In July 2013, a promotional film burst onto the scene and instantly went viral online and in the news media, leaving countless people blurting out, "Holy shit."
Tian Tian made herself a cup of tea, sat down at her computer, and clicked on the news video whose comments, shares, and likes had all passed the hundred-thousand mark and were still climbing at a terrifying rate-"Anping City Cultural Tourism Promotional Film-Splendid Scenery, Anping in a Flourishing Age."
Countless others were sitting at their computers watching it at that very moment.
The film opened with a pristine blue sky and a dazzling sun.
Following a trail of rainbow-colored sunlight, the camera turned to an aerial view of lush mountains, sweeping over a clear river winding between them.
A few birds called, perfectly cueing the answering notes of a guqin, and soft, clear music as beautiful as a heavenly melody reached every viewer's ears.
Two or three men in period clothing strolled together through the countryside, slowly raising their heads as the music caught their attention. When the camera swept closer across their faces, the viewers at their computers widened their eyes and let out their first "Holy shit."
"Isn't that Chu Liuxiang? And Hua Wuque and Xu Changqing?"
Beside a crystal-clear stream, two women in flowing skirts dipped their bare feet into the water, tilting their lovely faces upward in contentment.
"Green Snake and White Snake?" Tian Tian stared at the screen in surprise, even forgetting to drink her tea.
Then, as the guqin music drew nearer, the camera gradually settled on a pavilion wreathed in mist. Inside, a woman in a white dress gently plucked the strings, smiling at another woman beside her. In front of the instrument table, a breathtaking beauty danced gracefully.
"That's Li Qiu Shui, Li Canghai, and