Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/185

166 affair created much scandal; and Chou Ya-fa being summoned to Court, remained five days without eating, and so starved himself to death.

Chou Yen-ju 周延儒 (T. 玉繩). A.D. 1593-1643. A native of 宜興 I-hsing in Kansuh, who graduated as first chin shih when little over twenty, and attracted notice by his handsome face and spirited bearing. The last Emperor of the Ming dynasty made him a Grand Secretary in 1630, and in spite of Censor denunciations of him as an evil liver, the sovereign reposed great confidence in him. Chou allied himself with Wên T‘i-jen, who repaid his help by undermining his position with the Emperor, until in 1633 Chou was driven from office on a charge of treasonable correspondence with the rebels. Eight years later he was recalled as Prime Minister, partly through the 東林 Tung Lin faction; and having learnt wisdom in adversity, he laboured to neutralise the evil government of Wên T‘i-jên. He was, however, quite unable to cope with the rebels and with the Manchus, and his partisans were greedy and corrupt. In 1643, when the Manchus raided Shantung, he obtained command at 通 T‘ung-chou, where he spent his time in carousing, while he reported imaginary victories. The Emperor was ultimately informed of the truth; but Chou was only dismissed to his home. His enemies presently charged him with speaking ill of his Majesty; whereupon be was brought up for trial to Peking, and was forced to commit suicide. Chou Yü 周瑜 (T. 公瑾). A.D. 174-218. A native of 舒 Shu in Anhui, whose father and grandfather had both occupied high official posts. He was a handsome lad; and when Sun Chien, who had raised a volunteer force to oppose Tung Cho, was quartered at Shu, he became very friendly with the general's son, San Ts‘ê, and ultimately attached himself to the