Zhang Jun (Former Liang)
Encyclopedia
| Xiping Zhongchenggong (西平忠成公) or Xiping Wengong (西平文公) |
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| Family name Chinese name Personal names in Chinese culture follow a number of conventions different from those of personal names in Western cultures. Most noticeably, a Chinese name is written with the family name first and the given name next, therefore "John-Paul Smith" as a Chinese name would be "Smith John-Paul"... : |
Zhang Zhang (surname) Zhang is among the most common Chinese surnames. In the 1990 edition of Guinness Book of Records, it was listed as the world's most common surname, with over 100 million people worldwide with this surname. It was also ranked third in the People's Republic of China by the Chinese Academy of... (張; zhāng) |
| Given name Chinese name Personal names in Chinese culture follow a number of conventions different from those of personal names in Western cultures. Most noticeably, a Chinese name is written with the family name first and the given name next, therefore "John-Paul Smith" as a Chinese name would be "Smith John-Paul"... : |
Jun (駿, jùn) |
| Posthumous name Posthumous name A posthumous name is an honorary name given to royalty, nobles, and sometimes others, in East Asia after the person's death, and is used almost exclusively instead of one's personal name or other official titles during his life... : |
Zhongcheng (忠成, zhōng chéng) literary meaning: "faithful and successful" |
| Posthumous name Posthumous name A posthumous name is an honorary name given to royalty, nobles, and sometimes others, in East Asia after the person's death, and is used almost exclusively instead of one's personal name or other official titles during his life... : |
Wen (文, wén) "civil" |
Zhang Jun (張駿) (307–346), courtesy name Gongting (公庭), formally Duke Zhongcheng of Xiping (西平忠成公, posthumous name
Posthumous name
A posthumous name is an honorary name given to royalty, nobles, and sometimes others, in East Asia after the person's death, and is used almost exclusively instead of one's personal name or other official titles during his life...
given by 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...
) or Duke Wen of Xiping (西平文公, posthumous name used internally in Former Liang) was a ruler of the Chinese
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
state Former Liang
Former Liang
The Former Liang was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin dynasty in China. It was founded by the Zhang family of the Han Chinese...
. During his reign, he at times used the Jin-created title of Duke of Xiping, but when forced to submit to Han Zhao
Han Zhao
The Han Zhao , or Former Zhao, or Northern Han , was a Southern Xiongnu state during Sixteen Kingdoms period coeval with the Chinese Jin Dynasty...
and Later Zhao
Later Zhao
The Later Zhao was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty in China. It was founded by the Shi family of the Jie ethnicity...
, he used the title Prince of Liang. Late in his reign, even when not under Later Zhao's pressure, he claimed the title of "Acting Prince of Liang." During the brief reign of his son Zhang Zuo
Zhang Zuo
Zhang Zuo , courtesy name Taibo , formally Prince Wei of Liang was a ruler of the Chinese state Former Liang...
, he was honored as Prince Wen of Liang (涼文王).
Early life
Zhang Jun was the son of Zhang Shi (張寔), the JinJìn 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...
governor of Liang Province (涼州, modern central and western Gansu
Gansu
' is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China.It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east...
) and the Duke of Xiping. In 320, Zhang Shi was assassinated by his guards Yan She (閻涉) and Zhao Ang (趙卬), who were followers of the magician Liu Hong (劉弘), who had falsely prophesized that he would be the ruler of Liang Province. Zhang Shi's brother Zhang Mao
Zhang Mao
Zhang Mao , courtesy name Chengxun , formally Prince Chenglie of Liang or Duke Cheng of Xiping was a ruler and the commonly accepted first ruler of the Chinese state Former Liang...
captured and executed Liu and his followers. Because Zhang Jun was still young (aged 13) at the time, Zhang Shi's subordinates requested that Zhang Mao take over the governorship. (Because Zhang Mao also declared a general pardon at the time, a power normally reserved for an emperor, this was often viewed as the date of Former Liang's independence from Jin.) Zhang Mao made Zhang Jun a general, and later in the year named him his heir. In 324, Zhang Mao died, and Zhang Jun succeeded him. Because Zhang Mao had previously been forced to submit to Han Zhao
Han Zhao
The Han Zhao , or Former Zhao, or Northern Han , was a Southern Xiongnu state during Sixteen Kingdoms period coeval with the Chinese Jin Dynasty...
and was given the title the Prince of Liang, Zhang Jun carried that title as well, even though internally he used the Jin-vested title of Duke of Xiping.
Early reign
In 326, Zhang Jun, in fear of Han Zhao, forcibly relocated the people of Longxi (隴西) and Nan'an (南安, collectively roughly DingxiDingxi
-Geography and climate:Dingxi City is located in central Gansu province, 98 km east of Lanzhou, giving it the nickname the "eastern gateway". The Wei River, a tributary of the Yellow River flows through the district and provides it with the majority of its water. Dingxi is semi-arid, with little...
, Gansu
Gansu
' is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China.It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east...
) Commanderies to the capital Guzang (姑臧, in modern Wuwei, Gansu
Gansu
' is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China.It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east...
). He also sought peace with Cheng Han
Cheng Han
The Cheng Han was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty in China. It represented two states, the Cheng state proclaimed in 304 by Li Xiong and the Han state in 338 by Li Shou...
's emperor Li Xiong
Li Xiong
Li Xiong , courtesy name Zhongjuan , formally Emperor Wu of Cheng , was the first emperor of the Chinese/Ba-Di state Cheng Han and commonly regarded as its founder...
and further tried to persuade Li Xiong to become a Jin vassal. Li Xiong agreed to peace and further did not completely rebuf Zhang Jun's overture, but also did not actually become a Jin vassal.
In 327, after hearing news that Han Zhao had suffered losses at Later Zhao
Later Zhao
The Later Zhao was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty in China. It was founded by the Shi family of the Jie ethnicity...
's hands, Zhang Jun disavowed all titles granted by Han Zhao and returned to Jin titles, and attacked Han Zhao's Qin Province (秦州, modern eastern Gansu
Gansu
' is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China.It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east...
). Han Zhao's prince Liu Yin
Liu Yin (Han Zhao)
Liu Yin , courtesy name Yisun , was an imperial prince of the Chinese/Xiongnu state Han Zhao, who, following his father Liu Yao's capture by rival Later Zhao, tried to maintain the state with his brother, the crown prince Liu Xi, but was unsuccessful and killed by Later Zhao.Liu Yin was Liu Yao's...
counterattacked, and, after defeating Former Liang general Han Pu (韓璞), captured all Former Liang territory south of the Yellow River
Yellow River
The Yellow River or Huang He, formerly known as the Hwang Ho, is the second-longest river in China and the sixth-longest in the world at the estimated length of . Originating in the Bayan Har Mountains in Qinghai Province in western China, it flows through nine provinces of China and empties into...
and further crossed the river, but did not advance further. However, Zhang Jun did not resubmit to Han Zhao. As Han Zhao disintegrated and fell to Later Zhao in 329 after its emperor Liu Yao
Liu Yao
Liu Yao , courtesy name Yongming , was the final emperor of the Chinese/Xiongnu state Han Zhao. He became emperor in 318 after most other members of the imperial Liu clan were massacred by Jin Zhun in a coup. However, the empire was soon divided in half, as the general Shi Le declared...
was captured by Later Zhao forces, Former Liang took the opportunity to regain lands south of the Yellow River. In 330, Later Zhao's emperor Shi Le
Shi Le
Shi Le , courtesy name Shilong , formally Emperor Ming of Zhao , was the founding emperor of the Chinese/Jie state Later Zhao...
sent messengers to persuade Former Liang to submit (by granting him honors, including the nine bestowments
Nine bestowments
The nine bestowments were awards given by Chinese emperors to extraordinary officials, ostensibly to reward them for their accomplishments. The nine bestowments were awards given by Chinese emperors to extraordinary officials, ostensibly to reward them for their accomplishments. The nine...
), but Zhang Jun refused and detained Shi Le's messengers. Later in the year, however, after Later Zhao's general Shi Sheng (石生) the Prince of Hedong defeated the nearby Xiongnu
Xiongnu
The Xiongnu were ancient nomadic-based people that formed a state or confederation north of the agriculture-based empire of the Han Dynasty. Most of the information on the Xiongnu comes from Chinese sources...
chieftain Shi Qiang (石羌), Zhang Jun became apprehensive and submitted to Later Zhao.
In 333, in the aftermaths of Shi Le's death and the coup by his nephew Shi Hu
Shi Hu
Shi Hu , courtesy name Jilong , formally Emperor Wu of Zhao , was an emperor of the Chinese/Jie state Later Zhao...
, a number of Later Zhao generals rebelled and tried to seek Jin and Former Liang assistance. Former Liang tried to ally itself with one of these generals, the Di
Di (ethnic group)
The Di were an ethnic group in China from the 8th century BCE to approximately the middle of the 6th century CE. Note that the character Di is used to differentiate this group from the Beidi , a generic term for "northern barbarians". They lived in areas of the present-day provinces of Gansu,...
chief Pu Hong
Fu Hong
Fu Hong originally named Pu Hong , courtesy name Guangshi, was the Di He was the father of first emperor of Former Qin, Fu Jiàn. In 350, Fu Hong self-proclaimed to be the Prince of Three Qins receiving a prophecy willed him to become King . On the same year, he was poisoned by his subordinate Ma...
(蒲洪). However, in light of Shi Hu's victory over most of the other generals, Pu soon submitted to Shi Hu. Shi Hu, however, did not appear to consider attacking Former Liang, and, not having to fight Later Zhao for years, by 335 Zhang Jun's domain was described as being so rich and strong and under his capable leadership that it also became overlord over a number of Xiyu (西域, collective name for modern Xinjiang
Xinjiang
Xinjiang is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. It is the largest Chinese administrative division and spans over 1.6 million km2...
and former Soviet central Asia
Central Asia
Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...
) kingdoms, which offered tribute to Zhang Jun. He submitted a plan to Emperor Cheng of Jin
Emperor Cheng of Jin
Emperor Cheng of Jin , personal name Sima Yan , courtesy name Shigen , was an emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty . He was the eldest son of Emperor Ming and became the crown prince on April 1, 325...
requesting to attack Later Zhao and/or Cheng Han jointly with Jin forces, but the plan was not acted upon by Emperor Cheng.
Late reign
In 339, Zhang Jun transferred some of his authorities to his heir apparentHeir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
, Zhang Chonghua
Zhang Chonghua
Zhang Chonghua , courtesy name Tailin , formally Duke Jinglie of Xiping or Duke Huan of Xiping was a ruler of the Chinese state Former Liang...
. In 340, he offered tribute to Shi Hu, but in his petition he used arrogant words. Shi Hu was angered and wanted to kill his messenger, but Shi Hu's official Shi Pu (石璞) was able to persuade him to overlook Zhang Jun's arrogance.
In 344, a battle between Former Liang and Later Zhao forces was mentioned, perhaps indicating that the relationship was not as peaceful as before.
In early 346, Zhang Jun attacked the Xiyu kingdom Yanqi (焉耆, in modern Bayin'gholin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture
Bayin'gholin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture
Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture , short for Bayingol is an autonomous prefecture of the People's Republic of China. It is the largest autonomous prefecture of China with an area of 462,700 km²...
, Xinjiang
Xinjiang
Xinjiang is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. It is the largest Chinese administrative division and spans over 1.6 million km2...
), and Yanqui submitted to him. By this point, he was described as having taken the title Acting Prince of Liang (假涼王) and using styles that were usually reserved for emperors.
In summer 346, Zhang Jun died, and was succeeded by his heir apparent Zhang Chonghua.
Era name?
Most historical sources indicate that Zhang Jun, like his father Zhang Shi and his uncle Zhang Mao, continued to use Emperor Min of JinEmperor Min of Jin
Emperor Min of Jin, Simplified Chinese character 晋愍帝, Traditional Chinese character 晉愍帝, Pinyin. Jìn Mǐndì, Wade-Giles Chin Min-ti , personal name Sima Ye , courtesy name Yanqi , was an emperor of the Jin Dynasty and the last of the Western Jin Dynasty.Emperor Min surrendered in 316 to Liu Yao, a...
's era name Jianxing (both to show continued allegiance to Jin and to distance himself from Emperor Yuan of Jin
Emperor Yuan of Jin
Emperor Yuan of Jin , personal name Sima Rui , courtesy name Jingwen , was an emperor of the Jin Dynasty and the first of the Eastern Jin Dynasty...
and his line) but some sources indicate that he changed era name to Taiyuan (太元 tài yuán 324–346). A current theory is that his era name was used internally while the Jianxing era name was used when communicating with other states.
Personal information
- Father
- Zhang Shi, Duke Yuan of Xiping
- Wife
- Princess YanPrincess YanPrincess Yan was the wife of the Chinese state Former Liang's ruler Zhang Jun. It is not known when Zhang Jun married her, but it is known that she carried the title of princess even though Zhang, for most of his reign, used the Jin Dynasty -created title of Duke of Xiping, and only late in his...
- Princess Yan
- Major Concubines
- Lady MaPrincess Dowager MaPrincess Dowager Ma was the mother of the Chinese state Former Liang's ruler Zhang Chonghua. She was a concubine of Zhang Chonghua's father Zhang Jun....
, mother of Zhang Chonghua - Mother of Zhang Tianxi, variously reported as Lady LiuPrincess Dowager LiuPrincess Dowager Liu was a princess dowager of the Chinese state Former Liang. She was a concubine of Zhang Jun and the mother of his youngest son, Zhang Tianxi ....
or Lady Yan
- Lady Ma
- Children
- Zhang ZuoZhang ZuoZhang Zuo , courtesy name Taibo , formally Prince Wei of Liang was a ruler of the Chinese state Former Liang...
(張祚), the Marquess of Changning, later Prince Wei - Zhang ChonghuaZhang ChonghuaZhang Chonghua , courtesy name Tailin , formally Duke Jinglie of Xiping or Duke Huan of Xiping was a ruler of the Chinese state Former Liang...
(張重華), the heir apparentHeir apparentAn heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
, later Duke Jinglie - Zhang TianxiZhang TianxiZhang Tianxi , original courtesy name Gongchungu , later Chungu , nickname Duhuo , formally Duke Dao of Xiping , was the last ruler of the Chinese state Former Liang. He was the youngest son of Zhang Jun , and he seized the throne from his nephew Zhang Xuanjing in 363...
(張天錫), the Marquess of Changning (created 354), later Duke Dao
- Zhang Zuo