Zhang Guaiya Collection

Author: [Song] Zhang Yong / Zhang Qifan, compiled
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: "To be unconventional is to defy the crowd; the cliff is not beneficial to things. The name 'Zhang Guaiya' is merely to express virtue." This is the self-praise inscribed by Zhang Yong for his portrait of Zhang Ji. Later, not only was Zhang Ji known as Zhang Guaiya, but his collected works were also named after him as Zhang Guaiya Collection. Zhang Yong (946–1015) was a highly influential minister in the early Song Dynasty, particularly renowned for his governance in Sichuan. During the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, the discussions of scholars even ranked him alongside Zhao Pu and Kou Zhen, considering him one of the three most accomplished officials since the establishment of the Song Dynasty. However, studies on Zhang Yong remain rare, as the author has only encountered Wu Tianchi's article "Collected Accounts of Zhang Yong's Governance in Sichuan," published in the 31st issue of the Historical Quarterly in 1940. This article primarily describes Zhang Yong's governance in Sichuan, with some additional content. Therefore, without hesitation, the author has conducted a detailed examination of Zhang Yong's writings to fill the gaps.