Throughout the history of Henan, Zhengzhou, nurtured by the Yellow River, has always been a model of versatility in both civil and military realms. Here, the cultural depth accumulated through scholarly pursuits coexists with the unyielding spirit forged on the battlefield. These two temperaments have intertwined for millennia, shaping the unique charm of this ancient capital.

The "civil" aspect of Zhengzhou is deeply rooted in the genesis of Chinese civilization. Ten thousand years ago, the wisdom of early inhabitants "drilling wood for fire" in the Xinzheng area sowed the seeds of civilization. The Yellow Emperor established totems and promoted education in the Youxiong Kingdom, embedding the roots of the "descendants of Yan and Huang" here. The bronze ritual vessels from the Shang Dynasty capital conceal the codes of early ceremonial systems in their inscriptions.

Moreover, Du Fu, the "Poet Historian," gave voice to the sufferings of the people, and Bai Juyi's "Pipa Song" lamented the vicissitudes of life. These two literary giants emerged from this land, using their brushes to chronicle the Chinese cultural heritage. Each year on the third day of the third lunar month, the Ancestor Worship Ceremony at the Yellow Emperor's Hometown attracts Chinese people from around the world. Amid the swirling incense smoke, the millennia-old heritage of cultural roots is vividly alive.

The "military" aspect of Zhengzhou is a spiritual backbone ingrained in its character. The dust of the ancient battleground in Xingyang records the strategies and heroism of the Chu-Han Contention. The morning bells and evening drums of the Shaolin Temple gave birth to Shaolin Kung Fu, which embodies the philosophy of "using martial arts to cease violence" through its movements.

In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, this region was a strategic hub where warlords vied for supremacy. In 1923, the iron will of the working class during the February 7th Strike forged a new spiritual monument. From the Yellow Emperor's unification of the Central Plains in the Battle of Banquan to the uprising of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, Zhengzhou's "military" spirit has always carried the mission of fighting for the people.

In the history of Henan, Zhengzhou stands as a living testament where the legacy of Shaolin Kung Fu and poetic arts thrive together. This ancient city, blending civil and military traditions, is now writing a new legend of Chinese civilization, building upon its millennia-old foundation.

Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Li Siyao