During Emperor Gaozong's Reign
In 649, Emperor Taizong became ill and died at the summer palace Cuiwei Palace (翠微宮), after entrusting Li Zhi to two chancellors, Li Zhi's uncle Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang. Keeping the news of Emperor Taizong's death secret, Zhangsun and Chu accompanied Li Zhi and Emperor Taizong's casket back to Chang'an and, after carrying out a number of official commissions, including commissioning Zhang Xingcheng as Shizhong (侍中) -- the head of the examination bureau and a post considered one for a chancellor—announced Emperor Taizong's death. With Zhang and fellow chancellor Gao Jifu physically assisting him, Li Zhi took the throne (as Emperor Gaozong). He created Zhang the Duke of Beiping and made him one of the officials in charge of editing imperial history.
In 651, Zhang was made a head of the executive bureau, also considered a post for a chancellor, although he also carried a secondary title as de facto chancellor. In 652, when Emperor Gaozong created his oldest son Li Zhong crown prince, Zhang received the additional title as an advisor to the crown prince. He died in 653. After Emperor Gaozong's death in 684, Zhang was one of the officials enshrined into Emperor Gaozong's temple.
Read more about this topic: Zhang Xingcheng
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