greatly admired his poetry, and brought it to the notice of Wang An-shih, and at the same time coached him for his degree once more. This time he passed, and was duly drafted into the public service. He rose to high rank, and was employed in the preparation of the dynastic history; but in 1094—98 he fell a yictim to intrigue, and was accused of falsifying the records. He was sent to a petty post in Ghehkiang, and then banished, on a further charge of Buddhistic leanings, to Lei-chou in Euangtung. Upon the accession of the Emperor Hui Tsung in 1101, he was appointed to a small office and allowed to return; but he died at m T^fing-chou in Euangsi, while visiting one of the sights of the neighbourhood. He was reckoned as one of the Four Oreat Scholars of the empire (see Chang Lei).
392 Ch'in Kuei (T./^ J^)- ^D. 1090-1155. A native of Ghiang-ning in Eiangsu, who graduated as chin $hih in 1115 and entered upon a public career. In 1126 he was employed upon the commission for ceding territory to the Ghin^ Tartars, and was promoted to be a Censor. In 1127, when the Emperor and his father proceeded to the camp of the invading Tartars to ask for terms, he accompanied them; and when they were sent away northwards (see Chao Hing)^ he followed them as far as Peking, in spite of Ghang Pang-ch^ang's invitation to him to return. In 1130 he was allowed to go back, on the secret understanding that he was to use his influence with the Emperor to secure terms of peace. On presenting himself at Court, he was made President of the Board of Bites, and at once set himself to serve the cause of the Tartars. In spite of the opposition of Li Eang, Chao Ting, Yen Tun-fa, and others, a peace was concluded in 1134, under which the northern half of China was ceded to the enemy. From that time Ch4n Euei's influence was paramount,
and he was loaded with honours. The Emperor visited him at