Pearls are not only a kind of gemstone but also a form of culture. During the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), the people who lived in the plain area of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River gradually mastered the artificial cultivation techniques of pearls through observation, exploration and innovation. They turned this area rich in water resources into a treasured land for freshwater pearl farming, thus trailblazing the way for mixed aquaculture of fish and clams.

This episode of the documentary series about Chinese agricultural heritage systems, produced by China Media Group (CMG), showcases the traditional cultivation and utilization system of freshwater pearls in Deqing County, east China's Zhejiang Province, presenting a story that shows how the small pearls boost farmers' income through ecological methods.