During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Zhang was an officer of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army, and fought in the celebrated Hundred Regiments Offensive.
Pada Perang Tiongkok-Jepang Kedua, Zhang menjadi perwira Divisi ke-129 Tentara Rute Kedelapan, dan bertarung dalam Serangan Ratusan Resimen.