During the Spring and Autumn period, there was a man named Yu BoYa, who was proficient in music and had superb skills in playing the zither, making him a famous zither master at that time. When Yu BoYa was young, he was intelligent and studious, and he once studied under a great master. His zither skills reached a high level, but he always felt that he could not yet express his feelings for various things with complete mastery. After learning of his thoughts, his teacher took him by boat to the Penglai Island in the East Sea, letting him appreciate the natural scenery and listen to the sound of the ocean waves. Looking around, Yu BoYa saw surging waves and splashing water; seagulls were flying and their cries reached his ears; forests and trees were lush and green, like entering a fairyland. A wonderful feeling arose within him, as if he could hear the harmonious and beautiful music of nature. He couldn't help but take out his zither and play. The music followed his thoughts, and he integrated the beauty of nature into the sounds of the zither. Yu BoYa experienced a realm he had never known before. His teacher told him, "You have learned it."

One night, Yu BoYa was sailing on a boat. Facing the clear wind and bright moon, he was full of thoughts and played the zither again. The music was smooth and gradually entered an excellent state. Suddenly, he heard someone shouting in admiration on the shore. Yu BoYa, hearing the sound, stepped out of the boat and saw a woodcutter standing on the bank. He knew this person was his true listener and immediately invited the woodcutter to come aboard, enthusiastically playing for him. When Yu BoYa played a tune praising the mountains, the woodcutter said, "It's really good! Majestic and solemn, like the lofty Mount Tai!" When he played a piece depicting the surging waves, the woodcutter said again, "It's really good! Vast and expansive, like seeing the rolling river and the boundless sea!" Yu BoYa was extremely excited and said emotionally, "A true listener! You are truly my true listener." This woodcutter was Zhong Ziqi. From then on, the two became very close friends.

The zither piece "High Mountains and Flowing Water" is based on the story of "Yu BoYa meeting a true listener while playing the zither." There are many versions of this piece from different schools. However, the most widely spread and influential one is the version passed down by the Wulin School of Zhejiang. Its melody is elegant and its charm is enduring, quite resembling the majesty of high mountains and the vastness of flowing water.