Zhang Gongjin (594[1] – 632), courtesy name Hongshen, titled Duke of Tan, was an official and general during the Tang dynasty of China. He played an important role in the Xuanwu Gate Incident in 626 which helped Emperor Taizong obtained the crown. He was a key general of Tang dynasty during the campaign against Illig Qaghan of Tujue. Because of his contributions, he was listed as one of 24 founding officials of Tang dynasty honored on the Lingyan Pavilion.
In history
Zhang Gongjin was originally a low-ranked official under the warlord Wang Shichong.[2] In 618, Zhang submitted to Tang dynasty and became a follower of Li Shimin, the then Prince of Qin, who was in a rivalry against the crowned prince Li Jiancheng for the potential chance of becoming the next emperor. In 626, Li Shimin ambushed and killed Li Jiancheng at Xuanwu Gate. During this incident, Zhang Gongjin played a big role in stopping Li Jiancheng's reinforcement forces led by Feng Li, Xue Wanche and Xie Shufang from breaking through the Xuanwu Gate.[3] Li Shimin soon became the new emperor (Emperor Taizong) after the incident.
During Emperor Taizong's reign, Zhang Gongjin was a military commander guarding Daizhou, an important city in the north of Tang empire. He managed to keep Daizhou safe during invasions of Tujue people. In 629, the steppe in the north, home of Tujue tribes, suffered from a serious winter storm. Zhang Gongjin thus suggested to launch a counterattack against Tujue. He listed five reasons why Tang should launch this attack.[4] Emperor Taizong took his advice and sent out six troops, all under Li Jing's command, to attack Tujue. Zhang Gongjin was the vice chief commander under Li Jing during this campaign. The Illig Qaghan was captured by Tang dynasty in the following year, which marked the collapse of the Eastern Turkic Khanate.[5] Because of his contributions in this campaign, Zhang was given the title Duke of Zou. He was then appointed to be the military commander of Xiangzhou. During his time in Xiangzhou, he gained reputation as a good governor.[6]
Zhang Gongjin died in Xiangzhou in 632. In 639, Emperor Taizong promoted his title to be Duke of Tan. In 643, he was listed on the Lingyan Pavilion.
In folk legends
In folk legends, Zhang Gongjin was a low-ranked officer under Luo Yi, the general guarding Youzhou in Sui dynasty. Later, he joined the peasant uprising and became a leader of Wagang Army. After Wagang Army disbanded, Zhang Gongjin submitted to Tang dynasty and became a general. During the war against Goguryeo, Zhang Gongjin was killed by the Korean general Yeon Gaesomun in the battle.
Family
Grandfather:
- Zhang Ganzhi: A mid-ranked governor in Northern Qi dynasty
Father:
- Zhang Shiru: Duke of Dingyuan County (retroactively recognized by Tang dynasty)
Sons:
Daughter:
Grandsons:
- Zhang Chen: A county-level governor in Shandong
- Zhang Fei: A teaching staff at Imperial Academy
- Zhang Xu: A low-ranked local governor in Dingzhou
- Zhang Xuan: A mid-ranked officer in the central court during Wu Zetian's reign
- Zhang Qia: General of Left Jinwu Guard Army
- Zhang Shui: A top scholar at Imperial Academy
- Zhang Jun: A mid-ranked officer
Notable Great-Grandsons:
- Zhang Hui: A prefecture-level governor
- Yi Xing (Zhang Sui): One of best-known Buddhists, scientists and mathematicians in ancient China.
References
- ^ The 594 birth year is per Zhang's biography in Old Book of Tang, which indicate that he was 39 (by East Asian reckoning) when he died; his biography in New Book of Tang instead recorded his age at death as 49 (by East Asian reckoning).
- ^ Old Book of Tang：初为王世充洧州长史。
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian：翊卫车骑将军冯翊冯立闻建成死，叹曰：“岂有生受其恩，而死逃其难乎！”乃与副护军薛万彻、屈咥直府左车骑万年谢叔方帅东宫、齐府精兵二千驰趣玄武门。张公谨多力，独闭关以拒之，不得入。
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian：代州都督张公谨上言突厥可取之状，以为：“颉利纵欲逞暴，诛忠良，昵奸佞，一也。薛延陀等诸部皆叛，二也。突利、拓设、欲谷设皆得罪，无所自容，三也。塞北霜早，糇粮乏绝，四也。颉利疏其族类，亲委诸胡，胡人反覆，大军一临，必生内变，五也，华人入北，其众甚多，比闻所在啸聚，保据山险，大军出塞，自然响应，六也。”上以颉利可汗既请和亲，复援梁师都，丁亥，命兵部尚书李靖为行军总管讨之，以张公谨为副。
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian：以其谋告张公谨，公谨曰：“诏书已许其降，使者在彼，奈何击之！”靖曰：“此韩信所以破齐也。唐俭辈何足惜！”遂勒兵夜发，世勣继之，军至阴山，遇突厥千馀帐，俘以随军。
- ^ Old Book of Tang：破定襄，败颉利，玺书慰劳，进封邹国公。转襄州都督，甚有惠政。
