Zhang He

Zhang He (onyomi: Chō Kō) is a general who first began his military career under Han Fu. After his liege was conquered, he served Yuan Shao until slander and distrust forced his defection to Cao Cao. His masterful tactics and rapid adaptability within the field were historically feared by Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang. This was especially so, when Zhang He surrounded and defeated Ma Su at Jieting. He died as a reputed elderly general and the emperor personally mourned his passing. Chen Shou respectfully dubbed him one of the five accomplished generals of Wei.

Many Western Dynasty Warriors fans may perceive Zhang He's character to be homosexual, but this has never been confirmed by Zhang He or any other character in the series. Gamecity's Dynasty Warriors 7 character popularity poll has him at thirty-seventh place with fans and forty-ninth in the Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends poll. The latest poll for the eighth installment puts him in fiftieth. The character poll for overseas fans puts him in seventh place for the Wei division. He also ranked third in Shin Sangoku Musou Online Z's first survey for most popular general.

His character's height in Kessen II is 180 cm (5'11").

In the latest Romance of the Three Kingdoms installment, his name's pinyin is misspelled as Zhang Yue.

Role in Games

 * "And here comes the belle of the ball!"
 * Kunoichi; Warriors Orochi 2

Dynasty Warriors
Zhang He is an eccentric man who is obsessed with dancing and beauty. He starts as an officer under Yuan Shao but joins Cao Cao either during or after the Battle of Guan Du. Once the Three Kingdoms are formed, he is sometimes ordered to guard Mt. Tian Dang. After he suffers defeat, he assists Xiahou Yuan's defense at Mt. Ding Jun. He often assists the capture of Han Zhong and partakes in deflecting Shu's advance in their Northern Campaigns. A few scenarios depict his death at Mount Qi.

In Dynasty Warriors 3 he is a very prominent Wei character appearing in most of their battles. Zhang He makes his first appearance at Guan Du where he may defect to the Wei army if certain conditions are fulfilled. He also appears at Chang Ban, Chi Bi, Mt. Ding Jun, Jie ting, You Ting, He Fei Castle, and Wu Zhang Plains. He is the only starter character to begin their story at Guan Du.

Mount Qi is where his Legend Mode in Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends takes place. Zhuge Liang's army has taken a position around the mountain top and threaten Sima Yi's forces. To counter, Zhang He is sent to the mountain to investigate Wei Yan's shady movements. As he pursues the fleeing general, Shu closes the gates along the mountain road and trap him with boulders and other traps. Undeterred, Zhang He corners Wei Yan and slays him to claim victory.

In Dynasty Warriors 5, Zhang He is described as one of the many drafted to end the Yellow Turban Rebellion. Finding his way to Yuan Shao, his reputation as a warrior grew when he suppressed Gongsun Zan's forces. In his story, he helps win the battle at Guan Du yet becomes enchanted by Cao Cao's beauty. He joins Wei afterwards and destroys his former master. After his assistance at Tong Gate, he is ordered to guard Mt. Tian Dang but suffers defeat. Humiliated by his loss, he gets his revenge against Shu at Mt. Ding Jun. Losing Xiahou Yuan and Cao Cao after the battle has a profound effect on Zhang He and he chooses to renew his oath of loyalty under Cao Pi. Wanting to end the tragedy that the wars have wrought, he contributes to the end of Shu at Jie Ting and Chen Cang. Zhuge Liang dies in their last battle and Wei easily conquers the rest of the land. To celebrate their grand victory, Zhang He orders the Wei army to disarm and join him in a dance.

He shares his Legend Mode in the Xtreme Legends expansion with Cao Cao, Xiahou Yuan and Cao Ren. Together, they struggle against the supernatural powers wielded by the Five Bushel sect. While the other generals lead their individual paths, Zhang He guards his liege in the center. He uses the shorter ascending valleys to open his lord's path.

Zhang He's ending scene in Dynasty Warriors: Online shows him dueling the player in one of their training routines. When his sparring partner ends the duel to admire a small flower, Zhang considers its fragile attempt to survive a thing of beauty and even compares it to the player's own development. Not wanting to risk trampling it, they leave to find another place to train.

Zhang He appears during the Battle of Chi Bi and Sima Yi's campaigns in the sequel. At Chi Bi, he will be inspired by the flames caused by the fire attack and gains a substantial morale boost. During the strategist's story, he is suspicious of Sima Yi's declarations of ambition but, taken by the strategist's daring plans, he joins the betrayal at Xu Chang.

Zhang He is also present in Lu Bu's versions of Chi Bi and Guandu, as well as Diao Chan's version of Han Zhong. At Han Zhong, he tries to prevent Lu Bu's army from seizing the castle as part of Cao Cao's pursuing troops. At Guan Du, he fights at Baima and Yanjin under Yuan Shao, but will work with the enemy if Yuan Shao and Cao Cao decide to join forces. At Chi Bi, he fights for Cao Cao. If the fire attack fails, he will target Sun Quan's camp. But if Sun Quan and Cao Cao were defeated by Lu Bu's army, Zhang He will fight with the allied forces as a result of a truce between Zhou Yu and Dian Wei. He also believes that Lu Bu and his army were drawn to his presence.

In Dynasty Warriors 6: Special, Zhang He cares less about the results of a battle and more about his pursuit of beauty. After repelling Cao Cao's army at Guan Du, he becomes entranced with Cao Cao's military tactics and is convinced by Zhen Ji to leave Yuan Shao. As an officer in Wei, he keeps the armies motivated with his dances and contributes to uniting the land under Cao Pi's rule. Content with finding beauty during war, he ends his story by striving to find beauty during peace.

Like other titles in the series, Dynasty Warriors 7 has Zhang He appear during Wei's Story Mode when he first serves Yuan Shao. Cao Pi recognizes his talents during battle and asks if he wants his life to end with Yuan Shao. Zhang He hesitates until Cao Pi orders the supplies at Wuchao to be burned to the ground. When Cao Pi uses the fire as a metaphor for his choice, Zhang He decides to "burn brilliantly in a new age" and joins Cao Cao's army. Quickly taking to his duties, he is the one to direct Zhang Liao during the chase at Changban. After his service at Tong Gate, he joins Xiahou Yuan in conquering the south, starting with Yangping Gate. Together with the general, they are charged of guarding Hanzhong. While facing the Shu army at Mt. Dingjun, Xiahou Yuan charges him with protecting the main ally camp.

He reports Xiahou Yuan's death to Cao Cao who gives him orders to break through Mt. Tiandang for a safe withdraw. In honor of the "beauty" they have lost, Zhang He asks the commander to watch over his splendid performance. During the battle, he successfully causes Zhuge Liang's retreat. Though he tries to pursue, Sima Yi stops him since their objective to escape has been fulfilled. Noticing Xiahou Dun's frustration by Cao Cao's seemingly heartless reaction to Xiahou Yuan's end, Zhang He elaborates for him the sorrow he feels from their leader by choosing to prioritizes his plans to slay Guan Yu. He continues to appear in Wei's defense during Shu and Wu's Story Modes.

His first Legendary Battle takes place during Guandu, this time allowing players a chance to fight against Cao Cao's army for the battle. Jieting acts as his second Legendary Battle as he leads the men to take down Ma Su's position on the mountain top. Zhang He is impressed by Wei's perfect formation against the general, even when they're soon surrounded by Zhuge Liang's sudden reinforcements. His third Legendary Battle has him search for talented participants for a dance he wants to perform on stage with them. Zhang He convinces his various snarky or reluctant recruits by beating them with his dances. When his performance group is completely gathered, he announces rehearsals for their stage event will begin the following day.

In Dynasty Warriors Next, Zhang He makes his first appearance in the fourth chapter under Yuan Shao's forces. He is initially stationed at Pingyuan, one of two areas leading to Guandu. After his lord's demise, he gratefully accepts Cao Cao's request to join the latter. He appears in the seventh chapter where he and Xiahou Yuan are charged with the defense of Xiangyang. Wu's final battle against Wei has him serve as Cao Cao's last line of defense when the rest of their forces are destroyed. In Wei's ending movie, he is seen performing a dance to entertain the troops.

Appearing first in Wei's story in eighth installment, Zhang He is among the generals of Yuan Shao, and fights with his lord at Guandu. After being defeated by Cao Cao, however, he decides to align himself with Cao Cao and defects. He becomes a valuable asset to Wei participating in Chibi and Tong Gate. He is also present in Hanzhong's defense in which he consoles the enraged Xiahou Ba over the death of his father.

In the hypothetical route, Zhang He helps in the defeat of Wu at Jianye. In Shu's scenario, he takes a more active role as an enemy, and is among the defenders in Zhuge Liang's various northern campaigns.

In the expansion, Zhang He's role with both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao is further explored.

Wei's story mode has him appear as an enemy in the revised Guandu; his defeat enables the player to locate Wuchao. After that, he plays a recurring role among Cao Cao's men. At Hanzhong, he is under heavy fire from Shu forces and needs to be rescued. At Zitong, he finds and takes Shu's supply depot. He is also present in Wei's attack at Maicheng. When the battle is over, he offers to have a dance with Yu Jin, who refuses out of desire to maintain discipline. He also appears in the revised Chibi with the rest of Yuan Shao's forces.

During Lu Bu's story, Zhang He is among Yuan Shao's forces at Changshan. If Yuan Shao moves to assist Lu Bu at Dingtao, Zhang He will be among the reinforcements. If the hypothetical route is followed, he appears at Guandu, guarding Yanjin castle. He joins the final battle at Chang'an, and he activates ballistae to stop the rams at the outer gate. Like most of the officers in the battle, he is slain.

Zhang He is a recurring opponent in the Shu-focused campaigns for Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed. He is the final boss of the Changban scenario where he challenges both Zhao Yun and the player to a duel. In the Battle of Mt. Dingjun, he persistently attacks Zhang Fei and Huang Zhong, having been greatly provoked by the former's drunken rants.

For his bond story, Zhang He is dismayed to find Yuan Shao ignoring his advice not to underestimate Cao Cao's forces. Even worse, the machinations of Guo Tu cause him to lose more of his lord's trust, resulting in his defection to the other side. To impress his new lord, he proposes taking over Hanzhong to keep Liu Bei from expanding his territory and later contributes to Zhang Lu's downfall at Yangping Gate.

When Zhang He finds himself engaged in a battle of attrition against Zhang Fei, he comes up with a plan to relocate the people of Pahsi to Hanzhong while distracting his opponent. This results in the settlers becoming loyal subjects to Cao Cao. His story ends with him undertaking the task of defending Chencang from Zhuge Liang with Sima Yi's tactics and Cai Wenji's music complementing his greatest performance.

In the ninth installment, he appears as part of Yuan Shao's forces before his story and acts as the warlord's leading general and provides occasional advise such as the potential of recruiting Lu Bu or using attrition at Guandu. When Cao Cao's forces launch their fire attack on Wuchao, Zhang He is defeated with Gao Lan in an attempt to defend their supplies and the pair surrender.

His story begins after his surrender, where he sent on various tasks against Liu Bei's forces at Xinye and Bowanpo. When Cao Cao is defeated at Chibi, Zhang He's retreat will be cut off by Zhu Ran at Changsha. Leaving their united enemy to create cracks on their own, Zhang He accompanies his lord west to deal with Ma Chao's rebellion following his father's demise and helps conquer Hanzhong from Zhang Lu. Unfortunately, Liu Bei refuses to allow Wei to have an important area and launches an invasion that claims Xiahou Yuan's life.

Understanding the costs needed to pay in order to finish Guan Yu, Zhang He sympathizes with his lord's pain and makes a fighting effort to entice Guan Yu to move for Fan Castle. Like the other Wei and Wu forces, Zhang He participates in the battles at Fan Castle and Mai Castle leading to Guan Yu's death. After the passing of Cao Cao, Cao Pi becomes King of Wei and instructs his allied officers to secure the succession of Wei from Han and launches two brief campaigns against Shu with his five-pronged assault and against Wu at Guangling.

Following Cao Pi's passing, Zhuge Liang launches a widescale northern campaign, but Zhang He personally leads the troops to thwart Shu's invasion; striking the critical area of Jieting and being responsible for the great victory. Noticing both Guo Huai and Xiahou Ba observing the training of his troops, Zhang He prays that the late Xiahou Yuan still watch over them with the army that his lieutenant was left behind with.

Warriors Orochi
In the first game, Zhang He appears in all four stories as an officer of Orochi usually under Cao Pi's command. In Wei's first Gaiden stage, Zhang He is frustrated to serve such a "misshapen beast" and refuses to aid Cao Pi's efforts in defending their main camp. He criticizes Cao Pi for abandoning his "beautiful dream of total domination", and is in turn condemned for not doing his duty. He rejoins Wei's efforts when Cao Pi defends him from his attackers. The two will reconcile with Zhang He's faith fully restored in Cao Pi.

He continues to serve Wei in Warriors Orochi 2. He is given the task of subduing Yuan Shao's army at Shizugatake. By turning the Yuan sons against one another through deception, Zhang He has Yuan Shao join their army. He shares his dream mode with Diao Chan and Motochika as three aesthetics who work together to punish Da Ji at Osaka Bay. Zhang He's personal task in the stage is defeating the flow of soldiers in the area and charming them with his elegance.

Zhang He helped subjugate the dimensional realm in the name of Wei in Warriors Orochi 3, but he was eventually overwhelmed by the serpent army. Humorously he is imprisoned with other maidens by Dong Zhuo at Xuchang. Rescued by the coalition from the future, he gladly offers them their aid. Liu Shan relies on his memory of Mt. Xingshi to prevent Jiang Wei's death, and assists Sima Zhao in protecting Da Ji when she is surrounded by Cao Pi's men at Tong Gate. Zhang He later answers the call to defend Nanzhong and quickly bonds with a mysterious swordsman in the battlefield.

During Ultimate, he, Xiahou Yuan and Kojirō are sent to Yan Province, which is under attack from Musashi Miyamoto and Achilles's forces. The culprit is soon revealed to be a fake Zhang Jiao, who lied about being attacked to Musashi in order to create chaos.

Zhang He was a part of Cao Pi's division when the prince entered an alliance with Ares in Warriors Orochi 4. In reality, however, Zhang He and the rest of Cao Pi's forces have no real loyalty to the god and aim to help destroy the Olympian army from within. Zhang He and the rest of the Wei forces under Ares have continuous clashes against the Coalition.

After Cao Cao returns, the warlord launches an attack on Cao Pi's forces at Ōdani Castle, and Cai Wenji and Zhang He are captured in the process, and both surrender. Upon capture, they reveal Cao Pi's true intentions and inform them of his secret letter within the castle.

As part of the Coalition, he joins Hanzō and Kunoichi's investigation of the suspicious behavior of some of their allies, who become suddenly hostile. It is all soon revealed to be one of Sun Wukong's tricks in creating chaos, and the soldiers are soon beaten back to their senses. Once the hypnotized Coalition officers return to their senses, they work together and help defeat the monkey.

Kessen
Zhang He appears alongside Xiahou Dun in Kessen II. Before his return to Wei, he was occupied with quelling various uprisings in the country. He is clad in full body armor and is a strong warrior to have as a support. According to the developers, he is the type of person who never allows people to see his real face. He is a skilled bowman and often leads a crossbow unit into battle.

Personality
Zhang He is depicted as a narcissist who takes joy in aesthetically appealing things and has melodramatic theatrical mannerisms. He frequently decorates his sentences with the words "beautiful" and "graceful." For his newer appearances, he specifies the beauty he admires to be a force that unites the will of the land, people, and war. He is also prone to dramatically posing during cut-scenes, occasionally surrounded by a number of butterflies. Each war to him is a stage for him to demonstrate a beautiful dance. Zhang He has a disdain for things that are crude and vulgar. He has seen to be very comforting and encouraging to his comrades when they are in low spirits and discouraged. In spite of his odd behavior, his versatility and often flawless performance earns him respect from Cao Cao and Sima Yi.

Although he isn't always fond of Xiahou Yuan's attire, Zhang He is charmed by the general's war tactics and chummy sincerity. It is sometimes the general's compassion that allows him to overlook his defeat at Mount Tiandang. Zhang He responds to his comrade's compliments with bubbling praise, which always isn't appreciated by the latter. As of recent installments, he is cited to be adept in the musical and literary arts.

If an edit female character chooses to follow him, he will treat her in a different manner than other members of the male cast. His comments usually emphasize her bravery and elegance in battle, treating her as his fellow partner in crime rather than stating the personal feelings he felt by spending time with her. Humorously, when he offers his wife a break in Dynasty Warriors 6: Empires, he states that their beauty will be sullied by overworking and they should both rest.

Character Symbolism
Within the Dynasty Warriors series, Zhang He is often associated with butterflies. This stems from a pun of his family name (Zhang), which is pronounced as "chō" under its onyomi rendering in Japanese. "Chō" is also the same pronunciation for the winged insect, although the characters have nothing distinctly in common with one another. To follow up on the concept, Zhang He creates a team with Diao Chan (Chō Sen) and Zhao Yun (Chō Un) in the series's mahjong title for the same reason. Zhang Liao (Chō Ryō) likely refused the bizarre offer while Zhang Jiao (Chō Kaku) and Zhang Fei (Chō Hi) didn't fit with Zhang He's tastes. Butterflies are commonly seen as objects of beauty yet also symbolize death and rebirth in various cultures. A few legends state that a person's remains or soul may be reincarnated as several butterflies after their passing.

In the Japanese version of Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires, Zhang He is given the nickname of "Dance of the Deadly Butterfly" while the English version changes it to "The Poet of Battle". As a dominant ruler in Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires, he calls his five greatest warriors the "Five Jade Warriors".

The original names for his third and fourth weapons take their namesakes from one of the Four Sacred Beasts, the Vermilion Sparrow. A majestic king of birds who only appears during times of peace, its tail feathers flashes five vibrant, lovely colors. When it takes off for its flights, flocks of other birds will accompany it in the sky.

His Skill weapon's name within the original release of Dynasty Warriors 6 means to enter disorder. Usually within literary fiction and other similar media, this term is paired with two other characters for flowers of different shapes and colors (百花繚乱, hyakka ryōran). The four character phrase literally describes several blooming flowers being dispersed and scattered at once, creating a chaotic but astounding image. Sometimes, this same description is attributed to pretty and talented people.

Zhang He's Strength weapon for his spear set is literally named yugen, a traditional concept found within Japanese aesthetics. Originally based on Chinese concepts and Buddhism, yugen began to take a unique definition during the late Heian and Kamakura period. The definition of the word varies on the context. Waka poetry holds yugen in high regard as one of the top levels of beauty, stressing its usage for "suggestive yet powerful imagery" found within mediocrity and daily occurrences of the world. Anyone is capable of expressing yugen for the wonders of beauty is always shared by people. Subtlety with a profound and natural impact is the key concept of this definition. The variation is found within renga poetry, which states only the truly capable and experienced can grasp the true concept of yugen. It is unattainable by words alone, understood by additionally comprehending the meanings of that which isn't said. A full grasp of the human will and emotions is a universal necessity for this version.

Special has his armaments once again act as homages to the Four Sacred Beasts. Specifically, his weapons are the claws of the Vermilion Sparrow (Standard; same as his fourth weapon), the White Tiger (Skill), and Blue Dragon (Strength). His skill chart vaguely looks like his trademark weapon or a sideways map of the character "beauty" (美).

Voice Actors

 * Yoshiyuki Kono - Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi series (Japanese)
 * Qiao Yulong - Dynasty Warriors 3 (Chinese)
 * Dirk Meyer - Dynasty Warriors 3 (German-uncredited)
 * Jeon Gwang-Ju - Dynasty Warriors 3~5 (Korean)
 * Stuart Scott Bullock - Dynasty Warriors 4 (English-uncredited)
 * John DeMita - Dynasty Warriors 4 (English-uncredited)
 * Yuri Lowenthal - Dynasty Warriors 5~8, Warriors Orochi 1~2 (English-uncredited)
 * Ryan Lefton - Dynasty Warriors 9 (English)
 * Teng Xin - Dynasty Warriors 9 (Chinese)
 * Choi Jihun - Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed (Korean)
 * Kentaro Honda - Dynasty Tactics (Japanese)
 * Yasuhiko Tokuyama - Dynasty Tactics 2 (Japanese)
 * Takeshi Kusao - Kessen II (Japanese)
 * Chris Tergliafera - Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao (English-uncredited)
 * Choi Seunghun - Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao (Korean)
 * Kōji Takahashi - Sangokushi Legion (Japanese)
 * Kensuke Satō - Youkai Sangokushi (Japanese)
 * Kentaro Ito - Sangokushi Hadou (Japanese)
 * Wataru Yokojima - Sangokushi Three Kingdoms TV series

Live Action Performers

 * Juri - Butai Shin Sangoku Musou Kanto no Tatakai

Quotes

 * See also: Zhang He/Quotes


 * "Behold my dance of death!"
 * "I will dazzle the battlefield with my exquisite dance!"
 * "I will gracefully cut you to pieces, and scatter them to the earth!"
 * "Victory is ours. Show your joy... not with your blade, but with a dance!"
 * Dynasty Warriors 5


 * "The enemy camp... Was it pretty?"
 * Dynasty Warriors 3


 * "Poor butterfly, your beautiful wings have been singed by the flames. I shall put you out of your misery."


 * "Come... Die..."
 * "A beautiful, yet deadly plan... Most impressive! Your death will make a splendid finale for this battle!"
 * Wei Yan and Zhang He; Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends


 * "...Is there something on my face?"
 * "Noticing and basking in the beauty of this world, serves to nourish my own immaculate beauty."
 * Zhen Ji and Zhang He; Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires


 * "I expected to see some things out of the ordinary. However, I do not think that anybody could be prepared for you."
 * "I am comfortable with who I am. It is only natural to be captivated by my timeless beauty."
 * Jia Xu and Zhang He; Dynasty Warriors 7


 * "Oh my, you're no ordinary warrior... Now you've managed to pique my curiosity!"
 * "I have never encountered anyone quite like you before... I... I..."
 * Zhang He and Xu Huang; Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends


 * "Your quest for beauty is unending, Master Zhang He, isn't it. It even shows in how you arrange your forces."
 * "I should have known that the Sleeping Dragon would recognize my efforts. I can teach you, if you would like?"
 * "I am your enemy. Should you be teaching me the secrets of your force so easily?"
 * "Yes of course. Because you see, true beauty is a momentary phenomenon. The formations you have seen are of the past. They won't be used in battle again. I lose nothing by sharing them."
 * "To not use such perfect formations ever again in battle... I see it won't be an easy task to defeat you."
 * Zhuge Liang and Zhang He; Dynasty Warriors: Godseekers


 * "Oh man... I thought I'd found another pretty lady. What a disappointment..."
 * "I am as pretty as any lady, I assure you!"
 * Magoichi and Zhang He; Warriors Orochi


 * "I cannot allow Lu Bu's defeat, not when he brings such chaos to the world."
 * "Chaos is the enemy of beauty! Therefore, you must be destroyed."
 * Kotarō and Zhang He; Warriors Orochi 2


 * "Ranmaru, I believe that true beauty does not distinguish between men and women. In fact, by transcending gender, that is where real beauty lies."
 * "Umm... Why are you telling this to me?"
 * Zhang He and Ranmaru; Warriors Orochi 3


 * "You move so wonderfully. With such grace, even when in battle. Like a glorious butterfly dancing through a world of chaos."
 * "I thought you were buttering me up, for a moment, but I actually think you quite captured my essence. I like the way you think, too. Seeking beauty in all things. I think that's quite lovely!"
 * "You are too kind. Being able to fight alongside you makes my heart soar. I will become your partner butterfly and dance through battle with you!"
 * "Hehe, lovely. Let's lead everyone into a beautiful world of hell."
 * Zhang He and Nō; Warriors Orochi 4

Gameplay

 * See also: Zhang He/Movesets

Weapons

 * See also: Zhang He/Weapons

Dynasty Warriors 8
Zhang He still uses the claws as his default weapon in this title.

Historical Information
Zhang He was a distinguished military general under the powerful warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of China. He began his military career when the Yellow Turban Rebellion erupted in 184 and subsequently served under Han Fu and Yuan Shao before defecting to Cao Cao during the Battle of Guandu. He participated in many major campaigns, including those against Yuan Tan, Zhang Lu, Ma Chao, and Liu Bei. After Cao Cao's death in 220, Zhang He was primarily engaged with defending Cao Wei against the Northern Expeditions led by Chancellor Zhuge Liang of the Kingdom of Shu. He died from an arrow wound received during an encounter with Zhuge Liang's forces in 231.

Famed for his resourcefulness that even Zhuge Liang was said to be wary of, Zhang He was considered by Chen Shou, author of the Records of Three Kingdoms, to be one of the five top generals of the Kingdom of Wei, along with Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, Yue Jin, and Yu Jin. He was also said to be full of respect for Confucian scholars, and supported the measure to adopt masters of the Five Classics in Cao Pi's court.

Zhang He had four sons, who were all enfeoffed as marquises by Cao Rui in recognition of their father's contributions to Wei. The eldest, Zhang Xiong, inherited his father's title "Marquis of Mao". The youngest son, whose name is unknown, received the title of a Secondary Marquis.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms introduces Zhang He as one of Yuan Shao's generals, who accompanies his lord at Guandu to fight Cao Cao. During the battle, Cao Cao's forces burn Wuchao. Zhang He wishes to send relief troops to save the remaining supplies, but Yuan Shao instead sends him to try and take the enemy main camp during their commander's absence.

Zhang He and Gao Lan fail in the attack and learn that Guo Tu had been slandering them during their leave. With little alternative, both men dismount and surrender to Cao Cao's forces. Zhang He's first command is to fight his former lord at Cangting. Zhang He acts as one of the ambush parties, and helps destroy Yuan Shao's army.

After Cangting, Zhang He accompanies his lord in the hunt for Liu Bei at Changban. Zhang is able to trap Zhao Yun in a pitfall and surrounds him, but Zhao Yun's horse is able to leap out of the gulley, and Zhao fights his way through Zhang's soldiers. After Liu Bei's escape, Zhang He participates in the Battle of Chibi, where most of the allied fleet is wiped out by the fire attack. Managing to reach shore, Zhang He joins Zhang Liao and Xu Chu in fighting off the Sun troops that attempted pursuit. Later, Zhang He is held up fighting Zhang Fei in order to buy their lord time to escape.

Successfully surviving the ordeal, Zhang He is sent to fight at Wei's western borders. During the opening battle against Zhang Lu, Zhang He and Xiahou Yuan's forces overestimate themselves and are defeated by Yang Ang and Yang Ren. The two are spared from execution at the behest of other officers and are instructed to not commit the same error.

Leading their troops out, Zhang He and Xiahou Yuan get lost in Hanzhong's fog. By sheer luck, they are able to find the enemy camp while Yang Ang had left to scout and take it with ease. When Yang returns, he is killed in quick manner. After this, Zhang Lu's forces join together at Yangping Gate, and Zhang He is one of the generals to duel against Pang De.

Once Hanzhong is taken, Zhang He is stationed with Cao Hong to help organize the defense of the region from Liu Bei. Zhang's desire to fight the enemy head-on is negated by Cao Hong's defensive strategy, which Zhang begrudgingly accepts. Eventually, Liu Bei's men begin attempting to provoke Zhang He by hurling insults at him. When these initial attempts fail, Zhang Fei decides to have a wrestling match in front of him as he drinks. At his tipping point, Zhang He rides out to fight Zhang Fei, only to spear a straw dummy and be encircled for his troubles. Thanks to his loss, Liu Bei's forces are eventually able to close in on most of the strategic checkpoints in Hanzhong.

Relocated further north to the Liang Province, Zhang He later works alongside Sima Yi to combat Zhuge Liang's northern campaign. During the first campaign, Zhang is instructed by Sima to block off Wang Ping from Ma Su and to cut off Ma Su's water supply, thereby forcing a crippling end to the Northern Campaign. In the second, Zhang attempted to lead reinforcements to rescue Chencang, having sent Wang Shuang with an earlier detachment. While Chencang's siege is relieved, Zhang is disappointed to learn of Wang's death right before his arrival.

The fourth campaign had the Shu forces withdraw once again due to supply reasons. Seeing the enemy withdrawal, Sima Yi ordered Zhang to advance, despite his objections of a potential ambush. Entering Mumen Pass, Zhang He is greeted by Zhuge Liang at the top of the cliff. Making a futile attempt to charge through, Zhang He and his men are buried alive by boulders and arrows.

Upon exiting the pass, Zhuge Liang told Sima Yi that he was looking to hunt a horse with his trap, only to find a deer instead. Sima was terrified gravely by Zhang He's death.

Trivia

 * His nickname with Dynasty Warriors fans is "The Beautiful Guy", thanks to his dialogue with the word "beautiful" and his characterization in general. Zhang He's other nicknames include "butterfly", from players who prefer using the Japanese character for the word instead of the proper writing for his name via its Japanese reading, which may have been an intentional pun by the developers.
 * Dynasty Warriors 8's first promotional movie for Wei did not include Zhang He within it. When his fans raised their concerns about his disappearance on the game's official Twitter, the team had Zhang He "respond" back to them and revised the video to include him.