280 A Chinese Biographical DictionaryEmperor proceeded in person to Han*tan, promoting Hsiao Ho to

be chief Minister and practically leaving him in charge of the realm (see Han Htin). Hsiao Ho built himself a very small house , saying that if his descendants were worthy men it would be to them an example of thrift; if unworthy, then they would not quarrel for its possession. He was canonised as ^ ^ , and is sometimes spoken of as |% >tS •

703 Hsiao Hsien . A.D. 583-621. A great-grandson of the Emperor Ytlan Ti of the Liang dynasty, and a Magistrate under the Emperor Yang Ti of the Sui dynasty. In 617, at the invitation of the Hu-Euang rebels, he set up as King, and in 618 as Emperor, with his capital at the modern Ching-chou Fu. Though outwardly afEsible, he was of so jealous a nature that his best officers, fearing for their lives, readily deserted to the T'ang Emperor whose armies found little difficulty in reaching his capital. He surrendered, in order to save his people from the horrors of a prolonged si^e, just before his relief arrived, and was beheaded on account of his stubborn refusal to acknowledge the House of T^ang.

704 Hsiao Hung . 5th cent. A.D. Brother of Hsiao Yen who became the first Emperor of the Liang dynasty. He was a great miser, and is said to have marked his piles of a million cash vrith yellow labels, and his piles of ten million with red labels. For his avarice he was reproved by ^ j^ Ebsiao Tsung, in an essay entitled ^ j^ Mad an Money. This story is sometimes told of Hsiao Yen.

705 Hsiao I (T. {g: |S ). A.D. 508-554. Seventh son of Hsiao Yen. He slew the brother, known in history as ^ ^ ^ , whom Hou Ghing had placed upon the throne in succession to Hsiao Kang, and proclaimed himself fourth Emperor of the Liang dynasty. In 554 the Western Wei took Chiang- ling in Hnpeh , and

he was put to death, after having burnt the Imperial Library. He