Towards the end of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Zhaozong fled Chang An, the capital city, to avoid an uprising. Shorn of imperial glamour and feeling dejected, the emperor could barely eat and sleep at night.

Fortunately for him, among his dwindling entourage was a monkey trainer who had his pet kowtow to Zhaozong like a court official every morning. In doing so, he managed to bring smiles back on the emperor’s face, and was awarded a fifth-rank position - complete with a red robe - in return.