Zhang Zhao

Zhang Zhao (156–236), courtesy name Zibu, was an official of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period.

Life

Zhang Zhao was born in present-day Jiangsu. A brilliant scholar, he devoted his life mainly to the study of Chinese classic texts. His fame as a scholar spread, and on the advice of Zhou Yu, Sun Ce personally invited Zhang Zhao to serve him as an advisor.

Zhang Zhao's proficiency in administrating civilian affairs was impressive, as before Sun Ce died, he told his successor Sun Quan, "Consult Zhang Zhao on internal affairs and Zhou Yu on external affairs." When Cao Cao led an army to attack Sun Quan, Zhang Zhao suggested to his lord to surrender to Cao, out of consideration for the populace and future of the Sun family. Sun Quan refused since Zhou Yu decided to trust Zhuge Liang and defeated Cao Cao with Liu Bei as his ally at the Battle of Red Cliffs.

Zhang Zhao lived until Sun Quan declared himself 'Emperor' and founded the state of Eastern Wu. He was famous for his bravery and devotion to Wu, as he viewed the state's interests as more important than his lord's. Whenever Sun Quan implemented a policy that did not benefit Wu, Zhang Zhao would criticise him.

Zhang Zhao (Qing dynasty)

Zhang Zhao (1691–1745), courtesy name Detian, pseudonym Jingnan, was a scholar and poet of the Qing dynasty.

A native of Jiangsu, Zhang obtained a jinshi (successful candidate) position in the imperial examination in 1709 and was employed in literary and examination work, rising in 1733 to be the Secretary of the Ministry of Justice. Two years later, he narrowly escaped execution for his failure to arrange the management of the aboriginal territories in Guizhou. He was again employed on literary work, and was joint compiler of the Lülü Zhengyi (律呂正義) and its sequel Houbian (後編) under the same name, the two standard treatises on music. His poems were much admired by the Yongzheng Emperor, who was especially struck with some verses written with his left hand after a fall from his horse had disabled his right arm. He died of grief for the loss of his father. In his Retrospect (懷舊詩, 1779) the Qianlong Emperor numbered him among his Five Men of Letters (五詞臣), the others being Qian Chenqun, Liang Shicheng, Shen Deqian, and Wang Yudun. He was given the posthumous name Wenmin (文敏).