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Zhang Wen is a Chinese name; the family name is Zhang.


Zhang Wen is a Strategist hero in Total War: Three Kingdoms. He is a member of Liu Hong in 182.

Biography[]

An official and military general of the Han dynasty. By 184, he was Minister of Finance, and was promoted in the same year to the prime ministerial office of Grand Excellency of Works. Although Zhang was considered a competent official and well-qualified for the post, he was compelled to pay a bribe to secure his appointment just like every politicians and officials during that time. He held prime ministerial office, serving as Grand Excellency of Works from 184 to 185 and Grand Commandant from 186 to 187. Zhang Wen oversaw the dynasty's military response to the Liang Province Rebellion from 185 to 186, supervising future warlords Dong Zhuo and Sun Jian.

In 185, after Huangfu Song's failure to quash a rebellion in Liang Province, Zhang Wen was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry to lead a 100,000-strong army. Managing his subordinate, Dong Zhuo, was a bit of a headache, with Dong treating him with utmost disdain. Despite Sun Jian's brilliant suggestion to execute Dong, Zhang, recognizing Dong's popularity, decided to keep him around, a decision that he might regret later on. The campaign was, predictably, inconclusive. Though he became Grand Commandant in 186, Zhang resigned the next year due to ongoing unrest.

In 188, Zhang returned to office as Colonel-Director of Retainers, a fancy title for a highly influential position reporting directly to the emperor. Emperor Ling died the following year, and Dong Zhuo, did typical Dong Zhuo things: taking control of the government, deposing Emperor Shao (and poisoning him), installing Emperor Xian under his control before moving the court to Chang'an but after razing the capital city while generally being sadistic and tyrannical.

Zhang followed the court to Chang'an and was appointed Minister of the Guards by 191. Like everyone else ever, he wasn't a fan of Dong's harsh rule, Zhang conspired against him with Wang Yun. Unfortunately, a court astronomer predicted the death of a prominent minister, and Dong, ever the opportunist, ordered Zhang's execution to fulfill the prophecy. Zhang was flogged to death in the Chang'an marketplace on 5 November 191.

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