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


Zhang Xiu is a Vanguard hero in Total War: Three Kingdoms. He is a member of Zhang Ji in 194.

Biography[]

Zhang Xiu was from Zuli County, Wuwei Commandery. As a distant nephew of Zhang Ji (who was serving under Dong Zhuo), he served under the warlord Dong Zhuo. During the Liang Province rebellion, Zhang Xiu gained praise for killing a rebel who had murdered an official.

After Dong Zhuo's death, Zhang Xiu and Zhang Ji took part in a coup, leading to Zhang Xiu being promoted to, ironically enough, "General who Builds Loyalty", a title that he gained from a coup and later on in his life notably surrendering to Cao Cao, then betray him, then surrender to him again without betraying him.

He took command of Zhang Ji's troops after Zhang Ji's death and occupied Wancheng, allying with Liu Biao. In 197, Zhang Xiu surrendered to Cao Cao but later attacked him due to a personal slight of Cao Cao taking Zhang Ji's widow as a concubine. Offended by this personal slight, Zhang Xiu launched a surprise attack, leading to the Battle of Wancheng and the unfortunate deaths of Cao Cao's bodyguard Dian Wei, son Cao Ang, and nephew Cao Anmin.

For years, Cao Cao's forces attacked Zhang Xiu without success, until 200 when Zhang Xiu finally surrendered again on the advice of his strategist, Jia Xu. Proving that time heals all wounds, Cao Cao not only accepted Zhang Xiu's surrender but also proposed a marriage alliance between their families which surprisingly did not have any surprise attacks coming from either side this time.

Zhang Xiu performed admirably at the Battle of Guandu and was promoted. Unfortunately, his luck ran out in 207 when he died en route to join Cao Cao on a northern campaign. The Han imperial court graciously honored him with the posthumous title "Marquis Ding".

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