Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Zhang Wu is a fictional rebel military commander who appears in Luo Guanzhong’s classic 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In strict historical reality, Zhang Wu does not appear in Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi) or any authentic Eastern Han historical annals. He is an entirely fictional character invented by Luo Guanzhong to serve as a pivotal narrative catalyst, enabling the acquisition of the famous warhorse Dilu (Hex Mark) by Liu Bei, which directly triggers the plotlines of Liu Bei’s escape at Tan Stream and his eventual meeting with Zhuge Liang.
In Chapter 34 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhang Wu is introduced as a former surrendering officer under Liu Biao, the Governor of Jing Province. Driven by personal ambition and greed, Zhang Wu collaborates with fellow officer Chen Sun to launch an open rebellion against Liu Biao in Jiangxia Commandery. Establishing a stronghold in Jiangxia, Zhang Wu and Chen Sun plunder local towns, seize state grain and wealth, and terrorize the local civilian population. Zhang Wu is notably portrayed as the original owner of Dilu, a majestic warhorse with a ferocious mane, exceptional speed, and a unique white patch on its forehead, which is traditionally believed by horse appraisers to bring ill fortune and tragedy to its master.
Seeking to repay Liu Biao’s hospitality for granting him refuge at Xinye, Liu Bei volunteers to suppress the Jiangxia rebellion, leading an army of 30,000 troops alongside Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. As the two opposing armies form up in Jiangxia, Liu Bei notices Zhang Wu riding the magnificent steed Dilu and praises the warhorse, exclaiming that it must be a legendary stallion capable of running a thousand li. Understanding his lord’s inner desire, Zhao Yun immediately charges forward with his spear to engage Zhang Wu. Zhang Wu rides out to duel Zhao Yun, but owing to the vast disparity in martial skill, Zhao Yun pierces Zhang Wu with his spear in under three bouts, slaying him instantly on the battlefield. Zhao Yun seizes the reins of Dilu and presents the steed to Liu Bei as a victory prize, while Zhang Fei slays Chen Sun with his Serpent Lance as he attempts to recapture the horse.
In literary analysis, literary commentators such as Mao Zonggang noted a humorous editorial inconsistency in early prints of the novel, where two Jiangxia rebels killed in earlier chapters reappear later due to authorial oversight. Subsequent editors rectified the narrative continuity by assigning the names Zhang Wu and Chen Sun to these figures, perfecting one of the most famous literary catalysts in the novel.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhang Wu’s narrative role is featured in Chapter 34. Operating as a rebel leader in Jiangxia alongside Chen Sun, Zhang Wu rides the cursed warhorse Dilu into battle against Liu Bei’s forces. Within three bouts of combat, Zhang Wu is slain by Zhao Yun, who captures Dilu and presents it to Liu Bei. Zhang Wu’s death sets off a chain reaction: Liu Biao rejects Dilu after learning it brings ill fortune to its owner, Lady Cai and Cai Mao suspect Liu Bei’s ambitions, and Liu Bei later uses Dilu to leap three zhang across Tan Stream to escape an assassination attempt, ultimately leading him to Water Mirror and Zhuge Liang.
Zhang Wu (張武) — Literary Timeline
Rebellion in Jiangxia Commandery
Rebels against Liu Biao alongside Chen Sun, seizing Jiangxia Commandery, plundering local supplies, and riding the prized steed Dilu.
Duel with Zhao Yun and Death
Engages Zhao Yun in single combat outside Jiangxia after Liu Bei admires his horse; slain in under three bouts of combat, losing Dilu to the Shu hero.
Item
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Zhang Wu on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Chen Sun (陈孙, Trần Tôn) — A fellow rebel commander who collaborated with Zhang Wu to seize Jiangxia Commandery and plunder the local region before being slain by Zhang Fei.
Enemies
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân) — The Shu Han general who engaged Zhang Wu in a duel outside Jiangxia in 207 AD and killed him within three bouts to seize the steed Dilu.
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) — The warlord who led the punitive expedition to suppress Zhang Wu’s rebellion in 207 AD, ultimately acquiring the horse Dilu following Zhang Wu’s death.
- Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi) — A general under Liu Bei who participated in the suppression of the Jiangxia rebellion and killed Zhang Wu’s ally, Chen Sun.
Other
- Liu Biao (刘表, Lưu Biểu) — The Governor of Jing Province whom Zhang Wu originally served as an officer before betraying him to launch an insurrection in Jiangxia.
In Novel
Chapter 28
- Zhang Wu (张武, Zhāng Wǔ): Zhang Wu is a local bandit encountered by Liu Bei’s forces. He possesses a fine horse that Liu Bei’s officers want to obtain. Zhao Yun confronts Zhang Wu, defeats and kills him, and takes the horse. The encounter occurs during Liu Bei’s movements in Jingzhou and contributes to Zhao Yun’s reputation as a formidable warrior.
In History
Summary
- Zhang Wu (张武, Trương Vũ) is a minor figure associated with the early career of Liu Bei in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Historical Record
- The novel presents Zhang Wu as a bandit who possesses a valuable horse later taken by Liu Bei.
- This episode belongs to the novelistic tradition, and the character should not be treated as a securely documented historical person without independent evidence.