Zhang Chonghua - During His Father's Reign

During His Father's Reign

Zhang Chonghua was born in 327, three years after his father Zhang Jun had become the ruler of Former Liang, as his second son. His mother was Lady Ma, a concubine of Zhang Jun. In 333, at age six, he was made his father's heir apparent. (It is not clear why he was made heir apparent; he had an older brother, Zhang Zuo, and neither was born of Zhang Jun's wife Princess Yan.) In 339, when Zhang Chonghua 12, Zhang Jun transferred some of his authority to Zhang Zhonghua and gave him the title of acting governor of Liang Province (涼州, modern central and western Gansu). In early 346, when Zhang Jun divided his domain into three provinces, he made Zhang Zhonghua the governor of Liang Province.

Later in 346, Zhang Jun died. Zhang Chonghua succeeded him, and took the same titles he had—including the Duke of Xiping and the self-declared title Acting Prince of Liang. He honored his father's wife Princess Yan as Grand Princess Dowager and his mother Lady Ma as Princess Dowager.