| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 张皇后, 張皇后, Zhāng Huánghòu |
| Nickname | Empress Zhang of Shu; Zhang Fei's younger daughter |
| Other name | Trương Hoàng Hậu |
| INFORMATION | |
| Death Reason | Natural death as empress (237 AD) |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Mother | |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Shu Han |
| Battles | Not a combatant — Chapter 87 installation and Chapter 109 indirect reference as empress during Liu Shan's reign. |
Biography & Historical Record
Empress Zhang (张皇后, Trương Hoàng Hậu) was the younger daughter of Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi) and Lady Xiahou (夏侯氏, Hạ Hầu thị), and an empress consort of Liu Shan (刘禅, Lưu Thiện), second sovereign of Shu-Han. Chen Shou’s Sanguozhi Shu 5 (后主传) records Zhang Fei’s daughters among Liu Shan’s consorts; she bore the crown prince Liu Xuan (刘璿, Lưu Tuyền) and other sons. Her elder sister Empress Jing’ai (敬哀皇后, Kính Ai Hoàng Hậu) had already been Liu Shan’s principal consort before the novel’s Chapter 87 installation scene.
Homonyms — do not merge. This 张皇后 is not Empress Jing’ai (Zhang Fei’s elder daughter). She is not Zhangshi, Empress Zhang (张氏), the later Shu empress Liu Shan raised after 237 AD. She is not any Wei empress also titled Zhang. The Zhang Fei parentage, Chapter 87 memorial, and Shu court context identify this page.
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 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 that the late General of Chariots and Cavalry Zhang Fei’s daughter is very worthy, seventeen years old, and should be taken as principal empress. Liu Shan immediately marries her — Empress Zhang (张皇后, Trương Hoàng Hậu), presented in the novel as the younger sister of the deceased Empress Jing’ai.
Empress Zhang (张皇后) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Installed as empress
Zhuge Liang recommends Zhang Fei’s seventeen-year-old daughter; Liu Shan makes her principal empress shortly after his accession.
Crown prince’s mother
Historically bore Liu Xuan and other sons; presided over the inner court during Zhuge Liang’s regency and the early northern expeditions.
“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 references her without repeating her name.
Historical death
Died as empress; Liu Shan later installed another Zhang clanswoman as empress — see Zhangshi, Empress Zhang, not this page.
For the Shu empress roster, see Empress Zhang (Liu Shan) and Sanguozhi vol. 34.
Key Relationships
Family
- Father Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi): Shu general and Peach Garden sworn brother of Liu Bei.
- Mother Lady Xiahou (夏侯氏, Hạ Hầu thị): Xiahou clan noblewoman; cousin of Xiahou Ba (夏侯霸, Hạ Hầu Bá).
- Elder sister Empress Jing’ai (敬哀皇后, Kính Ai Hoàng Hậu): Zhang Fei’s first daughter and Liu Shan’s earlier empress consort.
- Brothers Zhang Bao (张苞, Trương Bào) and Zhang Shao (张绍, Trương Thiệu): Shu generals and officials of the Zhang house.
- Son Liu Xuan (刘璿, Lưu Tuyền): Crown prince of Shu; later deposed with Liu Shan at surrender. No dedicated post.
Friends
- Husband Liu Shan (刘禅, Lưu Thiện): Shu emperor whom she married at seventeen in Chapter 87.
- Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng): Chancellor who recommended her as empress in Chapter 87.
- Empress Dowager Wu (穆皇后吴氏, Mục hoàng hậu Ngô thị): Liu Bei’s widow and Liu Shan’s mother during her early years as empress. Plain text — not Lady Wu of Wu.
Enemies
- No personal foe named in the novel; political pressure came from Wei and, later, eunuch factionalism at Liu Shan’s court.
Other
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị): Father-in-law; died just before her Chapter 87 installation.
- Liu Yan (刘琰, Lưu Diễn): Minister whose wife’s long palace visits fed the Liu Yan scandal (Chapter 109 arc). No dedicated post.
- Huang Hao (黄皓, Hoàng Hạo): Eunuch whose rise marked Liu Shan’s decline during her later years as empress.
- Not Zhangshi, Empress Zhang and not any Wei empress titled Zhang.
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), younger 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; her elder sister had been his earlier consort (Empress Jing'ai).
Year: 237 AD
- Died as empress; Liu Shan later married another Zhang clanswoman, documented on /zhangshi/.
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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