张

CIVILIZATION DOSSIER

Zhang Xian张宪

Yue Family ArmyHistory × Fiction

A general under Yue Fei, a loyal minister, whose soul went to the underworld for trial.

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DIRECT FIGURES
13
RELATION RECORDS
15
SOURCE WORKS
2

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Zhang Xian, and the people around them.

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

01
MENTORSHIP

Mentorship

Teachers, disciples and transmission

1 figure · 2 records
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

2 figures · 2 records
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

9 figures · 9 records
2 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.

FeatureThe History of Song dedicates an entire volume to Yue Fei, yet the most famous events are not included.History of Song made an exception by devoting an entire volume to Yue Fei's biography, detailing his military achievements, wrongful imprisonment, memorials to the throne, and literary works. However, the most familiar stories to later generations—Yue's mother tattooing characters on his back, his spearing the Young Prince of Liang, and the Eight Hammers causing a stir at Zhuxian Town—are not mentioned at all in this biography. Conversely, the most striking episodes like the twelve gold medals and the charge of 'perhaps there is' were first recorded in the official history and later copied by novels. This piece compares the two side by side, noting the source volume for each item.

In history · History of Song

A general under Yue Fei, falsely accused of rebellion; a general under Yue Fei, fought in many battles; a general under Yue Fei, in charge of military affairs, later falsely accused.

In fiction · The Story of Yue Fei

A general under Yue Fei, a loyal minister, whose soul went to the underworld for trial; a general of the Yue family army, killed by treacherous officials; posthumously conferred the title of Cheng Yi General.

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. Literature / legend

    The Story of Yue Fei

    24 profile notes
    9 relations10 verified quotations
    • Yue Fei→ subordinate general →Zhang Xian
    • Qin Hui→ frame →Zhang Xian
    • Zhang Xian→ stab →Jin Wushu
    • Emperor Xiaozong→ posthumously confer →Zhang Xian
    Verified original text · 10
    1. 岳爷父子、张宪三人

      subordinate general · The Story of Yue Fei, 第六十一回

    2. 我那岳云、张宪，不要坏了我一世忠名才好！

      subordinate general · The Story of Yue Fei, 第六十回

    8 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. Official history

    History of Song

    14 profile notes
    7 relations20 verified quotations
    • Yue Fei→ subordinate general →Zhang Xian
    • Zhang Xian→ favorite general →Yue Fei
    • Qin Hui→ frame →Zhang Xian
    • Zhang Jun→ frame →Zhang Xian
    Verified original text · 20
    1. 飞谓张宪等曰

      subordinate general · History of Song, 云传

    2. 以张宪摄军事

      subordinate general · History of Song, 岳飞传

    18 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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History vs. fiction

A real骨干 general of the Yue Family Army, died in a political conspiracy

  • attestedFalsely accused of rebellion, died with Yue Fei

    History of Song, Biography of Zhang Xian records that Zhang Xian was the most trusted and valued general under Yue Fei. To eliminate Yue Fei, Qin Hui instructed Zhang Jun to lure Zhang Xian into a trap and subject him to severe torture, attempting to force him to falsely accuse Yue Fei of plotting rebellion. The original text states: 「桧志未伸也，又谕张俊令劫王贵、诱王俊诬告张宪谋还飞兵。」（History of Song, Biography of Yue Fei）Zhang Xian was tortured beyond recognition but remained unyielding, and ultimately was executed on the same day as Yue Fei and Yue Yun at the end of the eleventh year of Shaoxing. The novel's depiction of this tragic history is largely faithful to the official historical records.

Relationship network

14 figures · 60 links
Zhang XianZhang XianYue FeiYue FeiQin HuiQin HuiJin WushuJin WushuEmperor XiaozongEmperor XiaozongJade EmperorJade EmperorZhang JunZhang JunDong XianDong XianLu WenlongLu WenlongShi QuanShi QuanMoqi XieMoqi XieCao ChengWang JunCao Ning
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: History of Song, 云传; The Story of Yue Fei, 第七十三回; History of Song, 奸臣·秦桧传; The Story of Yue Fei, 第七十五回; History of Song, 岳飞传; The Story of Yue Fei, 第七十四回; History of Song, 王德王彦魏胜张宪杨再兴牛皋胡闳休传; The Story of Yue Fei, 第三十七回

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.