Five Dynasties · Soldier

Zhang Yan 張彥

Attested AD 915

Passages: 5
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Zhang Yan was a Soldier.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 915 天祐十二年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 28, passage 103

Career and standing

Executed
Execution · Authority Cunxu (帝)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 28, passage 111

Events and relationships

Led Wei army mutiny
Political · Mutiny leader
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 28, passage 103

References in the histories

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 28Volume 28 Book of Later Tang 4: Zhuangzong Annals 2 · 5 passages

軍士有張彥者，素實凶暴，為亂軍之首，迫德倫上章請卻復六州之地，梁主不從，遂迫德倫歸於帝，且乞師為援。 A soldier named Zhang Yan, brutal by nature, led the mutiny; he made Delun petition for the six prefectures back, and when the Liang Founder refused he drove Delun to the Emperor and asked for an army.

賀德倫遣從事司空頲至軍，密啟張彥狂勃之狀，且曰：「若不剪此亂階，恐貽後悔。」 Delun sent his aide Sikong Yan in secret to report Zhang Yan's violence and say, "Unless this trouble is rooted out, we will regret it."

張彥謁見，以銀槍效節五百人從，皆被甲持兵以自衛。 Zhang Yan came to audience with five hundred Silver Spear guards in armor, weapons in hand.

遽令斬彥及同惡者七人，軍士股栗，帝親加慰撫而退。 He had Yan and seven ringleaders cut down at once; the troops shook with fear; then he soothed them and withdrew.

翌日，帝輕裘緩策而進，令張彥部下軍士被甲持兵，環馬而從，命為帳前銀槍，眾心大服。 Next day he rode forward in light dress, had Yan's men arm and ring his horse, made them his Silver Spears before the tent, and won the army over.