| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 张皇后, 張皇后, Zhāng Huáng Hòu |
| Nickname | First Empress Zhang of Shu (蜀汉张皇后); Zhang Fei's daughter |
| Other name | Trương Hoàng Hậu |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | c. 206 |
| Birth Place | Zhuo commandery, Hebei (Zhang Fei's origin) — raised in Shu |
| Died | 237 |
| Death Reason | Natural death as empress (237 AD) |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Mother | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Shu Han |
| Battles |
|
Biography & Historical Record
Empress Zhang (张皇后, Trương Hoàng Hậu) was the first empress of Shu Han’s second emperor, Liu Shan (刘禅), and the second daughter of the great general Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi). Chen Shou records her in Sanguozhi vol. 34 as Zhang Fei’s daughter who married Liu Shan; she bore the crown prince Liu Xuan (刘璿) and other children. Her elder sister had been Liu Shan’s first consort, Empress Jing’ai (敬哀皇后), who died without being fully documented in the novel’s main plot.
In the novel she is installed as empress in the chapter following Liu Bei’s death, when Zhuge Liang recommends Zhang Fei’s younger daughter; later she appears indirectly as “the empress” during Liu Shan’s decadent reign in the Jiang Wei campaigns (catalog Chapter 109).
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 87 (Wu Sends Zhao Zi to Offer Condolences; The Lord of Shu Appoints an Heir and Campaigns North): After Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) dies and Liu Shan (刘禅, Lưu Thiện) reigns with all affairs entrusted to Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng), the court notes the young emperor has no empress. Zhuge Liang and the ministers memorialize: “The late General of Chariots and Cavalry Zhang Fei‘s (张飞, Trương Phi) daughter is very worthy, seventeen years old — she should be taken as principal empress.” Liu Shan immediately marries her — Empress Zhang (张皇后, Trương Hoàng Hậu), younger sister of the deceased Empress Jing’ai.
Empress Zhang (张皇后) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Chapter 87
Installed as empress
Zhuge Liang recommends Zhang Fei’s seventeen-year-old daughter; Liu Shan makes her principal empress shortly after his accession.
223–237 AD
Crown prince’s mother
Historically bore Liu Xuan (crown prince) and other sons; presided over Shu court during Zhuge Liang’s regency and early northern expeditions.
Chapter 109 (catalog)
“The empress” at court
During Liu Shan’s indulgence in wine and Huang Hao’s influence, ministers’ wives visit the empress — the Liu Yan scandal (suspecting his wife stayed a month in the palace) references her without repeating her name.
237 AD
Historical death
Died as empress; Liu Shan later installed her cousin (also Zhang Fei’s daughter) as a second Empress Zhang — do not confuse with Wei empresses of the same title.
For detailed historical records, explore Empress Zhang (Liu Shan) on Wikipedia and Sanguozhi vol. 34.
Key Relationships
Family
- Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi): Father, Shu general and sworn brother of Liu Bei.
- Lady Xiahou (夏侯氏, Hạ Hầu Thị): Mother, Xiahou Ba’s cousin — Zhang Fei’s wife.
- Empress Jing’ai (敬哀皇后, Kính Ai Hoàng Hậu): Elder sister, Liu Shan’s first consort who died before the Chapter 87 installation.
- Liu Xuan (刘璿, Lưu Tuyền): Son, crown prince of Shu.
- Zhang Shao (张绍, Trương Thiệu): Younger brother, later Shu official who accompanied Liu Shan to Luoyang at surrender.
Friends
- Liu Shan (刘禅, Lưu Thiện): Husband, Shu emperor whom she married at seventeen.
- Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng): Chancellor who recommended her as empress in Chapter 87.
- Empress Dowager Wu (吴太后, Ngô Thái Hậu): Liu Bei’s widow and Liu Shan’s mother during her early years as empress.
Enemies
- No personal enemies named in the novel; political threats came from Wei and later from eunuch factionalism at Liu Shan’s court.
Other
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị): Father-in-law, founding emperor of Shu — died just before her installation.
- Liu Yan (刘琰, Lưu Diễn): Minister whose wife Hu visited the empress monthly — his suspicion led to his execution (Chapter 109 arc).
- Huang Hao (黄皓, Hoàng Hạo): Eunuch whose rise marked Liu Shan’s decline during her later years as empress.
- Empress Zhang of Wei (曹魏张皇后): Different person — wife of Cao Fang; catalog disambiguation required.
In Novel
Chapter 87
- Empress Zhang (张皇后, Trương Hoàng Hậu): Zhuge Liang and ministers memorialize that Zhang Fei's daughter, aged seventeen, should become principal empress; Liu Shan "immediately takes her" (后即纳之) — her primary named appearance.
Chapter 109 (catalog)
- Empress Zhang (张皇后, Trương Hoàng Hậu): Referred to as "the empress" (皇后) when Liu Yan's wife Hu visits the palace for a month — indirect appearance in Liu Shan's decadent court, not named again.
In History
Summary
- Empress Zhang (张皇后, Trương Hoàng Hậu), second daughter of Zhang Fei, married Liu Shan circa 223 AD, bore crown prince Liu Xuan, died 237 AD.
Year: c. 223 AD
- Made empress after Liu Shan's accession; sister had been his earlier consort (Empress Jing'ai).
Year: 237 AD
- Died; Liu Shan later married her cousin, also Zhang Fei's daughter, as a second Empress Zhang.
Historical Record
- Sanguozhi, vol. 34 (Shu biography of Liu Shan) — empresses of the Zhang clan.
- Huayang Guo Zhi — additional notices on Zhang Fei's daughters.
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