During the reign of his brother Zhang Chonghua, Zhang Zuo was trusted by his brother, and despite warnings by Chang Ju (常據) and Xie Ai, Zhang Chonghua, for a long time, intended for Zhang Zuo to serve as regent for his son Zhang Yaoling.
Yuan Xie | Xie Zhenhua | Xie Jun | Xie Hui | Xie Tiao | Xie Shaoguang | Xie Jin | Xie Hui (footballer) | Xie Ai | Xie | Fiona Xie |
With Princess Ma's approval, Zhang Yaoling was deposed in early 354 and replaced with Zhang Zuo, who soon showed his cruel side, as he put Xie Ai and Zhang Chonghua's wife Princess Pei to death.