Liu Zhang (warlord)

Liu Zhang
A Qing dynasty portrait of Liu Zhang
Warlord
Born	(Unknown)
Died	(Unknown)
Names
Traditional Chinese	劉璋
Simplified Chinese	刘璋
Pinyin	Líu Zhāng
Wade–Giles	Liu Chang
Courtesy name	Jiyu (Chinese: 季玉; pinyin: Jìyù; Wade–Giles: Chi-yü)

Liu Zhang (birth and death years unknown), courtesy name Jiyu, was a warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. He became the governor of Yi Province (益州; covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing), succeeding his father Liu Yan and ruled the region until 214, when he surrendered to Liu Bei. 6 years later, Zhang again surrendered to Eastern Wu, and died shortly afterwards. Liu Zhang is often considered a incapable leader but is noted to have been the original lord of some of Shu-Han's most famous generals and officials like Fa Zheng, Meng Da, Yan Yan, Liu Ba, Huang Quan, Wu Yi, Li Yan, Dong He, and others.

The youngest son of Liu Yan, Liu Zhang spent his early career at the Han court as an assistant to his two eldest brothers, Liu Fan and Liu Dan. They served at the court when it was controlled by the warlords Li Jue and Guo Si. Liu Zhang was sent by the court to admonish his father for brutal actions, but upon arriving his father refused to let him go back to the court.

In 194, following the deaths of his elder brothers and then his father, he succeeded governorship of Yi Province. During his rule over the province, he did not show ambition to expand his territory, but it is said that he was a good ruler and maintained peace in his realm.

In 200, Zhang Lu, who had previously recognized Liu Yan as his master, rebelled against Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang had Zhang Lu's mother, brothers, and other family members executed.