Zhang Jun

Life

He was the son of Zhang Xian. His family included Yuwen Shizhong as father-in-law, Ji Yougong as maternal uncle, Zhang Huang as elder brother, wives surnamed Le and Yuwen, and sons Zhang Shi and Zhang Jin. An additional tradition has him claiming descent from Zhang Jiugao.

In the eighth year of the Zhenghe era (1118), he passed the jinshi examination and was initially appointed a shicao canjun in Shannan Prefecture; at the beginning of the Jingkang era, he became a clerk in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Early in Emperor Gaozong's Jianyan reign, he served successively as a drafting official in the Privy Council, investigating censor, and vice minister of rites.

In the third year of Jianyan (1129), when the Jin invaded south, he remained at Wumen to command the troops; during the Miao–Liu rebellion, he took part in the campaign to restore the throne and was appointed Commissioner of the Privy Council for his service. After advocating the development of the Guanshan region, he was made Shaanxi–Sichuan pacification commissioner with authority to make personnel decisions; his forces fought the Jin at Fuping and were defeated, but the campaign helped contain pressure on the southeast and secure the Jianghuai region.

In the fifth year of Shaoxing (1135), he was appointed to the Council of State and placed in charge of the Privy Council, with overall command of the armies of the various circuits. He also suppressed Yang Yao, organized the forces along the Yangtze and in the Huai region for defense, and planned a northern expedition.

In the seventh year of Shaoxing (1137), after Li Qiong's mutiny, he accepted responsibility, sought dismissal, and was sent to serve as prefect of Fuzhou and pacification commissioner of Fujian Circuit. During Qin Hui's ascendancy, he was sidelined outside the capital for nearly two decades; he recommended Hu Anguo and Yin Tun, held Yue Fei in high regard, and was involved in mutual opposition and attacks with Qin Hui.

After Qin Hui's death, he was reassigned to administer Jiankang Prefecture and serve as provisional palace administrator; when Wanyan Liang invaded south, he was recalled and restored as Grand Academician of the Palace of Literary Brilliance and prefect of Tanzhou. After Xiaozong ascended the throne, he was made Junior Tutor, pacification commissioner for the eastern and western Huai regions, and Prince of Wei.

In the first year of Longxing (1163), he became Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, concurrently held the title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi and Privy Council commissioner, and was placed in command of the garrisons at Jiankang, Zhenjiang, Chizhou, and Jiangyin. He led the northern expedition, which ended in defeat at Fuli; he briefly returned as chancellor before being driven from office by the peace faction.

In the second year of Longxing (1164), he was made Junior Grand Tutor and military governor of Baoxin Army, and assigned to administer Fuzhou before being transferred to the office of Liquan Abbey superintendent. He died in August of the same year, was posthumously granted the title Grand Guardian, and received the posthumous name Zhongxian.

Works

His works include a ten-juan Yizhuan, described as extant, as well as the Ziyan Yizhuan, Zhongxing Beilan, and the one-juan Jianyan Fubi Pingjiang Shilu. He also wrote commentaries on the Analects, Spring and Autumn Annals, Book of Odes, Book of Documents, Book of Rites, and Doctrine of the Mean, each in several juan, together with a ten-juan collected works and twenty juan of memorials.

A compilation by later editors is titled Zhang Weigong ji, and eleven poems are listed.