Zhāng Liáng (张良)

**Zhang Liang (张良): The Master Strategist of the Han Dynasty** **Early Life and Background** Born around 251 BCE into a noble family of the fallen Han state (one of the Warring States), Zhang Liang grew up during the chaotic Qin dynasty. After the Qin conquest, he dedicated his life to overthrowing the tyrannical regime. A famous legend tells of an elderly man (possibly the Daoist sage Huang Shigong) who tested Zhang’s patience by dropping his shoe into a river three times. Zhang retrieved it each time without complaint, earning the man’s favor and a secret military strategy text—foundational to his later success. **Major Achievements** Zhang Liang became a key strategist for Liu Bang, founder of the Han dynasty. His brilliance shone in critical moments: - **Battle of Gaixia (202 BCE)**: His tactics helped defeat Xiang Yu, Liu Bang’s rival, securing Han rule. - **Political Wisdom**: He advised Liu Bang to adopt Confucian and Daoist principles, stabilizing the new empire. - **Institutional Reforms**: He shaped early Han governance, promoting meritocracy over Qin’s harsh Legalism. **Historical Significance** Zhang Liang’s strategic mind and political foresight were instrumental in ending Qin oppression and establishing the 400-year Han dynasty, a golden age in Chinese history. **Interesting Facts** - Despite his military genius, Zhang Liang was frail and often ill, relying on intellect over brute strength. - He famously refused lavish rewards, retiring early to study Daoism—a move that enhanced his legendary status. **Legacy and Influence** Revered as one of China’s greatest strategists, Zhang Liang appears in proverbs, operas, and modern media (e.g., *Red Cliff* films). His life symbolizes wisdom, patience, and the Daoist ideal of achieving greatness through subtlety. Temples and cultural references honor him as a model of scholarly strategy. Zhang Liang’s legacy endures as a blend of intellectual brilliance and humble virtue—a timeless archetype in Chinese lore.