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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary
253

the throne; but disappointed at the reward given him for his services, he intrigued against Chao, and in 1195 effected his disgrace and that of Chu Hsi. So soon as his power was established he started the idea of recovering all the lost territory of the Sungs, and in 1205 ordered an advance against the China Tartars. The war proved disastrous, and he had to sue for peace. The Tartars set up a rebel king in Ssŭch‘uan, and demanded a large indemnity, some cession of territory, and the author of the war. Han stopped the negotiations; but the nation was weary of the war, and through Shih Mi-yüan the Empress Dowager was secretly induced to sanction Han's execution. He was seized while entering the palace, and slain. In 1208 the Tartars demanded his head; and orders were given to open his coffin and to forward the head accordingly. His property was confiscated, and his four concubines, who had been wont to treat the Imperial ladies arrogantly, were also put to death.

629 Han Ts'ui-p'ing 韓翠屏. 9th cent. A.D. A young lady in the palace of the Emperor Hsi Tsung of the T‘ang dynasty. Tired of her dull life, she one day wrote some verses upon a red leaf which she threw into the moat. This was found by a young scholar, named Yü Yu, who threw in a reply upon another red leaf which in its turn was found by the young lady. Shortly afterwards she was released from the palace and was betrothed in the usual way to Yü Yu, neither being aware until after marriage of the other's share in the correspondence.

Han Wang. See Liu Pang,

630

Han Yen 韓嫣 (T. 正孫). 2nd cent. A.D. A friend of the Emperor Wu Ti of the Han dynasty, when the latter was Prince of 膠東 Chiao-tung and later on Heir Apparent. They used to study together, and even after Wu Ti had mounted the throne they were almost inseparable companions. Han Yen