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Zhang Jiao
Dynasty Warriors 9 artwork
Character Information
Force(s): Yellow Turbans
Age:
55
Height:
183 cm (6'0")
Weapon Type: Sword (2)
Staff (3~9)
Significant Battle(s):
Playable Debut: Dynasty Warriors 2
Historical Information
Real name:
Zhāng Jué
Chinese name:
張角 - 张角
Born:
?
Died:
184
Warriors Orochi Info
Force:
Stage:
Kyushu (WO1)
Lou Sang Village (WO2)
Guangzong (WO3)
Character Type:
Technique (WO1~2, 4)
Wonder (WO3)
Personal Item:
The Way of Peace
Sacred Treasure:
Caduceus

Zhang Jue (onyomi: Chō Kaku) was formerly a doctor that became the leader of the infamous Yellow Turbans, the army fighting for a religious sect known as the Way of Peace. Accompanied by his brothers Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao, he began a rebellion against the corrupt and indifferent Han Dynasty. Their struggle forms the basis of the Three Kingdoms era. Romance of the Three Kingdoms was well-known for depicting him as having ties to sorcery.

Dynasty Warriors prefers to use the alternative reading of the character "Jue", hence his name is Zhang Jiao for this franchise. He is sixtieth place out of sixty-two characters in Gamecity's Dynasty Warriors 7 character popularity poll; he placed sixty-ninth in the Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends popularity poll. The latest poll for the eighth installment puts him in eighty-third. The character poll for overseas fans puts him in ninth place for the Other division.

Role in Games[]

"The people have shown their support for the new age! We shall not fall to the dregs of a dying empire!"
~~Zhang Jiao

Dynasty Warriors[]

Zhang Jiao is a talented scholar who could become appointed with a court position. Dismayed with his wasted talent, a mystic visited him and gives him a mystical book called The Way of Peace. Zhang Jiao reads its contents and masters its sorcery within a short time. Discontent with the despot Han Dynasty, Zhang Jiao makes a radical notion to tear down the current government and gathers a group of sympathetic followers to his aid. He dubs his followers his "children" and works with his brothers to spread their teachings. Unless players are playing his scenario, the Han imperial forces band together under He Jin and put an end to Zhang Jiao and his brothers.

Zhang Jiao's only appearance in Dynasty Warriors 2 is at the Yellow Turban Rebellion, in which he leads his followers and dies attempting to overthrow the Han.

Dynasty Warriors 3 has him play a similar role to his last appearance, though the player must defeat him three times during the battle.

In his story in Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends, he attempts to rekindle his faith in himself, as well as his follower's faith in him, as they set off for the "Promised Land". They avoid religious persecution by the Han Empire, and Zhang Jiao is constantly defending themselves from Han loyalists. After they flee from He Jin's group, Zhang Jiao quells bandit uprisings started by men claiming to be Yellow Turbans. Regaining faith in himself, they defeat their pursuers, Yuan Shao and Liu Bei. They sail by sea to Jing Province, where they are offered shelter by Liu Biao. Unfortunately, Liu Biao's hospitality is only a guise; under the direction of Sun Jian, Liu Biao ambushes the Yellow Turban army at night and forces the pilgrims to flee once more; this time, Sun Jian is routed and Liu Biao is killed in their struggle.

Cao Cao then organizes a cooperative effort with Yuan Shao, Liu Bei and Sun Jian to defeat the Yellow Turbans at Chang Jiang when Zhang Jiao prepares to cross the river, but they are unable to catch up to the believers of the Way of Peace before they cross Chang Jiang, resulting in all the regional lords giving up pursuit but Liu Bei. To rid the land of the Yellow Turbans, the last loyalist recruits Zhuge Liang and they attack Zhang Jiao at Yi Ling. Zhang Jiao's followers meet their goal and slays Liu Bei to get pass. The Yellow Turbans arrive at the Promised Land, Nan Zhong, but find that the Nanman people and Zhuge Liang obstruct their path. After their final confrontation, Zhuge Liang flees and the Nanman people allows Zhang Jiao to stay, thus the Yellow Turbans are finally free to enjoy peace at Nan Zhong.

His story mode in Dynasty Warriors 4 is a straight forward suppression of the other forces. He may choose to rout Zhu Jun and Huangfu Song, but his challengers remain relatively the same as before. Weakening his competition to make way for Heaven, the Yellow Turbans face all of their challengers and Lu Bu in one final showdown. Clearing the land of their presence leads to a new land of peace under Zhang Jiao.

His Legend Mode in the Xtreme Legends expansion details the Yellow Turbans' last stand. Surrounded on both sides by the Allied Forces, Zhang Jiao decides to tip the odds of battle into their favor by saving his followers personally. Their enemies emerge from various gates on the map, and Zhang Jiao is given the task to seal them before too many enemy officers arrive. Once he beats the enemy commander, the Han is destroyed and the Yellow Turbans can create their future for the land.

Zhang Jiao's main goal in Dynasty Warriors 5 is to convert people to his religion, The Way of Peace, and replace the Han Empire with his philosophy. He counters Dong Zhuo's attacks and defeats Yuan Shao, leading to the reeduction of the Naman tribe. Zhang Jiao defeats He Jin and the Han forces, leading to the defeat of the Han Dynasty and the establishment of a new land of peace led by the Yellow Turbans.

In the Xtreme Legends expansion, Zhang Jiao shares his Legend Mode with Pang Tong and Zuo Ci. A year before the Yellow Turban Rebellion takes place, the three men compete to obtain the mystical book, The Way of Peace. Despite the other two trying to reason with his approach in stirring up the common folk, Zhang Jiao reasons that he must be the one to light the people's path forward when no one else is able to do so. When he wins the competition, he bids his followers to rejoice for him obtaining the mystical book. He preaches that the book will quicken Heaven's teachings across the land. He also serves as the boss of the Lou Sang Village stage which Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei must fight to save the village.

Zhang Jiao continues to act as the leader of the Yellow Turban Rebellion and is slain in every character's scenario in Dynasty Warriors 6. In Lu Bu's Musou Mode, he puts aside his differences with Dong Zhuo to revive both of them from beyond the grave. They both desire to kill Lu Bu, and they eventually work together with the other regional lords to end the menace. He is among the many slain in Lu Bu's ending.

Mainly appearing during the Yellow Turban Rebellion scenario in Dynasty Warriors 7, Zhang Jiao offers cryptic prophecies and foretells an era of war already descending on their age. He attempts to individually tell the fortune of each person who defeats him as his way of getting the last laugh against his oppressors. While Sun Jian and Liu Bei let him say his final piece, a detached Xiahou Dun loses patience and cuts him down in the middle of his death speech. When Zhang Jiao dies, he falls to the ground and his corpse magically burns away.

His first Legendary Battle lets players fight as his side of the same conflict featured in Story Mode. His second Legendary Battle takes place after the Yellow Turbans Rebellion. Zhang Jiao decides to travel through the mountains to spread the teachings of the Way of Peace. He proves its merit to a disbelieving Zhong Hui and offers to cure Guo Huai's illness. Zhang Jiao extends his teachings to the passing Guan Suo and Bao Sanniang, but the maiden of the duo strongly states her refusal to him.

The Xtreme Legends expansion has Zhang Jiao star in the first Hero Scenario. Having gathered a massive amount of followers with his preaching, the Yellow Turbans become a threat to the Han Dynasty. Dong Zhuo leads an army to suppress the rebels and gradually succeeds in halting their movements. Zhang Jiao leads his followers to repel the Han commander and simultaneously has the option to punish the bandits who pillage the nearby villagers. Converting to the bandits to join them upon their defeat, Zhang Jiao and the Yellow Turbans eventually stave off the Han army together.

Dynasty Warriors Next has players fight Zhang Jiao during the first chapter at Jinyang. He and his allies use sorcery to conjure pillars of fire in an attempt to protect the sanctums. The loss of their sanctums leaves their main camp wide open, forcing Zhang Jiao to rely on reinforcements to overwhelm the imperial forces. He is then confronted by Liu Bei who slays him with ease. Zhang Jiao is only playable in Conquest Mode.

In Dynasty Warriors 8, Zhang Jiao's demise can be averted during Shu's Story Mode by protecting the peasants caught up in the Yellow Turban Rebellion. This causes the religious leader to reconsider his views and become an ally of Shu in later battles, aiding them against the likes of Dong Zhuo at Hulao Gate as well as the combined forces of Wei and Wu at Fan Castle.

The Xtreme Legends expansion gives him a new scenario which details his services under Liu Bei following Shu's hypothetical route. Accompanying Zuo Ci, he aids the isolated Shu army at Runan and helps them repel the swarming forces of Wei. Winning the battle, both sorcerers are praised by Liu Bei and pledge their future to serving Shu.

Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed has Zhang Jiao appear as one of the target bosses for Iron Alliance. In this mode, he has access to unique moves and buffs his playable version lacks.

His bond story is a retelling of how he came into prominence as the leader of the Yellow Turbans. While out picking herbs for the afflicted, he meets a Taoist who gives him the Book of Peace which contains various spells. Using the book to heal the sick and grant his siblings magic powers, word of his miracles spread throughout the land. When news of this reaches Dong Zhuo, he demands Zhang Jiao to prove his abilities only to receive a severe beating in return.

In Dynasty Warriors 9, Zhang Jiao starts as a simple commoner, but he witnesses first-hand the corruption and apathy of government officials to the suffering of the peasants. Zhang Jiao sees this change as a sign that the Han Dynasty no longer carries favor with the heavens and plans his rebellion.

Once they rally their supporters, Zhang Jiao formally begins the rebellion. For their first task, they must repel Gongsun Zan from attacking Qing Province, and blocked their access to the capital. Soon after, another imperial army begins attacking Guangzong, the headquarters. After rescuing his base and taking the enemy base at Xuchang, Zhang Jiao begins celebrating their success with their forces.

Unfortunately, his own body begins failing to illness, much to the concern of Zhang Liang, Zhang Bao, and their troops at the thought of losing their leader before realizing their ambitions. Despite this, he notes the struggles have brought out multiple heroes such as Cao Cao, Sun Jian, and Liu Bei with his oath brothers, and is confident in their future battles against them.

After his story, the rebellion takes full swing, but the new wave of recruits prove too much for the Yellow Turbans. Zhang Jiao, himself, is cornered at Guangzong, but he has Liao Hua and Zhou Cang protect the sorcery units responsible for the hurricanes and lightning strikes respectively. Upon being confronted by the imperial forces, Zhang Jiao powers himself up with magical urns. In spite of his attempts, he is defeated and killed by the imperial army.

Warriors Orochi[]

Before Warriors Orochi, Zhang Jiao worked with the Mystic army to bring down the escaped prisoner of the mystical realm, Orochi, at Hinokawa. Though they failed to bring him back to the Mystic realm, he continues to be a part of the resistance army. He joins forces with Okuni, Sakon and Xiao Qiao. When Nobunaga defeats them, he joins the Samurai forces. He constantly preaches that Orochi is the devil, which is not exactly an inaccurate description, and urges anyone who will listen to rise up against the Serpent King.

In Warriors Orochi 2, Zhang Jiao appears at the beginning of the Samurai story, where he is attacked by Dong Zhuo. Zhang Jiao struggles to lead the frightened Yellow Turban army against Dong Zhuo, but he and his followers are ultimately saved by Sakon and Fu Xi's combined efforts. He joins Sakon's forces in gratitude. He shares his dream mode with Pang Tong and Zuo Ci as the three sorcerers pit themselves against the ninjas. His personal achievement is eliminating Kunoichi's whirlwinds.

Continuing to inspire the Yellow Turbans in the third installment, Zhang Jiao leads them to the desolate Guangzong and establishes a capital for them. Under his command, the rebels live peacefully as an independent power. When Sima Yi and company barge into their territory looking for a "girl in a box", the Yellow Turbans mistake them as outlaws aiming to take their leader's life and try to prevent their advance. On the other hand Zhang Jiao is more than willing to listen to them and agrees to their request to free Gracia from her prison. Stating that heaven commands him to act, Zhang Jiao lends his strengths to them thereafter.

In the DLC Stage Sermon at Koshi Castle (the site of the showdown against Susano'o), Zhang Jiao works to convert demons to the Way of Peace, only to fail comically thanks to Susano'o's dispelling.

Zhang Jiao is left at Guandu alongside his brothers in Warriors Orochi 4, until they are attacked by Dodomeki and his demons. Kotarō Fūma and Li Dian arrive and rescue the trio, but Kotarō attacks them to add more chaos to fight. Eventually, Zhang Jiao and his brothers change the tide of battle by using their sorcery to strike fear into the demon army. After victory is achieved, he joins the Coalition.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms[]

Absent from the earlier titles within the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, Zhang Jiao and his faction debuted in the fifth title and have been a mainstay for most of the games released since save for the seventh and eighth titles. In light of his role as the leader of the Yellow Turban movement, Zhang Jiao is a figure that possesses a remarkable Charisma stat in the very high 90's that is second only to Liu Bei while possessing very strong Leadership, Politics and Intelligence stats which fall in the mid to high 80's. In reference to his relative frailty and early death, Zhang Jiao possesses a very poor War stat as well as an early death year in the conflict, likely dying shortly after the beginning of the Yellow Turban Rebellion scenario when the officer death setting is active. The initial Yellow Turban faction itself holds territories ranging from most of Hebei to Puyang, Xuchang and as far as Wan, but outside the three Zhang brothers, is composed mostly of bandits who are only proficient in battle and are lacking in domestic capabilities.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV places emphasis on Zhang Jiao's leadership qualities as well as his background as a healer and mystic. He possesses a unique character trait, Yellow Skies which heals the wounded soldiers of units beside his own that are in battle each turn while his other character traits decrease the morale of enemy units each turn (Sorcerer), decrease the troop count thresholds needed to expand his unit's range of conquer (Glory), decrease the period of time ally units are inflicted with the disorder status ailment (Famed Mirror) and expedite the recovery of wounded soldiers in the city Zhang Jiao is based in (Doctor). The range of formations Zhang Jiao has access to specialise in balanced, drawn-out battles against enemy units and in the case of Ring, negate the disadvantages of his weak War stat by preventing his involvement in one-on-one duels. His access to the Crane and Catapult formation also make Zhang Jiao a very able officer for sieging cities and gates. His administrative policy bolsters the strength of all Domestic category policies (For the People Lv 03). His unique battle skill, Great Peace Magic inflicts several status ailments on enemy units while healing any wounded ally units in battle.

The fourteenth title features a what-if DLC scenario titled "A Yellow Sky" depicting an aftermath where Zhang Jiao has defeated He Jin's imperial army and subjugated central China and most of Hebei while also recruiting the services of Cao Cao, Sun Jian, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu and Lu Bu as well as their respective subordinates. Zhang Jiao however remains gravely ill with his prospects of survival being dubious as the Yellow Turbans continue their campaign to stamp out the remaining warlords.

Character Information[]

Zhang Jiao 15th Anniversary Artwork (DWEKD)

Zhang Jiao's Shin Sangoku Musou 15th Anniversary artwork.

Personality[]

Zhang Jiao portrayed as a magician with a rather ridiculous manner of speech. He is known to frequently mention the word "Heaven" during his over the top speeches. He seeks to remove the Han leadership he views as corrupt and abusive of their positions, who heavily tax and abuse the peasants they have been charged with serving and pushing forth the famed Yellow Turban/Scarf motto of "the Pale Heavens are dead; the Yellow Heaven arises".

In his more recent appearances, he's a manic zealot who takes a paternal attitude toward his followers, though this paternal side of him was apparent in older titles in the case of people who try to argue against his approaches in that Zhang Jiao feels as though he must be the one to light his people's path forward lest no one else is able to.

Very often however, his eccentric manner often irritates others, and his belief that he is the vassal of the Gods makes him look down on those opposing him while also being heavily offended at those who view his sorcery (or miracles) either as mere parlor tricks or as something for their own amusement (the latter in the case of an interaction with Zhong Hui).

Even then, there are times he will see some issues in his vision as his movement progresses, and often considers taking a middle ground rather than be overly-stubborn; he ends up becoming one of Liu Bei's most staunch supporters after he showed the former Yellow Turban leader the error of his ways.

Character Symbolism[]

In the Japanese version of Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires, Zhang Jiao is given the nickname of "Miracle Sorcerer" while the English version changes it to "The Teacher of the Way of Peace". As a dominant ruler in Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires, he calls his five greatest warriors the "Five Envoys".

The Asian name for Zhang Jiao's Level 11 weapon is directly named after his teachings, Way of Peace. While the original book with the teachings has been lost, the version most people are familiar with is the one taught in conjunction with the Five Bushel sect. A person would first need to confess their crimes and then, through the use of incantations and prayer, they would drink blessed water and be cleansed. Stating that such a ceremony purified their followers of ill fortune and that natural disasters were being caused by improper government rulings, both parties were allowed to collect their fanatic followers. Zhang Jiao was considered a grand teacher of the craft and was known primarily as a healer. His actual belief for sparking rebellion, however, has been debated.

His second weapon takes its namesake from an immortal from the southern lands.

Zhang Jiao's original weapon names in Dynasty Warriors 6 all center on fire with religious undertones: Fire God (Standard), Fire Retribution (Skill), Fire Heaven (Strength). His skill chart also draws a yin yang circle, a reference to Taoism and the influences it was said to have for the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

In the eighth and ninth installments respectively, Zhang Jiao's hair is visibly modeled after a star and a moon.

Voice Actors[]

  • Dennis Falt - Dynasty Warriors 2 (English)
  • Doug Stone - Dynasty Warriors 4~8, Warriors Orochi series; first and second games only (English-uncredited)
  • Phil Miller - Dynasty Warriors 9 (English)
  • Christopher Corey Smith - Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao (English-uncredited)
  • Claus Brockmeyer - Dynasty Warriors 3~4 (German-uncredited)
  • Fu Shuang - Dynasty Warriors 3 (Chinese)
  • Su Yu - Dynasty Warriors 9 (Chinese)
  • Sun Ye - Sangokushi Strategy (Chinese)
  • Jang Gwang - Dynasty Warriors 2 (Korean)
  • Song Joon Seok - Dynasty Warriors 3~5 (Korean)
  • Lee Sang-hun - Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed (Korean)
  • Kim Yeongchan - Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao (Korean)
  • Yasuhiko Kawazu - Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi series (Japanese)
  • Kyotaro Muramoto - Sangokushi Heroes
  • Vanilla Yamazaki - Youkai Sangokushi (Japanese)
  • Ryohei Kimura - Sangokushi Hadou (Japanese)
  • Takuya Satō - Juuzaengi ~Engetsu Sangokuden~

Live Action Performers[]

Quotes[]

See also: Zhang Jiao/Quotes
  • "I invite all of those to join me in the path to restoring the land and bring the people together! Witness the miracle and behold the power of the Way of Peace!"
  • "Advance, comrades, and bring judgment to those who do not fear the gods!"
  • "Comrades! We must strike down those would turn their backs on the Heavens!"
  • "O gods in Heaven! Hear my prayer and bring calm to this troubled land!"
  • "The people have shown their support for the new age! We shall not fall to the dregs of a dying empire!"
  • "The children of the Yellow Turban are carrying out the will of Heaven!"
  • "You shall not be able to resist the will of Heaven forever!"
  • "Do not give in! Do not waver! Fight for the new era of peace!"
  • "You've really got to learn some patience! You'll not get anywhere stirring up the common folk like that. Don't go depending on flashy tricks. Take your time. Go and talk with people."
"There is truth in your words. But without one to light their path, the people will never move forward. I will guide my children of the Yellow Turban. And for that I require this book!"
~~Pang Tong and Zhang Jiao; Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends
  • "I heard you can perform miracles. Show me right here, right now."
"How terribly rude! I am not here for your amusement."
"What a bore. I do not need to see any miracles then."
"Ohh... How sad... When you finally admit you need help, that will be a miracle in itself."
~~Zhong Hui and Zhang Jiao; Dynasty Warriors 8
  • "May the heavens watch over us!"
"May they bless our swords."
~~Zhang Jiao and Kenshin; Warriors Orochi
  • "Let's make things interesting."
"Begone embodiment of evil! You only bring degradation and conflict to this world!"
~~Kotarō and Zhang Jiao; Warriors Orochi 2
  • "Zhang Jiao, you're always going on and on about miracles... But I don't believe a word of it! If you really can bring forth miracles, then show me one right now!"
"You poor, poor man... Miracles only appear to those who believe! One who does not trust in the heavens will never be able to see them!"
~~Masamune and Zhang Jiao; Warriors Orochi 3

Gameplay[]

See also: Zhang Jiao/Movesets‎‎

Dynasty Warriors 9[]

『真・三國無双8』張角アクション動画

『真・三國無双8』張角アクション動画

Keys: Square Flow Attack • Triangle Reactive Attack • Circle Musou X Jump/Mount

Zhang Jiao is affiliated with the shaman rod in this title. When equipped with it, Zhang Jiao can perform the following unique attacks listed below.

Unique Attacks
Unique Flow Attack Finisher: Enemy Stunned + Square Square Square Square: Zhang Jiao leaps up, waves his staff upward, and sends down a fiery disk that erupts into a flaming tornado. Launches foes while burning them at the same time.
Unique Trigger Attack: R1 + X: Points staff upward as multiple fireballs rain down on the ground. This move is a simplified version of Zhang Jiao's Miracle of Heaven Musou attack from previous games.
Special Technique: R1 + Circle: Raises weapon up horizontally to summon three fire birds rising up from the ground. As Zhang Jiao twirls his fire-coated rod repeatedly, the three birds converge off-screen into a larger bird before coming down to blanket the whole area with multiple flames. This attack's animation is a combination of his fifth charge attack and second EX attack from the previous game.
Musou Attack: Circle: Causes large flames to erupt in the air back and forth while walking casually. Zhang Jiao ends the barrage by conjuring a maelstrom of fire to envelop the surrounding area, clearing it of enemies instantly. The finisher is primarily based on his Miracle of Earth Musou attack from past titles.
Aerial Musou Attack: X Circle: Conjures three pillars of fire emanating from the ground in a triangular pattern. Sets foes ablaze as they briefly collapse. Based on Zhang Jiao's Miracle of Fire Musou from the eighth installment.
Horse Maneuvers
Summon Horse: L2: Summon horse to the battlefield. Holding L2 as the horse approaches will allow the character to automatically mount them.
Auto-Run: Riding Mode + L2: Automatically runs towards a specified destination. If a destination has not been set, the horse will instead run towards the location of the player's currently selected mission.
Sprint: Riding Mode + Direction + R1: Causes horse to run at a faster pace. Doing so depletes their stamina each time.
Jump: Riding Mode + Direction + R2: Causes horse to jump high while running.
Horse Fast Attack: Riding Mode + Square: Performs a fast and seamless attack while mounted. The attack itself varies depending on what type of weapon is equipped and whether the enemy is grounded or airborne.
Horse Trigger Attack: Riding Mode + Triangle: Performs an attack that sends enemies flying into the air. May vary depending on what type of weapon is equipped.
Horse Musou Attack: Riding Mode + Circle: Causes horse to sprint by consuming Musou instead of stamina.
Dismount Horse: Riding Mode + X: Dismounts from horse and resumes default fighting stance.
Bow Maneuvers
Shooting Mode: 🡻: Pulls out bow and assumes archery stance. Can be cancelled by tapping 🡻 again.
Switch Arrows: 🡸 or 🡺: Switches between different types of arrows.
Bow Attack: Shooting Mode + Square: Fires current arrow at a target. Can lock on targets by tapping R3.
Lower Bow: Shooting Mode + X: Lowers bow while squatting down.


Weapons[]

See also: Zhang Jiao/Weapons

Dynasty Warriors 8[]

Zhang Jiao still uses the shaman rod as his default weapon in this title.

Historical Information[]

Zhang Jue, a leader of the Yellow Turbans, led the rebellion against the Han Dynasty. He claimed to be a sorcerer and followed Taoism. He led the Yellow Turban Rebellion with his brothers, Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang. Despite initial victories, the Yellow Turbans faced challenges from the Han due to high taxes. Zhang Jue's death in 184 AD marked the end of the rebellion, and he is believed to be the grandson of the founder of Tianshi Dao.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms[]

The Way of Peace[]

"This book is the Way of Peace. With the aid of these volumes, you can convert and rescue mankind. But you must be single-minded, or rest assure, you will greatly suffer."
―A mystic after handing Zhang Jue the Way of Peace.

Zhang Jue, a medical scholar, was the brother of three, whose siblings included Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao. He had failed a provincial-level examination from the corrupt Han government and went to gather medicinal herbs at a hill. One day, he met an emerald-eyed mystic with a youthful face who carried a wooden staff. The ancient mystic put a book of three volumes in Zhang Jue's hands, and said, "This book, is the Way of Peace. With the aid of these volumes, you can convert and rescue mankind. But you must be single-minded, or rest assure, you will greatly suffer." After introducing himself as the Taoist sage Zhuang Zi, the stranger disappeared in the wind.

Gathering the Rebels[]

After reading the books constantly many times over, Zhang Jue learned various sorcery like calling forth rain and summoning high winds. Throughout the land, he became known as "Master of the Millennium", and around the end of 179 AD, a pestilence terrorized the land. He proclaimed himself as "Great and Worthy Teacher", distributing medicinal potions and charms to afflicted commoners. Soon more than five hundred followed Zhang Jue, and the Teacher taught them how to write and recite charms. The company traveled much, and new followers joined wherever they went, until Zhang Jue had thirty-six groups ranging in size from six to ten thousand people, under thirty-six chiefs.

He ordered the phrase "new cycle" to be written on every outer gate of every house, and Zhang Jue was hailed throughout the provinces. Ma Yuanyi, a trusted follower, was ordered Feng Xu, a eunuch, to secretly work in the Han court for Zhang Jue. Zhang Jue asked his brothers, "Popular support is the hardest thing to win. Today the people favor us. Why waste this chance to seize the realm for ourselves?"

The Yellow Turban Rebellion[]

Zhang Jue prepared for a rebellion with yellow banners and apparel, setting a date for it. He informed secret agent Feng Xu of Ma Yuanyi's beheading and Feng Xu's jailing. Shocked, Zhang Jue proclaimed himself General of Heaven and his brothers, urging his followers to obey Heaven. The rebellion, led by nearly half a-million commoners, was successfully countered by Lu Zhi. The rebellion was quelled before the next year.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • His nickname with Dynasty Warriors fans is "Chinese Jesus", a rather obvious moniker due to his appearance in a few installments.
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