Zōng Chén 宗臣 (1525–1560), zì Zǐxiàng 子相, of Xìnghuà 興化 (Yángzhōu, Jiāngsū). Took the jìnshì in Jiājìng 29 (1550); appointed Xíngbù zhǔshì; transferred to Lìbù wénxuǎn sī; advanced to Jìxūn sī yuánwài láng. For his contribution-of-funds for Yáng Jìshèng’s funeral, offended Yán Sōng; sent out as Fújiàn cānyì; transferred to Tíxué fùshǐ. Died in office at only 36 sui. He is the youngest and shortest-lived of the Hòu Qī Zǐ (Latter Seven Masters), with Lǐ Pānlóng, Wáng Shìzhēn, Xú Zhōngháng, Wú Guólún, Liáng Yǒuyù. His Bào Liú Yīzhàng shū — a satirical letter on Wànlì officialdom bribery customs — is among the most-anthologized pieces in modern gǔwén readers. His collection is the Zōng Zǐxiàng jí KR4e0209. CBDB 34725.