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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary


2147 Wang Chia HI (T. 3^ ffi ). A native of Ho-chuDg in Shansi, who gradaated as chin shih in 890 and rose to be a secretai; in the Board of Rites. He was a distingnished poet, and gave himself the sobriquet of tJ- ^ ;^ ^ .

2148 Wang Ch*iang ^ ^ (commonly known as ^ ^ Chao ChQn). Ist cent. B.C. A lady in the seraglio of the Emperor Yfian TH of the Han dynasty, who was bestowed in B.C. 33 upon the Khan of the Hsiung-nu as a mark of Imperial regard. The following is the popular version of this story: — The Emperor Yflan Ti had so maoy concubines that he did not know them by sight. He therefore commissioned a painter, named Mao Yen-shon, to paint all their portraits; and in order to secure pleasing likenesses, the ladies bribed the painter. Chao Chdn, however, the beauty of the harem, refused to do so; of course with disastrous results to her own portrait. Later on when it became necessary to present a bride to the great Turkic chieftain, Chao Chtln was selected as the victim because of her ugliness! The Emperor saw her only when it was too late, and at once fell violently in love with her, actually sending a camel laden with gold to negotiate her repurchase. But the Ehan refused to part with his treasure. She became his queen, with the title of '^ ^ Hu Ning. At her death, which occurred a few years afterwards, he also refused to allow her body to he taken back to China for burial. The mound over her grave remained always green, even when the country around was devoid of vegetation. Another account says that the Ehan invaded China in order to possess himself of Chao Chun, whosQ portrait had been shown to him with that object, and that Chao Chiin flung herself into the Amoor, rather than be carried farther towards the wild barbarian steppes.

2149 Wang Ch*iao 3E^. 1st cent. A.D. A native of Ho-tung in Shansi , who became Magistrate of the ^ Sh6 District in Honan.