Zhang Jue
Zhang Jue was a religious leader in ancient China who became a military general and led the Yellow Turban Rebellion during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He had a reputation as a Taoist sorcerer capable of performing miracles, and he became extraordinarily popular. Proclaiming the government as corrupt and oppressive, he and his followers attempted to take over the capital city but was thwarted. His name is sometimes read as Zhang Jiao, since the Chinese character of Zhang's given name can be read as either "Jiao" or "Jue", which are 2 different pronunciations of the same character that evolved through different routes.
Yellow Turban Rebellion
The Yellow Turbans originated as a Taoist movement called the Tàipíng Dào or "Way of the Great Peace", which had started well over a decade prior to the rebellion. Zhang Jue's followers hailed him as being able to cure patients by giving them water blessed by the burning of talismans. Those who recovered then believed in him and his teachings, and his fame spread by word of mouth. Professor Rafe de Crespigny noted that disease outbreaks were reported in Han dynasty China in 171, 173, 179, 182, and 185 CE, with the potential cause theorized as the Antonine Plague of 165 to 180CE of smallpox or measles spreading along the Silk Road.Giving himself the title of "Great Teacher", Zhang Jue led the rebellion with his younger brothers Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang. He and his brothers gave themselves titles: Zhang Bao was the "General of Earth", Zhang Liang was the "General of the People" ; and Zhang Jue was the "General of Heaven". The Yellow Turbans claimed to be Taoists, and rebelled against the Han dynasty in response to burdensome taxes, rampant corruption, and famine and flooding, which were seen as indications that the Han emperor had lost the mandate of heaven.
During this time, Zhang spoke of the magic he thought himself capable of to his followers, and "promised that if they took his medicines, they would be immune from wounds and could fight in battle without fear".
The rebellion began in March 184. The Yellow Turbans conquered significant territory in the early years of the rebellion, but after a failed siege of the capital, they could not hold out against Han imperial forces led by He Jin, Lu Zhi, Dong Zhuo, Huangfu Song, Zhu Jun and others. Zhang Jue died from sickness later in October 184.
Although the Yellow Turbans still remained capable even in face of their more powerful foe, they were nonetheless torn apart upon the death of their leader, and were eventually defeated and dispersed. Zhang Bao was defeated and killed by imperial forces led by Huangfu Song and Guo Dian in December 184 or January 185 at Xiaquyang County, while Zhang Liang also met his end in November or December 184 at the hands of imperial forces led by Huangfu Song at Guangzong County.
Large groups of Yellow Turbans roamed through China for years after the rebellion's defeat, most of them eventually joining the army of the warlord Cao Cao, whose agrarian reform policies closely matched Zhang Jue's own programme.
In ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms''
Zhang Jue is also featured in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He is introduced in Chapter 1 as follows:Zhang Jue then goes on to start the Yellow Turban Rebellion with his brothers. Little time is devoted to Zhang Jue in the book, and his death is given a line in the second chapter: "Zhang Jue had died before his arrival." After his death, his body was beheaded and his head sent to the capital Luoyang. In the novel, his brother Zhang Bao does not die in battle against imperial forces, but meets his end at the hands of a subordinate, Yan Zheng, who cuts off his head and surrenders to imperial forces.
In popular culture
Zhang Jue appears as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi video games series, as well as serving as an antagonist in Capcom's Destiny of an Emperor for the Nintendo Entertainment System. He is referred to as "Zhang Jiao" in these games. He is also seen as one of the antagonists of the light gun shooting game SEGA Golden Gun.In Total War: Three Kingdoms fourth DLC installment, Mandate of Heaven, Zhang Jue and his brothers lead the playable Yellow Turban factions who seek to overthrow the failing Han dynasty and establish a new order in China.
In the action role-playing game Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Zhang Jue and his brothers appear as separate boss fights.
In the Japanese mobile gacha game Fate/Grand Order, Zhang Jue is a summonable character the player can use in battles. According to the game's story, Zhang Jue is a magic-user who serves an alien life form in Area 51.