Do you know when China’s Ghost Festival is? And do you know what customs it has, and how it developed over history?

In the autumn, in the ninth month of the sixth year of Jianxing in Shu Han, the Wei Commander Cao Xiu was badly defeated at Shiting by Lu Xun, the Grand Commander of Eastern Wu. Warhorses, vehicles, weapons, grain, and supplies were almost all captured by the Wu army. After this defeat, Cao Xiu was terrified and deeply troubled. After returning to Luoyang, a poisonous swelling grew on his back, and in the end, he died of illness. The Wei ruler Cao Rui ordered that he be buried with generous honors.

After Cao Zhen and Guo Huai were defeated, they were in the camp discussing how to drive back the enemy. Guo Huai said to Cao Zhen, “The various tribes of Western Qiang have been sending tribute every year since the time when Cao Cao was still alive, and Emperor Wen also treated them generously. Now we can hold the dangerous passes and send people through small paths into Qiang territory to ask for help. We can promise them gold and silver, and also promise to form a marriage alliance. If the Qiang people are willing to raise troops and attack the Shu army from behind, while we send troops from the front, then with attacks from both sides, we will surely win a great victory.”

Next month, on Wednesday the 19th, it will be Chinese Valentine’s Day. Did you know that? Every year, on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, many Chinese people celebrate a festival called Double Seventh Festival, the Double Seven Festival.

Right now, people all over the world are watching the World Cup at the same time. Billions of viewers are sitting in front of their screens. Once the whistle of the World Cup blows, the whole world seems to fall into the same rhythm for a while. Some people stay up late to watch the matches. Some study formations. Some are only waiting for the penalty shootout. And some watch the smooth teamwork of the strongest teams while quietly wondering when their own national team will finally let them prove their love without raising their blood pressure. Today, we are going to talk about the traces of soccer in Chinese history.

After Lu Xun of Eastern Wu defeated the Shu army at Xiaoting and Yiling, and then successfully forced back the Wei troops, Sun Quan trusted him even more. He appointed Lu Xun as General Who Supports the State, granted him the title Marquis of Jiangling, and also made him Governor of Jingzhou. From then on, almost all real military power in Eastern Wu fell into Lu Xun’s hands.

That day, Kongming personally rode in his small carriage and brought several hundred cavalry ahead to scout the road. As they moved forward, they suddenly came upon a large river called the Xi’er River. The water did not flow very fast, but the river was wide, and there were no boats or rafts. For the moment, the troops and horses could not cross.

After Kongming pacified the Southern Barbarians, he led the army back to Shu. Meng Huo brought the cave lords, chiefs, and tribal leaders, large and small, to come forward one after another, bow in thanks, and see him off.