Hello everyone. Today I'd like to introduce the legendary stories of the Baishijiang River in Qujing.

The Baishijiang River, or "White Stone River," got its name from the white stones and sandy soil found along its banks. As a tributary of the Nanpan River, it stretches for 31 li and flows through the urban area of Qujing from west to east. Qujing has long been known as the "Key to Yunnan and Guizhou" and the "Throat of Yunnan," while the Baishijiang River is regarded as "the Entrance to the Throat."

With a history of more than 2,500 years, Qujing has experienced countless cultural and historical changes. The Baishijiang River has quietly witnessed these transformations, including the development of Cuan Culture, one of the most important ancient cultures in Southwest China. Today, I will share two legendary stories connected with this river.

The first story dates back to 225 AD during the Three Kingdoms period. Zhuge Liang, the famous statesman and military strategist of the Shu Kingdom, led a southern expedition into this region. Fierce battles broke out in the Pandong area between his army and local tribal forces. According to legend, Zhuge Liang "captured and released Meng Huo seven times." In the end, Meng Huo sincerely surrendered and pledged loyalty to the Shu Kingdom. An alliance was later formed in Qujing. This story reflects the philosophy that winning people's hearts is more important than winning battles. It also demonstrated policies of governing through cooperation among Han and local ethnic groups, becoming a symbol of ethnic integration and unity.

The second story happened in 1381 during the early Ming Dynasty. General Mu Ying led the Ming army to conquer Yunnan, which was still controlled by the remaining Yuan forces. The Yuan commander stationed 100,000 elite soldiers in the area to resist the Ming army. Using dense fog as cover, Mu Ying launched a surprise attack across the river and achieved a decisive victory. This battle greatly weakened the Yuan forces in Yunnan and helped the Ming Dynasty unify China.

More than 200 years later, the famous Ming geographer Xu Xiake visited the Baishijiang River. In The Travels of Xu Xiake, he questioned whether the battle had been exaggerated. His skepticism encouraged later generations to continue exploring the truth behind the story, turning the Battle of Baishijiang into a famous folklore legend passed down among the people.

The Baishijiang River area is also known as the homeland of Cuan culture, which blended Han traditions with local ethnic cultures. Its rich cultural heritage can still be seen today in calligraphy, music, food, and traditional costumes. These traditions continue to promote ethnic unity and support the development of cultural tourism.

Today, the Baishijiang River still winds through Qujing like a ribbon, carrying the echoes of history while embracing modern development. As a new urban landmark, it connects the city's ancient heritage with its bright future, continuing to write a new chapter for Qujing. 

Thank you for listening!