Zhang Xun (disambiguation) facts for kids

Zhang Xun (pronounced "Jang Shyun") was a Chinese general who lived from 1854 to 1923. He was famous for being very loyal to the old Qing dynasty, which had ruled China for hundreds of years. In 1917, he tried to bring back the last emperor, Puyi, to power, even though the Qing dynasty had ended years before. This event was a big moment in China's history.

Who Was General Zhang Xun?

Zhang Xun was born in the province of Jiangxi, China. He started his career as a soldier in the late 1800s. He was known for his strong loyalty to the Qing imperial family. Even after the Qing dynasty fell in 1912 and China became a republic, Zhang Xun and his soldiers kept their traditional queues (braids), which were a symbol of loyalty to the Qing emperors. Because of this, his army was sometimes called the "Queue Army."

Zhang Xun's Role in China's Changes

After the Qing dynasty ended, China went through a time of big changes. Different warlords (military leaders) controlled different parts of the country. Zhang Xun was one of these powerful military leaders. He tried to stay out of the conflicts between the warlords at first. However, he still believed that China should be ruled by an emperor, not a republic.

The Attempt to Bring Back the Emperor

In 1917, a disagreement happened between the President of China, Li Yuanhong, and his Prime Minister, Duan Qirui. Zhang Xun saw this as a chance to bring back the Qing emperor. He marched his army into Beijing, the capital city. On July 1, 1917, Zhang Xun announced that Emperor Puyi was back on the throne. Puyi was still a young boy at the time.

This event is known as the "Manchu Restoration" or "Zhang Xun's Restoration." It caused a lot of surprise and anger across China. Most people in China did not want the emperor back. They preferred the new republic.

What Happened After the Restoration?

Zhang Xun's plan did not last long. Other powerful warlords, especially Duan Qirui, quickly gathered their forces. They marched on Beijing to stop the restoration. After only 12 days, Zhang Xun's army was defeated. Emperor Puyi had to step down from the throne again. Zhang Xun himself had to hide in the Dutch embassy to avoid being arrested. He later lived a quiet life and died in 1923.

Other People Named Zhang Xun

The name Zhang Xun has been used by other important people in Chinese history:

• Zhang Xun (Han dynasty): A scholar who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty.
• Zhang Xun (Tang dynasty): A brave general from the Tang dynasty who fought in a famous battle called the Battle of Suiyang.
• Zhang Xun (diplomat): A modern diplomat who has served as China's Ambassador to Syria.

See also

In Spanish: Zhang Xun para niños