324–333: Given tally, Grand Commander, Grand General, Governor of Liang Province, Colonel to Guard the Qiang people, Duke of Xiping (使持節 大都督 大將軍 涼州牧 領護羌校尉 西平公)
333–345: Grand General to Guard the West, Inspector of Liang Province, Colonel to Guard the Qiang people, Duke of Xiping (鎮西大將軍 涼州刺史 領護羌校尉 西平公)
Since 345: Grand Commander, Grand General, Acting Prince of Liang (大都督 大將軍 假涼王)
Former Zhao and Later Zhao, he used the title Prince of Liang. Late in his reign, even when not under Later Zhao's pressure, he claimed the title of "Acting Prince of Liang." During the brief reign of his son Zhang Zuo, he was honored as Prince Wen of Liang (涼文王). The Book of Jin
describes Zhang Jun as having an extraordinary appearance and was talented at literature, however he was also an extravagant and dissipated man.
Early life
Zhang Jun was the son of
Former Zhao
and was given the title the Prince of Liang, Zhang Jun carried that title as well, even though internally he used the Jin-vested title of Duke of Xiping.
Early reign
In 326, Zhang Jun, in fear of Han-Zhao, forcibly relocated the people of Longxi (隴西) and Nan'an (南安, collectively roughly
and further tried to persuade Li Xiong to become a Jin vassal. Li Xiong agreed to peace and further did not completely rebuff Zhang Jun's overture, but also did not actually become a Jin vassal.
In 327, after hearing news that Former Zhao had suffered losses at
Liu Yin counterattacked, and, after defeating Former Liang general Han Pu (韓璞), captured all Former Liang territory south of the Yellow River and further crossed the river, but did not advance further. However, Zhang Jun did not resubmit to Former Zhao. As Former Zhao disintegrated and fell to Later Zhao in 329 after its emperor Liu Yao was captured by Later Zhao forces, Former Liang took the opportunity to regain lands south of the Yellow River. In 330, Later Zhao's emperor Shi Le sent messengers to persuade Former Liang to submit (by granting him honors, including the nine bestowments), but Zhang Jun refused and detained Shi Le's messengers. Later in the year, however, after Later Zhao's general Shi Sheng (石生) the Prince of Hedong defeated the nearby Xiongnu
chieftain Shi Qiang (石羌), Zhang Jun became apprehensive and submitted to Later Zhao.
In 333, in the aftermaths of Shi Le's death and the coup by his nephew
Di chief Pu Hong (蒲洪). However, in light of Shi Hu's victory over most of the other generals, Pu soon submitted to Shi Hu. Shi Hu, however, did not appear to consider attacking Former Liang, and, not having to fight Later Zhao for years, by 335 Zhang Jun's domain was described as being so rich and strong and under his capable leadership that it also became overlord over a number of kingdoms in the Western Regions, which offered tribute to Zhang Jun. He submitted a plan to Emperor Cheng of Jin
requesting to attack Later Zhao and/or Cheng-Han jointly with Jin forces, but the plan was not acted upon by Emperor Cheng.
Late reign
In 339, Zhang Jun transferred some of his authorities to his heir apparent, Zhang Chonghua. In 340, he offered tribute to Shi Hu, but in his petition he used arrogant words. Shi Hu was angered and wanted to kill his messenger, but Shi Hu's official Shi Pu (石璞) was able to persuade him to overlook Zhang Jun's arrogance.
In 344, a battle between Former Liang and Later Zhao forces was mentioned, perhaps indicating that the relationship was not as peaceful as before.
In early 346, Zhang Jun attacked the Xiyu kingdom Yanqi (焉耆, in modern
Bayin'gholin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang
), and Yanqui submitted to him. By this point, he was described as having taken the title Acting Prince of Liang (假涼王) and using styles that were usually reserved for emperors.
In summer 346, Zhang Jun died, and was succeeded by his heir apparent Zhang Chonghua.
Era name?
Most historical sources indicate that Zhang Jun, like his father Zhang Shi and his uncle Zhang Mao, continued to use
era name Jianxing (both to show continued allegiance to Jin and to distance himself from Emperor Yuan of Jin
and his line) but some sources indicate that he changed era name to Taiyuan (太元 tài yuán 324–346). A current theory is that his era name was used internally while the Jianxing era name was used when communicating with other states.
