Zhang Tingyu, played by Du Yulu, was an important minister in the Yongzheng period. He was responsible for drafting imperial edicts. He was a veteran of three dynasties and an important minister of two dynasties. He had strong writing skills and good calligraphy.
Zhang Tingyu, also known as Hengchen , from Tongcheng, Anhui. In 1700, Zhang Tingyu became an official and became a bachelor in the cabinet during the Kangxi period. After Yongzheng succeeded to the throne, Zhang Tingyu was highly appreciated and reused, and began to show his talents in politics. He assisted in the article affairs of the Hanlin Academy, was promoted to Minister of Rites, and became deputy editor of "Shijong Shilu". Later, Zhang Tingyu gradually became the prince's teacher and the examiner of the provincial examination. Later, because his writing style was in line with the emperor's wishes, he served as the editor-in-chief of "History of the Ming Dynasty".
Zhang Tingyu was smart and experienced, cautious and thoughtful in thinking, and had outstanding writing skills and talents. Therefore, he won the favor and promotion of Yongzheng. On major national affairs, whether military or government affairs, Yongzheng discussed with him and participated in decision-making, and most of the country's ancient books at that time were written by him. In 1726, Zhang Tingyu was promoted to bachelor, participated in military affairs, and began to improve the military aircraft system.
After the death of Yongzheng, Zhang Tingyu was ordered by the imperial edict to enter the Ancestral Temple after his death. In the early days of Qianlong's reign, Zhang Tingyu served as Prime Minister and was in charge of affairs. Later, when he was nearly sixty years old, he gradually became unpopular with Qianlong. He knew that the emperor intended to replace him, so he took the initiative to resign. Later, Zhang Tingyu asked the emperor to retain his position in the temple and was allowed to do so. However, he did not go to the court in person to thank him. He was blamed and was deprived of his position as an earl. Later, because his student died and he insisted on returning home, the emperor was furious and revoked his qualification to enter the temple.
Zhang Tingyu died of illness at the age of 84. After his death, Qianlong changed his attitude and considered Zhang Tingyu an old official of his generation, so he still allowed him to enter the temple, becoming the only Han official in the Qing Dynasty to enter the Imperial Ancestral Temple.