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462 improved diTision of the empire into provinoes witii aabdiviaions, reformed the civil and military seryices, and modified the Penal Code. He fostered learning, and tried to restore astronomy to its place as a practical science. Frugal in his own life, affectionate to his kindred, and genial in his intercourse with public officials, his fame spread far beyond the limits of the Middle Kingdom, which reached to the CSaspian Sea and the Hindu Euah. He was said to have had the^ grace of a dragon and the beauty of a phoenix. He was beloved by all priests, Buddhist, Taoist, 4md even OSuistian; for it was under his auspices that Nestorian missionaries were allowed to settle at the capital in A.D. 636. In 648 the Greek Emperor Theodosius sent a mission to his Court. In 644 he attempted to conquer Korea, but the expedition proved a disastrous £Eulure. On one occasion he is said to have died and to have gone' down into Purgatory, but to have recovered his life by the kindly alteration in the Book of Fate of a IS into a 33. Among his numerous recorded sayings, the following is perhaps the best known: — ^^By using a mirror of brass you may see to adjust your cap; by using antiquity as a mirror, you may learn to foresee the rise and fall of empires.*' Canonised as ^ ^ ^ ^.

Li Shou ^ '^. One of the Assistants of the Yellow Emperor, B. G. 2698, and the reputed invents of mathematical science.

Li Shon ^^ (T. ^%). Died A.D. 343. The nephew of Id T^£, by whom, as well as by Li Hsiung, he was advanced to high honours and military command. In 338 he surprised Oh'fing- tu and seized the throne, altering the dynastic style to Han. Finding the mild system of Li Hsiung unsatisfactory, he took to severity and extravagance, escaping a rebellion only by his timely death. Canonised as ^ ^ H^ i the .fifth sovereign of the Chafing dynasty.

Li Sbou-SU ^^^. 7th cent. A.D. A native of Ofaao-chou