CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Zhang Zhao张昭
One of the Two Zhangs of Jiangdong, appointed as Chief Clerk by Sun Ce.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 13
- RELATION RECORDS
- 18
- SOURCE WORKS
- 2
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Zhang Zhao, 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 ZhaoisZhang Xiu’s father
Zhang Cheng—Zhang Zhaobrothers
Source record
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
3 figures · 5 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Sun Quan→Zhang Zhaoenfeoff
Sun Ce→Zhang Zhaoorphan entrust
Lady Wu→Zhang Zhaoentrust last affairs
Source record
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
7 figures · 8 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Sun Quan→Zhang Zhaoanger
Zhuge Liang→Zhang Zhaorefute
Zhuge Ke→Zhang Zhaoconvince
Lu Su→Zhang Zhaodemoted
Tao Qian→Zhang Zhaoimprison
04THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
2 figures · 2 records＋
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
Zhang Zhao→Zhang Wenconvey meaning
Source record
Zhao Yu→Zhang Zhaorescue
12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms
Important minister of Eastern Wu, assisted Sun Quan, reached the rank of General Who Assists Wu. Also known as a leading advocate for surrender.
In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms
One of the Two Zhangs of Jiangdong, appointed as Chief Clerk by Sun Ce. As Sun Ce's Chief Clerk, he suggested allying with Cao Cao. He was a key minister entrusted with the care of Sun Ce's successor, and admonished Sun Ce.
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 / legend24 profile notes
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
5 relations15 verified quotations- Sun Quan→ enfeoff →Zhang Zhao
- Zhang Zhao→ assist →Sun Quan
- Zhuge Liang→ refute →Zhang Zhao
- Sun Ce→ orphan entrust →Zhang Zhao
Verified original text · 15
吴太夫人病危，召周瑜、张昭二人至，谓曰……望公等同心助之
orphan entrust · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 38
张子布等皆主其意
ruler-subject · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 44
13 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history20 profile notes
Records of the Three Kingdoms
17 relations20 verified quotations- Sun Quan→ enfeoff →Zhang Zhao
- Zhang Zhao→ assist →Sun Quan
- Zhang Zhao→ remonstrate →Sun Quan
- Sun Quan→ anger →Zhang Zhao
Verified original text · 20
待张昭以师傅之礼
ruler-subject · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·吴主传
公等善相吾弟
assist · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·孙破虏讨逆传
18 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
In official history, Zhang Zhao was a steadfast and outspoken minister who aided the Jiangdong regime; in the novel, he is often portrayed as a scholar who advocated surrender.
- based on factAt the Battle of Red Cliffs, he advocated surrendering to Cao Cao and was refuted by Zhuge Liang in a war of words.
According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wu, Biography of Zhang Zhao, Zhang Zhao advocated welcoming Cao Cao because of the disparity in numbers; however, the scene in the novel where he is refuted by Zhuge Liang in the 'debate with the scholars' is fictional.
According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wu, Biography of Zhang Zhao, Pei Songzhi's annotation quotes the Wu Calendar, recording that Sun Ce told Zhang Zhao, 'If Zhongmou (Sun Quan) cannot handle affairs, you should take over yourself.'
Relationship network
- enfeoff← Sun Quan → Zhang Zhaohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·吴主传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·嗣主传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·张顾诸葛步传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 38Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 44Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 62Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 65Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 67Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 86Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 98
Original text (8)
吴太夫人病危，召周瑜、张昭二人至，谓曰……望公等同心助之
Original relation: orphan entrust · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 38
张子布等皆主其意
Original relation: ruler-subject · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 44
权从之
Original relation: accept advice · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 62
遂召张昭、顾雍商议
Original relation: discuss · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 65
权问计于众谋士。张昭曰
Original relation: strategist · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 67
权闻言，不能决，乃问于张昭、顾雍等
Original relation: ask · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 86
张昭佐吴王
Original relation: ruler-subject · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 98
待张昭以师傅之礼
Original relation: ruler-subject · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·吴主传
- assistZhang Zhao → Sun Quanhist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·孙破虏讨逆传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·张顾诸葛步传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 43Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 58Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 61Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 62
Original text (7)
不如纳降为万安之策
Original relation: urge surrender · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 43
张昭曰：“可差人往鲁子敬处，教急书到荆州，使玄德同力拒曹
Original relation: suggest · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 58
张昭入问曰……主公有何忧疑？
Original relation: strategist · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 61
张昭献计曰
Original relation: offer plan · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 62
公等善相吾弟
昭率群僚立而辅之
昭率群僚立而辅之
Original relation: support enthronement · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·张顾诸葛步传
Original text (2)
昭虽谏争，常笑而不答
昭正色不言，出外车中坐
Original relation: advise stop · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·张顾诸葛步传
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
这一篇言语，说得张昭并无一言回答
- orphan entrust← Sun Ce → Zhang Zhaohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·孙破虏讨逆传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 15Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 29
Original text (4)
策遂拜张昭为长史，兼抚军中郎将
Original relation: hire chief clerk · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 15
内事不决，可问张昭
彭城张昭、广陵张纮、秦松、陈端等，为谋主。
Original relation: 谋主 · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·孙破虏讨逆传
请张昭等谓曰
Original text (2)
策临亡，以弟权托昭
策临亡，以弟权托昭
Original relation: receive order · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·张顾诸葛步传
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
Original text (2)
Original text (1)
- father-sonZhang Zhao → Zhang Xiuhist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·吴主五子传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·张顾诸葛步传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 98
Original text (4)
张昭次子张休
休从昭受读
少子休袭爵
少子休袭爵
Original relation: father · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·张顾诸葛步传
Original text (1)
绩年少末坐，遥大声言曰
Original text (2)
长子承已自封侯
长子承已自封侯
Original relation: father · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·张顾诸葛步传
Original text (2)