zhāng 张

Zhang Yi (?-309 BC) A native of the State of Wei during the Warring States period. He served as the prime minister of King Hui of Qin. He advocated the "Horizontal Alliance" strategy, persuading the six states to break the Vertical Alliance and submit to Qin. After the death of King Hui, the six states re - formed the Vertical Alliance against Qin. Slandered by the officials, he left Qin and became the prime minister of Wei, and died one year later. Zhang Liang (?-186 BC) With the courtesy name Zifang. A famous official in the early Han Dynasty. He was originally a prince of the State of Han. After Qin destroyed Han, he wanted to avenge his state, so he sent someone to assassinate Emperor Shi Huang of Qin in Bolangsha, but failed. Then he changed his name and lived in seclusion in Xiapi. He received the Art of War from an old man on the bridge. Later, he planned for Emperor Gaozu to pacify the world and was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Liu. In his later years, he was interested in Huang - Lao Taoism and learned the art of fasting. He was posthumously titled Marquis Wencheng. Zhang Daoling (34 - 155 AD) The real founder of Taoism. His original name was Ling. He was from Peiguo (north - west of today's Suxian County, Anhui Province) in the Eastern Han Dynasty. He used talismans and incantations to attract followers, who had to pay five dou of rice as tuition. The sect he founded was called the Five - Dou - Rice Taoism. He was also known as the Celestial Master Zhang. Zhang Fei (?-271 AD) With the courtesy name Yide, also written as Yide. A native of Zhuo County (today's Zhuoxian County, Hebei Province) in the Shu Han of the Three Kingdoms. He served with Guan Yu under Liu Bei in his youth and was known as a warrior of matchless strength. He was promoted to the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Xixiang. When Liu Bei attacked the State of Wu, Zhang Fei was going to lead his troops to join the campaign, but was killed by his subordinates before setting out. He was posthumously titled Marquis Huan. Zhang Lihua A concubine of Emperor Houzhu of the Chen Dynasty in the Southern Dynasties. She was extremely beautiful and had a good memory. Emperor Houzhu often held her on his knees and discussed military and state affairs with her. After the fall of the state, she and the emperor hid in a well and were captured and beheaded by the Sui army. Later, she was enshrined as the flower goddess of hibiscus in October. Zhang Guolao Zhang Juzheng (1525 - 1582 AD) With the courtesy name Shuda and the pseudonym Taiyue. A native of Jiangling in the Ming Dynasty. He entered the Grand Secretariat during the reign of Emperor Muzong and became the chief grand secretary during the reign of Emperor Shenzong. He emphasized the matching of names with deeds, strictly enforced rewards and punishments, rectified the discipline, and implemented the Single - Whip Law. During his ten - year tenure as the prime minister, the country was well - governed. He was posthumously titled Marquis Wenzhong. He wrote works such as Taiyue Collection and Illustrations of Lessons for the Emperor. Zhang Qian (?-114 BC) With the courtesy name Ziwen. A native of Chenggu (today's Chenggu County, Shaanxi Province) in the Western Han Dynasty. He was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Bowang for his military achievements during the reign of Emperor Wu. Then he was appointed as the General of the Palace Gentlemen. He led an embassy to Wusun and sent deputy envoys to Dayuan, Kangju, Daxia, etc. Since then, the north - western states started to have contacts with the Han Dynasty, which enabled the Han Dynasty to communicate with Central Asia, opened up the north and south routes to the Western Regions, and introduced fine horse breeds, grapes, alfalfa, etc. Zhang Xu With the courtesy name Bogao. A native of Wu (today's Suzhou, Jiangsu Province) in the Tang Dynasty. His birth and death years are unknown. He was a famous calligrapher, especially well - known for his cursive script and was called the "Sage of Cursive Script". His calligraphy had a unique style with magnificent and continuous strokes. He was known as one of the "Three Wonders" together with Li Bai's poems and Pei Min's sword - dancing. It is said that he often got drunk, shouted and ran wildly, and then wrote with abandon. Sometimes he even dipped his hair in ink to write, so he was also known as the Mad Calligrapher Zhang. Zhang Shicheng (1321 - 1367 AD) With the nickname Jiusi. A native of Taizhou (today's Taixian County, Jiangsu Province) in the Yuan Dynasty. One of the leaders of the rebels at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. He was originally engaged in the salt - transportation business. Later, he occupied Wuzhong and proclaimed himself the King of Wu. Eventually, he was captured by Xu Da and Chang Yuchun, generals of the Ming Dynasty, and committed suicide. Zhang Sanfeng His birth and death years are unknown. A Taoist priest in Wudang in the Song Dynasty. He created the Taijiquan, which was very famous at that time. His martial arts style was passed down to later generations and was called the Neijia Boxing or the Wudang School. He was also written as Zhang Sanfeng. (2) His name was Quan, also known as Junbao, with the pseudonym Sanfeng. He was from Yizhou (today's Heishan County) in Liaodong in the Ming Dynasty. His birth and death years are unknown. Because he was slovenly in appearance, he was also called the Ragged Zhang. It was said that he could fast for several months without hunger and could foretell events. Both Emperor Taizu and Emperor Chengzu tried to find him but failed. He was posthumously honored as the True Man of Penetrating Vision and Manifest Transformation by Emperor Yingzong.