Zhang Xiangrong / 张向荣

Zhang Xiangrong / 张向荣 is the author of [[XiangruiBook|《祥瑞》]], the book discussed in 126.王莽之死：神圣帝国的回旋镖，和回旋镖的回旋镖. The episode uses Zhang’s work to move beyond the flat image of [[WangMang|王莽]] as either treacherous usurper or unusually modern reformer.

In this wiki, Zhang’s page is source-scoped. It records the role the author plays in the episode’s reconstruction of [[WesternHanDynasty|Western Han]] political culture, Mandate of Heaven Legitimacy / 天命合法性, Auspicious Omen Politics / 祥瑞政治, and Confucian Ideal Governance / 儒家理想治理.

Key Claims

• Zhang’s book is treated as the episode’s main guide to Wang Mang.
• The episode attributes to the book a broader claim about Confucianism’s failed attempt to restrain monarchy.
• The book foregrounds the political use of auspicious signs rather than treating them as incidental superstition.

Connections

• [[XiangruiBook|《祥瑞》]] - central work.
• Wang Mang / 王莽 and Xin dynasty / 新朝 - main historical subject.
• Chenwei Politics / 谶纬政治 and Dynastic Legitimacy Backfire / 王朝合法性回旋镖 - interpretive cluster.