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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary/Ch'ê Yün

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1758876A Chinese Biographical Dictionary — Ch'ê YünHerbert A. Giles

206 Ch'ê Yün 車胤 (T. 武子). Died A.D. 397. A native of 南平 Nan-p'ing in Fuhkien, who flourished as a high official at the close of the 4th cent. A.D. In his youth he was too poor to afford a lamp, and studied by the light of a bag of fireflies. Yet he rose to be President of the Board of Civil Office. He entered the service of Huan Wên, and his wit and beauty made him a great favourite at Court. On one occasion he was present when Hsieh An and his brother were expounding the Filial Piety to the Emperor Hsiso Wu. He whispered to 袁羊 Yüan Yang that there were several points about which he would like to be enlightened, but that he feared to weary and annoy the two sages. "Fear not!" replied Yüan Yang. "Did you ever see a bright mirror wearied with reflecting, or a clear stream annoyed by a genial breeze?" About A.D. 385 he retired in ill-health, with the title of Marquis.