Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/867

848

day he was seen riding through the air on a white crane, with which he ascended to heaven and became an Immortal. Also known

2241 Wang Wei 3E H (T. J|| ^. H. |^ ;|| ). A.D. 699-759. A native of T*ai-yiian in Shansi, who graduated as chin shih in 721. He became famous both as a poet and a physician, and in these capacities attracted the notice of the Emperor Hsiian Tsung, who made him an Assistant Minister. Hence he is often spoken of as 3E*^3^* ^® ^^ subsequently carried off to Lo-yang by the rebel An Lu-shan, who declared he wished to see what sort of an animal a poet was. There he remained, forced to act as Censor, until the death of his captor, when he was at first imprisoned but afterwards re-appointed by the Emperor Sn Tsung. This result was chiefly due to the influence of his brother Wang Chin, who held high office and offered to sacrifice his own career to save his brother. He retired however ere long into seclusion, and ended his days weaving the exquisite poems which have immortalised him, amid the joys of the country and the repose of a scholar^s life, and with the consolations offered by the religion of Buddha in which he was a firm believer. Losing his wife when he was only 31, he did not marry again, but lived alone for the last thirty years; and when his mother died, he turned his famous retreat, after which he is sometimes called (as above), into a Buddhist monastery, and near by he himself lies buried.

2242 Wang Wen-chih 3E >: yj^ (T. ^ ^. U. ^^). A.D.

1730—1802. A native of Eiangsu, who began life as a boatman and is said to have used a punt-pole made of iron. He graduated as third chin shih in 1770, and served for a time as Prefect of Lin-an. He accompanied a friend on a mission to Loochoo, and specimens of his handwriting are said to be still treasured there. He wrote the '^^ ^^ ^ ^i a criticism of specimens of writing