Zhang Zhao is the oldest and most influential figure in the Eastern Wu Dynasty. When Sun Ce started his business, he was highly regarded. "When it comes to civil and military affairs, we should appoint them.". After Sun Quan's succession, Zhang Zhao was loyal to Sun Quan, "leading his colleagues and supporting them", and contributed a lot to the consolidation and development of the Eastern Wu Dynasty. The brothers Sun Ce and Sun Quan all got their help.
Because of his seniority and great influence, when Sun Quan was called queen, the officials recommended Zhang Zhao twice as prime minister. For the first time, Sun Quan didn't agree, just to put it mildly, Zhang Zhao is not suitable for the complicated affairs and heavy responsibilities. The second time, Sun Quan disagreed, and then he said his reason: "Being the prime minister is complicated, but Zhang Zhao has a strong temper. He will not listen to him, and will complain. This is not something he can handle well."
As Sun Quan said, Zhang Zhao should not be the prime minister from the perspective of the ability and quality required by the prime minister.
First, Zhang Zhao failed to correctly analyze the situation at the critical moment and lacked the ability to fight the enemy. When Cao Cao led his troops to attack Jiangdong, as an important official of the imperial court, he was the first to discuss how to welcome Cao Cao, which almost ruined the future of Jiangdong. He didn't play his part.
Second, Zhang Zhao is arrogant and has a strong vanity, which sometimes makes Sun Quan unable to step down. This is second. More importantly, as an old minister, he can not play the role of cohesion, coordination, and stability of the court. Sometimes he acts inappropriately and pokes holes.
Ganning betrayed Huang Zu and came to vote for Sun Quan. He was eager to establish his achievements, so he put forward a plan to recruit Huang Zu, take Liu Biao, expand his territory to Bashu, and also asked himself to be the pioneer. Sun Quan thought this plan was feasible, but he met Zhang Zhao's objection: "If the Wu government goes to work, if the army is successful, it will lead to chaos." Gan Ning was very unhappy, and retorted: "The country pays the monarch with the responsibility of Xiao He. The monarch lives and cares about chaos. Xi Yixi hopes to admire the ancients?" Seeing this, Sun Quan quickly said to Gan Ning, "This year, we are determined to pay you for the fight, but you should encourage us to build a general plan and make sure that Bikezu can do the work of you. What's wrong with Zhang Changshi's words?" Later, Sun Quan led a large army to fight against Huang Zu, and Gan Ning was the pioneer. It really won a great victory and solved the problem that Sun Ce had not solved for many years. Although the annexation of Liu Biao failed, it relieved Huang Zu's great worry, Jiangdong has since been under the control of Sun Quan.
Lu Su "rarely has a strong festival". Zhou Yu recommended Sun Quan. Sun Quan and Lu Su were like old friends at first sight, "drinking together on the couch". Lu Su had both political integrity and talent, and had extraordinary views. At the first sight of Sun Quan, he put forward the strategic goal of "reaching the east of the Yangtze River". Whether out of jealousy or bias, Zhang Zhao told Sun Quan that Lu Su was "too young and careless to use". It was later proved that Lu Su was worthy of great use. It is one of the prime minister's responsibilities to check and recommend people. If Zhang Zhao is the prime minister, he will inevitably fail to check all officials, let alone enlist the talents of the world to assist the king.
Third, Zhang Zhao is not broad-minded and has a small capacity. The prime minister is the head of the center. He takes charge of the government and coordinates all officials. He must have the magnanimity to accept all rivers, swallow the mind of heaven and earth, and as the saying goes, "A prime minister can prop up a boat in his belly." But Zhang Zhao is too careful about details, and the major events are not clear. Once, when a group of birds flew to the front of the hall, Sun Quan asked, "What is this bird?"? Zhuge Ke said that this is the Pulsatilla. Zhang Zhao immediately thought that he was the oldest among the people present, and doubted that Zhuge Ke would tease him. After Zhugeke explained, Zhang Zhao asked for nothing, which made everyone laugh. This kind of mind naturally does not have the quality of being a phase.
Sun Quan finally appointed Gu Yong as the prime minister. Gu Yongde is profound, dignified and dignified. Sun Quan praised him: "If you don't say anything, you must be right.". According to the history, Gu Yong "chose civil and military officials who could do whatever they wanted. They were ill at ease. It was appropriate to visit and catch people and political positions at the right time, so they could hear about them closely. If they saw that they were accepted, they would return to the top, not use them, and never vent their feelings." Gu Yong was the prime minister for 19 years. It is not a long time, so we can see that Gu Yongcai was worthy of virtue.
Sun Quan did not take Zhang Zhao as his prime minister because of his qualifications and prestige. He correctly saw Zhang Zhao's shortcomings and appointed Gu Yong. Of course, I have more respect for Zhang Zhao, a minister who cares for his life.
