Zhang Er (張耳) | 24 Histories

Overview

Zhang Er was an A commander sent by Chen She to seize Zhao territory.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Posthumous name	King Jing	景王	Jing Wang

Life and dates

Death

BC 202 五年秋
Died
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 218
BC 202 漢五年
Died · Source Term died 薨
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 204
BC 202 耳卒
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 13
Violent
Directly stated · Book of Liang 14, passage 252

Attested activity

BC 206 漢元年二月
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 177
BC 205 to BC 202 Zhao campaign and reign
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 48, passage 205
BC 225 乃宦魏為外黃令
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 8, 13
BC 209 二世元年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 48, passages 7, 55
BC 202 五年秋
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 41, passage 218
BC 276 to BC 243 其少時，及魏公子毋忌為客
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 2

Show 30 more source-backed claims

c. BC 202 凶終
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 14, passage 252
BC 209 北略趙地
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 39
BC 209 及秦皇帝崩，天下大叛
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 183-184
BC 203 四年夏
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 41, passage 217
BC 209 to BC 207 圍趙王及張耳鉅鹿城
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 73, passage 171
BC 209 張耳、陳餘乃變名姓，俱之陳
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 16, 23
BC 209 to BC 202 張耳、陳餘始居約時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 272, 274-275
BC 205 張耳引兵
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 61
BC 209 張耳舉趙
Directly stated · Book of Han 75, passage 36
BC 209 張耳諫陳勝自王
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 84, passage 45
BC 209 to BC 202 張耳陳餘之義
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 91
BC 207 於是趙王歇、張耳乃得出鉅鹿
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 158
BC 208 to BC 202 昔
Strongly inferred · Book of Chen 13, passage 177
BC 208 李良定常山後襲邯鄲、殺武臣
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 130, 134
BC 210 to BC 202 楚漢之際
Directly stated · Book of Chen 19, passage 197
BC 204 漢三年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 202-203
BC 205 漢二年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 197-198
BC 202 漢五年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 204
BC 203 漢四年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 44, passage 1; Records of the Grand Historian 51, passage 3
BC 203 漢王敗成皋
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 44, passage 1
BC 225 秦之滅大梁也
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 13
BC 225 秦滅魏
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 41, passage 11
BC 224 to BC 209 秦滅魏數歲
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 15
BC 208 to BC 202 秦漢之際
Strongly inferred · Book of Later Han 30, passage 68
c. BC 202 窮交
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 14, passage 238
BC 202 耳卒
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 13
BC 207 鉅鹿之圍與鉅鹿之戰
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 137, 141-142
BC 209 陳涉起
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 41, passage 17
BC 209 陳王起蘄，至陳而王
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 73, 82
BC 230 to BC 210 高祖為布衣時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 14

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Parent of Zhang Ao (張敖)
son 子
father 父
son 子 · paternal line
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 48, passage 75; Book of Han 51, passage 13; Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 86, 205; Book of Han 41, passage 52
Spouse of Wife of Zhang Er (外黃富人女)
married to 嫁 · Marriage
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 6
Spouse of Wife of Zhang Er (張耳妻)
wife 妻
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 5

Kinship Role family members · Quantity unspecified household members detained by the King of Chen
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 48, passages 72, 75
Kinship Role household · Quantity unspecified
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 86

Key source chapters

Career and standing

village gatekeeper 里監門
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 16
gatekeeper 里監門
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 12
colonel of the left or right 左右校尉
BC 209 於是陳王以故所善陳人武臣為將軍 · Appointed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 39
Right Chancellor 右丞相
BC 209 陳王起蘄，至陳而王 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 82
chancellor of Zhao 丞相
Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 48, passages 7, 71
chancellor 丞相
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 48

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left and right commandant 左右校尉
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 28
magistrate of Waihuang 外黃令
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 6
Magistrate of Waihuang 外黃令
Appointed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 8
commander of Chen Yu’s forces 收其麾下
Assumed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 170, 172
colonel 校尉
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 74
King of Changshan 常山王
BC 206 漢元年二月 · At Changshan 常山 · Capital Xindu 信都 · Received · Grantor Person Id Xiang Yu (項羽)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 177
King Jing 景王
BC 202 漢五年 · Posthumously granted
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 204
King Jing 景王
Posthumously titled
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 218
King of Zhao 趙王
BC 204 漢三年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 203
King of Changshan 常山王
Appointed · At Xindu 信都
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 139
King of Changshan 常山王
BC 206 漢元年二月 · Enfeoffed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 177
King of Changshan 常山王
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 9
King of Zhao 趙王
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 12
Entered
BC 206 漢元年 · Fugitive
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 186
Entered
Fugitive
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passages 3, 12; Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 3, 16
Noted
Commoner origin
Directly stated · Book of Han 75, passage 37
Rose without noble or senior office
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 185-186
Bounty posted
Wanted · Quantity a thousand gold pieces 千金 · Polity Qin 秦
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 15
King of Zhao 趙王
BC 203 四年夏
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 217

Places and affiliations

BC 206 漢元年
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Took refuge with
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 191, 193
BC 206 漢元年二月
Polity Changshan 常山 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 177
BC 204 漢三年
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 202-203
BC 204 漢三年
Polity Zhao 趙 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 203
Zhao campaign 略趙地
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 1, passage 527
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Sought refuge with
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 9

Show 18 more source-backed claims

Polity Qin 秦 · Relation Fugitive from
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 15-16
Polity Qin 秦 · Relation Rebelled against
Directly stated · Book of Han 75, passages 35-36
Polity Wei 魏 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 8
Polity Zhao 趙 · Relation Held state
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 275
Polity Zhao 趙 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 82, 130, 134, 158, 179
Polity Zhao · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 48
At Daliang 大梁
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 2; Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 1
BC 206 漢元年二月
At Xiangguo 襄國 · Relation Capital
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 177-178
BC 206 漢元年二月
At Xindu 信都 · Relation Capital
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 177
BC 204 漢三年
At Jingxing 井陘 · Relation Fought at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 202
BC 209 陳王起蘄，至陳而王
At Handan 邯鄲 · Relation Traveled to
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 73
At Chen 陳 · Relation Fled to
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 16
At Julu City 鉅鹿城 · Relation Besieged at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 73, passage 171
At Julu 鉅鹿 · Relation Besieged in
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 137, 141
At Julu 鉅鹿 · Relation Departed from
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 158
At Waihuang 外黃 · Relation Resided in
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 3; Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 3, 13
At Xiangguo 襄國 · Relation Capital
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 140
At Xindu 信都 · Relation Court at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 134

Works and attributed material

Council speech · Co speaker · Topic Zhao strategy toward Qin, Chu, and Yan · Co Speaker Person Ids Wu Chen (武臣), Chen Yu (陳餘), Zhao Sao (召騷)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 48, passages 76-81
Speech · Addressee · Direct quotation · Extent s0167, s0168, s0169
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 167-169
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Extent s0186
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 186
Counsel · Speaker · With Chen She (陳涉) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 28-35
Speech · Author · Direct quotation · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 142-144
Speech · Speaker · With Chen Yu (陳餘) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 19-20

Show 4 more source-backed claims

Speech · Speaker · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passages 14-15
Speech · Speaker · With Chen She (陳涉)
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passages 20-24
Speech · Speaker · With Wu Chen (武臣) · Direct quotation · Mode quotation Speaker Zhang Er (張耳)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 75-80, 88-91
Speech · Speaker · With Wu Chen (武臣)
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passages 43-46, 54-57

Events and relationships

Accepted seal and troops
Political · Recipient · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 170, 172
Admonished against proclaiming king
BC 209 張耳諫陳勝自王 · Political · Adviser · With Chen She (陳涉)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 84, passage 45
Attracted retainers
Personal · Wanderer
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 7
Besieged
Military · Besieged · With Wang Li (王離) · At Julu City 鉅鹿城
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 73, passage 171
Campaigned north
BC 209 陳王起蘄，至陳而王 · Military · Companion · With Wu Chen (武臣)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 94
Crossed Yellow River at Baima with Wu Chen
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 28

Show 44 more source-backed claims

Defeated Zhao at Jingxing
BC 204 漢三年 · Military · Commander · With Han Xin (韓信)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 202
Driven out by
Military · Driven out · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 9
Entered the Pass
Military · Follower · With Xiang Yu (項羽)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 176
Escaped Handan through Zhao informants
Escape · Agent · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 130
Established Zhao Xie as King of Zhao at Xindu
Political · Agent · With Zhao Xie (趙歇)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 134
Established as King of Zhao
BC 204 漢三年 · Political · Appointee
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 203
Fled into Julu with Zhao Xie
Military · Besieged · With Zhao Xie (趙歇)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 137
Fled and wandered
Travel · Fugitive · At Waihuang 外黃
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 3
Fled to Han
BC 206 漢元年 · Political · Refugee · With King of Han (漢王)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 191, 193
Fled
BC 206 漢元年 · Military · Defeated commander · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 186
Forced friend to endure flogging
Personal · Restrainer · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 18
Left Julu
Military · Besieged commander · At Julu 鉅鹿 · With Zhao Xie (趙歇)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 158
Lived in humble straits with Chen Yu and pledged faith unto death
Political · Principal · With Chen Yu (陳餘) · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id The Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 274
Met violent end
Political · Victim · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 14, passage 252
Once they held states they contended for power and destroyed each other
Political · Principal · With Chen Yu (陳餘) · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id The Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 275
Presented himself
Political · Visitor · With Chen She (陳涉)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 24
Raised revolt
Military · Leader · At Zhao 趙
Directly stated · Book of Han 75, passage 36
Raised zhao
Military · Leader · With Wu Chen (武臣) · At Zhao 趙
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 184
Rallied tens of thousands of troops
Military · Commander · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 131
Repeatedly summoned Chen Yu to relieve Julu
Military · Agent · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 141
Sent Zhang Yan and Chen Ze to reproach Chen Yu
Diplomatic · Author
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 142
Sent north to conquer Zhao
Military · Officer · With Wu Chen (武臣)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 39
Sought refuge with Han
Political · Refugee
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 9
Spread wings
Personal · Beneficiary · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 14, passage 238
Took Chen Yu's seal and troops
Political · Took seal · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passages 131, 133
Upbraided
Political · Accuser · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 159, 161
Yan, Qi, and Chu sent relief while Julu was in peril
Military · Besieged
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 152
Relation Intimate associate of · Person Chen Yu (陳餘) · Kinship Term closest kin 至戚 · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Chen 13, passage 177
Relation Later betrayed · Person Chen Yu (陳餘) · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id The Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 275
Relation Pledged faith unto death with · Person Chen Yu (陳餘) · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id The Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 274
Relation Ally then rival of · Person Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 91
Relation Colleague of · Person Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 73, 82, 179, 181
Relation Destitution friend of · Person Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 14, passage 238
Relation Father figure of · Person Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 12
Relation Friend of · Person Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 30, passage 68
Relation Rival of · Person Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 174
Relation Sworn friend of · Person Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 9; Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 12
Relation Sworn to die with · Person Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 142
Relation Retainer of · Person Prince Wuji of Wei (魏公子無忌)
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 2
Relation Associate of · Person King of Zhao (趙王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 73, passage 171
Relation Counselor of · Person Wu Chen (武臣)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 75, 88
Relation Retainer of · Person Wei Wuji (魏公子毋忌)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 2
Relation Old friend of · Person King of Han (漢王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 186
Relation Host of · Person Emperor Gaozu (高祖)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 14

Assessments and attributes

Assessment bond with Chen Yu was a friendship founded on power and profit · With Chen Yu (陳餘) · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id The Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 276
Assessment called a worthy man by transmitted tradition; fame high and retainers numerous, but the path unlike Taibo and Jizi of Yanling · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id The Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 272, 277
Assessment formerly stood with Chen Yu as close as nearest kin, then turned to mutual slaughter · With Chen Yu (陳餘) · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Chen 13, passage 177
Assessment friendship ended in mutual destruction · Mode named-source-report Speaker Wang Dan (王丹)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 30, passage 68
Assessment friendship founded on power and profit ended in mutual destruction · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passages 215-216
Assessment furious and resentful toward Chen Yu for not coming to the rescue · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 142

Show 9 more source-backed claims

Assessment reputation for worthiness grew · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 9
Assessment resented King Chen for ignoring counsel and appointing them colonels rather than generals · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 74
Assessment wanted to divide Zhao and become king; hoped Yan would kill Wu Chen · Mode allegation Speaker Zhao camp servant (趙養卒)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 108, 111, 113
Assessment well-connected · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 177
Assessment worthy man (賢人) · Mode quotation Speaker Yan general (燕將)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 105
Assessment worthy · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 213
Assessment worthy · Mode named-person-judgment Source Person Id Xiang Yu (項羽)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 177
Item seal and ribbon of office 印綬 · Relation Took up · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 170
Item seal and sash 印綬 · Relation Received · With Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 131

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 30, passage 68; Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 1, 73, 158, 272; Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 9; Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 184
Changed name and surname
assumed false names while fleeing
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 16

References in the histories

Search passages

History

150 passages

Book of Chen, Chapter 13Volume 13: Xu Shipu; Lu Xida; Zhou Fu; Xun Lang; Zhou Jiong · 1 passage

Open chapter

昔張耳、陳餘自同於至戚，周敷、周迪亦誓等暱親，尋鋒刃而誅殘，斯甚夫胡越矣。 Once Zhang Er and Chen Yu stood as close as kin; Zhou Fu and Zhou Di swore the same kind of bond—yet they soon drew blades on each other, a breach worse than between Hu and Yue.

Book of Chen, Chapter 19Volume 19: Shen Jiong; Yu Li; Ma Shu · 1 passage

Open chapter

至於師老力屈，懼誅利賞，必有韓、智晉陽之謀，張、陳井陘之勢。 When the army is old and strength spent, fearing punishment and coveting reward, there must be Han and Zhi's schemes at Jinyang, Zhang and Chen's momentum at Jingxing Pass.

Book of Han, Chapter 1Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 1 · 9 passages

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秦二世元年秋七月，陳涉起蘄，至陳，自立為楚王，遣武臣、張耳、陳餘略趙地。 In the first year of the Second Emperor of Qin, in autumn, in the seventh month, Chen She rose at Qi. He reached Chen, set himself up as King of Chu, and sent Wu Chen, Zhang Er, and Chen Yu to seize the territory of Zhao.

正月，張耳等立趙後趙歇為趙王。 In the first month, Zhang Er and others established Zhao's former king Zhao Xie as King of Zhao.

趙相張耳為常山王。 Zhao chancellor Zhang Er as King of Changshan.

陳餘亦怨羽獨不王己，從田榮藉助兵，以擊常山王張耳。 Chen Yu also resented that Xiang Yu had not made him a king. He borrowed troops from Tian Rong and attacked Zhang Er, King of Changshan.

耳敗走降漢，漢王厚遇之。 Zhang Er was defeated, fled, and surrendered to Han. King Han treated him generously.

三年冬十月，韓信、張耳東下井陘擊趙，斬陳餘，獲趙王歇。 In winter, in the tenth month of the third year, Han Xin and Zhang Er advanced east through Jingxing to attack Zhao, killed Chen Yu, and captured Xie, King of Zhao.

自稱使者，晨馳入張耳、韓信壁，而奪之軍。 He called himself an envoy and at dawn galloped into Zhang Er and Han Xin's encampment, seizing command of their army.

乃使張耳北收兵趙地。 He then had Zhang Er go north to gather troops in Zhao territory.

漢立張耳為趙王。 Han established Zhang Er as King of Zhao.

Book of Han, Chapter 41Volume 32: Zhang Er and Chen Yu · 57 passages

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張耳、陳餘 Zhang Er and Chen Yu.

張耳，大梁人也，少時及魏公子毋忌為客。 Zhang Er was from Daliang. As a young man, he served among the retainers of the Wei prince Wuji.

父客謂曰：「必欲求賢夫，從張耳。」 A retainer of her father told her, "If you truly want a worthy husband, take Zhang Er."

女聽，為請決，嫁之。 She agreed, secured a separation, and married Zhang Er.

女家厚奉給耳，耳以故致千里客，宦為外黃令。 Her family funded him lavishly. With those resources he gathered talented followers from far and wide and eventually became magistrate of Waihuang.

餘年少，父事耳，相與為刎頸交。 Though younger, Chen Yu treated Zhang Er like a father, and the two became sworn friends willing to die for each other.

高祖為布衣時，嘗從耳遊。 Before he rose to power, Gaozu had once traveled with Zhang Er.

秦滅魏，購求耳千金，餘五百金。 After Qin conquered Wei, bounties were posted: one thousand jin for Zhang Er and five hundred for Chen Yu.

吏嘗以過笞餘，餘欲起，耳攝使受笞。 Once an official flogged Chen Yu over a minor offense. Chen Yu wanted to rise up against him, but Zhang Er held him back and made him take the beating.

吏去，耳數之曰：「始吾與公言何如？ After the official left, Zhang Er rebuked him, saying, "What did I tell you from the start?

陳涉起蘄至陳，耳、餘上謁涉。 When Chen She's uprising reached Chen, Zhang Er and Chen Yu came to pay their respects.

涉及左右生平數聞耳、餘賢，見，大喜。 Chen She and his aides had long heard of their reputation; when he met them, he was delighted.

耳、餘復說陳王曰：「大王興梁、楚，務在入關，未及收河北也。 "Zhang Er and Chen Yu again advised him that Hebei was still unsecured and his priority remained entering the passes.

於是陳王許之，以所善陳人武臣為將軍，耳、餘為左右校尉，與卒三千人，從白馬渡河。 The King of Chen agreed. He appointed his trusted fellow townsman Wu Chen as general, made Zhang Er and Chen Yu left and right commandants, and gave them three thousand soldiers to cross the Yellow River at Baima.

至邯鄲，耳、餘聞周章軍入關，至戲卻； At Handan, Zhang Er and Chen Yu heard that Zhou Zhang had entered the passes but been repulsed at Xi.

以餘為大將軍，耳為丞相。 He appointed Chen Yu grand general and Zhang Er chancellor.

陳王從其計，徙繫武臣等家宮中，封耳子敖為成都君。 Chen She accepted: he kept their families under palace custody and enfeoffed Zhang Er's son Ao as Lord of Chengdu.

耳、餘說武臣曰：「王王趙，非楚意，特以計賀王。 Zhang Er and Chen Yu persuaded Wu Chen, saying: "Your Majesty's kingship in Zhao is not Chu's true intention; Chu only congratulates Your Majesty as a tactic.

耳、餘患之。 Zhang Er and Chen Yu were deeply troubled.

燕將曰：「若欲得王耳。」 The general said, "You want only the king."

曰：「君知張耳、陳餘何如人也？」 The soldier said, "Do you know what sort of men Zhang Er and Chen Yu are?"

燕將曰：「欲得其王耳。」 "The general said they wanted their king back."

夫武臣、張耳、陳餘，杖馬箠下趙數十城，亦各欲南面而王。 Wu Chen, Zhang Er, and Chen Yu had taken dozens of cities by force, and each had ambitions to rule.

今趙地已服，兩人亦欲分趙而王，時未可耳。 Now that Zhao was largely secure, they too wanted to divide and rule it, but were waiting for the right time.

趙人多為耳、餘耳目者，故得脫出。 Because many locals informed for Zhang Er and Chen Yu, they managed to escape.

客有說耳、餘曰：「兩君羈旅，而欲附趙，難可獨立； A retainer said to them, "You two are strangers here; though you wish to attach yourselves to Zhao, you can hardly stand on your own;

耳與趙王歇走入鉅鹿城，王離圍之。 Zhang Er and King Xie of Zhao fled into Julu, where Wang Li besieged them.

鉅鹿城中食盡，耳數使人召餘，餘自度兵少，不能敵秦，不敢前。 When food in Julu was exhausted, Zhang Er repeatedly sent men to summon Chen Yu. Chen Yu measured his own troops, judged them too few to withstand Qin, and did not dare advance.

數月，耳大怒，怨餘，使張黶、陳釋往讓餘曰：「始吾與公為刎頸交，今王與耳旦暮死，而公擁兵數萬，不肯相救，相不赴奏俱死？ After months, Zhang Er was furious and sent Zhang Yan and Chen Shi to reproach Chen Yu, saying, "We swore we would die for each other. Now the king and I face death at any moment, yet you sit with tens of thousands of troops and refuse to come to our aid — will you not come and die with us?

於是趙王歇、張耳得出鉅鹿。 King Xie of Zhao and Zhang Er were thus able to emerge from Julu.

耳不信，以為殺之，數問餘。 Zhang Er did not believe him and thought Chen Yu had killed them, questioning him repeatedly.

乃脫解印綬與耳，耳不敢受。 He then removed his seal and sash and handed them to Zhang Er.

餘起如廁，客有說耳曰：「天予不取，反受其咎。 Zhang Er did not dare accept. While Chen Yu stepped out to the privy, a retainer persuaded Zhang Er, saying: "If Heaven gives and one does not take, one instead receives its blame.

耳乃佩其印，收其麾下。 Zhang Er then wore the seal and took over Chen Yu's troops.

餘還，亦望耳不讓，趨出。 When Chen Yu returned and saw Zhang Er had not yielded, he withdrew in anger.

耳遂收其兵。 Zhang Er then fully absorbed his forces.

耳從項羽入關。 Zhang Er entered the passes with Xiang Yu.

項羽立諸侯，耳雅遊，多為人所稱。 When Xiang Yu enfeoffed the lords, Zhang Er was widely praised because he had long-standing connections.

項羽素亦聞耳賢，乃分趙立耳為常山王，治信都。 Xiang Yu had also heard of Zhang Er's worth and therefore made him King of Changshan, ruling at Xindu.

餘客多說項羽：「陳餘、張耳一體有功於趙。」 Many of Chen Yu's followers persuaded Xiang Yu, saying: "Chen Yu and Zhang Er were one body and had merit in Zhao."

耳之國，餘愈怒曰：「耳與餘功等也，今耳王，餘獨侯。」 When Zhang Er took his kingdom, Chen Yu grew even angrier and said, "Zhang Er and I rendered equal service, yet he is king while I am only a marquis."

餘悉三縣兵，襲常山王耳。 Chen Yu gathered all forces from his three counties and struck Zhang Er, King of Changshan.

耳敗走，曰：「漢王與我有故，而項王彊，立我，我欲之楚。」 Defeated, Zhang Er fled and said, "The Han king and I have old ties, but King Xiang is strong and installed me as king, so I mean to go to Chu."

耳走漢。 Zhang Er therefore fled to Han.

耳謁漢王，漢王厚遇之。 Zhang Er met the Han king, who received him generously.

餘已敗耳，皆收趙地，迎趙王於代，復為趙王。 After defeating Zhang Er, Chen Yu recovered all Zhao territory, welcomed King Xie back from Dai, and restored him as king.

餘曰：「漢殺張耳乃從。」 Chen Yu said, "I will join you only if Han kills Zhang Er."

於是漢求人類耳者，斬其頭遺餘，餘乃遣兵助漢。 The Han side then found a man who looked like Zhang Er, cut off his head, and sent it to Chen Yu. Only then did Chen Yu send troops to assist Han.

漢敗於彭城西，餘亦聞耳詐死，即背漢。 After Han's defeat west of Pengcheng, Chen Yu learned Zhang Er had only feigned death and therefore turned against Han.

漢遣耳與韓信擊破趙井陘，斬餘泜水上，追殺趙王歇襄國。 Han sent Zhang Er and Han Xin against Zhao. They defeated Zhao at Jingxing, killed Chen Yu by the Zhi River, and pursued King Xie to Xiangguo, where they put him to death.

四年夏，立耳為趙王。 In the fourth year, in summer, Zhang Er was made King of Zhao.

五年秋，耳薨，諡曰景王。 In the fifth year, in autumn, Er died and was given the posthumous title King Jing.

趙相貫高、趙午年六十餘，故耳客也，怒曰：「吾王孱王也！」 Zhao's chancellor Guan Gao and Zhao Wu, both over sixty and former retainers of Zhang Er, grew angry and said, "Our king is a weakling!"

事成歸王，事敗獨身坐耳。」 If the plan succeeds, the credit goes to the king; if it fails, we alone will bear the punishment."

高曰：「所以不死，白張王不反耳。 Guan Gao said, "The reason I did not die was to clear the King of Zhao of rebellion.

贊曰：張耳、陳餘，世所稱賢，其賓客廝役皆天下俊桀，所居國無不取卿相者。 The appraisal says: Zhang Er and Chen Yu were celebrated in their age as worthy men. Even the retainers and servants in their households were outstanding talents of the empire, and wherever they settled, men from their circle rose to be ministers and chancellors.

然耳、餘始居約時，相然信死，豈顧問哉！ Yet when Zhang Er and Chen Yu were first in hardship, they trusted each other to die for one another without a second thought.

Book of Han, Chapter 44Volume 35: Princes of Jing, Yan and Wu · 1 passage

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漢王敗成皋，北度河，得張耳、韓信軍，軍脩武，深溝高壘，使賈將二萬人，騎數百，擊楚，度白馬津入楚地，燒其積聚，以破其業，無以給項王軍食。 After his defeat at Chenggao, the King of Han withdrew north across the river and joined the forces of Zhang Er and Han Xin. They made camp at Xiuwu behind deep moats and high walls. He dispatched Liu Jia with twenty thousand foot soldiers and several hundred cavalry to hit Chu from the flank. Liu Jia crossed the Baima Ford into Chu lands and torched their depots, shattering their logistics so that King Xiang’s troops went hungry.

Book of Han, Chapter 48Volume 39: Xiao He and Cao Shen · 1 passage

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韓信與故常山王張耳引兵下井陘，擊成安君陳餘，而令參還圍趙別將戚公於鄔城中。 While Han Xin and Zhang Er drove through Jingxing against Chen Yu, Cao Shen was sent back to bottle up Zhao’s general Qi in Wu.

Book of Han, Chapter 51Volume 42: Zhang, Zhou, Zhao, Ren and Shentu · 5 passages

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陳餘擊走常山王張耳，耳歸漢。 Chen Yu routed Zhang Er, the King of Changshan, who then came over to Han.

已而徙為趙相，相趙王耳。 He was soon transferred to serve as Zhao's chancellor under King Zhang Er.

耳卒，相其子敖。 When Zhang Er died, Zhang Cang became chancellor to his son Ao.

呂後側耳於東箱聽，見昌，為跪謝曰：「微君，太子幾廢。」 Empress Lü had been listening from the eastern gallery. When she met Zhou Chang afterward, she knelt in gratitude and said, "Had it not been for you, the heir would have been lost."

昌笑曰：「堯年少，刀筆吏耳，何至是乎！」 Zhou Chang laughed. "Zhao Yao is a youngster—a mere scribal clerk. How could he rise that high?"

Book of Han, Chapter 75Volume 64b: Yan, Zhu, Wuqiu, Zhufu, Xu, Yan, Zhong, Wang, and Jia 2 · 1 passage

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陳勝、吳廣舉陳，武臣、張耳舉趙，項梁舉吳，田儋舉齊，景駒舉郢，周市舉魏，韓廣舉燕，窮山通谷，豪士並起，不可勝載也。 Chen Sheng and Wu Guang seized Chen, Wu Chen and Zhang Er raised Zhao, Xiang Liang rose in Wu, Tian Dan in Qi, Jing Ju in Ying, Zhou Shi in Wei, Han Guang in Yan—bold leaders sprang up in every ravine and pass, too many to list.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 30Volume 27: Biographies of Xuan, Zang, Two Wangs, Du, Guo, Wu, Cheng, Zheng, Zhao · 1 passage

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張、陳兇其終，蕭，朱隙其末，故知全之者鮮矣。』 Zhang Er and Chen Yu destroyed each other; Xiao Yu and Zhu Bo fell out at the end—so few friendships stay whole."

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 15Volume 15 Book of Later Liang 15: Biographies 5: Han Jian, Li Hanzhi, Feng Xingxi, Sun Dezhao, Zhao Keyu, Zhang Shensi · 1 passage

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罕之既與言患難交契，刻臂為盟，永同休戚，如張耳、陳餘之義也。 He and Yan swore blood brotherhood like Zhang Er and Chen Yu.

Book of Liang, Chapter 14Volume 14: Jiang Yan; Ren Fang · 2 passages

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是以伍員濯溉於宰嚭，張王撫翼於陳相。 So Wu Yuan was washed by Zai Pi; King Zhang spread wings under Chancellor Chen.

由是觀之，張、陳所以凶終，蕭、朱所以隙末，斷焉可知矣。 Viewed thus, why Zhang and Chen met violent ends, why Xiao and Zhu found rifts at the close—clear at a glance.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 48House of Chen She · 5 passages

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陳勝、吳廣喜，念鬼，曰：「此教我先威眾耳。」 Chen Sheng and Wu Guang were delighted. Reflecting on the mention of spirits, they said, 'He is telling us to first overawe the men with supernatural signs.'

且壯士不死即已，死即舉大名耳，王侯將相寧有種乎！」 Besides, a bold man either does not die at all, or if he dies, he makes a great name. Are kings, marquises, generals, and ministers born to their stations?'

令陳人武臣、張耳、陳餘徇趙地，令汝陰人鄧宗徇九江郡。 Wu Chen, Zhang Er, and Chen Yu — all men of Chen — were ordered to subdue the Zhao territories, while Deng Zong of Ruyin was sent to pacify the Commandery of Jiujiang.

武臣到邯鄲，自立為趙王，陳餘為大將軍，張耳、召騷為左右丞相。 Wu Chen arrived at Handan and declared himself King of Zhao. Chen Yu was made Grand General, and Zhang Er and Zhao Sao became the Left and Right Chancellors.