Overview
Zhang Zhong was an Imperial Counsellor who recruited Sun Bao.
IdentityHistorical · Male
Life and dates
Death
Attested activity
Places and affiliations
- Polity Western Han 西漢 · Relation Served
References in the histories
No matching passages.
Book of Han, Chapter 11Volume 10: Annals of Emperor Cheng · 1 passage
Book of Han, Chapter 88Volume 77: Gai, Zhuge, Liu, Zheng, Sun, Wujiang and He · 14 passages
諫大夫鄭昌愍傷寬饒忠直憂國，以言事不當意而為文吏所詆挫，上書頌寬饒曰：「臣聞山有猛獸，藜藿為之不採；
Remonstrance Grandee Zheng Chang pitied Kuangrao's loyal bluntness and his concern for the state, and grieved that because his words on affairs did not suit the ruler's wishes, he had been attacked and broken by clerical officials. Zheng Chang submitted a memorial praising Kuangrao, saying: "I have heard that where mountains hold fierce beasts, brambles and greens are not gathered;
國有忠臣，奸邪為之不起。
where the court keeps honest men, treason finds no foothold.
此臣下不忠之效也，臣誠恥之亡已。
He called it proof of ministerial treason and said he was ashamed without end.
凡人情莫不欲安存而惡危亡，然忠臣直士不避患害者，誠為君也。
Honest men risk death because they serve the throne, not themselves.
是後，所言益不用，豐復上書言：「臣聞伯奇孝而棄於親，子胥忠而誅於君，隱公慈而殺於弟，叔武弟而殺于兄。
Feng again submitted a memorial saying, "I have heard that Boqi was filial yet cast off by kin, Wu Zixu loyal yet executed by his ruler, Duke Yin merciful yet killed by his younger brother, and Shuwu the younger brother yet killed by his elder brother.
獨恐未有雲補，而為眾邪所排，令讒夫得遂，正直之路雍塞，忠臣沮心，智士杜口，此愚臣之所懼也。」
I only fear there will be no help from above, that I will be thrust aside by a crowd of wicked men, letting slanderers succeed, blocking the road of the straight, disheartening loyal ministers and sealing wise men's mouths—this is what your foolish subject fears."
自念得以同姓拔擢，尸祿不忠，污辱諫爭之官，不敢不盡死，唯陛下深察。」
He said his clan tie obliged him to speak even at the cost of his life."
於是中朝左將軍辛慶忌、右將軍廉褒、光祿勳師丹、太中大夫谷永俱上書曰：「臣聞明王垂寬容之聽，崇諫爭之官，廣開忠直之路，不罪狂狷之言，然後百僚在位，竭忠盡謀，不懼後患，朝廷無諂諛之士，元首無失道之伥。
Thereupon Left General Xin Qingji, Right General Lian Bao, Chamberlain for Ceremonies Shi Dan, and Palace Grandee Gu Yong jointly submitted a memorial saying, "We have heard that an enlightened king extends a tolerant hearing, honors the offices of remonstrance and dispute, opens wide the path for loyal and upright men, and does not punish reckless or uncompromising words. Only then can the hundred officials in office exhaust their loyalty and offer all their plans without fearing later disaster; the court has no flatterers, and the sovereign has no guides who would lead him from the Way.
而行慘急之誅於諫爭之臣，震驚群下，失忠直心。
Jailing a remonstrant would terrify every honest voice in the empire.
同姓近臣本以言顯，其於治親養忠之義誠不宜幽囚於掖庭獄。
A royal remonstrant should not rot in a harem lockup.
御史大夫張忠辟寶為屬，欲令授子經，更為除捨，設儲偫。
Zhang Zhong wanted him to tutor his son and built him a private lodging.
寶自劾去，忠固還之，心內不平。
Sun Bao resigned on principle; Zhang Zhong recalled him but nursed a grudge.
忠陰察，怪之，使所親問寶：「前大夫為君設除大捨，子自劾去者，欲為高節也。
Zhong observed this in secret, found it strange, and had someone close to him ask Bao, "Earlier the counsellor prepared and cleared a large residence for you, yet you impeached yourself and left. Was this because you wished to display lofty integrity?
忠聞之，甚慚，上書薦寶經明質直，宜備近臣。
Zhang Zhong apologized with a recommendation to the court.