Zhang Hua
Encyclopedia
Zhang Hua style name
Maoxian (茂先), was a Jin Dynasty (265-420)
official and poet. He was a native of Fangcheng County
, Zhili
.
, but died when he was young. Zhang Hua's family became impoverished, and he was a shepherd when he was young. A man from the same commandery, Liu Fang (劉放), became impressed with his talent, and gave his daughter to Zhang in marriage. He became known for his literary talent, and he wrote a collection of poems, ostensibly about birds—but in fact about people's tendencies. The poems received great renown, and the commandery governor recommended him to the regent
Sima Zhao
. Sima Zhao made him one of his secretaries, and he distinguished himself in that role. However, as Director of the Court of Sacrificial Worship he suffered disgrace because one of the beams in the Imperial Temple happened to break, for which he was cashiered. After Sima Zhao's son Sima Yan established Jin Dynasty (as Emperor Wu), he further elevated Zhang and created him an acting marquess. When Yang Hu
encouraged Emperor Wu to conquer the rival Eastern Wu
, most officials opposed, but Zhang greatly agreed with Yang and was later heavily involved with the strategies and the logistics behind the conquest of Eastern Wu in 279-280. After the fall of Eastern Wu, Emperor Wu created him the Marquess of Guangwu to honor him for his contributions.
(later Emperor Hui), Zhang recommended Emperor Wu's highly talented brother Sima You
the Prince of Qi, and while Prince You was clearly capable, Emperor Wu was angry at the recommendation because he feared that all of the officials instead wanted Prince You to be emperor. The officials who previously opposed the campaign against Eastern Wu, who had been embarrassed by Zhang when Eastern Wu turned out to be an easy enemy to conquer, took this chance to falsely accuse Zhang, and Emperor Wu sent him out of the capital to be the military commander of You Province (幽州, modern Beijing
, Tianjin
, and northern Hebei
). Zhang distinguished himself capable in that role as well, pacifying the various non-Han tribes of the region easily. Emperor Wu several times considered summoning him back to the capital Luoyang
to be prime minister, but each time changed his mind after further false accusations.
, but without actual powers. After Empress Jia Nanfeng
overthrew Empress Dowager Yang
and her father the regent Yang Jun in a coup d'état, she became convinced that Zhang was capable but non-threatening, and so entrusted him with power. During the next few years, with Empress Jia in power, Zhang was able to use his skills to keep the various competing political forces in check, in conjunction with Empress Jia's cousin Pei Wei (裴頠). For his contributions, he was created the Duke of Zhuangwu.
and Chen Liu (陳留). He was profoundly learned, and when he changed houses it took thirty carts to carry his library. Zhang was the author of the 博物志, a collection of articles on various topics of interest. It appears to have perished during the Song dynasty
, and the modern work which passes under that name was probably compiled from extracts found in other books.
the Prince of Zhao, a granduncle of Emperor Hui, formed a conspiracy to depose Empress Jia. He tried to persuade Zhang to join the conspiracy, but Zhang hesitated. When Sima Lun's coup overthrew Empress Jia later that year, he had a number of her associates, including Zhang, killed, along with their clans. Only his grandson Zhang Yu (張輿) escaped. After Sima Lun briefly usurped the throne and was then overthrown in 301, Prince You's son Sima Jiong
the Prince of Qi, then regent, had Zhang Hua's reputation and title of Marquess of Guangwu (but not the Duke of Zhuangwu, as Prince Jiong did not recognize Empress Jia's acts) restored, and Zhang Yu inherited Zhang Hua's title.
Chinese style name
A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name , is a given name to be used later in life. After 20 years of age, the zì is assigned in place of one's given name as a symbol of adulthood and respect...
Maoxian (茂先), was a Jin Dynasty (265-420)
Jìn Dynasty (265-420)
The Jìn Dynasty , was a dynasty in Chinese history, lasting between the years 265 and 420 AD. There are two main divisions in the history of the Dynasty, the first being Western Jin and the second Eastern Jin...
official and poet. He was a native of Fangcheng County
Fangcheng County
Fangcheng County is a county of Nanyang, Henan, China, has an area of 2,542 square kilometers and a population of 970,000 as of 2002.-External links:*...
, Zhili
Zhili
Zhílì was a northern province in China from the Ming Dynasty until the province was dissolved in 1928 during the Republic of China era.-History:...
.
Background
Zhang Hua's father Zhang Ping (張平) was a commandery governor during Cao WeiCao Wei
Cao Wei was one of the states that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period. With the capital at Luoyang, the state was established by Cao Pi in 220, based upon the foundations that his father Cao Cao laid...
, but died when he was young. Zhang Hua's family became impoverished, and he was a shepherd when he was young. A man from the same commandery, Liu Fang (劉放), became impressed with his talent, and gave his daughter to Zhang in marriage. He became known for his literary talent, and he wrote a collection of poems, ostensibly about birds—but in fact about people's tendencies. The poems received great renown, and the commandery governor recommended him to the regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
Sima Zhao
Sima Zhao
Sima Zhao was a military general, politician and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
. Sima Zhao made him one of his secretaries, and he distinguished himself in that role. However, as Director of the Court of Sacrificial Worship he suffered disgrace because one of the beams in the Imperial Temple happened to break, for which he was cashiered. After Sima Zhao's son Sima Yan established Jin Dynasty (as Emperor Wu), he further elevated Zhang and created him an acting marquess. When Yang Hu
Yang Hu
Not to be confused with Yang Hu :zh:阳虎/陽虎, the Spring and Autumn retainer-usurper in the state of Lu.Yang Hu , style name Shuzi , was a military general during the Jin Dynasty period of Chinese history...
encouraged Emperor Wu to conquer the rival Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu, also known as Sun Wu, was one the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period after the fall of the Han Dynasty. It was based in the Jiangnan region of China...
, most officials opposed, but Zhang greatly agreed with Yang and was later heavily involved with the strategies and the logistics behind the conquest of Eastern Wu in 279-280. After the fall of Eastern Wu, Emperor Wu created him the Marquess of Guangwu to honor him for his contributions.
After Emperor Wu's unification of China
However, Zhang soon fell out of favor with Emperor Wu—when Emperor Wu once asked him who could be a regent for his son Crown Prince ZhongEmperor Hui of Jin
Emperor Hui of Jin, sim. ch. 晋惠帝, trad. ch. 晉惠帝, py. jìn huì dì, wg. Chin Hui-ti , personal name Sima Zhong , courtesy name Zhengdu , was the second emperor of the Jin Dynasty...
(later Emperor Hui), Zhang recommended Emperor Wu's highly talented brother Sima You
Sima You
Sima You , style name Taiyou , was the second son of the Cao Wei regent Sima Zhao during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Sima You became the heir to his uncle, Sima Shi, who at the time was childless...
the Prince of Qi, and while Prince You was clearly capable, Emperor Wu was angry at the recommendation because he feared that all of the officials instead wanted Prince You to be emperor. The officials who previously opposed the campaign against Eastern Wu, who had been embarrassed by Zhang when Eastern Wu turned out to be an easy enemy to conquer, took this chance to falsely accuse Zhang, and Emperor Wu sent him out of the capital to be the military commander of You Province (幽州, modern Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, Tianjin
Tianjin
' is a metropolis in northern China and one of the five national central cities of the People's Republic of China. It is governed as a direct-controlled municipality, one of four such designations, and is, thus, under direct administration of the central government...
, and northern Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
). Zhang distinguished himself capable in that role as well, pacifying the various non-Han tribes of the region easily. Emperor Wu several times considered summoning him back to the capital Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
to be prime minister, but each time changed his mind after further false accusations.
Back to the capital
After Emperor Wu's death in 290, Zhang was summoned back to the capital to serve as the teacher of his grandson (the son of his son Emperor Hui), Crown Prince YuSima Yu
Sima Yu , courtesy name Xizu , formally Crown Prince Minhuai was a Chinese crown prince during the Jin Dynasty ....
, but without actual powers. After Empress Jia Nanfeng
Empress Jia Nanfeng
Empress Jia Nanfeng , nickname Shi , of the Jin Dynasty was the daughter of Jia Chong and first wife of Emperor Hui...
overthrew Empress Dowager Yang
Empress Yang Zhi
Empress Yang Zhi , courtesy name Jilan , nickname Nanyin , formally Empress Wudao was an empress of Jin Dynasty...
and her father the regent Yang Jun in a coup d'état, she became convinced that Zhang was capable but non-threatening, and so entrusted him with power. During the next few years, with Empress Jia in power, Zhang was able to use his skills to keep the various competing political forces in check, in conjunction with Empress Jia's cousin Pei Wei (裴頠). For his contributions, he was created the Duke of Zhuangwu.
Poetry
Zhang's poetry was admired by such people as Ruan JiRuan Ji
Ruǎn Jí is one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. He is associated with the guqin melody, Jiu Kuang which was believed to be composed by him.- Historical background :...
and Chen Liu (陳留). He was profoundly learned, and when he changed houses it took thirty carts to carry his library. Zhang was the author of the 博物志, a collection of articles on various topics of interest. It appears to have perished during the Song dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
, and the modern work which passes under that name was probably compiled from extracts found in other books.
Death
However, after Empress Jia framed Crown Prince Yu of treason in 299 and had him deposed, the political firestorm became too big for Zhang to handle, particularly after Empress Jia, fearful of a return by Crown Prince Yu, had him murdered in 300. Sima LunSima Lun
Sima Lun , courtesy name Ziyi , was titled the Prince of Zhao and the usurper of the Jin Dynasty from February 3 to May 30, 301...
the Prince of Zhao, a granduncle of Emperor Hui, formed a conspiracy to depose Empress Jia. He tried to persuade Zhang to join the conspiracy, but Zhang hesitated. When Sima Lun's coup overthrew Empress Jia later that year, he had a number of her associates, including Zhang, killed, along with their clans. Only his grandson Zhang Yu (張輿) escaped. After Sima Lun briefly usurped the throne and was then overthrown in 301, Prince You's son Sima Jiong
Sima Jiong
Sima Jiong , courtesy name Jingzhi , formally Prince Wumin of Qi , was an Jin Dynasty imperial prince who briefly served as Emperor Hui's regent after overthrowing the usurper Sima Lun in 301...
the Prince of Qi, then regent, had Zhang Hua's reputation and title of Marquess of Guangwu (but not the Duke of Zhuangwu, as Prince Jiong did not recognize Empress Jia's acts) restored, and Zhang Yu inherited Zhang Hua's title.
See also
- List of people of the Three Kingdoms