Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/88

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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary
69

success, and extreme hardship to the worn-out people of China. It was complicated by the ambitious hostility of the rival Emperor Liu Yü (q.v.), and by rebellions in Hu-Kuang, Kiangsi, and Fuhkien. The patriots wasted their energies in unworthy rivalries, by which Ch'in Kuei profited to drive all opponents of his peace policy from Court; and in 1141 he induced the Emperor to agree to derogatory terms of peace, which included cession of territory in Shensi and all north of the Huai river, acknowledgment of vassalage, and a yearly tribute. The death of Ch'in Kuei was followed by an immediate change of policy, and by a fresh China irruption in 1162. The northern throne, however, was seized by a usurper, who was as anxious for peace as was the Chinese Emperor. On its ratification, Chao Kou abdicated in favour of his adopted son, Chao Shên. Canonised as 高宗皇帝.

167 Chao Kua 趙括. Son of Chao Shê. From his youth upwards he thought and spoke of nothing but war and military matters, to the dismay of his father, who prophesied that he would bring ruin upon the Chao State. After the death of his father, war broke out with the Ch'in State, and he was appointed to the command. His mother, however, was anxious for him not to go, and petitioned the Prince of Chao to that effect, quoting also his father's prophecy. He was sent in spite of her; the result being that he himself was slain, and his whole army, amounting to 450,000 men, was destroyed.

168 Chao K'uang-yin 趙匡胤. A.D. 927-976. The founder of the Sung dynasty. Descended from a family of officials under the T'ang dynasty, he rose to high military command under the Emperor Shih Tsung of the Later Chou dynasty. On the death of the latter he became Grand Marshal, and was entirely trusted by the mother of the boy-sovereign. The disturbed state of the empire led men to look to him for the restoration of order; and