Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/241

222 which he varied with periods of submission until in 1367 he became Governor of Chehkiang and Kiangsu, and was ennobled as Duke. He received a salary, but was not entrusted with any real power. His name was originally 方珍 Fang Chên (T. 國珍). He changed it to 貞 (T. 谷貞) out of respect to Chu Yüan-chang.

  Fang Pao 方苞 (T. 靈皋 H. 望溪). A.D. 1678-1749. A native of Kiangnan, who graduated in 1699 as first chü jen and as chin shih in 1706. He devoted himself to a study of the Classics and of philosophical literature in general; but his name happening to be mentioned in a treasonable work written by a relative, he was arrested in 1711 and cast into prison. There he still managed to continue his work, and in 1713 his real merits were brought to light. He not only received a full pardon, but was at once made tutor to the Imperial princes. In 1735 he was appointed to assist in editing works for the Imperial Library, and his advice was much sought by the Ministers of the day. In 1737 he became Vice President of the Board of Rites, but not agreeing with his colleagues he soon resigned on the plea of ill-health. In 1742 he finally retired from official life and spent his remaining years in study. His collected writings were published under the title of 望溪集, and he himself was popularly known as 方侍郞.

  Fang Ts'ung-chê 方從哲 (T. 中涵). Died A.D. 1628. Graduating as chin shih in 1583, he soon withdrew from public life. But the fame of his culture reaching the Emperor's ears, he was by private Decree made a Vice President of the Board of Civil Office in spite of his protests; and in 1613 he became a Grand Secretary. He succeeded Yeh Hsiang-kao as Prime Minister; and finding remonstrances useless, he made friends with the eunuchs and allowed the Emperor to neglect his duties. Of the three 