Writers › Writer / Poet
Zhang Yuanqian
Poet of the Northern-to-Southern Song transition, courtesy name Zhongzong, who joined Li Gang's staff against the Jin and wrote two Helang lyrics, to Li Gang and to Hu Quan, in a stirring, sorrowful tone; author of the Luchuan Ci.
In a study at night, a desk holds a brush pot, a porcelain vase with a plum branch, a lit red lantern, a folded fan and an unrolled blank scroll, with no one seated there, while through a round window the moon rises over a lake with a sailboat.
Also known as Courtesy name Zhongzong · Style name Layman of Luchuan · Style name Recluse of Zhenyin
Zhang Yuanqian, courtesy name Zhongzong, styled Layman of Luchuan and Recluse of Zhenyin, was from Yongfu in Fuzhou (modern Yongtai, Fujian) and was born in 1091. He entered office around the Zhenghe years, joined Li Gang's staff in 1126 for the defence of the capital and resistance to the Jin, was later pushed out, and resigned in 1131. In 1151 he was arrested and struck from the rolls by Qin Hui's faction over his lyrics. His two Helang lyrics, one to Prime Minister Li Gang and one sending off Hu Quan, are stirring and sorrowful, and his Luchuan Ci holds about 180 lyrics.
Life and times
Dates 1091–c. 1161 CE (death year variously given as 1161 or 1170)