Zhang Liang (張良) | 24 Histories

Overview

Zhang Liang was a Strategist and statesman who helped Liu Bang found the Han dynasty.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Courtesy name	Zifang	子房	Zifang
Posthumous name	Marquis Wencheng	文成侯	Wencheng Hou
Epithet	Boy	孺子

Life and dates

Death

BC 187 後八年
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 266

Attested activity

BC 201 ［六年］
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 174, 177
BC 201 漢六年正月
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 168-169
BC 201 漢六年正月後
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 168, 193, 199
BC 206 to BC 189 early Han allusion
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 157
BC 218 to BC 202 下邳圯上
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 268
BC 206 to BC 186 亦有蕭、張之謀
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 22

Show 36 more source-backed claims

BC 250 to BC 186 史臣比喻
Directly stated · Book of Zhou 17, passage 153
BC 209 to BC 186 子房
Dated from the passage context · Book of Jin 129, passage 28
BC 209 to BC 186 子房
Strongly inferred · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 138, passage 107
BC 206 to BC 186 子房（張良，漢初功臣）
Strongly inferred · History of Jin 35, passages 56, 59
BC 210 to BC 186 張良
Directly stated · Book of Chen 22, passage 94
BC 187 後八年
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 266
BC 202 to BC 195 後十三年從高帝過濟北
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 268
BC 209 後十年，陳涉等起兵
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 40
BC 197 擊代
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 259
BC 200 故當其有事也，非蕭、曹…
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 99, passage 70
BC 208 景駒自立為楚假王
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 41-42
BC 201 to BC 200 杜門不出歲餘
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 199-200
BC 206 to BC 189 比之子房
Dated from the passage context · History of Ming 127, passage 131
BC 209 to BC 186 汉良受书于邳沂
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 117, passage 257
BC 206 沛公入武關前略韓地
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 42, passage 120
BC 207 沛公引兵擊陽城
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 93, passage 4
BC 204 漢三年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 111, 120, 160
BC 206 to BC 195 漢世
Directly stated · Book of Liang 52, passage 9
BC 206 漢元年正月
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 86-87
BC 208 to BC 186 漢初
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 39, passages 168-169
BC 206 to BC 189 漢初
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 7, passage 63
BC 196 漢十一年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 231, 235
BC 195 漢十二年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 236-237
BC 203 漢四年，其秋
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 165-166
BC 203 漢四年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 163-164
BC 208 to BC 186 漢楚之際
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 117, passages 138, 148
BC 200 漢興
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 25, passage 105
BC 200 to BC 196 留侯杜門不出歲餘之後，上欲廢太子
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 200, 204-205
BC 218 to BC 186 秦漢之際
Dated from the passage context · Book of Later Han 31, passage 106
BC 218 秦皇帝東游
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 11
BC 205 至彭城
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 100, 103
BC 207 良引兵從沛公下韓至咸陽
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 54, 67
BC 206 詠詩引用
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 126
BC 230 韓破
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 5-7
BC 206 項羽至鴻門
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 72, 81
BC 195 高帝崩
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 264-265

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Descendant of Kaidi (開地)
grandfather 大父 · paternal line · 2 generations · Through Ping (平)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 2
Child of Ping (平)
father 父 · paternal line
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 3
Parent of Buyi (不疑)
son 子 · paternal line
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 267
Sibling of Younger brother of Zhang Liang (張良弟)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings · paternal line
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 7

Kinship Role ancestral generations serving as Han chancellors · Count 5
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 7

Key source chapters

Origins and identity

Line paternal · Origin Han 韓
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 1
Lineage hereditary chancellors of Han 家世相韓
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 260

Career and standing

strategist 畫策
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 110, 127, 164
strategist 謀臣
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 169, 205
strategist 謀臣
Strongly inferred · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 138, passage 107
teacher of the emperor 帝者師
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 261
Junior Tutor 少傅
BC 196 漢十一年 · Acted as
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 234-235
Master of the Stables 廄將
Appointed · Authority Duke of Pei (沛公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 44

Show 14 more source-backed claims

Marshal of Han 韓申徒
Appointed · Polity Han 韓
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 53
Minister of Education of Han 韓司徒
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 93, passage 4
Minister of Education of Han 韓司徒
Served as
Directly stated · Book of Han 42, passage 120
Marquis of Liu 留侯
BC 201 漢六年正月 · At Liu 留 · Enfeoffed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 172-173
Marquis of Chengxin 成信侯
Received again
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 100
fief of ten thousand households 封萬戶
Received
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 261
Marquis Wencheng 文成侯
BC 187 後八年 · Granted posthumously
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 266
Marquis of Liu 留侯
BC 201 漢六年正月 · Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 173
Marquis 列侯
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 261
Entered
Fugitive
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 13
Pleaded illness
BC 195 漢十二年 · Withdrew from office
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 237
Suffered
BC 196 漢十一年 · Illness
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 231, 234
still young 年少
Youth
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 6
wandering knight 任俠
Wandering knight
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 38

Places and affiliations

BC 196 漢十一年
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 231
Polity Han 韓 · Relation Served · Negated true
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 6
Polity Han 韓 · Relation Served · family served as chancellors
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 260
Polity Han 汉 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 257
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 169; Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 22; Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 87, 110, 120, 164, 173
Polity Han 韓 · Relation Descended from
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 1

Show 20 more source-backed claims

Polity Han 韓 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 53, 73
Polity Qin 秦 · Relation Opposed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 260
At Han 韓 · Relation Ancestral
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 1
At Xiapi 下邳
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 171
BC 201 漢六年正月後
At Guanzhong 關中 · Relation Traveled to
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 199
BC 187 後八年
At tomb with the yellow stone 黃石冢 · Relation Buried at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 269
BC 202 to BC 195 後十三年從高帝過濟北
At Jibei 濟北 · Relation Traveled through
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 268
BC 202 to BC 195 後十三年從高帝過濟北
At Mount Gucheng 穀城山 · Relation Found relic at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 268
BC 197 擊代
At Dai 代 · Relation Campaigned in
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 259
BC 197 擊代
At Mayi 馬邑 · Relation Devised strategy at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 259
BC 196 漢十一年
At Quyu 曲郵 · Relation Traveled to
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 231
At Baozhong 襃中 · Relation Escorted to
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 90
At bridge at Xiapi 邳沂 · Relation Received at
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 257
At Han 韓 · Relation Returned to
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 90, 94
At Huaiyang 淮陽 · Relation Studied at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 8
At Liu 留 · Relation Met at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 171
At west of Xiapi 下邳西 · Relation Joined campaign
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 43
At Xiapi 下邳 · Relation Hid at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 13, 38
At Xiapi 下邳 · Relation Met teacher at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 268
At Yingchuan 潁川 · Relation Campaigned in
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 53

Learning and skills

At Huaiyang 淮陽 · Subject rites 禮
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 8
Belief Daoist breathing and grain-avoidance practices 道引不食穀 · Relation Practitioner of
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 200
Belief Daoist practices 道引辟穀 · Relation Practitioner of
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 263
Skill strategy within the command tent 運籌筴帷帳之中 · Level unsurpassed · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Emperor Gaozu (高祖)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 275

Works and attributed material

Taigong's book 太公書
Relation Received
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 268
Art of War of Taigong 太公兵法
Relation Studied
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 36-37
Counsel · Speaker · Addressed to Xiang Liang (項梁)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 51
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Emperor Gaozu (高祖) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 231-233
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to King of Han (漢王) · Direct quotation · Mode quotation Speaker Zhang Liang (張良)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 124-125, 127-129, 131-133, 135-137, 139-141, 143-145, 147-149, 151-153, 155-160
Counsel · Speaker · With King of Han (漢王) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 91, 103-106

Show 11 more source-backed claims

Speech · Speaker · With Duke of Pei (沛公) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 56-58, 60-61, 67-70, 76, 78
Speech · Speaker · With Xiang Bo (項伯) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 73
Speech · Speaker · With King of Xiang (項王) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 95
called Gaozu's rise Heaven's gift, not human power
Speech · Speaker · With Gaozu (高祖) · Paraphrased
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 148
Speech · Speaker · With Lü Ze (呂澤)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 206-207, 209-215
Speech · Addressee · With Emperor Gao (高帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 169-170
Speech · Speaker · With Emperor Gao (高帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 171-172, 177-178, 180-181, 183, 186, 193-197
Speech · Speaker · With Old man of the Xiapi bridge (圯上老父)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 23
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 260-262
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 47
Written report · Author · With King of Xiang (項王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 96

Events and relationships

Abstained from grain and practiced daoyin
Religious · Practitioner
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 263
Accompanied emperor through the passes
BC 201 漢六年正月後 · Travel · Companion · With Emperor Gao (高帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 199
Advised Xiang Liang to install Han Cheng as King of Han
Diplomatic · Counselor · With Xiang Liang (項梁)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 51
Advised against assault
Counsel · Advisor · With Duke of Pei (沛公) · At Yao Pass 嶢
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 56-58
Advised burning plank roads
Counsel · Advisor · With King of Han (漢王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 91
Advised enfeoffing Yong Chi first
BC 201 ［六年］ · Political · Counselor · With Yong Chi (雍齒)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 186

Show 61 more source-backed claims

Advised inviting four reclusive worthies to support the crown prince
BC 200 to BC 196 留侯杜門不出歲餘之後，上欲廢太子 · Political · Counselor · With Crown Prince (太子)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 209-210, 213, 215
Advised not to meet Chu head on
BC 196 漢十一年 · Political · Counselor
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 231-232
Advised
BC 203 漢四年，其秋 · Political · Counselor · With King of Han (漢王) · Outcome Feudal lords arrived
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 166
Advised
BC 203 漢四年 · Political · Counselor · With King of Han (漢王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 164
Advised
Political · Advisor · With Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 22
Ambushed the First Emperor at Bolangsha but struck the escort carriage
Military · Assassin · With First Emperor of Qin (秦皇帝) · At Bolangsha 博浪沙
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 11
Arrived to pay respects
BC 204 漢三年 · Court · Visitor
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 120
Attended heir and relied on Four Whiteheads to fix Han succession
Political · Attendant
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 169
Borrowed chopsticks to illustrate
BC 204 漢三年 · Court · Advisor · With King of Han (漢王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 127
refused 30,000 households in Qi and asked only for Liu
BC 201 漢六年正月 · Political · Recipient · Declined large enfeoffment · At Qi 齊
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 170-172
Detained
Personal · Host · With Xiang Bo (項伯)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 81
Devised plan at Mayi
BC 197 擊代 · Military · Strategist
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 259
Drew up strategies and accompanied
Counsel · Advisor · With King of Han (漢王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 110
Empire wide search ordered on his account
Legal · Fugitive · With First Emperor of Qin (秦皇帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 12
Enshrined yellow stone
BC 202 to BC 195 後十三年從高帝過濟北 · Ritual · Devotee
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 268
Escorted
Travel · Escort · With King of Han (漢王) · At Baozhong 襃中
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 90
Expounded Taigong's art of war; Duke of Pei adopted his plans
Scholarly · Advisor · With Duke of Pei (沛公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 45
Fled by hidden paths
Flight · Principal · With King of Han (漢王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 99
Followed east against Chu
Military · Follower · With King of Han (漢王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 100
Gathered more than a hundred young men
BC 209 後十年，陳涉等起兵 · Military · Recruiter
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 40
Intended to join Jing Ju but met the Duke of Pei on the way
Political · Would be follower · With Jing Ju (景駒)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 42, 48
Joined
Military · Commander · With Duke of Pei (沛公) · At Xuanyuan Pass 轘轅
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 54
Left younger brother unburied
Ritual · Principal · With Younger brother of Zhang Liang (張良弟)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 7
Never held independent command
Military · None · Negated true
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 110
Paired
AD 1207 泰和七年 · Ritual · Collateral offering · With Zonghan (宗翰)
Directly stated · History of Jin 35, passage 56
Petitioned for territory
Diplomatic · Agent · At Hanzhong 漢中 · With Xiang Bo (項伯)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 88
Presented gifts
Diplomatic · Agent · With Xiang Bo (項伯)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 87
Raided old Han lands with the King of Han; Qin recaptured the cities; they operated as roaming troops in Yingchuan
Military · Commander · With Han Cheng (韓成) · At Yingchuan 潁川
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 53
Received the book at the Xiapi bridge
Scholarly · Recipient
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 257
Recommended crown prince as Guanzhong general
BC 196 漢十一年 · Political · Counselor
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 233
Recommended three men
Counsel · Advisor · With King of Han (漢王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 103-106
Refused to flee
Personal · Guest official · With Xiang Bo (項伯)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 73
Remonstrated against replacing heir
BC 195 漢十二年 · Political · Remonstrator
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 237
Reported crisis
Counsel · Informant · With Duke of Pei (沛公)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 74
Reported no return
Diplomatic · Speaker · With King of Xiang (項王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 95
Reported rebellion
Diplomatic · Informant · With King of Xiang (項王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 96
Sent to find Han Cheng and establish him as king
Political · Envoy · With Han Cheng (韓成)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 52
Sent on way
Travel · Principal
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 92
Shut his gate and did not go out for more than a year
BC 201 to BC 200 杜門不出歲餘 · Personal · Agent
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 200
Spent family fortune to hire an assassin against the King of Qin to avenge Han
Political · Sponsor · With First Emperor of Qin (秦皇帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 7
Summoned four elders to secure heir
BC 195 漢十二年 · Political · Planner
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 258
Supported Liu Jing and opposed Luoyang as capital
BC 201 漢六年正月後 · Political · Counselor · With Lou Jing (婁敬)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 193, 197
Urged attack during relaxation
Counsel · Advisor · With Duke of Pei (沛公)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 60-61
Urged heed Fan Kuai
Counsel · Advisor · With Duke of Pei (沛公)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 67-70
Warned of generals plotting rebellion
BC 201 ［六年］ · Political · Counselor · At Luoyang 雒陽
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 175, 177-178, 180-181
Went east to meet Lord Canghai
Travel · Traveler · With Lord Canghai (倉海君)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 9
Relation Employed by · Person Emperor Gaozu of Han (高祖) · Function strategy
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passage 105
Relation Advisor of · Person Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 22
Relation Sought to follow · Person Master Chisong (赤松子)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 262
Relation Advisor of · Person Duke of Pei (沛公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 56, 60, 67, 73
Relation Envoy to · Person Han Xin (韓信)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 164
Relation Supported appointment of · Person Xiao He (蕭何)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 259
Relation Associate of · Person Xiang Bo (項伯)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 72
Relation Protector of · Person Xiang Bo (項伯)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 39
Relation Served · Person King Cheng of Han (韓王成)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 73
Relation Subordinate of · Person Duke of Pei (沛公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 43, 48
Relation Advisor of · Person Emperor Gaozu (高祖)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 231, 259, 274
Relation Counselor of · Person Emperor Gao (高帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 169, 205-206
Relation Served · Person King of Han (漢王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 94, 110
Relation Tutor of · Person Crown Prince (太子)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 234-235
Relation Student of · Person Old man of the Xiapi bridge (圯上老父)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 21, 32

Assessments and attributes

Assessment appearance like a beautiful woman, contrary to imagined imposing stature · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 276
Assessment devised strategies in the command tent that decided victory a thousand leagues away · Mode named-person-speech Speaker Emperor Gao (高帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 169
Assessment heaven-sent patron · With Duke of Pei (沛公) · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Zhang Liang (張良)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 47
Assessment instrumental whenever Gaozu escaped peril; work of Heaven · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 274
Assessment Liu Jing's counsel is sound · Mode named-person-speech Speaker Zhang Liang (張良) · With Lou Jing (婁敬)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 197
Assessment needed-Four-Whiteheads-to-settle-Han-succession; disparaged as petty by Ting · Mode named-person-speech Speaker Zu Ting (祖珽)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 39, passages 169, 171

Show 15 more source-backed claims

Assessment paragon of counsel invoked as Zifang · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Duan Ye (段業)
Directly stated · Book of Jin 129, passage 28
Assessment Qin abandoned the Way, which allowed the Duke of Pei to reach the palace · Mode speech Speaker Zhang Liang (張良)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 67
Assessment same lesson as Confucius on Ziyu applies · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 278
Assessment skilled at planning strategies, and the emperor trusts and employs him · Mode hearsay
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 204
Assessment standard of comparison for Luo Ya · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Chen 22, passage 94
Assessment the six-state restoration plan would ruin the King of Han's cause · Mode quotation Speaker Zhang Liang (張良)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 124-125, 160
by nature often ill
Health
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 200
frequently ill
Illness · 多病
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 110
features like a woman or beautiful girl
Physical description · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 276
Item a hundred yi of gold 金百鎰 · Relation Received then presented · With Xiang Bo (項伯)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 87
Item household of three hundred servants 家僮三百人 · Relation Possessed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 7
Item iron mace of 120 catties 鐵椎重百二十斤 · Relation Had made
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 10
Item the book 书 · Relation Received
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 257
Item two dou of pearls 珠二斗 · Relation Received then presented · With Xiang Bo (項伯)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 87
Item yellow stone 黃石 · Relation Enshrined
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 268-270

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 168; Book of Chen 22, passage 94; Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 1, 54, 87, 110, 120, 169
Value historical
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 157
had never won distinction on the battlefield
Field military-merit · Negated true
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 169
began as a commoner; regarded marquisate as the summit for a commoner
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 261
family for generations served as chancellors of Han; spent a fortune to avenge Han against Qin
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 260
many leisure discussions with the emperor on non-vital affairs are not recorded
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 259

Show 1 more source-backed claim

changed his name and surname; new names not given
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 13

References in the histories

Search passages

History

141 passages

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 3Volume 3 Annals 3: Emperor Wenxiang · 1 passage

Open chapter

東魏主不堪憂辱，詠謝靈運詩曰：「韓亡子房奮，秦帝魯連恥。 Unable to bear the anguish and humiliation, the Eastern Wei emperor recited a poem of Xie Lingyun: "When Han perished Zhang Liang rose in zeal; before the Qin emperor Lu Zhong felt shame.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 39Volume 39 Biographies 31: Cui Jishu; Zu Ting · 3 passages

Open chapter

臣何止方於范增，縱張良亦不能及。 I am not merely Fan Zeng's equal—even Zhang Liang falls short of me.

張良身傅太子，猶因四皓，方定漢嗣。 Zhang Liang attended the heir in person, yet still needed the Four Whiteheads to settle Han's succession.

蕞爾張良，何足可數。」 That scrap of a Zhang Liang—what is he worth counting!"

Book of Chen, Chapter 22Volume 22: Lu Zilong, Qian Daoji, Luo Ya · 1 passage

Open chapter

駱牙識真有奉，知世祖天授之德，蓋張良之亞歟？ Luo Ya saw true worth and served it; he knew Emperor Wen bore heaven's mandate—was he not Zhang Liang's peer?

Book of Han, Chapter 1Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 1 · 20 passages

Open chapter

沛公往從之，道得張良，遂與俱見景駒，請兵以攻豐。 Pei Gong went to join him, met Zhang Liang along the way, and together they went to see Jing Ju, requesting troops to attack Feng.

因張良遂略韓地。 Through Zhang Liang, they then seized the lands of Han.

張良諫曰：「沛公雖欲急入關，秦兵尚眾，距險。 Zhang Liang advised: "Although Pei Gong wishes to rush into the passes, the Qin troops are still numerous and hold the dangerous passes.

沛公欲擊之，張良曰：「秦兵尚彊，未可輕。 Pei Gong wanted to attack them. Zhang Liang said: "The Qin troops are still strong. We cannot be careless.

張良曰：「此獨其將欲叛，恐其士卒不從，不如因其怠懈擊之。」 Zhang Liang said: "Only their general wants to defect; he fears his soldiers will not follow. It would be better to strike while they are lax."

樊噲、張良諫，乃封秦重寶財物府庫，還軍霸上。 Fan Kuai and Zhang Liang remonstrated, so he sealed up Qin's important treasures, property, and treasuries, and returned the army to Bashang.

會羽季父左尹項伯素善張良，夜馳見張良，具告其實，欲與俱去，毋特俱死。 Xiang Yu's uncle, Left Yin Xiang Bo, had long been on good terms with Zhang Liang. He galloped at night to see Zhang Liang, told him everything in detail, and wanted Zhang Liang to leave with him rather than perish together for nothing.

良曰：「臣為韓王送沛公，不可不告，亡去不義。」 Liang said, "The King of Han sent me to escort Pei Gong. I cannot fail to inform him; to flee would be unrighteous."

有頃，沛公起如廁，招樊噲出，置車官屬，獨騎，與樊噲、靳彊、滕公、紀成步，從間道走軍，使張良留謝羽。 After a while, Pei Gong rose as if to use the privy and beckoned Fan Kuai out. Leaving his carriages and attendants behind, he rode off alone, while Fan Kuai, Jin Qiang, Lord Teng, and Ji Cheng went on foot. They fled the camp by a side road, and he had Zhang Liang remain to apologize to Xiang Yu.

曰：「聞將軍有意督過之，脫身去，間至軍，故使臣獻璧。」 Zhang Liang said, "He heard that the general intended to hold him accountable for his faults, so he slipped away and returned secretly to his army. That is why he sent me to present this jade disk."

張良辭歸韓，漢王送至褒中，因說漢王燒絕棧道，以備諸侯盜兵，亦視項羽無東意。 Zhang Liang took leave to return to Han. The King of Han escorted him as far as Baozhong, and there Zhang Liang advised him to burn and sever the plank roads, both to guard against raiding troops from the feudal lords and to show Xiang Yu that he had no intention of going east.

初，項梁立韓後公子成為韓王，張良為韓司徒。 Initially, Xiang Liang established the Han royal descendant Cheng as King of Han, with Zhang Liang as Han tutor.

羽以良從漢王，韓王成又無功，故不遣就國，與俱至彭城，殺之。 Because Zhang Liang had accompanied the King of Han (Liu Bang), and King Cheng of Han had achieved nothing, Xiang Yu would not let Cheng go to his kingdom; he brought Cheng to Pengcheng and killed him.

時張良徇韓地，遺羽書曰：「漢欲得關中，如約即止，不敢復東。」 At this time Zhang Liang was campaigning through Han territory. He sent Xiang Yu a letter: "Han only wishes to obtain Guanzhong. If the agreement is honored, we will stop and will not dare advance east again."

張良自韓間行歸漢，漢王以為成信侯。 Zhang Liang stole his way back from Han to join the King of Han. The King of Han made him Lord Chengxin.

以問張良，良發八難。 He asked Zhang Liang about it. Liang presented eight difficulties.

漢王病創臥，張良彊請漢王起行勞軍，以安士卒，毋令楚乘勝。 The King of Han lay ill from his wound. Zhang Liang strongly urged him to get up and go comfort the army, in order to steady the officers and soldiers and not let Chu exploit its victory.

張良曰：「不如因而立之，使自為守。」 Zhang Liang said: "It would be better to take advantage of this and establish him as king, letting him defend it himself."

春二月，遣張良操印，立韓信為齊王。 In the second month of spring, he sent Zhang Liang carrying the seal to establish Han Xin as King of Qi.

漢王欲西歸，張良、陳平諫曰：「今漢有天下太半，而諸侯皆附，楚兵罷食盡，此天亡之時，不因其幾而遂取之，所謂養虎自遺患也。」 The King of Han wanted to return west. Zhang Liang and Chen Ping advised him: "Han now possesses more than half the realm, and all the feudal lords have attached themselves to it. Chu's troops are exhausted and its food is gone. This is the moment when Heaven is destroying Chu. If we do not seize this opportunity and take it, that is what is called raising a tiger and leaving disaster for oneself."

Book of Han, Chapter 2Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 2 · 7 passages

Open chapter

謂張良曰：「諸侯不從，柰何？」 He said to Zhang Liang: "The feudal lords are not following. What should we do?"

良對曰：「楚兵且破，未有分地，其不至固宜。 Liang replied: "The Chu army is about to be broken, but they have not yet divided the land. Their failure to come is natural.

夫運籌帷幄之中，決勝千里之外，吾不如子房； Planning strategy within the command tent, deciding victory a thousand miles away - I am not equal to Zifang.

上以問張良，良因勸上。 The emperor asked Zhang Liang, who then advised the emperor.

上居南宮，從復道上見諸將往往耦語，以問張良。 The emperor resided in the Southern Palace. From the raised passageway above, he saw the generals often talking in pairs and asked Zhang Liang about it.

良曰：「陛下與此屬共取天下，今已為天子，而所封皆故人所愛，所誅皆平生仇怨。 Zhang Liang said: "Your Majesty took the world together with these men. Now you are emperor, but those you enfeoff are all old friends you love, and those you execute are all lifelong enemies.

良曰：「取上素所不快，計群臣所共知最甚者一人，先封以示群臣。」 Zhang Liang said: "Take someone whom Your Majesty has always disliked, and whom the ministers all know offended you most severely, and enfeoff him first to show the ministers."

Book of Han, Chapter 25Volume 23: Treatise on Punishment and Law · 1 passage

Open chapter

任蕭、曹之文，用良、平之謀，騁陸、酈之辯，明叔孫通之儀，文武相配，大略舉焉。 Gaozu employed Xiao He and Cao Shen in civil administration, used Zhang Liang and Chen Ping for strategy, gave free rein to Lu Jia and Li Yiji in persuasion, and established Shusun Tong’s ceremonial system; civil and military complemented each other, and the broad program was realized.

Book of Han, Chapter 42Volume 33: Wei Bao, Tian Dan and Hán Xin (King of Han) · 1 passage

Open chapter

沛公引兵擊陽城，使張良以韓司徒徇韓地，得信，以為韓將，將其兵從入武關。 The Duke of Pei led troops against Yangcheng and sent Zhang Liang, Han's Minister of Education, to bring the Han territories over. Zhang Liang found Han Xin, made him a Han general, and had him lead his troops through Wuguan.

Book of Han, Chapter 51Volume 42: Zhang, Zhou, Zhao, Ren and Shentu · 1 passage

Open chapter

及高帝欲廢太子，而立威姬子如意為太子，大臣固爭莫能得，上以留侯策止。 When the High Ancestor wanted to set aside the heir apparent in favor of Lady Qi's son Ruyi, his senior ministers argued themselves hoarse to no avail, until he dropped the idea on the advice of the Marquis of Liu.

Book of Han, Chapter 99Volume 87b: Yang Xiong 2 · 2 passages

Open chapter

故當其有事也，非蕭、曹、子房、平、勃、樊、霍則不能安； When trouble came, only Xiao He, Cao Shen, Zhang Liang, Chen Ping, Zhou Bo, Fan Kuai, and Huo Guang could set it right.

夫蕭規曹隨，留侯畫策，陳平出奇，功若泰山，向若□隤，唯其人之贍知哉，亦會其時之可為也。 Xiao He drew the blueprint, Cao Shen kept to it; Zhang Liang plotted, Chen Ping surprised—merit steady as Taishan, effect like an avalanche. Credit their genius, yes, but credit the age that let them act.

Book of Han, Chapter 117Volume 100a: Afterword and Family History 1 · 3 passages

Open chapter

當食吐哺，納子房之策； he spat out a mouthful mid-meal to enact Zhang Liang's scheme;

故淮陰、留侯謂之天授，非人力也。 Han Xin and Zhang Liang called such things Heaven's investiture, not mortal striving.

殷說夢發於傅巖，周望兆動於渭濱，齊甯激聲於康衢，漢良受書於邳沂，皆俟命而神交，匪詞言之所信，故能建必然之策，展無窮之勳也。 Fu Yue was revealed in a dream at Fuyan; Lü Wang's omen stirred on the banks of the Wei; Ning Qi's song rang out at the crossroads; and Zhang Liang received the book at the bridge at Xiapi. All awaited their appointed time and communed in spirit, relying on more than words; thus they could devise certain strategies and achieve immeasurable merit.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 31Volume 28a: Biographies of Huan Tan; Feng Yan · 1 passage

Open chapter

張良以五世相韓，椎秦始皇博浪之中，勇冠乎賁、育，名高乎太山。 Zhang Liang, whose forebears had served the state of Han for five generations as ministers, struck at the First Emperor in the surf at Bolang—courage beyond warriors Ben and Yu, fame higher than Taishan.

History of Jin, Chapter 35Volume 35 Treatises 16: Rites 8: Consecration of Shrines to a Sages; Temple to the Warrior King Cheng of Zhou; Monarchs of Past Ages; Halls to Various Spirits in Changbai Shan, Dafang Shan, Amur River, Jia Yin Hou; Spirits of the Lu River; Spirits of Zhao Yin Shun; Spirits of Zhen an Gong, Rui Shen Gongl; Worshipping, Sacrifices, Vists, and State Ceremonies at Zhen Xian Jun Wang Temple · 2 passages

Open chapter

於是，以秦王宗翰同子房配武成王，而降管仲以下。 Thereupon Prince of Qin Zonghan was paired with Zifang to accompany the Martial Accomplished King, while Guan Zhong and those below were demoted.

其祭，武成王、宗翰、子房各羊一、豕一，餘共用羊八，無豕。 At the sacrifice, the Martial Accomplished King, Zonghan, and Zifang each received one sheep and one pig; the remainder shared eight sheep in all, with no pigs.

Book of Jin, Chapter 129Volume 129 Records 29: Juqu Mengxun · 1 passage

Open chapter

業賴蒙遜而免，歎曰：「孤不能用子房之言，以至於此！」 Duan Ye owed his escape to Mengxun and sighed, "I would not heed the counsel of a Zhang Liang, and this is the price!"

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 18Volume 18 Book of Later Liang 18: Biographies 8: Zhang Wenyu, Xue Yiju, Zhang Ce, Du Xiao, Jing Xiang, Li Zhen · 1 passage

Open chapter

縱良、平復生，難以轉禍為福，請先死，不忍見宗廟隕墜。」 Even Zhang Liang and Chen Ping reborn could not turn this ruin to blessing; let me die first—I cannot watch the ancestral temples fall."

Book of Liang, Chapter 7Volume 7: Empresses · 1 passage

Open chapter

雖子房之蔚爲帝師，文若之隆比王佐，無以尚也。 Though Zifang became the emperor's teacher and Wenruo rose as the king's right hand, none surpass him.

Book of Liang, Chapter 52Volume 52: The Self-Sufficient · 1 passage

Open chapter

漢世張良功成身退，病臥卻粒，比於樂毅、范蠡至乎顛狽，斯爲優矣。 In Han, Zhang Liang achieved merit and withdrew, took to his bed and ceased grain—compared with Yue Yi and Fan Li, even to their ruin, he was the better case.

History of Ming, Chapter 127Volume 127 Biographies 15: Li Shanzhang, Wang Guangyang · 1 passage

Open chapter

誥詞稱其剸繁治劇，屢獻忠謀，比之子房、孔明。 His patent praised him for mastering tangled affairs and urgent business, for loyal counsel offered again and again, and likened him to Zifang and Zhuge Liang.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 25Treatise on the Pitch-Pipes · 1 passage