| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 张休, 張休, Zhāng Xiū |
| Other name | Trương Hưu |
| Courtesy name | 叔嗣, 叔嗣, Shūsì, Shu Si, tự Thúc Tự |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | 206 |
| Birth Place | Wu Commandery |
| Died | 243 |
| Death Reason | Executed by order of Sun Quan due to the Lu and Sun factional struggle. |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Eastern Wu |
Biography of Zhang Xiu (Wu) in Eastern Wu
Zhang Xiu (Wu) was a prominent government official and scholar of the Eastern Wu state during the turbulent Three Kingdoms period. As the son of the distinguished statesman Zhang Zhao, he inherited an esteemed reputation for intellect and literary mastery. Emperor Sun Quan frequently invited him to state banquets and philosophical discussions. Demonstrating exceptional administrative capability, he served with distinction as the Administrator of Yangzhou and earned an appointment as one of the trusted companions to Crown Prince Sun Deng.
Despite his scholarly brilliance, his career took a tragic turn during the bitter factional rivalry known as the Two Palaces Contention. Faithfully supporting the legitimate heir Crown Prince Sun He against Prince Sun Ba, he became a prime target for political adversaries, leading to his exile and execution around 245 AD.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong, Zhang Xiu (Wu) is portrayed as an emblematic scholar-official rather than a frontline military commander. His dramatic political rise and fall highlight the factional instability that troubled the Wu court during Sun Quan’s final years.
Historical Timeline of Zhang Xiu (Wu)
Birth
Born into the renowned Zhang clan of Wu Commandery.
Tragic Demise
Executed in Jiaozhou following court slander during the imperial succession crisis.
Key Relationships
Family
- Zhang Zhao (张昭): Father. Renowned Grand Chancellor and foundational advisor of Eastern Wu.
- Zhang Cheng (张承): Elder brother. Accomplished general and Marquis of Duting.
- Lady Zhang (张氏): Niece. Imperial consort to Crown Prince Sun He.
Allies & Associates
- Sun Deng (孙登): Crown Prince of Wu. Zhang Xiu served as his close intellectual mentor and companion.
- Zhuge Ke (诸葛恪), Gu Tan (顾谭), and Chen Biao (陈表): Fellow members of the famed “Four Friends of the Crown Prince”.
- Sun He (孙和): Second Crown Prince, whose legitimate succession Zhang Xiu actively defended.
Rivals & Adversaries
In Novel
Chapter 120
- Zhang Xiu (张休, Trương Hưu): Zhang Xiu is identified as the second son of Zhang Zhao (张昭, Trương Chiêu) and the younger brother of Zhang Cheng (张承, Trương Thừa). He is described as a learned official of Eastern Wu who became closely associated with the crown prince Sun Deng (孙登, Tôn Đăng). Zhang Xiu serves as one of Sun Deng's companions and tutors, teaching him the Book of Han. After Sun Deng's death, Zhang Xiu continues to serve the Wu court, eventually becoming a military commander. He is later implicated in the political conflict surrounding Sun He (孙和, Tôn Hòa) and Sun Ba (孙霸, Tôn Bá). Zhang Xiu is accused of improperly receiving military credit together with Gu Tan (顾谭, Cố Đàm) and Gu Cheng (顾承, Cố Thừa). He is exiled to Jiaozhou and subsequently ordered to die. His fate is presented as part of the political persecution that affected supporters of the former crown prince's faction during the later reign of Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền).
In History
205 AD
- Zhang Xiu (张休, Trương Hưu), courtesy name Shusi, was the younger son of Zhang Zhao (张昭, Trương Chiêu). He inherited his father's marquis title after Zhang Zhao's death.
224 AD
- Zhang Xiu was appointed with Zhuge Ke (诸葛恪, Gia Cát Khác), Gu Tan (顾谭, Cố Đàm), and Chen Biao (陈表, Trần Biểu) as an attendant to Sun Deng (孙登, Tôn Đăng), the Wu heir apparent.
245 AD
- Zhang Xiu, Gu Tan, and Gu Cheng were accused by the faction supporting Sun Ba (孙霸, Tôn Bá) of exaggerating military achievements and were banished to Jiaozhou.
245 AD
- Further accusations led to Zhang Xiu being ordered to die. He was forty-one years old, and his death reflected the succession factionalism of late Wu.
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