张

CIVILIZATION DOSSIER

Zhang Changzong张昌宗

TangHistory × Fiction

Younger brother of Zhang Yizhi, involved in rebellion, executed.

Open this figure in the atlas ↗ Read the key relationships and their sources ↓
DIRECT FIGURES
14
RELATION RECORDS
20
SOURCE WORKS
3

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Zhang Changzong, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

2 figures · 2 records
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

5 figures · 6 records
1 more in the complete record
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

9 figures · 9 records
6 more in the complete record
04
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

3 figures · 3 records
Complete relationships and verbatim sources ↓Open in the civilization atlas ↗

12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

In history · Old Book of Tang

Younger brother of Zhang Yizhi, involved in rebellion, executed. Descendant of Zhang Xingcheng, favorite of Empress Wu, later killed. Brother of Zhang Yizhi, involved in framing Wei Yuanzhong.

In fiction · New Book of Tang · Romance of Sui and Tang

Brother of Zhang Yizhi, recommended to the Empress Dowager. Favorite of the Empress Dowager, participated in poetry gatherings. Favorite of the Empress Dowager, held the post of Fengchen Ling, slandered Wei Yuanzhong, later attempted to seize the throne.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. Official history

    Old Book of Tang

    24 profile notes
    12 relations20 verified quotations
    • Wu Zetian→ favor →Zhang Changzong
    • Song Jing→ impeach →Zhang Changzong
    • Princess Taiping→ recommend →Zhang Changzong
    • Wu Sansi→ serve →Zhang Changzong
    Verified original text · 20
    1. 则天春秋高，政事多委易之兄弟

      favor · Old Book of Tang, 于志宁高季辅张行成传

    2. 初为宠臣张易之及其弟昌宗置控鹤府官员

      favor · Old Book of Tang, 则天皇后本纪

    18 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. Literature / legend

    Romance of Sui and Tang

    5 profile notes
    4 relations4 verified quotations
    • Wu Zetian→ favor →Zhang Changzong
    • Wu Sansi→ serve →Zhang Changzong
    • Zhang Changzong→ slander →Wei Yuanzhong
    • Zhang Jianzhi→ kill →Zhang Changzong
    Verified original text · 4
    1. 太后笑道：“……还是莲花似六郎耳。”

      favorite minister · Romance of Sui and Tang, 074

    2. 遂荐昌宗兄弟于太后

      recommend · Romance of Sui and Tang, 072

    2 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  3. Official history

    New Book of Tang

    13 profile notes
    16 relations16 verified quotations
    • Wu Zetian→ favor →Zhang Changzong
    • Zhang Changzong→ rebel →Wu Zetian
    • Wu Zetian→ favor →Zhang Changzong
    • Zhang Changzong→ serve →Wu Zetian
    Verified original text · 16
    1. 即日拜昌宗云麾将军

      appoint official · New Book of Tang, 于志宁曾孙 休烈四世孙 敖附 庞严五世孙 琮高冯张行成族子 易之 昌宗传

    2. 昌宗恐后不讳，祸且及，乃引支党日夜与谋为不轨事

      rebel · New Book of Tang, 于志宁曾孙 休烈四世孙 敖附 庞严五世孙 琮高冯张行成族子 易之 昌宗传

    14 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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History vs. fiction

In the official history, Zhang Changzong was favored for his handsome appearance and wielded power, and was executed in a coup. The novel faithfully reproduces the process of his execution.

  • attestedZhang Changzong's favor in the palace and his execution in the Shenlong Coup

    The Old Book of Tang, Annals of Zhongzong and Ruizong, records that in the first month of the first year of Shenlong, Zhang Jianzhi and others 'led the imperial guards to execute Yi Zhi and Chang Zong' and welcomed Zhongzong back to the throne. The Sui and Tang Romance, Chapter 75, details the Five Kings raising troops to eliminate the Two Zhangs, and 'presented the heads of Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi for verification', ending their arbitrary exercise of power. The fact of their execution is completely consistent with the official historical records.

Relationship network

15 figures · 72 links
Zhang ChangzongZhang ChangzongWu ZetianWu ZetianSong JingSong JingPrincess TaipingPrincess TaipingWu SansiWu SansiZhang YizhiZhang YizhiLai JunchenLai JunchenWei YuanzhongWei YuanzhongHuan YanfanHuan YanfanZhang JianzhiZhang JianzhiJing HuiJing HuiEmpress WeiLi YongYang ZaisiCrown Prince
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: New Book of Tang, 三宗诸子传; Old Book of Tang, 中宗睿宗本纪; Romance of Sui and Tang, 072; New Book of Tang, 于志宁曾孙 休烈四世孙 敖附 庞严五世孙 琮高冯张行成族子 易之 昌宗传; Old Book of Tang, 于志宁高季辅张行成传; Romance of Sui and Tang, 074; New Book of Tang, 五王传; Old Book of Tang, 刘幽求锺绍京郭元振张说传

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.