Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/171

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152
A Chinese Biographical Dictionary


he was posthumously ennobled as Duke. His portrait, with that of Wei-ch4h Eung, is often painted on the entrance doors to official residences, the two being regarded as special guardians of the welfare of the State. He is depicted with a white face, and Wei-chUh Eung with a black face. The phrases ^ ^ and ^ j^, often seen on doors, have also reference to the above two heroes, respectively.

389 Ch'in Hsi 7th cent. B.C. An official under Duke Mu of the Gh4u State. He recommended Po-li Hsi to his master; and when the latter declined to employ him, he watched his opportunity, and rushing up to the Duke's chariot cried out, 'Since I am of no use to my country, I had better die!'* With that he dashed his brains out against the wheel. The Duke's eyes were opened, and he took Po-li Hsi into his service, with great advantage to the State.

390 Ch'in Hui-t'ien (T. ;|^^. H. ^jj^). A.D. 1697 — 1759. Famous as a writer on ceremonial observances. He graduated as chin $hih in 1736, and served all his life in the Pekiug Boards. In 1750 and 1753 he was Chief Examiner for the metropolitan examination, retiring from ill-health in 1754, as President of the Board of Punishments and Senior Guardian of the Heir Apparent. He eameid a reputation for justice, and for an extraordinary knowledge of precedent; also for filial piety, having begged to be allowed to take the place of his father who was imprisoned for deficiencies in his official accounts. Canonised as

391 Ch'in Kuan (T. ^^ and :A:£). A.D. 1049- 1101. A native of "^ ^ Eao-yu in Eiangsu. He was high- spirited and chivalrous, and of good literary capacity. He failed however to take his final degree, and in disgust set to work to

study military writers. Meanwhile, he fell in with Su Shih, who