Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Zhang Te was a military officer serving the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. He is best remembered for his defense of the fortress at Hefei-xin (New Hefei) against the forces of Eastern Wu. In 253 AD, the regent of Wu, Zhuge Ke, led a massive army to besiege the fortress. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Zhang Te utilized clever strategies, including repairing the damaged walls with cloth sacks filled with sand and feigning negotiations to delay the Wu assault. His resilience exhausted the Wu army, eventually forcing Zhuge Ke to retreat, resulting in heavy casualties for Wu due to plague and combat fatigue.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s novel, Zhang Te’s role remains consistent with historical accounts, highlighting his tactical brilliance and unwavering loyalty. His successful defense of Hefei is portrayed as a crucial tactical victory that humiliated Zhuge Ke and contributed to the internal instability within the Wu government.
Zhang Te — Historical & Literary Timeline
Defense of Hefei-xin
Zhang Te leads the defense of the fortress at Hefei-xin against Zhuge Ke’s invasion force, successfully repelling the Wu army after a prolonged siege.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Zhuge Dan (诸葛诞, Gia Cát Đản): Grand General of Cao Wei and Area Commander of Huainan under whose broader command Zhang Te served as garrison commander of Hefei New Castle (253 AD).
- Yue Lin (乐綝, Nhạc Lâm): Senior general of Cao Wei (son of Yue Jin) who helped coordinate external relief forces during the siege of Hefei (253 AD).
- Sima Shi (司马师, Tư Mã Sư): Regent of Cao Wei who commended Zhang Te’s brilliant defense of Hefei, ennobling him as a Marquis of Guannei.
Enemies
- Zhuge Ke (诸葛恪, Gia Cát Khác): Grand Regent of Eastern Wu. Besieged Zhang Te at Hefei New Castle with 200,000 troops for over ninety days in 253 AD; Zhang Te executed a brilliant psychological deception—claiming Wei law allowed surrender only after 100 days of siege—to win time to rebuild breached walls with sandbags, thoroughly exhausting and routing the Wu army.
- Zhu Yi (朱异, Chu Dị): General of Eastern Wu who commanded frontline siege assault columns against Zhang Te’s fortifications at Hefei (253 AD).
- Tang Zi (唐咨, Đường Tư): Wu commander who directed siege catapults and trench assaults during the failed attack on Hefei New Castle (253 AD).
Others
- No information
In Novel
Chapter 108
- Zhang Te (张特, Trương Đặc): Zhang Te is the Wei commander defending Hefei New City against Zhuge Ke’s enormous Wu army. His garrison is close to collapse after more than ninety days of siege. Zhang Te devises a deception: he tells Zhuge Ke that Wei law allows a besieged commander to surrender without his family being punished if no relief arrives after 100 days, and offers a register of the defenders as proof of his intention to surrender. Zhuge Ke believes him and temporarily stops the assault. Zhang Te uses the pause to dismantle buildings inside the city and repair the damaged walls, then openly declares that he will fight to the death rather than surrender. Zhuge Ke resumes the attack but suffers heavy losses and illness among his soldiers. The Wu army eventually withdraws, and Zhang Te’s defense saves Hefei New City.
In History
252 AD
- Zhang Te (张特, Trương Đặc) was a Wei commander defending Xincheng against the Wu army led by Zhuge Ke (诸葛恪, Gia Cát Khác).
252 AD
- When Wu demanded surrender, Zhang Te requested time to consult his officers and promised a formal submission. Instead, he used the interval to repair the fortifications and prepare continued resistance.
252 AD
- The prolonged defence exhausted Zhuge Ke’s army through disease and logistical problems. Wu eventually withdrew, and Zhang Te became known for the successful defence of Xincheng.