On the fifteenth day of the eighth month in the fifth year of the Jian'an Era, the Mid-Autumn Festival was in full swing when Zhou Yu's fleet arrived at Jiaozhi Commandery.
Of course, Mid-Autumn was not yet considered a festival in the Han Dynasty, nor was there any custom of moon-gazing.
The Mid-Autumn Festival originated in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Song Dynasty; only in the Ming and Qing dynasties did it become a major festival.
Of course, not being a festival did not mean there were no customs. The Book of Rites stated: "In the waning days of autumn, worship the moon," referring to sacrifices offered to the moon deity.
Since the Zhou Dynasty, every Mid-Autumn night called for worshipping the moon and welcoming the cold, with a great incense table set up.
Zhou Yu was far away in Jiaozhi, so naturally he lacked such conditions—or rather, he had no such inclination.
After arriving in Jiaozhi Commandery, he sent envoys to Longbian to declare his purpose.
As for Shi Xie, he was sixty-two years old that year and had served in Jiaozhi for twelve years.
Because he was generous and broad-minded, hundreds upon hundreds of Central Plains scholars had come to seek refuge with him.
Among his retainers were Yuan Hui, Cheng Bing, Mou Zi, Huan Ye, and others. In Jiaozhou, it could be said that talent gathered like clouds.
Facing Liu Bei's army, which had appeared out of nowhere, he summoned everyone and asked:
"I have heard that Liu Bei's generals, Zhou Yu and Gan Ning, have led troops here to demand an accounting."
"Let us set aside Governor Zhang's crimes for now. Does anyone know what manner of man Liu Bei is?"
"And who is this Qin Tian under his command? How has he acquired