Gao Shiqi

His impressive skills in calligraphy and writing court poems attracted the attention of the Kangxi Emperor, who summoned him to serve in the Imperial Study in 1677.

However, the following year, he was relieved of his duties and relegated to compiling literary works of lesser importance after being involved in a bribery case.

[1] Gao by this time had indeed developed a 'notorious' reputation for taking bribes, with popular ballads satirizing how he received jewellery and gifts from 'ten thousand countries'.

[3] As a result, Gao was forced to retire and he left the capital for Pinghu, Zhejiang, where he indulged in various literary pursuits.

[1] According to art historian Amy Huang, his collecting practices played an important part in how he defined his political and social status in the Qing imperial court.