民间传说：
“Liu Luoguo” wrote a poem praising the ancient Zhu Axiu ball lantern dance: Liu Yong who was known as one of the three major ministers of the Qianlong Dynasty along with Ji Yun and He Shen was a legendary figure in history known for his intelligence and widely recognized by the people. In fact there was no prime minister position in the Qing Dynasty and Liu Yong's highest official position was the Grand Academician of the Imperial Academy. Whether he was truly a Luoguo (a term referring to someone who is both talented and humorous) is not confirmed by historical records but his image as an upright and incorruptible official has deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

In Qihexian County people can still accurately point out that Liu Yong's maternal grandmother's house was located in Majia Courtyard in Qihexian County (Old Town) less than ten miles away from the birthplace of the Zhu Axiu ball lantern dance in Zhu'a Town Qihexian County. Legend has it that one year after the Spring Festival Liu Yong came to his maternal grandmother's house in Majia Courtyard to visit his relatives. On the night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month the Majia family invited Song Wulie the leader of the ball lantern dance troupe who had a blood relationship with the Majia family to perform at their home. Such a beloved high-ranking official of the Qing Dynasty coming to the countryside to watch the performance of the ball lantern dance made Song Wulie feel extremely honored. During the performance when the words The Best in the World and World Peace were displayed Liu Yong was delighted and spontaneously composed a poem: The hometown is crowded with people the candlelight resembles a dragon's dance. Zhu'a is the unique show the official records will be remembered in the village's history.

Whether this folk tale passed down by word of mouth is true or not there is no evidence to confirm it today. According to historical records Liu Yong was born in 1719 and died in 1804. The formation of the ball lantern dance with the words arranged by Song Wulie should have occurred after 1793 which means that Liu Yong was at least 74 years old when he saw the ball lantern dance formation. Did the elderly Liu Yong have the physical strength to travel all the way to Qihexian County to visit his relatives? According to accurate historical records in 1797 when Liu Yong was 78 years old he did visit Shandong. That year he was just appointed as the Grand Academician of the Imperial Academy and accompanied Qing Gui the Minister of Personnel to Shandong to handle a case and inspect the situation of the Yellow River breach. After inspecting the Yellow River he submitted a memorial requesting the government to block and build at the breach and widen and dredge downstream. The court accepted his suggestions which became another political achievement of Liu Yong in his later years.

Legend has it that one autumn Emperor Qianlong led a group of people to the area near Juyongguan Pass for a hunting expedition. In addition to the princes and the imperial guards there was also the Grand Academician Liu Yong among the entourage.

When they passed Qinghe in the morning they saw the river flowing slowly with clear water and visible pebbles at the bottom of the river. Liu Yong looked at the river while thinking of an idea.

When they arrived at Shahe at noon the large group of people set up camp and rested on the bank of the river. Shahe was a river formed by the confluence of Qinghe and Yuhu after the merger.