As part of Hubei Culture Week in Beijing that began on Tuesday, famous professor Yi Zhongtian's speech at Beijing University on the relationship between the Three Kingdoms and Hubei Province was obviously a big draw.

Five minutes into the speech, many people without tickets continued to wait, hoping the security guard would let them in. Some men even shouted outside, "Yi Zhongtian, I love you."

In Yi's speech, the State of Chu, known as Jing and then Jingchu, one of the Five Overlords of Spring and Autumn Period and seven most powerful states in the Warring States Period (481-212 BCE) was located in Hubei Province. What's more, 72 chapters out of the 120 stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms took place in Hubei or around it.

Hubei's important geographical location made the people in Hubei independent and stalwarts. A famous female writer, Chi Li, who was born in Hubei, once wrote, "No matter cold or warm, to live is good."

Chairman Mao has a very famous metaphor: "There are nine-headed birds in the sky and Hubei fellas on the ground." Most people interpret this as praise for Hubei citizens' shrewdness.

Different from people in Shanghai, who talk in a roundabout way, people from Hubei province usually don't beat around the bush and talk straightly and frankly. Hot Dry Noodles, equivalent to Wuhan's McDonald's, are available in almost all eateries in Wuhan. The chef has to put the noodles into hot water quickly. Observing the noodle eaters, you will find gobbling the noodle common for people from Hubei.

Though Hubei residents, especially those from Wuhan, the capital, may look and sound tough at first, they are very friendly and kind-hearted when you become friends, Yi added.

Yi Zhongtian, known as "Super Man of Scholars", gained popularity in CCTV's Lecture Room for his retellings of history. He is also considered an ideal husband by young female viewers for his knowledge and hen-packed character.

Yi was born in Hunan province, graduated from Wuhan University and taught there. He is now a professor in Xiamen University.

(CRI.com November 24, 2006)