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places at once. Stories of his magical and prophetic powers are many. The founder of the Liang dynasty was his devoat follower, and suffered him to enter the palace at will.

Fao Shu-ya |S 7^ ^. 7th cent. B.C. Minister to Huan Rung 1623 of the Ch^i State, and friend of the fieimons Euan I-wu, or Eaan Chung.

Pao SgtL j^ ^. 8th cent. B.C. The daughter of a woman con- 1624 nected with the Palace. There was something suspicions about her birth, and orders were given that she was to •be thrown into the river. She was however merely exposed in a piece of matting, in which condition she was found by a fugitive from justice and put oat to nurse. When she grew up she was bought by a young man who was struck by her great beauty, and she was presented by him to the king of ^ Yu (in modern Chihli) as a means of securing his father's release from prison. She at once became favourite concubine, and ere long the Queen was deposed and she was placed upon the throne, the Heir Apparent being banished to a distance. For her company the king neglected affairs of State, and the government began to fall into confusion. She was of a melancholy turn, never being seen to smile. She said she loved the sound of tearing silk, and to gratify her whim many fine pieces of silk were torn to shreds. At length the king offered a thousand ounces of gold to any one who would make her smile. His chief Minister suggested that the beacon-fires should be lighted to summon the feudatory princes with their armies, as though the royal House were in danger. The ruse succeeded; for in the hurry-skurry that ensued, Pao Ssti positively laughed outright. But when later on the barbarian hordes, instigated by the Heir Apparent, made a raid upon the capital and the beacon-fires were again lighted, no princes rushed to the rescue. The king took to flight, and was killed. Pao Sstl fell into the hands of the barbarian chief; and