Gao Qi

Who was Gao Qi?

Gao Qi, style name Ji Di 季迪, pseudonym Qingqiuzi 青丘子 is generally acknowledged as one of the greatest creators of Ming dynasty poetry, of China. Gao Qi was born and raised in the shore of Wusong River, north of Puli Town near Suzhou. His life was much influenced by events arising in connection with the fall of the Yuan dynasty and the rise and establishment of the succeeding Ming dynasty. In the 2nd year of the Ming dynasty's founder, the Hongwu Emperor, Gao Qi was called on as editor of Yuan Shi. Soon afterward, he was promoted to the post of deputy finance minister; but he declined, on pretext that he had no ability to manage finance. He retired to Blue Hill of Puli Town and taught students for living. Emperor Hongwu deemed him not cooperative; in 1374 he was accused of involvement in a "rebellion conspiracy" and was executed, he was only 39 years old.