Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/148

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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary
129

倫 Lun, Prince of Chao, the ninth son of the Emperor Wu Ti.


325 Chia Shan 價山. 2nd cent. B.C. A scholar of the Han dynasty, who was said to scamper over books as a huntsman over the fields, — all breadth, and no depth. In B.C. 178 he addressed to the Emperor Wên Ti a document entitled 至言, illustrating from the example of the Ch'in dynasty the principles of good and bad government. And in B.C. 175 he protested against the toleration of free coinage, the penalties on which had been withdrawn. of good and bad government. And in B.C. 175 he protested


326 Chia Ssŭ-tao 賈似道 (T. 師憲). Died A.D. 1276. A native of T'ai-chou in Chehkiang, who was a wild youth, but received an official post as the usual recognition of his father's services. His sister became a favourite concubine of the Emperor Li Tsung of the Sung dynasty, and through her influence he was advanced to high office. In 1258 he was sent as Commissioner to act against the Mongols in modern Hupeh; instead of adopting energetic measures, he secretly acknowledged allegiance to them, and promised an annual tribute. In the following year the Mongols sent to demand this tribute; and although the old Emperor had placed full control in his hands, he had some difficulty in arranging the matter. On the accession of Tu Tsung in 1265, the power of Chia Ssŭ-tao reached an unprecedented height. Whenever he made obeisance, the Emperor responded with a similar ceremonial. His Majesty did not venture to address him by his personal name as usual, but used the term 師臣, implying that although Chia was his subject he was at the same time his instructor and guide. At the death of Tu Tsung, things came to a climax. It became absolutely necessary to meet the Mongols in the field; and when the Chinese general was utterly defeated, Chia Ssŭ-tao sought safety in flight. His enemies demanded his head. He was however sentenced merely to banishment; but shortly