During the Tang Dynasty, a boy from the Zhang family dreamed of two magnificent birds—one with purple patterns and another with five-colored patterns—flying in his courtyard. He told his grandfather, who said, "I've heard the five-colored bird is the phoenix, and the purple one is the luan. You'll likely bring glory to the court with your writings. Let me rename you Zhang."
As a child, Zhang Zhuo was exceptionally bright, and as he grew older, he devoted himself to his studies with relentless diligence. During the Tiaolu era of Emperor Gaozong's Tang Dynasty, he sat for the jinshi examination. The chief examiner was so impressed by his essay that he pounded the table in admiration, declaring his talent unmatched under heaven. After passing, Zhang repeatedly topped the Ministry of Personnel's selection exams, earning either first place or the highest grade. The examiner often praised him before court officials, saying, "His essays are like bronze coins that everyone loves—chosen every time, no matter how many times they're tested." For this, people called him the "Bronze Coin Scholar."
Zhang was recommended as an imperial censor for his exceptional writing, but his fiery temper, unrestrained behavior, and inability to work harmoniously with others—especially his habit of recklessly criticizing state affairs—earned him the deep hatred of Chancellor Yao Chong, leading to his dismissal and exile to Lingnan. Although he was later recalled thanks to the intercession of high officials, he was ultimately never reinstated by the court.
Zhang was so quick-witted that his essays flowed from his pen fully formed. His writings became wildly popular in his time, with every young scholar imitating his style. When envoys from Silla and Japan arrived in the Tang Dynasty, they would purchase his works with gold and precious treasures.
Zhang's major works include the notebook (essay) *Chao Ye Qian Zai*, the judgment document *Long Jin Feng Sui Pan*, and the legendary novel *You Xian Ku*, establishing him as a Tang Dynasty literary figure.
Later, the idiom "A Myriad of Bronze Coins" came to be used as a metaphor for outstanding literary talent.
Source: *New Book of Tang*, "Biography of Zhang Jian"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "青钱万选" came to describe a metaphor for outstanding literary talent.