Zhang Jun

Timeline

1. c. 1097–1124Baxi County, Mianzhou · SichuanZhang Jun, courtesy name Deyuan, was from Baxi in Mianzhou. He passed the jinshi examination in the fifth year of Chongning, served in prefectures and counties, and was known for speaking boldly. He entered the court around the Jingkang era and gradually took part in military and state affairs.
2. 1127–1137Guanzhong, Shaanxi, and around the imperial camp · ShaanxiIn the Jianyan and early Shaoxing eras Zhang Jun held major responsibility for war-or-peace strategy, strongly advocating resistance against Jin and repeatedly commanding forces in Shaanxi. After the defeat at the Battle of Fuping he was dismissed, but remained a trusted privy-council grandee of Gaozong, contending for years with Qin Hui and the peace party.
3. 1138–1150Places of exile in Lingnan and Fujian · GuangdongBecause of the failed campaign on the Huai and his political struggle with Qin Hui, Zhang Jun was repeatedly banished to Lingnan and Fujian. After Qin Hui's death in the twenty-fifth year of Shaoxing, Zhang Jun was gradually recalled, still holding to his ambition of recovering the Central Plains.
4. 1151–1160Lin'an · HangzhouLate in the Shaoxing era Zhang Jun re-entered the central government and strongly urged war against Jin. In Gaozong's final years and around Xiaozong's accession he submitted memorials on the grand plan of recovery and helped plan the Longxing Northern Expedition, becoming a key driver of the Southern Song's renewed turn toward the war party.
5. 1161–1164Lingzhou · NingxiaIn the first year of Longxing Zhang Jun commanded the forces of all circuits and directed the northern expedition. After the defeat at Fuli he took the blame and asked to be relieved, but was soon reappointed. He died in the second year of Longxing in the army camp at Lingzhou, posthumously granted the title of Tejin and Sanyi Sanyi, with the posthumous name Zhongmin.