Zhang Juzheng

Zhang Juzheng (Chinese张居正/张居正, Pinyin Zhang Juzheng, W.-G. Chang Chii -cheng; * 1525 in Jiangling, Hubei province, China, † 1582 in Beijing) was a Chinese statesman and Supreme Grand Secretary under the emperors Longqing and Wanli during the Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Juzheng was appointed by Emperor Longqing in the large imperial secretariat, quickly earning its favor. In the Office of the United Supreme Secretary, he led the Ming government and advised the Emperor to favor a liberal reform policies. He sat down for the circumcision of the powers of a provincial officials, and the strengthening of state centralization, containment of special privileges and abolition of tax exemption for senior officials.

After the early death of Longqing Emperor Zhang became the mentor of the child's Emperor Wanli, to which he exerted a tremendous influence. At the insistence of the Empress Dowager He then took over full power in the Reich and was de facto ruler of China, while the emperor was still a minor child. His policy is regarded as exemplary, so that he laid the political foundation for the economic and cultural success in China during the Wanli era, the era is the highlight of the late Ming period. After Zhang's death in 1582, many of his reforms were neglected, which should ultimately result in the constitutional crisis of the early 17th century, and the weakening of the Ming government.

• Politicians (China)
• Regent (China)
• Ming Dynasty
• Chinese
• Born in 1525
• Died in 1582
• Man