of interesting an audience; whence he came to receive the nickname of ^ {U^ ^ |^ the Walking Dictionary of Modern Biographies. His younger brother Han }§ Chi, also a chin shih^ once spoke contemptuously of the elder brother's writings, saying ihey were like a "straw hut with a door hung on rope," just fit to keep ofiT the wind and rain; while he compared his own compositions with the famous Five-Phoenix Tower, built by the first Emperor of the Later Liang dynasty. Han P'u heard of this; and when some one sent him a present of fine paper he forwarded it to his brother, saying that it was useless to himself but might help towards the adornment of the Five-Phoenix Tower. At which Han Chi was covered with shame.
625 Han Shih-chung ^ tft jfe (T. HE)- Died A.D. 1151. A native of Yen-an in Shensi, noted for his tall and well-made frame and for eyes which flashed like lightning. He was unusually fearless and would ride unbroken horses, but was overfond of wine and of a violent temper. In 1105 he distinguished himself against the Western Hsia forces, who were then giving trouble, and for many years afterwards he succeeded in holding in check the Chin^ Tartars, inflicting upon them several severe defeats, for which he was ennobled as Duke. He opposed the peace proposals of Ch4n Euei, and submitted to the Emperor a violent memorial against their author; but this only resulted in his retirement from office in 1141, loaded with honours which were increased as years went on. Over affairs of State, his devotion found vent in paroxysms of weeping; and as for Ch4n Euei, if he met him beyond the precincts of the council-chamber, he would recognise him only by a cold bow. In the evening of his life he interested himself in Buddhism and Taoism, and dubbed himself the Pure and Passionless Recluse. Canonised as j^ ^.
626
Han Shou (T. ^ ^ ). Died A.D. 291. The handsome