Liao dynasty, and positively asked for a post. He said he had no home, no army, and very little brains; a statement which appears to have appealed forcibly to the Tartar monarch, who at once appointed him Grand Tutor to the Heir Apparent. This did not prevent him from quitting his new patrons at the earliest opportunity, and entering the service of the successful founder of the Later Han dynasty, A.D. 947. And again when the Hans went down before the Later Chou dynasty, Fêng Tao once more ranged himself on the side of victory and success, receiving a high post as a reward for the transfer of his services. Thus he served first and last under no less than ten sovereigns of four different Houses. He gave to himself the sobriquet of 長樂老, which finds its best equivalent in the "Vicar of Bray." Also known as 馮瀛王.
First Emperor, The. See Shih Huang Ti.
574
Fo-t'u-ch'êng 佛圖澄. Died A.D. 348. A native of India, originally surnamed 帛 Po, skilled in necromancy. In 310 he appeared in Lo-yang, professing to be more than a century old and to exercise power over demons. When Lo-yang was taken, he entered the service of Shih Lo and obtained great favour by his successful prognostications. He is said to have employed a boy to read future events reflected on hemp-oil held in the hollow of his hand. Many marvellous tales are told of him, and Shih Chi-lung for his sake permitted his people to embrace Buddhism, in spite of the remonstrances of his statesmen. Before his death he had fallen into disfavour. He prepared his own tomb, and prophesied the troubles of 348. After his death a disciple reported having seen him travelling westwards. His coffin was thereupon opened, and found to contain only a stone, which Shih Chi-lung rightly interpreted to portend his own end.
Fong, General. See Fang Yao.
