Page:A history of Chinese literature - Giles.djvu/303

 BOOK THE SEVENTH THE MING DYNASTY (A.D. 1368-1644)

CHAPTER I

MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE MATERIA

MEDICA ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF

AGRICULTURE

TlfE first Emperor of the Ming dynasty, popularly known as the Beggar King, in allusion to the poverty of his early days, so soon as he had extinguished the last hopes of the Mongols and had consolidated his power, turned his attention to literature and education. He organised the great system of competitive examinations which pre- vails at the present day. He also published a Penal Code, abolishing such punishments as mutilation, and drew up a kind of Domesday Book, under which taxation was regulated. In 1369 he appointed SUNG LIEN (A.D. 1310-1381), in conjunction with other scholars, to pro- duce the History of the Mongol Dynasty. Sung Lien had previously been tutor to the heir apparent. He had declined office, and was leading the life of a simple student He rose to be President of the Han-lin College, and for many years enjoyed his master's confidence. A grandson, however, became mixed up in a conspiracy, and

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