Zhang Fan 張範

Zhang Fan, courtesy name Gongyi, was a native of Xiuwu County in Henei Commandery. His grandfather Zhang Xin was Minister over the Masses of the Han, and his father Zhang Yan was Grand Commandant. The Grand Tutor Yuan Wei wished to give his daughter to Zhang Fan in marriage, but Zhang Fan declined and did not accept. By nature placid and quiet, he delighted in the Way and was indifferent to glory and profit, and he never took up any summons or appointment. Records, Wei 11 §16

His younger brother Zhang Cheng, courtesy name Gongxian, was also well known; summoned as Square and Upright, he became a Gentleman-Consultant and was transferred to Chief Commandant of Yique. When Dong Zhuo raised his rebellion, Zhang Cheng wished to gather followers and attack him. But Zhang Cheng's younger brother, the Gentleman-Consultant Zhang Zhao (張昭), came from Chang'an and told him that their numbers were no match, the men had not been cared for beforehand and the troops were untrained, so it would be better to choose someone to attach themselves to and wait for the right moment to act. Zhang Cheng agreed, set aside his seal and ribbon, returned home by a byway, and fled the disorder to Yang Province (揚州) together with Zhang Fan. Records, Wei 11 §16–17

Yuan Shu invited Zhang Fan with full courtesy, but Zhang Fan pleaded illness and did not go, and Yuan Shu did not force him to submit. When Zhang Fan sent Zhang Cheng to meet Yuan Shu, Yuan Shu asked what he thought of his wish, with his broad lands and many gentlemen and commoners, to seek good fortune like Duke Huan of Qi and to follow in the footsteps of Gaozu. Zhang Cheng answered that it depended on virtue, not on strength, and that if one presumptuously usurped and acted against the times, one would be abandoned by the multitude, and who then could raise one up? Yuan Shu was displeased. Records, Wei 11 §18–19

When Cao Cao was about to attack Ji Province, Yuan Shu again asked Zhang Cheng's view, saying that Lord Cao, intending to face a host of 100,000 with a few thousand worn-out troops, could be said not to know his own strength. Zhang Cheng said that although the virtue of the Han had declined, the Mandate of Heaven had not yet changed, and that Lord Cao, holding the Son of Heaven to command the realm, could face even a host of a million. When Yuan Shu changed color in displeasure, Zhang Cheng left him. Records, Wei 11 §19

When Cao Cao pacified Ji Province, he sent an envoy to welcome Zhang Fan. Zhang Fan stayed at Pengcheng because of illness and sent Zhang Cheng to Cao Cao, who memorialized to make Zhang Cheng Grandee Remonstrant. When Zhang Fan's son Zhang Ling and Zhang Cheng's son Zhang Jian were captured by bandits in Shandong, Zhang Fan went straight to the bandits and asked for the two children back. When the bandits returned Zhang Ling, Zhang Fan thanked them and said that by human feeling everyone loves his own child, but he pitied Zhang Jian for being so young and asked them to exchange Zhang Ling for him. The bandits, thinking his words righteous, returned both children to Zhang Fan. Records, Wei 11 §20–21

When Cao Cao returned from Jing Province, Zhang Fan was able to meet him at Chen (陳), and Cao Cao made him a Gentleman-Consultant taking part in the Chancellor's military affairs, treating him with great respect. Whenever Cao Cao went on campaign he always left Zhang Fan and Bing Yuan behind to guard the capital together with the heir, and told Cao Pi that whatever he did he must consult these two men. The heir treated them with the courtesy of a son or grandson. Records, Wei 11 §21

When Cui Yan was Officer of the Eastern Bureau, he submitted a recommendation saying that the Consultant Bing Yuan and the Gentleman-Consultant Zhang Fan both held to virtue purely and finely and were loyal and upright in aim and conduct. Their purity and quietude were enough to improve customs and their steadfastness enough to manage affairs; they were what is called the dragon's plumes and the phoenix's wings, the precious treasures of the state. Records, Wei 11 §72

Zhang Fan relieved the poor and needy until nothing was left in his house, and orphans and widows from near and far all relied on him. He did not refuse gifts that people sent him, but never used them either, and when the time came to leave he returned them all. He died in the 17th year of Jian'an (212). When the state of Wei was first established, Zhang Cheng, as Libationer and Army Adviser to the Chancellor, concurrently served as Administrator of Zhao Commandery; when Cao Cao was about to campaign west, Zhang Cheng was summoned to take part in military affairs but died of illness on reaching Chang'an. Records, Wei 11 §21–22

In his assessment Chen Shou said that Yuan Huan, Bing Yuan and Zhang Fan walked the path of purity in their own persons and advanced and withdrew in accordance with the Way, so that they were perhaps the peers of Gong Yu and the two Gongs. He also said that Zhang Cheng's reputation and conduct were second only to Zhang Fan's, so that he could be called a worthy younger brother. Records, Wei 11 §111