Zhang Meng

Historical Record

Zhang Meng, courtesy name Shuwei, was a native of Dunhuang. His father Zhang Huan had served during the reign of Emperor Huan as commandery governor, General of the Household, Grand Master of Ceremonies, and other offices, and later settled in Huayin. In the early years of Jian'an, Zhang Meng served as Bureau Head (gongcao) in his commandery^[1]. At that time, because the four commanderies of Hexi were far from the seat of Liang Province and cut off by river-brigands, they submitted a request to establish a separate provincial seat. The court accordingly appointed Handan Shang, a man of Chenliu, as Inspector of Yongzhou to administer the affairs of the four commanderies. At the same time, because Zhang Meng's father Zhang Huan had once enjoyed great prestige in Hexi, the court appointed Zhang Meng Governor of Wuwei^[1].

Handan Shang and Zhang Meng were of the same age, and before taking office the two had often jested with each other. However, on the road traveling together to take up their posts, their relationship soured and they reproached one another. After arriving at their posts, Handan Shang intended to kill Zhang Meng. Sensing this, Zhang Meng immediately mustered his troops to attack Handan Shang. Handan Shang's official residence adjoined Zhang Meng's dwelling; hearing the sound of soldiers and horses, he was stricken with terror, climbed onto the roof, and called out Zhang Meng's courtesy name: "Shuwei, do you mean to kill me? If I die and have any awareness, you shall be exterminated to your clan. Let us reconcile—is that not possible?" Zhang Meng thereupon called for him to come down. Handan Shang leapt down from the roof and came before Zhang Meng. After rebuking him at length, Zhang Meng handed him over to the Investigating Officer (duyou). The Investigating Officer imprisoned Handan Shang in a relay station. Later, Handan Shang attempted to flee; the matter came to light, and he was thereupon killed by Zhang Meng. This occurred in the fourteenth year of Jian'an^[1].

In the fifteenth year of Jian'an, the general Han Sui led troops to campaign against Zhang Meng. Zhang Meng sent troops to resist him in the east. However, his subordinate officers and people, in dread of Han Sui, turned instead to jointly attack Zhang Meng. Zhang Meng's father Zhang Huan had once been Governor of Wuwei; at that time Zhang Meng was still in his mother's womb. His mother had once dreamed of wearing Zhang Huan's seal-ribbon and ascending a tower to sing. Zhang Huan questioned a diviner, who said, "Your wife will bear a son who in days to come will again come to this commandery, and he will surely die in office." When Zhang Meng came to be besieged and attacked, knowing he must die, he sighed, "If the dead have no awareness, then so be it; but if they do have awareness, how could I let my head pass eastward through Huayin and past the graves of my forebears?" With these words, Zhang Meng mounted a tower and burned himself to death^[1].

In the Novel

(No novel material)

Key Relationships

* Handan Shang (enemy_of): Handan Shang and Zhang Meng were of the same age, and at first their relationship was fair enough, but a rift opened on the road traveling together to take up their posts. Handan Shang intended to kill Zhang Meng, but was instead killed by Zhang Meng^[1].
* Pang Yu (admirer_of): After Zhang Meng killed Handan Shang, Pang Yu, disregarding Zhang Meng's prohibition, went to mourn at Handan Shang's funeral and sought to assassinate Zhang Meng. Moved by his loyalty and righteousness, Zhang Meng did not harm him but instead let him go, so that Pang Yu thereby became renowned for his loyal devotion^[1].
* Han Sui (enemy_of): In the fifteenth year of Jian'an, Han Sui led an army to campaign against Zhang Meng, ultimately causing Zhang Meng's subordinates to rebel, and Zhang Meng burned himself to death^[1].

Iconic Scenes

* Killing Handan Shang: Zhang Meng's relationship with Handan Shang soured on the road to their posts; Handan Shang wished to kill Zhang Meng, but Zhang Meng struck first, leading troops to attack Handan Shang. In his terror, Handan Shang climbed onto the roof to beg for mercy, and was ultimately killed by Zhang Meng^[1]. This event directly led to Zhang Meng's opposition to the court.
* Letting Pang Yu Go: After Zhang Meng killed Handan Shang, he issued an order: "Whoever dares to mourn at Shang's funeral shall die without pardon." Yet Pang Yu, disregarding the prohibition, went to wail at Handan Shang's funeral and, with a dagger hidden on his person, sought to assassinate Zhang Meng. On learning of this, Zhang Meng, moved by Pang Yu's loyalty and righteousness, did not harm him but instead let him depart, so that Pang Yu thereby became renowned throughout the realm^[1].
* Mounting a Tower to Burn Himself: Under Han Sui's campaign, Zhang Meng's subordinates rebelled. Knowing he must die, Zhang Meng lamented that he was unwilling, after death, to have his head pass eastward by the graves of his forebears, and so he mounted a tower and burned himself to death^[1]. This scene displays Zhang Meng's resolve in desperate straits and his regard for family honor.