In 1894, he achieved the highest score in the Palace Examination, earning the prestigious title of zhuangyuan.

[2] He later founded Dah Sun Cotton Mill in Nantong, financed by both the imperial court and local merchants.

[3][4] Additionally, he diversified into land reclamation, river conservancy, and modern education, especially in the northern Jiangsu.

It is generally accepted that Zhang is a successful entrepreneur, however, some financial improprieties led Dah Sun to an insolvent liquidation in the 1920s.

[8] He remoulded the infrastructure of Nantong and made it became a template for earlier urban development in China.