THE Qin Dynasty(221-206 B.C.) had four imperial polymath councilors who were highly revered by the imperial court for their intelligence and resourcefulness. Since they would not go along with Emperor Qinshihuang’s tyranny,they resigned together and lived a secluded life on Shangluo Mountain (Shang Mountain).The hair on all their heads turned white-gray, earning them the collective epithet the "Four White-haired Hermits."