scholar in the empire, and within one month he became secretary to a Board. Five months later he was appointed President of a Board and Chamberlain, and continued with but few checks to hold high office until his death. Though not distinguished by their boldness, his counsels were still of great value to his Imperial masters; and in a popular couplet of the day the nation congratulated itself on having such a wise and temperate man at the head of affairs. Canonised as ^ ^ .
820 Hu Kuang (T. 3fe ;^). A.D. 1370-1418. A native of Chi-shui in Kiangsi, who in 1400 came out first at the Palace Examination and received an appointment in the Han-lin College. He then changed his personal name to fl|| Ching; but in 1403, on being promoted to sub-Expositor, he resumed his former name Kuang. He rose to high office under the Emperor Yung Lo, accompanying his Majesty on his northern campaigns as confidential adviser and being specially entrusted with the preparation of such -» inscriptions as were set up to record the success of their arms. *' The Emperor once asked him if the people were happy, '^hey are happy," he replied, "but badly governed by their local Magistrates." Canonised as ^.
821 Hu Kung A magician under the Han dynasty. He used to disappear at night, and it was discovered by Fei Ch'ang-fang that he retired at sunset to a hollow gourd which hung at his doorpost. The latter at once became his disciple.
822 Hu Lin-i (T. H. ) 1812-1861. A native of the ^ ^ 1-yang District in Hunan, who graduated as chin shih in 1836 and early distinguished himself by his successful operations against the T^ai-p'ings. In Jan. 1855 he went to assist Tseng Euo-fan at Kiukiang, and cleared the rebels off the Po-yang lake. In Dec. 1856 he captured Wu-ch*ang, for which he was
appointed Viceroy of Hu-Euang and received the button of the 1st