Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Zhang Bao (died 229 AD) was a military general of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. He was the eldest son of the legendary Five Tiger General Zhang Fei and Lady Xiahou (the niece of Cao Wei general Xiahou Yuan). Inheriting his father’s fierce martial prowess, courageous spirit, and loyalty to the Han dynasty, Zhang Bao grew up alongside Guan Xing (Guan Yu’s son) as sworn brothers and the premier champions of the younger generation of Shu Han.
In historical records, Zhang Bao served as a trusted military officer and imperial guard commander in Shu Han. However, historical records regarding his life are brief; he passed away at a relatively young age around 229 AD during the early Northern Expeditions under Zhuge Liang, leaving behind his son Zhang Zun.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s epic historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhang Bao is immortalized as a peerless, hot-tempered, and exceptionally brave warrior who wields his father’s legendary Serpent Spear. His narrative dominates Chapters 82 through 102. Major novelistic highlights include his emotional swearing of brotherhood with Guan Xing at their fathers’ graves, their fierce rivalry and subsequent reconciliation mediated by Liu Bei, their brilliant vanguard exploits during the punitive expedition at Yiling, and their pivotal contributions as Zhuge Liang’s elite vanguard generals during the Northern Expeditions. His sudden death from illness in Chapter 102 prompts Zhuge Liang to weep blood in supreme grief over the loss of Shu’s future pillars.
Notable Quotes & Famous Sayings
- “Though our fathers are gone, we swear as brothers to live and die together in service to Shu Han!” — Zhang Bao swearing brotherhood with Guan Xing over their fathers’ graves.
- “With the Serpent Spear in hand, I shall carve a path through any enemy!” — Zhang Bao expressing his fierce martial pride.
Zhang Bao (张苞) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Sworn Brotherhood with Guan Xing
Meets Guan Xing; after an initial duel, they swear lifelong brotherhood in emulation of their fathers Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, joining the Yiling campaign.
Battle of Yiling & Capturing Enemy Officers
Fights valiantly as a vanguard officer during Liu Bei’s campaign against Eastern Wu; captures several enemy generals and avenges past grievances.
Southern Campaign & Northern Expeditions
Participates in Zhuge Liang’s Southern Campaign and successive Northern Expeditions against Cao Wei, repeatedly serving as vanguard alongside Guan Xing.
Fatal Injury & Death
Sustains severe head wounds after falling into a ravine during a pursuit of Wei forces; is rushed back to Chengdu where he passes away from his injuries.
Key Relationships
Family
- Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi): Father and legendary Five Tiger General of Shu Han whose martial prowess Zhang Bao inherited.
- Lady Xiahou (夏侯氏, Hạ Hầu thị): Mother and niece of the Cao Wei general Xiahou Yuan.
- Empress Zhang (张皇后, Trương Hoàng hậu): Sister who became the Empress of Shu Han.
- Zhang Shao (张绍, Trương Thiệu): Younger brother who served as a civil official in Shu Han.
- Zhang Zun (张遵, Trương Tuân): Son who continued the family legacy after Zhang Bao’s death.
Friends
- Guan Xing (关兴, Quan Hưng): Sworn brother and constant companion; the two served as the elite vanguard duo for Shu Han during the Northern Expeditions.
Enemies
- Guo Huai (郭淮, Quách Hoài): Wei general who served as a primary antagonist and tactical opponent during the Northern Expeditions.
- Cao Wei (曹魏, Tào Ngụy): The rival state against which Zhang Bao fought throughout his career in the Northern Expeditions.
- Eastern Wu (东吴, Đông Ngô): The rival state Zhang Bao fought against during the Yiling campaign (222–223 AD).
Other
- Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng): Prime Minister and commander who led the Northern Expeditions and mourned Zhang Bao’s death in 229 AD.
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị): The founding Emperor of Shu Han who mediated the reconciliation between Zhang Bao and Guan Xing.
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Veteran general of Shu Han who served as a mentor figure to the younger generation of officers.
In Novel
Chapter 81
- Zhang Bao (Shu) (张苞, Trương Bào): Eldest son of Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi) who rode to Chengdu to report his father’s assassination by Fan Jiang and Zhang Da, competed in martial archery with Guan Xing (关兴, Quan Hưng), and formed a sworn brotherhood before Emperor Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) to avenge their fathers.
Chapter 82
- Zhang Bao (Shu) (张苞, Trương Bào): Served as a vanguard general in the Xiaoting campaign against Eastern Wu, routing Wu divisions and slaying enemy officers Xie Jing and Cui Yu.
Chapter 83
- Zhang Bao (Shu) (张苞, Trương Bào): Assisted in capturing his father’s murderers Fan Jiang and Zhang Da at Xiaoting, offering their hearts at Zhang Fei’s altar.
Chapter 91
- Zhang Bao (Shu) (张苞, Trương Bào): Appointed Right Guard Commander under Chancellor Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) during the grand Northern Expeditions against Cao Wei.
Chapter 92
- Zhang Bao (Shu) (张苞, Trương Bào): Led assault divisions in capturing northern commanderies during the first Northern Expedition.
Chapter 94
- Zhang Bao (Shu) (张苞, Trương Bào): Coordinated tactical ambushes with Guan Xing (关兴, Quan Hưng) to rout Qiang tribal forces at Xiping.
Chapter 98
- Zhang Bao (Shu) (张苞, Trương Bào): Participated in the assault on Chencang and the slaying of Wei vanguard commander Wang Shuang (王双, Vương Song).
Chapter 99
- Zhang Bao (Shu) (张苞, Trương Bào): Pursued Wei generals Guo Huai (郭淮, Quách Hoài) and Sun Li in the mountain valleys during the third Northern Expedition, where his horse stumbled into a deep ravine, causing fatal head trauma that prompted Zhuge Liang to spit blood and faint in profound grief upon his death.
In History
Summary
- Zhang Bao (张苞, Trương Bào) was the eldest son of Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi) and a real historical member of the Shu Han ruling military family.
Historical Record
- The Sanguozhi records that Zhang Bao was Zhang Fei’s eldest son and that he died young. His son Zhang Zun (张遵, Trương Tuân) later served Shu and was killed at Mianzhu in 263 AD.
- The novel gives Zhang Bao an extensive military career and many battlefield exploits that are not supported by the brief historical record.
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