CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Zhang Liang张良
Zhang Jiao's younger brother, one of the leaders of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, known as the Duke of Men.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 19
- RELATION RECORDS
- 30
- SOURCE WORKS
- 3
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Zhang Liang, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01KINSHIPKinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
2 figures · 3 records＋
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Zhang Liang—Xiang Bofriend
Zhang Liang—Xiao Heenfeoffed
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
9 figures · 10 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Zhang Liang—Liu Bangstrategist
Zhang Liang→Han Xinmake king
Zhang Liang→Empress Lüoffer strategy
Zhang Liang—Shusun Tongcolleague
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
6 figures · 6 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Zhang Liang—Xiang Yuhostile
Zhang Liang→Qin Shi Huangassassinate
Zhang Liang→Li Yijirefute
04THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
10 figures · 11 records＋
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
Zhang Liang→Liu Bangoffer plan
Xiang Bo→Zhang Lianginform
Zhang Liang→Confuciusquote
12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In fiction · Book of the Later Han · Book of Han
Zhang Liang was the younger brother of Zhang Jiao, participated in the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and styled himself the Duke of Men. Later, in battle against government forces, he was killed by Huangfu Song.
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.
- Official history15 profile notes
Book of Han
16 relations23 verified quotations- Zhang Liang→ strategist →Liu Bang
- Liu Bang→ employ →Zhang Liang
- Zhang Liang→ offer plan →Liu Bang
- Zhang Liang→ hostile →Xiang Yu
Verified original text · 23
沛公拜良为厩将
ruler-subject · Book of Han, 张陈王周传
时独沛公与张良得入坐
strategist · Book of Han, 樊郦滕灌傅靳周传
21 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history4 profile notes
Book of the Later Han
1 relations1 verified quotations- Zhang Liang→ strategist →Liu Bang
Verified original text · 1
张良曰：“洛阳其中小不过数百里
offer strategy · Book of the Later Han, 班彪列传上
- Official history11 profile notes
Records of the Grand Historian
22 relations26 verified quotations- Zhang Liang→ quote →Confucius
- Zhang Liang→ strategist →Liu Bang
- Liu Bang→ employ →Zhang Liang
- Zhang Liang→ hostile →Xiang Yu
Verified original text · 26
盖孔子曰：“以貌取人，失之子羽。”
quote · Records of the Grand Historian, 留侯世家
张良西向侍。
strategist · Records of the Grand Historian, 项羽本纪
24 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
Where the histories differ
Records of the Grand Historian separately establishes a Hereditary House for Zhang Liang, while History of Han abolishes hereditary houses for non-royal surnames and demotes him to a joint biography of four persons.
- histories differZhang Liang's status in the genre of official histories
In Records of the Grand Historian, 'The Hereditary House of the Marquis of Liu' places Zhang Liang in the 'Hereditary House' category, honoring him as a model of imperial mentors who assisted the rise of Han: 'Scholars often say there are no ghosts or spirits, but they speak of things. As for the old man who gave a book to the Marquis of Liu, it is indeed strange. Gaozu was in distress many times, but the Marquis of Liu often rendered meritorious service—how can one say it was not Heaven?' In History of Han, 'The Biographies of Zhang, Chen, Wang, and Zhou' abolishes the hereditary house system for non-royal surnames and demotes Zhang Liang to a biography, combined with Chen Ping, Wang Ling, and Zhou Bo in one volume: 'Hearing of Zhang Liang's wisdom and bravery, one would think his appearance was majestic and extraordinary, but instead he was like a woman or a delicate maiden.' The chapter level changes from a sole hereditary house to a joint biography.
Relationship network
Original text (1)
盖孔子曰：“以貌取人，失之子羽。”
- strategistZhang Liang → Liu Banghist × litRecords of the Grand Historian, 项羽本纪Records of the Grand Historian, 高祖本纪Book of the Later Han, 班彪列传上Book of Han, 张陈王周传Book of Han, 樊郦滕灌傅靳周传Book of Han, 高帝纪_ch. 1上
Original text (7)
沛公拜良为厩将
Original relation: ruler-subject · Book of Han, 张陈王周传
时独沛公与张良得入坐
张良自韩间行归汉
Original relation: 归汉 · Book of Han, 高帝纪_ch. 1上
张良曰：“洛阳其中小不过数百里
Original relation: offer strategy · Book of the Later Han, 班彪列传上
张良西向侍。
张良、陈平说曰
Original relation: offer advice · Records of the Grand Historian, 项羽本纪
因张良遂略韩地轘辕
- employ← Liu Bang → Zhang Lianghist × litRecords of the Grand Historian, 樊郦滕灌列传Records of the Grand Historian, 高祖功臣侯者年表Book of Han, 刑法志Book of Han, 叙传下Book of Han, 高帝纪_ch. 1上
Original text (5)
用良、平之谋
腹心良、平
Original relation: subordinate · Book of Han, 叙传下
道得张良
Original relation: master-servant · Book of Han, 高帝纪_ch. 1上
汉王以为成信侯
Original relation: 封为成信侯 · Book of Han, 高帝纪_ch. 1上
时独沛公与张良得入坐
Original relation: strategist · Records of the Grand Historian, 樊郦滕灌列传
Original text (3)
张良、陈平伏后蹑汉王足
良发八难
Original relation: admonish against · Book of Han, 高帝纪_ch. 1上
张良彊请汉王起行劳军
Original relation: urge to go · Book of Han, 高帝纪_ch. 1上
Original text (3)
良乃遗项羽书曰
项羽至鸿门下，欲击沛公
今陛下能制项籍之死命乎？
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
良与客狙击秦皇帝博浪沙中
Original text (1)
吕后乃使建成侯吕泽劫留侯
Original text (1)
吕后乃使建成侯吕泽劫良
Original text (2)
遣张良即立信为齐王
汉王使良授齐王信印
Original relation: give seal · Records of the Grand Historian, 留侯世家
Original text (2)
而汉王之将独韩信可属大事
留侯曰：“不如因而立之，使自为守。”
Original relation: 建议封王 · Records of the Grand Historian, 高祖本纪
Original text (1)
乃封张良为留侯，与萧何等俱封。
Original text (1)
黥布反，上疾，欲使太子往撃之
Original text (1)
九江王黥布，楚枭将，与项王有郄
Original text (1)
张良、陈平蹑汉王足，因附耳语曰
Original text (1)
张良彊请汉王起行劳军
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
彭越与齐王田荣反梁地
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
良乃说项梁曰
Original text (1)
使张良以韩司徒徇韩地，得信
Original text (2)
良曰：“谁为陛下画此计者？陛下事去矣。”
良曰：“谁为陛下画此计者？陛下事去矣。”
Original relation: veto · Records of the Grand Historian, 留侯世家
Original text (2)
叔孙通已为太傅，良行少傅事
叔孙通为太傅，留侯行少傅事。
Original text (2)
- inform← Xiang Bo → Zhang LianghistRecords of the Grand Historian, 项羽本纪Records of the Grand Historian, 高祖本纪
Original text (2)
项伯乃夜驰之沛公军，私见张良，具告以事
会项伯欲活张良，夜往见良
Original relation: report news · Records of the Grand Historian, 高祖本纪
Original text (1)
项伯尝杀人，从良匿。
Original text (1)
项伯尝杀人，从良匿。
Original text (1)
羽季父项伯素善张良
Original text (1)
上欲废太子，立戚夫人子赵王如意
Original text (1)
陈涉等起兵，良亦聚少年百馀人。