Zu Qianqiu (simplified: 祖千秋, traditional: 祖千秋, pinyin: Zǔ Qiānqiū, jyutping: zou2 cin1 cau1), also known as “Ancestor” (祖宗), was one of the Old Ancestors of the Yellow River renowned for his exceptional expertise in wine and wine vessels. He was a loyal supporter of Ren Yingying and played a role in helping Linghu Chong during his time at Wubagang.
Biography
Meeting Linghu Chong
Zu Qianqiu first appeared when he encountered Linghu Chong on a boat on the Yellow River. He was described as a shabbily dressed scholar in his fifties, with a sallow complexion, a red nose, and a large belly. He was able to identify wine by its aroma alone, recognising a sixty-two-year-old Fenjiu (汾酒) from the smell.
Expertise in wine and vessels
Zu Qianqiu was a master of wine culture, possessing extensive knowledge of different types of wine and the appropriate vessels for each. He believed that drinking wine required proper vessels, and he carried with him various wine cups made from different materials:
- Jade cups (玉杯) for Fenjiu
- Jadeite cups (翡翠杯) for pear blossom wine
- Rhinoceros horn cups (犀角杯) for white wine from beyond the Great Wall
- Ancient vine cups (古藤杯) for hundred-herb wine
- Bronze wine vessels (青铜爵) for sorghum wine
- Luminous cups (夜光杯) for grape wine
- Glass cups (琉璃杯) for jade dew wine
- Ancient porcelain cups (古瓷杯) for Shaoxing champion red wine
He explained the cultural and aesthetic reasons for each pairing, demonstrating his deep understanding of Chinese wine culture and poetry.
The Life-Extending Eight Pills incident
Zu Qianqiu was involved in an incident where he and Lao Touzi attempted to help Linghu Chong by mixing the Life-Extending Eight Pills (续命八丸) that Lao Touzi had prepared for his daughter into wine for Linghu Chong to drink. However, this was discovered, and Linghu Chong instead cut his own blood to save Lao Touzi’s daughter, demonstrating his selfless character.
Support for Linghu Chong
Zu Qianqiu was one of the many jianghu figures who gathered at Wubagang to help Linghu Chong, demonstrating his loyalty to Ren Yingying and his respect for Linghu Chong’s character.
Personality & traits
Zu Qianqiu was portrayed as a cultured scholar with deep knowledge of wine and Chinese culture. Despite his shabby appearance, he possessed refined tastes and extensive knowledge, demonstrating that true refinement comes from within rather than external appearance.
He was also shown to be loyal to Ren Yingying and willing to help Linghu Chong, demonstrating his commitment to those he respected.
Expertise
Wine knowledge
Zu Qianqiu possessed exceptional knowledge of wine, able to identify wines by their aroma and understand the cultural significance of different types of wine. He could explain the historical and poetic connections between wines and their appropriate vessels, demonstrating his deep understanding of Chinese culture.
Wine vessel collection
Zu Qianqiu carried with him a collection of wine vessels made from various materials, each appropriate for a specific type of wine. This collection demonstrated his dedication to the art of wine drinking and his belief that proper vessels enhanced the wine-drinking experience.
Relationships
Zu Qianqiu’s relationship with Ren Yingying was one of loyalty and service. He was willing to help Linghu Chong at her request, demonstrating his commitment to her.
His relationship with Lao Touzi was one of friendship and cooperation. The two worked together as Old Ancestors of the Yellow River and collaborated in their efforts to help Linghu Chong.
Behind the scenes
Zu Qianqiu represents the ideal of the cultured scholar who combines practical knowledge with aesthetic appreciation. His character demonstrates that expertise and refinement can exist in the most unexpected places, and that true culture comes from knowledge and appreciation rather than wealth or status.
Literary significance
Zu Qianqiu’s character serves to add cultural depth to the novel, introducing readers to Chinese wine culture and the aesthetic principles that govern it. His expertise in wine vessels demonstrates Jin Yong’s attention to detail and his ability to incorporate cultural elements into his storytelling.
Portrayals
Zu Qianqiu has been portrayed in various adaptations of Laughing in the Wind:
Laughing in the Wind
See also
- Laughing in the Wind characters
- Lao Touzi – Another Old Ancestor of the Yellow River
- Ren Yingying – Zu Qianqiu’s leader
- Old Ancestors of the Yellow River – Zu Qianqiu’s faction
External links
- Zu Qianqiu (Chinese) on Chinese Wikipedia