Zhang Juzheng

1525-1582

Scholar, poet, and reformer

Sources

Reformer. Zhang Juzheng was a Confucian scholar who was proficient in poetry and prose. He was a leading reformer in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Although many of his reforms succeeded, he did not seek the support of the people or the bureaucracy, which caused his changes to fail after he died. Yet, as a leader, he helped bring the Ming dynasty to its peak.

Reforms. Zhang Juzheng served as Chief Grand Secretary from 1572 to 1582 under Emperor Wanli, whose reign started in 1573 and ended in 1620. Zhang was a tutor for Wanli during his childhood. This position allowed Zhang to influence the young ruler, who became emperor at the age of ten, and to help establish himself as a prime minister. Because of this prominent position, Zhang was unable to make reforms directly, but he was able to spread his ideas through his influence on several leaders and his control over imperial documents. He reviewed several accounts, recorded his observations and ideas, and implemented the changes he thought needed to be made in order to make the empire stronger. His policies included: a stricter tax-collection system, a program making it difficult for individuals to escape paying their taxes, and severe punishment for tax evaders. He also set up a treasury system that helped the country retain excess money, which was used to strengthen the army. He is credited with ending many special privileges formerly held by wealthy landholders, and he reclaimed for the state many lands that were not being taxed.

Contributions. During Zhang’s time of influence the military grew stronger and Mongol enemies were forced to present themselves before the emperor. This event was seen as a great achievement for Zhang, accomplished in part because of his strict control over the flow of money in state coffers. Zhang’s influence over the emperor was also seen in the ruler’s theory of frugality, which was subsequently spread throughout the empire. The strictness with which the emperor carried out these measures led to resentment against Zhang, who died while trying to implement additional reforms. After Zhang’s death Emperor Wanli’s management of state affairs became less responsible, and the country fell back into a period of ineffective control man-aged by the eunuchs.

Sources

Ray Huang, “The Ming Fiscal Administration,” in The Cambridge History of China, volume 8, The Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644, Part 2, edited by Denis Twitchett and Frederick W. Mote (Cambridge &c New York: Cambridge University Press, 1988), pp. 106-171.

Charles O. Hucker, The Ming Dynasty: Its Origins and Evolving Institutions (Ann Arbor: Center for Chinese Studies, University of Michigan, 1978).