The First Ancestor of Chinese Civilization: Qinghe's Eternal Bow

Synopsis:

The story spanning seventy-eight generations from the Yellow Emperor (Xuanyuan) to Zhang Liang centers on the legacy of the Zhang family and Zhang Liang's life. The following are the key events and stories:

I. From the Yellow Emperor to Zhang Hui: The Origins of the Zhang Surname

The Yellow Emperor and Shaohao: The Yellow Emperor married Leizu, Fang Lei, and other consorts, fathering twenty-five sons. Shaohao (Xuanxiao), his eldest legitimate son, was enfeoffed at Qingyang (present-day Taiyuan, Shanxi) and known as the Lord of Qingyang.

Zhang Hui receives the surname: Zhang Hui, the fifth son of Shaohao (or, according to another account, a son of the Yellow Emperor), invented the bow and arrow. The Yellow Emperor bestowed on him the surname Zhang, enfeoffed him in Qinghe Commandery, and appointed him “Master of the Bow,” an official responsible for bows and arrows. He became the founder of the Zhang clan.

II. The Life of Zhang Liang

The End of the Warring States: A Noble of Han Seeks Revenge

Zhang Liang was descended from five generations of Han chancellors. After Qin conquered Han, he spent his entire fortune seeking an assassin to kill Qin Shi Huang. He once ambushed the emperor at Bolangsha (present-day Yuanyang, Henan), but struck the emperor's decoy carriage instead.

Saving Liu Bang through strategy at the Feast at Hong Gate: Xiang Yu held a banquet intending to kill Liu Bang. Zhang Liang advised Liu Bang to apologize humbly and, through Xiang Bo's mediation, helped him escape.

Building the plank road in the open while secretly advancing through Chencang: Zhang Liang advised Liu Bang to pretend to repair the Baoxie Road when leaving Hanzhong, while secretly taking a detour through Chencang to launch a surprise attack on Guanzhong. This laid the foundation for victory in the Chu-Han Contention.

Making Chang'an the capital and receiving a marquisate: Zhang Liang advised Liu Bang to establish his capital in Guanzhong, at Chang'an, securing the foundations of his rule. He was later enfeoffed as the Marquis of Liu.

Retirement in his later years: After achieving success, Zhang Liang had no desire for power. In his later years, he is said to have followed Chisongzi on his travels, living in seclusion and withdrawing from the world.