placed at the head of the ^ j|^ Western Office, a department intended to watch the doings of the regular administration. He behaved with such arrogance that the Emperor was forced by remonstrances to close the Office, and he returned to his palace duties. The Office was soon re-opened under him, and his chief opponents were dismissed. In 1479 he went on a mission to inspect the frontier, and made a show of intending to lead an expedition to the west. Two years later he was appointed Brigade Greneral at Ta-t'ung in Shansi; but from this date his power declined, and presently the Western Office was abolished and he was disgraced (see Wang Yueh).
2158 Wang Chin ^ (T. g j)^). Died A.D. 781. Younger brother of Wang Wei, and also gifted with great abilities which secured his advancement to high office. He was a firm believer in Buddhism, and his faith increased with age. It was he who converted the Emperor Tai Tsung and instigated his Majesty to waste such vast sums of money on the Buddhist priests and nuns who overran the palace. He was however found guilty of bribery and corruption, and sentenced to death; which punishment the Emperor, in pity for his great age, commuted to banishment to ^ Eua-chon in Chehkiang, where he died.
2159 Wang Chin-pao i ^ ^ (T. g| ^). A.D. 1625-1685. Distinguished as a general in the repression of the rebellion of Wa San-kuei. Canonised as j^ ^ 9 and included in the Temple of Worthies.
2160 Wang Ch*in-jo ^ ^ ^ (T. ^ g ). Died A.D. 1024. A native of ^ 1^ Hsin-yfl in Kiangsi. His grandfather was an official at Wu-ch*ang in Hupeh at the time of an inundation, and the family were obliged to seek refuge in the famous Yellow-Stork Pagoda. One night a man in Han-yang, on the opposite sideofibe river, noticed a bright light hanging about the pagoda; and on tW
