Later depiction of Zhang Fei
Later depiction of Zhang Fei · 明代A transmitted or later depiction, not presented as a contemporary documentary portraitUnknown artistSource·Public domain

CIVILIZATION DOSSIER

Zhang Fei张飞

Shu HanHistory × Fiction

Swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden, wielded a Zhangba serpent spear, and stabbed Deng Mao.

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DIRECT FIGURES
21
RELATION RECORDS
31
SOURCE WORKS
5

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Zhang Fei, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

4 figures · 6 records
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

4 figures · 4 records
1 more in the complete record
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

16 figures · 19 records
13 more in the complete record
04
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

2 figures · 2 records
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12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms · History of Song

A fierce general of Shu Han, sworn brother of Liu Bei. A famous general of Shu Han, sworn with Liu Bei and Guan Yu.

In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era · New Book of Tang

Swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden, wielded a Zhangba serpent spear, and stabbed Deng Mao. Liu Bei's sworn brother, brave, whipped the inspector. Liu Bei's sworn brother, fought Lü Bu.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. 50 profile notes
    29 relations52 verified quotations
    • Zhang Fei→ raid camp →Cao Cao
    • Cao Cao→ ambush →Zhang Fei
    • Liu Bei→ brothers →Zhang Fei
    • Liu Bei→ ruler-subject →Zhang Fei
    Verified original text · 52
    1. 张飞自以为得计，领轻骑在前，突入操寨

      raid camp · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 24

    2. 独退曹家百万兵

      shout back · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 42

    50 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. 19 profile notes
    8 relations10 verified quotations
    • Liu Bei→ brothers →Zhang Fei
    • Liu Bei→ ruler-subject →Zhang Fei
    • Zhang Fei→ brothers →Liu Bei
    • Guan Yu→ brothers →Zhang Fei
    Verified original text · 10
    1. 关羽、张飞等不悦，先主解之曰

      ruler-subject · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·诸葛亮传

    2. 赞关云长、张益德

      ruler-subject · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·邓张宗杨传

    8 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  3. Official history

    History of Song

    1 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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  4. 2 profile notes
    1 relations1 verified quotations
    • Guan Yu→ colleague →Zhang Fei
    Verified original text · 1
    1. 二将俱不得其中，亦不得其死。

      colleague · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 将帅一

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  5. Official history

    New Book of Tang

    2 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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History vs. fiction

In official histories, he is a famous general who respects gentlemen but is harsh on common soldiers, skilled in both civil and military affairs; in novels, he is often depicted as a rough and rude man.

  • attestedAt Changban Slope, he held the bridge and repelled Cao's army by shouting

    The Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Shu, Biography of Zhang Fei records that he led twenty riders to hold the bridge over the water, glaring and brandishing his spear to shout back Cao's army, and none of Cao's troops dared to approach. The original text: 「飞据水断桥，瞋目横矛曰：“身是张益德也，可来共决死！”敌皆无敢近者」(Source: Book of Shu, Biographies of Guan, Zhang, Ma, Huang, Zhao.txt)

  • attestedHe released Yan Yan out of righteousness and defeated Zhang He at Baxi

    The Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Shu, Biography of Zhang Fei records that he influenced and released Yan Yan; in the Battle of Baxi, he ambushed and defeated the famous Wei general Zhang He with a narrow path, showing great wisdom. The original text: 「飞率精卒万馀人，从他道邀郃军交战，山道迮狭，前后不得相救，飞遂破郃。」(Source: Book of Shu, Biographies of Guan, Zhang, Ma, Huang, Zhao.txt)

  • based on factThe image of a rude, reckless, and irritable brute

    The Records of the Three Kingdoms, Biography of Zhang Fei, states that he 'respected gentlemen but was harsh on common soldiers'; official histories record his strict military discipline, far from a simple brute.

Relationship network

22 figures · 133 links
Zhang FeiZhang FeiCao CaoCao CaoLiu BeiLiu BeiZhuge LiangZhuge LiangGuan YuGuan YuLu BuLu BuZhao YunZhao YunMa ChaoMa ChaoCao RenCao RenZhang HeZhang HePang TongPang TongXu ChuLiu FengZhang BaoSong XianHao MengZhang RenYan YanJi LingLiu BaLü XiangLiu Dai
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·周瑜鲁肃吕蒙传; Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 1; Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 将帅一; History of Song, 礼志八; New Book of Tang, 忠义传下; Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·主妃子传; Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 2; Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 鬼三十九

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.