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.

The vast Yangtze gushes endlessly eastwards, who knows how many heroes have been dashed away by its flow. Westwards of the old camp, people say are the red cliffs were Zhou Yu defeated Cao Cao during the Three Kingdoms Period. There, the ragged cliffs tower into the clouds, the terrifying waves seem to want to tear at the river banks, stirring up snow-white surf in the tens of thousands. The beautiful rivers and mountains are like a painting; but how many heroic figures have been born amid them?

Cao Cao is continuing south as we speak. He's going to fight a decisive battle with us at the Red Cliffs. His reason for coming is very obvious-- he wants to annihilate us, and get control of the area south of the Yangtze River and the Central plateau.