Phoenix Dance of Chu

A magnificent epic of Chu people's character and fate, and a splendid saga of war and love in the Spring and Autumn period. During the Spring and Autumn period, the state of Chu grew increasingly powerful and its ambition for hegemony intensified. After the death of Duke Huan of Qi, Chu and Song fought for supremacy in the Battle of Hongshui. When the Chu army waded across the river, Duke Xiang of Song, adhering to Zhou rites, refused to attack them halfway. However, after crossing, the Chu army defeated the Song army and pursued them relentlessly, wounding Duke Xiang fatally. At that time, the dilemma of whether to uphold rites or seek victory tormented the people of the Central Plains. Chu dominated, but then faced a challenge from Jin. The two states fought a great battle at Chengpu, where Chu was defeated and surrounded by the armies of Jin, Qi, Qin, and Song. Just as the Chu army prepared for a desperate fight, Duke Wen of Jin ordered a retreat, avoiding a bloody massacre in the Central Plains. The Chu people felt the warmth of virtue and rites and understood the rituals of the Central Plains. Thirty years later, Chu and Jin fought again at the Bi River. The Jin army was defeated, and tens of thousands of fleeing soldiers rushed to the Yellow River to grab boats for escape. But all boats were overcrowded; one by one, boats were capsized by climbers, and those on board chopped off the fingers of those trying to climb aboard. Fingers piled up like hemp, and the Yellow River was stained red with blood. King Zhuang of Chu, seeing this, ordered a withdrawal, allowing the Jin army to cross the river and return home calmly, thus preserving virtue and rites in the Central Plains. King Zhuang of Chu then took the opportunity to convene a meeting of Central Plains lords, ceasing war and ending hostilities, writing a brilliant page in the Spring and Autumn period.