by artisans. These handicrafts, carrying over 1400 years of craftsmanship, have become the most eye-catching "cultural calling card" at the market. Linyi Ronghua Cultural and Creative Rattan Ornaments Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Ronghua Cultural and Creative") set up a direct sales booth at the market, where a dazzling array of willow weaving products attracted many tourists to stop and watch.
"The 5 million yuan loan from the Agricultural Bank of China helped our willow-woven products go from market stalls to the national market," Zhang Zhiquan, a person in charge of Ronghua Cultural and Creative, told the Financial Times reporter.
As a specialty industry of Linshu County, willow weaving products are loved by consumers for their environmental friendliness and durability. After the product's reputation improved, the resulting increase in sales gave Ronghua Cultural and Creative the idea of expanding production, but a funding gap caused the company a problem.
After learning about the situation, staff from the Linshu branch of the Agricultural Bank of China in Shandong Province proactively visited the company and provided it with a loan of 5 million yuan. Now, the company's willow baskets, storage baskets, and other products are not only in high demand at the Caowa market, but are also sold nationwide through e-commerce platforms, creating jobs for more than 200 villagers in the surrounding area.
Passing through the intangible cultural heritage area of Caowa Market, the Xiangcheng Whole Lamb Restaurant stall, steaming and fragrant, came into view. Famous for its tender lamb soup and rich broth, it has become a "celebrity food" at Caowa Market thanks to its booming popularity. In the morning, a long queue formed in front of the lamb soup stall, filled with eager customers waiting to try it.
"I have to rush here before dawn to make the soup. Now, I can sell over 300 jin (150 kg) of mutton at a single market, which is more than four times what it used to be." Due to the large number of customers, Yang Mingjie, the owner of Xiangcheng Whole Lamb Restaurant, also rushed over to help add soup. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and Yang Mingjie was happy to see the increasingly prosperous business. "The 300,000 yuan loan from the Agricultural Bank of China helped the shop purchase new equipment and add more sales windows, so I no longer have to worry about customers waiting," Yang Mingjie said. Now, his mutton soup shop has become a must-visit "culinary delight" for tourists from other provinces, and his turnover at each market can exceed 20,000 yuan.
“In the past, when customers scanned QR codes to pay, it was inevitable that they would encounter payment failures. Many elderly people who came here did not know how to use mobile payment. However, I had little cash on hand, and even less change. Whenever this happened, I would inevitably have to exchange money with neighboring merchants to make ends meet, which was very frustrating.” In the midst of the bustling activity, a reporter from the Financial Times met Ms. Zhang, a merchant, who shook her head repeatedly as she recalled the payment problems she had encountered in the past.
These issues have now been properly resolved. In response to problems such as unstable network signals and inconvenience in making change at the market, staff from the Linshu branch of the Agricultural Bank of China in Shandong Province actively implemented the requirements for payment convenience, and proactively distributed coin purses containing different denominations of change and payment tips at the market.
"Now customers either pay with their mobile phones, or I use the change from the coin purse distributed by the Agricultural Bank of China to make change. I no longer have to worry about small denominations of cash," Ms. Zhang said with a smile.
The lively atmosphere of the Caowa market can last from morning until evening. In the afternoon, the open-air stage of the market is bustling with people, with many spectators who have come from far and wide.
During a break before the Liuqin Opera performance, Agricultural Bank staff took the opportunity to promote anti-fraud financial literacy to the public. "Please remember, anyone who says 'you need to pay money first to win a prize' is a scam. If you encounter any suspicious situations, call 110 immediately..." These sincere words drew frequent nods from the audience.
During the interview, the reporter learned that with the booming popularity of the Caowa Market, more and more consumers and merchants are gathering there. This also presents an important opportunity for the Agricultural Bank of China to conduct financial literacy campaigns at the market.
"I've always heard about people being scammed, but I didn't know how to prevent it. I came to the market today and didn't expect to have such an unexpected bonus," said Ms. Chen, a citizen who came to the market after hearing about it.
As the sun sets, the bustling atmosphere of the Caowa market continues. The vibrant crowds evoke the lively, everyday life that people yearn for, a warm and welcoming ambiance. It's not just about selling goods, but also about gathering people and warming hearts. With the comprehensive financial services provided by the Agricultural Bank of China, this market, steeped in over 50 years of history, is radiating new vitality and energy.
