Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Zhang Nan (died 222 AD), courtesy name Wenjin, was a military general of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. Originally serving under Liu Bei, Zhang Nan participated in major military campaigns, most notably the disastrous Battle of Yiling in 222 AD against Eastern Wu. Serving under the vanguard forces, he fought bravely alongside Feng Xi. However, during the fierce night counterattack launched by the Wu forces led by Lu Xun, Zhang Nan was ambushed and killed in action, sacrificing his life for the state of Shu Han.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhang Nan is depicted as a loyal and daring vanguard general under Liu Bei. He follows Liu Bei on his grand punitive expedition against Eastern Wu to avenge the death of Guan Yu. Throughout Chapters 81 to 84, Zhang Nan and Feng Xi command the vanguard armies, capturing several enemy positions and routing initial Wu defenses along the Yangtze River.
When Lu Xun executes his devastating fire attack against the interconnected Shu camps, Zhang Nan becomes trapped in the fiery chaos. While attempting to break through the encirclement, he is surrounded by enemy troops and killed in battle by Wu general Han Dang, marking a tragic end for one of Shu’s prominent frontline commanders.
Notable Quotes & Famous Sayings
- “We must press forward and break their lines while our morale is high; do not let the enemy regroup!” — Zhang Nan leading the vanguard advance during the early stages of the Yiling campaign.
Zhang Nan (張南) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Joining the Punitive Expedition against Wu
Appointed as a vanguard general alongside Feng Xi, Zhang Nan joins Liu Bei’s massive campaign to avenge Guan Yu and recapture Jing Province, marching out with high morale.
Engaging Wu Forces along the River
Zhang Nan leads successful vanguard skirmishes, defeating minor Wu detachments and setting up encampments across a 700-li line along the Yangtze River.
Ambushed at Yiling & Death
Caught in Lu Xun’s surprise fire attack, Zhang Nan’s camp is thrown into total disarray. While fighting his way out, he is intercepted and killed in action by Wu general Han Dang.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Zhang Nan on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Feng Xi (冯习, Phùng Tập): A fellow vanguard general of Shu Han who fought alongside Zhang Nan during the Battle of Yiling in 222 AD; they shared command of the frontline forces until their deaths.
- Wu Ban (吴班, Ngô Ban): A Shu Han general who served alongside Zhang Nan during the punitive expedition against Eastern Wu.
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): A prominent Shu Han general who arrived with reinforcements during the retreat from the Battle of Yiling to assist surviving troops.
Enemies
- Lu Xun (陆逊, Lục Tốn): The Grand Marshal of Eastern Wu who orchestrated the fire attack at the Battle of Yiling in 222 AD, which led to the encirclement and death of Zhang Nan.
- Han Dang (韩当, Hàn Đương): An Eastern Wu general who, according to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, personally killed Zhang Nan during the chaos of the fire attack at Yiling.
- Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền): The ruler of Eastern Wu whose forces defended against the Shu Han invasion led by Liu Bei.
Other
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị): The Emperor of Shu Han whom Zhang Nan served with loyalty as a vanguard general during the grand punitive expedition against Eastern Wu in 221–222 AD.
In Novel
Chapter 33
- Zhang Nan (张南, Trương Nam): Zhang Nan is initially a commander under Yuan Xi. After Yuan Shao’s northern faction collapses, Zhang Nan and Jiao Chu surrender to Cao Cao. Cao Cao receives them and assigns them to command troops against the remaining Yuan family positions.
Chapter 48
- Zhang Nan (张南, Trương Nam): During the naval fighting on the Yangtze, Zhang Nan and Jiao Chu volunteer for a dangerous reconnaissance and assault mission using small boats. They encounter Wu’s commanders. Han Dang kills Jiao Chu, while Zhou Tai boards Zhang Nan’s boat and kills Zhang Nan in close combat. His death ends the career of the former Yuan Xi commander.
Chapter 81
- Zhang Nan (张南, Trương Nam): A second Zhang Nan appears in Liu Bei’s Shu army as one of the commanders preparing for the campaign against Wu after Guan Yu’s death. He serves alongside Feng Xi and is entrusted with troops in the Yiling campaign.
Chapter 84
- Zhang Nan (张南, Trương Nam): During Lu Xun’s counterattack at Yiling, the Shu army collapses. Zhang Nan is among the commanders caught in the disaster and is killed during the retreat. Important mapping note: the novel therefore contains two distinct military figures named Zhang Nan: the former Yuan Xi commander in Chapters 33 and 48, and the Shu commander in Chapters 81 and 84. The Diaochan character entry should not automatically merge them if the website intends separate historical identities.
In History
Summary
- Zhang Nan (张南, Trương Nam) was a historical Shu Han officer, courtesy name Wenjin, who served under Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) during the final campaign against Eastern Wu.
- The name Zhang Nan is also shared by a separate late Han officer who served Yuan Shao and later Cao Cao; this profile concerns the Shu commander.
Early Career
- Zhang Nan (张南, Trương Nam) followed Liu Bei’s forces from Jing Province into the Shu heartland and became a military officer in the Liu Bei regime.
Year: 222 AD
- During Liu Bei’s campaign against Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền), Zhang Nan (张南, Trương Nam) served as a senior forward commander together with Feng Xi (冯习, Phùng Tập).
- When Lu Xun (陆逊, Lục Tốn) launched the decisive counterattack at Yiling, the Shu army collapsed. Zhang Nan and Feng Xi were killed during the defeat.
Historical vs. Novel
- The Romance of the Three Kingdoms expands Zhang Nan’s role in the Yiling narrative, but the core historical fact—that he was a Shu commander killed in the defeat—is recorded in the Sanguozhi.
Historical Record
- Zhang Nan (张南, Trương Nam) was a real historical Shu Han general. He died during the disastrous Yiling campaign of 222 AD.