Youth and Officialdom
Sang Hongyang was born in Luoyang, one of the Han Dynasty's major commercial centres, to a family of merchants. In youth he was known for his mathematical prowess, and when Emperor Wu ascended to the throne in 141 BC Sang came to his notice and was eventually invited to become an Attendant (侍中) - one of the means by which the Emperor kept talent in the palace, and by which many important officials began their careers. Sang would remain an Attendant for 26 years.
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Famous quotes containing the word youth:
““You are old, Father William,” the young man cried,
“And life must be hastening away;
You are cheerful, and love to converse upon death:
Now tell me the reason, I pray.”
“I am cheerful, young man,” Father William replied;
“Let the cause thy attention engage;
In the days of my youth I remembered my God,
And He hath not forgotten my age.””
—Robert Southey (1774–1843)