Zhang Xiaoxiang is a famous poet and calligrapher in the Southern Song Dynasty. He was born in Yin County, Mingzhou, in 1132 AD, which is now Ningbo, Zhejiang. Zhang Xiaoxiang, whose real name is Anguo, was born in Hujushi, Jianzhou, Sichuan, and later lived in Wujiang, Liyang, which is now Zhenhe County, Wujiang, Anhui.
He is the seventh grandson of Zhang Xiaoxiang, the Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Ji. His father, Zhang Qi, once served as a transshipment judge in Huainan. In 1127 AD, the Northern Song Dynasty was destroyed by the Jurchen Jin Dynasty. Song Gaozong Zhao Gou proclaimed himself emperor in Shangqiu and established the Southern Song Dynasty. At that time, the world formed a situation in which the small court of the Southern Song Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty competed. Most Han people moved their families southward in order to gain protection from the Southern Song Dynasty court. At this time, Zhang Xiaoxiang moved his family south to Mingzhou.
Zhang Xiaoxiang’s family has no real estate in Yin County and life is very difficult. In 1144 AD, Zhang Xiaoxiang and his family went to Wuhu, Anhui. Wuhu still belongs to Jiangnan, and the threat from the Jin people is relatively small. Zhang Xiaoxiang has been very good since he was a child and never forgets anything. He passed the provincial examination at the age of sixteen and was the top scorer in high school at the age of twenty-three. Fan Chengda, Yang Wanli and others were also on the list with him that year.
Zhang Xiaoxiang belongs to the hawks in official circles. Soon, he defended Yue Fei in court and rejected the suggestion of Qin Hui Party member Cao Yong. These actions, of course, offended Qin Hui and others, so Qin Hui and others framed Zhang Xiaoxiang's father and imprisoned him. Zhang Xiaoxiang's life became very difficult, and it was not until Qin Hui's death that the situation finally improved.
In the five years from 1154 to 1159, Zhang Xiaoxiang served one term after another and was promoted step by step. As a result, he was framed and dismissed. Zhang Xiaoxiang spent several years in officialdom but failed to realize his political ambitions. Zhang Xiaoxiang died young in 1170 AD.
How about Zhang Xiaoxiang?
We all know that since the imperial examination system was established in the Sui Dynasty, the dream of countless people is to one day be on the list, or even win the first prize. However, getting the first place in the exam is not a simple process. But there are still some people who achieve this goal by relying on their own efforts and talents, so it is not difficult for them to become the number one pick. For example, it was not very difficult for Zhang Xiaoxiang, the famous poet and calligrapher of the Southern Song Dynasty, to be named the number one scholar.
Some people will ask me, how about Zhang Xiaoxiang? I want to say that Zhang Xiaoxiang is a man with great ambitions and a genius. As for what others say about Zhang Xiaoxiang, I don’t know. I believe that anyone who knows him will know what kind of person he is.
First of all, let me say that he is a genius. This is not just a boast, but something he got through the incident of winning the first prize. We all know that those who can win the first prize must have extraordinary talent. Of course, Zhang Xiaoxiang is one of them. According to relevant information, Zhang Xiaoxiang had unusual talents since he was a child. When he was a child, he could remember all the contents of a book after reading it once, and he could write an article of more than a thousand words. So he has the title of "genius child".
When he grew up, when he was 16 years old, he passed the provincial examination, which was his first step towards becoming the number one scholar. At the age of 22, he passed the examination and got the No. 1 prize, once again taking a step closer to the No. 1 prize. It was not until 1154 that he took the court examination personally invigilated by the emperor. Although some people made small moves against him during this period, he still passed the exam with his talent and came first.
The cause of death of Zhang Xiaoxiang
Zhang Xiaoxiang was a famous poet and calligrapher in the Southern Song Dynasty of China. At the same time, he is also a famous patriot. When he was an official in the imperial court, he explicitly asked to fight Xu Jin. You know, at that time most of the courtiers headed by Prime Minister Qin Hui advocated peace. Not only that, he also boldly avenged Yue Fei, a famous general who was executed by Qin Hui on "unfounded" charges. His series of actions angered Qin Hui, who used despicable means to throw him into prison. If Qin Hui didn't die soon, maybe he would have died in his cell. And Zhang Xiaoxiang's final ending is also very regrettable and shocking.
Zhang Xiaoxiang is a person with outstanding talents. At the same time, he is also a person with lofty political ideals. He has always hoped that he could make some achievements in the officialdom. He really lives up to his ambitions. When he was in Fuzhou, he took the lead and confronted the rebels alone, and finally successfully put down the rebellion. The locals respected and thanked him very much. When he left Fuzhou, they lined the streets to watch him leave. In Pingjiang, he severely punished profiteers who oppressed the people, confiscated their granaries, and used the collected grain to relieve the victims during the famine the following year. When he was in medical care, he was committed to controlling floods, handled the situation decisively and appropriately, and showed outstanding talent and courage.
Although he has achieved so many achievements, because he always insisted on counterattacking Xu Jin and regaining lost ground, he suffered a heavy blow and was demoted many times. In this case, he also fought for the country, but it was useless to save the world, so he voluntarily resigned in 1169 and never participated in political affairs again. Perhaps it was because he was repeatedly denounced, which had a huge impact on his body and mind. Returning to Wuhu in 1170, he suffered a sudden illness and died soon after, living only 38 years.
Zhang Xiaoxiang, an official who has done his best for the country and the people, deserves our respect and memory. He is the pride and role model of our country.