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896 much misery ensued, until Yang addressed a ioaching remonsiraoee to the Emperor and the practice was discontinoed. The people of Tao-chou erected temples in honour of their benefactor, and in later times his effigy came to be worshipped all oTer the empire as ^he 1^ 1^ jfiff God of Happiness and Prosperiiy.

2364 Yang Ch'eng j^pfi (T. jft^). A.D. 735-805. A natiyeof

^(j ^ Pei-p*ing in Chihli, who obtained a place as underling b a college where he was able to read the books by stealth. In six years he was an accomplished scholar, and then graduating as ckin ehih he retired with his brother to the mountains, where they appear to have had only one suit of clothes between them. They also both made a tow neyer to marry. After some time the fame of Yang Ch*6ng*s teachings reached the ears of li Pi, who recommended him to the Emperor. He was appointed Censor, and filled the poii for eight years without giving the slightest cause for displeasure. He then incurred the hatred of the powerful favourite P^ei Yea- ling by espousing the cause of some of his victims, and would have fallen himself but for the intercession of the Heir Apparent. At the same time he prevented the appointment of P^ei as Minister of State by declaring openly that he would appear at Court weeping aod dressed in mourning clothes. Shortly afterwards he fell into disfavour, and was sent as Governor to Tao-chou in Hunan. While there, a famine occurred and no taxes were forthcoming. The authorities pressed Yang Ch'eng for remittances, but he refused to press the people. He even threw himself into prison and slept on a plank bed; and when a Commissioner was sent down to look into the matter, he had disappeared.

2365 Yang Chi ^ ^ (T. ;£ ^ ). 14th cent. A.D. A native of Eiangsu, who held various appointments in the public service, and at length, after a chequered career, rose to be Treasurer in Shansi. There he was impeached on some trivial pretext and condemned