Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/945

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926
A Chinese Biographical Dictionary


to do this, neither would he live in the palace assigned to him, continaing in private the life of a Buddhist priest. In 1406 he became Junior Preceptor to the Heir Apparent, and during the Emperor's absence from the capital he was entrusted with the entire guardianship of the young prince. He resumed bis lay surname Yao, and the Emperor bestowed upon him the personal name of Euaug-hsiao, by which he is now known. He was on the commission of scholars who produced the gigantic encyclopaedia of the Ming dynasty (see Chu TV). At his death the Emperor was so deeply affected that for two days he could transact no public business. His son, adopted by a whim as the writer of an elegant sign hangiog outside a wine-shop, was provided with a good post, and be himself was canonised as ^ j|| .

2437 Yao Nai M^ (TM^^ and ^^). A.D. 1730-1815. Graduated in 1763, and served in the Peking Boards until 1774. He passed the rest of his life as head of various colleges, and earned a great reputation as a teacher. He was a .vigorous defender of Ch'Sng I and of Chu Hsi, and bitterly opposed to the rage for mathematical and scientific studies. He published editions of Lao Tzti and of Cbuang Tzti, and collections of ancient writings and poetry. He was himself the author of commentaries on the Nine Classics , of essays , of poems , and of the ^X. ^ )^ ^ Topography of Kiang^ning,

2438 Yao Niang ^ ^ . 10th cent. A.D. The beautiful concubine of Li Yd. She is said to have worn shoes which made her feet look like the new moon, and to this has been traced the custom of cramping women's feet.

2439 Yao Shu ^ 1^ (T. ^^). A.D. 1204-1280. A native of ^P ^ Liu-ch'eng in Euangsi, who was captured by the Mongols

  • in 1238 at the surrender of E*ai-fi§ug Fu, and deserting the cause

of the Chin^ Tartars, won the favour of Ogotai Elhan. In 1235 he