As part of Hubei Culture Week in Beijing that began on
Tuesday, famous professor Yi Zhongtian's speech at Beijing
University on the relationship between the Three Kingdoms and Hubei
Province was obviously a big draw.
Five minutes into the speech, many people without tickets
continued to wait, hoping the security guard would let them in.
Some men even shouted outside, "Yi Zhongtian, I love you."
In Yi's speech, the State of Chu, known as Jing and then
Jingchu, one of the Five Overlords of Spring and Autumn Period and
seven most powerful states in the Warring States Period (481-212
BCE) was located in Hubei Province. What's more, 72 chapters out of
the 120 stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms took
place in Hubei or around it.
Hubei's important geographical location made the people in Hubei
independent and stalwarts. A famous female writer, Chi Li, who was
born in Hubei, once wrote, "No matter cold or warm, to live is
good."
Chairman Mao has a very famous metaphor: "There are nine-headed
birds in the sky and Hubei fellas on the ground." Most people
interpret this as praise for Hubei citizens' shrewdness.
Different from people in Shanghai, who talk in a roundabout way,
people from Hubei province usually don't beat around the bush and
talk straightly and frankly. Hot Dry Noodles, equivalent
to Wuhan's McDonald's, are available in almost all eateries in
Wuhan. The chef has to put the noodles into hot water quickly.
Observing the noodle eaters, you will find gobbling the noodle
common for people from Hubei.
Though Hubei residents, especially those from Wuhan, the
capital, may look and sound tough at first, they are very friendly
and kind-hearted when you become friends, Yi added.
Yi Zhongtian, known as "Super Man of Scholars", gained
popularity in CCTV's Lecture Room for his retellings of
history. He is also considered an ideal husband by young female
viewers for his knowledge and hen-packed character.
Yi was born in Hunan province, graduated from Wuhan University
and taught there. He is now a professor in Xiamen University.
(CRI.com November 24, 2006)