Zhang Shijie

Zhang Shijie (張世傑) (d. March 1279) was a 13th century Chinese admiral and government official during the Mongol invasion of China.

Born to a prosperous family in Hebei, Zhang's family moved into Song China because his father had committed a crime in Jin. Zhang Shijie gained his position after passing his civil service examination eventually becoming a successful administrator overseeing civil, military, and naval duties for the Southern Song. Since the fall of the capital Hangzhou, Zhang commanded the Song naval forces during the Mongol invasion of China in 1276, and served as the last commander of the Song fleet, during the attempt to escort Emperor Bing of Song and other Imperial officials as they fled the Mongols in 1279. However, Zhang's fleet was intercepted by Mongol forces off the coast of Xinhui and was destroyed at the Battle of Yamen on March 19, 1279, with the Emperor and his Prime Minister Lu Xiufu committing suicide following their defeat. Although Zhang was able to escape with his remaining ships, he was said to have been killed only a few days later during a storm at sea. Alternate theories exist, suggesting that he fled to Vietnam to regroup. Although his fate remains a mystery, many suggest his death was simply Mongolian propaganda as the remains of his fleet and were never found.

References

• Giles, Herbert A. A Chinese Biographical Dictionary. Taipei, 1975.