[Video provided to goshanxi.com.cn] 

Rees from the United Kingdom has recently been given unprecedented access to venture deep into North China's Shanxi province, seeing people, places and businesses that are usually off-limits.

In this series of videos, he will be embarking on a journey to explore the unique culture of Shanxi merchants and understand their fascinating business practices that have endured for hundreds of years across Asia and Europe. 

Join him on a journey to examine the past, present and future of Shanxi's business culture. 

The fourth episode shows Rees' visit to the Qiao Family Compound in Jinzhnog city, where he learned how a small abacus can represent some very big ideas when the public considers the pragmatism and vision of Shanxi merchants.