Gao Qiu
Gao Qiu was 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, he participated in battles under Liu Zhongwu's command and followed Lin Shu on a diplomatic mission to the Khitan-led Liao dynasty. As Emperor Huizong highly favoured him, he rose through the ranks quickly and became a Grand Marshal ().