Liu Zhang, the youngest son of Liu…

Liu Zhang, the youngest son of Liu Yan, had spent his early career at the Han court as an assistant to his two eldest brothers, Liu Fan and Liu Dan, serving at the court when it was controlled by the warlords Li Jue and Guo Si.

Liu Zhang had been sent by the court to admonish his father for brutal actions, but upon arriving his father had refused to let him go back to the court.

In 194, following the deaths of his elder brothers and then his father, he had succeeded to the governorship of Yi Province.

During his rule over the province, he shows ambition to expand his territory, but it is said that he was a good ruler and maintained peace in his realm.

In 200, Zhang Lu, who had previously recognized Liu Yan as his master, rebels against Liu Zhang.

Liu Zhang has Zhang Lu's mother, brothers, and other family members executed.