Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/30

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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary
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time together as old friends. Tomorrow I take up my appointment as Governor; after that, we can meet no more." The result was an impartial and successful administration.

25Chang Chi 張繼 (T. 懿孫). 8th cent. A.D. A native of Hsiang-chou in Hupeh, who graduated as chin shih about the year 750 and rose to be a secretary in the Board of Revenue. His fame chiefly rests upon his poems, which are still much admired.

26Chang Chi 張籍 (T. 文昌) 8th and 9th cent. A.D. A native of 烏江 Niao-chiang in Kiangnan, who greatly distinguished himself as a scholar and poet and was patronised by the great Han Yü, whom he even ventured to take to task for his fondness for dice. The latter in 815 recommended him for employment, and he rose to be a Tutor in the Imperial Academy. But it is by his poems that he is known; among which may be mentioned the exquisite lines under the title of 節婦吟. He was also a vigorous opponent of Buddhism and Taoism, both of which he held in much contempt. He was 80 years of age when he died.

27Chang Chia-chêng 張嘉貞. 8th cent. A.D. A native of 蒲 P'u-chou in Shansi, who rose to be Minister of State under the Emperor Ming Huang of the T'ang dynasty. On one occasion, failing to remember his personal name, the Emperor actually nominated another Chang to an office he had destined for this one; however, at night, his Majesty happened to come across the name of the right man, and gave him a better appointment still. He was President of the Board of Works at his death; and the equipages of himself and his brother Chang Chia- 祐 yu, who was a General, made such a show in the street where they lived that the neighbours called the place the 鳴玽里 Street of Tinkling Regalia. Canonised as 恭肅.

28Chang Chien 張儉 (T. 師約). Died A.D. 651. A great-nephew of the founder of the T'ang dynasty. He did good service