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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary


it on the paper as usual of old when any correction had to be made in a written document. He was so disgusted with his wife's ayarice that he even refused to utter the word '^monej;*' and when she strewed cash around his bed so as to block the way, he called oat to the servant to take away ^'this filthy stuff." After rising to be Governor of Honan, he retired on the plea of ill-health. Later on he held high military command under the Prince of Ch'dng-tu, but was ultimately defeated and put to death by Shih Lo.

2346 Wang Ten ^ fyj (T. >(fc ^J. A.D: 854-925. Eleventh son of Wang Gbien, whom he succeeded, in 918 as second sovereign of the Earlier Shu State. He had a square-shaped face, with a laige mouth; his hands hung below his knees, and his ears were enormous. He neglected his duties, and gave himself up, together with his Ministers, to sensual indulgence. Threatened by the army of the Later T^ang dynasty, he surrendered, but was put to death. Known in history as ^ ^ .

2347 Wang Ten-chang 3E^ ^ (T. "^ I9)- ^'^' 862-922. A

native of ^ j^ Shon-eh^ang in Chehkiang, who rose under the second Emperor of the Later Liang dynasty to be Governor of )§ T^an-chou. He was a very powerful and courageous man. He could run barefoot over brambles for a hundred paces. He could ride at full gallop, brandishing an iron spear which another man could not even lift; hence he received the sobriquet of ^E ^ ^ Wang of the Iron Spear. In the struggle for empire with the Later Chins which now raged, the latter took T'an-chou and captured Wang*8 wife and children. They were carried away to T'ai-yflan in Shausi and treated with great consideration , and a messenger was dispatched to invite Wang to join them. To this he replied by beheading the messenger who attempted to tamper with his loyalty. Shortly afterwards he was impeached and retired into private life. He was sent for again in 922 when the Chins had created a panic by their successes,