Gao Qiu
| Gao Qiu | |||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 高俅 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | 高俅 | ||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Transcriptions | |
|---|---|
| Standard Mandarin | |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Gāo Qiú |
| Wade–Giles | Kao Chiu |
| Gao Qiu | |
|---|---|
| Water Margin character | |
| Nickname | "High Ball" 高球 |
| Grand Marshal of the Song dynasty | |
| Origin | Street rascal |
| Ancestral home / Place of origin | Kaifeng, Henan |
| First appearance | Chapter 1 |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 高俅 |
| Traditional Chinese | 高俅 |
| Pinyin | Gāo Qiú |
| Wade–Giles | Kao Chiu |
Gao Qiu (died 1126) was a Chinese government official who lived in the Song dynasty and served in the court of Emperor Huizong. In the classical novel Water Margin, he is fictionalised as one of the primary antagonists and nemeses of the 108 Liangshan outlaws.
According to the Chinese historical text Huizhulu (揮麈錄) by the Song dynasty 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 the poet and statesman Su Shi (Song Dongpo) before moving on to serve the artist Wang Shen. During the reign of Emperor Huizong, Gao Qiu participated in battles under Liu Zhongwu's command and followed Lin Shu on a diplomatic mission to the Khitan-led 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 fall of Emperor Huizong (abdicated on 18 January 1126), Gao Qiu's influence in the imperial court decreased and he died of illness in 1126.
Gao Qiu is first introduced in the novel as a street rascal. He specialises in playing qiqiu (氣毬; ancient Chinese football) and by coincidence, he meets Prince Duan, the younger brother of Emperor Zhezong. 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.
...
Wikipedia