Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/439

420 Li Chen ^^ (T. Ift j^). Died A.D. 928. A Governor of T^ai-choQ in Cbehkiang, who joined the founder of ihe(. Later Liang dynasty and rose to be head of its Board of Revenue. His hatred of the statesmen of the T'ang dynasty, dne to his repeated failores at the public examinations, led him to encourage his new master in cruel treatment of them and earned for himself the nickname of "Owl" (= Heartless Brute). The founder of the Later T*ang dynasty put him to death.

Li Chen ^ ^. A Taoist doctor, who lived under the Sung dynasty. He pretended to be 800 years old, and called himself in consequence ^ /V ^ •

Li Chen ^ ^. 12th cent. A.D. A native of Honan, who was captain of a small band of 300 men when Peking was besieged by the Chin^ Tartars in 1126. With this paltry force he managed to slay over 700 of the enemy, but at length he was overpowered and taken prisoner. "Where is the Emperor of the South?*' asked the Chin general before whom he was led; to which he replied, "It is not my duty to answer any of your questions.** He was at once tied to a pillar and sliced to death, cursing his captors as long as breath remained in his body.

Li Ch*en-tien ^^^ (T. jf^^). A.D. 1837-1864. Joined Ts6ng Euo-fan*s army in Eiangsi as a volunteer, and twice saved his chiefs life. After distinguishing himself at An-ch4ng, he advfinced on Nanking in 1862. He was the originator of a scheme for blowing up the wall of that city, which led to its capture in 1864, he himself dying of his wounds in the summer of the same year. He was loaded with honours and canonised as J^ ^.

Li Ch^eng-liang ^Jgg^ (T. ^^). A.D. 1526-1615. A General of Korean descent, who being kept by poverty a mere student until he was forty, then rose rapidly and by 1574 became Commander-in-chief in Liao-tung. He used artillery with great effect