he was soon sent in disgrace to Ssŭch'uan, where he abolished the evil practice of neglecting to nurse the sick, improved irrigation, and promoted education. Recalled in 631 as head of the Civil Office, he proved a most successful Minister. In 642 he and Wei Chêng compiled the 文思博要 Encyclopædia, a work for which his wide reading especially fitted him. Three years later he aided the Heir Apparent to govern during the Emperor's absence on an expedition against Korea. The Emperor T'ai Tsung visited him in his last illness, and canonised him as 文獻.
952
Kao Hsien-Chih 高仙芝. Died A.D. 755. A Korean in the service of the Emperor Hsüan Tsang of the T'ang dynasty. After several expeditions against the Turfans, he penetrated in 747 as far as Ush, returning only because the eunuch Inspector was afraid to go on. Three years later he made a successful expedition against the 石國 Stone Nation (?). He was then appointed Prefect of 武威 Wu-wei, and subsequently ennobled as Duke. In 755 he assisted the 榮 Jung Prince against An Lu-shan, and succeeded in holding the 潼 T'ung Pass. He was accused of robbery by a eunuch Inspector, because when he found that he could not hold T'ai-yüan Fu, he distributed the grain in the granaries among his men and burnt what they could not carry away. In spite of the murmurs of his army, he was forthwith put to death.
953
