Nanping Mountain becomes the setting for Kong Ming’s attempt to secure the southeasterly wind on which the planned fire attack against Cao Cao’s fleet depends. Its altar, carefully arranged for ritual observance, makes the mountain both a strategic site and the stage for a sudden reversal: the wind arrives, but Kong Ming departs before Zhou Yu’s men can reach him.

The mountain and the plan

Zhou Yu recognizes that the proposed attack by fire depends on a wind from the east, and asks Kong Ming how that obstacle can be overcome. Kong Ming says he learned from books of magic how to command winds and summon rain. He proposes building a special altar on Nanping Mountain: nine feet high, with three levels, and surrounded by 120 banner carriers. He claims that the rite will produce a wind lasting three days and nights. Zhou Yu accepts the proposal, recovers from his illness, and orders that Kong Ming receive whatever he needs.

The altar and its ritual arrangement

Kong Ming travels to the mountain with 500 workers and the 120 banner carriers, accompanied by Lu Su. He chooses a site according to feng shui and has red earth brought to it. The altar is described as 240 feet in circumference and nine feet high, with each of its three levels measuring three feet. On the lowest level, the symbols of the twenty-eight constellations are arranged with a green dragon to the east, a black turtle to the north, a white tiger to the west, and a red bird to the south. The middle level carries the symbols of the sixty-four hexagrams.

Four men in Daoist dress occupy the top level. One holds a feather-topped pole to detect the wind’s direction; another carries a pole marked with the seven stars for the same purpose. The remaining two hold a sword and an incense burner. Before ascending the altar, Kong Ming fasts and bathes. Barefoot, with his hair falling over his shoulders, he lights incense, sprinkles water, and prays silently. He performs the observance three times, resting between attempts, but at first no wind appears.

The wind arrives; the danger changes

While the rite is underway, Zhou Yu and Lu Su wait in camp with the others. Messengers alert Sun Quan and request reinforcements. The fire ships are prepared with kindling soaked in fish oil and covered with combustible materials, while Sun Quan waits with his fleet. Yet the promised wind has not begun to blow. During the third watch, it suddenly rises into a full southeasterly, providing the condition needed for the fire attack.

The change in the weather does not bring relief for Kong Ming. Zhou Yu concludes that his apparent ability to summon the wind makes him dangerous, and orders Ding Feng and Xu Sheng to go to the mountain and bring him back. Ding Feng arrives first by land, but Kong Ming is already gone. The officers learn that he has set sail in a boat commanded by Zhao Zilong; they pursue him by land and water, with Xu Sheng ordering every sail unfurled.

Departure and significance

Xu Sheng calls to Kong Ming and tries to persuade him to return to see Zhou Yu. Kong Ming refuses, telling him to warn Zhou Yu to be careful as he advances and saying that he is returning to Xiakou. He explains that he expected Zhou Yu would not want him to live, which is why Zhao Zilong came to collect him. The pursuit therefore ends with Kong Ming beyond the officers’ reach, while the wind he had promised is already blowing.

Nanping Mountain’s role is concentrated in this sequence: the elaborate ritual creates a suspenseful delay, the sudden wind releases the fleet’s plan into action, and the resulting shift in Zhou Yu’s attitude makes Kong Ming’s exit urgent. The mountain is not merely the place where the wind is summoned; it is where the promised military advantage and the danger to its arranger arrive almost together.