Chinese History & Mythology

Now, when Sima Yi heard that Cao Shuang had taken his trusted followers, the imperial guards, and the Wei ruler Cao Fang out of the city to pay respects at Emperor Ming’s tomb and go hunting along the way, he was overjoyed.

The moment you step outside, it feels like walking into an oven. For us modern people, the first thing we do when we get home is turn on the air conditioner, collapse onto the sofa, and say, “Air conditioning is keeping me alive.” But while feeling that cold air, a very interesting question suddenly came to my mind: in ancient China, when there was no electricity and no compressor at all, how did people survive those blazing hot summers that often lasted for months?

Now, when Jiang Wei saw Wei Yan rush into the tent and knock out Kongming’s life lamp, he was furious and drew his sword to kill him. Kongming quickly stopped him and said, “This is because my fate has reached its end. It is not Wenchang’s fault.” Only then did Jiang Wei put away his sword.

When the generals heard that Kongming would not pursue the Wei soldiers, they all entered the tent and reported, “The Wei soldiers have been trapped by the heavy rain and cannot even set up camp properly. Now that they are withdrawing, this is the perfect chance to pursue them. Chancellor, why do you not pursue?”

Do you know when China’s Ghost Festival is? And do you know what customs it has, and how it developed over history?

In the autumn, in the ninth month of the sixth year of Jianxing in Shu Han, the Wei Commander Cao Xiu was badly defeated at Shiting by Lu Xun, the Grand Commander of Eastern Wu. Warhorses, vehicles, weapons, grain, and supplies were almost all captured by the Wu army. After this defeat, Cao Xiu was terrified and deeply troubled. After returning to Luoyang, a poisonous swelling grew on his back, and in the end, he died of illness. The Wei ruler Cao Rui ordered that he be buried with generous honors.

After Cao Zhen and Guo Huai were defeated, they were in the camp discussing how to drive back the enemy. Guo Huai said to Cao Zhen, “The various tribes of Western Qiang have been sending tribute every year since the time when Cao Cao was still alive, and Emperor Wen also treated them generously. Now we can hold the dangerous passes and send people through small paths into Qiang territory to ask for help. We can promise them gold and silver, and also promise to form a marriage alliance. If the Qiang people are willing to raise troops and attack the Shu army from behind, while we send troops from the front, then with attacks from both sides, we will surely win a great victory.”

Next month, on Wednesday the 19th, it will be Chinese Valentine’s Day. Did you know that? Every year, on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, many Chinese people celebrate a festival called Double Seventh Festival, the Double Seven Festival.

After Kongming pacified the Southern Barbarians, he led the army back to Shu. Meng Huo brought the cave lords, chiefs, and tribal leaders, large and small, to come forward one after another, bow in thanks, and see him off.

That day, Kongming personally rode in his small carriage and brought several hundred cavalry ahead to scout the road. As they moved forward, they suddenly came upon a large river called the Xi’er River. The water did not flow very fast, but the river was wide, and there were no boats or rafts. For the moment, the troops and horses could not cross.