Zhang Wen
courtesy name 伯慎 · –191
The evidence provides no information from which to judge his temperament, abilities, or character.
Life
Novel 1 ch. · History 3 vols.
On the boards
Where this person ranks on each board.
Portrait file
Character profile
- Character
- The evidence provides no information from which to judge his temperament, abilities, or character.
- Life
- Zhang Wen had long been at odds with Dong Zhuo, who harbored resentment against him. Later, when an unusual celestial phenomenon occurred, Dong Zhuo sought to shift the blame and ordered someone to claim that Zhang Wen was colluding with Yuan Shu; he then had Zhang Wen flogged to death.
- Anecdotes
- He once served as Minister of Works and General of Chariots and Cavalry, and led a western campaign against Bian Zhang. Sun Jian served on his staff and once urged him to execute Dong Zhuo, but Zhang Wen did not heed the advice. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms recounts that Dong Zhuo falsely accused Zhang Wen of colluding with Yuan Shu and ordered Lü Bu to drag him down and behead him.
Zhang Wen, courtesy name Boshen, was an official of the Eastern Han dynasty. Historical records state that he once served as Grand Commandant and Commandant of the Guards; in Chapter 8 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he is written as having been killed by Dong Zhuo.
Deeds
Historical records state that in the third year of Zhongping, Zhang Wen, acting as Grand Commandant, served as commander of the chariots and cavalry in a western campaign against Bian Zhang and Han Sui, and submitted a request for Sun Jian to join his staff as a military advisor. Sun Jian once urged him to execute Dong Zhuo under military law, but Zhang Wen did not heed him.
Historical records state that Zhang Wen later served as Commandant of the Guards. Dong Zhuo resented him and invoked celestial phenomena to claim that calamity was imminent, falsely accusing him of colluding with Yuan Shu, and ultimately having him beaten to death.
In the novel, when Dong Zhuo held a banquet, he ordered Lü Bu to drag Zhang Wen out. He then had an attendant present Zhang Wen’s severed head on a red tray, and claimed that Zhang Wen had conspired with Yuan Shu to harm him.
Relationships
- He bore a grudge against Dong Zhuo; Dong Zhuo falsely accused Zhang Wen of colluding with Yuan Shu and had him killed.
- In the novel, Dong Zhuo claimed that Zhang Wen had conspired with Yuan Shu, and Lü Bu was ordered to drag Zhang Wen out.
- Sun Jian once served on Zhang Wen’s staff as a military advisor and urged Zhang Wen to execute Dong Zhuo.
- Enemies
- Other
History vs. novel
6 points · 2 novel-only
| History | Novel |
|---|---|
| Western Campaign Against Han SuiHistory only | |
In the third year of Zhongping, Zhang Wen, serving as Sikong and acting as General of Chariots and Cavalry, led troops on a western campaign against Bian Zhang and Han Sui, and invited Sun Jian to join the campaign. vol. 46 | — |
| Sun Jian Urges Dong Zhuo's ExecutionHistory only | |
Dong Zhuo arrived late after being summoned and spoke arrogantly. Sun Jian urged Zhang Wen to execute him under military law, but Zhang Wen held back, concerned about Dong Zhuo's reputation in Long and Shu. vol. 46 | — |
| Using Celestial Portents to Kill Zhang WenHistory only | |
Zhang Wen later served as Commandant of the Guards. Because Dong Zhuo was at odds with him, he seized on celestial portents as an opportunity to falsely accuse him of associating with Yuan Shu, and ultimately had him beaten to death. vol. 6 | — |
| Zhang Wen Dragged from the Banquet HallNovel only | |
| — | The novel says that at a banquet, Dong Zhuo ordered Lü Bu to drag Zhang Wen down from the hall, shocking the assembled officials. ch. 8 |
| A Head Presented on a Red TrayNovel only | |
| — | The novel says that an attendant then presented Zhang Wen's head on a red tray, which Dong Zhuo used to cow the officials present. ch. 8 |
| The Claim of Collusion with Yuan ShuNovel embellishes | |
According to the historical record, Dong Zhuo had someone falsely accuse Zhang Wen of associating with Yuan Shu, then used celestial portents to have him beaten to death. vol. 6 | The novel also says that Dong Zhuo accused Zhang Wen of colluding with Yuan Shu to plot against him; it further adds that a letter accidentally fell into Lü Bu's hands. ch. 8 |
- Western Campaign Against Han SuiHistory only
- History
In the third year of Zhongping, Zhang Wen, serving as Sikong and acting as General of Chariots and Cavalry, led troops on a western campaign against Bian Zhang and Han Sui, and invited Sun Jian to join the campaign.
vol. 46
- Sun Jian Urges Dong Zhuo's ExecutionHistory only
- History
Dong Zhuo arrived late after being summoned and spoke arrogantly. Sun Jian urged Zhang Wen to execute him under military law, but Zhang Wen held back, concerned about Dong Zhuo's reputation in Long and Shu.
vol. 46
- Using Celestial Portents to Kill Zhang WenHistory only
- History
Zhang Wen later served as Commandant of the Guards. Because Dong Zhuo was at odds with him, he seized on celestial portents as an opportunity to falsely accuse him of associating with Yuan Shu, and ultimately had him beaten to death.
vol. 6
- Zhang Wen Dragged from the Banquet HallNovel only
- Novel
The novel says that at a banquet, Dong Zhuo ordered Lü Bu to drag Zhang Wen down from the hall, shocking the assembled officials.
ch. 8
- A Head Presented on a Red TrayNovel only
- Novel
The novel says that an attendant then presented Zhang Wen's head on a red tray, which Dong Zhuo used to cow the officials present.
ch. 8
- The Claim of Collusion with Yuan ShuNovel embellishes
- History
According to the historical record, Dong Zhuo had someone falsely accuse Zhang Wen of associating with Yuan Shu, then used celestial portents to have him beaten to death.
vol. 6
- Novel
The novel also says that Dong Zhuo accused Zhang Wen of colluding with Yuan Shu to plot against him; it further adds that a letter accidentally fell into Lü Bu's hands.
ch. 8
Combat
On the field
Duels, kills and executions as the texts tell them, counted separately for the Records and the Romance.
Continue
Dong Zhuo
Enemy
Relationship timeline1 entry ▸
Novel · ch. 8
- Yuan Shu§3
Enemy
the conspiracy Dong Zhuo falsely accused him of—“joining with Yuan Shu” (an accusation in this account, not necessarily true)
Inner monologues · AI-generated1 monologue ▸
- I am Zhang Wen, courtesy name Boshen. I recall that when Bian Zhang and Han Sui rebelled, the court appointed me General