Empress Zhang (Liu Shan, former)

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Empress Zhang (張皇后, personal name unknown) (d. 237), formally Empress Jing'ai (敬哀皇后, literally "the respectful and lamentable empress") was an empress of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. She was the daughter of Zhang Fei and his wife Lady Xiahou, and the first wife of Liu Shan, the second emperor of Shu Han. She married Liu Shan in 221, after Liu Shan's father Liu Bei, who was a great friend of Zhang Fei's, had declared himself the emperor of Han. As Liu Shan was the crown prince, she was given the title of crown princess. She lost her father later that year, as he was assassinated by one of his subordinates just as he was about to join Liu Bei on his campaign against Eastern Wu to avenge their sworn brother, Guan Yu. When Liu Bei died in 223, Liu Shan became emperor and created her empress.

Empress Zhang appeared to have had no children. She died in 237.

Preceded by Empress Wu

Empress of Shu Han 223–237

Succeeded by Empress Zhang (later)