Hu Zeng fl. 877

Though well known for his literary talent, Hu failed the civil service examinations repeatedly. He finally gained the jinshi degree during the reign of the Tang emperor Yizong (860-874), but this only opened the door to minor appointments with military officials. Known for his vivid descriptions of the rise and fall of dynasties in his poetry, Hu's poems are frequently quoted in historical fiction of later centuries. His poetry is collected in Anding ji [Peace and Stability Collection] and Yongshi shi [Poems on History].

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