Born in poverty in Yi County (now Laizhou) in Shandong, Zhang joined a bandit gang in 1911 and rose in power after offering his band's services to the army of Jiangsu's military governor. His success as a part-time bandit chief and militiaman was short-lived and after being defeated by rivals he sought refuge with the warlord Zhang Zuolin in Manchuria. He made a good impression, with a popular story going that he rose in popularity one year at Zhang Zuolin's birthday party: in contrast to other guests who showered the warlord with expensive gifts, Zhang Zongchang sent him two empty coolie baskets and failed to turn up himself. Zhang Zuolin was baffled until the purpose of the gift was soon ascertained: Zhang Zongchang's empty basket implied he was a man willing to shoulder whatever heavy r