and rose to be keeper of the Imperial Library. He lost favour at
Court by opposing an issue of iron cash in Kiangnan, and was
relegated for a time to a provincial post. He was a poet of repute,
and also wrote the (
Chinese characters) , a commentary on the Canon of Changes.
He was known as (Chinese characters), from a term applied to him by
the Emperor Kuang Tsung. Canonised (Chinese characters).
2415
Tang Wei-Chêng (Chinese characters) (T. (Chinese characters) ). 14th cent. A.D. A
native of Kuei-chi in Chehkiang, who graduated as chin shih in
1327 and served for a short time as magistrate. His disposition
was unsuited however to a public career, and he retired to Shanghai
where he built himself a "hanging garden" and amused himself by
entertaining friends and playing upon an iron-flute. His poetry,
mostly composed under the inspiration of deep potations, was much
esteemed. In 1369 the Emperor Hung Wu summoned him to Court.
"What!" cried he, "should an old woman of 80 get ready a second
trousseau? He was kindly treated, and after 120 days was allowed
to return home.
2416
Yang Wu (Chinese characters). Died A.D. 908. Eldest son of Yang Hsing-mi, and his successor in 907 as second sovereign of the Wu State. He
soon gave himself up to a life of debauchery, in consequence of
which the Minister (Chinese characters) Hsü Wên caused him to be assassinated,
and placed his brother upon the throne.
2417
Yang Yen (Chinese characters) (T. (Chinese characters)). Died A.D. 781. A native of
(Chinese characters) T'ien-hsing in Shensi , whose father (Chinese characters) Yang Po had
been an official, popularly known as (Chinese characters). He was noted
for his splendid beard and eyebrows, as well as for a spirited
disposition; and after the death of his father he received an appoint-
ment in the public service. Becoming a protégé of Yüan Tsai, when
the latter fell he was banished to a petty post in Hunan, from
which he was recalled at the accession of the Emperor Tê Tsung
in 779, and rose to share with Lu Ch*i the full control of the
