Zhang He | Wei

Name: Zhang He

Age: 35 (Born in 170 AD)

Appearance: Zhang He is a tall (Standing at 6’4”), feminine, and attractive man with long flowing dark hair worn in a ponytail and matching dark eyes. He embodies a fierce grace, clad in form fitting purple and gold armor.

Personality: Zhang He is a narcissistic character who enjoys aesthetically pleasing things and uses melodramatic theatrical mannerisms. He believes beauty unites the will of land, people, and war. Zhang He is known for his dramatic posing and beautiful dances during wars. Despite his unconventional behavior, his versatility and flawless performance earn him respect from Cao Cao and Sima Yi. Zhang He is charmed by Xiahou Yuan's war tactics and sincerity, He is also known for his musical and literary skills, and is fond of poetry, although his praise is often not appreciated by his comrades.

Despite his flamboyant behavior, Zhang He is a highly capable general of great skill, not to be underestimated. His soldiers are fast, agile, and follow his command without question-- he treats his men well. Zhang He is described to be a resourceful and proficient military leader who was well versed in geography and capable of making accurate predictions about war situations, to the point where even Zhuge Liang is wary of him. Even though he serves in the military, he highly respects Confucian scholars. He once recommended Bei Zhan, a learned scholar who was known for his good moral conduct and who was from the same hometown as him, to serve in the Wei government.

Zhang He wields large dual claws in battle. Though his methods are unorthodox, Cao Cao respects him regardless, due to the good results he brings. He is fond of butterflies, exemplifying them as the epitome of the beauty he seeks to exude. Despite his vain behavior, he does not hesitate to praise those he deems beautiful, and treats women as fellow partners in crime.

Backstory: Zhang He was from Mao County. When the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, he responded to the Han government's call for volunteers to serve in the army and help to suppress the revolt. He was commissioned as a Major and placed under the command of Han Fu, the Inspector of Ji Province.

In 191, after Han Fu relinquished his control of Ji Province to the warlord Yuan Shao, Zhang He came to serve Yuan Shao and was promoted to the rank of Colonel. Between 191 and 199, Zhang He fought on Yuan Shao's side in the war between Yuan Shao and his rival Gongsun Zan. In 199, after Yuan Shao had eliminated Gongsun Zan at the Battle of Yijing, Zhang He was further promoted to General of the Household Who Brings Peace to the State for his achievements in battle.

In the year 200, Yuan Shao fought the Battle of Guandu with Cao Cao, a warlord who controlled the Han central government and the figurehead Emperor Xian. With Yuan Shao having a few advantages like a far larger army in the initial stages of the campaign, Zhang He suggested that he avoid direct confrontation with Cao Cao and instead send a light cavalry force south to attack the rear of Cao Cao's camp. Yuan Shao did not heed Zhang He's suggestion and attacked his foe's main force instead. In the first few battles of the campaign, Cao Cao's forces won several victories in which two of Yuan Shao's generals were killed and no progress was made in overrunning Cao Cao's defenses.

After this, Zhang He defected to Cao Cao’s side. After his defection, Zhang He was appointed by the Han imperial court (under Cao Cao's control) as a Lieutenant-General and enfeoffed as a Marquis of a Chief Village. As of now, he is fighting on Cao Cao's side against Yuan Shao's heirs and allies.