Zhang Liang (Western Han) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zhang Liang
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| 張良 | |
A portrait of Zhang Liang from old Han dynasty paintings.
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| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 251 BC |
| Died | 189 BC (aged 62) |
| Occupation | Military strategist, politician |
| Courtesy name | Zifang (子房) |
| Posthumous name | Marquis Wencheng (文成侯) |
| Peerage | Marquis of Liu (留侯) |
| Sign and Religion | 1 (Religion) Taoism 2 (Sign and symbol) Bull, Zebu, National Zodiac Tiger (Zhìshao), Indochinese leopard, Zodiac Leopard cat (Zirem) |
Zhang Liang (born around 251 BC – died 189 BC) was a very smart military planner and politician in ancient China. He lived during the early Western Han dynasty. People remember him as one of the "Three Heroes of the early Han dynasty." The other two heroes were Han Xin and Xiao He. Zhang Liang played a huge part in helping to create the Han dynasty. After he passed away, he was given the special title "Marquis Wencheng."
Contents
Early Life and a Big Change
Zhang Liang was born in a city called Xinzheng, which is now in Henan province. His family was very important in the Hán state. His grandfather and father both worked as top government officials for many Hán rulers. But Zhang Liang couldn't follow in their footsteps. This was because the powerful Qin state took over the Hán state in 230 BC. This event was part of the Qin's wars of unification, where Qin united all of China.
Zhang Liang: On the Run
After his home state was taken over, Zhang Liang wanted revenge. He decided to try and kill the First Emperor of Qin.
Trying to Stop the Emperor
Zhang Liang spent all his family's money to find someone strong enough to help him. He even skipped his younger brother's funeral to focus on his plan. He found a very strong man and had a huge iron hammer made for him. This hammer weighed about 72 kilograms (160 pounds)!
In 218 BC, Zhang Liang heard that the emperor was traveling. He and the strongman waited in a place called Bolangsha. They saw many carriages, and they thought the most fancy one in the middle belonged to the emperor. The strongman threw the heavy hammer at it. The hammer crushed the carriage, killing the people inside. Zhang Liang quickly ran away. But the First Emperor was actually in a different carriage and was safe. He ordered a huge search for Zhang Liang. Zhang Liang hid for ten days by using fake names.
Meeting a Wise Old Man
While still on the run, Zhang Liang went to a town called Xiapi. One day, he was walking by a bridge and met an old man. The old man purposely dropped his shoe off the bridge. He then told Zhang Liang, "Hey boy, go get my shoe!" Zhang Liang was surprised and a bit annoyed, but he politely went down and got it. Then, the old man lifted his foot and told Zhang Liang to put the shoe on for him. Zhang Liang was very angry, but he controlled himself and did it. The old man just laughed and walked away.
Zhang Liang was thinking about how rude the old man was. But then, the old man came back. He said, "This young man can be taught!" He told Zhang Liang to meet him at the bridge at dawn in five days. Zhang Liang was confused but agreed.
Five days later, Zhang Liang rushed to the bridge at dawn, but the old man was already there. The old man scolded him, "How can you be late for an old man? Come back again in five days!" Zhang Liang tried even harder to be on time the second time, but the old man was still there first. He was scolded again and told to return in another five days.
The third time, Zhang Liang went to the bridge at midnight and waited. Finally, the old man appeared. This time, the old man was impressed by Zhang Liang's patience and respect. He gave Zhang Liang a book. He said, "You can become a teacher to a ruler after reading this book. In ten years, the world will be in chaos. You can use this knowledge to bring peace. Meet me again in 13 years at Mount Gucheng, where I am the yellow rock."
This old man was called Huang Shigong (meaning "Yellow Rock Old Man"). The book he gave Zhang Liang was a famous military strategy book. Legend says that 13 years later, Zhang Liang found the yellow rock and built a special place to honor it.
Fighting Against the Qin Dynasty
In 209 BC, many groups started to rebel against the Qin dynasty. They wanted to bring back the old states that Qin had conquered. Zhang Liang gathered about 100 men to start his own rebellion. But his group was too small. So, he decided to join a bigger rebel leader named Jing Ju.
On his way, Zhang Liang met Liu Bang. Zhang Liang was very impressed by Liu Bang's leadership. He changed his mind and decided to join Liu Bang instead. Zhang Liang became a trusted advisor to Liu Bang.
Helping Liu Bang Win
Zhang Liang's main goal was to bring back his home state of Hán. He convinced another powerful rebel leader, Xiang Liang, to help restore the Hán state. A member of the Hán royal family, Han Cheng, became the new King of Hán, and Zhang Liang became his top official.
Later, Liu Bang and Han Cheng's armies worked together. Zhang Liang stayed with Liu Bang as his advisor. Zhang Liang gave Liu Bang many smart ideas that helped him win battles. For example, at Yao Pass, Zhang Liang suggested tricking the Qin commander into giving up by offering him gifts. Liu Bang wanted to let the Qin soldiers join his army, but Zhang Liang warned him. He said some soldiers might not truly want to surrender. That night, Liu Bang's forces surprised the Qin army and won a big victory.
The Chu–Han War
After the Qin dynasty fell, two main leaders, Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, fought for control of China. This fight is known as the Chu–Han Contention.
The Dangerous Banquet
Liu Bang reached the Qin capital first. He was tempted by all the riches in the palace. But Zhang Liang reminded him not to get carried away. Liu Bang then sealed the treasures and waited for Xiang Yu.
In 206 BC, Xiang Yu arrived and was angry that Liu Bang got there first. Xiang Yu planned to kill Liu Bang. But Xiang Yu's uncle, Xiang Bo, was a friend of Zhang Liang. He secretly warned Zhang Liang about the plan. Liu Bang was scared because his army was much weaker than Xiang Yu's.
Zhang Liang told Liu Bang to go to a banquet hosted by Xiang Yu, called the Feast at Hong Gate. This was to make Xiang Yu less suspicious. With Xiang Bo's help, Liu Bang survived the dangerous banquet. Xiang Yu decided not to kill him. However, Xiang Yu's advisor, Fan Zeng, was still unhappy. He asked Xiang Yu's cousin, Xiang Zhuang, to pretend to dance with a sword and try to kill Liu Bang. Xiang Bo stepped in again and protected Liu Bang.
Zhang Liang then found Fan Kuai, a strong general of Liu Bang. Fan Kuai burst into the tent and bravely spoke to Xiang Yu. He reminded Xiang Yu of Liu Bang's good deeds and said Liu Bang had no plans to fight him. Liu Bang then left the banquet, pretending to go to the bathroom. Zhang Liang stayed behind to keep Xiang Yu busy while Liu Bang escaped.
Zhang Liang's Smart Moves
Xiang Yu later divided China into many kingdoms. He gave the best land to other generals, even though Liu Bang was promised it. Liu Bang was sent to a far-off region. Han Cheng, the King of Hán, was also killed by Xiang Yu. Zhang Liang saw that his hope of restoring the Hán state was gone. He left and rejoined Liu Bang.
Liu Bang made Zhang Liang a special advisor. Zhang Liang gave Liu Bang more smart ideas. For example, he told Liu Bang to destroy the roads leading to his new territory. This made Xiang Yu think Liu Bang wasn't planning to return and fight him.
Later, when Liu Bang was losing a big battle, Zhang Liang suggested a new plan. He told Liu Bang to get help from other powerful generals, Ying Bu and Peng Yue, and to let Han Xin lead part of the army to attack other areas. This plan helped Liu Bang turn the war around.
Zhang Liang also advised Liu Bang to give land to his generals, Han Xin and Peng Yue. He explained that they wouldn't send their armies to help unless they got their rewards first. Liu Bang followed this advice. Just as Zhang Liang predicted, Han Xin and Peng Yue arrived with their armies. Together, they defeated Xiang Yu at the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BC.
Serving the Han Dynasty
In 202 BC, Liu Bang became the first emperor of the Han dynasty, known as Emperor Gaozu. Zhang Liang remained a very important advisor. He helped Gaozu decide to build the capital city in Chang'an. This location was better because it had fertile land and natural defenses like mountains.
Once, Emperor Gaozu saw some of his officials talking secretly. He asked Zhang Liang what they were doing. Zhang Liang told him they were planning a rebellion. Gaozu was shocked. Zhang Liang then asked Gaozu who among his officials he disliked the most. Gaozu named Yong Chi, who had rebelled against him before. Zhang Liang then gave a clever idea: he told Gaozu to give Yong Chi a noble title. Zhang Liang explained that if others saw Gaozu could forgive Yong Chi, they would feel safe and not think about rebelling.
After this, Zhang Liang decided to step back from government work and focus on Taoism. Emperor Gaozu rewarded him with the title "Marquis of Liu."
Later, Emperor Gaozu wanted to replace his son, Liu Ying, as the crown prince. Zhang Liang disagreed. He pretended to be sick and retired again. When the Empress asked for his help, Zhang Liang suggested that four wise old men, known as the Four Whiteheads of Mount Shang, help Liu Ying. These four men convinced Gaozu to keep Liu Ying as the crown prince. Zhang Liang stayed retired until he died in 189 BC.
Where is Zhang Liang Buried?
We don't know much about Zhang Liang's later life, so his final resting place is a bit of a mystery.
There is a Zhang Liang Tomb in Lankao County, Henan. Legend says he moved there and was buried after his death. There used to be a temple next to it, but it was destroyed.
Another Zhang Liang Tomb is in Weishan County, Shandong. A stone tablet with his name was put there in 1737. A shrine also used to be there but was destroyed.
Some people believe his tomb is in Pei County, Xuzhou. Old records from the 7th century say his tomb was east of Pei County, near a place called Liucheng, where there was also a Zhang Liang Temple.
Other stories say Zhang Liang's tomb is at Mount Qingyan in Hunan.
Zhang Liang and Taoism
Many stories connect Zhang Liang to Taoism, a Chinese philosophy. It is said that after helping Liu Bang, Zhang Liang practiced special exercises from the book given to him by Huang Shigong. He became very light and was believed to have risen to heaven, becoming an immortal being. He is often shown with a very important Taoist figure, Taishang Laojun.
There is a cave called Zifang Cave on Baiyun Mountain. People say this is where Zhang Liang went to meditate and practice Taoism. Later, a temple was built there to honor him.
Zhang Liang's Story in Journey to the West
Zhang Liang's meeting with Huang Shigong is even mentioned in the famous Chinese novel Journey to the West. In the story, Sun Wukong (the Monkey King) gets into an argument with his master and leaves. He visits the Dragon King of the East Sea.
Inside the Dragon King's palace, Sun Wukong sees a painting called "Three Entrances to the Bridge." He asks about it, and the Dragon King tells him Zhang Liang's story. The Dragon King explains how Huang Shigong tested Zhang Liang's patience three times by dropping his shoe. Zhang Liang always showed respect. Because of his patience, Huang Shigong secretly gave him a special book at night. This book helped Zhang Liang assist Liu Bang in creating the Han dynasty. After peace was achieved, Zhang Liang left his powerful job, went to the mountains, and became an immortal Taoist.
The Dragon King then tells Sun Wukong that if he doesn't protect his master and listen to him, he will never become enlightened. This story makes Sun Wukong realize his mistake, and he returns to his master.
Images for kids
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An illustration of Zhang Liang putting Huang Shigong's shoe back on.
