It is said that during the time of Emperor Yao in ancient times, the Yellow River basin often suffered from floods. To prevent the flooding and protect agricultural production, Emperor Yao once convened a meeting of tribal leaders to seek out those who were skilled in controlling water disasters. Gun was recommended to take charge of this task. After accepting the assignment, Gun built a city with three ren (an ancient unit of length) high, intending to enclose the residential areas and block the floodwaters. However, after nine years of effort, he failed and was eventually exiled to Yushan, where he died. After Emperor Shun ascended the throne, he appointed Gun's son, Yu, to manage the water control.
Yu learned from his father's experience and used the method of "guiding the water along its natural course," which meant taking advantage of the natural tendency of water to flow from high to low. He疏通 the blocked rivers according to the terrain, directing the floodwaters into the newly cleared channels, depressions, or lakes, and then connecting them to the sea, thus ending the water disaster and allowing the people to return to the plains for living and agricultural activities.
During the process of controlling the floods, many touching legends about Yu have been passed down. It is said that Yu used his own invented primitive measuring tools—level and plumb line, as well as compasses—to travel throughout the river, using a divine axe to split open the龙门 (Dragon Gate), and to drill through the Ji Shi Mountains and the Bronze Gorge, allowing the river to flow freely. He spent thirteen years away from home while managing the water control, passing by his home three times without entering, even missing the chance to care for his newborn child. He worked hard and led by example, becoming the first hero in Chinese history who successfully controlled the Yellow River's flooding.
Because of his achievements in water control, Emperor Shun passed the throne to Yu. Later, Yu's son Qi became the first king of the Xia Dynasty, and Yu was known as "the Divine Ancestor of the Xia."
