Historical Record
Zhang Ji, a figure of the late Eastern Han, was originally a general under Dong Zhuo. After Dong Zhuo was killed, his former subordinates Li Jue, Guo Si, and others fell into difficulty for a time, facing the prospect of their forces scattering. At that point Jia Xu offered them a plan, advising them to lead their troops in a counterattack on Chang'an, to avenge Dong Zhuo and seize control of the court. Zhang Ji, Fan Chou, and the others adopted Jia Xu's advice, mustered more than a hundred thousand troops, and ultimately stormed Chang'an, fighting fiercely with Lü Bu in the city, whereupon Lü Bu was defeated and fled. Thereafter Li Jue, Guo Si, Fan Chou, and Zhang Ji jointly controlled the court, carrying out widespread slaughter and bringing devastation upon the populace within Chang'an. Zhang Ji was accordingly appointed General of Agile Cavalry, enfeoffed as Marquis of Pingyang, and ordered to garrison Hongnong c:5313. Later, Zhang Ji led troops out of Guanzhong to attack Nanyang, where he was unfortunately killed in the campaign. His nephew Zhang Xiu inherited his troops c:1702.
In the Novel
In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhang Ji's portrayal largely accords with the historical record, but with more detail and dramatic color added. He first appears as a general under Dong Zhuo, accompanying Dong Zhuo to Luoyang c:5314. After Dong Zhuo seized power in Luoyang, Zhang Ji, Li Jue, Guo Si, and Fan Chou were his trusted commanders. When Wang Yun and Lü Bu plotted to slay Dong Zhuo, before returning to the capital Dong Zhuo had ordered Zhang Ji, Li Jue, Guo Si, and Fan Chou—four men—to lead three thousand Flying Bear troops to garrison Meiwu c:5315. After Dong Zhuo's death, when Li Jue, Guo Si, and others wished to kill Emperor Xian, Zhang Ji and Fan Chou dissuaded them, arguing that they should not kill the emperor outright but instead honor him as sovereign to command the lords, and only seek the realm after clipping his wings c:5316. This episode displays the relatively cautious side of Zhang Ji in the novel. Subsequently, he, Li Jue, Guo Si, and Fan Chou were all enfeoffed with high office; Zhang Ji was made General of Agile Cavalry and Marquis of Pingyang, and led troops to garrison Hongnong c:5316. During Emperor Xian's eastward return, Zhang Ji led a great army from Shaanxi to broker peace between Li Jue and Guo Si, and submitted a memorial requesting that the emperor proceed to Hongnong, providing grain, fodder, wine, and meat for the officials c:1703. In the end, Zhang Ji was struck and killed by a stray arrow while attacking Nanyang; his nephew Zhang Xiu inherited his troops, took Jia Xu as his strategist, allied with Liu Biao, garrisoned Wancheng, and plotted to assault the court and seize the imperial carriage c:1704.
Key Relationships
* Zhang Xiu (kin_of): Zhang Ji's nephew, who inherited his troops and power after Zhang Ji's death c:1702.
* Dong Zhuo's Faction (general): Zhang Ji was an important general under Dong Zhuo, and together with Li Jue, Guo Si, and Fan Chou was among Dong Zhuo's trusted men, jointly taking part in the capture of Chang'an and the control of the court after Dong Zhuo's death c:5313.
* Emperor Xian of Han (serves): While Li Jue, Guo Si, and others controlled the court, Zhang Ji was nominally a subject of Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, and once took part in escorting the emperor on his eastward return (novel only) c:1703.
Iconic Scenes
* Storming Chang'an and Controlling the Court: After Dong Zhuo's death, Zhang Ji, Li Jue, Guo Si, and Fan Chou adopted Jia Xu's plan, led their troops to storm Chang'an, defeated Lü Bu, and jointly seized control of the court; Zhang Ji was enfeoffed as General of Agile Cavalry and Marquis of Pingyang, garrisoning Hongnong c:5313.
* Dissuading the Regicide (novel only): In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, when Li Jue and Guo Si wished to kill Emperor Xian, Zhang Ji and Fan Chou intervened to dissuade them, advising that they first honor the emperor to command the lords and only afterward pursue their further aims—displaying his relatively cautious side c:5316.
* Brokering Peace and Welcoming the Emperor at Hongnong (novel only): During Emperor Xian's eastward return, Zhang Ji led a great army to broker peace between Li Jue and Guo Si, submitted a memorial requesting that the emperor proceed to Hongnong, and provided grain and fodder for the officials c:1703.
* Death in Battle at Nanyang: While leading troops to attack Nanyang, Zhang Ji was struck and killed by a stray arrow; his troops were inherited by his nephew Zhang Xiu c:1702.
Relationships
3 relationships
Family1
Lord & vassal1
Lines
- 演 ch.10 §1→ Li Jue📍 Chang'an
「不可。今日若便殺之，恐眾人不服；不如仍舊奉之為主，賺諸侯入關，先去其羽翼，然後殺之，天下可圖也。」
Chapters8 回 ▸
- 史ch.1ch.6ch.8
- 演ch.3ch.9ch.10ch.13ch.16
Relationship timeline3 条 ▸
Inner monologues · AI-generated1 段 ▸
- I am Zhang Ji; my courtesy name is unknown. After Dong Zhuo’s death, war broke out in Guanzhong, and Chang'an was once a
Life events1 ▸
- 0196-01-01 · Chang'anTurmoil of Li Jue and Guo Si· Warrior