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2366 Wei Chien ^ ^ (T. -^^ ). 8th cent AJ). A nsiiTe of Wan- nien in Shensi, who married a relatiTe of Li Lin-fa and throogh the influence of that powerful Minister roae to be Preddeni of the Board of PunishmentB. Li however soon became jealous of his influence at Court, and found means io accuse him of conspiring to set the Heir Apparent on the throne; upon which he was first banished, and then a Censor was sent io put him to death.

2267 WeiH5h*ili Kung ^t^# (T- IRffi)- AI>- 585-658. A native of ^ ^ Shan-yang in Shansi, who attached himself to the fortunes of Li Shih-min, afterwards second Emperor of the T'ang dynasty. He aided in crushing Wang Shih-ch'nng and other rebels; and on one occasion saved his chief's life by jumping on his horse and transfixing with his lance the rebel leader ^ |^

Shan Hsiung-hsin, who was on the point of slaying the futore monarch. He subsequently served against the Turkic tribes, and rose to high rank, being finally ennobled as Duke. By some he is said to have been a blacksmith in early life, and is still worshipped as the God of Blacksmiths. Canonised as J^ ]^. See Ch^in ChHung.

2268 Wei Ch'ing ^^ (T. #^). Died B.C. 106. A native of P*ing-yang» originally named ^ Chtog. His sister, -^ ^ TzU-fu, was a singiug-girl in the establishment of the Princess of P4ng- yang, sister to the Emperor; and it was while listening to her singing that his Majesty was captivated by her "glossy hair and gleaming teeth." She was taken into the Imperial seraglio, and her brother was raised in B.C. 139 to the rank of Grand Chamberiab. He was subsequently ennobled as Marquis, and employed in high military commands, gaining distinction in no less than seven campaigiu against the Hsiung-nu. In B.C. 119, after the suicide of LiKuang, he was appointed President of the Board of War, jointly with Ho Ch*tt-ping. Canonised as ^j|.

2269 Wei Chuang :^ ^. A miser of the 10th cent. A.D., who wis