Zhang Tianxi

Who was Zhang Tianxi?

Zhang Tianxi, original courtesy name Gongchungu, later Chungu, nickname Duhuo, formally Duke Dao of Xiping, was the last ruler of the Chinese state Former Liang. He was the youngest son of Zhang Jun, and he seized the throne from his nephew Zhang Xuanjing in 363. During his reign, he claimed vassal status with regard to both Jin Dynasty and Former Qin, but eventually, under Former Qin pressure to completely submit, he tried to resist militarily, but could not and surrendered in 376, ending Former Liang. He became a Former Qin official, but after Former Qin's failed attempt to conquer Jin in 383 at the Battle of Fei River, he fled to Jin. Although the Jin imperial government was not happy about some of his actions as the ruler of Former Liang, it recognized how his ancestors had long formally held out as a Jin vassal, and Emperor Xiaowu restored him to the title of Duke of Xiping. He died in 406, 30 years after his state was destroyed.