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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary


Meauwhile the country was in a most distarbed conditioD. In 1336 the Chinese were forbidden to possess arms; and in 1337 it was seriously proposed to slay all who bore the fi?e common surnames, ^ Li, ^ Liu, @ Chao, gg Chang, and 3^ Wang. Famines were frequent, and in 1344 the sale of office was introduced as a means of raising funds. The Yellow River was a cohstant source of trouble; and as the rebel chieftains made headway ^ Peking was often short of rice. Straitened for funds, in 1350 the Government issued inconvertible paper-money, a step that paralysed trade and reduced the people to barter. The Heir Apparent tried to depose his father who was entirely in the hands of Buddhist priests and eunuchs. In 1367 Chu Yflan-chang, who held the Yang-tsze valley, felt strong enough to send an expedition to conquer northern China. In 1368 Peking fell, and with it the YUan dynasty. Canonised by the Mongols as ^ ^ , but usually known as ^ ^ , a designation given to him by the Mings.

Tong Eing-sing. See T'ang T'lDg-shii.

1954 Tou Chien-te ^ 5^ ^. A.D. 573-621. A successful Shantung rebel, who in 618 set up as king bf Hsia, a title confirmed by the Throne on his slaying Yfl-w6n Hua-chi. Aided by P'ei Chfi, he organised a regular government, and by his mild rule extended his power over most of Shantung and parts of Chihli and Honan. He allied himself with the Turkic nation and with Wang Shib- ch'ung; but failing to relieve the latter, he was routed by the T'ang armies, captured, and beheaded.

1955 Tou Hou ^ ^. (1) The Empress Tou, consort of the Emperor W^n Ti of the Han dynasty, B.C. 179.

(2) Also of the Emperor Chang Ti of the Han dynasty, A.D. 79.

(3) Also of the Emperor Huan Ti of the Han dynasty, A.D. 165.

(4) Also of the Emperor Kao Tsu of the T'ang dynasty, A.D. 618 (see Ton I).