Early life

Zhang Liang was born in Xinzheng (新鄭; present-day Zhengzhou, Henan), the capital of the Hán state, while his ancestral home was in Chengfu (城父; present-day Chengfu Town, Bozhou, Anhui). He descended from an aristocrat family in Hán. His grandfather served three generations of the Hán rulers as chancellors while his father served two generations. Zhang Liang missed the opportunity to inherit his family's legacy as the Hán state was annexed by the Qin state in 230 BC as part of Qin's wars of unification.

Becoming a Fugitive

Assassination attempt on Qin Shi Huang

To avenge the fall of his native state, Zhang Liang dedicated his efforts to hiring assassins to kill the Qin emperor Qin Shi Huang. He spent his entire family fortune and failed to give his deceased younger brother a proper funeral. He managed to find a man with great physical strength to help him, and had an iron hammer weighing 120 ancient catties (roughly 160 lbs. or 72 kg) forged for the strongman. In 218 BC, Zhang Liang heard that Qin Shi Huang was going to Yangwu County (east of present-day Yuanyang County, Henan) as part of his inspection tour, and was due to pass by Bolangsha during the journey.

Zhang Liang and the strongman lay in ambush at Bolangsha and waited for the emperor's convoy to approach. They saw that all the carriages that passed by were pulled by four horses and believed that the most decorated one in the middle was the emperor's carriage. The strongman hurled the hammer towards it and the heavy projectile crushed the carriage, killing its occupant. Zhang Liang fled from the scene during the ensuing chaos. Qin Shi Huang was actually not in that carriage and survived the assassination attempt, after which he ordered the arrest of Zhang Liang. Zhang Liang eluded the dragnet for ten days by using fake identities and becoming a fugitive.

Meeting Huang Shigong

As a wanted man by the government, Zhang Liang travelled to Xiapi and stayed there for some time, using fake identities to evade the authorities. One day, Zhang Liang took a stroll at Yishui Bridge and met an old man there. The man walked towards Zhang Liang and chucked his shoe down the bridge on purpose, after which he yelled at Zhang, "Hey boy, go down and fetch me my shoe!" Zhang Liang was astonished and unhappy but obeyed silently. The old man then lifted his foot and ordered Zhang Liang to put on the shoe for him. Zhang Liang was furious but he controlled his temper and meekly obliged. The man did not show any sign of gratitude and walked away laughing.

The old man came back after walking a distance and praised Zhang Liang, "This child can be taught!" and asked Zhang Liang to meet him at the bridge again at dawn five days later. Zhang Liang was confused but agreed. Five days later, Zhang Liang rushed to the bridge at the stroke of dawn but the old man was already waiting for him there. The old man chided him, "How can you be late for a meeting with an elderly man? Come back again five days later!" Zhang Liang tried his best to be punctual the second time but the old man still arrived earlier than him, and he was scorned by the old man once more and told to return again five days later. The third time, Zhang Liang went to the bridge at midnight and waited until the old man appeared. This time, the old man was impressed with Zhang Liang's fortitude and humility, that he presented Zhang with a book, saying, "You can become the tutor of a ruler after reading this book. Within ten years, the world will become chaotic. You can then use your knowledge from this book to bring peace and prosperity to the empire. Meet me again 13 years later. I'm the yellow rock at the foot of Mount Gucheng."

The old man was Huang Shigong (黃石公; lit. "Yellow Rock Old Man") . The book was titled The Art of War by Taigong (太公兵法) and believed to be the Six Secret Teachings by Jiang Ziya, while some called it Three Strategies of Huang Shigong. In legend, Zhang Liang returned to the indicated site 13 years later and did see a yellow rock there. He built a shrine to worship the rock and the rock was buried with him after his death.

Rebelling against the Qin dynasty

In 209 BC, during the reign of Qin Er Shi, several uprisings erupted throughout China to overthrow the Qin dynasty. Many of these rebel forces claimed to be restoring the former states that were annexed by Qin two decades ago. Zhang Liang rallied about 100 men to start a rebellion as well, but his force was too weak, so he led his followers to join Jing Ju, a pretender to the throne of the former Chu state. He met Liu Bang during his journey and was impressed with Liu's charisma that he changed his decision and joined Liu instead. Zhang Liang became a temporary advisor to Liu Bang and followed Liu to join Xiang Liang's rebel force.

The following year, Xiang Liang installed Mi Xin as King Huai II of Chu after eliminating Jing Ju. Zhang Liang's main goal was to reestablish his native state of Hán, so he managed to persuade Xiang Liang to do the same for the Hán state. Han Cheng, a descendant of the royal family of Hán, was enthroned as King of Hán, while Zhang Liang was appointed as the Hán's chancellor. Han Cheng's armies attempted to capture Qin cities that were formerly Hán territories but did not achieve much success and engaged in guerrilla warfare for about a year. Later that year, Xiang Liang was killed in action at the Battle of Dingtao and King Huai II put Xiang Yu (Xiang Liang's nephew) and Liu Bang each in charge of an army to attack Qin, promising that whoever entered Guanzhong (heartland of Qin) first would be conferred the title of "King of Guanzhong".

In 207 BC, the combined forces of Liu Bang and Han Cheng conquered Yangzhai (present-day Yuzhou City, Henan), the former capital of the Hán state. Han Cheng stayed behind to defend Yangzhai, while Zhang Liang served as a temporary advisor to Liu Bang. Zhang Liang contributed to Liu Bang's eventual victory in the race to Guanzhong for the strategies he proposed. For example, at the battle of Yao Pass, Zhang Liang suggested tricking the Qin commander into surrendering by bribing him with gifts. Liu Bang wanted to accept the surrendered Qin troops into his army but Zhang Liang cautioned him, saying that some of the troops were unwilling to surrender even though their commander agreed. That night, Liu Bang's forces caught the Qin army off guard and scored a major victory. In another incident, Zhang Liang warned Liu Bang against making a detour at Wancheng, because they would be at risk of being surrounded by the enemy if Liu did so.

Chu–Han Contention

Feast at Hong Gate

Upon entering the Epang Palace in Xianyang (the Qin capital), Liu Bang was strongly tempted by the riches it housed and wanted to stay there forever. Zhang Liang reminded Liu Bang about overindulgence in sensual pleasures and Liu ordered his men to seal the treasures and move to Bashang to wait for Xiang Yu and the other rebel forces to arrive. During this period of time, Liu Bang heeded Zhang Liang's advice and governed Guanzhong with benevolence, restoring peace and stability, and forbidding his men from pillaging the cities and harming the common people.

In 206 BC, Xiang Yu's army arrived at Hangu Pass (eastern gateway to Guanzhong) and Liu ordered his men to prevent Xiang's forces from entering Guanzhong. Xiang Yu was furious when he learnt that Liu Bang had beat him in the race to Guanzhong, and he wanted to kill Liu after being instigated by Fan Zeng and a defector from Liu's side, Cao Wushang. Xiang Yu's uncle, Xiang Bo, was an old friend of Zhang Liang and he secretly warned Zhang that Xiang Yu was planning to attack Liu Bang. Liu Bang was shocked and fearful when he heard that, as his forces were too weak to counter Xiang Yu. Zhang Liang advised Liu Bang to attend the Feast at Hong Gate hosted by Xiang Yu, to put Xiang off guard and dismiss Xiang's suspicions that Liu was intending to oppose him. With help from Xiang Bo, Liu Bang managed to survive the dangerous banquet and Xiang Yu dismissed the idea of killing Liu. However, Fan Zeng was dissatisfied and he asked Xiang Yu's cousin Xiang Zhuang to pretend to perform a sword dance and use the opportunity to kill Liu Bang. Xiang Bo intervened again and saved Liu Bang's life.

Meanwhile, Zhang Liang left the tent to find Fan Kuai to save Liu Bang. Following Zhang Liang's instructions, Fan Kuai burst in and openly chided Xiang Yu, making a speech about Liu Bang's accomplishments and affirming that Liu had no intention of opposing Xiang Yu. Liu Bang left the banquet later on the pretext of going to the latrine and was received by Xiahou Ying, who had been waiting nearby on Zhang Liang's instruction. Zhang Liang remained behind to hold Xiang Yu's attention while Liu Bang escaped. Before leaving, Zhang Liang presented Xiang Yu and Fan Zeng with a pair of jade pieces.

Eighteen Kingdoms

Xiang Yu split the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms later, granting the land of Guanzhong to three surrendered Qin generals, even though Guanzhong was rightfully Liu Bang's, according to King Huai II's earlier promise. Liu Bang was relocated to the remote Bashu region (in present-day Sichuan) instead and granted the title of "King of Han". Han Cheng retained his rulership as King of Hán and Zhang Liang was moved from Liu Bang's side back to Hán to continue serving as chancellor. Before parting ways, Liu Bang presented Zhang Liang with some gold and pearls, all of which Zhang gave to Xiang Bo. Zhang Liang also urged Liu Bang to destroy the gallery roads leading to Bashu during the journey to Hanzhong, in order to reduce Xiang Yu's suspicions that Liu was planning to return and challenge him.

Although Han Cheng was the king of Hán, Xiang Yu did not permit him to govern his kingdom and forced him to accompany him back to his Western Chu's capital of Pengcheng (present-day Xuzhou, Jiangsu). Han Cheng was demoted to "Marquis of Rang" later and killed on Xiang Yu's orders. Xiang Yu seized Han Cheng's kingdom and made his subordinate Zheng Chang the new King of Hán. Zhang Liang was still the chancellor of Hán under the new arrangement but he was aware of his precarious position, and cognisant of how Xiang Yu had destroyed his hope of restoring the Hán state. Zhang Liang fled from Hán later and returned to join Liu Bang in the winter of 206 BC. Liu Bang conferred on Zhang Liang the title of "Marquis of Chengxin" and Zhang became a permanent advisor to Liu from that time.

Conquest of the Three Qin and Battle of Pengcheng

Starting in 206 BC, after Liu Bang's forces conquered the Three Qins, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu engaged in a four-year-long power struggle for supremacy over China, historically known as the Chu–Han Contention. In 205 BC, Liu Bang was defeated by Xiang Yu at the Battle of Pengcheng and he retreated to Xiayi. Zhang Liang proposed a strategy to Liu Bang to counter Xiang Yu, known as the "Xiayi Plan" (下邑之謀). Liu Bang followed Zhang Liang's advice: he sent Xiao He to persuade Ying Bu to join him; contacted Peng Yue and allied with him; and allowed Han Xin to lead part of his army to attack other territories on the northern front.

In 204 BC, Liu Bang was trapped by Xiang Yu in Xingyang and both sides reached a stalemate. Li Yiji suggested to Liu Bang to recreate the former states of the Warring States period and install the descendants of their royal families on their respective thrones. This plan was intended to help Liu Bang gain the support of the vassal states' rulers, who would help him in the war against Xiang Yu. However, Zhang Liang disapproved of the plan as he felt that the states were more likely to support Western Chu instead as Chu was superior to Han in terms of military might. Liu Bang realised the problem and immediately dismissed Li Yiji's plan.

In 203 BC, after his victory at the Battle of Wei River, Han Xin conquered the Qi kingdom and sent a messenger to Liu Bang, requesting that Liu appoint him as the acting King of Qi. Liu was still trapped at Xingyang then and he was furious after hearing the request because he was expecting Han Xin to come to his aid. Zhang Liang reminded Liu Bang that if he refused to approve Han Xin's request, Han might be discontented and declare independence from Liu, putting them in a dangerous situation. Liu Bang reluctantly agreed and sent Zhang Liang to pass the king's seal to Han Xin. Zhang Liang met Han Xin and succeeded in reaffirming Han's loyalty to Liu Bang.

Battle of Gaixia

By late 203 BC, Zhang Liang saw that the tide had turned in favour of Liu Bang, as Xiang Yu had been surrounded on three sides. Together with Chen Ping, Zhang Liang suggested to Liu Bang to renounce the Treaty of Hong Canal and use the opportunity to eliminate Western Chu. However, at the Battle of Guling, Liu Bang was defeated by Xiang Yu because the expected reinforcements from Han Xin and Peng Yue did not arrive. Zhang Liang explained to Liu Bang that Han Xin and Peng Yue did not mobilise their troops because they did not have their fiefs yet, even though they had received their titles of vassal kings. Liu Bang followed Zhang Liang's advice and granted lands to Han Xin and Peng Yue. Two months later, as Zhang Liang predicted, Han Xin and Peng Yue arrived with their armies and formed a coordinated attack on Western Chu together with Liu Bang's force, defeating Xiang Yu at the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BC.

In service during the Han dynasty

In 202 BC, after his victory over Xiang Yu, Liu Bang ascended the throne and became historically known as "Emperor Gaozu of Han". Following the establishment of the Han dynasty, Zhang Liang remained as a key advisor to Gaozu even though he did not receive any formal appointment as a government minister. Together with Lou Jing, Zhang Liang later suggested for Gaozu to build his capital in Chang'an instead of Luoyang, as Chang'an was in a more strategic position than Luoyang (fertile land and surrounded by natural defences such as mountain passes). Once, Gaozu noticed that some of his subjects were having a secret discussion and he asked for Zhang Liang's opinion. Zhang Liang told Gaozu that they were plotting a rebellion and Gaozu was shocked. Zhang Liang proceeded to ask Gaozu whom of all his subjects he hated the most. Gaozu mentioned Yong Chi, who had rebelled against him before but surrendered later. Zhang Liang then suggested to Gaozu to grant Yong Chi a noble title, because if the others saw that Gaozu was able to forgive Yong Chi, they would be at ease and would not think of rebelling.

Subsequently, Zhang Liang retired from state affairs and practised Taoism. In late 201 BC, Gaozu rewarded his subjects who contributed to the dynasty's founding and he conferred the title of "Marquis of Liu" on Zhang Liang. In 196 BC, Gaozu left to suppress a rebellion by Ying Bu, and requested Zhang Liang to come out of retirement to assist the crown prince, Liu Ying, in governing the home territories. After returning from the campaign, Gaozu wanted to replace Liu Ying with Liu Ruyi, the Prince of Zhao. Zhang Liang opposed Gaozu's decision but Gaozu ignored him so Zhang feigned illness and retired again. When approached by Empress Lü Zhi to help Liu Ying retain his position, Zhang Liang recommended the Four Whiteheads of Mount Shang to help Liu Ying, and the four men succeeded in convincing Gaozu to keep Liu Ying as the crown prince. Zhang Liang remained in retirement until his death in 186 BC.

Death and burial place

Little is known about Zhang Liang's later life, hence his final resting place has been a mystery throughout history.

A Zhang Liang Tomb stands at 6 km southwest of present-day Lankao County, Henan. According to legend, during the Lü Clan Disturbance, Zhang Liang moved to Mount Baiyun at the southwest of Donghun County (present-day Lankao County, Henan), and was buried there after his death. A Zhang Liang Temple used to stand beside the tomb, but it was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.

Another Zhang Liang Tomb stands at south of Weishan County, Shandong. The stone tablet in front of the grave bearing Zhang Liang's name was erected in 1737 during the Qing dynasty. A Zhang Liang Shrine also used to stand east of the tomb, but it was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.

However, some believed that Zhang Liang's tomb was in present-day Pei County, Xuzhou. According to the 7th-century gazetteer Kuodi Zhi, Zhang Liang's tomb was 65 li east of Pei County, near Liucheng, where a Zhang Liang Temple was also located.

According to Xianshizhi (仙釋志) and Lingmuzhi (陵墓誌), Zhang Liang's tomb was at Mount Qingyan in Hunan.

Modern references

An article in Xianzhuan Shiyi (仙傳拾遺) tells the story of how Zhang Liang became an immortal. Zhang Liang practised some of the book's teachings and attained some magical powers. Zhang Liang was buried at Dragon Head Plains (龍首原) after his death. In legend, Zhang Liang's tomb was raided when the Red Brows Army revolted, and the robbers saw a yellow stone pillow inside his tomb. The pillow transformed swiftly and flew away like a shooting star, and nothing else was found in the tomb, not even Zhang Liang's body. Zhang Liang became an immortal and served Laozi as an assistant. Zhang Liang's grandson, Zhang Daoling, became an immortal, too, and he went with his grandfather to meet the Queen Mother of the West on Mount Kunlun.

Zhang Liang's encounter with Huang Shigong had also become one of the classic Chinese folk tales about humility for later generations to learn from.

Zhang Liang is one of the 32 historical figures who appear as special characters in the video game Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI by Koei. He has higher intelligence stats than all these characters, except for Jiang Ziya. Zhang Liang is also a playable character of the "Wizard" class in the action RPG Prince of Qin.

He also appears as a character in the animation series The Legend of Qin.

生平

張良的祖先是戰國時韓國首都陽翟（今河南省禹州市）人，他的祖父張開地曾擔任韓昭侯、韓宣惠王、韓襄哀王的相國，父親張平曾擔任韓釐王與韓桓惠王的相國。秦國在前230年滅韓後，張良散盡家財求得善擲沉重鐵錐的大力士報仇，於博浪沙伏擊行刺秦始皇，卻誤中副車，行刺失敗，張良只好隱姓埋名躲避通緝。在秦時，他也一度幫助殺人的項伯（項羽的堂叔）逃離公家的拘捕。

張良在流亡時認識了隱士黃石公，受贈《太公兵法》，潛心苦讀十年而有成，張良聚集了百餘名少年，成為當地的遊俠，得知景駒自立為楚王，打算前去投靠。但路上見到以滅秦為目標的劉邦在附近屯軍，便率眾加入劉邦部隊，又因為劉邦重視他，成為頂尖謀士，因此張良也打消了去投靠景駒之念。

沛公到了薛城投靠項梁，當時項梁立楚懷王之孫為楚後懷王。張良於是遊說項梁，希望也讓韓國復國，於是項梁封了韓國公子韓成為韓王，張良改為跟隨韓王，受封韓國司徒，率領一千餘人與秦兵在潁川進行游擊戰，戰果並不顯著，項梁在定陶之戰被秦少府章邯所討死。

劉邦出兵滅秦時，張良、韓成的部隊與劉邦會師，公元前207年，劉邦攻入咸陽，秦朝滅亡。當時劉邦意圖自立為關中王，項羽得知後非常憤怒，要滅除劉邦，幸虧在項伯與張良的幫助下，劉邦與項羽在鴻門宴之中和解。

張良賄賂項伯，希望幫劉邦取得戰略地位較高的漢中之地，經過斡旋之後，項羽同意。劉邦赴巴蜀漢中為漢王，而項羽承認韓成為韓王，張良離開劉邦去輔佐韓成。

因為張良與劉邦的關係非常好，項羽一直疑心韓成與劉邦勾結，一直把韓成帶在身邊，不讓韓成就藩，後來貶韓成為穰侯。公元前206年，項羽終於誅殺韓成，改封自己的部下鄭昌為韓王。張良於是逃亡往劉邦處，此後協助劉邦消滅項羽，前202年，項羽被漢軍圍困而自殺，楚漢相爭結束，漢朝建立，張良因功受封留侯。張良了解劉邦個性，為免功高震主故退居幕後不過問朝政，不但免去清算功臣之禍反深得劉邦與呂后器重，兩人遇重大政治決策必請益張良，張良便以國策顧問的身分善終。

張良作為劉邦的謀臣，往往能在關鍵時刻給予劉邦正確建議。諸如酈食其建議劉邦在與項羽對戰時，不如大封過去六國君主的後裔，使其紛紛獨立而對抗項羽。劉邦聽後十分心動，便派人趕快刻印玉璽遊說，張良立刻反對，以免釀成後世大禍。在楚漢相爭時，張良與陳平主張撕毀鴻溝條約，立刻攻擊西楚，終於獲得勝利。在擊敗項羽後，婁敬建議劉邦入都關中，但遭群臣反對。劉邦詢問張良的意見，張良則認為長安條件比洛陽好，於是建都長安。

漢朝建立後，劉邦談及張良時說：「夫運籌策帷帳之中，決勝千里外，吾不如子房。」漢六年（前201年）正月，封為留侯。留位在今日江蘇省徐州市沛縣的東南方，現在已經成為微山湖水域。張良急流勇退，歸隱得以善終。關於張良的後代，包含其子張闢彊，而歷史上的東漢學者張超、蜀漢將領張翼等皆是其後裔。道教創始者、五斗米道領導人張道陵相傳也是他的後代。

張良死後謚為文成侯，此後世人也尊稱他為謀聖。《史記》中有專門的一篇《留侯世家》，用以記錄他的生平。

事蹟

• 博浪沙暗殺秦始皇（未遂）。有記載的刺秦只有三次，荊軻和高漸離都是作了有死無生的打算；唯有張良在行刺失敗後成功逃脫，並且逃過秦始皇「大索天下」的追捕。可見其早年的策劃能力已經十分厲害。

• 張良改名藏匿於下邳時照顧過殺人而流亡的項伯，後得項伯通知項羽有意攻打劉邦，項伯叫張良逃走，反被張良邀請面見劉邦。劉邦說：「吾入關，秋毫不敢有所近，籍吏民，封府庫，而待將軍。所以遣將守關者，備他盜之出入與非常也。日夜望將軍至，豈敢反乎！願項伯具言臣之不敢倍德也。」項伯許諾。於是項伯乘夜回項軍中，把劉邦的說話報告給項羽，並且為劉邦說好話：「劉邦不先破關中，公豈敢入乎？今人有大功而擊之，不義也，不如因善遇之。」項羽許諾。

• 鴻門宴上項莊舞劍時，離開席位去找劉邦的衛士樊噲來協助，救了劉邦一命。

• 據說項羽分封十八諸侯時，要封劉邦為漢王，封地為巴蜀。張良行賄項伯向項羽求情，因而改封為稍有改善的漢中王（亦稱漢王）。

• 項羽向張良詢問劉邦入關就國（前往漢地）後的威脅性時，張良的答覆使項羽解除劉邦復出的疑慮。（就他人的眼光，張良並非完全站在劉邦的立場，而是以韓國復國為主，聽從韓王的命令，幫助劉邦。）

• 張良計議漢王劉邦：「大王不如燒絕所過棧道，以示天下不回關中之地，以固項羽之憂。」後燒絕棧道。項羽認為漢王劉邦燒絕棧道，無心回關中。之後齊王田榮造反。項羽以漢無憂，發兵北擊齊。

• 接受與支持陳平的建議，運用反間計離間項羽與英布的關係使其疏遠。並讓心高氣傲的楚軍軍師范增受不了項羽的猜忌離去。而後向劉邦獻策，毀信自背後突擊項羽，不過遭反擊而產生危機，此時張良再提議拉攏他力（韓信、彭越）等形成包圍之勢，最終消滅項羽。

• 項羽敗至垓下後，項伯等其他項羽身邊的重臣已知不可為，連夜投奔漢營，張良再次迎接項伯等人。

• 張良反對恢復戰國時的分封體制，力主秦一統六國後的郡縣制集權體制，雖未被全然採納，而是郡縣、分封共混，但對之後西漢邁向郡縣制集權化打下基礎。

• 天下平定後，由於出身山東（指崤山以東，不是現在山東）的劉邦與群臣紛紛想要回河南洛陽建立都城。張良主張建都長安（咸陽城東南方），原因是此地能掌握關中與函谷關，免除關東戰事紛擾。同時，長安兼具四川財富與河套地的畜牧便利等。正是「金城千里」。劉邦聞後依張良主張，建都長安。

• 解除造反危機。項羽死後不久，漢朝確立，但卻遲遲未論功行賞，同時劉邦在宮中看到一群臣子群聚議論，他詢問張良臣子在商討何事，張良回答道因為遲遲未封賞，臣子正在討論如何造反。此話使得劉邦大為緊張，進一步詢問當如何解決，張良問劉邦：「陛下生平最痛恨，而眾臣都知道的有誰？」劉邦答：「雍齒跟我是老朋友了，但他經常譏辱我，使我難堪，我很想殺他。但他多次立功，故我始終不忍心真的去做。」張良說：「請陛下立刻重賞雍齒，眾臣見到就都會放心了。」劉邦立即照做，此事傳開後，眾臣皆認為連皇帝最痛恨的雍齒都能獲賞，想必自己也不會過差，因此打消造反念頭。

• 解除繼承危機。漢高祖寵愛戚夫人，欲改立戚夫人之子為太子，皇后呂雉向張良求教如何保住太子劉盈，張良告訴呂雉，請天下四位名高德重的長者商山四皓共勸劉邦，即可打消高祖廢立之意，事後確實奏效。

• 「運籌帷幄，決勝千里」是司馬遷在所讚張良之語，後被用來稱讚傑出軍師之語。

軼事

• 現在的人為讚嘆張良的智慧，在坊間流傳一句俗諺：「你有張良計，我有過牆梯。」之「張良計」。

• 西漢末年赤眉起義，一時間天下大亂，有人發掘張良的墳墓，剛挖開墓時，只見黃石像活的一般，變化著飛上高空，猶如流星般在雲中消逝。而墓中並沒有張良的骸骨，只有素書一篇及兵略數章。

• 大封群臣時，劉邦曾要張良自己選一塊地，以試探子房是否有野心, 但遭到張良拒絕並預備求去。劉邦最後只好封他為留（縣）侯。張良挑選留縣的原因是，當初他與劉邦在此相遇，特此紀念。

• 《通鑑》記載：自從劉邦定都長安後，張良見好就收, 因此找理由來安全引退.張良開始不吃五穀，也就是闢穀,並且足不出戶，並執意求去：「追隨赤松子（古代神仙，活了數百年）並探求長生不老藥。」（這一點被司馬光批評，認為聰明如張良，怎會口出江湖術士之言，可能底下看到宮廷鬥爭，以及自己功高震主的推測。）

• 提到『夫運籌策帷幄之中，決勝千里外，吾不如子房。』余以為其人計魁梧奇偉，至見其圖，狀貌如婦人好女。蓋孔子曰：『以貌取人，失之子羽。』留侯亦云。司馬遷看了張良圖畫後，驚訝於其「相貌如婦人好女」，並感嘆以貌取人之缺失。

• 蘇軾在《留侯論》亦有引述司馬遷之語。並以為黃石公於石橋故意將其鞋滑落到橋下，是要試探張良是否尚可教之，並認為黃石公可能是隱士。

• 東漢末年時期的曹操及明朝開國皇帝朱元璋分別將自己手下的謀士荀彧和劉基比喻為「吾之子房也」。

評價

兩漢三國

• 劉邦：「夫運籌策帷帳之中，決勝於千里之外，吾不如子房。鎮國家，撫百姓，給餽饟，不絕糧道，吾不如蕭何。連百萬之軍，戰必勝，攻必取，吾不如韓信。此三者，皆人傑也，吾能用之，此吾所以取天下也。」

• 陳平：「智足決疑，量足包荒，才足折衝禦侮，德足輔世長民，皇帝從籌，百僚允若，炎漢萬民之鴻庥；辟穀仙遊，功成身退，乃平生心事之了了。元勛之首冠也。」四六駢體，八股對仗的格式，應該是明清後人捏造。西漢開國之時，張良運籌帷幄，甚至參與劉邦立蕭何為相國的最高決策。陳平是張良的後進晚輩，陳平的評論價值遠低於劉邦呂后對張良的讚許。)

• 司馬遷：「學者多言無鬼神，然言有物。至如留侯所見老父予書，亦可怪矣。高祖離困者數矣，而留侯常有功力焉，豈可謂非天乎？」上曰：「夫運籌筴帷帳之中，決勝千里外，吾不如子房。」

• 揚雄：「蕭規曹隨，留侯畫策，陳平出奇，功若泰山，響若坻聵。」

• 班固：「聞張良之智勇，以為其貌魁梧奇偉，反若婦人女子。故孔子稱『以貌取人，失之子羽』。學者多疑于鬼神，如良受書老父，亦異矣。高祖數離困厄，良常有力，豈可謂非天乎！」、「赫赫鈄軍，受兵黃石，規圖勝負，不出帷幄。命惠瞻仰，安全正朔，國師是封，光榮舊宅。」

• 馮衍：「張良以五世相韓，椎秦始皇博浪之中，勇冠乎賁、育，名高乎泰山。」

• 諸葛亮：「仰其像不威，然運籌帷幄，決勝千里，成帝王之師。」

• 劉劭：「思通道化，策謀奇妙，是謂術家，范蠡、張良是也。」

魏晉南北朝

• 裴松之：「張子房青雲之士，誠非陳平之倫。然漢之謀臣，良、平而已。」

• 陸機：「文成作師，通幽洞冥。永言配命，因心則靈。窮神觀化，望影揣情。鬼無隱謀，物無遁形。武關是闢，鴻門是寧。隨難滎陽，即謀下邑。銷印廢，推齊勸立。運籌固陵，定策東襲。三王從風，五侯允集。霸楚實喪，皇漢凱入。怡顏高覽，彌翼鳳戢。托跡黃、老，辭世卻粒。」

• 傅亮：「張子房道亞黃中，照鄰殆庶，風雲玄感，蔚為帝師，夷項定漢，大拯橫流，固以參軌伊望，冠德如仁。」

• 謝瞻：「王風哀以思，周道蕩無章。卜洛易隆替，興亂罔不亡。力政吞九鼎，苛慝暴三殤。息肩纏民思，靈鑒集朱光。伊人感代工，聿來扶興王。婉婉幕中畫，輝輝天業昌。鴻門消薄蝕，垓下殞攙搶。爵仇建蕭宰，定都護儲皇。肇允契幽叟，翻飛指帝鄉。惠心奮千祀，清埃播無疆。神武睦三正，裁成被八荒。明兩燭河陰，慶霄薄汾陽。鑒旟歷頹寢，飾像薦嘉嘗。聖心豈徒甄，惟德在無忘。逝者如可作，揆子慕周行。濟濟屬車士，粲粲翰墨場。瞽夫違盛觀，竦踊企一方。四達雖平直，蹇步愧無良。餐和忘微遠，延首詠太康。」

• 王儉：「子房之遇漢後，公達之逢魏君，史籍以為美談，君子稱其高義。」

唐宋

• 朱敬則：「神人無功，達人無跡。張子房元機孤映，清識獨流。踐若發機，應同急箭；優遊澹泊，神交太虛，非諸人所及也。至若陳平、荀彧、賈詡、荀攸、程昱、郭嘉、田豐、沮授、崔浩、張賓等，可謂天下之菁英。帷幄之至妙，中權合變，因敗為功，爰自秦漢，訖于周隋。」

• 司馬貞：「留侯倜儻，志懷憤惋。五代相韓，一朝歸漢。進履宜假，運籌神算。橫陽既立，申徒作扞。灞上扶危，固陵靜亂。人稱三傑，辯推八難。赤松原游，白駒難絆。嗟彼雄略，曾非魁岸。」

• 獨孤及：「漢興，蕭何、張良、霍去病、霍光以文武大略，佐漢致太平，一名不盡其善，乃有文終、文成、景桓、宣成之謚。」

• 薛稷：「張良之翼漢王，郭嘉之協魏主，宋武之得穆之，齊高之得褚彥：定策決勝，謀夫孔多。」

• 李白：「子房未虎嘯，破產不為家。滄海得壯士，椎秦博浪沙。報韓雖不成，天地皆振動。潛匿游下邳，豈曰非智勇？我來圯橋上，懷古欽英風。唯見碧流水，曾無黃石公。嘆息此人去，蕭條徐泗空。」

• 胡曾：「嬴政鯨吞六合秋，削平天下虜諸侯。山東不是無公子，何事張良獨報仇。」

• 王安石：「漢業存亡俯仰中，留侯于此每從容。固陵始義韓彭地，複道方圖雍齒封。」、「留侯美好如婦人，五世相韓韓入秦。傾家為主合壯士，博浪沙中擊秦帝。脫身下邳世不知，舉世大索何能為？素書一卷天與之，谷城黃石非吾師。固陵解鞍聊出口，捕取項羽如嬰兒。從來四皓招不得，為我立棄商山芝。洛陽賈誼才能薄，擾擾空令絳灌疑。」

• 司馬光：「夫生之有死，譬猶夜旦之必然；自古及今，固未嘗有超然而獨存者也。以子房之明辯達理，足以知神仙之為虛詭矣；然其欲從赤松子游者，其智可知。夫功名之際，人臣之所難處。加高帝所稱者，三傑而已。淮陰誅夷，蕭何系獄，非以履盛滿而不止耶！故子房托于神仙，遺棄人間，等功名于外物，置榮利而不顧，所謂明哲保身者，子房有焉。」

• 蘇軾：「夫子房受書于圯上之老人也，其事甚怪；然亦安知其非秦之世，有隱君子者出而試之。觀其所以微見其意者，皆聖賢相與警戒之義；而世不察，以為鬼物，亦已過矣。且其意不在書。當韓之亡，秦之方盛也，以刀鋸鼎鑊待天下之士。其平居無罪夷滅者，不可勝數。雖有賁、育，無所複施。夫持法太急者，其鋒不可犯，而其勢未可乘。子房不忍忿忿之心，以匹夫之力，而逞于一擊之間；當此之時，子房之不死者，其間不能容發，蓋亦已危矣。千金之子，不死于盜賊，何者？其身之可愛，而盜賊之不足以死也。子房以蓋世之才，不為伊尹、太公之謀，而特出于荊軻、聶政之計，以僥倖于不死，此圯上老人所為深惜者也。是故倨傲鮮腆而深折之。彼其能有所忍也，然後可以就大事，故曰：『孺子可教也。』」

• 陳亮：「漢高帝所藉以取天下者，故非一人之力，而蕭何、韓信、張良蓋傑然于其間。天下既定，而不免于疑。于是張良以神仙自托；蕭何以謹畏自保；韓信以蓋世之功，進退無以自明。」

• 羅大經：「張子房蓋俠士之知義、策士之知幾者，要非儒也。故早年頗似荊軻，晚歲頗似魯仲連。得老氏不敢為天下先之術，不代大匠斫，故不傷手，善于打乖。」

• 真德秀：「子房為漢謀臣，雖未嘗一日居輔相之位，而其功實為三傑之冠，故高帝首稱之。其漢而下，為諸葛孔明略相伯仲。」

• 陳元靚：「楚兵正雄，秦鹿方走。圯橋跪履，鴻門碎斗。王業以昌，名垂不朽。去追赤松，從容無咎。」

明清

• 袁宏道：「投身刀戟之林，瀕死不悔，不盡其用不止者，張子房、荀文若、賈詡之流是也。」

• 歸有光：「張子房當秦楚之際，以家世相韓，為韓報仇，擇可以委身者，遂從高帝。漢之天下已定矣，子房不受萬戶之封，願從赤松子游。或謂子房不終事漢者，為韓也。夫誅秦滅項，子房之志已畢，移以事漢，何損于義而必去之？獨其為道恬澹，薄視人世之功名，而有飄然遠舉之志耳。」

• 黃道周：「少年為韓，博浪椎秦。一編帝師，圯上老人。沛套天授，說合如神。還軍霸上，謝羽鴻門。當前借暑，理勢具陳。運籌決勝，功莫可論。封齒息反，從劉都尊。布衣封留，志願已伸。寶祠黃石，以明感恩。赤松從游，辟穀採真。始見終隱，千古惟君。」

• 王夫之：「漢高帝疑于所立，乃進而謀者，張良、叔孫通耳。良雖多智，而心固無私；通雖詭合，而緣飾儒術；且皆從容諷議之臣，未嘗握兵而持國柄者也。」

• 朱彞尊：「當年博浪金錐，惜乎不中秦皇帝，咸陽大索，下邳亡命，全身非易。縱漢當興，使韓成在，肯臣劉季？便論功三傑，封侯萬戶，都未是平生意。」

• 屈大均：「漢唐以來善兵者率多書生，若張良、趙充國、鄧禹、馬援、諸葛孔明、周瑜、魯肅、杜預、李靖、虞允文之流，莫不沉酣六經，翩翩文雅，其出奇制勝如風雨之飄忽，如鬼神之變怪。」

• 魏禧：「子房之說項梁立橫陽君也，意固亦欲得韓之主而事之，然韓卒以夷滅。韓之為國與漢之為天下，子房辨之明矣。范增以沛公有天子氣，勸羽急擊之，非不忠于所事，而人或笑以為愚。且夫天下公器非一人一姓之私也，天為民而立君，故能救生民于水火，則天以為子，而天下戴之以為父。子房欲遂其報韓之志，而得能定天下禍亂之君，故漢必不可以不輔。夫孟子，學孔子者也，孔子尊周，而孟子遊說列國，惓惓于齊梁之君，教之以王。夫孟子豈不欲周之子孫王天下而朝諸侯？周卒不能；兩天下之生民，不可以不救。天生子房以為天下也，顧欲責子房以匹夫之諒、為范增之所為乎？亦已過矣！」

• 潘業：「孺子報韓志已奇，天涯更有莽男兒。縱然不盡祖龍壽，也是從來第一椎。」

近代

• 蔡東藩：「張良之燒絕棧道，一奇也，蕭何之私追逃人，二奇也，韓信之驟拜大將，三奇也。有此三奇，而漢王能一一從之，尤為奇中之奇。乃知國家不患無智士，但患無明君，漢王雖倨慢少禮，動輒罵人，然如張良之燒棧道而不以為怪，蕭何之追逃人而不以為嫌，韓信之拜大將而不以為疑，是實有過人度量，固非齊趙諸王，所得與同日語者。有漢王而後有三傑，此良臣之所以必擇主而事也。」

• 馮玉祥：「豪傑今安在，看青山不老，紫柏長芳，想那志士忠臣，千載猶存憑弔所；神仙古來稀，設黃石重逢，赤松再遇，得此洞天福地，一生願作逍遙遊。」

• 周恩來：「項羽打了一百個勝仗，頂不住張良一個主意，優勢變劣勢，只好求和。」

朝鮮

• 朝鮮王朝學者成海應(1760-1839)：「太史公以好奇之故, 其傳留侯, 以滄海力士，黃石公，赤松子，四皓之倫, 相為終始. 留侯欲免高帝之猜, 自托於神仙之術以自晦, 故其事甚奇. 然余疑黃石所授太公兵法, 豈其秘書, 而在秦火之前, 尤易得之, 何故三夜丁寧而始乃授之. 且石言于晉春秋傳記其異, 安有石化為人, 人化為石, 怳惚不可測者乎. 此乃留侯故神其跡也, 非其實也. 太史公乃鋪張而靈異之爾.」（『硏經齋全集續集』 10冊, 史論, 張良）

家庭

祖父

• 張開地：戰國時韓相，相韓昭侯、韓宣惠王與韓襄王

父親

• 張平：戰國時期韓相，相韓釐王與韓桓惠王

子

• 張不疑：長子，嗣侯。文帝十年（公元前170年），坐與門大夫殺故楚內史，贖為城旦。《漢書·張良傳》與《漢書·高惠高后文景功臣表》中所記有出入。《張良傳》中記為文帝三年（公元前177年），坐不敬，國除。

• 張闢彊：次子。漢惠帝駕崩，呂后乾嚎，闢強為侍中，年15歲，洞察呂后之意，謂丞相曰：「太后獨有孝惠，今崩，哭不悲，君知其解乎？」丞相曰：「何解？」闢彊曰：「帝毋壯子，太后畏君等。君今請拜呂台、呂產、呂祿為將，將兵居南北軍，及諸呂皆入宮，居中用事，如此則太后心安，君等幸得脫禍矣。」丞相迺如闢彊計。太后說，其哭迺哀。呂氏權由此起。迺大赦天下。

後代

• 張千秋：張良六世孫，陽陵公乘，元康四年，朝廷下詔張千秋複家，世代免除賦稅徭役。

• 張晧：張良六世孫，東漢大臣（《後漢書》卷56《張綱傳》）

• 張綱，張晧之子

• 張續，張綱之子

• 張翼，張綱曾孫，三國時蜀漢大臣

• 張微，張翼之子

• 張超，張良後代，漢靈帝時期的別部司馬。（後漢書·文苑傳）

• 張道陵，相傳為張良八世孫，五斗米道的創始人

• 張衡，張道陵之子

• 張魯，張衡之子

其它：

• 張湯：與張良同祖，所出不明（《漢書》卷59《張湯傳》：「賛曰：馮商稱張湯之先與留侯同祖，而司馬遷不言，故闕焉」）

藝術形象

影視

• 香港TVB版電視劇《楚河漢界》（1985年）：由黎漢持飾演張良。

• 香港TVB版電視劇《真命天子》（1986年）：由謝賢飾演張良。

• 大陸版電視劇《淮陰侯韓信》（1991年）：由施京明飾演張良。

• 香港版電影《西楚霸王》（1994年）：由金士傑飾演張良。

• 大陸版電視劇《西楚霸王》（1994年）：由畢彥君飾演張良。

• 大陸版電視劇《呂后傳奇》（1994年）：由周曉文飾演張良。

• 大陸版電視劇《漢劉邦》（1998年）：由王剛飾演張良。

• 香港TVB版電視劇《楚漢驕雄》（2004年）：由蔣志光飾演張良。

• 大陸版電視劇《大漢巾幗》（2005年）：由沈保平飾演張良。

• 大陸版電視劇《楚漢風雲》（2005年）：由沈保平飾演張良。

• 大陸版電視劇《大風歌》（2010年）：由馬曉偉飾演張良。

• 大陸版電視劇《韓信》（2010年）：由黃海飾演張良。

• 大陸版電影《鴻門宴》（2011年）：由張涵予飾演張良。

• 大陸版電視劇《楚漢爭雄》（2011年）：由馬曉偉飾演張良。

• 大陸版電視劇《楚漢傳奇》（2012年）：由霍青飾演張良。

• 大陸版電影《王的盛宴》（2012年）：由奇道飾演張良。

• 大陸版電視劇《秦時明月》（2014年）：由丁宇辰飾演張良。

遊戲

• 軒轅劍肆 黑龍舞兮雲飛揚：男主角姬良即為張良。

• 王者榮耀

動漫

• 《天子傳奇3流氓天子》

• 《天子傳奇4大唐威龍》

• 《秦時明月》

• 《秦漢英雄傳》

參看

• 雲台山

注釋

外部鏈接

•

•