55 Facts About Zhang Ni

Zhang Ni, courtesy name Boqi, rendered as Zhang Yi, was a military general of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China.

Famous for his courage and generosity, Zhang Ni made his name known while rescuing a magistrate's wife from bandits and leading her to safety.

Zhang Ni often worked with Ma Zhong, another general of Shu Han, when pacifying the indigenous tribes residing within and around Shu's borders.

Zhang Ni's death was mourned such that none among the Han or foreign clan of Yuexi did not weep with grief, and a temple established for him was brought offerings even in times of famine and hardship.

Zhang Ni had the reputation of being one of the more successful later generals of the Shu Han state.

Liu Shan, emperor of the Shu Han dynasty at the time of his service, compared him to the great heroes of antiquity, while Chen Shou in his appraisal of Zhang referenced this comparison.

Zhang Ni was from Nanchong County, Ba Commandery, which is present-day Nanchong, Sichuan.

Zhang Ni started his career as an Officer of Merit at his local county office when he reached adulthood.

Zhang Ni became famous for his courageous actions and was later summoned to the commander's office to serve as an Assistant Officer.

Zhang Ni, then holding the rank of an acting Commandant led his troops to deal with the bandits who scattered and hid in different locations when they heard of Zhang Ni's approach.

However, the Administrator of Guanghan, He Zhi was known as a generous man and talented doctor so Zhang Ni thought that he should appeal to him.

Zhang Ni Zhi knew of Zhang Ni's reputation as a brave and generous man so he did not spare any expense to cure him.

When Zhang Ni recovered, he was promoted to Officer of the Standard for his feats against the different bandits and placed under Ma Zhong's command.

Zhang Ni often led the vanguard and had numerous feats in battle and in planning.

However, Zhang Ni climbed the mountains and set up his own camp four to five li far from Tali.

Zhang Ni judged that an assault on the gate would be complicated and so he sent an interpreter to inform them:.

Ma Zhong and Zhang Ni hunted those who fled and achieved total victory.

Since Zhang Ni was always at the forefront of the army, he beheaded Liu Zhou.

Zhang Ni enticed most of them to surrender and quickly two thousand men joined him then were all transferred to Hanzhong's military command.

However, Zhang Ni Wei took longer than Jiang Wan expected returning, so much so that Jiang started to worry.

Zhang Ni was at Chengdu at this time and tried to appease Jiang Wan's worries by saying:.

Several days later, news arrived of Zhang Wei's expedition proving that Zhang Ni's prediction was right.

When he arrived, Zhang Ni led those he commanded in Yuexi and enticed the tribes with favor and generous treatment hence the foreigners all started to return to submission.

Zhang Ni captured their leader Wei Lang alive but released him as a show of mercy to win over the trust of his kind.

Dong Qu and the Suqiyi had already surrendered but they rebelled while Zhang Ni was concentrating on matters in Zhuomaa.

Zhang Ni quickly defeated them and put Dong Feng to death.

However Zhang Ni saw through this and with lavish gifts, he convinced them to defect then Zhang Ni had the two men sent to kill Qu.

Zhang Ni raised an army to capture him with the result that Li Qiucheng was captured in battle.

Zhang Ni then read a list of his crimes and executed him.

Zhang Ni initiated a building project to have the city walls repaired in order to protect the people.

Zhang Ni was in office for three years in Yuexi Commandery until he was repatriated to his former prefecture in Ba Commandery.

Zhang Ni led his army to seize control of the counties and to establish a Chief Clerk to oversee production.

Rather than attack Dingzhuo, Zhang Ni decided to intimidate the tribes into surrendering.

Zhang Ni sent several tens of strong warriors to go capture Hao Langcen, beat and kill him.

Hence, Zhang Ni reaffirmed his grace and trust among the tribes.

Rather than face them, Zhang Ni observed the situation and in response sent one of his own relatives to Lang Li with presents such as oxen and wine as gifts of appreciation.

Zhang Ni bestowed generous rewards upon Lang and treated him well and sent them back to the Maoniu who they then persuaded to submit entirely.

Zhang Ni sent his attendants to Lang Lu as ambassadors along with generous gifts and asked Lang Lu's paternal aunt to speak with Lang Lu as well.

Zhang Ni offered friendship and expressed his desire to reopen the road.

Zhang Ni memorialized the court to give a fief to Lang Lu as King of the Maoniugoupi while Lang Lu sent an envoy to Chengdu to present his formal surrender to Shu.

Zhang Ni observed that Fei Yi, General-in-Chief at the time, was unrestrained by nature and careless in showing favor.

Zhang Ni noted that Fei Yi was excessive in his trust and good treatment to newcomers.

Zhang Ni remained Administrator of Yuexi for 15 years and under his care it became a peaceful region.

When Zhang Ni passed through the Maoniu lands using the road that he and Lang Lu had repaired together, the tribe leader Lang Lu came forward to welcome him, carrying his child on his back.

Zhang Ni followed Zhang Ni to the border of the Shu Han prefecture of Yuexi and sent an escort of 100 warriors to present tribute to Chengdu with him.

Zhang Ni was known as generous and heroic so scholars everywhere greatly esteemed him; however he was criticized by some for being too lax in morals and lacking in courtesy.

Many officials expressed worries that it might be a ruse but Zhang Ni believed that Li Jian was sincere and managed to convince Liu Shan to agree.

At the time, Zhang Ni suffered rheumatism illness from old age.

When Jiang Wei set out, many within the army had thought that Zhang Ni should be sent back to Chengdu especially since they thought that due to his illness he could not keep up.

Zhang Ni personally begged to unleash all that was left of his strength to reach the enemy.

Zhang Ni fought at the vanguard alongside his men but lost his life in the process though those he killed and injured were numerous.

Zhang Ni's grandson Zhang Yi was an Inspector of Liangzhou during the Jin dynasty.

Zhang Ni is of a clear and upright nature, and when he acts he always considers the law.

Zhang Ni participated in many of Zhuge Liang's campaigns and displayed a fiery passion for Zhuge Liang's endeavours.

Zhang Ni forfeited his life in Chapter 111, while saving Jiang Wei from Chen Tai.