Zhang Yaoling

Zhang Yaoling
張曜靈
Duke of Xiping
Ruler of Former Liang
Reign353
PredecessorZhang Chonghua
SuccessorZhang Zuo
Born344
Died355 (aged 10–11)
Names
Zhang Yaoling (張曜靈)
Era name and dates
Jiànxīng (建興)[note 1]: 353
Regnal name
Grand Marshal, Colonel to Guard the Qiang people, Inspector of Liang Province, Duke of Xiping
(大司馬 護羌校尉 涼州刺史 西平公)
Posthumous name
Duke Ai (哀公, honored by Former Liang)
DynastyFormer Liang
FatherZhang Chonghua
Zhang Yaoling
Traditional Chinese張曜靈
Simplified Chinese张曜灵
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhāng Yàolíng
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese/ʈɨɐŋ jiᴇuH leŋ/
Alternative Chinese name
Chinese元舒
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYuánshū
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese/ŋʉɐnɕɨʌ/
Second alternative Chinese name
Chinese
Literal meaning"lamentable"
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese/ʔʌi/

Zhang Yaoling (Chinese: 張曜靈; 344–355), courtesy name Yuanshu (元舒), formally Duke Ai of Xiping, was briefly the ruler of the Chinese state Former Liang in 353 and early 354.[1]

Zhang Yaoling was the oldest son of his father Zhang Chonghua (Duke Jinglie) and therefore was designated his heir apparent. When Zhang Chonghua died in 353, he succeeded Zhang Chonghua as the ruler of Former Liang (with the title Duke of Xiping), but actual power was in the hands of his uncle, Zhang Zuo the Marquess of Changning. In early 354, Zhang Zuo, who had carried on an affair with Zhang Chonghua's mother Princess Dowager Ma, gained her support to take over as ruler, and Zhang Yaoling was demoted to the title of Marquess of Liangning.

Zhang Zuo was a violent and frivolous ruler, and there was soon much opposition against him, particularly after he completely broke away from Jin Dynasty. In 355, the generals Zhang Guan and Song Hun rebelled against Zhang Zuo and announced that they wished to restore Zhang Yaoling. In response, Zhang Zuo executed Zhang Yaoling by beating him to death. Zhang Zuo, however, would soon be overthrown and replaced by Zhang Yaoling's younger brother Zhang Xuanjing.


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  1. ^ Fang Xuanling. "張軌" [Zhang Gui]. Book of Jin. Vol. 86.