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Zhang Jiuling was born in 678 to a gentry family in Qujiang (曲江, in modern Guangdong province) in Shaozhou (韶州) which was at the time a relatively remote area of the Tang empire. He gained the degree of jinshi probably in his twenties and was appointed successively to a number of senior positions (秘書省校書郎、右拾遺、左拾遺) at the capital Chang'an. Later, due to disputes at court, Zhang was forced into exile from Chang'an. During this time he returned to his hometown and organised a number of local projects, including the construction of a road through strategic Mei Pass, linking what is now Jiangxi and Guangdong.
In 718 he returned to the capital and was appointed Aide to the Master of Writing. Later factional fighting again forced him to the provinces. In 731, Emperor Xuanzong recalled him. His literary skills won the admiration of the monarch. In 733, Zhang Jiuling was made Director of the Secretariat and concurrenty Grand Councilor, the highest official post of the empire. Zhang held the position of Grand Councilor until 737, when he was sacked and demoted. During his time in the post, however, Zhang was remembered for his humanitarian policies. He advocated reforms of officialdom, humane treatment of the commoners, encouragement of agriculture and the reduction of conscription duties. These policies are recognised as continuing the "golden age" of the Kaiyuan era. In terms of court politics, Zhang supported the Heir Apparent Li Ying (李瑛) and vehemently opposed the faction of An Lushan and Li Linfu (李林甫).
In 740, Zhang Jiuling died from illness in his native Qujiang. In 756, the outbreak of the An Lushan Rebellion confirmed Zhang's honourable status at the Tang court and in history.