Qin and Han · Grand Usher Favored by Empress Lü

Zhang Qing 張卿

Attested BC 186

Passages: 16
Chapters: 2
Histories: 2

Overview

The translated histories identify Zhang Qing as a courtier and official. This record brings together 16 passages from 2 chapters across 2 histories, with names, dates, relationships, offices, and events preserved as source-backed claims.

Names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal	Zhang Qing	張卿	Zhang Qing
Title	Grand Usher	大謁者	Dà Yèzhě
Title	Great Usher	大謁者	Da Yezhe
Alternate name	Zhang Qing	張卿	Zhāng Qīng
Personal name	Zhang Ziqing	張子卿	Zhāng Zǐqīng

Identity

Historicity: Historical
Identification: Named
Sex: Male

Sex: male
Explicit · hanshu:044:s0018, shiji:051:s0027

Roles

Courtier
Official

Life and dates

Attested activity

Source Date: Text: 二年 · Western Year: BC 186
Explicit event contextual date · shiji:051:s0027, shiji:051:s0042, shiji:051:s0047

Career and standing

Label: Grand Usher / 大謁者 · Action: held
Explicit · shiji:051:s0027
Great Usher / 大謁者
Explicit · hanshu:044:s0018

Events and relationships

Relation: favored-by · Person Id: Empress Lü (呂后)
Explicit · shiji:051:s0027

Assessments and attributes

Item: a thousand jin of gold / 千斤金 · Relation: bestowed · Other Person Id: Empress Lü (呂后)
Explicit · shiji:051:s0042

References in the histories

Open any source group to read the Chinese and English passage in context.

Book of Han, Chapter 44Volume 35: Princes of Jing, Yan and Wu · 8 passages

田生如長安，不見澤，而假大宅，令其子求事呂后所幸大謁者張卿。 Tian Sheng traveled to Chang’an, never called on Liu Ze, rented a large house, and arranged for his son to enter service under Zhang Qing, the great usher in the empress dowager’s intimate circle.

居數月，田生子請張卿臨，親脩具。 Months later the son invited Zhang Qing to dinner and oversaw every detail of the banquet himself.

張卿往，見田生帷帳具置如列侯。 When Zhang Qing arrived he found hangings and service fit for a marquis of the first rank.

張卿驚。 Zhang Qing was taken aback.

酒酣，乃屏人說張卿曰：「臣觀諸侯邸第百餘，皆高帝一切功臣。 When they were deep in their cups, Tian Sheng sent the servants away and said, “I have walked the lanes of over a hundred noble houses. Every one belongs to the merit ministers whom Gaozu enfeoffed wholesale at the founding.

張卿大然之，乃風大臣語太后。 Zhang Qing was convinced and privately coached the high ministers to approach the empress dowager.

太后賜張卿千金，張卿以其半進田生。 She bestowed a thousand catties of gold on Zhang Qing, who forwarded half to Tian Sheng.

張卿入言之。 Zhang Qing carried the plea inward.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 51Houses of Jing and Yan · 8 passages

田生如長安，不見澤，而假大宅，令其子求事呂后所幸大謁者張子卿。 Tian Sheng traveled to Chang'an but did not call upon Liu Ze. Instead, he rented a grand residence and had his son seek a position under Zhang Ziqing, the Grand Usher who enjoyed the special favor of Empress Lü.

居數月，田生子請張卿臨，親修具。 After several months, Tian Sheng's son invited Zhang Qing to visit, personally preparing an elaborate feast for the occasion.

張卿許往。 Zhang Qing accepted the invitation.

張卿驚。 Zhang Qing was taken aback.

酒酣，乃屏人說張卿曰：「臣觀諸侯王邸弟百餘，皆高祖一切功臣。 When the wine was flowing freely, Tian Sheng dismissed the attendants and spoke to Zhang Qing in confidence: 'I have observed that more than a hundred youths lodged at the feudal kings' mansions in the capital are all descendants of Emperor Gaozu's meritorious officials.

張卿大然之，乃風大臣語太后。 Zhang Qing wholeheartedly agreed and began dropping hints to the ministers, who then spoke to the Empress Dowager.

太后賜張卿千斤金，張卿以其半與田生。 The Empress Dowager rewarded Zhang Qing with a thousand jin of gold, and Zhang Qing gave half of it to Tian Sheng.

張卿入言，太后然之。 Zhang Qing entered the palace and presented the proposal. The Empress Dowager approved.