Tomb of the Zhang Family

Tomb of the Zhang Family

The Tomb of the Zhang Family is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Shandong Province.

The Tomb of the Zhang Family is located 200 meters west of Wangzongtang Village, Tongcheng Town, Dong'e County, Shandong Province, and dates back to the Ming Dynasty. In 2013, it was designated as part of the fourth batch of provincial-level cultural heritage protection units by the People's Government of Shandong Province.

Zhang Ben (1366–1431), courtesy name Zhizhong, was from Zhangdarenji Village, Dong'e County. During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, he was appointed magistrate of Jiangdu County as a graduate of the Imperial College. When Prince Yan, Zhu Di, marched south during the Jingnan Campaign, Zhang Ben opened the city gates and surrendered. He was then promoted to prefect of Yangzhou, later becoming the Right Provincial Administration Commissioner of Jiangxi. In the fourth year of the Yongle era (1406), he was summoned to serve as the Left Vice Minister of Works. In the seventh year of Yongle (1409), he became the Right Vice Minister of Justice. Upon the ascension of Emperor Renzong, he was appointed Minister of War of Nanjing and concurrently supervised the Censorate. In the fourth year of the Xuande era (1429), he also served as tutor to the crown prince. Throughout his career, Zhang Ben was known for his integrity and was referred to by contemporaries as "Poor Zhang."

After Zhang Ben’s death, he was buried in the family cemetery. Today, the site still preserves a turtle-bearing stele, a stone memorial archway, and pairs of stone statues including officials (wengzhong), tigers, sheep, and ornamental pillars. The tomb passage is solemn and the structures are neatly arranged.

A stone epitaph box was unearthed from the tomb. The epitaph is made of white marble, square in shape, measuring 0.58 meters on each side and 0.08 meters thick. The cover features seal script, while the inscriptions are carved in intaglio and written in regular script. The text was composed by Yang Shiqi of Luling, who held the titles of Grand Master for Glorious Happiness, Minor Tutor, Minister of War, and Grand Secretary of Huagai Hall, and calligraphy was done by Hu Ying of Kunling, who served as Academician of the Hall for Literary Profundity and Minister of Rites. The epitaph holds significant artistic value.

Tongcheng Subdistrict: Tongcheng Subdistrict is a subdistrict under the jurisdiction of Dong'e County, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province. It administers seven communities: Qushan Community, Xiangshan Community, Aishan Community, Lingshan Community, Yushan Community, Liuli Well Community, and Weishan Community. It also includes 21 villages: Wanghai Village, Dongguan Village, Nanguan Village, Zhongjie Village, Zhengyu Village, Xiguan Village, Daqin Village, Zhangdarenji Village, Litang Village, Wangzongtang Village, Nanzhang Village, Songlou Village, Mazhuang Village, Cuizhuang Village, Gengji Village, Chizhuang Village, Gengzhuang Village, Xinglongtun Village, Caomiao Village, Dongtang Village, and Xitang Village... More details about Tongcheng Subdistrict ++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units