in consolidating the dynasty of Chou. He is said to have exercised
authority over the spirits of the unseen universe; and on one
occasion daring Wu Wang's campaigns, when the ground was
covered with deep snow, he enabled the whole army to pass over
it without leaving a footprint or a cart-rut behind. Even Saŭ-ma
when speaks of him as having "marshalled the spirits." Hence
the phrase (
Chinese characters) "Chiang T'ai Kung is here!" often
seen written up on doors to frighten away evil spirits, this
being another form of the name under which he is known.
Reputed author of the (Chinese characters) , a work on military tactics.
344
Chiang Wei (Chinese characters) (T.(Chinese characters)). Died A.D. 263. A native of
(Chinese characters) T'ien-shui in Kansuh, whose ambitious temperament led
him to leave his humble farmstead and attach himself to the
fortunes of Ghu-ko Liang. After rising to high military rank and
greatly distinguishing himself in various campaigns, he failed to
oppose the armies of Wei; and at the tragic close of the reign
of the Emperor Hou Chu of the Minor Han dynasty, he was
taken prisoner and put to death.
345
Chiang Yen (Chinese characters) (T. (Chinese characters)). A.D. 443-504. A native
of K'ao-chê6ng in Shantung, who distinguished himself in youth
by his application to books, and rose to the highest offices of
State under the last Emperors of the Ch4 and the first Emperor
of the Liang dynasty. He was a voluminous writer and published
two collections of his miscellaneous works, entitled (Chinese characters) and
(Chinese characters), as well as the (Chinese characters),consisting of episodes in the
history of the Ch'i dynasty. One night while still a young man,
he dreamt that some one gave him a gaily-painted pen which
put forth flowers, from which date his compositions became far
more elegant than before. At the end of ten years, a handsome
man, who said his name was Kuo P'o, appeared to him in a
