1251 Lieh Yti-k'on ^J^^. Commonly known as ^J -^ laeh TztL. An allegorical personage created by Chnang TztL for pnrposes of illastration. The scholars of the Han dynasty mistook Chnang Tzti*s creation for a real philosopher of the 4th cent. B.C., and some one of them even went so far as to produce an abstmse work which is still attributed to him by enthusiasts. His name does not occur among the biographical notices given by the historian Ssti-ma Ch4en, who wrote as early as B.C. 100 and who paid special attention to illustrious men of preceding ages; while Chnang Txli says *^he could ride upon the wind and travel whithersoeyer he wished, staying away as long as fifteen days.**
1252
Lien Fan ^ ^ (T.;^ ^ ). 1st cent. A.D. A OoTernor of
Shu, the modern SsHch^uan, under the Han dynasty. He removed
the restrictioDS upon the use of fire or lights at night, and the
grateful people declared through the medium of a popular song
that whereas previously it had been difficult to get coats to their
backs, they had now five pairs of trousers apiece.
1253 Lien Hsi-hsien ^^^ (T. #'^). A.D. 1234-1280. A native of Outer Eansuh. He was a fine handsome youth, and when only eighteen attracted the attention of Eublai Ehan who for his constant study of the Classics and history nicknamed him "Mencius.** On the death of Mangu in 1259 he urged Eublai to take the throne, and that monarch appointed him Governor of Shensi and Sstlch^uan, a post which he filled with extraordinary success. At the age of twenty-nine he became a Minister of State and introduced many reforms. He mourned for his parents in the ancient orthodox manner, passing three whole days without tasting food or drink, and reducing himself to such a state of weakness that he vomited blood. He checked the growing power of the eunuchs, defended Shih T'ien-tse from a charge of engrossing power, and reproved the Emperor with fearless courage. He stopped a proposal to make
