Zhang Gui

Zhang Gui (張瓌) (d. February 10, 888 ) was a warlord late in the Chinese Tang dynasty who controlled Jingnan Circuit (荊南, headquartered in modern Jingzhou, Hubei) from 885 to 888.

Background Little is known about Zhang Gui's background, as he had no biography in either of the official histories of the Tang dynasty (the Old Book of Tang and the New Book of Tang), and it is not known when he was born. According to the Zizhi Tongjian, he was from Wei Prefecture (渭州, in modern Pingliang, Gansu) —although the modern Chinese historian Bo Yang, apparently believing that "Wei Prefecture" was erroneously written instead of "Hua Prefecture" (滑州, in modern Anyang, Henan), indicated that Zhang was from Hua Prefecture. In any case, Zhang became an officer at Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou, Jiangsu), but later rebelled against the military governor (Jiedushi) Gao Pian. He seized Fu Prefecture (復州, in modern Tianmen, Hubei) and claimed the title of prefect. However, Qin Zongyan was unable to capture the city, and withdrew in late 886.

In 887, Qin Zongquan sent another general, Zhao Deyin, to attack Jingnan. In early 888, the city fell, and Zhang was killed. Zhao left his officer Wang Jianzhao in control of Jingnan and withdrew back to his base at Shannan East Circuit (山南東道, headquartered in modern Xiangyang, Hubei).

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