proper on the death of the Emperor. In his old age he was a great student of the text of the Classics, and he is ranked as one of the Three Able Men of the northern dynasties (see Wei Shou).
Hsing Tsung. See Yeh-lü Tsung-chên.
753 Hsiung Kun 9th cent. A.D. A virtuous official of the T^ang dynasty, who rose under the Emperor Chao Tsung to be a Censor and President of the Board of War. In the troubles which marked the close of the reign and ultimate downfall of the dynasty, he was reduced to poverty and had no funds to pay for the funeral of his father. Upon his loudly bewailing this want of money, a rain of cash fell from heaven for three consecutive days and enabled him to give his father decent burial. From this he came to be known as J^ ^ Pi ^ ^ •
754 Hsiung Po-lung (T. ^^. H. ^|^). A.D. 1620 — 1670. A native of Han-yang in Hupeh, who was a diligent student, especially of ancient literature. Rose to be secretary in the Grand Secretariat, and Vice President of the Board of Bites. He was distinguished for his correct life, and for the interest he took in the welfare of the people. His collection, entitled ^ ^ ^ j^ ^» preserved many forgotten works.
755 Hsiung T'ing-pi (T. ^ W)- Died A.D. 1625. A native of Chiang-hsia in Hupeh, who graduated as chin ahih in 1598 and became a Censor, and ten years later attracted attention by a plan to establish military colonists on the Liao-tung frontier. After several years in Liao-tung, where he improved the army but by his severity excited much ill-will, he was sent as Education Officer to Nanking. Here he gained a great name, but he was forced to retire on a charge of beating students to death. In 1619, when ^ ^ Yang Hao was utterly routed by the Manchus, Hsiung was recalled and placed in command in Liao-tung, and by
his vigorous, measures soon put the country into a fair state of
