Jia Nanfeng
Following Emperor Wu's death in 290, Zhang Hua was summoned back to Luoyang to serve as an Official of Ceremonies (), a position without actual power. His role was mainly to teach Sima Yu, the heir apparent of the newly enthroned Sima Zhong (Emperor Hui). After Empress Jia Nanfeng overthrew Empress Dowager Yang and her father Yang Jun in a "coup d'état", she entrusted Zhang Hua with greater responsibilities as Right Household Counsellor (), Palace Attendant () and Supervisor of the Palace Writers (). In 296, Zhang Hua was promoted to Minister of Works (). Over the subsequent years, with Empress Jia Nanfeng in power (Emperor Hui was merely a puppet emperor), Zhang Hua used his political skills to keep the various competing factions in check, in conjunction with Empress Jia's cousin Pei Wei.