, style name Bifeng, was from Zunhua County in Jizhou, Shuntian Prefecture. He held the status of a commoner and was a political figure during the
.
Life
In the sixteenth year of Jiajing (1537), Zhang Shouzhi ranked 44th in the provincial examination of Shuntian Prefecture and became a scholar. In the twenty-third year of Jiajing (1544), he passed the imperial examination as a Jinshi. The following year, he was appointed Magistrate of Jiading County, where his administrative performance was outstanding. Upon completing his term, he was promoted to Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel. He subsequently rose through the ranks to become Director of the Department of Appraisal and Selection.
Zhang Shouzhi was skilled at selecting talent and recommended figures such as Wang Xijie, Guo Tai, and Xu Shao. He did not flatter the powerful minister Yan Song. In May of the 38th year (1559), he was promoted to Vice Minister of the Board of Princes. In October of the 39th year (1560), he became Deputy Minister of the Board of Punishments, later transferring to the role of Chief Deputy Minister. He presided over the trial of Yan Shifan.
In March of the 41st year (1562), he was promoted to Minister of the Board of Princes and in June, transferred to become Minister of the Board of Ceremonies. In November of the 42nd year (1563), he was appointed Minister of the Board of Punishments. In May of the 44th year (1565), he was promoted to Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and became Chief Supervisor of Grain Storage, overseeing agricultural affairs in the Western Garden. He was known for his integrity throughout his career. In November, he was transferred to become Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Works, managing construction projects in the Western Palace, then serving as Left Deputy Minister.
In September of the 45th year (1566), he oversaw the restoration of the Xianling Mausoleum. In the first year of Longqing (1567), he was reassigned due to an inspection and became Minister of Punishments in Nanjing. In March of the second year (1568), he was promoted to Right Deputy Minister of Revenue in Nanjing, and in March of the fourth year (1570), transferred to Left Deputy Minister. In July, he was elevated to Minister of Revenue, implementing measures to reduce fiscal expenditures.
When Emperor Shenzong ascended the throne, in July of the sixth year of Longqing (1572), Zhang Shouzhi retired and returned home. He passed away in the seventeenth year of Wanli (1589) at the age of 74 and was buried in Beiyu Village, Zunhua County.
Family
• Great-grandfather: Zhang Cheng; Grandfather: Zhang Shinen, Magistrate; Father: Zhang Jiben, Clerk of the State. Paternal grandmother: Lady Wang; Birth mother: Lady Gao. He was a filial son and served his parents with care. Brothers: Xizai, Xijian. Younger brothers: Shoujian, Xiru, Shouyue.
• Great-grandson: Zhang Deddi, Banner Commander of the Manchu Bannermen in Sichuan and Governor of Sichuan.
References
• 張守直 (Chinese)
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Zhang Shouzhi (1516 - 1589), courtesy name Shiju, style name Bifeng, was from Zunhua County in Jizhou, Shuntian Prefecture. He held the status of a commoner and was a political figure during the Ming Dynasty.