Zhang Yi (c. 166 – 230),[a] courtesy name Junsi, was an official of the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period of China.
Zhang Yi | |
|---|---|
| 張裔 | |
| General Who Assists Han (輔漢將軍) | |
| In office 229–230 | |
| Monarch | Liu Shan |
| Chief Clerk to the Imperial Chancellor (丞相長史) | |
| In office 228–230 | |
| Monarch | Liu Shan |
| Chancellor | Zhuge Liang |
| Colonel of Trainee Archers (射聲校尉) | |
| In office 228–230 | |
| Monarch | Liu Shan |
| Chancellor | Zhuge Liang |
| Administrator of Yizhou (Commandery) (益州太守) | |
| In office 223–228 | |
| Monarch | Liu Shan |
| Chancellor | Zhuge Liang |
| Administrator of Ba Commandery (巴郡太守) | |
| In office 214–? | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 166[a] Chengdu, Sichuan |
| Died | 230 (aged 64)[a] |
| Children |
|
| Occupation | Official |
| Courtesy name | Junsi (君嗣) |
Serving the Yi Province government
editZhang Yi was from Chengdu, the capital of Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing). He was an avid reader of the Gongyang Zhuan and studied conscientiously the Book of Han along with the Records of the Grand Historian. When Xu Jing (Three Kingdoms) from Runan who was famous for his appraisals entered the Yi Province. He praised Zhang Yi as a nimble man in actions and perspicacious in reasons; even said that he was the equivalent of Zhong Yao from the central plains. He started his official career after Liu Zhang, the Governor of Yi Province, nominated him as a xiaolian (civil service candidate), later assigned as the Chief of Yufu. And was recalled to serve as an official in the Yi's staff.[1]
Between 212 and 214, when conflict broke out between Liu Zhang and another warlord Liu Bei, Liu Zhang sent Zhang Yi to Deyang County to block Liu Bei's reinforcements from entering Yi Province. However, Liu Bei's general Zhang Fei defeated the force led by Zhang Yi, who was forced to return to Chengdu. In 214, as Liu Bei's forces besieged Liu Zhang in Chengdu, Liu Zhang sent Zhang Yi as his envoy to negotiate the terms of surrender with Liu Bei. Liu Bei reassured the people of his intention and promised that he would treat Liu Zhang well if he surrendered, which Liu Zhang did.[2]
Liu Bei's adviser, Zhuge Liang, named Zhang Yi as one of the most capable officials who served under Liu Zhang, and urged Liu Bei to employ him. Liu Bei then appointed Zhang Yi as the Administrator (太守) of Ba Commandery (巴郡) and was promoted to Managing Metal Internal Cadet General. Here, he managed the manufacture of the warfare equipment and the production and distribution of the agriculture.[3]
In late 222 or early 223, after Liu Bei lost the Battle of Xiaoting against his ally-turned-rival Sun Quan, the local tribes in southern Yizhou Commandery (益州郡; covering parts of present-day Yunnan), led by an elderly Yong Kai (雍闓) who was known as a kind man and trusted by them started a rebellion, killed Zheng Ang (正昂) the Shu-appointed Administrator of Jianning Commandery and secretly communicates with Sun Quan. Zhang Yi was sent to reclaim the prefecture, Yong Kai at first pretended that he wanted to yield but later refused to meet him. Then, he falsely declared that Zhang Yi is like a gourd; although impressed by his appearance, his inside is empty. After that, the rebels captured Zhang Yi but did not dare to kill him and instead sent him as a captive to Sun Quan.[4]
As a prisoner of Wu
editAround 223, when the states of Shu Han and Eastern Wu reestablished their alliance against their rival state Cao Wei, Zhuge Liang, who had become Imperial Chancellor of Shu, sent Deng Zhi as an envoy to Wu to meet its ruler, Sun Quan. One of Deng Zhi's tasks was to seek the release of Zhang Yi and bring him back to Shu. Only then did Sun Quan meet Zhang Yi for the first time after he had been imprisoned for several years; he agreed to have him freed.[5]
During the farewell banquet he held before sending Deng Zhi off, Sun Quan spoke to Zhang Yi and was very impressed with him. Later, after Zhang Yi left with Deng Zhi, Sun Quan regretted letting Zhang Yi leave because he wanted to recruit Zhang Yi to serve under him. He then sent his men to pursue them and bring Zhang Yi back, but from the moment he left Zhang Yi already regretted showing his wit and sensed that Sun Quan did not want to let him leave, had sped up his journey day and night upon leaving Wu and returned to Shu just one day ahead of Sun Quan's men.[6]
Service in the Chancellor's office
editAfter his return to Shu, Zhang Yi served as an Army Adviser under Zhuge Liang and as an Assistant Officer at General Headquarters in Yi Province. Around 227, when Zhuge Liang launched the first of a series of military campaigns against Shu's rival state Wei, he appointed Zhang Yi as Colonel of Trainee Archers (射聲校尉) and Chief Clerk (長史) in the Imperial Chancellor's office.[7]
He often declared that:
"Just rewards cannot omit the distant and sanctions shouldn't spare close persons. High rank must not be obtained without great achievements and punishment should not be because of family ties be forgotten. This is the sole reason why anyone from the common people to the men of high importance can do their best."[8]
Zhang Yi did not join Zhuge Liang at the frontline and instead took charge of communications between Zhuge Liang and the Shu central government in Chengdu. As Zhuge Liang wanted to review everything before making a decision, Zhang Yi had to travel north to Hanzhong Commandery, where Zhuge Liang was stationed, to seek his opinion on key policy issues. As Zhang Yi left Chengdu, the road was full of people since hundreds of them lined the streets to bid him farewell.[9]
He wrote back to those close to him:
"Since I walk this road; I receive guests day and night. Never I can find rest. People respect the Chancellor's Chief Clerk; and I this Zhang Junsi is just attached to him. I shall work tirelessly to the death."[10]
His writing style was as such; often swift and eloquent.[11]
In his later career, Zhang Yi was appointed as General Who Assists Han (輔漢將軍) but remained as Chief Clerk in Zhuge Liang's office. He died in 230 at around the age of 64. His two sons, Zhang Mu (張毣) and Zhang Yu (張郁), continued serving as officials in Shu; with Mao succeeding him and serving successively in three commanderies as Administrator.[12]
Appraisal
editDuring his adulthood, Zhang Yi was close friend with a man of Qianwei, Yang Gong (楊恭), but Yang Gong died in his young age. His orphans were still children therefore Zhang Yi took them in his own residence and cared for them. He also treated Yang Gong's mother as if she was his own mother. When Yang Gong's children became adults, Zhang Yi bought fields and houses for their property and helped them to find wives and employment. He looked after his old friends, cared and supported the orphaned and fallen clans. His behaviour was as such and of utmost virtue.[13]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ a b c According to the Sanguozhi, Zhang Yi, who conversing with Sun Quan prior to his release, stated, "At 58 (by East Asian age reckoning), I have already outlived my parents." This implies, but does not definitely show that he was 57 when Sun Quan released him, which was probably in 223 since that was the year when Deng Zhi visited Sun Quan, according to the Zizhi Tongjian vol. 70
References
edit- ^ (張裔字君嗣，蜀郡成都人也。治公羊春秋，博涉史、漢。汝南許文休入蜀，謂裔幹理敏捷，是中夏鍾元常之倫也。劉璋時，舉孝廉，為魚復長，還州署從事，領帳下司馬。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (張飛自荊州由墊江入，璋授裔兵，拒張飛於德陽陌下，軍敗，還成都。為璋奉使詣先主，先主許以禮其君而安其人也，裔還，城門乃開。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (先主以裔為巴郡太守，還為司金中郎將，典作農戰之器。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (先是，益州郡殺太守正昂，耆率雍闓恩信著於南土，使命周旋，遠通孫權。乃以裔為益州太守，徑往至郡。闓遂趦趄不賓，假鬼教曰：「張府君如瓠壺，外雖澤而內實麤，不足殺，令縛與吳。」於是遂送裔於權。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (會先主薨，諸葛亮遣鄧芝使吳，亮令芝言次可從權請裔。裔自至吳數年，流徙伏匿，權未之知也，故許芝遣裔。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (會先主薨，諸葛亮遣鄧芝使吳，亮令芝言次可從權請裔。裔自至吳數年，流徙伏匿，權未之知也，故許芝遣裔。裔臨發，權乃引見，問裔曰：「蜀卓氏寡女，亡奔司馬相如，貴土風俗何以乃爾乎？」裔對曰：「愚以卓氏之寡女，猶賢於買臣之妻。」權又謂裔曰：「君還，必用事西朝，終不作田父於閭里也，將何以報我？」裔對曰：「裔負罪而歸，將委命有司。若蒙徼倖得全首領，五十八已前父母之年也，自此已後大王之賜也。」權言笑歡悅，有器裔之色。裔出閤，深悔不能陽愚，即便就船，倍道兼行。權果追之，裔已入永安界數十里，追者不能及。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (既至蜀，丞相亮以為參軍，署府事，又領益州治中從事。亮出駐漢中，裔以射聲校尉領留府長吏，) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (常稱曰：「公賞不遺遠，罰不阿近，爵不可以無功取，刑不可以貴勢免，此賢愚之所以僉忘其身者也。」) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (其明年，北詣亮諮事，送者數百，車乘盈路，) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (裔還書與所親曰：「近者涉道，晝夜接賓，不得寧息，人自敬丞相長史，男子張君嗣附之，疲倦欲死。」) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (其談啁流速，皆此類也。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (加輔漢將軍，領長史如故。建興八年卒。子毣嗣，毣音忙角反，見字林，曰「毣，思貌也」。歷三郡守監軍。毣弟都，太子中庶子。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (少與犍為楊恭友善，恭早死，遺孤未數歲，裔迎留，與分屋而居，事恭母如母。恭之子息長大，為之娶婦，買田宅產業，使立門戶。撫恤故舊，振贍衰宗，行義甚至。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi).
- Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).