Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Zhang Su was a native of Guanghan Commandery in Yi Province. He served the warlord Liu Zhang. When Liu Bei entered Yi Province under the guise of assisting Liu Zhang against Zhang Lu, Zhang Su was sent as an envoy to meet Liu Bei. Upon his return, he spoke highly of Liu Bei’s capabilities and soldiers, unintentionally fueling the tension that led to the conflict between the two lords. Later, when Liu Zhang surrendered to Liu Bei, Zhang Su continued to serve in the administration of the newly formed Shu Han state, though he did not hold as prominent a military role as his brother, Zhang Ren.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In the novel, Zhang Su is depicted as an official under Liu Zhang who unwittingly contributes to the betrayal of his lord by praising the military strength of Liu Bei, which causes Liu Zhang to become suspicious and ultimately fall into the trap of inviting a wolf into his house.
Zhang Su — Historical & Literary Timeline
The Envoy to Liu Bei
Zhang Su is dispatched by Liu Zhang to welcome Liu Bei into Yi Province. Upon his return, he reports that Liu Bei’s army is well-disciplined and formidable, inadvertently worrying Liu Zhang about his own safety.
Key Relationships
Family
- Zhang Song (张松, Trương Tùng): Younger brother. Advisor under Liu Zhang whose covert letters plotting to surrender Yi Province to Liu Bei were discovered and reported by Zhang Su (212 AD).
Friends
- Liu Zhang (刘璋, Lưu Chương): Governor of Yi Province. Zhang Su served as his loyal official and Grand Administrator of Guanghan (Guanghan Taishou), reporting Zhang Song’s conspiracy to protect the regime (212 AD).
Enemies
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị): Founding First Sovereign of Shu Han. When Liu Zhang surrendered in 214 AD, Liu Bei stripped Zhang Su of his office and refused to employ him, deeply detesting Zhang Su for executing his own brother Zhang Song.
- Zhang Song (张松, Trương Tùng): Younger brother. Betrayed Liu Zhang’s regime by smuggling geographic maps to Liu Bei; Zhang Su reported the treason, directly causing Zhang Song’s execution (212 AD).
Others
- No information
In Novel
Chapter 62
- Zhang Su (张肃, Trương Túc): Zhang Su is Zhang Song’s elder brother and serves Liu Zhang. He discovers that Zhang Song has secretly communicated with Liu Bei and is helping Liu Bei obtain control of Yi Province. Fearing that he himself will be implicated, Zhang Su reports his brother’s activities to Liu Zhang. The report leads directly to Zhang Song’s arrest and execution. The novel therefore presents Zhang Su’s action as a betrayal motivated by fear for his own position.
In History
Service under Liu Zhang
- Zhang Su (张肃, Trương Túc) was the brother of Zhang Song (张松, Trương Tùng) and served Liu Zhang (刘璋, Lưu Chương), holding office as Administrator of Guanghan.
212 AD
- Zhang Su discovered that his brother had secretly communicated with Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) and was involved in plans threatening Liu Zhang.
212 AD
- Zhang Su reported Zhang Song’s correspondence to Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang ordered Zhang Song executed, exposing the internal division within the Yi Province administration.