16 Facts About Zhang Chonghua

Zhang Chonghua, courtesy name Tailin, formally Duke Jinglie of Xiping or Duke Huan of Xiping was a ruler of the Chinese state Former Liang.

Zhang Chonghua's father was Zhang Chonghua Jun, who had become the ruler of Former Liang in 324.

In 339, at age 12, Zhang Chonghua received some authority and the title of acting governor of Liang Province.

In early 346, when Zhang Chonghua's father divided his domain into three provinces, he became the governor of Liang Province.

Zhang Chonghua honored his father's wife Princess Yan as Grand Princess Dowager and his mother Lady Ma as Princess Dowager.

Zhang Chonghua appeared to be a mediocre ruler, as he was criticized for spending too much time in games and pleasure.

Zhang Chonghua tended to trust flattering attendants, even though he was not criticized for being cruel or extravagant.

In 349, Suo Zhen tried to persuade him to spend less time on games and not to reward his attendants with too much money, but while Zhang Chonghua thanked him and rewarded him, he did not appear to change his ways significantly.

Zhang Chonghua commissioned Xie Ai to lead his army, and Xie was able to defeat Ma and Wang's forces in 346 and again in 347, forcing them to retreat from their original plans to destroy Former Liang, but the land south of the Yellow River could not be recovered.

Zhang Chonghua tried to persuade Yu to grant him that title, but Yu would not, and so he detained Yu.

Zhang Chonghua appeared to have largely stood by as Later Zhao collapsed during 349 to 351.

In late 352 or early 353, the ex-Later Zhao general Wang Zhuo, who had been holding parts of modern eastern Gansu and who had declared loyalty to Former Yan, could not resist Former Qin forces and surrendered to Zhang Chonghua, who treated him well, intending to use him as a general against Former Qin.

Zhang Chonghua then submitted a petition to Emperor Mu of Jin, requesting a campaign against Former Qin.

Later that year, Zhang Chonghua grew ill, and he designated his nine-year-old son Zhang Chonghua Yaoling to be his heir apparent.

Xie submitted a petition accusing Zhang Zuo and Zhao of plotting, and in winter of that year, when Zhang Chonghua grew gravely ill, he tried to summon Xie back to the capital to serve as Zhang Yaoling's regent, but the order was seized by Zhang Zuo and Zhao and never announced.

Zhang Chonghua was succeeded by Zhang Chonghua Yaoling, under the title Duke of Xiping.