Zhang Xiu was a regional military leader in the late Eastern Han dynasty, from Zuli in Wuwei, and a nephew of the Liangzhou warlord Zhang Ji. After Zhang Ji’s death, Zhang Xiu took command of his forces, stationed them at Wancheng, and allied with Liu Biao of Jingzhou. When Cao Cao campaigned south, Zhang Xiu initially surrendered. Soon afterward, however, he felt deeply insulted when Cao Cao took Zhang Ji’s widow as a consort. Following the plan of his adviser Jia Xu, Zhang Xiu abruptly rebelled and launched a night attack on Cao Cao’s army at Wancheng. Cao Cao suffered heavy losses: his eldest son Cao Ang, his nephew Cao Anmin, and the formidable general Dian Wei were all killed. Dian Wei died fighting to cover Cao Cao’s retreat. Zhang Xiu continued to oppose Cao Cao while relying on Liu Biao and holding the northern approaches to Jingzhou. On the eve of the Battle of Guandu, as Yuan Shao and Cao Cao competed for control of the Central Plains, Zhang Xiu followed Jia Xu’s advice and surrendered to Cao Cao again. Cao Cao set aside the old grievance over Wancheng and treated him generously. Zhang Xiu thereafter campaigned under Cao Cao and became part of the Cao Wei camp. His life is closely associated with the Battle of Wancheng, and his connection with Dian Wei became an important point of intersection in Three Kingdoms storytelling because that battle led to Dian Wei’s death.