钱可通神 — “Money has immense power and can achieve anything”

During the Tang Dynasty, while many fathers and sons served as prime ministers, only Zhang Yanshang's family had three consecutive generations hold the position. Known as the 'Three Prime Ministers Zhang Family,' Zhang Yanshang's father, Zhang Jiaxuan, was a famous prime minister during Emperor Xuanzong's Kaiyuan era. Zhang Yanshang himself served as prime minister during Emperor Dezong's reign, and his son, Zhang Hongjing, became prime minister during Emperor Xianzong's time. Thus, people often remarked, 'The Zhangs of Hedong are extraordinary.'

Zhang Yanshang's original name was Zhang Baofu. He was only four years old when his father, Zhang Jiaxuan, passed away. During the Kaiyuan period, Emperor Xuanzong summoned Zhang Baofu and bestowed upon him the name 'Yanshang,' meaning 'honor extended through generations.' This signified Emperor Xuanzong's encouragement for Zhang Yanshang to inherit his father's aspirations and perpetuate his family's esteemed reputation. True to the emperor's hopes, Zhang Yanshang excelled as he grew up, passing the imperial examinations and being appointed as Henan Yin (prefect of Henan).

Following the An Lushan Rebellion, the Central Plains suffered immense devastation, and people lived in destitution. It was against this backdrop that Zhang Yanshang assumed the role of Henan Yin. Upon taking office, he set an example by promoting frugality, dredging rivers, calming public sentiment, and attracting back the populace, thereby restoring Henan's vitality.

Due to his outstanding administrative achievements, Emperor Dezong appointed Zhang Yanshang as prime minister, subsequently entrusting him with the management of the court's tax revenues and expenditures. Zhang Yanshang had long heard of a major case involving profound injustice, which had deeply angered him. He intended to use this opportunity to thoroughly investigate the matter. Thus, immediately upon assuming his new duties, Zhang Yanshang summoned the prison officials and declared, 'This wrongful case has dragged on for too long. You are now ordered to conclude it within ten days.'

The next day, Zhang Yanshang arrived early at the yamen (government office). As soon as he sat down, he discovered a small note on his desk with two lines of text: 'Thirty thousand guan (strings of coins) as a token of respect to Your Excellency Zhang. Please do not inquire further into this case.' As a prime minister, Zhang Yanshang had never encountered such audacious bribery. Enraged, he tore the note and summoned the prison officials, reducing the ten-day deadline to five days.

To his surprise, on the morning of the third day, another small note appeared on Zhang Yanshang's desk, this time simply stating: 'Fifty thousand guan.' This escalating offer, each higher than the last, was undoubtedly a challenge. Zhang Yanshang was furious and instructed the prison officials, 'The case must be concluded within two days.'

However, to his utter dismay, on the fourth day, the 'audacious' small note reappeared, bearing the inscription: 'One hundred thousand guan.' This time, Zhang Yanshang fell silent. He sighed deeply and said, 'When money reaches the sum of one hundred thousand guan, even ghosts and gods can be bribed. What then cannot be accomplished? I have no choice but to accept this reality!' And so, the matter was left unresolved.