Zhang Tingyu’s Tomb

　　The tomb complex faces slightly southeast. Centered around the burial mound, the site features a three-tiered stone altar that fans out below, topped with stone ritual objects such as an offering table, incense burner, candleholders, and incense tubes. Below that lies a nine-level ceremonial platform, with a spirit path running through its center. Flanking the path are stone statues arranged in sequence: civil officials, military officers, horses, leopards, sheep, lions, and others. About 10 meters away stands the Zhang Family Ancestral Hall, in front of which there is a screen wall inlaid with two stone plaques inscribed by Emperor Yongzheng: “Tiao Mei Liang Bi” (Skilled Mediator and Loyal Minister) and “Zan You Shuo Fu” (Renowned Strategist and Pillar of Support).

　　Zhang Tingyu, styled Hengchen, was a native of Tongcheng, Anhui. Born in the 11th year of the Kangxi reign (1672), he passed the imperial examination in his 39th year. During the Kangxi era, he held various positions including reviser, attendant of the Southern Study, imperial horse inspector, lecturer, cabinet academician, vice minister of the Ministry of Punishments, and vice minister of the Ministry of Personnel. In the first year of the Yongzheng reign (1723), he was promoted to Minister of Rites; the following year, he became Minister of Revenue, Director of the Hanlin Academy, Chief Compiler of the National History Office, and Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent. In the third year, he was appointed Acting Grand Secretary. In the fourth year, he was elevated to Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, while still retaining his roles as Minister of Revenue and Director of the Hanlin Academy, as well as Chief Compiler of the Kangxi Veritable Records. In the sixth year, he became Grand Secretary of the Baohedian and concurrently Minister of Personnel. In the seventh year, he was granted the additional title of Lesser Guardian. That same year, due to military campaigns in the northwest, the Military Affairs Office was established inside Longzong Gate, and Emperor Yongzheng appointed Prince Yi Xin, Zhang Tingyu, and Grand Secretary Jiang Tingxi to oversee its operations.

　　Zhang Tingyu (1672~1755)　　Zhang Tingyu (1672–1755), styled Hengchen and also known by his art name Yanzhai, was a native of Tongcheng, Anhui. During the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, he served as Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Punishments. In the Yongzheng era, he held posts such as Minister of Rites and Minister of Revenue. In the late Kangxi years, he worked to rectify the lax official governance system and later helped refine the Grand Council system. He successively served as a compiler for the “Veritable Records of the Pacification of the Northern Frontier,” Vice Director for the “Provincial Ceremony Grand Ceremony” and the “Kangxi Emperor Veritable Records,” and Director for the “History of Ming,” “Veritable Records of Four Reigns,” “Collected Statutes of the Great Qing,” and the “Yongzheng Emperor Veritable Records.” After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title “Wenhe” (Literary Harmony) and was accorded the rare honor among Han officials of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Early Career In the 11th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1672)... Details+