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Zhang Zai (Western Jin)

Western Jin writer styled Mengyang from Anping, one of the Three Zhangs with his brothers, known for the Jiange Inscription and Seven Sorrows.

Also known as Mengyang · Zhang Mengyang

Zhang Zai, courtesy name Mengyang, came from Anping in Boling and was a Western Jin writer, known with his brothers Zhang Xie and Zhang Kang as the Three Zhangs. He held posts from assistant editor to secretariat gentleman and, late in the War of the Eight Princes, pleaded illness, resigned and died. His Jiange Inscription, written on a journey to visit his father in Sichuan, is his best-known piece; about ten poems survive, including two Seven Sorrows, and his early rhapsody Mengsi Fu won Fu Xuan's praise.

Life and times

  1. UnknownBornThree KingdomsJinactive in the Western Jin from the Taikang era to the War of the Eight Princes (c. 280-306)
  2. UnknownDied

Works

  1. Literature · Rhapsodies1
    1. Inscription for Jiange PassJinZhang Zai at the Sword Pavilion pass: the gate of Shu is strong, but only virtue holds a state

Records

Zhang Zai begins as assistant writer and rises to Secretariat gentleman

Western Jin

Zhang Zai began as assistant in the Writers' Office and went out to fill the post of magistrate of Feixiang; later he was made Secretariat gentleman and again had charge of the writers. Seeing the age in disorder he had no wish to hold office again, pleaded grave illness, returned home and died there. His courtesy name was Mengyang, he was a native of Anping, and his father Zhang Shou had been governor of Shu commandery.

References (1)

Zhang Zai writes the Jiange inscription and the Mengsi fu

Western Jin

Zhang Zai wrote an inscription as a warning; the governor of Yizhou, Zhang Min, found it remarkable and reported it, and Emperor Wu sent an envoy to have it carved on Jiange mountain. He also wrote the Mengsi fu, which the colonel Fu Xuan admired, and by his praise Zhang Zai became known.

References (1)