博
Artist: Hou Dongceng (1591-1645)
Date: Ming (1368-1644)
Material: Ink on paper
Hou Dongceng (1591-1645), also known by his zi (designated name) Yuzhan, was a native of Jiading (in present-day Shanghai), and the elder brother of Hou Qiceng (1594-1646). He became jinshi (a successful candidate in the imperial examination) in the fifth year (1625) of the Tianqi reign. After the fall of the Ming dynasty, he joined Huang Chunyao in leading the people of Jiading in defending the city against the Qing forces, and sacrificed together with his two sons. This letter expresses gratitude for gifts by Yang Tingshu (1595-1647) and bids farewell. Yang Tingshu, also known by his zi (designated name) Weidou and hao (literary name) Fu'an, was a native of Changzhou (in present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu province). The leader of the Fushe (Restoration Society) in the Wu region, he died of refusing to confess other society members. Hou Dengceng and Huang Chunyang from Jiading were all Fushe members, who sacrificed their lives as Ming loyalists.
