Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/119

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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary

243 Ch'ên Shih 陳寔 (T. 仲弓). A.D. 104-187. An official of the Han dynasty, distinguished for parity and uprightness. As Magistrate of 太丘 T'ai-ch'iu in Honan, he ruled so justly that people from neighbouring Districts flocked to his jurisdiction. Resigning office, he returned to his home in Ying-ch'uan in Anhui, where he was appealed to as arbiter in all disputes by the people, who preferred to suffer the penalties of the law. rather than incur his disapproval. On one occasion, when a thief had hidden himself among the roof-beams, he quietly called together his sons and grandsons, and after a short moral lecture pointed up at the thief, saying, "Do not imitate this 梁上君子 gentleman on the beam." The latter was so touched that he came down and asked forgiveness, promising to lead an honest life for the future, and departing joyfully with a present of money. In 168 Ho Chin in vain tried to induce him to accept high office. His funeral is said to have been attended by 80,000 persons from all parts of the empire. He and his two sons (T. 元方 and 季方), both distinguished men, were known as the 三君.

244 Ch'ên Shih-kuan 陳世倌 (T. 秉之, H. 蓮宇). A.D. 1680—1757. Fourth son of Ch'ên Hsien. He graduated as chin shih in 1708, and after several educational and literary posts, became Governor of Shantung in 1724. He was degraded in 1734 for procrastination in reporting on the Kiangnan waterways, but rose again in 1741 to be a Grand Secretary. At the end of 1748 an erroneous judgment led to his dismissal, but he was recalled to his high office three years later. He retired with honour in 1757, leaving behind him the reputation of a most conscientious officer. Canonised as 文勤.

245 Ch'ên Shou 陳壽 (T. 承祚) A.D. 233-297. A native of Ssŭch'uan, who after studying under Ch'iao Chou took service under the Minor Han dynasty, and alone ventured to oppose the