| “ | The Yuan are strong and the Cao are weak. Also, we and the Cao have a feud. Why should we follow him? | „ |
| ~ Zhang Xiu |
Zhang Xiu 張繡 was a warlord based in Wan. He was one of Cao Cao's opponents in the years before the Battle of Guandu, with their skirmishes often ending in victories for him. Despite his military prowess, however, Cao Cao had more resources, so he chose to surrender, being received gracefully. He later served Cao Cao as a general, helping out Cao Cao stomp out the Yuan clan in the north.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Zhang Xiu came from Zuli county, Wuwei commandery. He was Zhang Ji's "kinsmen-son", meaning that though from the same clan branch, he was one generation below Zhang Ji.[1]
While Bian Zhang and Han Sui rebelled in Liang Province, Qu Teng killed the Chief of Zuli; Liu Jun. Though Qu Teng made Zhang Xiu a county official, Zhang Xiu was resentful of him. He would spy on Qu Teng and later killed Qu Teng when he got the chance. The entirety of Wuwei commandery respected him for this deed. Soon, he recruited young men into his army, gaining him a fearsome reputation.[2]
Around 192, Zhang Xiu followed Zhang Ji into Chang'an and helped him kick out Lü Bu. For this and other achievements, he was made General who Establishes Loyalty (jiànzhōng jiāngjūn 建忠將軍) and enfeoffed as Marquis of Xuanwei.[2] Zhang Xiu at this time became acquainted with Jia Xu. As turmoil in Chang'an grew worse and worse, Zhang Xiu said to Jia Xu, "We cannot stay within here for long. Sir, why not leave?" Jia Xu replied that he'd rather stay in Chang'an than leave for the Emperor.[3] Eventually, Zhang Ji, from his initial garrison at Hongnong commandery, travelled south to attack Rang in a desperate bid to get food for him and his troops, only to be killed. Zhang Xiu inherited Zhang Ji's troops and garrisoned at Wan, where he and Liu Biao allied.[2] It seems that Zhang Xiu was successful in feeding his troops. Also at this time, Zhang Xiu sent a messenger to Jia Xu, inviting him to join him. Jia Xu accepted, and Zhang Xiu made him his main strategist.[4]
Battle of Wancheng[]
In Spring 197, warlord Cao Cao led his army to the Yu River, threatening Zhang Xiu.[2][5] Zhang Xiu and his troops surrendered, only for Cao Cao to become close with Zhang Ji's widow, gaining Zhang Xiu's fury. When Cao Cao heard of Zhang Xiu's anger, he was annoyed and secretly planned to kill Zhang Xiu. However, Zhang Xiu heard of the plot and was even more angry.[2] In addition, Cao Cao was handing out gold to Hu Che'er 胡車兒, who was very close to Zhang Xiu and known for his bravery. Zhang Xiu was fearful that Cao Cao would influence Hu Che'er to assassinate him.[6] Later, following Jia Xu's strategy, Zhang Xiu asked Cao Cao to move to a high position that led to Cao Cao's camp, which was agreed. Then he asked, "My chariots are few and heavy. I ask for your consent to let my troops wear armor." Cao Cao agreed, not thinking anything was off.[7] Previously, Zhang Xiu set up a large banquet for Cao Cao. While Cao Cao was very drunk, Zhang Xiu and his generals were contemplating to act, only to see Cao Cao's bodyguard, Dian Wei, watching them with glared eyes. Frightened, Zhang Xiu and the others did not act at that time and shied their eyes away from the bodyguard.[8] But now in a favorable position due to Jia Xu's plan, Zhang Xiu ambushed Cao Cao with armored troops before he could fully realize it. Cao Cao was caught unaware, with his son, Cao Ang, and his nephew, Cao Anmin, being killed.[2][5][7]
Standing his Ground[]
Cao Cao fled to Wuyin, with Zhang Xiu in pursuit, ignoring the protests of Jia Xu. Cao Cao was able to defeat him, forcing him to withdraw to Rang to protect it.[2][5] Jia Xu later told Zhang Xiu to attack Cao Cao's force, now led by his generals, but an incredulous Zhang Xiu replied, "I did not heed your words, thus we came to this point. Now that I have been defeated, why should we pursue them again?" Jia Xu said that Cao Cao was occupied with something else and would be defeated. Zhang Xiu thus attacked Cao Cao's force, defeating him. Zhang Xiu later asked Jia Xu, "I used elite troops to pursue a retreating army, yet you said I would surely be defeated. When I retreated, I used my defeated soldiers to attack a victorious army, yet you said I would surely triumph. All of such is just as you said. Why when it was opposite did all come true [for you]?" Jia Xu replied that though Zhang Xiu was strong, he was no match for Cao Cao's tact, but though Cao Cao's generals that led Cao Cao's force were brave as well, Zhang Xiu was stronger than them.[4] Zhang Xiu would withstand constant attacks from Cao Cao with the support of Liu Biao.[2] As Cao Cao withdrew to Xuchang, he angrily said to his advisors, "When I had Zhang Xiu's surrender, I made a mistake by not quickly taking hostages, hence we came to this point! Gentlemen, observe me! From today and afterwards, I shall not be defeated again!" Concurrently, the counties of Nanyang and Zhangling rebelled against Cao Cao in favor of Zhang Xiu. Cao Cao sent Cao Hong to try to attack him, but was repulsed, so Cao Hong garrisoned Ye county 葉, withstanding attacks from both Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao.[5]
Jia Xu, Zhang Xiu's most prominent advisor.
In Spring 198, Cao Cao besieged Rang for two months before concerns over Yuan Shao led him to withdraw.[9] Zhang Xiu once again pursued Cao Cao with support from Liu Biao. As Cao Cao was retreating to Anzhong, he also sent a message to Xun Yu that stated, "The enemy has come to pursue me, but though they travel several miles each day, I have a plan for them. When I reach Anzhong, the defeat of Xiu is certain!" The allied forces of Zhang Xiu attacked Cao Cao on both his rear and front, but were not able to achieve a total victory. Overnight, Cao Cao dug tunnels in strategic spots, smuggling in supplies as well as setting up an ambush. When dawn reached, Zhang Xiu's army thought Cao Cao escaped, so they gave pursuit, only to be ambushed and gravely defeated.[10]
Joining Cao Cao[]
Around late 199, when Cao Cao was at a standoff with Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao sent an envoy to Zhang Xiu, asking him to ally/join with him. Zhang Xiu was about to agree to it, when Jia Xu said to the envoy, "Return with our apologies for Yuan Benchu. If brothers cannot tolerate each other, then can they tolerate national scholars of the world?" A shocked Zhang Xiu exclaimed, "How could you come to this?" Later, Zhang Xiu asked Jia Xu privately, "If so, then who to join?" When Jia Xu told him to join Cao Cao vaguely, Zhang Xiu replied, "The Yuan are strong and the Cao are weak. Also, we and the Cao have a feud. Why should we follow him?" Jia Xu said that one: Cao Cao had the authority of having Emperor Xian; two: Yuan Shao does not hold Zhang Xiu in high regard because he already has a large army, but Cao Cao does not, and is more likely to welcome Zhang Xiu warmly; third: Cao Cao, having grand ambitions, will forgive Zhang Xiu so they can work together. Zhang Xiu agreed and led his troops to surrender to Cao Cao once again.[4][11][12] Despite their previous animosity, Cao Cao shook his hands in a friendly manner and set up a feast for him. To solidify their new-found alliance, Cao Cao had his son Cao Jun wed Zhang Xiu's daughter, and also promoted Zhang Xiu to General who Raises Might.[2]
Zhang Xiu fought in the Battle of Guandu in Spring 200, where his fighting skills helped Cao Cao out. For this, he became General who Defeats the Qiang. He followed Cao Cao to defeat Yuan Tan at Nanpo in Spring 205, where his service was acknowledged by an increase of 2,000 households to his marquisdom.[2][n 1] In Autumn 207, while following Cao Cao to Liucheng in order to fight the Wuhuan, he perished along the way.[2][13]
Cao Pi Anecdote[]
According to the Weilüe, an angry Cao Pi said to Zhang Xiu, "Sir, you killed my elder brother! How can you bear to have the face to look at others!" Zhang Xiu allegedly committed suicide afterwards in fear. However, this is likely hearsay.[14]
Family[]
Zhang Xiu had the aforementioned daughter as well as a son, Zhang Quan. Zhang Quan succeeded Zhang Xiu as Marquis of Xuanwei, only to associate with Wei Feng and his plot. He was executed and the title of Marquis of Xuanwei abolished.[2]
- Son: Zhang Quan
- Daughter: who married Cao Jun
Notes[]
- ↑ At the time, the population of China was impacted negatively from war that for every ten households registered, one actually existed. Zhang Xiu was one of the few generals to have his actual households very close to the registered number, indicating his special status.
Fact vs. Fiction[]
References[]
- ↑ SGZ: Biography of Zhang Xiu 『張繡，武威祖厲人，驃騎將軍濟族子也。』
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 SGZ: Biography of Zhang Xiu 『邊章、韓遂為亂涼州，金城麴勝襲殺祖厲長劉儁。繡為縣吏，閒伺殺勝，郡內義之。遂招合少年，為邑中豪傑。董卓敗，濟與李傕等擊呂布，為卓報仇。語在《卓傳》。繡隨濟，以軍功稍遷至建忠將軍，封宣威侯。濟屯弘農，士卒饑餓，南攻穰，為流矢所中死。繡領其衆，屯宛，與劉表合。太祖南征，軍淯水，繡等舉衆降。太祖納濟妻，繡恨之。太祖聞其不悅，密有殺繡之計。計漏，繡掩襲太祖。太祖軍敗，二子沒。繡還保穰，太祖比年攻之，不克。太祖拒袁紹於官渡，繡從賈詡計，復以衆降。語在詡傳。繡至，太祖執其手，與歡宴，為子均取繡女，拜揚武將軍。官渡之役，繡力戰有功，遷破羌將軍。從破袁譚於南皮，復增邑凡二千戶。是時天下戶口減耗，十裁一在，諸將封未有滿千戶者，而繡特多。從征烏丸於柳城，未至，薨，諡曰定侯。子泉嗣，坐與魏諷謀反，誅，國除。』
- ↑ 《獻帝紀》 『張繡謂詡曰：「此中不可久處，君胡不去？」詡曰：「吾受國恩，義不可背。卿自行，我不能也。」』
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 SGZ: Biography of Jia Xiu 『張繡在南陽，詡陰結繡，繡遣人迎詡。詡將行，或謂詡曰：「煨待君厚矣，君安去之？」詡曰：「煨性多疑，有忌詡意，禮雖厚，不可恃，久將為所圖。我去必喜，又望吾結大援於外，必厚吾妻子。繡無謀主，亦願得詡，則家與身必俱全矣。」詡遂往，繡執子孫禮，煨果善視其家。詡說繡與劉表連和。太祖比征之，一朝引軍退，繡自追之。詡謂繡曰：「不可追也，追必敗。」繡不從，進兵交戰，大敗而還。詡謂繡曰：「促更追之，更戰必勝。」繡謝曰：「不用公言，以至於此。今已敗，柰何復追？」詡曰：「兵勢有變，亟往必利。」繡信之，遂收散卒赴追，大戰，果以勝還。問詡曰：「繡以精兵追退軍，而公曰必敗；退以敗卒擊勝兵，而公曰必剋。悉如公言，何其反而皆驗也？」詡曰：「此易知耳。將軍雖善用兵，非曹公敵也。軍雖新退，曹公必自斷後；追兵雖精，將旣不敵，彼士亦銳，故知必敗。曹公攻將軍無失策，力未盡而退，必國內有故；已破將軍，必輕軍速進，縱留諸將斷後，諸將雖勇，亦非將軍敵，故雖用敗兵而戰必勝也。」繡乃服。是後，太祖拒袁紹於官渡，紹遣人招繡，并與詡書結援。繡欲許之，詡顯於繡坐上謂紹使曰：「歸謝袁本初，兄弟不能相容，而能容天下國士乎？」繡驚懼曰：「何至於此！」竊謂詡曰：「若此，當何歸？」詡曰：「不如從曹公。」繡曰：「袁彊曹弱，又與曹為讎，從之如何？」詡曰：「此乃所以宜從也。夫曹公奉天子以令天下，其宜從一也。紹彊盛，我以少衆從之，必不以我為重。曹公衆弱，其得我必喜，其宜從二也。夫有霸王之志者，固將釋私怨，以明德於四海，其宜從三也。願將軍無疑！」繡從之，率衆歸太祖。』
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 SGZ: Biography of Cao Cao 『二年春正月，公到宛。張繡降，旣而悔之，復反。公與戰，軍敗，為流矢所中，長子昂、弟子安民遇害。公乃引兵還舞陰，繡將騎來鈔，公擊破之。繡奔穰，與劉表合。公謂諸將曰：「吾降張繡等，失不便取其質，以至于此。吾知所以敗。諸卿觀之，自今已後不復敗矣。」遂還許。...公之自舞陰還也，南陽、章陵諸縣復叛為繡，公遣曹洪擊之，不利，還屯葉，數為繡、表所侵。』
- ↑ 《傅子》 『繡有所親胡車兒，勇冠其軍。太祖愛其驍健，手以金與之。繡聞而疑太祖欲因左右刺之，遂反。』
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 《吳書》 『繡降，用賈詡計，乞徙軍就高道，道由太祖屯中。繡又曰：「車少而重，乞得使兵各被甲。」太祖信繡，皆聽之。繡乃嚴兵入屯，掩太祖。太祖不備，故敗。』
- ↑ SGZ: Biography of Dian Wei 太祖征荊州，至宛，張繡迎降。太祖甚悅，延繡及其將帥，置酒高會。太祖行酒，韋持大斧立後，刃徑尺，太祖所至之前，韋輒舉斧目之。竟酒，繡及其將帥莫敢仰視。後十餘日，繡反，襲太祖營，太祖出戰不利，輕騎引去。韋戰於門中，賊不得入。兵遂散從他門並入。時韋校尚有十餘人，皆殊死戰，無不一當十。
- ↑ 《獻帝春秋》 『袁紹叛卒詣公云：「田豐使紹早襲許，若挾天子以令諸侯，四海可指麾而定。」公乃解繡圍。』
- ↑ SGZ: Biography of Cao Cao 『三年春正月，公還許，初置軍師祭酒。三月，公圍張繡於穰。夏五月，劉表遣兵救繡，以絕軍後。公將引還，繡兵來，公軍不得進，連營稍前。公與荀彧書曰：「賊來追吾，雖日行數里，吾策之，到安衆，破繡必矣。」到安衆，繡與表兵合守險，公軍前後受敵。』
- ↑ SGZ: Biography of Cao Cao 『冬十一月，張繡率衆降，封列侯。』
- ↑ 《九州春秋》 『曹公與袁紹相距，遣人招張繡。繡欲歸紹，賈詡勸繡歸曹公，繡曰：「紹強。又曹公與吾有讎，不可。」詡曰：「此乃所以宜從之也。夫有霸王之志者，固將釋大怨明德於四海也。」繡從之，歸曹公。曹公見之，喜，執詡手曰：「使我信重於天下者，君也。」』
- ↑ SGZ: Biography of Cao Cao 『秋七月，大水，傍海道不通，田疇請為鄉導，公從之。引軍出盧龍塞，塞外道絕不通，乃壍山堙谷五百餘里，經白檀，歷平岡，涉鮮卑庭，東指柳城。未至二百里，虜乃知之。尚、熙與蹋頓、遼西單于樓班、右北平單于能臣抵之等，將數萬騎逆軍。八月，登白狼山，卒與虜遇，衆甚盛。公車重在後，被甲者少，左右皆懼。公登高，望虜陳不整，乃縱兵擊之，使張遼為先鋒，虜衆大崩，斬蹋頓及名王已下，胡、漢降者二十餘萬口。』
- ↑ 《魏略》 『五官將數因請會，發怒曰：「君殺吾兄，何忍持面視人邪！」繡心不自安，乃自殺。』
Sources[]
- Chen Shou 陳壽 (233–297). Sanguo zhi 三國志 “Records of the Three Kingdoms”, with official commentary compiled by Pei Songzhi 裴松之 (372-451).