Zhang Zuo
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Zhang Zuo 張祚 | |||||||||||||||||
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Emperor of Former Liang | |||||||||||||||||
Ruler of Former Liang | |||||||||||||||||
Reign | 353–355 | ||||||||||||||||
Predecessor | Zhang Yaoling | ||||||||||||||||
Successor | Zhang Xuanjing | ||||||||||||||||
Died | 355 | ||||||||||||||||
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Dynasty | Former Liang | ||||||||||||||||
Father | Zhang Jun |
Zhang Zuo | ||
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Hanyu Pinyin | Wēi | |
Middle Chinese | ||
Middle Chinese | /ʔʉi/ |
Zhang Zuo (
During the reigns of Zhang Chonghua and Zhang Yaoling
Little is known about Zhang Zuo's personal background, other than that he was
During the reign of his brother Zhang Chonghua, Zhang Zuo was trusted by his brother, and despite warnings by Chang Ju (常據) and Xie Ai, Zhang Chonghua, for a long time, intended for Zhang Zuo to serve as regent for his son Zhang Yaoling. Late in 353, however, as Zhang Chonghua was gravely ill, he ordered that Xie be recalled to be warrant—but Zhang Zuo and Zhang Chonghua's attendants Zhao Zhang (趙長) and Wei Qi (尉緝), who had conspired to take over power, blocked Zhang Chonghua's order and instead forged an order making Zhang Zuo regent. Zhang Chonghua soon died, and he was succeeded by Zhang Yaoling, at age nine, but real power was in Zhang Zuo's hands.
Zhang Zuo, who had by this point engaged in an affair with Zhang Chonghua's mother
Reign
Early in 354, Zhang Zuo declared a clear break from Jin—a move that none of his predecessors had dared to do. He completely repudiated the Jin
Later that year, Zhang Zuo nevertheless sent his general Wang Zhuo (王擢) to assist the Jin general Sima Xun, who was commanding an auxiliary force in conjunction with the main force commanded by Huan Wen against Former Qin. Wang submitted a report to Zhang Zuo stating that Huan was capable of commanding large armies and had great ambition, which caused Zhang Zuo to panic. Oddly, he decided to assassinate Wang, but failed. He then mobilized his troops, ready to resist Huan or to flee in case Huan destroyed Former Qin and then turned his attention on him. After Huan was forced to withdraw after his food supplies ran out, however, Zhang Zuo attacked Wang, forcing Wang to surrender to Former Qin.
Zhang Zuo's rule, according to traditional accounts, was one filled with debauchery, cruelty, and extravagance. He was said to not only had an affair with Princess Dowager Ma, but committed incest with all of Zhang Chonghua's daughters. He became apprehensive of his general Zhang Guan (張瓘), so he sent Zhang Guan on an expedition, but sent another army to ambush him. The news leaked, however, and Zhang Guan turned his army against the capital Guzang (姑臧, in modern Wuwei, Gansu). He declared that Zhang Zuo should be deposed and Zhang Yaoling should be restored. He was soon joined by another major general, Song Hun (宋混). In response, Zhang Zuo had his young nephew put to death by beating.
That action could not save him, however, as Zhang Guan and Song continued their advances on the capital. Zhang Zuo ordered that Zhang Guan's brother Zhang Ju (張琚) and son Zhang Song (張嵩) be arrested and executed, but instead Zhang Ju and Zhang Son started an uprising within Guzang and opened the city gates to welcome in Song's forces. Zhang Zuo's former coconspirators Zhao Zhang and Wei Qi became apprehensive and forced Princess Dowager Ma to declare Zhang Chonghua's younger son Zhang Xuanjing as the new ruler. Guards still loyal to Zhang Zuo killed Zhao and Wei, but soon fell apart in the confusion, and Zhang Zuo was killed. Song cut off his head and put his two sons to death.
Personal information
- Father
- Zhang Jun(Duke Zhongcheng)
- Wife
- Empress (or Princess) Xin(created 354)
- Children
- Zhang Taihe (張太和), the Crown Prince (created 354, executed by army officers 355)
- Zhang Tingjian (張庭堅), the Prince or Marquess of Jiankang (created 354, executed by army officers 355)
References
See also
- Jin Shu, vol. 86 [1].
- Spring and Autumn Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms, vol. 7.
- Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 99, 100.