Gao Qiu
Encyclopedia
Gao Qiu was a government official who served Emperor Huizong during the Song Dynasty
. He is also featured as one of the main antagonists and nemesis of the 108 Liangshan
outlaws in the Water Margin
, one of the Four Great Classical Novels
of Chinese literature
.
scholar Wang Mingqing, Gao Qiu was the son of Gao Dunfu (高敦復) and was from Kaifeng
. He had two brothers and four sons.
Gao Qiu used to be a servant of statesman Su Shi
before moving on to serve the artist Wang Shen. During the reign of Emperor Huizong of Song, Gao Qiu participated in battles under Liu Zhongwu's command and followed Lin Shu on a diplomatic mission to the rival Liao Dynasty
. As he was favoured by Emperor Huizong, Gao Qiu's position in politics and the military rose until he became a Grand Marshal (太尉).
After the death of Emperor Huizong, Gao Qiu's influence in the imperial court decreased and he died of illness in 1126.
. Prince Duan is also interested in qiqiu and he is deeply impressed by Gao Qiu's talent that he invites Gao to serve him in his residence and play qiqiu with him.
After the death of Emperor Zhezong, Prince Duan ascends to the throne as Emperor Huizong and Gao Qiu is promoted to high official ranks by the emperor. Gao Qiu eventually becomes a Grand Marshal, who wields great power and commands the military. However, the imperial court becomes increasingly corrupt with the presence of Gao Qiu, who uses his influence to promote nepotism
and bring his supporters into the government.
, one of the 108 Liangshan
outlaws and protagonists of the story. Gao Qiu's foster son, Gao Yanei, is attracted to Lin Chong's wife and attempts to seize her for himself, but his plans have been foiled by Lin Chong. Gao Yanei collaborates with his foster father to frame Lin Chong for attempted assassination on a government official and Lin is convicted and sentenced to face-tattooing and exile to Cangzhou
. Gao Qiu bribes the guards escorting Lin Chong into exile to kill Lin along the way, but fails when Lin's sworn brother
Lu Zhishen
saves him. Gao Qiu sends Lu Qian to Cangzhou later to bribe the prison officials there to kill Lin Chong, but Lin survives and becomes an outlaw at Liangshan Marsh
. Lin Chong swears vengeance on Gao Qiu and vows to avenge his wife, who has committed suicide to prevent herself from being humiliated by Gao Yanei.
), is an equally corrupt official like him. Gao Lian is killed by the outlaws after they attack Gaotangzhou to rescue Chai Jin
, who had been wrongfully imprisoned by Gao Lian. Gao Qiu vows to avenge his cousin and he sees the Liangshan outlaws as a threat. Along with the Imperial Tutor Cai Jing
and general Tong Guan
, Gao Qiu constantly urges Emperor Huizong to send the imperial army to attack the outlaws.
The emperor sends the army to attack Liangshan five times, but the outlaws emerge victorious eventually each time, with some of the commanders, such as Huyan Zhuo and Guan Sheng
, defecting over to join the outlaws. Gao Qiu takes command of the army during the fifth military campaign and he is captured by the outlaws after his defeat. Lin Chong and some of the outlaws want to kill Gao Qiu for revenge, but Song Jiang
stops them, because he intends to use Gao to help the outlaws attain amnesty
from the government.
, including the Liao Dynasty
and the rebel forces of Fang La
, Tian Hu
and Wang Qing
. By the time the campaigns ended, close to two thirds of the 108 Liangshan heroes have been killed in action.
Majority of the surviving heroes were granted official posts by Emperor Huizong in recognition of their contributions to the nation. However, Gao Qiu and the antagonists are dissatisfied with the heroes' fates and they conspire to eliminate Song Jiang
and some of the other heroes. The story ends with the tragic dissolution of the heroes, who have dedicated themselves to their cause of "delivering justice on Heaven's behalf".
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
. He is also featured as one of the main antagonists and nemesis of the 108 Liangshan
Mount Liang
Mount Liang is a mountain in Liangshan County, Shandong province, China which rises to 197.9 m above sea level. It is well known as the stronghold of the 108 legendary Song Dynasty heroes of the classic Chinese novel Water Margin...
outlaws in the Water Margin
Water Margin
Water Margin , also known as Outlaws of the Marsh, All Men Are Brothers, Men of the Marshes, or The Marshes of Mount Liang, is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.Attributed to Shi Nai'an and written in vernacular Chinese, the story, set in the Song Dynasty,...
, one of the Four Great Classical Novels
Four Great Classical Novels
The Four Great Classical Novels, or the Four Major Classical Novels of Chinese literature, are the four novels commonly regarded by scholars to be the greatest and most influential of pre-modern Chinese fiction. Dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties, they are well known to most Chinese readers...
of Chinese literature
Chinese literature
Chinese literature extends thousands of years, from the earliest recorded dynastic court archives to the mature fictional novels that arose during the Ming Dynasty to entertain the masses of literate Chinese...
.
Biography
According to the Chinese historical text Huizhulu (揮麈錄) by Song DynastySong Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
scholar Wang Mingqing, Gao Qiu was the son of Gao Dunfu (高敦復) and was from Kaifeng
Kaifeng
Kaifeng , known previously by several names , is a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan province, Central China. Nearly 5 million people live in the metropolitan area...
. He had two brothers and four sons.
Gao Qiu used to be a servant of statesman Su Shi
Su Shi
Su Shi , was a writer, poet, artist, calligrapher, pharmacologist, gastronome, and statesman of the Song Dynasty, and one of the major poets of the Song era. His courtesy name was Zizhan and his pseudonym was Dongpo Jushi , and he is often referred to as Su Dongpo...
before moving on to serve the artist Wang Shen. During the reign of Emperor Huizong of Song, Gao Qiu participated in battles under Liu Zhongwu's command and followed Lin Shu on a diplomatic mission to the rival Liao Dynasty
Liao Dynasty
The Liao Dynasty , also known as the Khitan Empire was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper between 9071125...
. As he was favoured by Emperor Huizong, Gao Qiu's position in politics and the military rose until he became a Grand Marshal (太尉).
After the death of Emperor Huizong, Gao Qiu's influence in the imperial court decreased and he died of illness in 1126.
In fiction
Early life and rise to prominence
Gao Qiu is first introduced in the novel as a street rascal. He specializes in playing qiqiu (氣毬; ancient Chinese football) and by coincidence, he meets Prince Duan, the younger brother of the reigning Emperor ZhezongEmperor Zhezong of Song
Emperor Zhezong was the seventh emperor of the Song Dynasty of China. His personal name was Zhao4 Xu1. He reigned from 1085 to 1100....
. Prince Duan is also interested in qiqiu and he is deeply impressed by Gao Qiu's talent that he invites Gao to serve him in his residence and play qiqiu with him.
After the death of Emperor Zhezong, Prince Duan ascends to the throne as Emperor Huizong and Gao Qiu is promoted to high official ranks by the emperor. Gao Qiu eventually becomes a Grand Marshal, who wields great power and commands the military. However, the imperial court becomes increasingly corrupt with the presence of Gao Qiu, who uses his influence to promote nepotism
Nepotism
Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives regardless of merit. The word nepotism is from the Latin word nepos, nepotis , from which modern Romanian nepot and Italian nipote, "nephew" or "grandchild" are also descended....
and bring his supporters into the government.
Lin Chong's story
Gao Qiu's villainy is exhibited in the story of Lin ChongLin Chong
Lin Chong is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 6th of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Panther Head"...
, one of the 108 Liangshan
Mount Liang
Mount Liang is a mountain in Liangshan County, Shandong province, China which rises to 197.9 m above sea level. It is well known as the stronghold of the 108 legendary Song Dynasty heroes of the classic Chinese novel Water Margin...
outlaws and protagonists of the story. Gao Qiu's foster son, Gao Yanei, is attracted to Lin Chong's wife and attempts to seize her for himself, but his plans have been foiled by Lin Chong. Gao Yanei collaborates with his foster father to frame Lin Chong for attempted assassination on a government official and Lin is convicted and sentenced to face-tattooing and exile to Cangzhou
Cangzhou
Cangzhou is a prefecture-level city in Hebei province, People's Republic of China. Cangzhou's urban center has a population of approximately 514,074 at the 2010 census which correspond to the built up area), while the prefecture-level administrative region in total has a population of 7,134,053...
. Gao Qiu bribes the guards escorting Lin Chong into exile to kill Lin along the way, but fails when Lin's sworn brother
Blood brother
Blood brother can refer to one of two things: two males related by birth, or two or more men not related by birth who have sworn loyalty to each other. This is usually done in a ceremony, known as a blood oath, where the blood of each man is mingled together...
Lu Zhishen
Lu Zhishen
Lu Zhishen, nicknamed "Flowery Monk", or Sagacious Lu , is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He is the lead character in the first major story cycle of the novel, in which he comes to epitomize loyalty, strength, justice but...
saves him. Gao Qiu sends Lu Qian to Cangzhou later to bribe the prison officials there to kill Lin Chong, but Lin survives and becomes an outlaw at Liangshan Marsh
Mount Liang
Mount Liang is a mountain in Liangshan County, Shandong province, China which rises to 197.9 m above sea level. It is well known as the stronghold of the 108 legendary Song Dynasty heroes of the classic Chinese novel Water Margin...
. Lin Chong swears vengeance on Gao Qiu and vows to avenge his wife, who has committed suicide to prevent herself from being humiliated by Gao Yanei.
Rivalry with Liangshan
As the story progresses, more outlaws gather at Liangshan Marsh, with most of them forced to become outlaws due to corruption in the government. The outlaws pledge to "deliver justice on Heaven's behalf" and rid their country of evil and corruption. Gao Qiu's cousin Gao Lian, governor of Gaotangzhou (present-day Gaotang CountyGaotang County
Gaotang County is a county of northwestern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It is administered by Liaocheng City.The population was in 1999.- External links :*...
), is an equally corrupt official like him. Gao Lian is killed by the outlaws after they attack Gaotangzhou to rescue Chai Jin
Chai Jin
Chai Jin is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 10th of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Little Whirlwind"...
, who had been wrongfully imprisoned by Gao Lian. Gao Qiu vows to avenge his cousin and he sees the Liangshan outlaws as a threat. Along with the Imperial Tutor Cai Jing
Cai Jing
Cai Jing , style name Yuanchang , was a government official and calligrapher who lived during the Northern Song Dynasty. Cai Jing is also featured as one of the antagonists and nemesis of the 108 Liangshan heroes in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese...
and general Tong Guan
Tong Guan
Tong Guan , style name Daofu , was a court eunuch, military general, political adviser, and Council of State to Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty. In the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, Tong Guan is featured as an antagonist and enemy of the 108...
, Gao Qiu constantly urges Emperor Huizong to send the imperial army to attack the outlaws.
The emperor sends the army to attack Liangshan five times, but the outlaws emerge victorious eventually each time, with some of the commanders, such as Huyan Zhuo and Guan Sheng
Guan Sheng
Guan Sheng is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 5th of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Great Blade".-Background:...
, defecting over to join the outlaws. Gao Qiu takes command of the army during the fifth military campaign and he is captured by the outlaws after his defeat. Lin Chong and some of the outlaws want to kill Gao Qiu for revenge, but Song Jiang
Song Jiang
Song Jiang was the leader of a group of outlaws who lived during the Song Dynasty. The outlaws were active in the present-day provinces of Shandong and Henan before their eventual surrender to the government. Song Jiang is also featured as a character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great...
stops them, because he intends to use Gao to help the outlaws attain amnesty
Amnesty
Amnesty is a legislative or executive act by which a state restores those who may have been guilty of an offense against it to the positions of innocent people, without changing the laws defining the offense. It includes more than pardon, in as much as it obliterates all legal remembrance of the...
from the government.
Eventual fate of the Liangshan heroes
Gao Qiu is released by the outlaws after he promises to help them persuade Emperor Huizong to grant them amnesty, but goes back on his word. Eventually, the outlaws are granted amnesty by the emperor with help from other honest and good officials. Emperor Huizong allows the Liangshan heroes to embark on military campaigns against the enemies of the Song DynastySong Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
, including the Liao Dynasty
Liao Dynasty
The Liao Dynasty , also known as the Khitan Empire was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper between 9071125...
and the rebel forces of Fang La
Fang La
Fang La was a rebel leader who lived during the Song Dynasty. He is also featured as one of the antagonists and nemesis of the 108 Liangshan heroes in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.-Biography:...
, Tian Hu
Tian Hu
Tian Hu is one of the antagonists in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Tian Hu is one of the three rebel leaders in China, together with Fang La and Wang Qing, that the Liangshan heroes have to defeat in the final chapters of the novel.-Biography:Tian...
and Wang Qing
Wang Qing
Wang Qing is one of the antagonists in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Wang Qing is one of the three rebel leaders in China, together with Fang La and Tian Hu, that the Liangshan heroes have to defeat in the final chapters of the novel.-Early life:The...
. By the time the campaigns ended, close to two thirds of the 108 Liangshan heroes have been killed in action.
Majority of the surviving heroes were granted official posts by Emperor Huizong in recognition of their contributions to the nation. However, Gao Qiu and the antagonists are dissatisfied with the heroes' fates and they conspire to eliminate Song Jiang
Song Jiang
Song Jiang was the leader of a group of outlaws who lived during the Song Dynasty. The outlaws were active in the present-day provinces of Shandong and Henan before their eventual surrender to the government. Song Jiang is also featured as a character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great...
and some of the other heroes. The story ends with the tragic dissolution of the heroes, who have dedicated themselves to their cause of "delivering justice on Heaven's behalf".