50 Facts About Zhang Liao

Zhang Liao, courtesy name Wenyuan, was a Chinese military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China.

Zhang Liao served briefly in the state of Cao Wei, founded by Cao Cao's successor Cao Pi, in the early Three Kingdoms period before his death.

Formerly a subordinate of other warlords such as Ding Yuan, Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu, Zhang Liao joined Cao Cao around 198 after Lu Bu's downfall at the Battle of Xiapi.

Zhang Liao was a descendant of Nie Yi, but his family name had been changed from Nie to Zhang to avoid association with his disgraced ancestor.

When Zhang Liao returned to Luoyang, the warlord Dong Zhuo had seized control of Luoyang in the aftermath of He Jin's assassination, and replaced He Jin as the de facto head of the Han central government.

In 192, after Lu Bu betrayed and killed Dong Zhuo, Zhang Liao served as one of his deputies and became a Cavalry Commandant.

Zhang Liao accompanied Lu Bu as they headed east and wandered around central and northern China until mid 195, when the warlord Liu Bei offered Lu Bu shelter in Xu Province.

Therefore Zhang Liao fought Liu Bei's forces along with Gao Shun, which prompted Liu Bei to ask Cao Cao for reinforcements, Cao Cao dispatched Xiahou Dun to help Liu Bei.

Zhang Liao surrendered to Cao Cao and became one of his subordinates.

Zhang Liao was commissioned as a General of the Household and received the peerage of a Secondary Marquis.

Zhang Liao was promoted to Major-General later for his contributions in battle.

In early 201, after Cao Cao defeated his northern rival Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu, he first sent Zhang Liao to pacify the various counties in Lu State, and then ordered him and Xiahou Yuan to lead an army to attack a minor warlord Chang Xi in Donghai Commandery.

When Zhang Liao met Chang Xi, he told the latter that Cao Cao rewarded those who submitted to him.

Zhang Liao then went to Chang Xi's home alone and visited his family.

In 202, Zhang Liao accompanied Cao Cao to attack Yuan Shao's sons Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang at Liyang.

Zhang Liao was promoted to acting Central Resolute General for his contributions in battle.

In early 204, Zhang Liao followed Cao Cao to attack Yuan Shang at Ye again and they succeeded in capturing the city this time.

Zhang Liao led troops to the Zhao State and Changshan State in Ji Province, where he persuaded the Heishan bandits and other opposing forces to surrender to Cao Cao.

In 205, Zhang Liao accompanied Cao Cao to attack Yuan Tan at Nanpi County and they defeated Yuan Tan.

Zhang Liao was reassigned to serve as General Who Defeats Bandits.

Zhang Liao achieved success and returned to his garrison at Linying.

Zhang Liao was promoted from a Secondary Marquis to a Marquis of a Chief Village.

In 207, Zhang Liao followed Cao Cao on a campaign against Yuan Shang, who had allied with the Wuhuan tribes in northern China.

When Cao Cao was preparing to attack the enemy in Liucheng, Zhang Liao warned him that Jing Province's Governor Liu Biao take advantage of his absence from Xu to send Liu Bei to attack Xu and take control of the capital.

Zhang Liao led the assault on the Wuhuan at White Wolf Mountain, defeated them and executed the Wuhuan chieftain Tadun.

When Zhang Liao wanted to attack the rebels, his subordinates advised him against it because of the hazardous terrain.

Zhang Liao wrote "Open when the enemy comes" on the envelope.

At dawn, Zhang Liao donned his armour, carried a ji, and led his men to attack the enemy formation.

Zhang Liao killed tens of enemy soldiers and two officers, shouted his own name, and broke through the barriers until he reached Sun Quan's command post.

Zhang Liao then went to the top of a knoll, armed himself with a long ji, and stood there.

Zhang Liao did not dare to move when Zhang Liao challenged him to come down and fight him.

When Sun Quan saw that Zhang Liao did not have many soldiers left with him, he ordered his forces to surround Zhang and his men.

However, Zhang Liao fought fiercely and succeeded in breaking out of the encirclement with a few of his men.

Zhang Liao returned to Hefei fortress and strengthened his defences.

Zhang Liao came very close to capturing Sun Quan a few times during the battle.

Cao Cao was very impressed with Zhang Liao and promoted him to General Who Attacks the East.

Zhang Liao increased the number of troops under Zhang Liao's command and then relocated Zhang's unit to a garrison at Juchao.

Around the time, Sun Quan had pledged allegiance to Cao Cao, so Zhang Liao was able to lead his forces from Juchao to help Cao Ren.

However, before Zhang Liao reached Fan, Cao Cao's general Xu Huang had already defeated Guan Yu and lifted the siege on Fancheng.

Zhang Liao rendezvoused with Cao Cao, who had returned after being defeated in the Hanzhong Campaign, at Mobei.

Zhang Liao then relocated Zhang Liao to the garrison at Chen Commandery.

When Zhang Liao's mother arrived, Cao Pi went out of the city and received her.

In 221, Zhang Liao travelled to the palace in Luoyang for an audience with Cao Pi, who brought him to a newly constructed hall and asked him for his opinion on how to conquer Wu.

When Cao Pi learnt that Zhang Liao was ill, he sent Liu Ye to visit Zhang Liao and bring along an imperial physician to treat him.

Later on, before Zhang Liao had recovered, Cao Pi visited him, held his hand, gave him an imperial robe as a gift, and ordered his servants to prepare imperial cuisine for Zhang Liao.

Zhang Liao returned to the garrison after his condition improved significantly.

Zhang Liao awarded Zhang Liao the posthumous title "Marquis Gang", which literally means "resolute marquis".

Zhang Liao had an elder brother, Zhang Fan, who was awarded the title of a marquis in 220 before Cao Pi ended the Han dynasty.

Zhang Liao probably had at least one other son apart from Zhang Hu, because that son of his who received the title of a Secondary Marquis in 225 per Cao Pi's decree was most probably not Zhang Hu.

Zhang Liao is featured as a character in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which romanticises the events before and during Three Kingdoms period.