Zhang Xiu

Historical Record

Zhang Xiu, courtesy name Shusi, was a son of the Eastern Wu senior minister Zhang Zhao. He displayed talent in his youth, and at the age of capping he was, together with Zhuge Ke, Gu Tan, and others, selected into the company of companions of the Crown Prince Sun Deng^[1]. Sun Quan once wished the Crown Prince Sun Deng to study the Book of Han in order to understand the affairs of recent ages. Because Zhang Zhao was broadly learned, yet Sun Quan was unwilling to trouble him excessively, he had Zhang Xiu first study the Book of Han from Zhang Zhao and then transmit what he had learned to the Crown Prince Sun Deng^[2]. In the course of his teaching, Zhang Xiu not only expounded the meaning of the text but could also analyze matters with clear order, and was much loved by Sun Deng. At every feast, Sun Deng often kept Zhang Xiu close, even lowering his rank to share in merriment with him^[1].

Zhang Xiu first served as a Companion to the Crown Prince, and later was transferred to be Commandant of the Right Assistance^[1]. During Sun Quan's reign, on one occasion he hunted until deep into the night before returning. Zhang Xiu submitted a memorial to admonish him, and Sun Quan deeply approved of it and showed the memorial to Zhang Zhao^[1]. In the first year of Huanglong, Sun Quan proclaimed himself emperor and Sun Deng was established as Crown Prince; Zhang Xiu, together with Zhuge Ke, Gu Tan, and Chen Biao, was known as the "Four Friends," among whom Zhang Xiu served as Right Assistant^[2].

After the death of the Crown Prince Sun Deng, Zhang Xiu was appointed Palace Attendant and made Commandant of the Imperial Guards, in charge of the military affairs of the Three Regulars, and was later promoted to General Who Displays Valor^[1]. However, in the factional strife between the Prince of Lu, Sun Ba, and the Crown Prince Sun He, Zhang Xiu, because he had together with Gu Tan and Gu Cheng assessed merits at Shaobei, was falsely accused by the partisans of the Prince of Lu, Sun Ba. They were charged with colluding with the Army Director Chen Xun to falsely report battle merits, and were therefore banished to Jiaozhou^[1]. The Director of the Secretariat at the time, Sun Hong, was crafty and sinister by nature, and Zhang Xiu had always been displeased with him. Sun Hong seized this opportunity to slander Zhang Xiu, and in the end Sun Quan decreed that Zhang Xiu be granted death, at the age of forty-one^[1].

In the Novel

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhang Xiu's entrance comes relatively late, and his deeds revolve mainly around Sun Quan's proclaiming himself emperor and the establishment of the Crown Prince. He first appears in Chapter 98, when Sun Quan, because of Wei's unfavorable military situation, was urged by his assembled ministers to proclaim himself emperor^[3]. Zhang Zhao advised, citing such auspicious portents as the phoenix appearing on the Eastern Hill of Wuchang and the yellow dragon repeatedly showing itself in the great river, and strongly urged Sun Quan to ascend the throne. With the support of the assembled ministers, Sun Quan built an altar in the southern suburbs of Wuchang and proclaimed himself emperor, changing the reign title to the first year of Huanglong^[3].

Against this backdrop, Sun Quan established his eldest son Sun Deng as Crown Prince, appointed Zhuge Ke, son of Zhuge Jin, as Left Tutor to the Crown Prince, and Zhang Xiu, the second son of Zhang Zhao, as Right Assistant to the Crown Prince^[3]. The novel's depiction of Zhang Xiu is rather brief, focusing mainly on his status as a member of the Crown Prince's staff, and does not develop in detail his specific deeds at the side of the Crown Prince Sun Deng, such as teaching the Book of Han or admonishing Sun Quan over hunting. Nor does the novel mention Zhang Xiu's later misfortunes, such as being falsely accused and banished to Jiaozhou and granted death; this differs markedly from the historical record, and there is no deep portrayal of his individual character and ability. The novel's shaping of Zhang Xiu is more as a background figure setting off the major historical events of Sun Quan's proclaiming himself emperor and the establishment of the Crown Prince.

Key Relationships

* Sun Deng (mentor_of): Zhang Xiu was a companion and teacher of the Crown Prince Sun Deng. He not only transmitted the Book of Han to Sun Deng but was also close to Sun Deng in daily life and much loved by him^[1].
* Sun Ba (enemy_of): In the factional strife between the Prince of Lu, Sun Ba, and the Crown Prince Sun He, Zhang Xiu, falsely accused by Sun Ba's partisans, was ultimately banished and granted death—the direct cause of his tragic end^[1].
* Zhang Zhao (student_of): Zhang Xiu studied the Book of Han from his father Zhang Zhao and then transmitted it to the Crown Prince Sun Deng. Sun Quan once showed Zhang Xiu's memorial of admonition to Zhang Zhao, showing that there was a certain connection between father and son^[1].
* Eastern Wu (serves): Zhang Xiu served the Eastern Wu regime all his life, from companion of the Crown Prince to Palace Attendant, Commandant of the Imperial Guards, and General Who Displays Valor, until finally he was granted death^[1].
* Zhuge Ke, Gu Tan (colleague): Zhang Xiu, together with Zhuge Ke, Gu Tan, and others, were companions of the Crown Prince Sun Deng and known as the "Four Friends"^[2]. In the later period they too were together falsely accused and banished over the affair of assessing merits at Shaobei^[1].

Signature Scenes

* Teaching the Book of Han: Sun Quan wished the Crown Prince Sun Deng to study the Book of Han to understand the affairs of recent ages. Because Zhang Zhao was broadly learned, Sun Quan, unwilling to trouble him, had Zhang Xiu first study from Zhang Zhao and then teach Sun Deng. Zhang Xiu expounded clearly and was much loved by Sun Deng, who often kept him close in merriment^[1].
* Admonishing Sun Quan over hunting: Sun Quan once hunted until deep into the night before returning, and Zhang Xiu submitted a memorial to admonish him over it. Sun Quan greatly praised it and showed his memorial to Zhang Zhao, displaying Zhang Xiu's loyalty and forthright speech^[1].
* Right Assistant to the Crown Prince: After Sun Quan proclaimed himself emperor, he established Sun Deng as Crown Prince. Zhang Xiu, together with Zhuge Ke, Gu Tan, and Chen Biao, was ranked among the Crown Prince's "Four Friends," with Zhang Xiu serving as Right Assistant to aid the Crown Prince^[2].
* False accusation over assessing merits at Shaobei: After the death of the Crown Prince Sun Deng, Zhang Xiu, together with Gu Tan and Gu Cheng, was falsely accused by the partisans of the Prince of Lu, Sun Ba, over assessing merits at Shaobei, charged with colluding with the Army Director Chen Xun to falsely report battle merits, and was finally banished to Jiaozhou and granted death. This event was the turning point of the tragedy of Zhang Xiu's life^[1].
* Right Assistant to the Crown Prince (novel only): In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, after Sun Quan proclaimed himself emperor and established Sun Deng as Crown Prince, Zhang Xiu was appointed Right Assistant to the Crown Prince, ranked alongside Zhuge Ke's post of Left Tutor, jointly assisting the Crown Prince^[3]. The novel only mentions this appointment and does not develop the specific deeds.