Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival appears as a point of contrast rather than a celebration: at Xue’s residence, a display of brilliant fireworks briefly resembles festive entertainment, but proves to be a signal for an imminent surprise attack. The passing reference uses the holiday to sharpen the scene’s shift from apparent spectacle to danger.

Calendar Reference

While the people gathered in the dark hall are hungry and thirsty but afraid to drink anything in the house, they see green and orange-yellow fireworks spread across the night sky. Feng BoE wonders who would set off fireworks when it is neither the Lantern Festival nor the Mid-Autumn Festival. His question places the display against familiar occasions for celebration, making its appearance at this moment seem anomalous.

A Festive Image Turned into a Warning

GongYe Gan recognizes that the lights are not ordinary fireworks but a signal from the enemy to begin a surprise attack. The spectacle’s apparent beauty therefore conceals a tactical purpose: what first suggests public festivity announces violence instead. Feng BoE responds eagerly to the prospect of fighting, while Deng BaiChuan directs him and Feng BoE to wait in the hall as he guards the entrance and another companion covers the rear. The Lantern Festival reference helps mark the gap between a known festive occasion and the threatening use of fireworks on this night.