Five thousand years ago there lived a man name Ji Xuan Yuan, son of Shao Dian. He was the leader of a large tribe of people who lived along the banks of the Ji River in South China. He would become a the great Huangdi (Yellow Emperor), hero of China, sung and praised in history and legend and remembered by his descendants for thousands of years. In his life he accomplished many legendary deeds and on his death he's said to have ascended to Heaven and become a god.

Huangdi and his people were not without rivals. Their nearest was a tribe led by a man named Yan who styled himself emperor. Yandi sought to control greater territories, and he stirred up trouble in the region. Eventually, Huangdi and Yandi met in battler at Banquan. Huangdi emerged victorious and added Yandi’s lands and people to his domain. Huangdi's military victories continued and he soon became the leader of all the tribes. 

Huangdi was more than a warrior. He was a sophisticated man deeply interested in learning and culture and his court was a lively, innovative place. Chinese writing was invented there and medicine and music flourished. His wife learned to make silk thread from silk worms, and she and her women wove beautiful cloth from it. It's also said that chopsticks were first used during his reign. For these and other things, Huangdi is often called the founder of the Chinese civilization.

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