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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary
663


Shu Ytl ^ H or ShenShU 1$ ^. The elder of two l^endary 1738 brothers (see Yu La) said to have power over evil demonSi whom they bound with reeds and gave as food to tigers. Their names are posted upon the doors of Chinese honses as a safeguard against wicked spirits.

Shu Yu ;fe J^. Younger brother of Prince J^ Ch'«ng of the 1739 Ghou dynasty, B.C. 1115. One day, the latter cut a leaf from a i|^ t^ung tree into the shape of the gem-token given to feudal princes as a symbol of power, and handed it to Shu Yfl. ^'When will your Majesty perform the ceremony of investment?" asked Chou Rung. "Why, I was only joking!" replied the prince. "Nay," said Chou Eung; "a prince never jokes. His words are written down as history, take shape as ceremonial rites, or are set to music and sung." Shu Yti was accordingly invested with the fief formerly held by Yao, with the title of ^ ^« 

Shuai-yen-pao 6lt)|g^. A.D. 1651—1694. Second son of 1740 Hsi-fu, and for many years Director General of Grain-Transport, into the administration of which he iiUiroduced many reforms. Shun ^. B.C. 2317-2208. A native of J^ ^ Yfi-mu in 1741 HonaUf whence he came to be called J^ ^ . His family name ^^ ^ ^^0. His mother died when he was quite young, and his father Eu-sou, said to be a descendant of the Emperor Chuan H'sii, took a second wife, by whom he had a son named Hsiang. Gradually the father became very fond of Hsiang and conceived a great dislike for Shun, and on several occasions attempts were made to take his life, but he was in each case miraculously preserved. In spite of this, he continued to exhibit such exemplary conduct towards his father and stepmother that he has since been enrolled among the 24 examples of filial piety. At tiie age of 20 he attracted the notice of the Emperor Yao, who forthwith set aside his own unworthy son, Tan Chu, and made Shun his heir, giving