Zhang Xun

Zhang Xun (onyomi: Chō Kun) is an officer who served under Yuan Shu and a close friend of Sun Ce. He unsuccessfully led an attack against the forces of Lu Bu at the Battle of Xiapi.

Role in Games
In Dynasty Warriors, Zhang Xun constantly appears alongside his lord Yuan Shu at Xiapi, where they try to reinforce Lu Bu's forces against Cao Cao and Liu Bei.

In Dynasty Warriors 6, Zhang Xun appears more frequently. He joins his lord at Xia Pi to aid Lu Bu and also at Wu Territory when Yuan Shu tries to repel Sun Ce's forces. He also serves under Yuan Shu during Liu Bei's attack on him and at Shiting during Lu Bu's story. In Diao Chan's story, Zhang Xun further appears at Fan Castle under Cao Cao's forces together with Dian Wei.

Dynasty Warriors 7 has Zhang Xun only appear at Shouchun, fighting under Yuan Shu. In Dynasty Warriors 8, Zhang Xun appears at Xiapi and serves Yuan Shu during Cao Cao's rescue of Emperor Xian, where he tries to block Cao Cao's way.

Zhang Xun is an average officer in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He mainly serves under Yuan Shu and may appear in Cao Cao's service after Yuan Shu's defeat, though in later games, he instead appears under Sun Ce, reflecting the uncertainty of his fate in historical records.

Historical Info
Zhang Xun was born from a middle-class family in Huainan where he devoted his time studying before joining the ranks of Yuan Shu's troops. Before long, he made his way up to the higher echelons of the army for having displayed exceptional courage in battle. After Yuan Shu used the Imperial Seal to proclaim himself emperor, he promoted Zhang Xun to Grand General. His promotion, however, was short-lived when he and his army were easily repelled by the combined forces of Lu Bu and the Taishan bandits, causing his subsequent demotion. Chen Gui's strategy as well as the defection of both Han Xian and Yang Feng were contributing factors that helped brought about this defeat.

After Yuan Shu died, Zhang Xun sought to join Sun Ce due to their close ties with one another. Unfortunately, he and Yang Hong were forcibly held by Liu Xun, who did not wish to lose his independence. After his castle was taken by Sun Ce, however, Liu Xun fled north to Cao Cao. It is unknown what happened to Zhang Xun after that, as he does not appear in any further historical records; it could be surmised that he was either forced to accompany Liu Xun to the north or taken in when Sun Ce absorbed the remnants of Yuan Shu's forces.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Zhang Xun first appears in chapter 15 of the novel where he is part of Yuan Shu's council, in which he decides to declare himself Emperor. In chapter 17, Zhang Xun leads 200,000 men against Lu Bu in Xu Province. Due to the defection of Yang Feng and Han Xian, he is defeated and forced to flee.