954 Kao Huan 高歡 (T. 賀六渾) A.D. 496-547. A native of Po-hai in Shantung, who rose to high office under the Northern Wei dynasty. His power over the Emperor Hsiao Wu, whom he had placed upon the throne (see Yüan Hsiu) becoming intolerable, the latter fled to Ch'ang-an, and Kao Huan established the Eastern Wei dynasty (see Yüan Shan-chien). He had already been seriously urged by Kao Ch'ien (see Kao Ang) to seize the Imperial power, but had stuffed his sleeve into the latter's mouth, begging him not to allude to the subject again. His son Kao Yang, who mounted the throne as first Emperor of the Northern Ch'i dynasty, canonised him as 高祖神武皇帝.
Kao Kuei Hsiang Kung. See Ts'ao Mao.
955
Kao Kung 高拱 (T. 肅卿) Graduated as chin shih in 1541, and in 1552 was Reader to the Heir Apparent. His forcible teaching won the favour of the Emperor Shih Tsung, and by 1566 he had attained to the rank of a Grand Secretary. On the accession of the Emperor Mu Tsung, Kao felt himself strong enough to enter upon a struggle with Hsü Chieh, which ended in both having to retire. At the end of 1569 he was recalled to power and laboured not without success to reform the administration, while he compelled Anda to sue for a peace which kept the frontier quiet for thirty years. His arrogance grew with success, and he allowed his relatives and followers to take bribes. Mu Tsung would hear no word against him, but upon the accession of the Emperor Shên Tsung, Chang Chü-chêng and Fêng Pao succeeded in bringing about his disgrace. Canonised as 文襄.
956
Kao Li-shih 高力士 A.D. 683-762. The favourite eunuch of the Emperor Ming Huang of the T'ang dynasty, over six feet and a half in height. He was first sent up to the palace in 698; but the Empress Wu Hou ordered him to be dismissed on account
