Conquest of Yi Province
Around 212, relations between Liu Bei and Liu Zhang deteriorated to the point of conflict, where Liu Bei started a campaign aimed at seizing Yi Province from Liu Zhang. Liu Bei ordered Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei and others to lead reinforcements into Yi Province to help him, while Guan Yu would remain behind to defend Jing Province.(先主軍益強，分遣諸將平下屬縣，諸葛亮、張飛、趙雲等將兵溯流定白帝、江州、江陽，惟關羽留鎮荊州。) Sanguozhi vol. 32.(先主入益州，還攻劉璋，飛與諸葛亮等泝流而上，分定郡縣。) Sanguozhi vol. 36.
Along the way, Zhang Fei attacked Jiangzhou (江州; around present-day Yuzhong District, Chongqing), which was defended by Yan Yan, the Administrator of Ba commandery (巴郡) under Liu Zhang, and captured Yan alive. Zhang Fei said to Yan Yan, "When my army showed up, why did you put up resistance instead of surrendering?" Yan Yan replied, "You people launched an unwarranted attack on my home province. There may be generals in my province who will lose their heads, but there are none who will surrender." Zhang Fei was enraged and he ordered Yan Yan’s execution. Yan Yan was expressionless, and he said, "If you want to chop off my head, then do it! What’s with all that outburst of anger?" Zhang Fei was so impressed with Yan Yan’s courage that he spared and released the latter and treated him like an honoured guest.(至江州，破璋將巴郡太守嚴顏，生獲顏。飛呵顏曰：「大軍至，何以不降，而敢拒戰？」顏荅曰：「卿等無狀，侵奪我州，我州但有斷頭將軍，無有降將軍也。」飛怒，令左右牽去斫頭，顏色不變，曰：「斫頭便斫頭，何為怒邪！」飛壯而釋之，引為賔客。) Sanguozhi vol. 36.
Zhang Fei’s army then proceeded to break through Liu Zhang’s defences until they reached Chengdu (Yi Province’s capital), where they rendezvoused with Liu Bei and the others. In 215, Liu Zhang surrendered and yielded Yi Province to Liu Bei. Liu Bei rewarded Zhuge Liang, Fa Zheng, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu each with 500 jin of gold, 1,000 jin of silver, 50 million coins and 1,000 rolls of silk. Zhang Fei was also appointed as the Administrator (太守) of Baxi commandery (巴西郡; north of present-day Dianjiang County, Chongqing).(飛所過戰克，與先主會于成都。益州旣平，賜諸葛亮、法正、飛及關羽金各五百斤，銀千斤，錢五千萬，錦千匹，其餘頒賜各有差，以飛領巴西太守。) Sanguozhi vol. 36.
Modern references
The Kuomintang general Zhang Fakui was nicknamed "Zhang Fei". In 1959, the People’s Liberation Army marshal Peng Dehuai identified himself with Zhang Fei. Because Mao Zedong was popularly associated with Cao Cao, Mao and other members of the Chinese Communist Party interpreted Peng’s identification with Zhang as confrontational, eventually leading to Mao ending Peng’s career.Domes, Jurgen. , London: C. Hurst & Company. 1985. ISBN 0-905838-99-8. p.91
Zhang Fei appears on the Kunqu stage as a hualian. In one particular famous scene, The Swaying Reeds, Zhang Fei ambushes and humiliates Zhou Yu before setting him free.
Zhang Fei is featured as a playable character in all instalments of Koei’s Dynasty Warriors video game series, as well as Warriors Orochi, a crossover between Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors. He also appears in other video games produced by Koei, such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dynasty Tactics and Kessen II. Other non-Koei titles that he is featured in include Clash of Kingdoms, Three Kingdoms: Fate of the Dragon and Destiny of an Emperor.
In the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering, there is a card named "Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior" in the Portal Three Kingdoms set. In Koihime Musō, Zhang Fei is portrayed as a young female character who was given the real name "Rinrin".
Service in Shu Han
In 221, Liu Bei declared himself emperor and founded the state of Shu Han. He promoted Zhang Fei to "General of Chariots and Cavalry" (車騎將軍) and "Director of Retainers" (司隸校尉), and granted the latter the title of "Marquis of Xi District" (西鄉侯). His imperial edict read: "I have received the Mandate of Heaven and inherited the noble work of my ancestors. I am obliged to restore peace and purge the Empire of chaos. As of now, there are villains and barbarians causing destruction and harm to the people, while those who miss the Han Dynasty eagerly hope for its restoration. I feel distressed, I can neither rest well nor have my meals in peace. I have prepared the armies and made an oath to bring Heaven’s punishment upon those evildoers. You are loyal and resolute, your deeds are comparable to those of Shao Hu,Duke Mu of Shao (召穆公), personal name Shao Hu (召虎), was a noble who lived in the Western Zhou Dynasty during the reigns of King Li and King Xuan. He was known for assisting King Xuan in governing the state, and once led troops to defeat barbarian forces in the Huai River area. your fame spreads near and far. As such, I give you special appointments, grant you a title of nobility, and put you in charge of affairs in the capital. You are born with Heaven’s might, you use virtue to win over others, and you dish out punishments to wrongdoers. I am very pleased with you. The Classic of Poetry stated: ‘Not to distress the people, nor with urgency, but making them conform to the royal state. You have commenced and earnestly displayed your merit, and I will make you happy.’ How can I not give encouragement to you?"(章武元年，遷車騎將軍，領司隷校尉，進封西鄉侯，策曰：「朕承天序，嗣奉洪業，除殘靖亂，未燭厥理。今寇虜作害，民被荼毒，思漢之士，延頸鶴望。朕用怛然，坐不安席，食不甘味，整軍誥誓，將行天罰。以君忠毅，侔蹤召、虎，名宣遐邇，故特顯命，高墉進爵，兼司于京。其誕將天威，柔服以德，伐叛以刑，稱朕意焉。詩不云乎，『匪疚匪棘，王國來極。肇敏戎功，用錫爾祉』。可不勉歟！」) Sanguozhi vol. 36.
Death
Earlier in late 219, Sun Quan broke his alliance with Liu Bei and sent his general Lü Meng to lead an invasion on Jing Province, which resulted in the death of Guan Yu and the loss of Jing Province. In 222, Liu Bei launched a campaign against Sun Quan to take revenge and seize back Jing Province. Zhang Fei was ordered to lead 10,000 troops from Langzhong (閬中) to rendezvous with Liu Bei’s main force at Jiangzhou (江州; around present-day Yuzhong District, Chongqing). However, before departing, Zhang Fei was assassinated by his subordinates Fan Qiang (范彊) and Zhang Da (張達). They cut off Zhang Fei’s head and brought it along with them when they defected to Sun Quan’s side. Zhang Fei’s camp commandant wrote a report to Liu Bei. When Liu Bei heard that Zhang Fei’s camp commandant had sent him a report, he exclaimed, "Oh! (Zhang) Fei is dead."(先主伐吳，飛當率兵萬人，自閬中會江州。臨發，其帳下將張達、范彊殺飛，持其首，順流而奔孫權。飛營都督表報先主，先主聞飛都督之有表也，曰：「噫！飛死矣。」) Sanguozhi vol. 36.
In 260, Liu Bei’s son and successor Liu Shan granted Zhang Fei a posthumous title — "Marquis Huan" (桓侯).(追謚飛曰桓侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 36.([景耀]三年秋九月，追謚故將軍關羽、張飛、馬超、龐統、黃忠。) Sanguozhi vol. 33.
Notes
Family
In 200 CE, Zhang Fei chanced upon Xiahou Yuan’s niece while she was out gathering firewood and he took her home. She was 12 or 13 years old at that time. Zhang Fei knew that she was of good upbringing, so he married her. She bore him a daughter, who later married Liu Shan and became known as Empress Jing’ai in the state of Shu.(初，建安五年，時霸從妹年十三四，在本郡，出行樵採，為張飛所得。飛知其良家女，遂以為妻，產息女，為劉禪皇后。) Weilue annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 9.(後主敬哀皇后，車騎將軍張飛長女也。) Sanguozhi vol. 34. Empress Jing’ai had a younger sister who also married Liu Shan and was known as Empress Zhang.(後主張皇后，前后敬哀之妹也。) Sanguozhi vol. 34.
Zhang Fei’s eldest son Zhang Bao died at a young age.(長子苞，早夭。) Sanguozhi vol. 36. Zhang Bao’s son, Zhang Zun (張遵), served as an Imperial Secretary (尚書). In 263, during the Conquest of Shu by Wei, he followed Zhuge Zhan to defend Mianzhu Pass (綿竹關) from the Wei general Deng Ai but was killed in action.(苞子遵為尚書，隨諸葛瞻於綿竹，與鄧艾戰，死。) Sanguozhi vol. 36.(忠、纂馳還更戰，大破之，斬瞻及尚書張遵等首，進軍到雒。) Sanguozhi vol. 28.
Zhang Fei’s second son, Zhang Shao (張紹), inherited his father’s marquis title and served as a "Palace Attendant and Deputy Director in the Imperial Secretariat" (侍中尚書僕射) in Shu.(次子紹嗣，官至侍中尚書僕射。) Sanguozhi vol. 36. In 263, the Shu emperor Liu Shan ordered Zhang Shao, Qiao Zhou and Deng Liang (鄧良) to represent him when he officially surrendered to Deng Ai and brought an end to the Shu regime. After the fall of Shu, Zhang Shao accompanied Liu Shan to the Wei capital Luoyang, where he was enfeoffed as a marquis along with some other former Shu officials.(用光祿大夫譙周策，降於艾，奉書曰：「… 謹遣私署侍中張紹、光祿大夫譙周、駙馬都尉鄧良奉齎印緩，請命告誠， …」 … 紹、良與艾相遇於雒縣。 … 後主舉家東遷，旣至洛陽， … 尚書令樊建、侍中張紹、光祿大夫譙周、祕書令郤正、殿中督張通並封列侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 33.
Hanzhong Campaign
Battle of Baxi
In around 216, Cao Cao attacked and defeated Zhang Lu, after which Hanzhong commandery came under Cao’s control. Cao Cao left Xiahou Yuan, Zhang He and others behind to defend Hanzhong while he returned to Ye (鄴). During that time, Zhang He led his forces to attack Baxi (巴西) with the aim of forcing Baxi’s residents to relocate to Hanzhong. His army passed through Dangqu (宕渠), Mengtou (蒙頭) and Dangshi (盪石), and encountered Zhang Fei’s troops. Both sides held their positions for over 50 days, after which Zhang Fei led about 10,000 elite soldiers and took an alternative route to attack Zhang He. As the mountain paths were very narrow and inaccessible, Zhang He’s army was effectively divided into two because the troops at the front and the rear were unable to contact and assist each other, resulting in a victory for Zhang Fei. Zhang He and about ten of his men escaped on foot through a shortcut and retreated back to Nanzheng (南鄭). Peace was restored in Baxi.(曹公破張魯，留夏侯淵、張郃守漢川。郃別督諸軍下巴西，欲徙其民於漢中，進軍宕渠、蒙頭、盪石，與飛相拒五十餘日。飛率精卒萬餘人，從他道邀郃軍交戰，山道迮狹，前後不得相救，飛遂破郃。郃棄馬緣山，獨與麾下十餘人從間道退，引軍還南鄭，巴土獲安。) Sanguozhi vol. 36.
Conquest of Hanzhong
In 217, Liu Bei mobilised his forces and personally led a campaign to seize control of Hanzhong from Cao Cao. He ordered Zhang Fei and Ma Chao to supervise Wu Lan (吳蘭), Lei Tong and Ren Kui (任夔) to attack Wudu (武都), which was defended by Cao Hong. Zhang Fei attempted to trick Cao Hong into believing that they were planning to seal his retreat route, but Cao Xiu saw through the ruse, and Zhang suffered a defeat which absolved him from continuing the campaign – Lei Tong and Ren Kui were killed in action while Wu Lan fled to Yinping (陰平) and was killed by a Di chieftain Qiangduan (強端).(二十三年，先主率諸將進兵漢中。分遣將軍吳蘭、雷銅等入武都，皆為曹公軍所沒。) Sanguozhi vol. 32.(曹洪破吳蘭，斬其將任夔等。三月，張飛、馬超走漢中，陰平氐強端斬吳蘭，傳其首。) Sanguozhi vol. 1.(劉備遣將吳蘭屯下辯，太祖遣曹洪征之，以休為騎都尉，參洪軍事。太祖謂休曰：「汝雖參軍，其實帥也。」洪聞此令，亦委事於休。備遣張飛屯固山，欲斷軍後。衆議狐疑，休曰：「賊實斷道者，當伏兵潛行。今乃先張聲勢，此其不能也。宜及其未集，促擊蘭，蘭破則飛自走矣。」洪從之，進兵擊蘭，大破之，飛果走。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
In 219, Liu Bei emerged victorious in the Hanzhong Campaign and proceeded to proclaim himself "King of Hanzhong" (漢中王). He appointed Zhang Fei as "General of the Right" (右將軍).(先主為漢中王，拜飛為右將軍、假節。) Sanguozhi vol. 36. Liu Bei later planned to return to Chengdu and he wanted to leave a seasoned general behind to guard Hanzhong. Many people believed that Zhang Fei would receive this responsibility and even Zhang himself thought so too. However, much to everyone’s surprise, Liu Bei chose Wei Yan instead and appointed the latter as the Administrator (太守) of Hanzhong.(先主為漢中王，遷治成都，當得重將以鎮漢川，衆論以為必在張飛，飛亦以心自許。先主乃拔延為督漢中鎮遠將軍，領漢中太守，一軍盡驚。) Sanguozhi vol. 40.
Appraisal
Chen Shou, who wrote Zhang Fei’s biography in the Sanguozhi, commented on the latter as such: "[…] Zhang Fei were referred to as mighty warriors capable of fighting thousands of enemies. They were like tigers among (Liu Bei’s) subjects. […] Zhang Fei had the style of a guoshiGuoshi (國士) could loosely translated as "gentleman of the state". It was used to refer to very outstanding persons in a country. See the when he released Yan Yan out of righteousness. However, […] Zhang Fei was brutal and heartless, and these shortcomings resulted in their downfalls. This was not something uncommon."(評曰：關羽、張飛皆稱萬人之敵，為世虎臣。羽報效曹公，飛義釋嚴顏，並有國士之風。然羽剛而自矜，飛暴而無恩，以短取敗，理數之常也。) Sanguozhi vol. 36.
Cheng Yu, an advisor to Cao Cao, also once mentioned that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were "capable of fighting thousands of enemies". In the main text of Zhang Fei’s biography, Chen Shou wrote that Zhang Fei respected virtuous persons and detested those of vile character. Liu Bei had constantly warned Zhang Fei about his barbaric behaviour as he once told the latter, "You have dealt out far too excessive punishments. You often flog your men, who are actually the ones who will carry out your orders. Your behaviour will get you into trouble." Zhang Fei still did not change his ways.(初，飛雄壯威猛，亞於關羽，魏謀臣程昱等咸稱羽、飛萬人之敵也。羽善待卒伍而驕於士大夫，飛愛敬君子而不恤小人。 … 先主常戒之曰：「卿刑殺旣過差，又日鞭檛健兒，而令在左右，此取禍之道也。」飛猶不悛。) Sanguozhi vol. 36.
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