Stories in Yangtze River History – Brief Introduction of Yangtze River

The Yangtze River is the largest river in China and the third largest river in the world. In the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River, there are Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorges and Xiling Gorge, which are named Three Gorges. The Yangtze River Three Gorges is almost two hundreds meters long, with wonderful topographical features and beautiful scenery. It is famous scenic spot in the world. You can take Yangtze Cruise to enjoy the beautiful scenery and special culture.

In the long Yangtze River history, there are many stories widely spread in this area.

Stories in Yangtze River History – Story about White Emperor City

In the west end of Three Gorges, the entrance of Qutang Gorge, there is a famous sight spot – White Emperor City. The name of White Emperor City originated from a real historical story. The protagonist in this story is Gongsun Shu.

In the year of 25, China was in a state of dynastic changing. The West Han Kingdom was destroyed by the farmer uprising, and the new kingdom hadn't been set up. Gongsun Shu, who was a local general, set up a separatist regime in Southwestern, waiting for the opportunity.

According to legends, one day, Gongsun Shu made a dream. In this dream, one people said to him that he can be twelve years emperor. After awaking, he felt so fantastic. In the second day morning, when he was walking in the yard, he saw a white vapor rising up from the well, and which looks like a white dragon flying into the sky. Gongsun Shu thought it is the sign that he would be the emperor. So, he held a ceremony to declare himself as the White Emperor, and named the city at Qutang Gorge entrance as "White Emperor City".

The intellectual Ma Yuan, one of Gongsun Shu's friends, came to defect to him from far away after knowing this thing. But, Gongsun Shu deliberately acted as an emperor before his friends. Gongsun Shu ordered his follower to make ordinary clothes for Ma Yuan, then summoned Ma before the grand army and officials, and conferred Ma as a general to lead the army. The companies of Ma were very happy, and wanted to stay here. But Ma Yuan explained to them that the world is chaos, and nobody knows who can unite the world. Gongsun Shu doesn't know how to welcome intellectual to discuss the national affairs, but pay more attention to fussy details. How can he keep the men of insight to help him? Then, he leaved here.

At the same time, Liu Xiu set up national East Han regime in Luoyang. So he sent letters to Gongsun Shu to advise him give up his kingdom. But Gongsun Shu refused. In the year of 37, the army of Liu Xiu attacked Gongsun Shu. And Gongsun Shu died in the battle.

From the beginning to the end, Gongsun Shu ruled Southwestern for 28 years. During the 28 years, the southwest area relatively stable, and got ride of the battle in the central land. When he was the emperor, he devoted to develop agriculture, build irrigation works, and work for the local people. So, after he died in the battle, the local people built "White Emperor Temple" in White Emperor City to commemorate him.

Stories in Yangtze River History- Other Stories

Except the White Emperor City, there are some other historical relics and folk stories in the Yangtze River history in the Three Gorges area. For example, there are twelve beautiful peaks along the Three Gorges which were named "Goddess Peak", and people created out some beautiful myths about them.