BEIJING: Two small counties in China have put in place reciprocal arrangements for their residents to visit tourist spots following a moving story involving people in one place buying the apples of a sick farmer from the other.
The story began on May 2 when Ji Yaozhong, a farmer from Yangxian county of northwestern Shaanxi province, drove a truck carrying 4,000kg of apples to sell in Xianfeng county in Hubei province, central China, the Hubei Daily reported.
He suffered a sudden stroke which left him with a numb right arm and slurred speech. Ji sought emergency medical treatment at Xianfeng County Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Hospital.
Doctors saved his life but said he needs to undergo long-term rehabilitation.
Ji’s wife, Liang Lili, came to take care of him. However, because she does not drive, she had to leave Ji’s truck, with his load of apples, at the hospital.
Ji, 44, is the sole breadwinner for his family. His parents are both sick and his two children are young school pupils.
After learning about Ji’s plight, the Xianfeng hospital issued instructions to its staff on the afternoon of May 4, calling on them to buy Ji’s apples to reduce his financial losses.
Workers from the logistics department drove Ji’s truck to the hospital gate before setting up booths to sell the fruit.
The apples were sold at 2.5 yuan (36 US cents) per kg, according to Ji.
Some employees spent more than 500 yuan (US$75) on apples while others used their spare time helping sort, pack, and weigh the apples, while others sent food to Liang and urged her to look after herself as well.
The apple-buying initiative quickly went viral on social media in the county.
Thanks to the local residents’ enthusiastic response, all 4,000kg were sold out within 19 hours, garnering a total income of 34,000 yuan (US$5,000) for Ji, the report said.
“I am deeply grateful to the people of Xianfeng. These apples cost me over 20,000 yuan. If the fruit had rotted, I would not have known what to do,” said Ji in a still fragile voice.
Liang, who was moved to tears, told the media: “Doctors saved my husband’s life and good-hearted people in the town helped solve the financial problem of my family. I do not have any relatives in Xianfeng, but I am treated like your family. I will never forget this warmth from you.”
On May 6, the government of Yangxian county, Ji’s hometown, said on social media that starting May 7, all its tourist zones would have free entry for a year for residents holding the registry of Enshi city, which administers Xianfeng county.
These tour spots include the tomb of Cai Lun, an Eastern Han dynasty (AD 25-220) eunuch official celebrated as the inventor of paper in China, and a forest park inhabited by crested ibis.
The next day, Xianfeng county repaid the kindness by announcing the same policy for people from Yangxian county.
One of Xianfeng’s top tourist spots is Tangya Tusi Fortress, a historical capital of local ethnic minority groups designated as a World Heritage site by Unesco.
“What a two-way commitment of kindness and gratitude,” said one internet user.
Another person said: “My eyes are welling up with tears by this story. The leaders and workers of the Hubei hospital did a great job motivating the whole county. Thank you for your great love.” - South China Morning Post
