2011-12-26 10:47:25

When our ship passes the Xin Tan (New Shoal), we will reach Bingshu Baojian Gorge. In the rock gaps of the mountain cliff in the north bank, there’s something looking like a roll of bamboo book. It was said it’s the tactics book of Mr Zhuge Liang (an ancient Chinese famous strategist). Under the tactics book, there outshoot a sword shape rock which is thick on the top and sharp in the bottom, pointing to the river. That is the Sword Rock.
According to the field research done by the archaeologists, the “tactics book” is actually the remains of the ancient hanging coffin, while the “sword” is an outshoot limestone.
There are also two legends going along with this gorge. One is about Mr. Zhuge Liang. It’s said that Zhuge Liang wrote a book on military experience of his whole life. One day, when he got a serious disease, he found there was nobody standing around him could inherit the book. In order to avoid the doctrinaires’ improper use of his theories, he chose the steep place to store it because he thought only those who can get it could take right and full advantage of his book. Another legend happened when the Chuhan Campaign broke out at the end of the Qin Dynasty. Zhang Liang, a smart advisor of the King Liubang, defeated the elite troops of the King Xiangyu, and took over the Chu. After Zhang Liang’s death, his tactics book and sword were hidden here.
Before the water raise in the reservoir, the Tourism Bureau of Zigui County organized a special force to save the legendary “tactics book”. Actually, there were remains of hanging coffin and many national secured relics. Now, all these things have been preserved on the Phoenix Mountain for tourists visiting.