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Zhang Jianzhi张柬之

TangHistory × Fiction

Vice Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion, participated in the killing of Zhang Yizhi and his brother, later enfeoffed as the Prince of Hanyang Commandery.

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DIRECT FIGURES
10
RELATION RECORDS
16
SOURCE WORKS
3

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Zhang Jianzhi, and the people around them.

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

01
MENTORSHIP

Mentorship

Teachers, disciples and transmission

1 figure · 1 record
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

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

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

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

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

3 figures · 3 records
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12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

In history · Old Book of Tang

Vice Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion, participated in the killing of Zhang Yizhi and his brother, later enfeoffed as the Prince of Hanyang Commandery.; Restored official titles; Grand Councilor, raised troops to eliminate the two Zhangs.

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

Son of Zhang's mother, entered court the next day to thank the emperor.; Grand minister, conspired with five others to eliminate the two Zhangs.; One of the Five Kings, launched a coup to eliminate the two Zhangs, later framed by Wu Sansi.

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

    16 profile notes
    8 relations12 verified quotations
    • Wu Zetian→ summon for audience →Zhang Jianzhi
    • Emperor Zhongzong of Tang→ reward →Zhang Jianzhi
    • Wu Sansi→ frame →Zhang Jianzhi
    • Zhang Jianzhi→ kill →Zhang Yizhi
    Verified original text · 12
    1. 则天登时召见，寻同凤阁鸾台平章事

      summon for audience · Old Book of Tang, 桓彦范敬晖崔玄𬀩张柬之袁恕己|previous=王及善杜景俭朱敬则杨再思李怀远豆卢钦望传

    2. 中宗即位，以功擢拜天官尚书

      reward · Old Book of Tang, 桓彦范敬晖崔玄𬀩张柬之袁恕己|previous=王及善杜景俭朱敬则杨再思李怀远豆卢钦望传

    10 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. Literature / legend

    Romance of Sui and Tang

    3 profile notes
    5 relations4 verified quotations
    • Emperor Zhongzong of Tang→ reward →Zhang Jianzhi
    • Zhang Jianzhi→ plan restore →Emperor Zhongzong of Tang
    • Wu Sansi→ frame →Zhang Jianzhi
    • Zhang Jianzhi→ kill →Zhang Yizhi
    Verified original text · 4
    1. 当封汝等为王

      enfeoff king · Romance of Sui and Tang, 075

    2. 臣等幽怀向欲面奏

      plan restore · Romance of Sui and Tang, 075

    2 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  3. Official history

    New Book of Tang

    13 profile notes
    11 relations14 verified quotations
    • Wu Zetian→ overthrow →Zhang Jianzhi
    • Emperor Zhongzong of Tang→ reward →Zhang Jianzhi
    • Zhang Jianzhi→ plan restore →Emperor Zhongzong of Tang
    • Wu Hou→ appoint →Zhang Jianzhi
    Verified original text · 14
    1. 宰相张柬之与崔玄𬀩等建策，请中宗以兵入诛易之、昌宗

      overthrow · New Book of Tang, 后妃传上

    2. 张柬之为中书令。

      confer title · New Book of Tang, 则天皇后中宗本纪

    12 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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History vs. fiction

In the official history, Zhang Jianzhi initiated the Shenlong Coup to eliminate the two Zhangs and restore Emperor Zhongzong, and the novel faithfully dramatizes the course of the coup.

  • attestedZhang Jianzhi was the chief plotter of the Shenlong Coup to eliminate the two Zhangs and restore Tang.

    The Old Book of Tang, Biography of Zhang Jianzhi, records that Zhang Jianzhi first proposed the coup, 'and when killing Zhang Yizhi and his brother, Zhang Jianzhi was the chief plotter.' After Emperor Zhongzong ascended the throne, he was enfeoffed as Prince of Hanyang. Xue Jichang advised him to eliminate Wu Sansi, but he did not follow; Xue sighed that although the two villains were eliminated, the offspring of Lu and Lu remained. In the 75th chapter of Romance of Sui and Tang, it is written that Zhang Jianzhi and others led troops into the inner palace, 'It turned out that Zhang Jianzhi and others had already led troops to the central palace, and it happened that the two Zhangs were sleeping soundly with Empress Wu, unable to avoid, and were killed by the soldiers, one each, both killed,' and welcomed Emperor Zhongzong to restore the throne. The plot matches the official history.

Relationship network

11 figures · 57 links
Zhang JianzhiZhang JianzhiWu ZetianWu ZetianEmperor Zhongzong of TangEmperor Zhongzong of TangWu HouWu HouWu SansiWu SansiZhang YizhiZhang YizhiYao ChongYao ChongZhang ChangzongZhang ChangzongHuan YanfanHuan YanfanLinghu DefenLinghu DefenLi DuozuoLi Duozuo
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, 071; 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, 075; New Book of Tang, 五王传; Old Book of Tang, 冯盎阿史那社尔契苾何力黑齿常之李多祚李嗣业白孝德传

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.