(1474–1545), courtesy name Chongxiang, and pseudonym Yangfeng, was a native of Shishou County in Jingzhou Prefecture, Huguang Province (now Gaoling Town, Shishou City, Hubei). He was a political figure during the Ming Dynasty. A
jinshi (advanced degree) laureate of 1511, he served as Minister of Rites and Grand Secretary of the Dongge Academy during the
era.
Biography
In the eighth year of Hongzhi (1495), he ranked twelfth in the provincial examination of Huguang. In the sixth year of Zhengde (1511), he placed 18th in the metropolitan examination and was the 6th laureate in the second class, subsequently appointed as a Compiler at the Hanlin Academy. In the first year of Jiajing (1522), he served as an imperial lecturer. In July of the second year, he was promoted to Lecturer, then to Left Counselor in the same year. In October of the sixth year, he became a Reading Scholar, and in December of the seventh year, he returned home to mourn his father's death. After the mourning period, he resumed his original position in May of the twelfth year, continuing his duties as an imperial lecturer. In February of the fourteenth year, he and Lecturer Cai Ang presided over the metropolitan examination for the Ministry of Rites. In May, he was promoted to Director of the Temple of Heaven, continuing to oversee his previous duties. In September of the fifteenth year, he became Deputy Minister of Rites and Scholar, assisting in departmental affairs. In February of the sixteenth year, he was promoted to Left Deputy Minister and Scholar at the Hanlin Academy, continuing his role as an imperial lecturer. In the eighteenth year, he was selected as a member of the Eastern Palace officials and concurrently served as Vice President of the Zhan Shi Fu.
In June of Jiajing nineteen (1540), he was appointed Minister of Rites in Nanjing. In June of the twenty-second year, he was reassigned to serve as Minister of Rites and Scholar at the Hanlin Academy in Beijing. In September of Jiajing twenty-three (1544), he concurrently became a Grand Secretary of the Dongge Pavilion, entering the cabinet. At this time, the Grand Secretaries Xia Yan and Yan Song were in conflict. In July of Jiajing twenty-four (1545), he was elevated to the rank of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, but he died in office in August of the same year, having served for less than a year. The court granted him posthumous honors and a funeral, bestowing upon him the posthumous name Wenjian.
Works
Zhang Bi authored the "Calligraphy Scroll of Miscellaneous Poems." He also wrote "Yangfeng Ji," a 26-volume collection, which has been lost. The "Siku Quanshu Cunmu Congshu" Collection (Volume 66) includes "Yangfeng Jiacang Ji," a 36-volume work, but it is unclear why the original editor assumed that the 26 volumes of "Yangfeng Ji" were lost. Additionally, the Ming History's Bibliography lists 26 volumes.
In Jiajing four (1525), he was commissioned to compile "Nanjing Wenheng."
• "Passing Jixian and Sending a Letter to Fangshan"
Fangshan is a man of talent, temporarily resting from his official duties.
Seeking true joy by the Qili River, he serves his parents with filial piety.
He has been chosen by the emperor, and his name remains respected in court.
When the time comes for him to be recommended, an imperial decree will summon him back.
Burial
Zhang Bi was buried on the north slope of Bijiashan in Shishou after his death. In the winter of 1971, during the construction of an air-raid shelter, his tomb was excavated, and a jade belt plate from his official attire and a gold hairpin were found.
Family
Zhang Bi's great-grandfather, Zhang Bishun, moved from Nanji to Huguang and settled in Gaolinggang, Shishou. His grandfather, Zhang Ziyen, was a jinshi laureate of the Gengchen year (1460) during the Tiansun era and served as an Inspectorate Censor in Guangdong. His father, Zhang Wei, was a scholar who rose to the position of Vice Commissioner in Shanxi. His mother, Wang Shi, was bestowed the title of "Consort."
References
• 張璧 (Chinese)
The text above incorporates content created automatically using artifical intelligence.
Zhang Bi (1474–1545), courtesy name Chongxiang, and pseudonym Yangfeng, was a native of Shishou County in Jingzhou Prefecture, Huguang Province (now Gaoling Town, Shishou City, Hubei). He was a political figure during the Ming Dynasty. A Zhengde jinshi (advanced degree) laureate of 1511, he served as Minister of Rites and Grand Secretary of the Dongge Academy during the Jiajing era.