[5] In 611, led by Wang Bo, the first peasant uprising of Sui dynasty broke out in Zouping region near Qi Prefecture.
[6] In 613, Wang Bo, allied with other peasant forces, such as Sun Xuanya and Hao Xiaode, went back and fought against Zhang Xutuo.
Major peasant rebels in Shandong region including Pei Changcai, Shi Zihe,[8] Guo Fangyu,[9] Zuo Xiaoyou,[10] Lu Mingyue,[11] Lyu Mingxing, Shuai Rentai and Huo Xiaohan [12] were all defeated by Zhang Xutuo.
Zhang Xutuo also discovered and promoted several talented warriors, including Qin Shubao and Luo Shixin, from his troops.
In 614, Zhang Xutuo was appointed by the central court as the chief commander of Eastern China and the guard of Qi.
In December 616, Zhang Xutuo met his strongest opponent in the battlefield, the Wagang Army led by Zhai Rang and Li Mi.
Although Zhang Xutuo rarely appears in folk tales or dramas, his stories triggered the creation of the fictional person called Yang Lin, who was believed to be one of the best warriors of Sui dynasty, and was given the title of Prince of Backing (Kaoshan Wang) by the emperor.