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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary


sentenced to have his left foot cut off as an impostor. When the next Prince came to the throne , he presented the stone again and with a similar result, this time losing his right foot. Yet a third Prince succeeded, and once more he submitted his stone, weeping tears of blood, not, as he said, for the loss of his feet, but becaose a genuine stone had been pronounced false and a loyal subject an impostor. The jade was once more tested , and at length discovered to be a valuable gem. It was named ^ff\ ^ ^ ^ , and the Prince offered to ennoble Pien Ho as Marquis, which offer he declined. See Lin Hnang^ju. 1651 Ping Chi ^ ^ (T. ^^). Died B.C. 55. A native of Shantung, who distinguished himself under the Emperor Wu Ti by his study of criminal procedure and was appointed Gk)Ternor of the Gaol at Ch'ang-an. He exerted himself especially in putting down the witchcraft and sorcery which caused so much mischief. When the Heir Apparent, ^ Li, perished through the machinations of the Lady ^ Ghao, his grandson, the future Emperor Hsiian Ti, a baby in arms, was in prison. Ping Ohi provided the child with proper nurses; and when the Emperor Wu Ti, hearing that an Imperial nimbus had been observed in the prison, sent down orders to have all the prisoners executed, he declined to obey. Upon this the Emperor, recognising the fioger of God, pardoned all the prisoners and received the young Prince into the Imperial clan. When the latter came to the throne, Ping Ohi was advanced to high office, though it was long before the Emperor became aware that he owed his very life to this man. In 63 he was ennobled as Marquis, and in 59 became Minister of State. The following story is told of his acumen. One spring day he came upon a crowd of brawlers, among whom were several killed and wounded; but he took no notice of them, and passed on. Soon afterwards he saw an ox panting violently, and at once showed the greatest concern. 'Tor,*' as he explained,