《宋史·列传·卷一百八十六》
熙宁初年，御史中丞吕公著说他有深厚的儒学基础，神宗刚刚即位之初，更新政治，想得到有才能的博学之士帮助谋划治理国家，召他问治理方法，回答说 ：治理政事不效法三代的人，终究是苟且于治道。 皇帝听后感到高兴，任命他为崇文院校书。
熙宁初，御史中丞吕公著言其有古学，神宗方一新百度，思得才哲士谋之，召见问治道，对曰： 为政不法三代者，终苟道也。 帝悦，以为崇文院校书。
Early in the Xining era, Censor-in-chief Lu Gongzhu mentioned his mastery of Confucianism; at the beginning of Emperor Shenzong's reign, he was committed to political reform and sought the assistance of capable and learned officials; he summoned Zhang Zai to ask him about his methods of governance, and Zhang Zai answered: "Those who do not learn from the Three Dynasties in handling political affairs will ultimately end up merely muddling through." The Emperor was pleased after hearing this and appointed him to be a lecturer at Chongwen School.