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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary

leading to his house were completely blocked by the horses and carriages of rich people flocking to hear him. He accordingly sought refuge on the 弘農 Hung-nung mountain, whither, he was followed by so many disciples that the place assumed the features of a market-town. In 142 he was summoned to Court, but declined to go, as he was then engaged in studying magic, at which he so far succeeded that he could raise a fog a couple of miles in diameter. He got into trouble over this, and was thrown into prison, where he remained two years, occupying himself in writing a commentary on the Canon of History. His innocence was then established, and he was released.

77Chang K'an 张堪 (T. 君游). 1st cent. A.D. A native of Nan-yang in Honan, who on being left an orphan resigned all his fortune to a cousin and betook himself to study at Ch'ang-an. He soon became known as a "Divine Boy," and attracted the attention of Liu Hsiu, afterwards first Emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty. When the latter came to the throne he gave Chang an appointment as secretary in a Board. It was Chang who urged Wu Han to proceed against the White Emperor (see Kung-sun Shu) when he was on the point of turning back; and it was he who made a careful inventory of all the valuable loot found at Ch'êng-tu, out of which he kept back absolutely nothing for himself. Promoted later on to be Governor of Yü-yang, his administration was so benign that every blade of corn is said to have borne two ears. He entirely succeeded in keeping the Hsiung-nu in check, and died at his post, full of honours.

78Chang Kang 張綱 (T. 文紀). A virtuous Censor, who flourished during the reign of the Emperor Shun Ti, A.D. 126–148. Being ordered to proceed on a commission to examine into the morals of the empire, he buried his carriage-wheels at the gates of the capital, saying, "While wolves are in office, why seek out foxes?" Thereupon