Zhang Nan

Historical Record

Zhang Nan was a subordinate general of Yuan Xi. In the tenth year of Jian’an, after Cao Cao defeated Yuan Tan, had him executed, and pacified Jizhou, Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang were attacked by Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan and fled to the Wuhuan in western Liaoxi. The historical accounts name Zhang Nan alongside Jiao Chu as a subordinate general of Yuan Xi who launched the revolt. Cao Cao later campaigned against Yuan Tan, who was killed, further weakening the Yuan clan’s power.^[1][2]

Regarding this defection, the historical accounts say that Jiao Chu styled himself Governor of You Province, led officials from several commanderies in renouncing the Yuan and submitting to Cao, then arrayed tens of thousands of troops and sacrificed a white horse in an oath, demanding that everyone comply. Han Hang, an assistant to the governor, refused to serve Cao on the grounds that he had received great favor from the Yuan clan. Jiao Chu did not force him, but said instead that he could honor Han Hang’s resolve. The historical accounts say that Zhang Nan joined Jiao Chu in attacking Xi and Shang, but provide no further details of Zhang Nan’s specific actions in the oath-taking, his investiture, or what happened to him afterward.^[2] The Records of the Three Kingdoms also records that Jiao Chu and the others surrendered their counties to Cao Cao and were enfeoffed as marquises. The related account in the Book of Wei says that “Jiao Chu, Zhang Nan, and others rebelled and attacked Xi and Shang,” but does not separately specify Zhang Nan’s personal fate here.^[1]

In the Novel

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms portrays Zhang Nan as a defector who successively served Yuan Shao's Faction and Cao Cao. In Chapter 33, he and Jiao Chu defect together and surrender to Cao Cao, who enfeoffs them as marquises. This broadly accords with the historical accounts of the two men attacking Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang and then going over to the Cao clan, though the novel depicts their surrender and investiture more directly.^[3] In Chapter 41, the novel also has Zhang Nan join Jiao Chu, Ma Yan, and Zhang Yi in trying to intercept Zhao Yun. The four surround Zhao Yun, but he fights them off and drives them back. This clash at Changban does not appear in the historical accounts provided and is a fictional embellishment.^[4]

In Chapter 48, Zhang Nan and Jiao Chu ask to lead ships in an attack on the southern bank to demonstrate that northern troops can fight aboard ships as well. They then engage the Wu navy. Han Dang kills Jiao Chu with a thrust of his spear, while Zhang Nan is knocked into the water when Zhou Tai leaps aboard his ship and strikes him down. This death in the naval battle at Chibi is unique to the novel; the historical sources do not record Zhang Nan’s fate.^[5][6] Thus, in the novel, Zhang Nan is both a former Yuan general who changes sides and an opponent of Zhao Yun during his breakout and in the naval battle at Chibi. The historical accounts, by contrast, focus chiefly on his participation in the political and military episode of attacking Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang.^[1][2]

Key Relationships

• Jiao Chu: Both types of source name Zhang Nan alongside Jiao Chu. The historical accounts say that the two attacked Xi and Shang as subordinate generals of Yuan Xi, then turned against the Yuan and went over to Cao Cao. The novel goes further, depicting them surrendering to Cao Cao and receiving enfeoffments together, as well as appearing together in several battles.^[1][2][3]
• Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang: The historical accounts say that Zhang Nan and Jiao Chu attacked them, forcing them to flee to the Wuhuan in western Liaoxi. This is Zhang Nan’s clearest military action in the historical record.^[1][2]
• Cao Cao: The historical accounts say that Jiao Chu and the others surrendered their counties to Cao Cao and were enfeoffed as marquises. The novel depicts Zhang Nan surrendering with Jiao Chu and receiving an enfeoffment, emphasizing his transformation from a Yuan clan subordinate into a general on Cao Cao’s side.^[1][3]
• Zhao Yun, Han Dang, and Zhou Tai: Zhang Nan’s clash with Zhao Yun and his encounter with Wu generals in the naval battle at Chibi are both relationships and episodes unique to the novel.^[4][6]

Signature Scenes

• The revolt and attack on the Yuan in the historical record: As Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang lost power, Zhang Nan and Jiao Chu turned against their former masters and then went over to the Cao clan. The historical accounts record Zhang Nan’s actions in this mutiny but do not give him a separate biographical account.^[1][2]
• Intercepting Zhao Yun at Changban (unique to the novel): As Zhao Yun broke through the encirclement, Zhang Nan and Jiao Chu blocked him from the front, while Ma Yan and Zhang Yi pursued from behind. Zhao Yun fought all four and ultimately broke through.^[4]
• Death in the naval battle at Chibi (unique to the novel): Zhang Nan stands at the bow with his spear raised and fights Zhou Tai. Zhou Tai leaps onto his ship and strikes him into the water. The novel makes this Zhang Nan’s end; the historical accounts contain no corresponding record.^[6]