| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 张梁, 張梁, Zhāng Liáng |
| Nickname | General of the People (人公将军) |
| Other name | Trương Lương (黄巾) |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Julu Commandery, Ji Province (冀州钜鹿郡; quận Cự Lộc, Ký Châu) |
| Died | 184 |
| Death Reason | Killed in battle at Guangzong (广宗, Quảng Tông) by Huangfu Song's forces (184 AD) |
| FAMILY | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Yellow Turbans |
| Battles | Guangzong (184 AD), Yellow Turban Rebellion |
| Items |  |
Biography & Historical Record
Zhang Liang (张梁, Trương Lương) (d. 184 AD) was the youngest of the three Zhang brothers from Julu Commandery who led the Yellow Turban Rebellion against the Eastern Han. In the novel he styles himself General of the People (人公将军, Nhân Công Tướng Quân) — the third of the Taiping sect’s heaven–earth–people trinity alongside eldest brother Zhang Jiao (张角, Trương Giác) (General of Heaven) and Zhang Bao (张宝, Trương Bảo) (General of Earth).
When the rebellion erupted prematurely in 184 AD, Zhang Liang operated in the northern theatre around Guangzong (广宗, Quảng Tông) with massive peasant armies. After Zhang Jiao fell ill and died within the siege lines, Zhang Liang assumed supreme command of the remnant host. Imperial commander Huangfu Song (皇甫嵩, Hoàng Phủ Tung) exploited rebel overconfidence, launched a surprise night attack, and routed the Yellow Turbans — Zhang Liang was killed in battle and his head sent to Luoyang, marking the collapse of the rebellion’s core leadership (Chapter 2).
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 1 introduces all three brothers receiving Taiping teachings from Zhang Jiao; Chapter 2 concentrates on Zhang Liang’s defence of Guangzong after Zhang Jiao’s death. His defeat and decapitation close the opening arc of the novel and clear the stage for Dong Zhuo, the coalition warlords, and Liu Bei’s wanderings. Not to be confused with Zhang Liang (张良), the Han dynasty strategist — same romanization, different historical person.
Zhang Liang (张梁) — Historical & Literary Timeline
General of the People
Youngest Zhang brother; co-leader of the nationwide Yellow Turban rising.
Guangzong command
Assumes command after Zhang Jiao’s death; besieged by Huangfu Song.
Death at Guangzong
Defeated in night battle; killed; head sent to Luoyang.
For the Han strategist Zhang Liang (张良), see zhang-liang-2. For historical records on the Yellow Turban leader, see Zhang Liang (Yellow Turban) on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- Zhang Jiao (张角, Trương Giác) — Eldest brother; General of Heaven; died at Guangzong (Ch. 2).
- Zhang Bao (张宝, Trương Bảo) — Elder brother; General of Earth; killed at Yangcheng (Ch. 2).
Yellow Turban brothers
- Zhang Jiao (张角, Trương Giác) — eldest — General of Heaven (天公将军).
- Zhang Bao (Yellow Turbans) (张宝, Trương Bảo) — middle — General of Earth (地公将军).
Enemies
- Huangfu Song (皇甫嵩, Hoàng Phủ Tung) — Defeated and killed Zhang Liang in night battle at Guangzong (Ch. 2).
- Zhu Jun (朱儁, Chu Tuấn) — Imperial commander in the northern theatre.
- Lu Zhi (卢植, Lư Thực) — Earlier imperial opponent of the Yellow Turbans.
Other
- Zhang Liang (张良, Trương Lương) — Different person: Han dynasty strategist (留侯); same pinyin, different 汉字 — see zhang-liang-2.
In Novel
Chapter 1
- Zhang Liang (张梁, Trương Lương): Youngest brother of Zhang Jiao (张角, Trương Giác) and Zhang Bao (张宝, Trương Bảo); styled himself General of the People (人公将军) and co-led the nationwide Yellow Turban Rebellion in 184 AD.
Chapter 2
- Zhang Liang (张梁, Trương Lương): Assumed command at Guangzong after Zhang Jiao's death; defeated in seven clashes by Huangfu Song (皇甫嵩, Hoàng Phủ Tung), killed in a night attack, decapitated, head sent to Luoyang.
In History
Summary
- Zhang Liang (张梁, Trương Lương) — characters 张梁, not 张良 — was the younger brother of Zhang Jiao (张角, Trương Giác) and Zhang Bao (张宝, Trương Bảo), and one of the principal leaders of the Yellow Turban movement.
Year: 184 AD
- Commanded Yellow Turban forces in the Guangzong campaign against Huangfu Song (皇甫嵩, Hoàng Phủ Tung). After Zhang Jiao died, Zhang Liang continued resistance until defeated and killed.
Historical Record
- Hou Hanshu and Sanguozhi notices on the Zhang brothers. Distinguish from Zhang Liang (张良), Han strategist — post at zhang-liang-2.
Gallery
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