Zhang Jun张浚

History vs. fiction

Zhang Jun. A minister of the Southern Song dynasty, who together with Qin Hui supported the reinstatement of Wang Boyan. He was a chancellor of the Southern Song, once recommended Qin Hui, but later fell out with him. While in Yongzhou, he sent a memorial urgently warning against the examples of Shi Jin and Liu Yu.

• based on factSouthern Song minister, together with Qin Hui supported the reinstatement of Wang Boyan; Southern Song chancellor, once recommended Qin Hui, later fell out; while in Yongzhou, sent a memorial urgently warning against the examples of Shi Jin and Liu Yu | Southern Dynasty marshal, led troops to rescue the emperor; Southern Song marshal, participated in rescuing the emperor.

  Historically, Zhang Jun indeed existed. His deeds are recorded in historical sources such as the History of Song. For example, in the Annals of Gaozong, Volume 2, it is recorded: 'In the twelfth month, on the day Yimao, the Empress Dowager arrived at Hangzhou. The escort commander Miao Fu stationed his eight thousand troops at Fengguo Temple. On Gengshen, the Jin invaders attacked Dongping Prefecture, and the military commissioner of Jingdong and Jingxi circuits, Quan Bangyan, abandoned the city and fled. They also attacked Jinan Prefecture, and the defender Liu Yu surrendered the city. On Jiazi, the Jin invaders captured Daming Prefecture, where the judicial commissioner Guo Yong cursed the enemy and refused to submit, dying; the transport judge Pei Yi surrendered. They also captured Yanqing Prefecture. On Yichou, they captured Guo Prefecture. On Bingyin, the initial order was given to compile the national history. On Jisi, Huang Qianshan was appointed Left Chancellor and concurrently Director of the Secretariat, Wang Boyan Right Chancellor and concurrently Director of the Chancellery, Yan Qi Minister of the Chancellery, Zhu Shengfei Minister of the Secretariat, and Minister of War Lu Yi as Privy Councilor. On Xinwei, the Jin invaders attacked Qing Prefecture. On Dingchou, the retired officials Yu Shen and Xue Ang were both demoted and sent to Jinchang and Huizhou respectively. Geng Nanzhong was further demoted to be the commandant of Dan Prefecture, and Tang Ke was stripped of his title of Grand Academician of the Hall of Observing Culture. On Wuyin, the Minister of Rites Zhang Jun was concurrently appointed as Military Advisor to the Imperial Camp, teaching the use of long weapons. That winter, Du Chong breached the Yellow River dikes, diverting water from Si into Huai to block the Jin troops.' In the novel The Story of Yue Fei, Chapter 45 describes: 'And so Wushu fled back to his own country, entered the Yellow Dragon Prefecture, and saw his father the king, prostrating himself at the foot of the steps. The old king said: "I heard that the prince died in the Central Plains, and the grandson Jin Danzi was killed in battle. You have lost all of your 700,000 elite troops in the Central Plains. How dare you show your face before me?" He ordered: "Bind him and take him out to be executed!" At that time, the various barbarian officials bound Wushu and were about to take him out, when the military advisor Hami Chi knelt and memorialized: "Great King! It is not that the Fourth Prince is incompetent, but that Yue Nanman is truly resourceful. He was defeated at Bapan Mountain, defeated at Qinglong Mountain, and after crossing the Yellow River, defeated at Aihua Mountain. He was pursued by Yue Nanman to the Yangtze River, losing many generals and soldiers, and barely escaped across the river to defend Hejian Prefecture. Only when Yue Nanman's troops went to Huguang did he plan to invade the Central Plains with five routes. Your servant and the Fourth Prince arrived at the Yellow River, where Liu Yu, Cao Rong, and others came to offer the Yangtze River. When the troops reached Jinling, they pursued Kang Wang and seven others on seven horses, all the way to Hangzhou. Their ruler and ministers fled to the sea, and the Fourth Prince's main army pursued them to Huguang, surrounding Kang Wang and his ministers at Niutou Mountain. There were Yue Fei, Han Shizhong, Zhang Jun, and Liu Qi, four marshals, leading large troops to rescue the emperor, with over 300,000 soldiers. He fought with them and was defeated at Hanyang River. There were no boats to cross, and all our troops were killed by the southern barbarians. Fortunately, Du Ji and Cao Rong, two men, came in defeat and brought boats to rescue the prince. Just as they were about to cross the river, Han Shizhong fought a naval battle and drove them into Huangtiandang. Fortunately, the gods helped, dug open the sand, and they escaped through the Old Stork River. Without Huang Bingnu and Gao Taibao to die in his place, the Fourth Prince would not have been able to return to his country! I beg the Great King to show mercy and pardon him!" Hearing this, the old king ordered Wushu to be released. Wushu thanked him for his kindness. All the barbarian generals were also acquitted, and they took leave of the court and returned to their respective residences.'