Zhang Zuo was the only ruler of Former Liang to formally declare a break from Jin Dynasty, and historical sources variously report him as having declared himself an emperor or a prince.
16 Facts About Zhang Zuo
1.
2.
Zhang Zuo was commonly viewed as a usurper and initially not acknowledged as a Former Liang ruler, but his brother Zhang Tianxi later nevertheless gave him the posthumous name of Wei.
3.
Zhang Zuo's younger brother Zhang Chonghua was, even though neither was born of Zhang Jun's wife Princess Yan.
4.
Zhang Zuo, who had by this point engaged in an affair with Zhang Chonghua's mother Princess Dowager Ma, soon made his move to formally take over.
5.
Zhang Zuo completely repudiated the Jin era name Jianxing and changed the era name to Heping.
7.
Wang submitted a report to Zhang Zuo stating that Huan was capable of commanding large armies and had great ambition, which caused Zhang Zuo to panic.
8.
Zhang Zuo then mobilized his troops, ready to resist Huan or to flee in case Huan destroyed Former Qin and then turned his attention on him.
9.
Zhang Zuo's rule, according to traditional accounts, was one filled with debauchery, cruelty, and extravagance.
10.
Zhang Zuo was said to not only had an affair with Princess Dowager Ma, but committed incest with all of Zhang Chonghua's daughters.
11.
Zhang Zuo became apprehensive of his general Zhang Guan, so he sent Zhang Guan on an expedition, but sent another army to ambush him.
12.
The news leaked and Zhang Guan turned his army against the capital Guzang.
13.
Zhang Zuo declared that Zhang Zuo should be deposed and Zhang Yaoling should be restored.
14.
Zhang Zuo was joined by another major general, Song Hun.
15.
Zhang Zuo ordered that Zhang Guan's brother Zhang Ju and son Zhang Song be arrested and executed, but instead Zhang Ju and Zhang Son started an uprising within Guzang and opened the city gates to welcome in Song's forces.
16.
Guards still loyal to Zhang Zuo killed Zhao and Wei, but soon fell apart in the confusion, and Zhang Zuo was killed.