Zhang Zhifang
Encyclopedia
Zhang Zhifang (died January 23, 881?) was a general of the Chinese
dynasty. Succeeding his father Zhang Zhongwu
, he briefly ruled Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing
) as its military governor (Jiedushi
) in de facto independence from the imperial government, but fearing a mutiny, he fled to the imperial capital Chang'an
and thereafter served as an imperial general. During Huang Chao
's rebellion against Emperor Xizong
, Zhang surrendered to Huang Chao's Qi state but plotted to undermine it; when this was discovered, Qi executed him.
, who had seized Lulong Circuit from Zhang Jiang (張絳) in 841
with the approval of Emperor Wuzong
but without actual support from imperial troops. Zhang Zhongwu thereafter ruled Lulong in de facto independence from the imperial government, but followed Emperor Wuzong's orders during Emperor Wuzong's campaigns against the Huigu Khanate remnants and the warlord Liu Zhen
, and therefore enjoyed a strong relationship with the imperial government. At some point, Zhang Zhifang became the commander of Zhang Zhongwu's guard troops. Zhang Zhongwu died in 849
, during the reign of Emperor Wuzong's successor and uncle Emperor Xuānzong
. The soldiers supported Zhang Zhifang to succeed him, and therefore, Emperor Xuānzong initially made him the acting military governor and then military governor.
. The soldiers instead supported Zhou Lin
as the acting military governor.
, he was further reduced in title to Xiaowei Jiangjun (驍衛將軍). He continued to be violent, and he often killed household servants due to minor faults. In 852
, he was demoted to be the census officer at En Prefecture (恩州, in modern Jiangmen
, Guangdong
).
A long time thereafter, Zhang was recalled to again serve as Yulin Tongjun. However, thereafter, he was accused of allowing his subordinates to commit banditry, and he was demoted to be the military advisor to the prefect of Kang Prefecture (康州, in modern Zhaoqing
, Guangdong
). Later, he was allowed to settle at the eastern capital Luoyang
, where he was again well-known for his hunting. During the Qianfu era (874
-879
) of Emperor Xuānzong's grandson Emperor Xizong
, Zhang was recalled to Chang'an to serve as Xiaowei Dajiangjun (驍衛大將軍). Because the office did not carry a large salary, the chancellor Zheng Tian
spoke on his behalf, pointing out Zhang Zhongwu's contributions during Emperor Wuzong's reign and that the Zhang household was effectively living in poverty. Emperor Xizong therefore made Zhang Zhifang an honorary You Pushe and also returned him to the title of Jinwu Dajiangjun.
, the army under the rebel Huang Chao
was approaching Chang'an. Emperor Xizong fled to Chengdu
. Zhang Zhifang led a group of Tang officials and generals to Bashang (霸上, in modern Xi'an
, Shaanxi
) to welcome Huang. Huang thereafter proclaimed a new Qi state as its emperor. Even though Zhang accepted a position in the Qi administration, however, he hid many Tang officials who were unable to follow Emperor Xizong in flight within the walls of his home, including the former chancellor Liu Ye
and the chancellors Doulu Zhuan
and Cui Hang
. Further, he was plotting a surprise attack on Huang, hoping to restore Emperor Xizong. When this was discovered, he was executed, along with his family.
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. Succeeding his father Zhang Zhongwu
Zhang Zhongwu
Zhang Zhongwu , formally Prince Zhuang of Lanling or Duke Zhuang of Lanling , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who governed Lulong Circuit as its military governor in de facto independence from the imperial government,...
, he briefly ruled Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered in 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...
) as its military governor (Jiedushi
Jiedushi
The Jiedushi were regional military governors in China during the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. Originally set up to counter external threats, the jiedushi were given enormous power, including the ability to maintain their own armies, collect taxes, and pass their...
) in de facto independence from the imperial government, but fearing a mutiny, he fled to the imperial 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...
and thereafter served as an imperial general. During Huang Chao
Huang Chao
Huang Chao was the leader of the Huang Chao Rebellion , known in mainland China as the Huang Chao Revolution in China that seriously weakened the once mighty Tang Dynasty of China...
's rebellion against Emperor Xizong
Emperor Xizong of Tang
Emperor Xizong of Tang , né Li Yan , later name changed to Li Xuan , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 873 to 888. He was the fifth son of his predecessor Emperor Yizong and was the elder brother of his successor Emperor Zhaozong...
, Zhang surrendered to Huang Chao's Qi state but plotted to undermine it; when this was discovered, Qi executed him.
Background
It is not known when Zhang Zhifang was born. He was a son of Zhang ZhongwuZhang Zhongwu
Zhang Zhongwu , formally Prince Zhuang of Lanling or Duke Zhuang of Lanling , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who governed Lulong Circuit as its military governor in de facto independence from the imperial government,...
, who had seized Lulong Circuit from Zhang Jiang (張絳) in 841
841
Year 841 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* June 25 – Battle of Fontenay: Louis the German and Charles the Bald defeat Lothar....
with the approval of Emperor Wuzong
Emperor Wuzong of Tang
Emperor Wuzong of Tang , né Li Chan , later changed to Li Yan just before his death, was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, reigning from 840 to 846. Emperor Wuzong is mainly known in modern times for the religious persecution that occurred during his reign...
but without actual support from imperial troops. Zhang Zhongwu thereafter ruled Lulong in de facto independence from the imperial government, but followed Emperor Wuzong's orders during Emperor Wuzong's campaigns against the Huigu Khanate remnants and the warlord Liu Zhen
Liu Zhen
Liu Zhen was the son of Liu Sheng, and the grandson of Emperor Jing of Han. According to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Zhen was granted the title of Ting Marquis of Lucheng by the Emperor Wu of Han...
, and therefore enjoyed a strong relationship with the imperial government. At some point, Zhang Zhifang became the commander of Zhang Zhongwu's guard troops. Zhang Zhongwu died in 849
849
Year 849 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* In the Tang Dynasty Chinese capital city of Chang'an, an imperial prince was impeached from his position by officials at court for erecting a building that obstructed a street in the northwesternmost ward in South...
, during the reign of Emperor Wuzong's successor and uncle Emperor Xuānzong
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang , also commonly known as Emperor Ming of Tang , personal name Li Longji , known as Wu Longji from 690 to 705, was the seventh emperor of the Tang dynasty in China, reigning from 712 to 756. His reign of 43 years was the longest during the Tang Dynasty...
. The soldiers supported Zhang Zhifang to succeed him, and therefore, Emperor Xuānzong initially made him the acting military governor and then military governor.
As military governor
However, Zhang Zhifang almost immediately alienated the Lulong soldiers by being cruel and devoted to hunts and games. In winter 849, the soldiers were developing a plot to overthrow him. Zhang Zhifang found out about the plot and, in fear, claimed that he was undertaking a hunt. Instead, he took his family and fled to the imperial capital Chang'anChang'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...
. The soldiers instead supported Zhou Lin
Zhou Lin (Tang Dynasty)
Zhou Lin was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who briefly ruled the de facto independent Lulong Circuit as its military governor ....
as the acting military governor.
As imperial general
When Zhang Zhifang arrived at Chang'an, Emperor Xuānzong sent messengers to welcome him, and made him a general of the imperial guards. As Zhang had a large family with him, Emperor Xuānzong awarded the salary of an honorary minister of public works (工部尚書, Gongbu Shangshu). Sometime thereafter, his salary level was increased to that of an honorary You Pushe (右僕射). However, he continued to be violent and cruel in his disposition. On one occasion, when he killed an imperial guard messenger by caning due to a minor fault that should not have been punished with death, he was reduced in title from Jinwu Dajiangjun (金吾大將軍) to Yulin Tongjun (羽林統軍). He continued to hunt repeatedly, and therefore neglected his duties serving in the rotation of imperial guard commanders. As a result, in 851851
Year 851 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Vikings plunder London and Canterbury.* Charles the Bald, Louis the German and Lothar meet in Meersen....
, he was further reduced in title to Xiaowei Jiangjun (驍衛將軍). He continued to be violent, and he often killed household servants due to minor faults. In 852
852
Year 852 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Saint Swithun becomes Bishop of Winchester, England....
, he was demoted to be the census officer at En Prefecture (恩州, in modern Jiangmen
Jiangmen
Jiangmen , is a prefecture-level city in Guangdong province in southern China with a population of about 4.48 million in 2010. The 3 urban districts are now part of Guangzhou - Shenzhen built up area.-Names:...
, Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
).
A long time thereafter, Zhang was recalled to again serve as Yulin Tongjun. However, thereafter, he was accused of allowing his subordinates to commit banditry, and he was demoted to be the military advisor to the prefect of Kang Prefecture (康州, in modern Zhaoqing
Zhaoqing
Zhaoqing is a prefecture-level city of Guangdong province in southern China.-Geography:Zhaoqing is located 110 km northwest of Guangzhou, in the west Pearl River Delta. It lies on the north shores of the Xijiang River, which is flows from west to east, and opposite of Gaoyao...
, Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
). Later, he was allowed to settle at the eastern 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...
, where he was again well-known for his hunting. During the Qianfu era (874
874
Year 874 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Ingólfur Arnarson arrives as the first permanent Viking settler in Iceland, settling in Reykjavík ....
-879
879
Year 879 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Pope John VIII recognizes the Duchy of Croatia as an independent state....
) of Emperor Xuānzong's grandson Emperor Xizong
Emperor Xizong of Tang
Emperor Xizong of Tang , né Li Yan , later name changed to Li Xuan , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 873 to 888. He was the fifth son of his predecessor Emperor Yizong and was the elder brother of his successor Emperor Zhaozong...
, Zhang was recalled to Chang'an to serve as Xiaowei Dajiangjun (驍衛大將軍). Because the office did not carry a large salary, the chancellor Zheng Tian
Zheng Tian
Zheng Tian , courtesy name Taiwen , formally Duke Wenzhao of Xingyang , was a chancellor of late Tang Dynasty, serving two terms as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong...
spoke on his behalf, pointing out Zhang Zhongwu's contributions during Emperor Wuzong's reign and that the Zhang household was effectively living in poverty. Emperor Xizong therefore made Zhang Zhifang an honorary You Pushe and also returned him to the title of Jinwu Dajiangjun.
Surrender to Qi and death
Late in 880880
Year 880 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Religion :* Pope John VIII issues the bull Industriae Tuae, creating an independent ecclesiastical province in Great Moravia with Archbishop Saint Methodius as its head...
, the army under the rebel Huang Chao
Huang Chao
Huang Chao was the leader of the Huang Chao Rebellion , known in mainland China as the Huang Chao Revolution in China that seriously weakened the once mighty Tang Dynasty of China...
was approaching Chang'an. Emperor Xizong fled to Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
. Zhang Zhifang led a group of Tang officials and generals to Bashang (霸上, in modern Xi'an
Xi'an
Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
, 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...
) to welcome Huang. Huang thereafter proclaimed a new Qi state as its emperor. Even though Zhang accepted a position in the Qi administration, however, he hid many Tang officials who were unable to follow Emperor Xizong in flight within the walls of his home, including the former chancellor Liu Ye
Liu Ye (Tang Dynasty)
Liu Ye , courtesy name Hanfan , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Yizong and Emperor Yizong's son Emperor Xizong.- Background :...
and the chancellors Doulu Zhuan
Doulu Zhuan
Doulu Zhuan , courtesy name Xizhen , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong...
and Cui Hang
Cui Hang
Cui Hang , courtesy name Neirong , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong. When the agrarian rebel Huang Chao captured the Tang capital Chang'an, Cui was unable to flee; he was then executed by Huang's new state of Qi.-...
. Further, he was plotting a surprise attack on Huang, hoping to restore Emperor Xizong. When this was discovered, he was executed, along with his family.