Yu the Great conquered the flood

According to legend, the Yellow River flooded during the reign of Emperor Yao and Shun, and the people were forced to abandon their villages, and go to live in trees or on mountaintops. The flood brought great misery to the people. Emperor Yao, the chieftain of the Yan-Huang tribal alliance, appointed Gun to harness the flood. Gun built dikes to keep back the water, but failed, and he was sentenced to death.

After Gun died, Gun's son Yu was appointed to continue with the flood-harnessing work. Yu adopted the dredging method to lead the flood waters to flow along river courses into the sea. Yu worked very hard. It was said that during the 13 years he spent taming the floods, he passed his home three times, but did not enter until his task was completed. As a result of his successful efforts, the people bestowed on him the title "Yu the Great" and Shun chose Yu as his successor, with the approval of the tribal chieftains.

Kuafu races with the Sun

It is said that in antiquity a god named Kuafu determined to have a race with the Sun and catch up with him. So he rushed in the direction of the Sun. Finally, he almost ran neck and neck with the Sun, when he was too thirsty and hot to continue. Where could he find some water? Just then the
Yellow River and Wei River came into sight, roaring on. He swooped upon them earnestly and drank the whole river. But he still felt thirsty and hot, thereupon, he marched northward for the lakes in the north of China. Unfortunately, he fell down and died halfway because of thirst. Then the cane he dropped down became a stretch of peach, green and lush.

And so the idiom “Kuafu races with the Sun” becomes the trope of man's determination and volition against nature.