* "A Feast of Lanterns", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1916],
p. 43
Wang Wei
A.d. 699-759
A celebrated poet and doctor who served two masters, the Emperor Ming Huang and the rebel general An Lu-Shan, and was eventually appointed governor of a province by the Emperor Su-tsung. It is recorded of An Lu-Shan that he once asked him what kind of animal a poet was, and what purpose he served. Wang Wei shortly afterwards had his revenge when, called upon to sing at a rebel banquet, he improvised verses in honour of his former patron Ming Huang.