Zhang Xiong facts for kids
Zhang Xiong (張雄) was an important military leader and politician during China's Tang dynasty. From 886, he led an army that moved around the lower Yangtze River area. He became a key player in the power struggles between different warlords who wanted control of the Huainan and Zhenhai regions. Zhang Xiong eventually settled in Shangyuan (which is now Nanjing, Jiangsu) in 887. He controlled this area until he died in 893.
How Zhang Xiong Started
Zhang Xiong came from a place called Lianshui (in modern Huai'an, Jiangsu). He was an officer in the Ganhua region's army. Once, a fellow officer named Feng Hongduo, also from Lianshui, was accused of doing something wrong. Zhang Xiong spoke up for him. This made their military governor, Shi Pu, suspicious of both Zhang Xiong and Feng Hongduo.
In 886, knowing they were in danger, Zhang Xiong and Feng Hongduo gathered 300 men. They left Ganhua and crossed the Yangtze River. Their goal was to attack Su Prefecture (in modern Suzhou, Jiangsu). They successfully captured it, and Zhang Xiong became its leader. Over time, he built a large army of about 50,000 soldiers and 1,000 ships. He called his army the Tiancheng Army, which means "Heavenly Success Army."
Moving Around and Fighting
Zhang Xiong taking over Su Prefecture made the leader of the Zhenhai region, Zhou Bao, unhappy. Zhou Bao heard that another officer, Xu Yue, had a strong army. So, Zhou Bao asked Xu Yue to attack Zhang Xiong, promising him Su Prefecture if he won.
In the summer of 887, Xu Yue attacked Zhang Xiong. Zhang Xiong's army couldn't hold their ground. He moved his army east towards the East China Sea. He sent one of his officers, Zhao Hui, with part of the army and ships west along the Yangtze River. Zhao Hui's mission was to take over Shangyuan. Zhao Hui succeeded and captured Shangyuan.
Meanwhile, the main city of Huainan, Yang Prefecture, was in chaos. An officer named Bi Shiduo started a rebellion. He feared that Gao Pian, the military governor, would kill him. Bi Shiduo captured Yang Prefecture and took control of Gao Pian.
Zhang Xiong saw this as a chance to get involved. He moved his army close to Yang Prefecture. Soon, another war broke out. Bi Shiduo and his ally, Qin Yan, were fighting against Yang Xingmi. Yang Xingmi had surrounded Yang Prefecture. Qin Yan and Bi Shiduo needed Zhang Xiong's help because they were running out of food. They traded valuable items from the city for food from Zhang Xiong. However, after Zhang Xiong's army received the wealth, they refused to fight for Qin Yan and Bi Shiduo.
Later, Yang Xingmi captured the city. Qin Yan and Bi Shiduo fled. They tried to join Zhang Xiong, but he refused to let them.
At the same time, Zhou Bao had lost control of his own region. Many of his soldiers ran away and joined Zhao Hui in Shangyuan. This made Zhao Hui very proud and arrogant. He rebuilt an old castle, Tai Castle, as his fancy home and started living a very luxurious life. He also stopped talking to Zhang Xiong. When Zhang Xiong moved his army west on the Yangtze River, Zhao Hui even tried to stop him. Angry, Zhang Xiong attacked Shangyuan and captured it. Zhao Hui tried to escape but was killed by his own soldiers. Zhang Xiong then killed all of Zhao Hui's soldiers who surrendered and settled down in Shangyuan.
Controlling Shangyuan
After settling in Shangyuan, Zhang Xiong became an important figure. In 890, the emperor at the time, Emperor Zhaozong of Tang, created a new Sheng Prefecture at Shangyuan. He officially made Zhang Xiong its leader.
Zhang Xiong died in 893. His friend, Feng Hongduo, took over as the new leader of Sheng Prefecture. People said that Zhang Xiong's soldiers really missed him because he was such a good leader. They even built a temple to honor him.
