Imperial banquets of any royal court in Chinese history were known for huge cost and extravagance. The “Qiansou Banquet” of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) imperial court was believed to be the most luxurious.
    During the reign of Emperor Qian Long, the Qing Dynasty was at the height of power and splendor. In 1795, the 84-year-old Emperor Qian Long decided to hold a grand “Qiansou Banquet”. Upon learning the news, local officials from Shandong started to prepare offerings for the emperor.
    Then it was disclosed that the emperor wanted two specially-made kites for the use of  “flying away bad luck”. Some officials reported to the throne that Weifang kites were the best and most famous in the country. The emperor issued an imperial edict at once and ordered the officials from Weizhou to offer kites as soon as possible.
    Upon receiving the imperial edict, Weizhou officials immediately chose seven renowned kite masters. Among them, there was an old man called He Da who was known for making new-fashioned kites. His human figure kites and bucket-shaped kites were unparalleled in Weizhou.
    However, he still felt nervous when asked to make kites for the emperor. One night, he dreamed that he was on the Yunmen Mountain of Qingzhou. In his dreamland, the scene was magnificent with the first rays of morning sun and mist floating among the pine forests. The big character “Shou” (longevity) engraved on the mountain slope turned golden under the rising sun. Then he saw an old man, though white-haired and senior of age but strong and healthy. A large group of people, each holding peach of immortality in hands, climbed on the steps leading up to the mountain. When He Da paid a close look, he saw a celestial boy in yellow flying on a crane.