Zhang Song was an advisor to the warlord Liu Zhang

Liu Zhang (warlord)

Liu Zhang was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He became governor of Yi Province , succeeding his father Liu Yan and ruled the region until 214, when he surrendered to Liu Bei...

 during the late Han Dynasty

Han Dynasty

The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...

 period of Chinese history

History of China

Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...

. He plotted to remove his lord from power and replace him with Liu Bei

Liu Bei

Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...

.

Biography

Zhang was sent by Liu Zhang as an envoy to pledge allegiance to Cao Cao

Cao Cao

Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...

. However, he was received coldly by Cao and became angry. When he returned to Yi Province, he suggested to Liu Zhang to break off diplomatic ties with Cao.

Zhang and his close friend Fa Zheng

Fa Zheng

Fa Zheng , style name Xiaozhi , was an advisor to the warlord Liu Bei during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history....

 started plotting to remove Liu Zhang from power and replace him with Liu Bei

Liu Bei

Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...

. However, the plot was leaked out when Zhang's brother, Zhang Su, betrayed him to Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang was furious and he had Zhang Song executed.

In fiction

In Luo Guanzhong

Luo Guanzhong

Luo Ben , better known by his style name Luo Guanzhong , was a Chinese writer of the early Ming Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was also known as Huhai Sanren...

's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...

, Zhang Song was portrayed as a short, buck-toothed man with a short nose, who did not command respect for his ugly looks. In the novel, his style name was "Yongnian" (永年) instead of "Ziqiao" as in historical records.

Zhang was sent by Liu Zhang as an envoy to meet Cao Cao

Cao Cao

Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...

. He brought with him a map of Sichuan, hoping to present it to Cao and aid Cao in taking over Yi Province from Liu Zhang. However, Cao disliked him for his appearance and treated him rudely. In retaliation, Zhang made sarcastic remarks to humiliate Cao. The angry Cao ordered Zhang to be beaten up and driven away.

Zhang was deeply upset by Cao's attitude towards him and he went to visit Liu Bei later. Liu treated Zhang like a guest, asking Zhao Yun

Zhao Yun

Zhao Yun was a military general who lived during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. For most of his career, Zhao served the warlord Liu Bei, playing a part in the establishment of state of Shu Han...

 and Guan Yu

Guan Yu

Guan Yu was a general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han Dynasty of China. He played a significant role in the civil war that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the establishment of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, of which Liu Bei was the...

 to escort him to the meeting place, where he personally greeted Zhang together with Zhuge Liang

Zhuge Liang

Zhuge Liang was a chancellor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He is often recognised as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era....

. Zhang was impressed with Liu's hospitality, and he presented the map of Sichuan to Liu Bei, urging Liu Bei to seize control of Yi Province from Liu Zhang. Zhang also introduced Fa Zheng

Fa Zheng

Fa Zheng , style name Xiaozhi , was an advisor to the warlord Liu Bei during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history....

 and Meng Da

Meng Da

Meng Da was a military general who served under Liu Zhang, Liu Bei, Cao Pi, and Cao Rui during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history.-Takeover of Yi Province:...

 to Liu Bei, telling him that they would aid him in removing Liu Zhang from power.

Zhang was executed by Liu Zhang after the latter discovered that he was plotting against him.

See also

• List of people of the Three Kingdoms