Zhang Liao

At the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford he charged Sun Quan's army of 100,000 with 800 men, striking awe throughout Jiangdong.

Life

Serving Several Masters

Zhang Liao served in turn under Ding Yuan, Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu. After Lü Bu's downfall he surrendered to Cao Cao and campaigned on all fronts with him, repeatedly winning distinction.

Mount Bailang

In 215 Sun Quan besieged Hefei with an army of 100,000, while Zhang Liao, Li Dian and Yue Jin defended the city with only 7,000 men. He recruited 800 men willing to die, and at dawn, in armor and wielding a halberd, charged into the Wu army right up to Sun Quan's command post, breaking the Wu troops' morale.

Xiaoyao Ford

After besieging the city for more than ten days, Sun Quan withdrew, and Zhang Liao pursued him at Xiaoyao Ford, nearly capturing him. For a time afterward Jiangdong had a legend that "Zhang Liao's name stops children crying." He died of illness at Jiangdu in 222.

Legacy

Zhang Liao was first among the Five Elite Generals of Cao Wei, and the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford is a classic case of the few defeating the many in the Three Kingdoms.

Major works & achievements

• Crushed Sun Quan at the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford

Did you know? At Xiaoyao Ford, Sun Quan escaped only by having his horse leap across a broken bridge.

Key dates

• 198Surrendered to Cao Cao
• 207Slew Tadun at Mount Bailang
• 215Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
• 222Died of illness