Zhang Jun stood alongside Yue Fei, Han Shizhong, and Liu Guangshi as one of the Four Great Generals of the Southern Song Restoration, yet he was hardly a good man. Back then, he had been one of the chief culprits behind Yue Fei's death, and later generations even cast him into a bronze statue kneeling within Yue Fei's temple.
Of course, that was a matter for later generations. At present, Zhang Jun was still at the height of his power. After Yue Fei's death, Qin Hui, Wan Qixie, Zhang Jun, and the others had controlled the Southern Song's center of power. However, they soon fell out over the struggle for authority. In the end, Qin Hui proved the more capable player, while Wan Qixie and Zhang Jun were thoroughly demoted and driven from court.
When Qin Hui's power had reached its zenith, even the Southern Song Emperor Zhao Gou feared him. He even kept a dagger hidden on his person at all times, constantly guarding against Qin Hui staging some coup and seizing the throne.
Fortunately, Heaven had eyes. Qin Hui had finally been unable to hold on due to his advanced age. Zhao Ruyu of the imperial clan seized the chance to join forces with like-minded people and bring down the Qin Family faction. Yet not long after Zhao Ruyu became Left Chancellor, he was impeached and forced from office by Han Tuozhou's faction.
With the seat of Left Chancellor vacant, Han Tuozhou thought it was his for the taking. Who would have thought that Shi Miyuan and Jia Sidao would join forces, along with the remnants of Zhao Ruyu's faction, and forcibly block his path to promotion?
The various factions fought fiercely, leaving the entire Southern Song court in chaos. In the end, to balance the different powers,