Zhang Zuo

The eldest son, Zhang Jun , who, for some unknown reason, made his second son Zhang Chonghua his heir. He had the title of “Changning Hou ” (長寧 侯). When Zhang Chonghua ascended the throne, he trusted his elder brother, and for a long time believed that he would be regent under his heir, Zhang Yaolin . In the year 353, he became ill, Zhang Chonghua, however, decided to appoint General Xie Ai as regent with his son, but Zhang Zuo intercepted this order and instead forged the order to appoint himself regent. After the death of Zhang Chonghua, the 9-year-old Zhang Yaolin formally ascended the throne, but the real power was in the hands of Zhang Zuo.

Zhang Zuo entered into a relationship with Zhang Chonghua’s mother and, having secured her support, ousted Zhang Yaolin at the beginning of 354 and sat on the throne himself. Soon after, he committed an act to which his predecessors did not dare: he officially abandoned the reckoning of the Jin Empire and introduced his own. His predecessors used the Jin title of “Sipin specific guna ” (西 平 郡公) - he took on a new, higher one (sources differ on which one: “ The Book of Jin ” claims that he proclaimed himself emperor, and “ Zi ji tong jian "- that the Prince of Liang (凉 王)).

Soon, Jin General Huan Wen launched an attack on the Early Qin State. Zhang Zuo sent General Wang Zhuo to help Jin General Sima Xun, who commanded auxiliary forces at Huan Wen, and Wang Zhuo sent a report that Huan Wen has great ambitions and leads a large army. Zhang Zu panicked, tried to kill Wang Zhuo (but did not succeed), and began to assemble a large army so that if Huan Wen destroys Early Qin and then turns against Early Liang, resist him, or at least be able to escape . However, Huan Wen was forced to turn back due to lack of food, and Zhang Zuo attacked Wang Zhuo, who then switched to the side of Early Qin.

Shortly afterwards, generals Zhang Guan and Song Hun rebelled against Zhang Zuo, who decided to return the throne to Zhang Yaolin. Upon learning of this, Zhang Zuo killed Zhang Yaolin, but the rebel generals continued on their way to the capital Guzang , where, as they approached, Zhang Guan’s brother Zhang Ju and his son Zhang Song revolted. Zhang Zuo was killed, and the younger brother of Zhang Yaolin, Zhang Xuanjing, was enthroned .

• Official Biographies of Zhang Gui and His Descendants in the Jin Book ( Chinese )
• The official biographies of the rulers of Early Liang in “ Springs and Autumn of Sixteen States ” ( Chinese )