The time entered the thirteenth year of King Qingji of Wu, that is, in 501 BC, the fifth month of the lunar calendar.

Qingji held a meeting on the bank of the Yuejiang River (Pearl River) outside Panyu City.

The people present at this meeting were all the kings of the small countries of Baiyue in the land of Lingnan, or the chiefs of the tribes.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that Qingji Chen soldiers are more than 100,000 in the area of Nanhai County this time, and he really wants to completely quell the Lingnan Rebellion and truly establish the rule of Wu in the six counties of Lingnan.

However, at this time, the Baiyue people resisted, and it was already in vain.

Therefore, the Baiyue people had to retreat and rushed to Yuejiang from all over the country to participate in the alliance.

What is "Baiyue"?

"Hundred" refers to the majority, the approximate number, not the exact number.

Once upon a time, there were hundreds of large and small tribal states in this vast land.

In ancient times, the people of the Central Plains generally called the southern tribes of the Central Plains as "barbarians", the eastern tribes as "Yi", the western tribes as "Rong", and the northern tribes as "Di".

"Barbarian Rongdi" is the name of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties for the tribes in the southeast, northwest, and northwest.

After the Qin and Han dynasties, the southern tribes were called "Yue", and the nomadic tribes north of the Gobi Desert were called "Hu", so the northern "Hu" and the southern "Yue" were called together.

The Yue Di tribes actually include the Wu State.

There are many branches of Baiyue, including Wuyue, Yangyue, Donou, Minyue, Nanyue, Xiou, Luoyue and many other Yue branches.

The so-called "Gou Wu" refers to the predecessor of the Wu State.

This time, the monarchs of the small countries of Baiyue, as well as the chiefs of the tribes, in order to worship and celebrate the taboo, also specially offered ivory, tortoiseshell, green hair, rhino horn, cinnamon and fragrant wood and other luxuries.

Qingji also reciprocated the favor and gave back to the silk silk and handmade products of the Central Plains.

"Ministers, see the king! Long live the king! Ten thousand years of Wu Kingdom! ”

In the huge venue, on the bank of the Yuejiang River, the Baiyue monarchs dressed in various strange costumes all bowed to Qingji sitting on the square platform.

"No courtesy, flat!"

"King Xie!"

With a wave of Qingji's big hand, he helped him for a while, and all the Baiyue lords were crowned kings, and then they slowly stood up and stood there respectfully.

Qingji sat on the square platform, looked around, and everywhere he looked, there were hundreds of Baiyue feudal lords with different expressions.

On the periphery of the venue, there were all Wu Guo's soldiers who were stubborn and stubborn, and they formed a circle.

The flag covers the sun, and the spear is like a forest.

This powerful momentum frightened many Baiyue people present.

The crimson banner representing the army of Wu hunts in the wind.

The river is surging and surging.

Directly in front of the quadrangular platform, a tall altar has risen from the ground.

Not far away, there are hundreds of "dragon boats" moored there.

What is the intention of Qingji?

All were confused.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it has been four or five months since the widow came to this place and Lingnan!"

Qingji held the Longyuan sword at his waist in one hand, and said loudly: "However, the widow passed on the edict, so that all the Baiyue feudal monarchs and chieftains who belonged to him would meet him, and there were those who did not submit!" ”

"The minister belongs to my Wu country, and the minister belongs to the Baiyue nation of the six counties of Lingnan who are widowed, there are ninety-two countries and seven hundred and sixty-one tribes."

"However, there are only sixty-five countries and five hundred and twenty-two tribes here today!"

After a pause, Qingji squinted his eyes again, and waved his big hand: "The widow has already spoken first, and anyone who does not show up will be regarded as a rebel, and Master Wu will ask for it!" ”

"The widow does what he says!"

“……”

As soon as these words came out, the feudal chieftains present were all moved and trembled.

They are well aware of the strength of Wu and the strength of Wu State, so they can't have much resistance at all.

In the face of great power, any resistance is futile.

"The widow heard that there is a tradition of dragon boat racing in the land of Lingnan, and when it happens, the widow organizes a grand dragon boat race, please take a look!"

As soon as the words fell, the boats placed on the riverside had already boarded many young and strong men.

"Let's go!"

With Sun Wu's order, the dragon boat, which had long been ready to go, headed towards the opposite shore and moved at full speed.

Hundreds of dragon boats, struggling to advance.

"Winter! Winter! Winter! ”

Between the colorful flags, the man standing at the front of the dragon boat beat the drum reluctantly, using a pair of drumsticks, beating the big drum.

The men on both sides of the dragon boat are shouting trumpets and rowing their oars with all their strength to make the dragon boat move quickly.

Dragon boat racing is a traditional custom of the Dragon Boat Festival.

According to legend, it originated in ancient times when the people of Chu died because they were reluctant to throw themselves into the river because of the reluctance of the virtuous minister Qu Yuan, and many people rowed boats to chase and save them.

They scrambled to be the first to chase to Dongting Lake, but there was no trace of them.

Since then, people have rowed dragon boats on May 5 every year to commemorate it. Borrow a dragon boat to disperse the fish in the river, so that the fish will not eat Qu Yuan's body.

The habit of racing was prevalent in Wu, Yue, and Chu.

In fact, "Dragon Boat Racing" has existed long before Qu Yuan!

More than 1,000 years ago, the custom of rowing dragon boats has existed in the Wuyue Water Township, and the purpose is to pray for avoiding common floods and droughts by sacrificing totems - dragons.

This is a festival where the Yue people hold totem sacrifices in order to pray for the safety of life.

The dragon boat race is an entertainment program in this kind of sacrificial activity.

The Hu people are convenient for horses, and the more people are convenient for boats.

People in the southern water network area often use boats as a means of production and transportation.

In the work of catching fish and shrimp, people compare the amount of fish.

In leisure, they meet in rowing and racing, entertaining in labor, production and leisure, which is the prototype of racing in ancient times.

"Good!"

"Color!"

When a dragon boat rushed over the ribbon and reached the finish line, everyone, including Qingji, stood up and cheered.

Subsequently, Qingji took out 500 gold as a reward for everyone on the dragon boat that won the championship.

"The edict of the widow is that on this day of every year, that is, on the fifth day of the fifth month of May, the whole country conducts dragon boat racing, which is designated as the 'Dragon Boat Festival', which is organized by the government or the people in various places!"

"King Shengming!"

Everyone deeply agrees with this approach of Qingji.

This initiative should not be underestimated.

Because this can invisibly enhance the sense of belonging of Baiyue people to Wu State.

Good for unity!

Just like a tug-of-war, if you don't unite, how can you win?

Similarly, dragon boat racing is not a one-man event.

"Come, second and third sons, drink with the widow!"

"Please!"

"Your Majesty, please!"

After enjoying a grand dragon boat race, Qingji sat down again and drank with the feudal chiefs sitting under the square platform.

In addition to the feast, it is natural that singing and dancing are not allowed.

So a group of warblers and swallows, and dancers dressed up in flowers, appeared on the stage one after another.

With the melodious music and the sound of silk and bamboo, they twisted their waists, and between their smiles and smiles, every move made the feudal lords present fall for them.