Zhang Jun (Song chancellor)

Zhang Jun (張浚) (1097 – 1164), courtesy name Deshi (德施), posthumous name Zhongxian (忠獻), was a prominent Song dynasty statesman who served as a chancellor during the Southern Song period. He is best known for his staunch advocacy for resisting the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty and his role in the early campaigns against them.

Born in Huayang (modern-day Shuangliu County, Sichuan), Zhang Jun passed the imperial examinations and entered government service. He quickly gained recognition for his administrative abilities and his patriotic stance against the Jin, who had captured the Northern Song capital of Kaifeng in the Jingkang Incident (1127) and forced the Song court to flee south.

Following the enthronement of Emperor Gaozong, Zhang Jun rose to prominence as a leading figure in the war effort. He advocated for a policy of aggressive resistance and the recapture of lost territories. He was instrumental in the appointment of Yue Fei as a general and supported Yue Fei's military campaigns against the Jin.

However, Zhang Jun's political career was marked by factionalism and intrigue. He clashed with other prominent officials, including Qin Hui, who advocated for a policy of appeasement towards the Jin. Qin Hui eventually gained the upper hand and orchestrated the dismissal and subsequent execution of Yue Fei in 1142. Zhang Jun, though spared execution, was removed from his position and exiled.

Despite his fall from power, Zhang Jun remained a vocal critic of the peace treaty signed with the Jin in 1142. He continued to advocate for the recovery of lost territories. He was later recalled to court by Emperor Xiaozong, who sought to adopt a more assertive policy against the Jin. Zhang Jun served again as a chancellor but retired soon after due to ill health.

Zhang Jun is remembered as a complex figure in Song history. While admired for his patriotism and his support for Yue Fei, he is also criticized for his involvement in political rivalries and his strategic miscalculations. He remains a symbol of resistance against foreign aggression during the Southern Song period.