Zhang Ni

Zhang Ni
General of Shu Han
Born	(Unknown)
Died	254
Names
Traditional Chinese	張嶷
Simplified Chinese	张嶷
Pinyin	Zhāng Ni
Wade–Giles	Chang Ni
Courtesy name	Boqi (Chinese: 伯岐; pinyin: Bóqí; Wade–Giles: Po-chi)

Zhang Ni (died 254), courtesy name Boqi, was a military general of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. He was instrumental in pacifying the indigenous tribes residing within and around the border of Shu. He spent at least 18 years dealing with the continuum of domestic uprisings around Yuesou and Ba commanderies, and only entered the central government after numerous petitions. He was slain by Cao Wei's defending general, Xu Zhi, during one of Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions. His name is sometimes rendered as "Zhang Yi".

Zhang Ni came from Ba commandery, and became a county clerk during his youth. During Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province, bandits took the opportunity to ransack the county Zhang worked in. Overran by the rebels, Zhang Ni engaged close combat and protected the wife of his supervisor from the mob. This incident made him famous, and the commandery summoned his service.

Later, the Sou tribes (叟) of Yuesui (越巂) rose up and retaliated Zhuge Liang's Southern Campaign by killing two officials who Shu-Han regime assigned as superintendents. Due the local resistance, future designated Administers of Yuesou dared not enter their appointed jurisdiction. As a result, Shu-Han could only claim its rule over the area, while the state was actually impuissant to control the commandary under collar.

At this juncture, Zhang Ni was chosen as the new Administer. During his tenure, Zhang Ni successfully persuaded some tribes to recognize Shu-Han's rule, and he was rewarded with a marquis title in return. Zhang Ni stayed in Yuesui for three years until he was repatriated to his native commandery of Ba.

When Zhang Ni learned local tribes of Dingji (定莋), Taideng (台登), and Beishui (卑水) counties discovered iron and lacquer, he led his troops to pillage the counties and assigned officials to watch over the minorities. Zhang Ni himself moved to Dingji county, where he expected tribal leaders to personally greet him.

However, an uncle of a tribal king, Lang Cen (狼岑), who was trusted by the tribesmen, sent only representatives to the administrator's abode and refused to meet the rapacious Zhang Ni in person, because Lang Cen was indignant upon Zhang's previous plunder. In response, Zhang Ni led tens of his strongest guards to the reputable Lang Cen and flogged him to death. Zhang Ni then brought back the corpse to the tribal forum for public demonstration. Zhang Ni warned the public, "don't move (don't try to take revenge); otherwise, you will be killed." Zhang Ni bribed the tribesmen and told them Lang Cen was evil, so the tribes surrendered.

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Wikipedia