Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/100

This page has been validated.
A Chinese Biographical Dictionary
81

assassin to kill him, and with that intent the latter approached his house early in the morning; but finding Chao in his robes of State, ready to go to Court, he was unable to do the deed, and dashed out his own brains in despair. The Duke then invited him to a banquet, with the same design. Chao, however, was prevented by the fidelity of a retainer from drinking to excess, and again got safely away. Thereupon the Duke let loose after him a fierce dog, which the same retainer slew. Chao then took to flight, but was soon recalled by his cousin 趙穿 Chao Ch'uan, who had slain the Duke in his peach-orchard.

190 Chao Tun 趙惇. A.D. 1147—1200. Third son of Chao Shên, whom he succeeded in 1190 as third Emperor of the Southern Sung dynasty. At first he held the reins of power firmly, dismissed favorites, lightened taxation and penalties; but he fell under the dominion of his fierce wife, and was terrified into an illness which left all power in her hands. He was so afraid of assassination that he would seldom give audience, and turned back on several occasions when he had mustered up courage enough to reach the door of the audience-chamber. In 1194 the Empress would not let her husband visit his father, nor take his place as chief mourner upon the death of Chao Shên. Thereupon the Empress Dowager, aided by Chao Ju-yü, Yeh Shih, and Han T'o-chou, forced Chao Tun to abdicate in favour of his son. Canonised as 光宗皇帝.

191 Chao Tzŭ 趙咨. 3rd cent. A.D. An officer of the Wu State, who was sent by Sun Ch'üan as ambassador to Ts'ao P'ei. When asked by the latter how many able men they had in the Wu State, he replied that of really able men there were about eighty or ninety, while such men as himself might be measured by cartloads or bushelfuls.

192 Chao Wên 趙温 (T. 子柔). Died A.D. 208. A Governor of the Metropolitan District under the Eastern Han dynasty. "Ah",
6