Folk tale

When Tang of Shang established the Shang dynasty, the first capital was at Bo (pronounced "bó," modern-day Shangqiu, Henan Province). Over the following three hundred years, the capital city was relocated five times. This was due to constant struggles for the throne and internal rebellions within the royal family, compounded by frequent flooding in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. On one occasion, a massive flood completely submerged the capital, forcing them to move.

How did human life evolve from primitive groups to the early stages of clan communes? Ancient China has many legends about this. In these legends, there are often great figures who were both leaders and inventors. These legends are mostly imagined by ancient people based on the lives of primitives in ancient times.

During the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, in the region of Shanzhou, there lived a poor scholar named Li Wenzheng, and his wife, Zhao Suyue. The couple loved each other deeply. Li Wenzheng studied diligently, hoping one day to achieve the highest honor in the imperial examinations.

During the Southern Song Dynasty, the triennial imperial examination period arrived once again. Scholars from all over the land flocked to the capital city of Lin'an, filling every inn to capacity.

At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, consecutive years of natural disasters, coupled with oppressive taxes and labor services as numerous as cow hairs, caused unbearable suffering among the people, who voiced theicomplaints everywhere.

After the Tang dynasty recaptured its two capitals, An Qingxu fled to Hebei, seized control of sixty cities, and continued to resist fiercely. Emperor Suzong of Tang decided to send a large army to suppress An Qingxu. This campaign saw the Tang forces concentrate a massive army of six hundred thousand troops led by nine

Legend says that Gulaogang in Yicheng, Hubei, was once the Goulou Street of the ancient capital of the State of Chu. It was here that King Ping of Chu, upon ascending the throne, executed Wu Zixu's entire family. Later, Wu Zixu escaped to the State of Wu. Anticipating that Wu Zixu would surely return for revenge one day, King Ping took precautions early. He summoned a thousand skilled craftsmen from across the kingdom to construct an underwater palace beneath a lake for him.

Long ago, by the Daqing Stream in Taiwan, lived a young couple. The man was named Dajianya (Big Sharp Tooth), and the woman was called Shuishejie (Sister Shuishe). They made a living by fishing, and their simple life was sweet and happy.One noon, suddenly there was a tremendous boom; the sun vanished, and the Daqing Stream turned muddy. That evening, another loud crash echoed, and the moon disappeared too. From then on, day and night by the Daqing Stream were pitch black.

It is said that Lu Ban was the wisest and most skillful craftsman in ancient China. His original name was Gongshu Ban, but because he was from the State of Lu during the late Spring and Autumn period, "Lu Ban" became the name by which later generations came to know him.

Long ago, it is said, there were nine suns in the sky. Like nine blazing fireballs, they all shone down upon the earth at once. Dogs were scorched, their tongues hanging out; tigers had their ears burned bald; water was dried up, and the ground cracked open. People, all plants and trees, birds and beasts – everything – simply could not survive. So everyone rose up together, cursing and poking, and drove the suns away. After the suns were driven away, the earth became pitch black, a dark void everywhere. Thus, people and all living things could no longer survive.