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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary

bloom. On one occasion she ordered some peonies to bloom; and when they did not instantly obey, she caused every peony in the capital to be pulled up and burnt, and prohibited the cultivation of peonies ever afterwards. In spite of this side of her character she ruled with a firm hand, securing peace at home and overawing the troublesome frontier tribes; and in the confusion of the ensuing reign her once dreaded name was often mentioned with regret.

2332 Wu Hsi-ch'i 吳錫麒 (T. 聖徵). A native of Chehkiang, who floarished as a poet during the 18th cent. A.D. His works are contained in the 吳穀八集.

2333 Wu Hsiung-kuang 吳熊光 (T. 望崑 and 槐江). A.D. 1750—1833. A native of 昭文 Chao-wên in Kiangsu, who began his career as a chü jen and under the protection of the Grand Secretary O-kuei got on so well that in 1797 he was for six months a Minister of the Grand Council. After this he held high offices in various provinces until in 1808 he was banished for a year to Ili for letting three English men-of-war under Admiral Drury lie at Whampoa for three months. The rest of his life was spent in retirement, where he produced three works entitled 伊江別錄, 春明補錄, and 葑溪筆錄, recording many miscellaneous items of interesting information.

Wu Hsü. See Ng Choy.

2334 Wu Huo 烏獲. A strong man or "Samson," who lived in the feudal age. He died of a broken arm, caused by lifting a sacrificial tripod.

2335 Wu I 武乙. A Prince of the 殷 Yin State, who is said to have made an effigy which he called 天神 God, and which, whenever fortune went against him in battle, he used to flog and treat with every indignity. He was subsequently struck by lightning and died.

2336 Wu I-ho 伍怡和. A.D. 1769-1843. A native of Amoy, who