Zhang Fei

Early career

Zhang Fei was originally a wealthy butcher from Zhuo Commandery (present-day Zhuozhou, Hebei). In 184, he and Guan Yu joined Liu Bei's militia to assist the government in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion, which broke out towards the end of the Han Dynasty. His relationship with Liu Bei and Guan Yu was so close that they treated each other like brothers. Since then, Zhang Fei followed Liu Bei on most of his early exploits.

In 194, Liu Bei succeeded Tao Qian as governor of Xu Province. The following year, Liu Bei led his army to counter an invasion force from Yuan Shu, and he left Zhang Fei in charge of Xiapi, capital of Xu Province. Zhang Fei had a quarrel with Cao Bao and he killed the latter in anger. As Cao Bao had been in service for a long time, his death caused much turmoil within the community. Some of Cao Bao's colleagues defected to Lü Bu, who was taking shelter under Liu Bei at that time, and Lü Bu used the opportunity to seize control of Xu Province.

Zhang Fei managed to escape from Xiapi and join Liu Bei and Guan Yu, but they came under attack by the combined forces of Lü Bu and Yuan Shu, and were forced to temporarily join Cao Cao. Zhang Fei was appointed "General of the Household" (中郎將).

In 199, Liu Bei took over Xu Province from Che Zhou, the governor appointed by Cao Cao after the Battle of Xiapi. The following year, Cao Cao attacked Xu Province and defeated Liu Bei, forcing Liu to take shelter under Yuan Shao. Zhang Fei followed Liu Bei to Runan after leaving Yuan Shao, but they were defeated by Cao Cao again and sought shelter under Liu Biao, governor of Jing Province. Liu Biao put Liu Bei in charge of Xinye.

[edit]Battle of Changban

Further information: Battle of Changban

In 208, following the death of Liu Biao, Cao Cao launched a southern campaign to attack Jing Province. Liu Bei abandoned Xinye and led his followers, including both his troops and civilians, on an exodus towards Xiakou. Cao Cao's army caught up with them at Changban, Dangyang, after pursuing them for a day and a night. Zhang Fei led 20 horsemen to act as the rearguard and cover Liu Bei's escape. When they had all crossed the river, Zhang Fei ordered the bridges to be destroyed. He held his position at the opposite bank and shouted at the incoming enemy, "I'm Zhang Yide ("Yide" was Zhang Fei's style name). Come and fight me to the death!" No one dared to approach him and Zhang Fei successfully bought time for Liu Bei and his men to escape safely.

[edit]Efforts in establishing Shu Han

Further information: Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province

Liu Bei took control of southern Jing Province after the Battle of Red Cliffs and appointed Zhang Fei as Administrator of Yidu and "General Who Subdues Barbarians", and granted him the title of "Marquis of Xinting". Zhang Fei was later relocated to Nan Commandery.

In 211, Liu Bei led an expedition force to Yi Province on the invitation of the governor Liu Zhang, leaving behind Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei to guard Jing Province. During that time, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun stopped Lady Sun from bringing Liu Bei's young son, Liu Shan, with her back to Sun Quan's territory. The following year, Liu Bei and Liu Zhang turned hostile and war broke out between them. In 213, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun and Zhuge Liang led separate forces from Jing Province to reinforce Liu Bei.

Along the way, Zhang Fei arrived at Jiangzhou, which was defended by Liu Zhang's general Yan Yan. Zhang Fei defeated and captured Yan Yan in battle. Yan Yan condemned Zhang Fei for invading Yi Province and showed no fear in the face of death. Zhang Fei was deeply impressed and he spared Yan Yan's life and treated him like a guest. Zhang Fei's army proceeded to break through Liu Zhang's defenses and eventually reached Chengdu, where he rendezvoused with Liu Bei. Liu Zhang surrendered and yielded Yi Province to Liu Bei. Liu Bei rewarded Zhang Fei with 500 jin of gold, 1000 jin of silver, 5000 strings of coins and 1000 rolls of silk, in addition to appointing him Administrator of Baxi.

[edit]Hanzhong Campaign

Further information: Hanzhong Campaign and Battle of Baxi

In 215, Cao Cao's general Zhang He led an army to attack Baxi at the northeast of Yi Province, in an attempt to force its people to evacuate and relocate to Hanzhong. Zhang Fei led an army to resist Zhang He and both sides held their positions for more than 50 days. Later, Zhang Fei directed about 10,000 troops through an alternative route to intercept and ambush Zhang He from a direction the latter neglected. Zhang He was defeated and escaped on foot with a few dozen men through a narrow path back to Nanzheng.

In the winter of 217, Liu Bei personally mobilized to wrestle Hanzhong from Cao Cao. He sent Zhang Fei, Ma Chao and Wu Lan to attack Wudu Commandery, which was guarded by Cao Hong. They attempted to trick Cao Hong into believing that they were planning to attack his rear route, but Cao Xiu saw through the ruse. Wu Lan was killed while Zhang Fei retreated with Ma Chao. When Liu Bei finally annexed Hanzhong two years later, many people thought that Liu Bei would appoint Zhang Fei as Area Commander of the region, but Wei Yan was chosen instead. Liu Bei's decision disappointed Zhang Fei and surprised many others. Zhang Fei was appointed "General of the Right" (右將軍) instead.

[edit]Death

In 221 after declaring himself "Emperor of Shu Han", Liu Bei appointed Zhang Fei as "General of Chariots and Cavalry" (車騎將軍) and "Director of Retainers" (司隸校尉), and granted him the title of "Marquis of Xi" (西鄉侯). In the same year, he started a campaign against Sun Quan to avenge Guan Yu's death and the loss of Jing Province.

Zhang Fei responded to Liu Bei's call and prepared his army to rendezvous with Liu at Jiangzhou. However, he was murdered by his subordinates Fan Qiang and Zhang Da at Linjiang. The two men then defected to Eastern Wu, bringing Zhang Fei's severed head along with them. Zhang Fei was posthumously granted the title of "Marquis Huan" (桓侯). His body was buried in Langzhong while his head was buried at Yunyang. A Zhang Fei Shrine and a Zhang Fei Temple were later built at these locations respectively.