A Chinese Biographical Dictionary/Chao Ting
185 Chao Ting 趙鼎 (T. 元鎮). Died A.D. 1147. A native of 聞喜 Wên-hsi in Shansi, who graduated as chin shih in 1106 and rose to be a Minister of State. He was a steadfast opponent of Ch'in Kuei and his policy of making peace with the Tartars, for which he was banished to various places; among others to Ch'ao-chou Fu in Kuangtung, where he remained for five years, and ultimately to a distant military post at 吉陽 Chi-yang. In his memorial of thanks to the Emperor he said, "My hair is white, and I can hardly hope to return. Yet though my days be few, my heart remains firm; and were I to die nine deaths, I would not change my views." "This old fool," cried Ch'in Kuei, on reading these words, "is as obstinate as ever!" Three years afterwards he fell ill, and indited the following epitaph: "My grosser self has mounted upon the stars to heaven, but my spirit will remain under the form of hills and rivers as a line of defence for the Throne." He then refused all nourishment and died. Canonised as 忠簡.