During the Chinese Civil War, Zhang was commander of the Third Subdistrict of the Tongbai Military District, and fought in many battles under the leadership of Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping.
Pada Perang Saudara Tiongkok, Zhang menjadi komandan Subdistrik Ketiga Distrik Militer Tongbai, dan bertempur dalam beberapa pertempuran dibawah kepemimpinan Liu Bocheng dan Deng Xiaoping.