Zhang Jiuling

Zhang Jiuling , courtesy name Zishou, nickname Bowu, formally Count Wenxian of Shixing, was a prominent minister, noted poet and scholar of the Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong.


Zhang Jiuling was born in 678, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. His family was from Qujiang in Shao Prefecture, which was at the time a relatively remote area of the Tang empire. His family traced its ancestry to the Jin Dynasty chancellor Zhang Hua, and his First Son. His great-grandfather Zhang Junzheng served as the secretary general of Shao Prefecture, and therefore settled there. His grandfather Zhang Zizhou served as a county magistrate, and his father Zhang Hongyu served as a county secretary general.


Zhang Jiuling was said to be intelligent in his childhood and capable in literary skills. In 685, when he was 12, he had an occasion to write a letter to Wang Fangqing, then the prefect of Guang Prefecture. Wang was impressed and commented, 'This child will do great things in the future.' When the official Zhang Yue was exiled to the region, he met Zhang Jiuling and was impressed, and treated Zhang Jiuling with kindness. Zhang Jiuling later passed the imperial examinations and scored the highest on that occasion. He was made a Xiaoshu Lang, a clerk at the imperial institute Hongwen Paviliion. Later, while Li Longji was crown prince under his father Emperor Ruizong, he summoned those in the empire known for their literary talent and personally examined them. Zhang scored the highest on this occasion as well, and was made You Shiyi, a consultant at the legislative bureau of government.


In 712, Emperor Ruizong passed the throne to Li Longji, who took the throne as Emperor Xuanzong. For some time, though, Emperor Xuanzong did not sacrifice to heaven and earth outside of the capital Chang'an, as was customary for emperors. Zhang Jiuling submitted a petition asking him to carry out such sacrifices, and Emperor Xuanzong, following his advice, did so. In or around 713, he submitted a petition to the chancellor Yao Chong, pointing out the importance of a clean and fair civil service system, and Yao was impressed.


Zhang became known for his talent in understanding people's talents. At that time, Emperor Xuanzong had him and his colleague Zhao Dongxi decide the postings for the people selected for official service by the ministry of civil service affairs, and he and Zhao were considered fair and capable in finding the right posts for people. In 722, he became Sixun Yuanwailang, a low level official at the ministry of civil service affairs. At that time, Zhang Yue was a chancellor as Zhongshu Ling, and he considered Zhang Jiuling, as they had the same family name, like a brother, often stating, 'He will surely be the most distinguished poet.' Zhang Jiuling was also happy that Zhang Shuo appreciated his talent, and therefore became a follower of Zhang Yue's. In 723, he was made a Zhongshu Sheren, a mid-level official at the legislative bureau, serving under Zhang Yue.


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