Zhang Ao

Zhang Ao was one of the feudal lords after the end of the Qin dynasty in 206BC.

Life

Born in the Kingdom of Zhao, he was the son of Zhang Er, a Zhao general and posthumously known as King Jing of Zhao. Zhang Ao participated in his father's campaigns against the last armies of the Qin. The hegemon king Xiang Yu of Western Chu made Zhang Er king of Changshan during the Eighteen Kingdoms Period, but Zhang Er changed his loyalty to Liu Bang, the eventual founder of the Han dynasty and was appointed King of Zhao. In 202BC, Zhang Er died and Zhang Ao succeeded him to the throne of Zhao. He married Liu Bang's daughter, Princess Yuan of Lu, who would later predecease him. In 198BC, his plot to kill Liu Bang was revealed, but he was pardoned and only demoted to Marquis of Xuanping. He was succeeded as king of Zhao by the emperor's young son Liu Ruyi. Zhang Ao died during the reign of Empress Lü.

Zhang Ao's posthumous title was Marquis Wu ; his son Zhang Yan was later appointed King Luyuan, after the title of Yan's mother Princess Luyuan. Zhang Ao's daughter Zhang Yan became the wife of Emperor Hui, her uncle.