Baijian Spring

Time：2024-09-29 11:27:01

During the period of the struggle between Chu and Han in 205 BC, Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang of Han and Overlord Xiang Yu of Western Chu engaged in a major battle at Pengcheng, Xuzhou. After Liu Bang's defeat, he managed to escape with just a few dozen men on horseback, hiding in Huangcangyu Mountains overnight. Exhausted and parched with thirst, it was extremely difficult to find water in the dark valley at the early hours of the morning, around the Yin hour (3-5 am). Liu Bang lamented to the heavens, "The heavens are doomed to destroy me!" In a fit of rage, he threw his three-foot sword beside him and led everyone to search for water separately. As dawn approached, everyone returned empty-handed. Suddenly, General Fan Kui noticed Liu Bang's three-foot sword stuck in a rock and was greatly surprised, quickly calling everyone over to see. Fan Kui, renowned for his bravery, tried to pull out the sword but failed despite exerting great effort. At this moment, Liu Bang returned and was also astonished to see his three-foot sword, which he had used to initiate the uprising by slaying a serpent, embedded in the rock. However, when Liu Bang reached out to grasp the hilt and pulled with force, the three-foot sword came out smoothly. A stream of clear water also gushed out from the rock, prompting Xiao He to exclaim, "Our lord is the son of the Red Emperor, blessed by the heavens, and will surely unify the world in the future!" Thus, the Sword-Pulling Spring was born. You can see a doggerel inscribed on the stone tablet: "Nine deaths, one life, banner fallen, sword swung to cleave rock, water shooting skyward. Without fate's assistance, how could one face south and reign in Chang'an?" Meaning that without the divine protection Liu Bang received in Huangcangyu, he could not have later established the Han Dynasty facing south and ruling from Chang'an. Therefore, Huangcangyu is both a fortunate place that turns danger into safety and a prosperous land of success and fortune.