Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Zhang Shao was a younger son of the famous Shu Han general Zhang Fei. Historical records in the Records of the Three Kingdoms note that following the death of his father, he served the Shu Han state. He attained the position of Attendant to the Secretariat (Shangshu Puye) and was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Xixiang. After the fall of Shu Han in 263 AD, he followed the former emperor Liu Shan to the capital of the Cao Wei state, Luoyang, where he was granted the title of Marquis by the Wei government.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In the narrative of the novel, Zhang Shao is primarily mentioned as a minor official who accompanied Liu Shan in the surrender to the forces of Deng Ai. He is depicted as a loyal retainer who remained with the Shu royalty throughout the collapse of the dynasty.
Zhang Shao — Historical & Literary Timeline
Surrender to Wei
Zhang Shao accompanied Liu Shan when the latter officially surrendered to Deng Ai, marking the end of the Shu Han state.
Key Relationships
Family
- Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi): Father. Legendary founding Grand General of Shu Han and Marquis of Huan.
- Zhang Bao (张苞, Trương Bào): Elder brother. Renowned vanguard warrior of Shu Han who died prematurely during the Northern Expeditions.
- Empress Jing’ai (敬哀皇后, Kính Ai Hoàng Hậu): Elder sister. First empress consort of Emperor Liu Shan.
- Empress Zhang (张皇后, Trương Hoàng Hậu): Younger sister. Second empress consort of Emperor Liu Shan.
- Liu Shan (刘禅, Lưu Thiện): Brother-in-law and sovereign. Second Emperor of Shu Han (Houzhu) whom Zhang Shao served as Attendant to the Secretariat (Shangshu Puye).
- Zhang Zun (张遵, Trương Tuân): Nephew (son of Zhang Bao). Imperial officer who died fighting at Mianzhu Pass (263 AD).
Friends
- Jiang Wan (蒋琬, Tưởng Uyển): Chief Regent and Grand Marshal of Shu Han under whose court administration Zhang Shao served in the imperial secretariat.
- Fei Yi (费祎, Phí Y): Chancellor of Shu Han who maintained central governance alongside Zhang Shao.
- Qiao Zhou (谯周, Kiều Chu): Master scholar who drafted the formal surrender documents; Zhang Shao was commissioned as the chief imperial envoy to deliver the jade seal to Deng Ai (263 AD).
Enemies
- Deng Ai (邓艾, Đặng Ngải): Grand General of Cao Wei. Invaded Sichuan through Yinping in 263 AD; Zhang Shao led the imperial delegation outside Chengdu to present the state seals and formal submission to Deng Ai.
- Zhong Hui (钟会, Chung Hội): Grand General of Cao Wei whose northern invasion army breached Hanzhong and forced Shu Han’s collapse (263 AD).
Others
- No information
In Novel
Chapter 118
- Zhang Shao (张绍, Trương Thiệu): Zhang Shao is Liu Bei’s grandson through Zhang Fei and serves Shu as a court official. When Deng Ai’s army reaches Chengdu and Liu Shan decides that further resistance is hopeless, Zhang Shao is appointed as one of the envoys accompanying Qiao Zhou to deliver Liu Shan’s surrender. He carries the imperial seal and goes to meet Deng Ai, formally presenting Shu’s submission. His mission marks the transition from Shu’s resistance to surrender.
In History
221 AD
- Zhang Shao (张绍, Trương Thiệu), the younger son of Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi), inherited his father’s marquis title and entered the Shu Han administration, eventually serving as Palace Attendant and Deputy Director of the Secretariat.
263 AD
- When Wei invaded Shu, Zhang Shao (张绍, Trương Thiệu) was sent by Liu Shan (刘禅, Lưu Thiện) to meet Deng Ai (邓艾, Đặng Ngải) and present Shu’s submission.
264 AD
- After Shu surrendered, Zhang Shao went to Luoyang with the former Shu court and was enfeoffed by Wei as a marquis.