Zhang Xun (Tang dynasty)

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Zhang Xun (simplified Chinese: 张巡; traditional Chinese: 張巡; 709 – 24 November 757) was a Chinese scholar-official and military commander during the Tang dynasty. He was known for defending Yongqiu and Suiyang during the An Shi Rebellion against the rebel armies of Yan, and thus, his supporters asserted, he blocked Yan forces from attacking and capturing the fertile Tang territory south of the Huai River. However, he was severely criticized by some contemporaries and some later historians as lacking humanity due to his encouragement of cannibalism during the Battle of Suiyang. Other historians praised him for his great faithfulness to Tang.

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