Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/502

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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary
483


pills of longevity, and upheld CoDfncianism against Taoism. After a period of retirement he became Governor of Peking, and towards the end of his life he was sent to Ghing-chou in Hnpeh. He returned in ill-health with an empty purse, and only his lute and his books as baggage; and in spite of the Imperial physicians, he shortly afterwards died. He was described by Bayan as a Minister among Ministers and a man among men. Canonised as ^ j£ .

1254 Lien P*0 ^ 0. 3rd cent. B.C. A general of the Chao State, and colleague of the famons Minister Lin Hsiang-ju. Because the latter was ranked before him, he became jealous and showed his displeasure openly. But Lin took no notice of this, declaring that their joint efforts protected the Chao State from the wiles of the powerful Ch4n State, and that the public welfare was of more importance than private pique. And when he met Lien P'o's carriage, he took care to draw aside and allow him to pass, as though he were of superior rank. The result was that Lien P^o grew ashamed of his conduct, and went to Lin*s house, carrying a birch rod with him and asking for punishment. The two then became fast friends. For his services against the armies of the Ch4n State, in which he played the part of a Fabius, declining to give battle and remaining within his entrenchments, and also for a great victory over the Yen State, Lien P^o was ennobled as Prince; but later on he was set aside, and fled in anger to the Wei State. Subsequently, when the Ch*ins attacked the Chao State, an attempt was made to recall him. He swallowed a peck of rice and ten pounds of meat, and vaulted lightly upon his horse, to show the messenger that he was still fit for work; but an enemy bribed the latter to report unfavourably, and he never again fought for Chao. He took service later on with the Ch*u State, and there died.

Lin-hai Wang. See Ch'en Po-tsnng.