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.
207 Chên Chiang 真姜. 5th cent. B.C. The virtuous wife of Prince 昭 Chao of the Ch'u State. When the prince went from home, he left her in a tower surrounded by water; and it was agreed between them that if he sent for her, he would give the messenger a token to be shown to the princess. On one occasion there was a flood, and the water began to rise high round the tower. The prince hurriedly sent off a messenger to rescue his wife, but forgot the token; the result being that the lady declined to leave the tower, and perished in the flood.
208 Chên Tê-hsiu 陳德秀 (T. 景元 and 景希 and 希元. H. 西山). A.D. 1178-1235. A native of P'u-ch'êng in Fuhkien. Graduating in 1199, he was appointed to the Imperial Academy, and soon rose to high office at the capital. At his own request he was sent into the provinces; and his administration, in spite of the denunciations of enemies, was marked by signal success. On the accession of the Emperor Li Tsung in 1225, he was falsely accused of having favoured the Emperor's brother, who had just
