CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Zhang Liao张辽
A general under Lü Bu, fought against Xiahou Dun.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 22
- RELATION RECORDS
- 28
- SOURCE WORKS
- 2
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Zhang Liao, 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
1 figure · 1 record＋
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Zhang LiaoisZhang Hu’s father
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
8 figures · 10 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Cao Cao→Zhang Liaorecruit surrender
Zhang Liao—Li Diancolleague
Zhang Liao→Dong Zhuosubordinate
Guan Yu—Zhang Liaocolleague
Zhang Liao→Cao Pienfeoff
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
13 figures · 15 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Zhang Liao→Sun Quandefeat
Guan Yu→Zhang Liaoresist
Zhang Liao→Huang Gaishoot wound
Read the original source
张辽拈弓搭箭，觑著黄盖较近，一箭射去。此时风声正大，黄盖在火光中，那里听得弓弦响？正中肩窝，翻身落水。
Zhang Liao—Xiahou Dunbattle
04THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
2 figures · 2 records＋
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
Zhang Liao→Guan Yuask
Hu Zhi→Zhang Liaomediate
12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms
A famous general of Cao Wei, defeated Sun Quan at the Battle of Hefei.
In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms
A general under Lü Bu, fought against Xiahou Dun; a general under Lü Bu, attacked Cao Cao from both sides; a general under Lü Bu, pursued the procession sending the daughter, then fought against Guan Yu.
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.
- Literature / legend28 profile notes
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
13 relations18 verified quotations- Cao Cao→ recruit surrender →Zhang Liao
- Zhang Liao→ surrender →Cao Cao
- Guan Yu→ resist →Zhang Liao
- Zhang Liao→ persuade to surrender →Guan Yu
Verified original text · 18
曹操背后一人攀住臂膊，一人诡于面前，说道：“丞相且莫动手！”
recruit surrender · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 19
操教张辽、徐晃各引三千军马
ruler-subject · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 32
16 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history18 profile notes
Records of the Three Kingdoms
16 relations18 verified quotations- Zhang Liao→ surrender →Cao Cao
- Zhang Liao→ defeat →Sun Quan
- Sun Quan→ battle →Zhang Liao
- Zhang Liao→ subordinate →Dong Zhuo
Verified original text · 18
辽将其众降
surrendered · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·张乐于张徐传
权率十万众围合肥
battle · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·张乐于张徐传
16 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
In official history, he was hailed as the 'Tiger of the East' and the foremost of Wei's Five Elite Generals, famed for his valor at Xiaoyao Ford.
The Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biography of Zhang Liao records that Zhang Liao led an 800-strong daredevil squad to assault Sun Quan's main camp, shaking the region east of the Yangtze, so that the children of Eastern Wu dared not cry at night. The original text: 「合肥之役，辽典以步卒八百，破贼十万，自古用兵，未之有也。使贼至今夺气，可谓国之爪牙矣。」(Source: Book of Wei, Biographies of Zhang, Yue, and Zhang, Xu, txt)
The Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biography of Zhang Liao records that when Cao Cao campaigned north against the Wuhuan, Zhang Liao urged Cao Cao to attack, personally led the vanguard to rout the enemy, and beheaded Tadun in battle. The original text: 「从征袁尚於柳城，卒与虏遇，辽劝太祖战，气甚奋，太祖壮之，自以所持麾授辽。遂击，大破之，斩单于蹋顿。」(Source: Book of Wei, Biographies of Zhang Yue and Xu Zhang.txt)
Relationship network
- recruit surrender← Cao Cao → Zhang LiaolitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 19Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 32Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 49
Original text (3)
曹操背后一人攀住臂膊，一人诡于面前，说道：“丞相且莫动手！”
操教张辽、徐晃各引三千军马
Original relation: ruler-subject · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 32
张辽与十数人保护曹操，飞奔岸口。
Original relation: protect · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 49
- surrenderZhang Liao → Cao Caohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·张乐于张徐传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 20
Original text (2)
辽感其意，遂降。操拜辽为中郎将
辽将其众降
Original relation: surrendered · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·张乐于张徐传
- defeatZhang Liao → Sun QuanhistRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·张乐于张徐传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·李臧文吕许典二庞阎传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪
Original text (3)
权率十万众围合肥
Original relation: battle · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·张乐于张徐传
乃率众与辽破走权
张辽、李典击破之
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
- resist← Guan Yu → Zhang LiaolitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 16Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 18
Original text (2)
后面张辽赶来，关公敌住
云长从城上谓之曰：“公仪表非俗，何故失身于贼？”
Original relation: urge surrender · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 18
- persuade to surrenderZhang Liao → Guan YulitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 24Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 25
Original text (2)
某与关公有一面之交，愿往说之。
张辽劝我投降，我以三事相约
Original relation: urge surrender · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 25
- askZhang Liao → Guan YulitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 26Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 28
Original text (2)
操令张辽来探关公意。
云长、元让，休得争战
Original relation: mediate peace · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 28
Original text (1)
曹公使张辽及羽为先锋击之
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吕布阵上，张辽截住厮杀
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- shoot woundZhang Liao → Huang GailitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 49Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 50
Original text (2)
张辽拈弓搭箭，觑著黄盖较近，一箭射去。此时风声正大，黄盖在火光中，那里听得弓弦响？正中肩窝，翻身落水。
张辽一箭射黄盖下水
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张辽将教帖与李典、乐进观之
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先锋张辽与凌统交锋，斗五十合
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乱箭射下，太史慈急退，身中数箭
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使张辽、关羽前登，击破，斩良。
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并州刺史丁原以辽武力过人，召为从事
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