Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/346

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
A Chinese Biographical Dictionary
327


Marquis. He was the most skilled musician of the day; and on one occasion was summoned by the Emperor Hsiao Wu Ti to a banquet at which the great Hsieh An was present, then somewhat in disgrace on account of the escapades of his son-in-law Wang Euo-pao. Being commanded to perform, he first played an air on the flute, and then seizing his guitar sang with much feeling the fiftmous lines by Ts'ao Chih:

If sovereigns find it hai*d to play their part aright,
A Minister forsooth by weightier care is racked;
For loyal thoughts are hid and come not forth to light,
While foul suspicion lurks and taints his every act.

At this Hsieh An was so affected that he rose in tears from his place and sat down by Huan I; and stroking the latter's beard, said, ^^Those words. Sir, are apt indeed."

840 Huan Jung (T. ^^). B.C. 21-A.D. 59. A native of Ifll ^ Lnng-k'ang in Anhui, who was an ardent student but 80 poor that he was obliged to enter into service for a livelihood. He ultimately set up as a teacher and had great success, until the usurpation of Wang Mang caused him to pack up his books and flee to the mountains. He was over 60 when he received an appointment under the Emperor Euang Wu Ti, after which he rapidly rose to the highest o£5ces of State. He was much beloved by the Emperor Ming Ti, who ennobled him as Marquis and at his death went into mourning for him and followed his corpse to the grave. Displaying one day the valuable gifts he had received irom the Emperor, his seal of ofBce, etc., he cried out, ^This comes of devotion to antiquity."

841 Huan Kung 1^ ^. B.C. 684—642. The title of a Duke of the Ch^i State, whose surname was ^ Chiang, and personal name /)> ^ Hsiao-po. He was one of the sons of Duke ^ Li; and

when the latter died , he and his brother -^ ^ Tztl-chiu fled in