Song Dynasty literati Su Shi's ci poem 'The Charm of the Courtesan Niannu' is representative of the bold and unconstrained ci faction, and is also called 'Recalling the Past on the Red Cliffs'. The first section uses the landscape to set the tone, from the gurgling flow of the river we think of the historical figures who have disappeared in the river of time. It is said that the red cliffs were the site of an ancient battle during the Three Kingdoms Period. At that time Zhou Yu triumphed from a position of weakness here, forcing the Cao Wei to retreat and ensuring the continuance of the triumvirate states.

Thinking back all the way to Zhou Yu's military campaign at the red cliffs, when he had just married the beautiful Xiao Qiao, and how they made such a radiant couple, beauty matching bravery. The silk hat on his head, fanning himself lightly with a feather fan, reducing the formidable enemy army to ashes amid idle chat and laughter. But what is point of me sitting here pontificating? You might laugh at me, that it's my sentimentality that made my hair go white all over so prematurely. Life is like a passing dream, so we might as well pour a drink into to the river, to drink a toast to the moon's reflection in the river!