Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/273

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
254
A Chinese Biographical Dictionary


amassed great wealth, and in the chase, of which he was very fond, he is said to have used golden pellets for his crossbow. On one occasion, the Emperor invited the Prince of Chiang- tn to go oat hunting; but for some reason or other his own chariot was unable to proceed, and he sent Han Yen in another chariot on before him. The Prince, mistaking this equipage for that of the Emperor, drew to the side and fell down on his knees with all his cortdge to allow his Majesty to pass. On discoyering his error he was furious, and complained bitterly to the Empress Dowager. Before long a charge of immorality was brought against Han Yen, and in spite of the Emperor's efforts to save him, he was forced to commit suicide.

631 Han Ying ^ ^. 2nd cent. B.C. A native of the Yen State, and one of the earliest commentators upon the Odes. His text differed from that of ShSn Eung and YCLan Eu, but his interpretations were substantially the same. Summoned to discuss the question with Tung Cbung-shu in the presence of the Emperor Wu Ti, he succeeded in holding his own even against that great scholar. Of his p^ "fjf and ^[^ ^^ , the latter only is extant.

632 Han Yü ^ |^ (T, ^;^. H. g a^). A.D. 768-824. A native of TSng-chou in Honan, whose ancestors came from j^ ^ Ch^ang-li in Chihli. His father died before he was three years old, and he was left to the charge of his brother. This brother was shortly afterwards banished to Euangtung, whither he carried the little boy together with their widowed mother. On the death of his brother some years later, Han Yd returned with his mother to Honan. There he devoted himself assiduously to study; and it was recorded as something unusual that he burnt grease and oil in order to prolong his hours of work. On

graduating he was appointed to a subordinate official post, and