Historica Wiki
Advertisement


Zhang Liao (169-222) was a general of Wei. Formerly an officer of Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu, he surrendered at Xiapi, and his life was spared by Liu Bei, and that Cao Cao took him in as an officer. Zhang Liao served as one of the Five Generals of Wei until his death in 222 AD.

Biography[]

Zhang Liao in battle

Zhang Liao in the battle.

Zhang Liao

A painting of Zhang Liao.

Zhang Liao was originally a servant of Dong Zhuo, fighting at Hulao Gate. He also fought for Lu Bu at the Battle of Puyang and Xiapi. However, when he was captured by Cao Cao, he was spared after Liu Bei prayed that Cao Cao stay his sword, and that become a general of his.

He fought in the Battle of Guandu in 200 AD, where he assisted Guan Yu in slaying on Yan Liang. He developed a friendship with him, and let him escaped from Cao Cao without a fight later that year. He further fought in the wars against the remnants of Yuan Shao's army and the northern barbarians, and took part in the Battle of Chibi in 208.

Zhang Liao distinguished himself with a victory at Hefei in 209 AD. That year, Sun Quan would sent his General, Taishi Ci to launch a surprise attack on Hefei, but Zhang Liao anticipated such a move and Taishi Ci was mortally wounded by an arrow shot by Zhang Liao. In 215 AD, he again defended Hefei, and, that with 800 men, defeated an army of 100,000 Wu troops using ambushed tactics.

However, his story came to an end in 222 AD. A year earlier, he was placed in command of the Wei Armada during their invasion of Wu. The Armada attacked the Wu stronghold at Dongkou, which is held by He Qi. Zhang Liao and Cao Xiu are performed well, but this ended when Zhang Liao was being wounded by an arrow to the groin in the battle aboard the ships, and then disemboweled by Sun Quan's sword.

Advertisement