Zhu Qinming祝钦明

History vs. fiction

In the official history, Zhu Qinming volunteered to perform the Eight Winds Dance, shrugging his shoulders in an ugly manner to flatter the emperor, and the novel faithfully dramatizes his ugliness.

• attestedZhu Qinming volunteered to perform the Eight Winds Dance at the imperial banquet, making an ugly spectacle to please the emperor.

  The New Book of Tang, Biography of Zhu Qinming, records that during an inner palace banquet, Emperor Zhongzong ordered all officials to display their talents. The National University Sacrificial Wine Zhu Qinming, seeking favor, said, 'Qinming himself claimed he could perform the Eight Winds Dance, and the emperor allowed it. Qinming was fat and ugly; he crouched on the ground, shook his head, stared with wide eyes, and looked around, making the emperor laugh heartily.' Lu Zangyong mocked him for sweeping the floor. The Sui and Tang Romance, Chapter 76, faithfully narrates: 'Only the National University Sacrificial Wine Zhu Qinming volunteered to perform the Eight Winds Dance. He rolled up his sleeves and approached the steps, then danced: bending his waist and feet, stretching his arms and shrugging his shoulders, swaying and rolling his eyes, displaying all sorts of ugly postures,' which is completely consistent.