Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/196

Rh he left orders with his son to bury him there, where his memory would be kindly cherished. The Emperor Hsüan Ti greatly lamented his death, and presented a hundred ounces of gold to the family.

  Chu I 朱异. (T. 彥和). A.D. 483-549. A native of Ch'ien-t'ang in Chehkiang, who as a youth was a great gambler and a disgrace to his neighbourhood. When he grew up, he reformed and devoted himself to study, acquiring a profound knowledge of the Classics, of history, and even of the arts and sciences. He was personally examined by Shên Yo, and received an official post when only 21 years of age. His fine presence and marvellous power of work led to his appointment to the Privy Council by the Emperor Wu Ti, an office which he held for twelve years without once incurring reproof. He was greedy of wealth, venal, a sycophant, and fond of luxury and sensuality. He and his sons lived in a group of palaces within a splendid park, never spending a cash in charity. He advised the Emperor to accept Hon Ching's offer of allegiance, and died of shame when Hou Ching promptly revolted and besieged the capital. Author of commentaries on the Book of Rites and the Canon of Changes.

  Chu I-chün 朱翊鈞. A.D. 1563-1620. Son of Chu Tsai-hou, whom he succeeded in 1572 as thirteenth Emperor of the Ming dynasty. His long reign ushered in the ruin of the dynasty. It opened well, his Minister Chang Chü-chêng ruling for the first ten years arbitrarily but well. In 1578 the population was returned at 60½ millions, and in 1580 the arable land was found to be over 106 million acres, an increase of 45 million acres in a century. The frontiers were kept at peace and even extended, and the country was very rich. The death of Chang left the Emperor free to indulge in sensualism and extravagance; and in 1599, the metropolitan treasuries being empty, provincial surpluses were 