Zhang Wenguan
Encyclopedia
Zhang Wenguan (606
– September 30, 678), courtesy name Zhigui (稚圭), was an official of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong
. He was acclaimed for his fairness while serving as the chief judge of the supreme court.
. His family was originally from what would eventually become Bei Prefecture (貝州, part of modern Xingtai
, Hebei
), but moved to what would eventually become Wei Prefecture (魏州, roughly modern Handan
, Hebei
) early in Zhang Wenguan's life. He lost his father when he was young, and was said to serve his mother and older brother(s) appropriately. Early in the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang
(r. 626-649, Zhang passed the imperial examination
and was made a military advisor to the secretary general of Bing Prefecture (并州, roughly modern Taiyuan
, Shanxi
), Li Shiji
. Li valued his service greatly, and on one occasion stated, "Zhigui is the modern day Guan Zhong
and Xiao He
. I am not as capable as he is." At one point, when Li was set to visit Emperor Taizong at the capital Chang'an
, Zhang and two other officials held a feast for Li. Li gave a sword to one of the officials and a jade belt to the other, but gave Zhang nothing. Zhang was surprised and asked Li the reason. Li responded:
Li later recommended Zhang for his talents, and Zhang was made a reserve official at the water bureau of the department of public works. At that time, his older brother Zhang Wencong (張文琮) was serving as the deputy minister of census -- and the departments of public works and census were both under the executive bureau of government (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). According to regulations, brothers were not supposed to serve at the same bureau of government, and so Zhang Wenguan was soon made the magistrate of Yunyang County (雲陽, in modern Xianyang
, Shaanxi
).
gave him the designation of Tong Dong Xi Tai Sanpin (同東西臺三品), making him a chancellor de facto. It was said that at the time, the imperial treasury was getting exhausted as Emperor Gaozong was building several palaces -- Penglai Palace (蓬萊宮), Shangyang Palace (上陽宮), and Hebi Palace (合璧宮) -- as well as requisitioning a large number of horses for the imperial stable for the purposes of using them for military campaigns. Zhang warned Emperor Gaozong that similar activities by Emperor Yang of Sui led to resentment by the people and Sui's downfall, and Emperor Gaozong, in response, reduced the number of imperial horses by several thousands. In 669, Zhang was promoted to be Dong Tai Shilang (東臺侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau, and still a chancellor de facto.
In 672, Zhang was made the chief judge at the supreme court and continued to serve as chancellor as well as a member of the staff of Emperor Gaozong's crown prince
Li Hong
. It was said that Zhang was efficient and fair at reviewing criminal judgments, quickly ruling on a large number of complex cases. it was further said that those he found guilty had no complaints, and that he was capable of overturning judgments against those who were innocent. When he was ill, the prisoners awaiting review were praying for his health, and he was compared to Dai Zhou
, another famed chief judge who served during Emperor Taizong's reign. In 675, he was made Shizhong (侍中), the head of the examination bureau (which by this point had been renamed Menxia Sheng (門下省)) and a post considered one for a chancellor, and also continued to serve on Li Hong's staff as an advisor. It was said that when the prisoners still awaiting review heard that Zhang was no longer chief judge, they wept bitterly. It was further said that at times when he was ill, when the other chancellors reported their suggestions to Emperor Gaozong, Emperor Gaozong would inquire as to whether they had consulted Zhang. If they responded that they had not, he would require them to go to Zhang's mansion to consult him, before ruling on their proposal.
In 678, Zhang was seriously ill. However, when he heard that Emperor Gaozong was contemplating a campaign against Silla
, he rode a litter to the palace and spoke to Emperor Gaozong, "At this time, Tufan is invading and we are defending against the invasion. Although Silla is not sufficiently submissive, it is not attacking our borders. If we divide our forces and attack east, I am afraid that neither the government nor the people can withstand the consequences." After this counsel, Emperor Gaozong cancelled plans to attack Silla. Zhang died later that year and was given the posthumous name
of Yi (懿, "benevolent"). As he had served on Li Hong's staff, Emperor Gaozong had him buried with honor near the tomb of Li Hong (who had died in 675 and was posthumously honored an emperor).
606
Year 606 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 606 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Asia :* Shashanka is the first recorded independent...
– September 30, 678), courtesy name Zhigui (稚圭), was an official 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...
dynasty Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong
Emperor Gaozong of Tang
Emperor Gaozong of Tang , personal name Li Zhi , was the third emperor of the Tang Dynasty in China, ruling from 649 to 683...
. He was acclaimed for his fairness while serving as the chief judge of the supreme court.
Background
Zhang Wenguan was born in 606, during the reign of Emperor Yang of SuiEmperor Yang of Sui
Emperor Yang of Sui , personal name Yang Guang , alternative name Ying , nickname Amo , known as Emperor Ming during the brief reign of his grandson Yang Tong), was the second son of Emperor Wen of Sui, and the second emperor of China's Sui Dynasty.Emperor Yang's original name was Yang Ying, but...
. His family was originally from what would eventually become Bei Prefecture (貝州, part of modern Xingtai
Xingtai
Xingtai is a city in southern Hebei province, North China. The prefecture-level city of Xingtai, with a total area of , administers 2 districts, 2 county-level cities and 15 counties. In 2004 it had an urban population of 561,400 and a total population of 6.73 million...
, 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...
), but moved to what would eventually become Wei Prefecture (魏州, roughly modern Handan
Handan
Handan is a prefecture-level city located in the southwestern part of Hebei Province of China.- History :Handan was the capital of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period , after the capital moved from Zhongmu. The city was conquered by the State of Qin after the virtual annexation of...
, 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...
) early in Zhang Wenguan's life. He lost his father when he was young, and was said to serve his mother and older brother(s) appropriately. Early in the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang
Emperor Taizong of Tang
Emperor Taizong of Tang , personal name Lǐ Shìmín , was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, ruling from 626 to 649...
(r. 626-649, Zhang passed the imperial examination
Imperial examination
The Imperial examination was an examination system in Imperial China designed to select the best administrative officials for the state's bureaucracy. This system had a huge influence on both society and culture in Imperial China and was directly responsible for the creation of a class of...
and was made a military advisor to the secretary general of Bing Prefecture (并州, roughly modern Taiyuan
Taiyuan
Taiyuan is the capital and largest city of Shanxi province in North China. At the 2010 census, it had a total population of 4,201,591 inhabitants on 6959 km² whom 3,212,500 are urban on 1,460 km². The name of the city literally means "Great Plains", referring to the location where the Fen River...
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
), Li Shiji
Li Shiji
Li Shiji , né Xu Shiji , later known in the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang as Li Ji , courtesy name Maogong , formally Duke Zhenwu of Ying , was one of the most celebrated generals early in the Chinese Tang Dynasty...
. Li valued his service greatly, and on one occasion stated, "Zhigui is the modern day Guan Zhong
Guan Zhong
Guǎn Zhòng was a politician and statesman during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. His given name was Yíwú . Zhong was his courtesy name. Recommended by Bao Shuya, he was appointed Prime Minister by Duke Huan of Qi in 685 BC.-Achievements:Guan Zhong modernized the Qi State by...
and Xiao He
Xiao He
Xiao He was a Chinese statesman who lived during the early Han Dynasty. He served Liu Bang during the insurrection against the Qin Dynasty, and fought on Liu's side in the Chu–Han contention against Xiang Yu. After the founding of the Han Dynasty, Xiao He became chancellor and held office until...
. I am not as capable as he is." At one point, when Li was set to visit Emperor Taizong at the capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
, Zhang and two other officials held a feast for Li. Li gave a sword to one of the officials and a jade belt to the other, but gave Zhang nothing. Zhang was surprised and asked Li the reason. Li responded:
Li later recommended Zhang for his talents, and Zhang was made a reserve official at the water bureau of the department of public works. At that time, his older brother Zhang Wencong (張文琮) was serving as the deputy minister of census -- and the departments of public works and census were both under the executive bureau of government (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). According to regulations, brothers were not supposed to serve at the same bureau of government, and so Zhang Wenguan was soon made the magistrate of Yunyang County (雲陽, in modern Xianyang
Xianyang
Xianyang is a former capital of China in Shaanxi province, on the Wei River, a few kilometers upstream from Xi'an. It has an area of...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
).
During Emperor Gaozong's reign
Zhang Wenguan later served successively as a mid-level official at both the legislative bureau (西臺, Xi Tai) and the examination bureau (東臺, Dong Tai). As of 667, he was serving at the examination bureau, when Emperor GaozongEmperor Gaozong of Tang
Emperor Gaozong of Tang , personal name Li Zhi , was the third emperor of the Tang Dynasty in China, ruling from 649 to 683...
gave him the designation of Tong Dong Xi Tai Sanpin (同東西臺三品), making him a chancellor de facto. It was said that at the time, the imperial treasury was getting exhausted as Emperor Gaozong was building several palaces -- Penglai Palace (蓬萊宮), Shangyang Palace (上陽宮), and Hebi Palace (合璧宮) -- as well as requisitioning a large number of horses for the imperial stable for the purposes of using them for military campaigns. Zhang warned Emperor Gaozong that similar activities by Emperor Yang of Sui led to resentment by the people and Sui's downfall, and Emperor Gaozong, in response, reduced the number of imperial horses by several thousands. In 669, Zhang was promoted to be Dong Tai Shilang (東臺侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau, and still a chancellor de facto.
In 672, Zhang was made the chief judge at the supreme court and continued to serve as chancellor as well as a member of the staff of Emperor Gaozong's crown prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
Li Hong
Li Hong
Li Hong , formally Emperor Xiaojing with the temple name of Yizong , was a crown prince of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
. It was said that Zhang was efficient and fair at reviewing criminal judgments, quickly ruling on a large number of complex cases. it was further said that those he found guilty had no complaints, and that he was capable of overturning judgments against those who were innocent. When he was ill, the prisoners awaiting review were praying for his health, and he was compared to Dai Zhou
Dai Zhou
Dai Zhou , courtesy name Xuanyin , formally Duke Zhong of Dao , was an official of the Chinese dynasties Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty, eventually becoming chancellor during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang....
, another famed chief judge who served during Emperor Taizong's reign. In 675, he was made Shizhong (侍中), the head of the examination bureau (which by this point had been renamed Menxia Sheng (門下省)) and a post considered one for a chancellor, and also continued to serve on Li Hong's staff as an advisor. It was said that when the prisoners still awaiting review heard that Zhang was no longer chief judge, they wept bitterly. It was further said that at times when he was ill, when the other chancellors reported their suggestions to Emperor Gaozong, Emperor Gaozong would inquire as to whether they had consulted Zhang. If they responded that they had not, he would require them to go to Zhang's mansion to consult him, before ruling on their proposal.
In 678, Zhang was seriously ill. However, when he heard that Emperor Gaozong was contemplating a campaign against Silla
Silla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
, he rode a litter to the palace and spoke to Emperor Gaozong, "At this time, Tufan is invading and we are defending against the invasion. Although Silla is not sufficiently submissive, it is not attacking our borders. If we divide our forces and attack east, I am afraid that neither the government nor the people can withstand the consequences." After this counsel, Emperor Gaozong cancelled plans to attack Silla. Zhang died later that year and was given the 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...
of Yi (懿, "benevolent"). As he had served on Li Hong's staff, Emperor Gaozong had him buried with honor near the tomb of Li Hong (who had died in 675 and was posthumously honored an emperor).