| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 张绍, 張紹, Zhāng Shào |
| Other name | Trương Thiệu |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Zhuoxian, Zhuo Commandery (涿郡涿县; huyện Trác, quận Trác) |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Mother | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Shu Han |
Biography and Career of Zhang Shao
Zhang Shao was an influential court official of the Shu Han regime during China’s turbulent Three Kingdoms period. As the younger son of the iconic military commander Zhang Fei and the younger brother of vanguard officer Zhang Bao, he held significant prestige within the imperial clan. According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, he inherited his father’s noble heritage and was granted the title of Marquis of Xixiang.
Throughout his career, he functioned as Attendant to the Secretariat (Shangshu Puye), a crucial administrative office responsible for processing memorials, drafting edicts, and advising the throne. Because his sisters, Empress Jing’ai and Empress Zhang, consecutively married Emperor Liu Shan, he enjoyed close personal and political ties with the imperial palace. As a high-ranking bureaucrat, Zhang Shao worked diligently alongside senior ministers such as Jiang Wan and Fei Yi to maintain stable governance.
Diplomatic Mission and the Fall of Shu
When the rival state of Cao Wei launched its dual invasion in 263 AD under generals Deng Ai and Zhong Hui, the defense of Sichuan rapidly disintegrated after the loss of Mianzhu Pass. Facing inevitable defeat, Emperor Liu Shan accepted the counsel of scholar Qiao Zhou to surrender peacefully to prevent widespread destruction. For this solemn mission, Zhang Shao was chosen as the principal peace envoy entrusted to deliver the imperial jade seal and formal petition of submission to Deng Ai’s encampment outside Chengdu.
Following the formal transfer of power, he escorted the former emperor to the Wei capital of Luoyang. In recognition of his civil service and cooperative conduct during the transition, the Wei administration granted him a marquisate, allowing his lineage to survive the end of the dynasty.
Key Relationships
- Zhang Fei: Father; founding Grand General and Marquis of Huan.
- Zhang Bao: Elder brother; respected commander who died early during the Northern Expeditions.
- Empresses Jing’ai and Zhang: Sisters; successive empress consorts to Emperor Liu Shan.
- Liu Shan: Brother-in-law and sovereign whom he served faithfully in Chengdu and Luoyang.
- Zhang Zun: Nephew; heroic officer who fell in battle at Mianzhu Pass.
- Deng Ai & Zhong Hui: Invading Wei commanders who orchestrated Shu Han’s capitulation.
In Novel
Chapter 118
- Zhang Shao (张绍, Trương Thiệu): Zhang Shao is Liu Bei's grandson through Zhang Fei and serves Shu as a court official. When Deng Ai's army reaches Chengdu and Liu Shan decides that further resistance is hopeless, Zhang Shao is appointed as one of the envoys accompanying Qiao Zhou to deliver Liu Shan's surrender. He carries the imperial seal and goes to meet Deng Ai, formally presenting Shu's submission. His mission marks the transition from Shu's resistance to surrender.
In History
221 AD
- Zhang Shao (张绍, Trương Thiệu), the younger son of Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi), inherited his father's marquis title and entered the Shu Han administration, eventually serving as Palace Attendant and Deputy Director of the Secretariat.
263 AD
- When Wei invaded Shu, Zhang Shao (张绍, Trương Thiệu) was sent by Liu Shan (刘禅, Lưu Thiện) to meet Deng Ai (邓艾, Đặng Ngải) and present Shu's submission.
264 AD
- After Shu surrendered, Zhang Shao went to Luoyang with the former Shu court and was enfeoffed by Wei as a marquis.
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