Shi Mian Mai Fu (Ambush on All Sides)

Shi Mian Mai Fu is a famous ancient Pipa (lute) score of China, which is always played on concerts. A foreigner is as familiar with it just as a Chinese with the Blue Danube.

Shi Mian Mai Fu pictured the battlefield of the ancient war in China. Its boldness and majesty has attracted lots of people. How amazing it is to demonstrate such a vivid picture by Pipa merely with four strings!

Shi Mian Mai Fu tells people the whole process of the battle.

The decisive battle of Gaixia was a well-known battle in the Chinese history. As soon as the regime the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC) was overthrown, fierce battle for the crown began between the armies of Chu under Xiang Yu and Han under Liu Bang. The 300,000 Han soldiers besieged Xiang Yu's 100,000-strong-army from Chu. Xiang Yu managed to break through the encirclement with 800 cavalrymen, but 5,000 Han horsemen were hot on his heels. The final decisive battle took place beside the Wujiang River. The Han army had laid an ambush on all sides. Xiang Yu, lord of Chu, knew that he had been utterly defeated and had to commit a suicide.

As early as the end of the 16th century, there was already written record of Shi Mian Mai Fu, elaborating the picture showed by the music.

Shi Mian Mai Fu is a treasure of the ancient historical scores of China.