Background
He was a native of Mianzhu (綿竹), Sichuan, and son of a distinguished general and statesman, named Zhang June, otherwise known as Duke of Yi (益).
张栻, 張栻, 敬天南軒
He was a native of Mianzhu (綿竹), Sichuan, and son of a distinguished general and statesman, named Zhang June, otherwise known as Duke of Yi (益).
After studying under Hu Hong, son of Hu Anguo, he entered upon an official career and became aide-de-camp and secretary to his father. In 1164 the latter died, and Zhang Chi buried him according to his wish at the foot of Mount Heng in Hunan, remaining in seclusion near the grave for several years. While there he was visited in 1167 by Zhu Xi, and it is said that they spent three days and three nights arguing upon the Doctrine of the Mean.
He was alternately promoted and degraded until he died as Governor of Zhingzhou in Hubei.
Nevertheless, Zhu Xi held him in high esteem and always spoke of him with admiration. He was canonised as Xuān 宣, and in 1261 was admitted into the Confucian Temple.