476 A Chinese Biographical Dictionarythe highest honours by the first Emperor of the Sung dynasty. Seeing however that the various States were all gradually annexed, he took fright, and changed the name of his State to Kiangnan.

But this conciliatory measure did not save him. In 975 the great commander Ts'ao Pin was sent to chastise him, and ultimately captured his capital and took him prisoner without striking a blow. Meanwhile, he had dispatched his trusted Minister Hstl Hstlan to explain away his conduct to the Emperor. "He really regards your Majesty as a father," urged Hsii Hsi^an; *^your Majesty may well leave him in peace.'* '^Sons,'* replied the Emperor, do not separate from their fathers; and do you think I shall allow another man to snore alongside my bed?*' In the end Li was pardoned and received the title of ^ '^ ^ the Fate-resisting Marquis. He was a simple-minded man^ a cultivated scholar, painter, and musician, and a devout Buddhist. See Li Chia'tning.

1237 Li Yil ^g (T. ;^ "J). A.D. 1625-1684. Son of a Grand Secretary under the Mings. Lefb an orphan at the age of seven he devoted himself to study, and after taking his chin shih degree in 1646 he rose to be Grand Secretary in 1657. In 1659 he was employed on the Institutes ^ and subsequently on the History of the Ming Dynasty and other works. He enjoyed the confidence oi the Regents during the minority of E*ang Hsi, and during tlc^^ rebellion of the Feudatories that Emperor was wont to deliver him orally all Imperial Decrees. Canonised as ^ ^ .

1238

Li Yü-mei ^^H (T. ^ ^). Died 1840. A native of Hun-yüan in Shansi, who rose to be Director General the Yellow River, to which post he was appointed in 1885. He introduced the use of brick in the embankments as cheaper and more effectual than broken stone and reeds, and owing to his care and skill there was no breach during his term of office. His spirit which is worshipped on the banks of the Yellow River, is looked