Zhang Liang (Tang Dynasty) - Background and Service Under Li Mi

Background and Service Under Li Mi

It is not known when Zhang Liang was born. He was from Zheng Province (鄭州, roughly modern Zhengzhou, Henan), and it was said that his family was not of a noble lineage. Early in his life, Zhang was a farmer, but was said to have great expectations. He was also said to be appearing to be honest and meek outwardly, but instead was treacherous inside. At the end of Sui Dynasty, the rebel ruler Li Mi conquered Zhang's home region, and Zhang followed him. Initially, he was not regarded highly by Li Mi, but after he revealed a treasonous plot to Li Mi, Li Mi believed him to be faithful, and so made him a general and had him serve under the major general Xu Shiji.

In 618, Li Mi was defeated by the Sui general Wang Shichong, and he fled to Tang Dynasty territory and surrendered to Tang. The parts of the territory formerly under Li Mi's control was still under Xu's control, and Xu, because Li Mi had already submitted to Tang, decided to submit to Tang as well — a decision that Zhang supported.