Zhang Zhao

Zhang Zhao (156 – 236) was a civil officer who served Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of China.

He was born in what is now part of Jiangsu. A brilliant scholar, he devoted his life mainly to the study of Chinese classic texts. His fame as a scholar spread, and on the advice of Zhou Yu, Sun Ce personally invited Zhang Zhao to serve as an official in the Kingdom of Wu.

His political skill was so impressive that on Sun Ce's deathbed, he told his brother and successor "in internal matters, consult Zhang Zhao." When Cao Cao led an army to invade Wu, out of consideration for the populace and the future of the Sun family, he suggested that Sun Quan should submit to Cao Cao. Sun Quan refused. Eventually, he prevailed and preserved his domain, which eventually became Eastern Wu.

Zhang Zhao was famous for his bravery and his devotion to the state of Wu. He saw himself as being responsible to the Empire, not the Emperor. Whenever Sun Quan made a decree that did not benefit the Empire, Zhang Zhao would criticize Sun.

Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong, another advisor of Wu, were known as the "Two Zhangs".