A Chinese Biographical Dictionary/Fu Chieh-tzŭ

by Herbert A. Giles

577 Fu Chieh-tzŭ 傅介子. 1st cent. B.C. A famous commander under the Emperor Chao Ti of the Han dynasty. Although fond of study, at fourteen years of age he threw his writing-tablets aside, saying with a sigh, "'Tis in foreign lands that a hero must seek renown; how can I let my life pass away as an old bookworm?" At that time the rulers of the 龜兹 Kuei-tzŭ and 樓蘭 Lou-lan countries had killed some Chinese envoys; and with a view to punishing them, Fu volunteered to proceed as envoy to Ferghana or Khokand. As a result of his mission he slew, some say by stratagem, the ruler of Lou-lan; and when he was asked for some proof of his statements, he produced the murdered monarch's head.