Portrait of Zhang Liao from a Qing Dynasty edition of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Names
Simplified Chinese:	张辽
Traditional Chinese:	張遼
Pinyin:	Zhāng Liáo
Wade-Giles:	Chang Liao
Zi:	Wenyuan (文远)

Zhang Liao (169 – 222) was a military general under the powerful warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms Period in ancient China. He had participated in many campaigns, including those against Yuan Shao's heirs and the Wuhuan tribes. But he was most noted for his pivotal role in the Battle of Leisure Ford in 208, where he successfully defended the city of Hefei against advances of Sun Quan. Portrait of Zhang Liao from a Qing Dynasty edition of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms File links The following pages link to this file: Zhang Liao Categories: Public domain images ... Portrait of Zhang Liao from a Qing Dynasty edition of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms File links The following pages link to this file: Zhang Liao Categories: Public domain images ... The Qing Dynasty (Chinese: 清朝; Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Ching chao; Manchu: daicing gurun), sometimes known as the Manchu Dynasty, was a dynasty founded by the Manchu clan Aisin Gioro, in what is today northeast China, expanded into China and the surrounding territories, establishing the Empire of the Great Qing... Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Simplified Chinese: 三国演义; Traditional Chinese: 三國演義; Pinyin: sānguó yÇŽnyì), written by Luó Guànzhōng in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based upon events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty, and the Three Kingdoms period (220-280). ... Personal names in Chinese culture follow a number of conventions different from those of personal names in Western culture. ... Simplified Chinese characters (Simplified Chinese: 简体字; Traditional Chinese: 簡體字; pinyin: jiǎntǐzì; also called 简化字/簡化字, jiǎnhuàzì) are one of two standard character sets of printed contemporary Chinese written language. ... Traditional Chinese characters are one of two standard character sets of printed contemporary Chinese written language. ... Pinyin (Simplified Chinese: 汉语拼音; Traditional Chinese: 漢語拼音; Pinyin: HànyÇ” PÄ«nyÄ«n), also known as scheme of the Chinese phonetic alphabet (Simplified Chinese: 汉语拼音方案; Traditional Chinese: 漢語拼音方案; Pinyin: HànyÇ” PÄ«nyÄ«n fāngàn), while pin means spell(ing) and yin means sound(s)), is a system of romanization (phonemic notation... Wade-Giles, sometimes abbreviated Wade, is a Romanization (phonetic notation and transliteration) system for the Chinese language based on Mandarin. ... A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name, is an extra name that could be used in place of the given name. ... For other uses, see number 169. ... Events Pope Urban I succeeds Pope Callixtus I Roman Emperor Alexander Severus succeeds Heliogabalus Kingdom of Wu is established in China Sun Quan defeats Liu Bei at the Battle of Yi Ling Deaths March 11 - Roman Emperor Heliogabalus murdered Tertullian, theologian Pope Callixtus I Claudius Aelianus, teacher and rhetorician Ma... Warlord is a term that refers to one who has de facto military control of a subnational area, due to armed forces which are personally obedient to — somewhat circularly — that warlord. ... Cao Cao (曹操; Pinyin: Cáo Cāo) (155 – 220), whose name is also often transliterated and should be correctly pronounced as Tsao Tsao, was a regional warlord and the last Chancellor of Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the last years of the Eastern Han... The Han Dynasty (Traditional Chinese characters: 漢朝, Simplified Chinese characters: 汉朝, pinyin Hàncháo 202 BC - AD 220) followed the Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms in China. ... The Three Kingdoms period (Traditional Chinese characters: 三國, Simplified Chinese characters: 三国, pinyin Sānguó) is a period in the History of China. ... Yuan Shao (? – 202) was a major warlord occupying the north of ancient China during the massive civil war towards the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms era. ... The Wuhuan (traditional Chinese: 烏桓; simplified Chinese: 乌桓; pinyin: WÅ«huán) were a nomadic people who inhabited northern China, in what is now the provinces of Hebei, Liaoning, Shanxi, the municipality of Beijing and the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia. ... Hefei (Chinese: 合肥; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Hofei) is a prefecture-level city and the provincial capital of Anhui province, China. ... Sun Quan (孫權 pinyin: SÅ«n Quán) (182 - 252), son of Sun Jian, was the third ruler of the State of Wu and the founder of Kingdom of Wu, during the Three Kingdoms period, in China. ...

Chen Shou, author of the Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, considered Zhang Liao among the top five generals of the Kingdom of Wei, along with Yu Jin, Zhang He, Yue Jin and Xu Huang. Chen Shou (陳壽) (233-297), courtesy name Chengzuo (承祚) was the author of the Sanguo Zhi, a historical account of the Three Kingdoms period of China. ... The Sānguó Zhì (Chinese 三国志, or 三國誌), variously translated as Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Records of the Three States and Records of the Three Kingdoms, was the official and authoritative historical text on the Three Kingdoms Period compiled by Chen Shou during the Jin Dynasty (265-420). ... The Kingdom of Wei (ch. ... Yu Jin (? – 220) was a military general under the powerful warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period in ancient China. ... Not to be confused with Zheng He Zhang He (? – 231) was a distinguished military general under the powerful warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era in ancient China. ... An officer who joined Cao Cao early on in his quest for power (not to be confused with Yu Jin), he was a senior general holding a high rank. ... Xu Huang (? – 227) was a prominent general under the powerful warlord Cao Cao and his successor Cao Pi during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms Period in ancient China. ...

Life

Early life

A local of Mayi (马邑, present day Shuo County, Shanxi), Zhang Liao was originally surnamed Nie. He served as a local administrative officer during his younger days. Towards the end of the Han Dynasty, Ding Yuan, governor of Bingzhou (并州, present day Shanxi), favored Zhang Liao's martial skills and recruited him. Shanxi (Chinese: 山西; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Shan-hsi; Postal System Pinyin: Shansi) is a province in the northern part of the Peoples Republic of China. ... The Han Dynasty (Traditional Chinese: 漢朝; Simplified Chinese: 汉朝; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Han Chau; 206 BC–AD 220) followed the Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms in China. ... Ding Yuan (? - 189) was a rival warlord to Dong Zhou. ...

In 189, Ding Yuan and his most trusted aide Lü Bu led troops into Luoyang to assist General-in-Chief He Jin to eliminate the powerful eunuch faction. However, He Jin was soon assassinated by the eunuchs and the capital fell into chaos. Dong Zhuo, a warlord from Liangzhou (凉州), in the ensuing tussel for power, intended to place in the throne a puppet emperor. Lü Bu (153 – 198) was a military general and minor warlord during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period in ancient China. ... Luoyang (Simplified Chinese: 洛阳; Traditional Chinese: 洛陽; Pinyin: Luòyáng) is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province, Peoples Republic of China. ... He Jin (? – 189) was the elder half-brother of Empress He, consort to Emperor Ling of the late Eastern Han Dynasty. ... Dong Zhuo (董卓; Pinyin: DÇ’ng Zhuō) (? – 192) was a warlord during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms Period in ancient China. ...

This move did not go down well with many in the capital, Ding Yuan included. However, Lü Bu was persuaded to defect and kill Ding Yuan. Soon, regional warlords formed a coalition against Dong Zhuo, who was forced to move the capital west to Chang'an. There Lü Bu again turned on his master and slayed Dong Zhuo. He was then defeated by Dong Zhuo's former subjects Li Jue and Guo Si and, followed by Zhang Liao, escaped to Xuzhou. Changan â–¶(?) (Simplified Chinese: 长安; Traditional Chinese: 長安; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chang-an) is the ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in China. ... Li Jue (simplified Chinese: 李傕) (died 197) took command of Dong Zhuos empire after the latter was assassinated by Lü Bu, and with the help of Guo Si, Zhang Ji and Fan Chou he managed to take over Chang An, and secure power within the Imperial Court. ... Guo Si (146 – 197) was formerly a general under Niu Fu, who served under Dong Zhuo. ...

In 198, Cao Cao defeated Lü Bu at Xiapi (下邳). Zhang Liao then surrendered to Cao Cao, under whom his military talents finally began to be recognized. He participated in many campaigns, including the Battle of Guandu and the subsequent northern expeditions against Yuan Shang (袁尚), Yuan Tan and the Wuhuan tribes. Cao Cao (曹操; Pinyin: Cáo Cāo) (155 – 220), whose name is also often transliterated and should be correctly pronounced as Tsao Tsao, was a regional warlord and the last Chancellor of Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the last years of the Eastern Han... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Battle of Guandu (官渡之戰) was a battle in Chinese history. ... Yuan Shang the third son of Yuan Shao. ... Yuan Tan (? – 205) was the eldest son of the warlord Yuan Shao and served as a military commander under his father during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era in ancient China. ... The Wuhuan (traditional Chinese: 烏桓; simplified Chinese: 乌桓; pinyin: WÅ«huán) were a nomadic people who inhabited northern China, in what is now the provinces of Hebei, Liaoning, Shanxi, the municipality of Beijing and the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia. ...

Battle of Leisure Ford

After Cao Cao lost the Battle of Red Cliffs in 208, he placed Zhang Liao, Yue Jin and Li Dian at Hefei with 7,000 men to guard against advances of the southern warlord Sun Quan. Soon Sun Quan led a much larger force upon Hefei. Under instructions from Cao Cao, Zhang Liao and Li Dian picked 800 vanguard troops to deter the enemy at Leisure Ford (逍遥津). The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. ... An officer who joined Cao Cao early on in his quest for power (not to be confused with Yu Jin), he was a senior general holding a high rank. ... Li Dian was a renowned scholarly general under the powerful warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms Period in ancient China. ... Hefei (Chinese: 合肥; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Hofei) is a prefecture-level city and the provincial capital of Anhui province, China. ... Sun Quan (孫權 pinyin: SÅ«n Quán) (182 - 252), son of Sun Jian, was the third ruler of the State of Wu and the founder of Kingdom of Wu, during the Three Kingdoms period, in China. ...

As the dawn broke, the force moved out with Zhang Liao in the frontmost of the formation. The general galloped into the enemy ranks and single-handedly slayed scores of men. Proclaiming his own name, Zhang Liao then went straight for Sun Quan, who sought refuge on top of a knoll. Seeing that Zhang Liao had much fewer men than himself, Sun Quan ordered his troops to surround the enemy.

Leading scores of men, Zhang Liao soon broke through the encirclement. Those who were still caught within then cried, "General, are you going to forsake us?" Spinning around, Zhang Liao rode into the circle again and freed the rest, by when it was already noontime. Sun Quan's demoralized soldiers then retreated for the time being.

Returning to the city, Zhang Liao supervised the reinforcement of the defense works. After two weeks of siege, Sun Quan could not take Hefei and had to turn back. Zhang Liao then led his troops on pursuit. On a number of occasions, they almost captured Sun Quan. Cao Cao was very pleased and promoted Zhang Liao to General Who Conquers the East (征东将军).

Late life

After Cao Pi succeeded Cao Cao in 220, Zhang Liao was further promoted to General of the Front (前将军) and again deployed to Hefei to defend against the Kingdom of Wu. In 221, Zhang Liao traveled to Xuchang for an audience with Cao Pi, who compared the general to Shao Hu¹. However, Zhang Liao soon fell sick and died in the following year in Jiangdu (江都). He was given the posthumous title of Marquis Gang (刚侯), literally meaning the resolute marquis. Cáo PÄ« (曹丕, 187 - 226), born in Qiao County, Pei presently Bozhou city in An Hui Province. ... Cao Cao (曹操; Pinyin: Cáo Cāo) (155 – 220), whose name is also often transliterated and should be correctly pronounced as Tsao Tsao, was a regional warlord and the last Chancellor of Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the last years of the Eastern Han... The Kingdom of Wu (Chinese: 吳, pinyin: wú) refers to a historical nation and several states in a region of China. ... Xuchang (Simplified Chinese: 许昌; Traditional Chinese: 許昌; pinyin: Xǔchāng), with a population of over 4 million people, is a city in Henan Province, China. ...

Zhang Liao's son Zhang Hu (张虎) also served the Kingdom of Wei as an Assistant General (偏将军). To meet Wikipedias quality standards and to make a clear distinction between fact and fiction, this article may require cleanup. ... The Kingdom of Wei (ch. ...

¹ Shao Hu (召虎) was a famous general during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. Alternative meaning: Zhou Dynasty (690 CE - 705 CE) The Zhou Dynasty (周朝; Wade-Giles: Chou Dynasty) (late 10th century BC to late 9th century BC - 256 BC) followed the Shang (Yin) Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty in China. ...

Zhang Liao in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a historical novel by Luo Guanzhong, was a romanticization of the events that occurred before and during the Three Kingdoms Period. In the novel, Zhang Liao was depicted as a loyal and upright general. While this might not be untrue, such portrayal was likely the result of artistic simplificaton. Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Simplified Chinese: 三国演义; Traditional Chinese: 三國演義; Pinyin: sānguó yÇŽnyì), written by Luó Guànzhōng in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based upon events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty, and the Three Kingdoms period (220-280). ... A historical novel is a novel in which the story is set among historical events, or more generally, in which the time of the action predates the lifetime of the author. ... Luo Guanzhong (Traditional Chinese: 羅貫中, Wade Giles: Lo Kuan-chung) was a 14th century Chinese author attributed with writing Romance of the Three Kingdoms and editing Outlaws of the Marsh, two of the most revered adventure epics in Chinese literature. ... The Three Kingdoms period (Traditional Chinese characters: 三國, Simplified Chinese characters: 三国, pinyin Sānguó) is a period in the History of China. ...

Zhang Liao as portrayed in the 84-episode TV serial Romance of the Three Kingdoms

In Chapter 18, where he still served under Lü Bu, Zhang Liao was sent with a force to attack Liu Bei at Xiaopei (小沛, present day Pei County, Jiangsu). From the city wall Guan Yu addressed the attacker, "You seem like an extraordinary man, why ally yourself with the rebels?" Whereupon Zhang Liao hung his head and made no reply. Knowing that Zhang Liao was a righteous man, Guan Yu then refrained from hurling insults at his enemy, nor did he go out to meet the attack. Zhang Liao as portrayed in the 84-episode TV serial Romance of the Three Kingdoms This is a screenshot of a copyrighted movie or television program. ... Zhang Liao as portrayed in the 84-episode TV serial Romance of the Three Kingdoms This is a screenshot of a copyrighted movie or television program. ... Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Simplified Chinese: 三国演义; Traditional Chinese: 三國演義; Pinyin: sānguó yÇŽnyì), written by Luó Guànzhōng in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based upon events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty, and the Three Kingdoms period (220-280). ... Lü Bu (153 – 198) was a military general and minor warlord during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period in ancient China. ... Liú Bèi (Chinese: 劉備; Pinyin: Liú Bèi) (161 – 223), courtesy name Xuándé(玄徳), was a powerful warlord and the founding emperor of the Kingdom of Shu during the Three Kingdoms era in ancient China. ... Xiaopei is a castle that Lu Bu Stole from Liu Bei, shortly before Cao Cao conqured it. ... Jiangsu (Simplified Chinese: 江苏; Traditional Chinese: 江蘇; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chiang-su; Postal System Pinyin: Kiangsu) is a province of the Peoples Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. ... Guan Yu (關羽)(160–219) was a military general under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period in ancient China. ...

In the next chapter, after Lü Bu was defeated by Cao Cao and captured, Zhang Liao was also bound and brought before the victor. While Lü Bu pled for mercy, Zhang Liao scorned at the cowardly behavior and cursed his captor, showing no fear for death. The angry Cao Cao then came for Zhang Liao with a sword in hand. Cao Cao (曹操; Pinyin: Cáo Cāo) (155 – 220), whose name is also often transliterated and should be correctly pronounced as Tsao Tsao, was a regional warlord and the last Chancellor of Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the last years of the Eastern Han...

Liu Bei quickly held on to Cao Cao's arm and Guan Yu dropped onto his knees. In unison they avouched for Zhang Liao's character and pled for his life. Dropping the sword, Cao Cao laughed, "I, too, know Wenyuan to be loyal and righteous. I was just testing him." The warlord then personally unbound Zhang Liao and offered him fresh clothes and a seat. Moved by Cao Cao's sincerity, Zhang Liao then surrendered.

In Chapter 86 Zhang Liao was hit by an arrow fired by Ding Feng during an encounter with Wu troops led by Xu Sheng. He was rescued by Xu Huang (who ironically eventually also died under similar circumstances) and together, they escorted Cao Pi back to safety. However, upon returning to the capital Xuchang, Zhang Liao Got rewarded for his bravery, Ding Feng (Chengyuan) 丁奉 (承淵) Comprehensive Officer Biography Place of Birth: Anfeng County, Lu Jiang (Presently He Qui, An Hui Province) Lifespan: AD 190 – 271 (81 Years) Titles: General Who Eliminates the Bandits, Lord of An Feng, Great Minister of War Ding Feng was known as a brave warrior and skilful strategist. ... The Kingdom of Wu (Chinese: 吳, pinyin: wú) refers to a historical nation and several states in a region of China. ... Xu Sheng (徐盛) (?-?) was a brave Wu general who participated in several battles for Wu. ... Xu Huang (? – 227) was a prominent general under the powerful warlord Cao Cao and his successor Cao Pi during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms Period in ancient China. ... Cáo PÄ« (曹丕, 187 - 226), born in Qiao County, Pei presently Bozhou city in An Hui Province. ... Xuchang (Simplified Chinese: 许昌; Traditional Chinese: 許昌; pinyin: Xǔchāng), with a population of over 4 million people, is a city in Henan Province, China. ...

References

• Chen Shou (2002). San Guo Zhi. Yue Lu Shu She. ISBN 7-80665-198-5.
• Luo Guanzhong (1986). San Guo Yan Yi. Yue Lu Shu She. ISBN 7-80520-013-0.
• Lo Kuan-chung; tr. C.H. Brewitt-Taylor (2002). Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0-8048-3467-9.

See also

• Three Kingdoms
• Personages of the Three Kingdoms
• Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms
• Romance of the Three Kingdoms

The Three Kingdoms in 262, on the eve of the conquest of Shu. ... The following is a list of personages significant to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. ... The Sānguó Zhì (Chinese 三国志, or 三國誌), variously translated as Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Records of the Three States and Records of the Three Kingdoms, was the official and authoritative historical text on the Three Kingdoms Period compiled by Chen Shou during the Jin Dynasty (265-420). ... Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Simplified Chinese: 三国演义; Traditional Chinese: 三國演義; Pinyin: sānguó yǎnyì), written by Luó Guànzhōng in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based upon events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty, and the Three Kingdoms period (220-280). ...