Zhang Da and Fan Qiang are minor antagonists in the 14th century classic Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms and it's multiple adaptations. They are enemies of Zhang Fei.
Biography[]
Zhang Da and Fan Qiang were two generals serving the warlord Liu Bei of the Kingdom of Shu in the late Han Dynasty. They were working under Liu Bei's sworn brother Zhang Fei. In 221 AD, Liu Bei proclaimed himself Emperor and ordered an invasion of Eastern Wu hoping to avenge the death of his other sworn brother Guan Yu at the hands of Sun Quan and take back Jing Province.
Zhang Fei, preparing for the invasion ordered both Zhang Da and Fan Qiang to create banners, armor and sandals for the upcoming invasion. When they failed to do that in the deadline he gave them he angrily ordered them to be punished with 100 lashes in the back and then gave them 3 more days to complete their task. Being unable to complete their task in the given deadline, they both realized that they had no other choice than to kill Zhang Fei and escape to Wu. They both entered Zhang Fei's bedchampers in the night and cut off his head. After that they fled eastwards and presented Zhang Fei's head to Sun Quan who originally was infuriated, as this would anger Liu Bei even more and imprisoned them but later released them and let them fight against their former allies in the Battle of Yiling. Hoping to appease Liu Bei, Sun Quan sent them both back to him but Liu Bei ordered them both to be executed along with the messenger and refused to stop his campaign. They were both personally beheaded by Zhang Fei's son Zhang Bao.
Even though they didn't play a major role their actions were crucial as the killing Zhang Fei left Liu Bei with no seconds thoughts about invading Wu first anymore, and thus caused a conflict that proved to be fatal for the Shu Kingdom, as after that crushing defeat at Yiling, they never managed to recover and Liu Bei himself met his end shortly after the end of that battle.
Other Media[]
Zhang Da and Fan Qiang appear as major antagonists in Episode 77 and mentioned antagonists in Episode 78 of the 2010 Three Kingdoms TV series.
Trivia[]
- They are similar to Mi Fang an Fu Shiren who betrayed Guan Yu in similar fashion after being punished by him and then defected to Wu, with the difference that unlike them, they killed Zhang Fei themselves.
Relationships[]
Enemies[]
- Zhang Fei
- Zhang Bao
- Liu Bei
- Guan Xing
- Huan Zhong
- Ma Liang
- Shamoke
- Cao Cao
- Cao Pi
[]
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Wei Empire Wu Empire Shu Empire Jin Empire Other Villains Lu Bu's Army Nanman Tribe Yellow Turbans Yuan Shao's Army Zhong Dynasty Others |
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Wei Empire Wu Empire Shu Empire Jin Empire Other Villains Lu Bu's Army Nanman Tribe Yellow Turbans Yuan Shao's Army Zhong Dynasty Others Guest Characters |