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Zhang Liao () (169 – late 222), courtesy name Wenyuan, was a Chinese military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He served briefly in the state of Cao Wei, founded by Cao Cao's successor Cao Pi, in the early Three Kingdoms period before his death. Formerly a subordinate of other warlords such as Ding Yuan, Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu, Zhang Liao joined Cao Cao February 199 after Lü Bu's downfall at the Battle of Xiapi. Since then, he participated in many of Cao Cao's military campaigns, including those against Yuan Shao's heirs and the Wuhuan tribes from 201 to 207. He is best known for his pivotal role in the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford in 214–215, in which he successfully defended Hefei from the forces of the warlord Sun Quan.
Chen Shou, who wrote the third-century historical text Sanguozhi, named Zhang Liao as one of the Five Elite Generals of his time, alongside Yu Jin, Zhang He, Yue Jin and Xu Huang.(評曰：太祖建茲武功，而時之良將，五子為先。于禁最號毅重，然弗克其終。張郃以巧變為稱，樂進以驍果顯名，而鑒其行事，未副所聞。或注記有遺漏，未如張遼、徐晃之備詳也。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
Towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, Ding Yuan, the Inspector of Bing Province, heard of Zhang Liao's combat skills and hired him as an assistant officer. Ding Yuan ordered Zhang Liao to lead troops from Bing Province to the imperial capital, Luoyang, to assist the General-in-Chief, He Jin. He Jin then sent him on a mission to Hebei, where Zhang Liao managed to recruit over 1,000 men to serve in He Jin's army.(漢末，并州刺史丁原以遼武力過人，召為從事，使將兵詣京都。何進遣詣河北募兵，得千餘人。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
When Zhang Liao returned to Luoyang, the warlord Dong Zhuo had seized control of Luoyang in the aftermath of He Jin's assassination, and replaced He Jin as the de facto head of the Han central government. Zhang Liao and his 1,000 troops then joined Dong Zhuo's army.(還，進敗，以兵屬董卓。) Sanguozhi vol. 17. In 192, after Lü Bu betrayed and killed Dong Zhuo, Zhang Liao served as one of his deputies and became a Cavalry Commandant (騎都尉).(卓敗，以兵屬呂布，遷騎都尉。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
About a month after he killed Dong Zhuo, Lü Bu came under attack by Dong Zhuo's followers, who were led by Li Jue and Guo Si. They defeated him and forced him out of the imperial capital, Chang'an. Zhang Liao accompanied Lü Bu as they headed east and wandered around central and northern China until mid 195, when the warlord Liu Bei offered Lü Bu shelter in Xu Province. In 196, Lü Bu betrayed his host and seized control of Xu Province, after which he appointed a 27-year-old Zhang Liao as the Chancellor of Lu State (魯國; around present-day Qufu, Shandong).(布為李傕所敗，從布東奔徐州，領魯相，時年二十八。) Sanguozhi vol. 17. Despite technically a subordinate of Lü Bu, Zhang Liao was formally independent from Lü Bu as he holds office as prefect of Beidi at that time.
In 198, Lu Bu's men were ordered to buy military horses. However, all the gold was plundered by Liu Bei's army on the way. Therefore Zhang Liao fought Liu Bei's forces along with Gao Shun, which prompted Liu Bei to ask Cao Cao for reinforcements, Cao Cao dispatched Xiahou Dun to help Liu Bei. However, Gao Shun and Zhang Liao first jointly defeated Xiahou Dun, and then jointly defeated Liu Bei at Peicheng.(《英雄记》：建安三年春，布使人赍金欲诣河内买马，为备兵所钞。布由是遣中郎将高顺、北地太守张辽等攻备。九月，遂破沛城，备单身走，获其妻息。) Records of Heroes
Zhang Liao told Xiahou Yuan: "Over the past several days, whenever we attacked Chang Xi, I noticed he paid careful attention to me. He is also running short of arrows. I suspect he is having doubts, therefore he isn't doing his best to resist us. Wouldn't it be better if I manage to persuade him to surrender?" He then sent a message to Chang Xi and asked to speak to him. When Zhang Liao met Chang Xi, he told the latter that Cao Cao rewarded those who submitted to him. Convinced by Zhang Liao, Chang Xi agreed to surrender to Cao Cao. Zhang Liao then went to Chang Xi's home alone and visited his family. Chang Xi was delighted and he followed Zhang Liao and Xiahou Yuan back to meet Cao Cao.(... 遼謂淵曰：「數日已來，每行諸圍，豨輒屬目視遼。又其射矢更稀，此必豨計猶豫，故不力戰。遼欲挑與語，儻可誘也？」乃使謂豨曰：「公有命，使遼傳之。」豨果下與遼語，遼為說「太祖神武，方以德懷四方，先附者受大賞」。豨乃許降。遼遂單身上三公山，入豨家，拜妻子。豨歡喜，隨詣太祖。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
When Cao Cao heard about how Zhang Liao persuaded Chang Xi to surrender, he scolded Zhang Liao: "This isn't what a great general should do." Zhang Liao replied: "I was certain that Chang Xi wouldn't dare to harm me because he knows that I am authorised by the imperial court and also because he is influenced by the prestige of you, my lord."(太祖遣豨還，責遼曰：「此非大將法也。」遼謝曰：「以明公威信著於四海，遼奉聖旨，豨必不敢害故也。」) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
After Cao Cao returned to the imperial capital, Xu (許; present-day Xuchang, Henan), he sent Zhang Liao and Yue Jin to lead an army to conquer Yin'an County (陰安縣; north of present-day Qingfeng County, Henan) and relocate its residents to the south of the Yellow River.(太祖還許，使遼與樂進拔陰安，徙其民河南。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
In early 204, Zhang Liao followed Cao Cao to attack Yuan Shang at Ye again and they succeeded in capturing the city this time. Zhang Liao also led troops to the Zhao State (趙國; around present-day Neiqiu County, Hebei) and Changshan State (常山國; around present-day Shijiazhuang, Hebei) in Ji Province, where he persuaded the Heishan bandits and other opposing forces to surrender to Cao Cao.(復從攻鄴，鄴破，遼別徇趙國、常山，招降緣山諸賊及黑山孫輕等。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
In 205, Zhang Liao accompanied Cao Cao to attack Yuan Tan at Nanpi County and they defeated Yuan Tan. After the battle, Zhang Liao led an army to the coastal regions and defeated bandit forces led by Liu Yi (柳毅) from Liaodong. When he returned to Ye after the campaign, Cao Cao came out of the city and personally welcomed him back. Zhang Liao was reassigned to serve as General Who Defeats Bandits (盪寇將軍).(從攻袁譚，譚破，別將徇海濵，破遼東賊柳毅等。還鄴，太祖自出迎遼，引共載，以遼為盪寇將軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
In around 206, Cao Cao sent Zhang Liao to counter the unrest in some counties in Jiangxia Commandery (present-day eastern Hubei). Zhang Liao achieved success and returned to his garrison at Linying (臨潁; present-day Linying County, Henan). He was promoted from a Secondary Marquis to a Marquis of a Chief Village (都亭侯).(復別擊荊州，定江夏諸縣，還屯臨潁，封都亭侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
In 207, Zhang Liao followed Cao Cao on a campaign against Yuan Shang, who had allied with the Wuhuan tribes in northern China. When Cao Cao was preparing to attack the enemy in Liucheng (柳城; present-day Xingcheng, Liaoning), Zhang Liao warned him that Jing Province's Governor Liu Biao take advantage of his absence from Xu to send Liu Bei to attack Xu and take control of the capital. However, Cao Cao felt that Liu Biao would not send Liu Bei to attack Xu because he did not trust Liu Bei, so he proceeded with the campaign against Yuan Shang and the Wuhuan.(傅子曰：太祖將征柳城，遼諫曰：「夫許，天子之會也。今天子在許，公遠北征，若劉表遣劉備襲許，據之以號令四方，公之勢去矣。」太祖策表必不能任備，遂行也。) Fu Zi annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 17. When they encountered the enemy, Zhang Liao displayed great fervour and strongly urged Cao Cao to launch an attack. Cao Cao was so impressed with Zhang Liao that he passed him his personal signal flag. Zhang Liao led the assault on the Wuhuan at White Wolf Mountain (白狼山; near present-day Lingyuan, Liaoning), defeated them and executed the Wuhuan chieftain Tadun.(從征袁尚於柳城，卒與虜遇，遼勸太祖戰，氣甚奮，太祖壯之，自以所持麾授遼。遂擊，大破之，斬單于蹋頓。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
During the Battle of Red Cliffs, Zhang Liao were stationed in Changsha In 209, after the Battle of Red Cliffs, Chen Lan (陳蘭) and Mei Cheng (梅成) started a rebellion in Lu County (六縣; in present-day Lu'an, Anhui). Cao Cao sent two separate forces to suppress the rebellion: Yu Jin and Zang Ba to attack Mei Cheng; Zhang Liao, with Zhang He and Niu Gai (牛蓋) as his deputies, to attack Chen Lan.(陳蘭、梅成以氐六縣叛，太祖遣于禁、臧霸等討成，遼督張郃、牛蓋等討蘭。) Sanguozhi vol. 17. Mei Cheng pretended to surrender to Yu Jin, and then led his men to join Chen Lan at Mount Tianzhu as soon as Yu Jin and Zang Ba left. The paths leading up the mountain were narrow and dangerous to travel on.(成偽降禁，禁還。成遂將其衆就蘭，轉入灊山。灊中有天柱山，高峻二十餘里，道險狹，步徑裁通，蘭等壁其上。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
When Zhang Liao wanted to attack the rebels, his subordinates advised him against it because of the hazardous terrain. However, Zhang Liao said: "This is where one-to-one fighting will take place. Only the courageous can advance forward." He then ordered his troops to make camp at the foot of the mountain. They attacked the rebels later, defeated them, and killed Chen Lan and Mei Cheng.(遼欲進，諸將曰：「兵少道險，難用深入。」遼曰：「此所謂一與一，勇者得前耳。」遂進到山下安營，攻之，斬蘭、成首，盡虜其衆。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
When Cao Cao was assessing the respective contributions of his generals in the campaign, he said, "The General Who Defeats Bandits (Zhang Liao) was the one who ascended the mountain, travelled through hazardous terrain, and defeated Chen Lan and Mei Cheng." As rewards for his success, Zhang Liao was granted acting imperial authority and given additional taxable households in his marquisate.(太祖論諸將功，曰：「登天山，履峻險，以取蘭、成，盪寇功也。」增邑，假節。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
Around 214, before Cao Cao went on a campaign against the warlord Zhang Lu in Hanzhong, he instructed Xue Ti (薛悌) to pass a sealed letter to the three generals at Hefei. He wrote "Open when the enemy comes" on the envelope.(太祖征張魯，教與護軍薛悌，署函邊曰「賊至乃發」。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
Later that year, Sun Quan led about 100,000 troops to attack Hefei, so they opened the letter. It read: "If Sun Quan comes, Generals Zhang and Li will go out to fight the enemy while General Yue will defend the fortress. Xue Ti will stay out of the battle." They were confused after reading the letter.(俄而權率十萬衆圍合肥，乃共發教，教曰：「若孫權至者，張、李將軍出戰；樂將軍守，護軍勿得與戰。」諸將皆疑。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
Zhang Liao told Yue Jin and Li Dian: "Our lord is away on a campaign. By the time his reinforcements reach here, we are already done for. So he is actually instructing us to take advantage of the situation – when the enemy has just arrived and isn't fully gathered yet – to attack them and devastate their morale so we can calm our men and strengthen our defences. Victory or defeat, it all depends on this battle. Why are the two of you still hesitating?" The three generals then worked together and recruited over 800 elite soldiers that night and prepared for battle the following day.(遼曰：「公遠征在外，比救至，彼破我必矣。是以教指及其未合逆擊之，折其盛勢，以安衆心，然後可守也。成敗之機，在此一戰，諸君何疑？」李典亦與遼同。於是遼夜募敢從之士，得八百人，椎牛饗將士，明日大戰。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
At dawn, Zhang Liao donned his armour, carried a ji, and led his men to attack the enemy formation. He killed tens of enemy soldiers and two officers, shouted his own name, and broke through the barriers until he reached Sun Quan's command post. Sun Quan was shocked and his subordinates were all unsure of what to do. He then went to the top of a knoll, armed himself with a long ji, and stood there. He did not dare to move when Zhang Liao challenged him to come down and fight him.(平旦，遼被甲持戟，先登陷陣，殺數十人，斬二將，大呼自名，衝壘入，至權麾下。權大驚，衆不知所為，走登高冢，以長戟自守。遼叱權下戰，權不敢動， ...) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
When Sun Quan saw that Zhang Liao did not have many soldiers left with him, he ordered his forces to surround Zhang and his men. However, Zhang Liao fought fiercely and succeeded in breaking out of the encirclement with a few of his men. His remaining men, who were still trapped by the enemy, shouted: "General, are you abandoning us?" Zhang Liao then turned back and fought his way into the encirclement and succeeded in rescuing his remaining men.(望見遼所將衆少，乃聚圍遼數重。遼左右麾圍，直前急擊，圍開，遼將麾下數十人得出，餘衆號呼曰：「將軍棄我乎！」遼復還突圍，拔出餘衆。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
Sun Quan and his men were all stunned by Zhang Liao's valour and did not dare to stand in his way. The skirmish lasted from dawn to the afternoon, and the morale of Sun Quan's army had fallen significantly. Zhang Liao returned to Hefei fortress and strengthened his defences. The defenders felt much more at ease and were very impressed with him.(權人馬皆披靡，無敢當者。自旦戰至日中，吳人奪氣，還脩守備，衆心乃安，諸將咸服。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
Sun Quan was unable to conquer Hefei after several days so he withdrew his forces. While Sun Quan was retreating, Zhang Liao suddenly launched a surprise attack and inflicted a crushing defeat on the enemy at Xiaoyao Ford (逍遙津). He came very close to capturing Sun Quan a few times during the battle. Cao Cao was very impressed with Zhang Liao and promoted him to General Who Attacks the East (征東將軍).(權守合肥十餘日，城不可拔，乃引退。遼率諸軍追擊，幾復獲權。太祖大壯遼，拜征東將軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
In 217, when Cao Cao launched another campaign against Sun Quan, he passed by Hefei along the way, visited the site of the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford, and spent a long time in reflection at the location. He increased the number of troops under Zhang Liao's command and then relocated Zhang's unit to a garrison at Juchao (居巢; in present-day Chaohu, Anhui).(建安二十一年，太祖復征孫權，到合肥，循行遼戰處，歎息者良乆。乃增遼兵，多留諸軍，徙屯居巢。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
Around the time, Sun Quan had pledged allegiance to Cao Cao, so Zhang Liao was able to lead his forces from Juchao to help Cao Ren. However, before Zhang Liao reached Fan, Cao Cao's general Xu Huang had already defeated Guan Yu and lifted the siege on Fancheng.(遼未至，徐晃已破關羽，仁圍解。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
Zhang Liao rendezvoused with Cao Cao, who had returned after being defeated in the Hanzhong Campaign, at Mobei (摩陂; in present-day Jia County, Henan). Cao Cao rode in a carriage and went out to personally receive Zhang Liao. He then relocated Zhang Liao to the garrison at Chen Commandery (陳郡; around present-day Zhoukou, Henan).(遼與太祖會摩陂。遼軍至，太祖乘輦出勞之，還屯陳郡。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
When Sun Quan renounced his allegiance to Wei, Cao Pi ordered Zhang Liao to garrison at Hefei again to guard against possible attacks from Eastern Wu, and increased his marquis rank to Marquis of a Chief District (都鄉侯).(文帝即王位，轉前將軍。 ... 孫權復叛，遣遼還屯合肥，進遼爵都鄉侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 17. Cao Pi also gave Zhang Liao's mother a carriage, sent soldiers to serve as guards in Zhang Liao's residence, and invited Zhang Liao's mother to visit Luoyang. When Zhang Liao's mother arrived, Cao Pi went out of the city and received her. All the officials who were there lined the path and paid respect to her.(給遼母輿車，及兵馬送遼家詣屯，勑遼母至，導從出迎。所督諸軍將吏皆羅拜道側，觀者榮之。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
In late 220, Cao Pi usurped the throne from Emperor Xian, ended the Eastern Han dynasty, and established the state of Cao Wei with himself as the new emperor. After his coronation, Cao Pi promoted Zhang Liao from a district marquis to a county marquis under the title "Marquis of Jinyang" (晉陽侯) and increased the number of taxable households in his marquisate to 2,600.(文帝踐阼，封晉陽侯，增邑千戶，并前二千六百戶。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
In 221, Zhang Liao travelled to the palace in Luoyang for an audience with Cao Pi, who brought him to a newly constructed hall and asked him for his opinion on how to conquer Wu. Cao Pi compared Zhang Liao to Shao Hu (召虎). He also had a new mansion constructed for Zhang Liao and invited Zhang Liao's mother to live there. All the foot soldiers who accompanied Zhang Liao in the battles against Wu were reassigned to the huben (虎賁; "rapid as tigers") unit of the Imperial Guards.(黃初二年，遼朝洛陽宮，文帝引遼會建始殿，親問破吳意狀。帝歎息顧左右曰：「此亦古之邵虎也。」為起第舍，又特為遼母作殿，以遼所從破吳軍應募步卒，皆為虎賁。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
In 221, after Sun Quan pledged allegiance to Wei again, Cao Pi reassigned Zhang Liao from Hefei to the garrison at Yongqiu (雍丘; present-day Qi County, Henan), where Zhang Liao fell sick. When Cao Pi learnt that Zhang Liao was ill, he sent Liu Ye to visit Zhang Liao and bring along an imperial physician to treat him. He also ordered the huben guards to serve as messengers to constantly update him on Zhang Liao's condition – to the point where these messengers frequently encountered each other along the way while they were travelling between Cao Pi and Zhang Liao's locations. Later on, before Zhang Liao had recovered, Cao Pi visited him, held his hand, gave him an imperial robe as a gift, and ordered his servants to prepare imperial cuisine for Zhang Liao. Zhang Liao returned to the garrison after his condition improved significantly.(孫權復稱藩。遼還屯雍丘，得疾。帝遣侍中劉曄將太醫視疾，虎賁問消息，道路相屬。疾未瘳，帝迎遼就行在所，車駕親臨，執其手，賜以御衣，太官日送御食。疾小差，還屯。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
Sun Quan was afraid when he heard that Zhang Liao was there, and he warned his generals: "Zhang Liao may be ill, but he is still a foe to be reckoned with. Be careful!"(權甚憚焉，勑諸將：「張遼雖病，不可當也，慎之！」) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
Zhang Liao and the other Wei generals initially defeated the Wu forces led by Lü Fan, but the battle eventually turned in favor of the Wu forces, and the Wei forces withdrew. Afterward, however, his condition worsened, and he died not long later in Jiangdu (江都; present-day Jiangdu District, Yangzhou, Jiangsu).(是歲，遼與諸將破權將呂範。遼病篤，遂薨於江都。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
Cao Pi cried when he learnt of Zhang Liao's death. He awarded Zhang Liao the posthumous title "Marquis Gang" (剛侯),(帝為流涕，謚曰剛侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 17. which literally means "resolute marquis". In 225, in commemoration of Zhang Liao and Li Dian for their contributions at the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford in 214–215, Cao Pi issued an imperial decree: "During the Battle of Hefei, Zhang Liao and Li Dian defeated an enemy force of 100,000 with only 800 foot soldiers. There had never been anything like this before in the history of warfare. They can be referred to as our state's 'claws and teeth' for their success in breaking the enemy's morale. I hereby increase the number of taxable households in Zhang Liao and Li Dian's marquisates by 100 each, and award a son of each of them the title of a Secondary Marquis."(黃初六年，帝追念遼、典在合肥之功，詔曰：「合肥之役，遼、典以步卒八百，破賊十萬，自古用兵，未之有也。使賊至今奪氣，可謂國之爪牙矣。其分遼、典邑各百戶，賜一子爵關內侯。」) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
See the following for other fictitious stories in the novel which involve Zhang Liao:
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