dynasty, who began to compose poems when only seven years old. The great Han Yfl refused to believe in his powers, until the boy produced a brilliant poem off-hand, before his' very eyes. Every day when he went out he was accompanied by a servant-boy with an embroidered bag into which he put any desirable book which he happened to come across, generally returning home with his bag full. One day he met a strange man riding on a hornless dragon, who said to him, *^Gbd Almighty has finished his Jade Pavilion and has sent for you to be his secretary." Shortly afterwards he died at the early age of twenty-seven.
1133 U Hsi-lieh ^ ^ ^jj . Died A.D. 786. A favourite at the Court of the Emperor Tai Tsung of the T^ang dynasty, whose son, on his accession in A.D. 780, raised him to the rank of Governor of ^ Q§ Huai-hsi. Two or three years later he rebelled, and in 783 he proclaimed himself Generalissimo of the empire. Yen Gh6n- ch4ng was sent to urge him to return to his allegiance; but the rebel refused to listen to his overtures, and shortly afterwards seized and put him to death. After maintaining himself for some time in the central provinces, he fell ill from eating beef, and was poisoned by a physician acting under the orders of the Imperial commander ^ fllj ^ Ch*6n Hsien.ch*i. His head was cut off and forwarded by Ch'Sn to the Emperor, together with those of his wife and children. Upon this, his followers laid down their arms.
1134 Li Hsien ^ f^J . A courtesan , who succeeded in fascinating a student, named ^ yf^ ^ Chfing YUan-ho, to such an extent that he began to neglect his career. Thereupon she tore out her eyes, after which her lover rapidly rose to distinction and subsequently married her.
1135 Li Hsien ^ gg changed to Li Cll6 ^'^. A.D. 656-710. Son of Li Ghih, whom he succeeded in 683 as fourth Emperor of the T'ang dynasty. In 684 he was degraded by the Empress Dowager
