Tomb of Zhang Bingwen

　　The Tomb of Zhang Bingwen is situated on Paifang Mountain in Zhangjiaban Group, Wanghe Village, Huangjia Town. It faces east with its back to the west and lies in front of the Guniuwei Reservoir. The tomb chamber is built from coarse stone, with a stele erected against the hillside inscribed with: “The Tomb of the Late Father, Mr. Zhongyang Zhang, and His Wife, Madam Fang of the Zhang Family.” During the Cultural Revolution, the tomb was damaged—the mound was dynamited, the memorial archway was dismantled, and stone lions and the offering table were removed elsewhere. In November 2007, in order to strengthen cultural tourism infrastructure, the Tongcheng Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government allocated special funds to restore the tomb under the direction of the Municipal Cultural Relics Management Office.

　　Zhang Bingwen, styled Hanzhi and also known as Zhongyang, was a native of Tongcheng. He became a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) in the 38th year of the Wanli reign during the Ming Dynasty, and successively served as Prefect of Fuzhou in Jiangxi, Intendant of Jingxiang in Huguang, Regional Military Commander of Jianning, Censorate Commissioner of Guangdong, and Left Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shandong. In the first month of the 12th year of the Chongzhen reign, he died a martyr’s death defending Jinan City against Qing troops. His wife, Madam Fang Mengshi, also committed suicide to remain loyal to the Ming Dynasty at Daming Lake. Upon hearing of their deaths, the court posthumously conferred upon him the title of Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and honored him in the Loyalty and Filial Piety Shrine, recording his deeds in the History of Ming. In the 41st year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty, he was given the posthumous name “Zhongjie” (Loyal and Upright), and his wife, Madam Fang, was posthumously honored as a First-Rank Lady. A shrine dedicated to Zhang was established at Daming Lake in Jinan.

　　Zhang Bingwen (1585~1638)　　Zhang Bingwen (1585–1638), styled Hanzhi and also known as Zhongyang, was a native of Tongcheng, Anhui, and the eldest uncle of Zhang Ying, an important official of the Qing Dynasty. In the winter of the 11th year of the Chongzhen reign (1638), while serving as Left Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shandong, he defended Jinan against Qing forces and died a martyr. His wife and concubines also sacrificed themselves at Daming Lake out of loyalty to him, and over ten maids in his household drowned themselves in the lake as well. Zhang Bingwen was “bright and outstanding in his youth, with a distinctive character, and was regarded by his grandfather, the Participating Censor, as a man of great promise.” His grandfather was Zhang Chun, also known as “Zhang Yibao,” who once served as Participating Censor of Lingongdao in Shaanxi. In the 38th year of the Wanli reign (1610), he passed the imperial examination and was appointed as Magistrate of Guian in Zhejiang. Soon after... Details+

　　Source: Tongcheng Cultural Relics and Museums