Throughout the grand narrative of China’s 5,000-year history, countless unjust cases have unfolded. Time and again, righteous individuals risked their lives to rescue the innocent or those in distress, either by speaking out boldly or using their wisdom to alleviate suffering. One such example is the incident during the reign of Emperor Zhuangzong of the late Tang Dynasty, famously known as the story of “Zhang Juhan saving thousands by changing a single word.”
The influence of eunuchs during the Tang Dynasty
Zhang Juhan, also known by his courtesy name Deqing, was a eunuch who served during the late Tang Dynasty and into the early Five Dynasties period. Eunuchs in ancient China were often servants who held significant influence within the imperial court. Initially serving as trusted attendants to the emperor, their close proximity to the ruler allowed them to gain considerable political power over time.
During the latter years of the Tang Dynasty, these eunuchs were granted roles as intermediaries between the emperor and officials, gradually becoming key players in the administration. However, their rise to power led to intense internal conflicts, as factions of eunuchs competed for control and influence over the court’s decisions, often manipulating the political landscape to their advantage.
This era saw emperors struggling to limit the dominance of eunuchs, who wielded enough authority to affect matters of state. Despite efforts to curb their power, the eunuchs’ control persisted, contributing to political instability. In response, Emperor Zhaozong sought to weaken the regional warlords by sending eunuchs, including Zhang Juhan, to oversee various military governors as imperial supervisors.
Zhang Juhan was assigned to Youzhou, where he served as the imperial supervisor. While there, he treated people kindly and developed a strong rapport with the military governor, Liu Rengong. Their conversations were often insightful, and even after Zhang’s term as supervisor ended, Liu Rengong petitioned the emperor to allow Zhang to stay and assist in local governance — a request that was granted.
Earning trust, but never abusing power
When Emperor Zhuangzong came to power, he appointed Zhang Juhan as the chief of staff, entrusting him with significant responsibilities. However, despite his position, Zhang never used his authority for personal gain. Whenever Emperor Zhuangzong went on military expeditions, Zhang remained behind to manage state affairs. Known for his calm and composed nature, he dedicated himself to agricultural development, teaching people to plant trees and grow vegetables each spring. His efforts were widely praised, with many admiring his benevolence.
The crucial decision to save lives
In the third year of the Tongguang era, Prince Li Jijie led a campaign against the Shu kingdom. Realizing that he could not withstand the attack, the Shu ruler, Wang Yan, surrendered, dressed in humble white garments, with a jade token in his mouth and a sheep in tow — a traditional sign of submission in ancient China. Emperor Zhuangzong ordered Wang Yan to be escorted to Luoyang, granting him assurances of safety.
However, when a rebellion broke out in Weizhou shortly after, Emperor Zhuangzong was advised to focus on quelling the uprising. Concerned that Wang Yan and his followers might take advantage of the chaos, his advisors suggested a preemptive strike to eliminate Wang’s potential threat. The emperor hastily issued a decree to execute Wang Yan and his entire entourage.
Upon reviewing the decree, Zhang Juhan realized that massacring all of Wang Yan’s followers — who had already surrendered — was inhumane and against the principles of justice. In a courageous move, he altered a single character in the decree, changing the term “entire entourage” to “family,” thus ensuring that only Wang Yan’s immediate family faced execution. This single change spared the lives of nearly a thousand people who had accompanied Wang Yan.
The bravery to defy imperial orders
In an era where defying the emperor’s orders was considered treason — a crime punishable by death — Zhang Juhan’s decision was a tremendous risk that required extraordinary courage and wisdom. Fortunately, no one suspected that Zhang had modified the decree, and as a result, many lives were spared without raising any suspicions.
When Emperor Mingzong ascended the throne, Zhang Juhan requested to retire to his hometown, where he lived out his days peacefully until his natural death. His actions were later recorded in the official historical texts, commemorating his bravery and compassion for future generations.
The legacy of a compassionate heart
Zhang Juhan’s story is a testament to human kindness and the power of moral courage. Despite his status as a eunuch, he earned a place in history not through force or power, but by choosing to protect life in the midst of turmoil. In a time of chaos and bloodshed, when ordinary people felt powerless, Zhang Juhan’s decision to stand for righteousness and rescue those in need illuminated the enduring nobility of the human spirit. His story reminds us that, even in the darkest times, the choice to act with compassion and integrity is always within our grasp.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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