Zhang Chang (; died 48 BC),

courtesy name A courtesy name ( zh, s=字, p=zì, l=character), also known as a style name, is an additional name bestowed upon individuals at adulthood, complementing their given name. This tradition is prevalent in the East Asian cultural sphere, particula ...

Zigao (子高), was a

Han dynasty The Han dynasty was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China (202 BC9 AD, 25–220 AD) established by Liu Bang and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–206 BC ...

scholar and official who flourished in the reign of

Emperor Xuan of Han Emperor Xuan of Han (; 91 BC – 10 January 48 BC), born Liu Bingyi (劉病已), was the tenth emperor of the Han dynasty, reigning from 74 to 48 BC, and was one of the only four Western Han emperors to receive a temple name (along with Empero ...

. He first attracted attention by denouncing the irregular conduct of Prince He of Changyi, who was promptly disgraced upon his representations. He became Governor of Shanyang in

Shandong Shandong is a coastal Provinces of China, province in East China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history since the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River. It has served as a pivotal cultural ...

, and successfully coped with the brigandage and rebellious spirit which prevailed. In 61 BC he was promoted to be Governor of the Metropolitan District. In this capacity he took part in all the councils of State; and his advice, based upon his wide knowledge of history, was always received with deference. In every way he ruled wisely and well; and it was said that, owing to his vigilance, "the alarm drum was not struck for nine years." He then became mixed up in the affair of Yang Yun (a grandson of

Sima Qian Sima Qian () was a Chinese historian during the early Han dynasty. He is considered the father of Chinese historiography for the ''Shiji'' (sometimes translated into English as ''Records of the Grand Historian''), a general history of China cov ...

), and was dismissed from office. Whereupon there was such an increase of seditious manifestations throughout Jizhou (冀) in

Zhili Zhili, alternately romanized as Chihli, was a northern administrative region of China since the 14th century that lasted through the Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty until 1911, when the region was dissolved, converted to a province, and renamed ...

, that the Emperor appointed him governor of that district, and the disturbances came at once to an end. He died just as the Emperor Yuandi was about to bestow upon him further honours. He was especially famous for his acquaintance with the early forms of

Chinese character Chinese characters are logographs used to write the Chinese languages and others from regions historically influenced by Chinese culture. Of the four independently invented writing systems accepted by scholars, they represent the only on ...

s, and for his profound knowledge of the ''

Spring and Autumn Annals The ''Spring and Autumn Annals'' is an ancient Chinese chronicle that has been one of the core Chinese classics since ancient times. ''The Annals'' is the official chronicle of the State of Lu, and covers a 242-year period from 722 to 481&nbs ...

''. He made a practice of painting his wife's eyebrows; and when the Emperor enquired him on the point, he replied that this was a matter of the highest importance to women.

References

{{China-bio-stub Han dynasty government officials 48 BC deaths Year of birth unknown Politicians from Linfen