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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary
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by four Emperors, he died loaded with honours. Canonised as 文肅.


547 Fan Yeh Fan Yeh 范曄 (T. 蔚宗). Died A.D. 445. Distinguished from his youth for learning and literary ability, he compiled the History of the Eastern Han Dynasty while Governor of 宣城 Hsüan-ch'êng in Anhui. He afterwards rose to be Supervisor of Instruction to the Heir Apparent under the Emperor Wên Ti of the Sung dynasty, but was executed for his share in the treasonable designs of 孔熙先 K'ung Hsi-hsien (see T'an-ch'ien).


548 Fan Yün 范雲 (T. 彥龍). A.D. 451-503. A distinguished official of the Southern Ch'i and Liang dynasties, who was ennobled by the founder of the latter and canonised as 文 or 宣. A great student of ancient inscriptions, he left only a few essays.


549 Fang Chung-t'ung 方中通 (T. 位伯). A famous mathematician, who flourished at the end of the 17th cent. A.D. His chief work was the 數度衍, a mathematical summary, including geometry, calculation by abacus, written arithmetic, and the ancient 九章. It was published about 1721.


550 Fang Fêng-shih 方夆時 (T. 行之). Died A.D. 1596. A distinguished frontier official, who graduated as chin shih in 1541. He helped to quell an insurrection in Kuangtung and Kuangsi, and in 1570 was placed in command at Ta-t'ung in Shansi, where he induced Anda and his allies to enter into friendly relations. His policy of subsidies and trade was supported by Kao Kung, and proved a success. He succeeded 王崇古 Wang Ch'ung-ku as Military Superintendent of the north-west, and carried out his policy of strengthening the strategic frontier. His ability as a general and an administrator gained him great fame.


551 Fang Hsiao-ju 方孝孺 (T. 希直 and 希古. H. 正學 and 遜志). A.D. 1357-1402. A native of 緱城 Hou-ch'êng