Weapon
Zhangba Shemao 丈八蛇矛
About this item
The Zhangba Shemao (eighteen-chi snake spear) is the spear, 1 zhang 8 chi (eighteen Han feet) long, that Zhang Fei wields in the Romance. In Chapter 1 of the Romance, when Guan Yu has the Green Dragon Crescent Blade made, Zhang Fei has an eighteen-chi steel-pointed spear made, and in his first battle he spears Deng Mao, a lieutenant of the Yellow Turbans, from his horse with it. From Chapter 81 on, Zhang Fei's son Zhang Bao fights with the eighteen-chi steel-pointed spear his father used. Romance, Ch. 1 §24 · 26Romance, Ch. 81 §35
Neither Chen Shou's text nor Pei Songzhi's commentary has this name. In the Romance it appears in ten chapters, from Chapter 1 to Chapter 92, under the names "zhangba shemao" (eighteen-chi snake spear), "zhangba diangangmao" (eighteen-chi steel-pointed spear), "zhangbamao" (eighteen-chi spear) and "shemao" (snake spear). Romance, Ch. 1 §24Romance, Ch. 92 §19
In the Romance
In Chapter 1 of the Romance, when Liu Bei has the Shuanggujian made and Guan Yu the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, Zhang Fei has a steel-pointed spear 1 zhang 8 chi long made. A few days later, when the Yellow Turban general Cheng Yuanzhi invades Zhuo Commandery, Zhang Fei charges straight out with the Zhangba Shemao leveled and pierces the chest of his lieutenant Deng Mao. Romance, Ch. 1 §24–26
In Chapter 5, as Lü Bu is about to stab Gongsun Zan in the back with his painted halberd, Zhang Fei comes galloping with the Zhangba Shemao leveled, shouting, "Slave with three surnames, don't run!" and fights Lü Bu for more than fifty bouts. The song the Romance adds also calls what Zhang Fei holds in his hand an eighteen-chi snake spear. In Chapter 14, lying drunk when Lü Bu tricks his way through the city gate, Zhang Fei hurriedly grabs the Zhangba Shemao, but, not yet sober, he cannot fight with all his strength. Romance, Ch. 5 §48–49 · 52Romance, Ch. 14 §59
In Chapter 28, when Guan Yu comes to him, Zhang Fei thrusts at him with the Zhangba Shemao leveled, and Guan Yu says he will prove his sincerity by beheading the pursuing Cai Yang. In Chapter 42, Zhang Fei halts his horse on Changban Bridge with his snake spear held across, so that Wen Pin and Cao Cao's generals dare not come near, and when he levels the spear and roars again, Xiahou Jie at Cao Cao's side falls from his horse in fright. In Chapter 63, too, when he falls upon Yan Yan, Zhang Fei uses his eighteen-chi spear. Romance, Ch. 28 §35Romance, Ch. 42 §6–9Romance, Ch. 63 §48
In Chapter 81, Zhang Bao levels the eighteen-chi steel-pointed spear his father used when he competes in martial skill with Guan Xing. When facing Sun Huan of Wu in Chapter 82, when charging at Han Dang's lieutenant Xia Xun in Chapter 83, and when appearing to rescue Zhao Yun, surrounded by the Wei army, in Chapter 92, Zhang Bao is likewise holding the eighteen-chi steel-pointed spear (the eighteen-chi spear). Romance, Ch. 81 §35Romance, Ch. 82 §24Romance, Ch. 83 §11Romance, Ch. 92 §19
Where the Romance differs
The spear at Changban Bridge: In Chapter 42 of the Romance, Zhang Fei roars with his snake spear held across, his horse halted on the bridge. The Biography of Zhang Fei in the Records likewise records that Zhang Fei, using the river as a barrier, cut the bridge and, glaring with his spear held across, said, "I am Zhang Yide! Come and let us fight it out to the death!" but it records neither the spear's name nor its length. Romance, Ch. 42 §6–8Records, Shu 6 §16
The son who inherited the spear: In Chapters 81, 82, 83 and 92 of the Romance, Zhang Bao fights with his father's eighteen-chi steel-pointed spear. The Biography of Zhang Fei in the Records says only that his eldest son Zhang Bao died young and his second son succeeded him. Romance, Ch. 81 §35Romance, Ch. 92 §19Records, Shu 6 §23
Written by 3KDEX (not yet reviewed) — The tags at the end of each paragraph link to the exact passage in the Records volume or Romance chapter it is based on.
Ownership history
| Owner | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Zhang Fei | 184~221 | Romance 「張飛造丈八點鋼矛」 · 「中平元年」 「章武元年」 |
| Zhang Bao(張苞) | 221~ | Romance 「手挺父所使丈八點鋼矛」 · 「張苞挺丈八點鋼矛」 · 「章武元年」 |
Ownership is checked against the source texts (3KDEX) — each entry rests on the passage where the item changes hands. Owners not in the People index are not shown.