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Also known as Tong Yizi. A native of Shanyin (present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang), originally from Mianzhu, Sichuan, his ancestors were granted the position of Shaoxing Guard Commander due to military merits in the early Ming Dynasty and relocated to Kuaiji, Zhejiang. His father, Zhang Shoufeng, was a guest of the Marquis of Dingxi. At the age of 14, he followed his father to the capital and studied medicine under the renowned physician Jin Ying (Mengshi) in the capital region, inheriting his teachings. In his youth, he did not pursue medicine as a profession but joined the military. Failing to achieve success, he returned to the capital and devoted himself to the study of medicine. Zhang's medical reputation flourished in the capital, and "contemporaries compared him to Zhongjing and Dongyuan."

In his early years, Zhang adhered to Zhu Danxi's theory of "excess yang and insufficient yin." After middle age, based on the Neijing statement "Only when yin is at peace and yang is compact can essence-spirit be normal," and influenced by Zhang Yuansu, he turned to criticize Danxi, advocating "the medical methods of Dongyuan and Li Zhai." Influenced by Wang Bing, he further developed the theory that the fire of the life gate is the original qi, and the water in the kidneys is the primordial essence. Without the form of yin essence, it is insufficient to carry the original qi, leading him to propose that "yang is not excessive, and true yin is often insufficient," becoming a key figure in the Warm Supplementation School.

Zhang authored: Leijing in 32 volumes, Leijing Tuyi in 11 volumes, Supplementary Wings in 4 volumes, Jingyue Quanshu in 64 volumes, and another work, Records of Doubts in 1 volume, which some suspect to be falsely attributed.

In diagnostic and therapeutic thought, Zhang emphasized pattern identification and treatment, seeking the root cause through differentiation. He proposed the theory of "two principles and six changes," where the two principles refer to yin-yang, and the six changes refer to exterior-interior, deficiency-excess, and cold-heat. Grasping the six changes is essential to understanding the root of disease. Zhang believed that "all diseases should be treated at the root," considering root treatment the most important. He put forward several arguments, such as "medicines should be specialized and precise, and one should be especially courageous," "knowing the evil and the righteous, weighing the light and the heavy," "differentiating deficiency and excess," discussing supplementation and drainage, considering compliance and opposition, flexible methods to explore diseases, and "treating by not treating," all of which pertain to pattern identification and treatment.

Zhang had rich clinical experience and proposed many beneficial insights. For example, his development of the Mingmen (GV4) theory, analysis of inquiry, exploration of gas poisoning and its prevention methods, differentiation between apoplexy and externally contracted apoplexy, management of acute diseases, the role of psychological therapy, and the exposure of malingering, all offer profound enlightenment. As a key figure in the Warm Supplementation School, Zhang Jie-bin's contributions are undeniable; however, his overemphasis on warm supplementation led to certain abuses, for which he cannot escape blame.