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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary 315

dynasty, rising to the highest posts and aiding Chia Ch'nng in preparing his Penal Code. He took a leading part in editing the Bamboo Books which were discovered in Honan daring that reign. He edited and also wrote a preface to the ^ ^ -^ ^ , a narrative of the adTentures of Mu Wang on his visit to Hsi Wang Mo. This book was said to have been fonnd in an old tomb; but it appears from internal evidence to have been one of the numerous forgeries of the Eastern Han dynasty. Hstin Hstl was distinguished as an artist, and wrote on music (see Titan Hsien). He had ten sons, three of whom rose to distinction. Canonised as J^. See Chung Hui.

807 Hsün K'uang 3rd cent. B.C. A native of the Chao State, who at the age of 50 wandered to the Ch4 State in search of education. He succeeded in making a name for himself, and was appointed Libationer; but later on he was impeached, and withdrew to the Ch^u State where he became Magistrate of ||| |^ Lan-ling under ^ ^ ^ Ch'un ShSn Chtin. When the latter died he was dismissed from officci but remained in Ch'u, teaching pupils, among whom were the famous Li Ssti and Han Fei Tzti. Disgusted with life he wrote a philosophical treatise in which he maintains, in opposition to Mencius, that the nature of man at his birth is evil. He was often called ^ ^ Minister Hsiln , in reference to his ofiBcial position. During the reign of the Emperor Hsilan Ti of the Han dynasty, B.C. 73 — 48, his surname was changed from Hsiln to ^ Sun, the former being the Emperor's personal name.

808 Hsün Pien . 6th cent. B.C. A skilful general, whom the Marquis of Wei* would not employ because once, when a tax- gatherer, he had accepted and eaten a couple of eggs. The philosopher Tzti-sstt (see K^ung Chi) succeeded however in persuading the Marquis that it would be impolitic to sacrifice such an able man for so trivial an offence.