Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/765

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746 A Chinese Biographical Dictionary


In 789 he was called to the Council of State, where his want of learning at once became conspicnons. He distributed posts among his relatives and by his inquisitorial measures made himself a terror to all. After four years of power he was impeached for corruption and banished to a petty magistracy in Euangtung. Lu Chih, whom he had falsely accused , tried in vain to save him from the vengeance of the eunuchs; but they were too strong, and he was forced to commit suicide.

1964 Tou Wu W :^ (T- ^ ^ )• Died A.D. 167. Great great grandson of Toa Jung. It was said that when he was born his mother gave birth at the same time to a snake, which was set free in the woods. At her death a snake was seen to enter the house, knock its head against the coffin, and after shedding tears of blood, to disappear as it had come. In 165 his eldest daughter became Empress, and he himself was raised to high rank as Keeper of the City Gates. When the 'Emperor Ling Ti came to the throne in 167 as a boy of 12, Tou Wu's daughter acted as R^^nt, and showered further favours upon her father, ennobling him as Marquis. He then joined in a plot against the life of the powerful eunuch ^ |[|f Ts'ao Chieh; but the latter got wind of his intentions, seized the Empress and the Imperial seal, and issued an order for the arrest of Too Wu, who thereupon committed suicide.

1965 Tou Ting § ^ (T. ^ ^ ). Died B.C. 140. Son of a cousin of Tou Kuang-kuo, brother to the Empress Tou Hou (1). He served under the Emperor Ching Ti of the Han dynasty, became Com- mander-iu-chief, and was ennobled as Marquis. He acquired great influence , and it was due to his remonstrances that Ch^ao Ts^o was put to death. When the Emperor Wu Ti came to the throne the Imperial favour was transferred to 09 J^ T'ien F6n, who was his Majesty's uncle, and Tou Ying found himself gradually more and more neglected. At the same time he managed to incur the