Early career and service under Lü Bu

Zhang Liao was from Mayi County (馬邑縣), Yanmen Commandery, which is present-day Shuocheng District, Shuozhou, Shanxi. He was a descendant of Nie Yi (聶壹), but his family name had been changed from Nie to Zhang to avoid association with his disgraced ancestor. When he was young, he served as a minor official in his home commandery.

Towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, Ding Yuan, the Inspector of Bing Province, heard of Zhang Liao's combat skills and hired him as an assistant officer. Ding Yuan ordered Zhang Liao to lead troops from Bing Province to the imperial capital, Luoyang, to assist the General-in-Chief, He Jin. He Jin then sent him on a mission to Hebei, where Zhang Liao managed to recruit over 1,000 men to serve in He Jin's army.

When Zhang Liao returned to Luoyang, the warlord Dong Zhuo had seized control of Luoyang in the aftermath of He Jin's assassination, and replaced He Jin as the de facto head of the Han central government. Zhang Liao and his 1,000 troops then joined Dong Zhuo's army. In 192, after Lü Bu betrayed and killed Dong Zhuo, Zhang Liao served as one of his deputies and became a Cavalry Commandant (騎都尉).

About a month after he killed Dong Zhuo, Lü Bu came under attack by Dong Zhuo's followers, who were led by Li Jue and Guo Si. They defeated him and forced him out of the imperial capital, Chang'an. Zhang Liao accompanied Lü Bu as they headed east and wandered around central and northern China until mid 195, when the warlord Liu Bei offered Lü Bu shelter in Xu Province. In 196, Lü Bu betrayed his host and seized control of Xu Province, after which he appointed a 27-year-old Zhang Liao as the Chancellor of Lu State (魯國; around present-day Qufu, Shandong).

Service under Cao Cao

In 198, the warlord Cao Cao, who controlled the Han central government and the figurehead Emperor Xian, defeated Lü Bu at the Battle of Xiapi and executed him. Zhang Liao surrendered to Cao Cao and became one of his subordinates. He was commissioned as a General of the Household (中郎將) and received the peerage of a Secondary Marquis (關內侯). He was promoted to Major-General (裨將軍) later for his contributions in battle.

Persuading Chang Xi to surrender

In early 201, after Cao Cao defeated his northern rival Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu, he first sent Zhang Liao to pacify the various counties in Lu State (魯國; around present-day Qufu, Shandong), and then ordered him and Xiahou Yuan to lead an army to attack a minor warlord Chang Xi (昌豨) in Donghai Commandery (東海郡; around present-day Linyi, Shandong). Zhang Liao and Xiahou Yuan had besieged Chang Xi for months but were unable to defeat him and their supplies were running out, so they considered retreating.

Zhang Liao told Xiahou Yuan: "Over the past several days, whenever we attacked Chang Xi, I noticed he paid careful attention to me. He is also running short of arrows. I suspect he is having doubts, therefore he isn't doing his best to resist us. Wouldn't it be better if I manage to persuade him to surrender?" He then sent a message to Chang Xi and asked to speak to him. When Zhang Liao met Chang Xi, he told the latter that Cao Cao rewarded those who submitted to him. Convinced by Zhang Liao, Chang Xi agreed to surrender to Cao Cao. Zhang Liao then went to Chang Xi's home alone and visited his family. Chang Xi was delighted and he followed Zhang Liao and Xiahou Yuan back to meet Cao Cao.

When Cao Cao heard about how Zhang Liao persuaded Chang Xi to surrender, he scolded Zhang Liao: "This isn't what a great general should do." Zhang Liao replied: "I was certain that Chang Xi wouldn't dare to harm me because he knows that I am authorised by the imperial court and also because he is influenced by the prestige of you, my lord."

Campaigns against Yuan Shaos heirs and the Wuhuan

In 202, Zhang Liao accompanied Cao Cao to attack Yuan Shao's sons Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang at Liyang (黎陽; northwest of present-day Xun County, Henan). He was promoted to acting Central Resolute General (中堅將軍) for his contributions in battle. Later on, he followed Cao Cao to attack Yuan Shang at Ye (鄴; in present-day Handan, Hebei) but were unable to conquer the city so they retreated in mid 203.

After Cao Cao returned to the imperial capital, Xu (許; present-day Xuchang, Henan), he sent Zhang Liao and Yue Jin to lead an army to conquer Yin'an County (陰安縣; north of present-day Qingfeng County, Henan) and relocate its residents to the south of the Yellow River.

In early 204, Zhang Liao followed Cao Cao to attack Yuan Shang at Ye again and they succeeded in capturing the city this time. Zhang Liao also led troops to the Zhao State (趙國; around present-day Neiqiu County, Hebei) and Changshan State (常山國; around present-day Shijiazhuang, Hebei) in Ji Province, where he persuaded the Heishan bandits and other opposing forces to surrender to Cao Cao.

In 205, Zhang Liao accompanied Cao Cao to attack Yuan Tan at Nanpi County and they defeated Yuan Tan. After the battle, Zhang Liao led an army to the coastal regions and defeated bandit forces led by Liu Yi (柳毅) from Liaodong. When he returned to Ye after the campaign, Cao Cao came out of the city and personally welcomed him back. Zhang Liao was reassigned to serve as General Who Defeats Bandits (盪寇將軍).

In around 206, Cao Cao sent Zhang Liao to counter the unrest in some counties in Jiangxia Commandery (present-day eastern Hubei). Zhang Liao achieved success and returned to his garrison at Linying (臨潁; present-day Linying County, Henan). He was promoted from a Secondary Marquis to a Marquis of a Chief Village (都亭侯).

In 207, Zhang Liao followed Cao Cao on a campaign against Yuan Shang, who had allied with the Wuhuan tribes in northern China. When Cao Cao was preparing to attack the enemy in Liucheng (柳城; present-day Xingcheng, Liaoning), Zhang Liao warned him that Jing Province's Governor Liu Biao take advantage of his absence from Xu to send Liu Bei to attack Xu and take control of the capital. However, Cao Cao felt that Liu Biao would not send Liu Bei to attack Xu because he did not trust Liu Bei, so he proceeded with the campaign against Yuan Shang and the Wuhuan. When they encountered the enemy, Zhang Liao displayed great fervour and strongly urged Cao Cao to launch an attack. Cao Cao was so impressed with Zhang Liao that he passed him his personal signal flag. Zhang Liao led the assault on the Wuhuan at White Wolf Mountain (白狼山; near present-day Lingyuan, Liaoning), defeated them and executed the Wuhuan chieftain Tadun.

Suppressing a mutiny and a rebellion

Around 208, when Cao Cao was preparing to attack Jing Province, he ordered Zhang Liao to garrison at Changshe (長社; present-day Changge, Henan) and wait to mobilise. During the mobilisation, some soldiers started a mutiny and set fire to the camp at night and caused panic. Zhang Liao told his subordinates: "Don't make any move yet. There isn't a single company whose members are all involved in the mutiny, so the mutineers must be trying to cause chaos and make everyone else join them." He ordered all the soldiers who were not involved in the mutiny to remain in their positions and sit down, and then led his personal guards to the main command post to restore order. The leaders of the mutiny were identified and executed.

In 209, after the Battle of Red Cliffs, Chen Lan (陳蘭) and Mei Cheng (梅成) started a rebellion in Lu County (六縣; in present-day Lu'an, Anhui). Cao Cao sent two separate forces to suppress the rebellion: Yu Jin and Zang Ba to attack Mei Cheng; Zhang Liao, with Zhang He and Niu Gai (牛蓋) as his deputies, to attack Chen Lan. Mei Cheng pretended to surrender to Yu Jin, and then led his men to join Chen Lan at Mount Tianzhu as soon as Yu Jin and Zang Ba left. The paths leading up the mountain were narrow and dangerous to travel on.

When Zhang Liao wanted to attack the rebels, his subordinates advised him against it because of the hazardous terrain. However, Zhang Liao said: "This is where one-to-one fighting will take place. Only the courageous can advance forward." He then ordered his troops to make camp at the foot of the mountain. They attacked the rebels later, defeated them, and killed Chen Lan and Mei Cheng.

When Cao Cao was assessing the respective contributions of his generals in the campaign, he said, "The General Who Defeats Bandits (Zhang Liao) was the one who ascended the mountain, travelled through hazardous terrain, and defeated Chen Lan and Mei Cheng." As rewards for his success, Zhang Liao was granted acting imperial authority and given additional taxable households in his marquisate.

Battle of Xiaoyao Ford and aftermath

When Cao Cao retreated after being defeated by Sun Quan and Liu Bei at the Battle of Red Cliffs in the winter of 208–209, he left behind Zhang Liao, Yue Jin and Li Dian with about 7,000 troops to guard Hefei from attacks by Sun Quan.

Around 214, before Cao Cao went on a campaign against the warlord Zhang Lu in Hanzhong Commandery, he instructed Xue Ti (薛悌) to pass a sealed letter to the three generals at Hefei. He wrote "Open when the enemy comes" on the envelope.

Later that year, Sun Quan led about 100,000 troops to attack Hefei, so they opened the letter. It read: "If Sun Quan comes, Generals Zhang and Li will go out to fight the enemy while General Yue will defend the fortress. Xue Ti will stay out of the battle." They were confused after reading the letter.

Zhang Liao told Yue Jin and Li Dian: "Our lord is away on a campaign. By the time his reinforcements reach here, we are already done for. So he is actually instructing us to take advantage of the situation – when the enemy has just arrived and isn't fully gathered yet – to attack them and devastate their morale so we can calm our men and strengthen our defences. Victory or defeat, it all depends on this battle. Why are the two of you still hesitating?" The three generals then worked together and recruited over 800 elite soldiers that night and prepared for battle the following day.

At dawn, Zhang Liao donned his armour, carried a ji, and led his men to attack the enemy formation. He killed tens of enemy soldiers and two officers, shouted his own name, and broke through the barriers until he reached Sun Quan's command post. Sun Quan was shocked and his subordinates were all unsure of what to do. He then went to the top of a knoll, armed himself with a long ji, and stood there. He did not dare to move when Zhang Liao challenged him to come down and fight him.

When Sun Quan saw that Zhang Liao did not have many soldiers left with him, he ordered his forces to surround Zhang and his men. However, Zhang Liao fought fiercely and succeeded in breaking out of the encirclement with a few of his men. His remaining men, who were still trapped by the enemy, shouted: "General, are you abandoning us?" Zhang Liao then turned back and fought his way into the encirclement and succeeded in rescuing his remaining men.

Sun Quan and his men were all stunned by Zhang Liao's valour and did not dare to stand in his way. The skirmish lasted from dawn to the afternoon, and the morale of Sun Quan's army had fallen significantly. Zhang Liao returned to Hefei fortress and strengthened his defences. The defenders felt much more at ease and were very impressed with him.

Sun Quan was unable to conquer Hefei after several days so he withdrew his forces. While Sun Quan was retreating, Zhang Liao suddenly launched a surprise attack and inflicted a crushing defeat on the enemy at Xiaoyao Ford (逍遙津). He came very close to capturing Sun Quan a few times during the battle. Cao Cao was very impressed with Zhang Liao and promoted him to General Who Attacks the East (征東將軍).

In 217, when Cao Cao launched another campaign against Sun Quan, he passed by Hefei along the way, visited the site of the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford, and spent a long time in reflection at the location. He increased the number of troops under Zhang Liao's command and then relocated Zhang's unit to a garrison at Juchao (居巢; in present-day Chaohu, Anhui).

Battle of Fancheng

In 219, when Cao Cao's general Cao Ren was being besieged at Fancheng (樊城; present-day Fancheng District, Xiangyang, Hubei) by Liu Bei's general Guan Yu, Cao Cao was away at the Hanzhong Campaign so he ordered his generals to lead troops from their respective garrisons to reinforce Cao Ren.

Around the time, Sun Quan had pledged allegiance to Cao Cao, so Zhang Liao was able to lead his forces from Juchao to help Cao Ren. However, before Zhang Liao reached Fan, Cao Cao's general Xu Huang had already defeated Guan Yu and lifted the siege on Fancheng.

Zhang Liao rendezvoused with Cao Cao, who had returned after being defeated in the Hanzhong Campaign, at Mobei (摩陂; in present-day Jia County, Henan). Cao Cao rode in a carriage and went out to personally receive Zhang Liao. He then relocated Zhang Liao to the garrison at Chen Commandery (陳郡; around present-day Zhoukou, Henan).

Service under Cao Pi

Cao Cao died in early 220 and was succeeded by his son Cao Pi as the King of Wei (魏王). Cao Pi promoted Zhang Liao to General of the Vanguard (前將軍) and awarded him with 1,000 rolls of silk and 10,000 hu of grain.

When Sun Quan renounced his allegiance to Wei, Cao Pi ordered Zhang Liao to garrison at Hefei again to guard against possible attacks from Wu, and increased his marquis rank to Marquis of a Chief District (都鄉侯). Cao Pi also gave Zhang Liao's mother a carriage, sent soldiers to serve as guards in Zhang Liao's residence, and invited Zhang Liao's mother to visit Luoyang. When Zhang Liao's mother arrived, Cao Pi went out of the city and received her. All the officials who were there lined the path and paid respect to her.

In late 220, Cao Pi usurped the throne from Emperor Xian, ended the Eastern Han dynasty, and established the state of Cao Wei with himself as the new emperor. After his coronation, Cao Pi promoted Zhang Liao from a district marquis to a county marquis under the title "Marquis of Jinyang" (晉陽侯) and increased the number of taxable households in his marquisate to 2,600.

In 221, Zhang Liao travelled to the palace in Luoyang for an audience with Cao Pi, who brought him to a newly constructed hall and asked him for his opinion on how to conquer Wu. Cao Pi compared Zhang Liao to Shao Hu (召虎). He also had a new mansion constructed for Zhang Liao and invited Zhang Liao's mother to live there. All the foot soldiers who accompanied Zhang Liao in the battles against Wu were reassigned to the huben (虎賁; "rapid as tigers") unit of the Imperial Guards.

In 221, after Sun Quan pledged allegiance to Wei again, Cao Pi reassigned Zhang Liao from Hefei to the garrison at Yongqiu (雍丘; present-day Qi County, Henan), where Zhang Liao fell sick. When Cao Pi learnt that Zhang Liao was ill, he sent Liu Ye to visit Zhang Liao and bring along an imperial physician to treat him. He also ordered the huben guards to serve as messengers to constantly update him on Zhang Liao's condition – to the point where these messengers frequently encountered each other along the way while they were travelling between Cao Pi and Zhang Liao's locations. Later on, before Zhang Liao had recovered, Cao Pi visited him, held his hand, gave him an imperial robe as a gift, and ordered his servants to prepare imperial cuisine for Zhang Liao. Zhang Liao returned to the garrison after his condition improved significantly.

Death

In 222, after Sun Quan broke ties with Wei and declared himself the independent ruler of his Eastern Wu state, Cao Pi ordered Zhang Liao and Cao Xiu to lead a naval fleet to Hailing (海陵; around present-day Taizhou, Jiangsu), directly facing Wu territory across the river.

Sun Quan was afraid when he heard that Zhang Liao was there, and he warned his generals: "Zhang Liao may be ill, but he is still a foe to be reckoned with. Be careful!"

Zhang Liao and the other Wei generals defeated the Wu forces led by Lü Fan. However, his condition worsened and he died not long later in Jiangdu (江都; present-day Jiangdu District, Yangzhou, Jiangsu).

Cao Pi cried when he learnt of Zhang Liao's death. He awarded Zhang Liao the posthumous title "Marquis Gang" (剛侯), which literally means "resolute marquis". In 225, in commemoration of Zhang Liao and Li Dian for their contributions at the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford in 214–215, Cao Pi issued an imperial decree: "During the Battle of Hefei, Zhang Liao and Li Dian defeated an enemy force of 100,000 with only 800 foot soldiers. There had never been anything like this before in the history of warfare. They can be referred to as our state's 'claws and teeth' for their success in breaking the enemy's morale. I hereby increase the number of taxable households in Zhang Liao and Li Dian's marquisates by 100 each, and award a son of each of them the title of a Secondary Marquis."

Family

Zhang Liao had an elder brother, Zhang Fan (張汎), who was awarded the title of a marquis in 220 before Cao Pi ended the Han dynasty. Zhang Liao's son, Zhang Hu (張虎), succeeded his father as the next Marquis of Jinyang and held the rank of a Lieutenant-General (偏將軍) in Wei. After Zhang Hu died, his son, Zhang Tong (張統), inherited the peerage. Zhang Liao probably had at least one other son apart from Zhang Hu, because that (unnamed) son of his who received the title of a Secondary Marquis (關內侯) in 225 per Cao Pi's decree was most probably not Zhang Hu.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Zhang Liao is featured as a character in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which romanticises the events before and during Three Kingdoms period. While his fictionalised persona is generally similar to its historical counterpart, some fictitious elements were included in the novel to enhance his image as a loyal and righteous general.

See the following for other fictitious stories in the novel which involve Zhang Liao:

• Battle of Xiapi#Zhang Liao's surrender

• List of fictitious stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms#Guan Yu's three conditions

• List of fictitious stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms#Guan Yu releases Cao Cao at Huarong Trail

• Battle of Dongkou#In fiction

In popular culture

Zhang Liao is featured as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi video game series. He also appears in all instalments of Koei's Romance of the Three Kingdoms strategy game series.

A character called "Iron Face" Zhang Liao (鉄面臂張遼) appears in the 1993–1994 Japanese television series Gosei Sentai Dairanger.

生平

侍從多主

張遼本是聶壹（漢武帝時商人，馬邑之謀的發動者）之後人，其家族為了避怨而改張姓。張遼少年時便已舉郡吏。漢季之期，并州刺史丁原以張遼武力過人，召其為從事，命他帶兵往赴京都。到京後，何進又遣張遼往河北募兵，共得千餘人。可是當張遼募兵尚未還時，京中何進已因剿宦失敗而死，因此張遼所領兵盡歸董卓所有。董卓死時，張遼統兵歸屬於呂布，遷任騎都尉（相當於騎兵隊長，地位略低於將軍）。後來，呂布為李傕所擊敗，張遼跟從呂布往東奔至徐州，任北地太守、魯相（即管理當時的魯國的行政長，在今山東省曲阜市、泗水縣、滕州市一帶）等職，時年二十八歲，成為早期就掌握行政歷練的將領。建安三年，曾奉呂布命與中郎將高順攻打屯小沛的劉備。

到了曹操破呂布於下邳後，張遼部領呂布軍餘眾歸降，被拜為中郎將，賜爵關內侯。

功果顯名

張遼投靠曹操以後，隨軍征討，數有戰功，累遷裨將軍。建安五年（200年），袁紹派顏良襲擊白馬，張遼與關羽被派往救援，大敗袁軍。曹操擊破袁紹的主力部隊後，派遣張遼管轄魯國各縣。

知人善察

後張遼跟隨夏侯淵討伐東海郡的昌豨，二人圍之歷經數月，糧秣將盡，眾人商議先引軍而還，但張遼卻向夏侯淵說：「數日以來，當我每次行於重圍以外時，昌豨都會特別注視著我。而且其軍所發矢石越來越稀少，此必是昌豨心內猶豫不定，所以才不求力戰。我希望能跟他商談，試探一下他的實情。倘若可以成功誘使昌豨下山，豈非更好？」於是命人向昌豨說：「曹公有命，著我前來傳達。」昌豨果然下山與張遼對話。張遼便表示：「曹公正欲以德政懷兼四方之眾，所以先依附曹公者皆能受大賞。」昌豨聽罷答應投降。張遼知其肯降，於是隻身上三公山，入昌豨家中，並拜候其家人。昌豨見張遼如此坦誠相對，心中歡喜，便隨之往見曹操。曹操先遣昌豨回去東海，隨即訓責張遼說：「莽然隻身赴敵巢穴，這不是大將的所為。」張遼答道：「憑著明公昭著四海的威信，我既然奉旨前往，相信昌豨必不敢加害，因此我才會這樣做。」

驅弱敵強

203年，張遼隨曹操到黎陽討伐袁譚、袁尚聯軍，因戰功而晉升為中堅將軍。但袁尚堅守鄴城，久攻不下，曹操便返回許都，命張遼和樂進攻下了陰安，遷徙當地居民到河南。204年隨曹操成功攻下鄴城，又轉攻趙國、常山，招降緣山多個賊軍及黑山賊孫輕等。

205年，隨曹操成功討滅袁譚，攻下海濱，並擊敗遼東太守公孫康所任的營州刺史柳毅等。還軍到鄴城，曹操親自出城迎接，邀請張遼共乘一車以示榮耀，後曹操上表漢獻帝表功張遼、樂進和于禁三人，並任命張遼為盪寇將軍。接著張遼又率軍攻打荊州，平定了江夏各縣，在臨穎屯兵，受封為都亭侯。

207年，曹操要征討在柳城的袁尚，張遼進諫：「許城，是天子所在的地方。現今天子就在許都，曹公北征甚遠，若劉表派遣劉備攻擊許，佔據它號令四方，您的形勢將會大去。」不過，謀士郭嘉卻不認為劉表會有所行動，曹操遂繼續北伐袁氏。

而後，張遼隨同曹操北伐，途中遇上烏桓軍，張遼鬥志昂揚，力勸曹操接戰。曹操十分欣賞張遼的鬥心，又看見烏桓的軍隊尚未排成陣形，於是將自己的麾旗授予張遼暫用，任命張遼為前鋒出戰，烏桓軍大驚，單于蹋頓更被張遼所斬。

計略周備

208年，曹操準備南下荊州，先派張遼、于禁和樂進分別駐紮在潁川郡的長社縣、潁陰縣和陽翟縣。但三人彼此不和，曹操於是命趙儼參三軍軍事，事事都有訓喻，令到三人和睦。後張遼與于禁作為趙儼護送的七軍之一參與了赤壁之戰。

臨出發前，軍中有人謀反，趁夜中製造動亂起火，全軍混亂。張遼對左右說：「不要亂動。這不會是全營的人都發生動亂，必定有製造叛亂的人，想要引起其他人的騷動而已。」便令軍中不是反叛的人立刻安靜坐下。接著張遼率領數十親兵，立於陣中。不一會，即查獲生事者的頭領，並將其斬殺。

立擒賊首

建安十四年（209年），廬江人陳蘭、梅成在灊縣、六縣一帶造反，曹操派遣于禁、臧霸等討伐梅成，而張遼則督張郃、牛蓋等討伐陳蘭。梅成向于禁詐降，于禁便即帶著梅成班師。然而梅成卻乘隙出走，率眾會合陳蘭軍，兩軍更逃進灊山中最險要的天柱山依山防守。張遼想要強行進攻，眾將領均表示：「我們兵少而道路險要，難以深入。」張遼卻認為：「在這種狹窄的險道上進行一對一的決戰，只有勇敢的人才可以取勝向前。」於是進入山中安營，突擊敵軍，成功斬下陳蘭、梅成的首級，擄獲其軍。曹操談論到各將領戰功時說：「登上天山，踏過險峻，成功討取陳蘭、梅成，都是盪寇將軍（張遼）的功勞。」戰後張遼獲增封邑、受假節。征討天柱山一役，是張遼軍旅生涯早期的代表作。經歷赤壁之戰後，曹操派張遼、樂進、李典和七千餘兵卒駐守合肥。

當敵制決

215年八月，孫權乘著曹操征張魯的時機，率領十萬人圍攻合肥。曹操曾於合肥護軍薛悌留函，並吩咐合肥守將張遼等人「當賊兵來侵時便打開此信」。張遼等打開信件後，發現曹操留下了守備合肥的行軍指令：「如果孫權來犯，張遼、李典兩位將軍出戰，樂進將軍守城，護軍薛悌不得參戰。」可是合肥的眾多將領都認為目前形勢敵眾我寡，難以抵敵孫權軍隊，因此都對曹操的指示有所懷疑。張遼卻說：「曹公遠征在外，如果一味等待救兵，孫權他們一定會攻破此城。所以曹公的指示是希望我們趁孫權軍勢尚未完整的時候便出戰迎擊，摧折其鼎盛的軍勢，為守軍建立足夠的信心，事後才可以設法守住此城。」對於張遼的分析，樂進等人沒有給予回應。張遼發怒說：「是成是敗，就視乎這一戰。大家還要疑慮什麼？」結果，李典率先附和張遼，其他眾將亦不再有異議。

於是張遼依照曹操的函信提示，與李典和樂進合作大敗吳軍，更於逍遙津一度包圍孫權。孫權軍當時只有先頭部隊，大軍尚沒有完全集結，張遼於是被甲持戟，帶領部將突襲剛到達的孫權敵陣，孫權軍沒有防備，被張遼殺掉數十人，斬二將，直闖至孫權麾旗之下，孫權大驚，身邊的衛隊均不知所措，只好登上高地以長戟自守。張遼大呼自己的名字，叱喝孫權下來決戰，孫權以戟自守。後來他發現張遼兵少，便下令餘下的軍隊包圍張遼。張遼與左右一起奮力衝殺，攻破重圍，可是仍有部屬在重圍之中，向張遼呼救，張遼便又翻身殺入重圍，救出餘眾。張遼在敵軍中往來衝突，如入無人之境，孫權軍先頭部隊中無人能阻，兩軍奮戰半天，孫權軍先頭部隊士氣喪失，後來孫權軍潘璋和賀齊等人增援趕到集結，張遼才引軍回合肥城中加緊防守，守軍於是對此戰充滿信心，眾將都很佩服張遼的判斷和勇猛。孫權攻打了十餘日，攻不下合肥，又發生流行病，於是退兵。張遼見孫權兵少於是率七千人追擊只有一千人寡兵的孫權，不過孫權在吳將呂蒙、凌統、甘寧等人的拚死掩護下最後還是成功逃出。但不知道弓馬嫻熟的就是孫權，與樂進多次相遇孫權，但不知道是孫權本人，全軍悔歎。

大戰過後曹操對張遼的表現大加讚許，並拜張遼為征東將軍。魏書及魏略說張遼大敗孫權一事震驚孫吳勢力。聲名大噪，成為歷代推崇的名將之一，「張遼止啼」更成為民間流傳的傳奇故事。「威震逍遙津」的事跡也成為《三國演義》中的經典情節之一。

216年，曹操再征孫權，到達合肥時，沿著張遼當年所戰之處走，讚歎了很久。屯軍居巢後再進攻濡須口與孫權戰，孫權築城被曹操逼退，後來孫權反擊把曹操擊退回居巢。當時，臧霸與張遼同為前鋒，當時遇上霖雨水漲，孫軍船隻稍稍移動，大軍不安，張遼想要撤退，但被臧霸勸止。明日曹操見勢不利果然下令撤軍，張遼把臧霸之前的情況說給曹操，曹操稱善加封臧霸的官職。戰後孫權提出議和，曹操無法打敗孫權的堅守唯有接受，並增加張遼之兵，多留數個軍隊，並在居巢屯兵。

折其鋒銳

219年，關羽圍攻於樊城的曹仁，當時孫權剛依歸曹操，張遼及眾軍便前往解救曹仁。張遼未至，徐晃已經打敗關羽。張遼便與曹操會師摩陂，曹操乘車出來慰勞他，並派他屯於陳郡。曹丕接任王位後，改遷張遼為前將軍，封其兄張汎及子張虎為列侯。不久孫權再叛，張遼還屯合淝，進爵都鄉侯，曹丕賜輿車予其母以示榮寵，並派兵馬送其家人到他駐軍的地方，又預先在當地告示張遼家人將要到臨，命令所有守軍出迎，眾軍士將吏都列隊出候拜迎張遼家人，連旁觀的人都為張遼感到榮耀。後曹丕稱帝，再封張遼為晉陽侯，增食邑至二千六百戶。221年，張遼到洛陽宮朝拜，曹丕在建始殿引見張遼，親自問他破吳軍的情況。曹丕聽後對左右讚歎道：「這真是古代的召虎般。」特別為張遼建造屋舍，替其母興建殿室，另外也把跟隨張遼的將士們封為虎賁。

孫權再次向曹魏稱臣後，張遼回到雍丘駐守，不幸在此時得了疾病。曹丕便遣侍中劉曄帶太醫應診，虎賁衛士們往來傳達張遼病況，為張遼問病的使者經常在路上互相遇見。梁章鉅《三國志旁證》中提到「漢三公病，遣中黃門問病。魏、晉則黃門郎，尤重者或侍中。（張）遼位未至公，而遣侍中，蓋寵之也。」可見曹丕如何重視張遼。不久後，曹丕甚至親到張遼軍營執其手問候，賜其御衣，更派太官送御食。病情稍有好轉後，張遼便返回其屯軍之所駐軍，忠於職守。

後來孫權再次背叛魏國，曹丕派張遼乘舟至海陵與曹休會合，孫權甚懼，對各將領說：「張遼雖然有病，但仍勢不可擋，要十分謹慎！」同年，張遼和其他將領打敗孫權的將領呂範，不過後來被孫權軍乘勝反擊，擊破曹休、張遼、臧霸等人，於是魏軍撤退。他的病情卻也日漸嚴重，最後終於在江都逝世。曹丕知道之後，非常傷心，諡為剛侯。225年，曹丕追念張遼和李典在合肥的功勞，下詔道：「合肥之役，張遼、李典以步卒八百人，大破十萬賊軍，自古用兵，未有如此。使賊至今奪氣，可謂國之爪牙矣。其分遼、典邑各百戶，賜一子爵關內侯。」其子張虎嗣爵，位至偏將軍。張虎死後，其子張統嗣爵。正始四年（243年）秋七月，曹芳下詔追祀功臣，當中包括「前將軍張遼」。

特徵

張遼為人勇猛善戰，多次戰役都身先士卒，其合肥的勇武事跡令他留下「止啼」的威名。張遼為人也十分盡忠，當年關羽投於曹操營下，張遼與關羽為好友，曹操便派張遼問關羽去留之心，關羽表明只會跟隨劉備，張遼想到如果照實說給曹操，怕曹操殺關羽。但不說，又不是事君之道，便歎息：「曹公，是如父親般的君上；關羽，是兄弟而已。」最後選擇了照實說給曹操。此舉被後世認為是為臣下者懂分輕重、能識大體的表現，如南朝宋左僕射劉穆之曾說：「我蒙公（指劉裕）恩，義無隱諱，此張遼所以告關羽欲叛也。」尚書右僕射何尚之亦曾言：「臣思張遼之言，關羽雖兄弟，曹公父子，豈得不言？」

此外，張遼感悟必改。當年他與護軍武周不和。後來受胡質勸解，便與武周和好。與李典、樂進等雖然有不和，但在面對東吳大軍之際，同樣能以大局為重。不只李典和樂進，張遼任帥以來與之共同駐兵防守的副將皆有與張遼不睦的紀錄，這在魏國高級將領中十分罕見。

張遼亦十分重視部下，合肥役中，張遼率領部下闖進浩大的吳軍部隊中。張遼突擊衝出，包圍被打開缺口，張遼麾下的數十人得以逃出，其餘軍士呼喚道：「將軍棄我乎！（將軍拋棄我們了嗎？）」張遼因此再度衝進包圍網，再次突圍救出其他人。

家庭

;兄弟

• 張汎，張遼之兄。因張遼功績被封侯。

;子

• 張虎，張遼之子。在張遼死後嗣繼其爵位，後來任至偏將軍。

;孫

• 張統，張虎之子。在張虎死後嗣繼其爵位。

故址

現安徽省合肥市中心逍遙津公園有張遼的衣冠塚，園中有張遼持刀立馬的青銅塑像。另外，據《宋高僧傳·卷十·唐揚州華林寺靈坦傳》載：「元和五年相國李公墉之理廣陵也……召居華林寺，寺內有大將軍張遼墓。」此段記載則稱張遼墓位於廣陵（今揚州市廣陵區）一帶的華林寺內。

評價

在《三國志》中，張遼為魏國建立了殊多的功勳，曹操、曹丕兩父子曾多次以表、詔稱頌其功績。

• 曹操：

　• 206年，上表漢獻帝表彰張遼、樂進及于禁：「武力既弘，計略周備，質忠性一，守執節義，每臨戰攻，常為督率，奮強突固，無堅不陷（此句指樂進），自援枹鼓，手不知倦。又遣別征，統御師旅，撫眾則和，奉令無犯（此句指于禁），當敵制決，靡有遺失。論功紀用，宜各顯寵。」其中張遼的稱讚語是「武力既弘，計略周備，質忠性一，守執節義」，指其有勇有謀。

　• 209年，稱讚其征天柱山之勇：「登天山，履峻險，以取蘭、成，盪寇功也。」

• 曹丕：「此亦古之召虎也。」「合肥之役，遼、（李）典以步卒八百，破賊十萬，自古用兵，未之有也。使賊至今奪氣，可謂國之爪牙矣。其分遼、典邑各百戶，賜一子爵關內侯。」

• 孫權：「張遼雖病，不可當也，慎之！」

• 張遼大戰合肥後，威震東南。他在孫權軍中往來衝突，既能殺入重圍救出部屬，又敢於進取幾乎擒住孫權，其勇猛表現受到後世稱頌。孫權在讚揚吳將甘寧時，亦以張遼為譬喻，說：「孟德有張遼，孤有甘興霸，足相敵也。」

• 溫恢：「遼等素知王意，後召前至。」（《三國志·卷十五·溫恢傳》）

• 《三國志》載陳壽總評，指出張遼是曹操時期當先行軍建功的勇者之一：「太祖建茲武功，而時之良將，五子為先。」

• 宋李昉等撰的《太平御覽·人事部》有兩條張遼止啼的記載：〈第一百二十九○啼〉引《魏略》和〈第七十五○勇二〉引《魏書》。

　• 魚豢：「張遼為孫權所圍，遼潰圍出，複入，權眾破走，由是威震江東。兒啼不肯止者，其父母以遼恐之。」

　• 王沈《魏書》則更為詳細：「孫權率十萬衆圍合肥，遼募其敢死者八百人，登鋒陷陣，大破之。太祖遣遼屯合肥，給遼母車輿兵馬，遂夷甕所。敕遼母至所在，令道從迎，觀者榮之。江東小兒啼，恐之曰：「遼來，遼來！」無不止矣。」

• 裴松之注《三國志·魏武帝紀》引《魏書》評曹操時亦提到：「知人善察，難眩以偽，拔于禁、樂進於行陳之間，取張遼、徐晃於亡虜之內，皆佐命立功，列為名將。」

• 裴松之注引孫盛：「以致命之兵，擊貪墯之卒，其勢必勝；勝而後守，守則必固。」（《三國志·魏書·張樂于張徐傳第十七》）

後世評價

• 賀長齡《皇朝經世文編·兵政·兵法百言中·揭暄》講述將領的「鎮」字原則時，例子亦提到「張遼令不反者皆坐」一事。

• 《全唐文》：「張文遠身先士卒，果立殊功。」

• 《舊五代史·李存孝傳》載：「存孝每臨大敵，被重鎧橐弓坐槊，僕人以二騎從，陣中易騎，輕捷如飛，獨舞鐵楇，挺身陷陣，萬人闢易，蓋古張遼、甘寧之比也。」

• 《智証傳》：「魏將張遼，唐將王彥章皆有威名。當時小兒啼不止。其母呼兩人者名。而兒啼止。」

• 傅玄在《傅子》中曾稱「曹大司馬之勇，賁、育弗加也。張遼其次焉」。

• 除了勇猛外，張遼的軍事才能亦極受認同。以兩件事跡最為後世軍事家或小說家所稱頌，其一為208年長社鎮亂，其二為215年合肥之戰。杜佑《通典·兵典·兵三》「料敵制勝」篇中曾引張遼屯長社時擒拿造反者之事為例，注釋說明「張遼審計，立擒賊首，亦同料敵之義」。

• 張仲宣：「張遼運籌之方，可以歸之於先軌；關羽搴旗之效，可以論之於後塵。」（《對知合孫吳可以運籌決勝策》）

• 張預：「設若奮寡以擊眾，驅弱以敵強，又不選驍勇之士使為先鋒，兵必敗北也。凡戰，必用精銳為前鋒者，一則壯吾志，一則挫敵威也。故《尉繚子》曰：『武士不選，則眾不強。』曹公以張遼為先鋒而敗鮮卑，謝玄以劉牢之領精銳而拒苻堅，是也。」

• 《續資治通鑑》記載：「二月，丁未朔，夏人圍蘭州，數十萬眾奄至，已據兩關，李浩閉城拒守。鈐轄王文鬱請擊之，浩曰：『城中騎兵不滿數百，安可戰？』文鬱曰：『賊眾我寡，正當折其鋒以安眾心，然後可守，此張遼所以破合肥也。』」

• 蘇籀：「錯捐金帶子輿台，李典張遼安在哉。濟溺我應知大略，摧鋒人自得高才。」

• 洪邁《容齋隨筆》亦提到：「張遼走孫權於合肥，郭淮拒蜀軍於陽平，徐晃卻關羽於樊，皆以少制眾，分方面憂。」

• 葉適：「孫權十萬攻合肥，守者七千。旁無近援，固已不自保。而遼乃募士八百，擊其未合，以至尾追，幾獲大醜。非操之智，無以使張遼；非遼之勇，而明亦不能自任。勝負成敗，蓋誠以人，不在眾寡。士常如此，則立于積衰甘弱之地，為預怯莫前之說，以自附于明哲者，可察矣。」

• 南宋陳元靚《事林廣記·後集·卷四》有贊語頌張遼：「天造草昧，君子經綸。篤生晉侯，為魏元臣。千載嘉會，一代偉人。風雲千載，孰繼後塵。」

• 郝經：「張遼、徐晃諸將壯猛有謀，亦關張之亞匹；然失身于操，終為勇而無義。」

• 朱元璋：「王保保以鐵騎勁兵，虎踞中原，其志殆不在曹操下，使有謀臣如攸、彧，猛將如遼、郃，予兩人能高枕無憂乎。」

• 羅貫中：「諕殺江南眾小兒，張遼名字透深閨。才聞乳母低聲說，夜靜更闌不敢啼。」

• 宋徵璧：「張遼、趙雲出入敵壘，使敵披靡，以英風猛氣自足懾敵，敵不敢害也，然非大將之道。」（《左氏兵法測要》）

• 黃道周：「魏圍昌豨，糧盡欲歸。遼請少緩，當中有機。屢視以目，發矢又稀。似可挑誘，因示德威。先附大賞，豨降不違。軍中忽亂，絕不驚疑。不反安坐，反者自知。有頃有定，首謀殺之。魏恐賊至，封教相遺。賊來開教，教意頗微。唯遼有識，力戰破圍。孫權敗走，安守合肥。為將若此，方稱出奇。」

• 袁枚：「然而公始則霽雲斷指，繼乃公孫洞胸。小白未殭，大黃猶射。又典韋臨危之戟，橫貫數人。衝張遼已出之圍，再呼殘卒。淺色黃衫，蓋棺之衣早備。玄緌新篋，歸元之面如生。可以謂之勇矣，可以謂之烈矣。」

• 毛宗崗：「（徐）晃之戰沔水，與張遼之戰合淝，仿佛相類。兩人皆有大將才，故關公與之友善。」「張遼之守合淝，其真大將之才乎！大將之才三：既勝而能懼，是其慎也；聞變而不亂，是其定也；乘機以誘敵，是其謀也。宜其為關公之器重歟！惟大將不懼大將，亦惟大將能知大將。」

• 邵之棠《皇朝經世文統編·經武部》載趙翼《古來用兵兵多者敗》：「其以少擊眾，戰功最著者，如合肥之戰，張遼李典以步卒八百，破孫權兵十萬。」

• 錢基博《近百年湖南學風》載曾國藩語：「孫仲謀之攻合肥，受創於張遼；諸葛武侯之攻陳倉，受創於郝昭；皆初氣過銳，漸就衰竭之故。」

• 陳忠倚《皇朝經世文三編·治體》載鄭觀應《儲將才論》：「古之所謂將才者，曰儒將、曰大將、曰才將、曰戰將。英布、王霸、張遼、劉牢之、曹景宗、高敖曹、周德威、擴廓帖木兒等，戰將也。」提到不同類型的將領時，將張遼列為戰將。

• 王歆：「曹魏多名將，而張遼為第一。從征柳城，格斬蹋頓；並鎮合肥，突權麾下。以八百破十萬眾，賁育不過其勇也。合肥之戰，勝不僥倖，乃得『急』、『裂』二字。急者，料敵于先，乘敵不備，破敵未合。權以重兵來犯，以為當者披靡，城守皆深溝高壘，不敢出應，是以惰將統驕卒。逆而擊之，安得不破？裂者，募敢死士，以寡凌眾，以強踐弱，前指渠魁，立奪三軍氣也。設權杖槊當道，被矢不退，小大之勢在，則遼必無功矣。不體天，不察地，不知我，不料敵，是權在合肥之謂也。遼既破賊，長屯居巢，以懾吳人，是魏武之能用人也。世多名將，鮮能終始，時移勢易，勝負難以逆料。而『張遼雖病，不可當也』語，是真畏敵也。遼能全功，或端賴權之功耶？一笑。」

• 梅公毅：「為將之道，膽欲大而心欲細；膽大則勇，心細則智，所以能戰勝攻取，即有不利，亦不至一敗塗地。三國時將材，可當此者，魏之張遼，漢之趙雲而已。」

• 韓兆琦《中國古代文學名著人物形象辭典》提到張遼時稱其「不僅智勇雙全，而且為人忠厚坦誠。在曹魏武將群中，是一個堂堂正正的人格典範。」

逸話

文學創作形象

三國時繁欽作品《征天山賦》，主要描寫張遼征討陳蘭、梅成時的狀況。賦題寫明：「丞相武平侯曹公東征，臨川未濟，群舒蠢動，割有灊、六，乃俾上將盪寇將軍張遼治兵南嶽之陽。」清末民初時期學者古直《曹子建詩箋》指出，陳思王曹植的作品《白馬篇》中的主角，是以張遼於207年征討烏桓時的形象為創作原型的。南北朝時的文學作品中，庾信《哀江南賦》有「張遼臨於赤壁，王濬下於巴丘。乍風驚而射火，或箭重而回舟。未辨聲於黃蓋，已先沈於杜侯。落帆黃鶴之浦，藏船鸚鵡之洲」之句。元代雜劇中，張遼主要有兩個身份：一是呂布手下「八健將」之一，二是曹操的親隨軍師，更有「百計張遼」之稱。託名關漢卿所作的雜劇《關雲長千里獨行》中，張遼的開場白就已道出其出身：「筆頭掃出千條計，腹內包藏七字書。小官姓張名遼，字文遠。幼習儒業，頗看韜略之書。先曾在呂布之下為健將，後在於曹丞相手下為參謀。」而在不少雜劇劇目，張遼與許褚分別擔任曹操軍中重要的文武代表，二人經常作為曹操的心腹愛將而並列。如《劉玄德醉走黃鶴樓》中有「曹操以雄兵百萬，虎將千員。左有百計張遼，右有九牛許褚，獨霸許，虎視中原」句，《諸葛亮博望燒屯》中則有「則仗著主公前關將張飛，那裏怕他曹操下張遼許褚，更共那孫權行魯肅周瑜」句。《三國志平話》中，張遼仍然擔任曹軍軍師，有「智囊先生」的稱號。

《三國演義》裡的張遼

在著名章回小說《三國演義》中的張遼，歷程大概依循正史而為。《三國演義》有兩個回目出現張遼的名字，分別是第五十三回《關雲長義釋黃漢升，孫仲謀大戰張文遠》，與及第六十七回《曹操平定漢中地，張遼威震逍遙津》。他先為呂布部將，多番令曹軍陷於苦戰，其武勇連關羽亦甚稱道，他曾對張飛說：「此人（張遼）武藝，不在你我之下。」後來呂布戰敗遭擒，張遼亦成為戰俘，於白門樓上表現剛烈，罵呂布為「匹夫」，大呼曹操為「國賊」，視死如歸。曹操下令絞殺呂布後，劉備、關羽為張遼求情，曹操便待張遼以上賓之禮。張遼感其恩情，於是投降，自此成為曹操將領。第二十五回中，曹操在下邳城外的土山上包圍關羽，張遼請纓勸說關羽暫降曹軍，以報關羽白門樓相救之恩。關羽降曹期間，張遼一直擔任曹操與關羽之間的協調者與斡旋者。後來關羽過五關斬六將，被夏侯惇追趕糾纏，亦賴張遼趕至拆解二人紛爭，讓關羽可以順利離開曹營。張遼跟隨曹操後，一直隨軍征討，不久參與官渡之戰，先後大戰張郃，斬蔣奇，大敗袁尚、沮鵠。在追擊袁熙、袁尚時張遼受曹操任命，秉持軍麾，擔任首將，率領許褚、于禁、徐晃迎擊烏桓軍，張遼更親斬烏桓單于蹋頓，建立諸多戰功。

曹操南下追擊劉備於長阪時，張飛據橋拒守，並威脅曹操如不退兵便深入軍中取其首級，曹操一時被其氣燄嚇退。張遼從後追上曹操，分析張飛只有一人，不足深懼，宜重新追擊。赤壁之戰時，張遼與許褚一起擔任「護衛往來監戰使」，當孫權軍中的黃蓋以詐降計發動火攻時，曹操形勢艱險，張遼親載小舟渡曹操脫難，並射傷黃蓋。曹軍戰敗撤退期間，張遼一直護衛著曹操，為其抵敵呂蒙、張飛，最後曹軍受關羽堵截，張遼的出現令關羽動故舊之情，放過曹操，曹操才得免於難。赤壁戰後，曹操命張遼為主將，引李典、樂進等守合肥，以禦孫權。第五十三回中，孫權親臨合肥戰線，與張遼經歷多場戰爭，均未能攻克合肥，其將領太史慈更於此役中被張遼將計就計射殺。第六十七回，孫權乘曹操遠在漢中的時機，再次引軍進攻合肥，張遼在曹操密令的指示下，靈活調動軍隊，並親自領軍迎擊孫權。最終大敗孫權軍隊，更幾乎擒住孫權。張遼因是役而威震逍遙津，名揚天下。

最後，張遼隨曹丕以大船征伐江東，軍隊被徐盛所擊敗。曹丕登岸逃亡時，吳將丁奉從岸邊殺至，張遼為保護曹丕上前迎敵，卻被丁奉以箭射其腰，回營後不治身亡，曹丕厚葬之。及至魏將曹真、司馬懿主理對蜀戰爭之時，以張遼之子張虎及樂進之子樂綝二人為軍鋒，可惜二人表現平庸。

後世地位

張遼的軍事表現受歷代所尊崇。唐代李翰所撰《蒙求》中有「張遼止啼」一語。建中三年（公元782年），禮儀使顏真卿向唐德宗建議，追封古代名將六十四人（「武成王廟六十四將」），並為他們設廟享奠，當中就包括「魏征東將軍晉陽侯張遼」。同時代被列入廟享名單的只有關羽、張飛、周瑜、呂蒙、陸遜、鄧艾、陸抗而已。及至宋代宣和五年，宋室依照唐代慣例，為古代名將設廟，七十二位名將中即包括張遼。在北宋年間成書的《十七史百將傳》中，張遼亦位列其中。另外，日本小說家吉川英治於作品中創造的「遼來來（）」一語，即是形容張遼止啼的典故。

慣用武器

《三國志》曾有張遼「披甲持戟」的記載。而在《三國演義》裡，張遼的武器主要是大刀，如在第五十三回就有「張遼揮刀來迎」語。

動漫遊戲創作

• 在日本遊戲及動畫中的不少「三國」題材作品裡，張遼經常都有八字鬍，並戴著方形、寬闊的頭盔或氈笠，成為張遼形象化的特色，且各項能力值都有相當水準（如正子公也筆下的張遼）

• 《三國志》

• 《三國演義》

• 《橫山光輝三國志》（橫山光輝）

• 日本遊戲生產商光榮公司所製作的《真·三國無雙》系列、《三國志》

• 卡普空開發的街機遊戲《吞食天地II 赤壁之戰》，張遼作為其中一關的關主。

• BB戰士三國傳中的張遼格魯古古（張遼ゲルググ）、SD高達世界 三國創傑傳中的張遼沙煞比（張遼サザビー）等。

• 一些動漫作品中，張遼都與故主呂布、好友關羽有著親厚的信賴關係，如漫畫《火鳳燎原》和《蒼天航路》。

• 在日本特攝作品《五星戰隊大連者》中，有一角色名為「鐵面臂張遼」，就是以張遼為創作原型的。

影視作品

• 麗的電視本港台電視劇集《三國春秋》（1976年）：由宋嘉豪飾演張遼。

• 亞洲電視（ATV）電視劇《諸葛亮》（1985年）：由鄭恕峰飾演張遼。

• 電影《關公》（1992年）：由艾長緒飾演張遼。

• 中國中央電視台電視劇《三國演義》（1994年）：由徐少華、張亞坤、王衛國飾演張遼。

• 電視劇《三國英雄傳之關公》（1996年）：由黃仲裕飾演張遼。

• 電影《諸葛孔明》（1996年）：由劉新春飾演張遼。

• 電影《一代梟雄曹操》（1999年）：由劉新春飾演張遼。

• 電視劇《曹操》（1999年）：由孫長江飾演張遼。

• 中國電視劇《呂布和貂蟬》（2001年）：由趙毅飾演張遼。

• 電視劇《武聖關公》（2004年）：由高天昊飾演張遼。

• 電影《赤壁》（2008年）/電影《赤壁：決戰天下》：由徐豐年飾演張遼。

• 中國電視劇《三國》（2010年）：由程相銀飾演張遼。

• 電影《關雲長》（2011年）：由邵兵飾演張遼。

• 香港無綫電視台電視劇《回到三國》（2012年）：由黃文標飾演張遼。

• 中國電視劇《新洛神》（2013年）：由慄小原飾演張遼。

• 中國電視劇《曹操》（2013年）：由丁俊飾演張遼。

• 中國電視劇《武神趙子龍》（2015年）：由孫浩然飾演張遼。

• 中國電視劇《大軍師司馬懿之軍師聯盟》（2017年）：由劉旭飾演張遼。

備註