Page:Eminent Chinese Of The Ch’ing Period - Hummel - 1943 - Vol. 1.pdf/67

Rh was a native of T'ung-ch'êng, Anhwei. He was born in Peking where his father,, a Grand Secretary from 1699 to 1701, was then serving as a compiler of the Hanlin Academy. In 1700 Chang T'ing-yü himself became a chin-shih and was selected a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. There he studied Manchu and in 1703 was made a corrector. A year later (1704) he was appointed to service in the Imperial Study (see under ). After various promotions he rose (1720) to the post of senior vice-president of the Board of Punishments and a year later to senior vice-president of the Board of Civil Offices. After Emperor Shih-tsung ascended the throne he showed Chang T'ing-yü special favors, appointing him, early in 1723, a tutor to the imperial princes, and president of the Board of Ceremonies. Later in the same year Chang was made chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, and president of the Board of Revenue. He was also appointed a director-general for the compilation of the Ming Dynastic History (Ming-shih), the preparation of which had taken place intermittently since 1645 (see under and ). In 1725 he was made an acting Grand Secretary and in the following year, GranldGrand [sic] Secretary, in which capacity he served until his retirement. In the meantime he held concurrently many important posts and served many times as examiner in the metropolitan and other examinations. It is probable that most of the edicts of the Yung-chêng period were composed by him. In 1729, when the campaign against the Eleuths was being planned, a special bureau was established to conduct the war with efficiency and secrecy. This bureau, known thereafter as the Chün-chi ch'u 軍機處 or "Bureau of Military Affairs", continued till the close of the dynasty. Gradually it became the most important office in the empire, taking over most of the powers of the Grand Secretariat in composing and issuing edicts and sending out instructions to provincial authorities. Thus it is not inappropriate to render the name of the bureau, Council of State or Grand Council, and its members, Grand Councilors. Chang T'ing-yü, and, were the first officials to be entrusted with this responsibility, Chang holding the post until he retired in 1749.

Chang T'ing-yü was highly favored by Emperor Shih-tsung and was showered with many gifts. In 1723 he was given a residence—prior to that time he lived in a house presented to his father in 1677—and in 1729 was provided with a larger establishment. An old garden south of the Yüan-ming Yüan was allotted to him in 1725 in order that he might be near the emperor during the latter's sojourns at the Summer Palace. This garden once belonged to, and after Chang occupied it, came to be known as Ch'êng-huai yüan 澄壞園. Upon Chang's retirement it was converted into a residence for the officials serving in the Imperial Study (see under ) or in the School for Princes (see under ). This garden, celebrated in poems by many writers, seems to have been destroyed in 1860. In addition, Chang was often presented with money and once (early in 1728) was given a pawn shop which was capitalized at 35,000 taels. He was also granted the title of Junior Guardian (1729) and the minor hereditary rank of Ch'ing-ch'ê tu-yü of the first class which was inherited by his son, Chang Jo-ai 張若靄.

Chang T'ing-yü was trusted by the emperor in matters of great importance. When defeat at the hands of the Eleuths (see under ) caused a setback in the conquest of the northwest, a conference of high officials was called (1734) to decide on a future policy. Chang led a delegation of officials who advised the emperor to cease hostilities—an act that resulted in the peace negotiations of 1734 (see under ). When Emperor Shih-tsung died (1735) he provided in his will that the names of Chang and should be celebrated in the Imperial Ancestral Hall—the highest honor that could be conferred on an official.

Chang T'ing-yü enjoyed great favor with Emperor Kao-tsung for several years more. In 1735, soon after that emperor succeeded to the throne, he elevated Chang to a viscount of the third class. As one of four regents, Chang helped to conduct national affairs for several years and was rewarded, early in 1738, with the rank of earl of the third class with hereditary rights. In 1739 he received the title of Grand Guardian. Nevertheless, he gradually lost the emperor's favor. In 1741 memorialized the throne to the effect that too many of Chang's relatives from T'ung-ch'êng were employed in the government service. Chang was consequently warned to be more circumspect in this matter. Early in 1743 his rank of earl was declared no longer inheritable. As he was getting old, and perhaps senile, he begged repeatedly for permission to retire, but the request was denied on the ground that one who after death was to be celebrated in the Imperial Ancestral 55