Zhang (Macanese)

"The Zhang Wei Union is always at the service of our family!"

―Zhang, 1725.

Zhang (張) was a Chinese laborer who worked in Macau when it was a colony under the Portuguese Empire in the early 18th century. He lived in a village settlement nestled in a forested valley behind the city with his wife and daughter.

After the British Assassin Edward Kenway saved him from an attack by Shimazu clan ninja, Zhang repaid the favor by allowing Edward and his friend, the navigator John Young, to take shelter in his village. When Edward later helped to treat an outbreak of cholera that had claimed his daughter, Zhang once again offered to return the favor. Together with his fellow laborers, he became an informant for the Assassin in Macau, helping him obtain valuable information about the various happenings in the city.

Following Edward's establishment of the Zhang Wei Union, Zhang joined the organization and relocated to the A-Ma Cultural Village alongside many of his fellow villagers. Appointed head of the Union by Edward, Zhang handled the business side of the organization while also accompanying the Assassin on several of his missions, until Edward's eventual departure from Macau.

Biography

Meeting Edward Kenway

Zhang: "You helped me! I help you too!"

Edward: "Now there's someone with a proper sense of gratitude."

—Zhang offering to help Edward after the latter saved him, 1725.

Zhang being saved by Edward

In February 1725, Zhang was caught in the middle of an engagement in Macau's port between the British Assassin Edward Kenway and ninja under the employment of the Japanese Templar Shimazu Saito. When a ninja attempted to eliminate Zhang for being a witness to the engagement, Edward saved his life by assassinating the ninja from behind. As more ninja arrived and surrounded them both, they were saved by the arrival of John Young, who fired a cannonball on the boat they were on and ended the fight.

After being taken aboard John's ship, Edward sought to re-enter the harbor to pursue Hendrik's lead but increased security around the port led him to reconsider. As both him and John needed to lay low for the time being, Zhang offered them shelter at his village. Edward and John accepted the offer and traveled to Zhang's home aboard John's ship.

Upon arrival, Zhang showed the pair around the village and helped them settle in. Edward later took John hunting in the nearby forest, with the two sharing their gains with the villagers upon their return to repay their favor of hospitality. However, the feast was interrupted by Zhang's wife, who revealed that their daughter's health was rapidly deteriorating.

Zhang and his wife praying for their late daughter

Although unaware the girl was suffering from cholera, Edward and John offered to help in any way they could, especially after being told that the same illness was plaguing the entire village. Believing that a solution of salt and sugar might prove useful, Edward went back to Macau to acquire the resources from a warehouse owned by the affluential businesswoman Madam Lee. Following his return, a remedy was made which saved most of the sick villagers' lives, although it was too late for Zhang's daughter, who died shortly after.

Edward's informant

Edward: "Mister Zhang, what kind of goods does Master Sun trade?"

Zhang: "He mainly deals in ceramics and tea, sir."

Edward: "And which one of his shops is the biggest?"

Zhang: "The Hualien Company's biggest shop is its ceramics store."

—Zhang relaying information to Edward, 1725.

Despite the loss of their daughter, Zhang and his wife were nonetheless happy for the chance to spend her final moments together, and personally thanked Edward in the name of the entire village, who were similarly grateful and wanted to repay the favor. Edward initially wanted to turn them down, but after John told him it would be considered an insult in Chinese culture, he asked Zhang and his fellow laborers to become his informants in Macau, in the hopes of learning more about Lee. After a week, they managed to learn that Lee had acquired Hendrik's sea log and informed Edward and John.

Zhang seeking work in Macau

Later, Edward returned to the village with two chests of treasure and other goods he had received from Lee after striking an alliance with her. While the villagers enjoyed the gifts, Edward came up with a plan to obtain more information in Macau, this time in order to deal with Lee's business rivals, who were backed by the Templars.

Dressing Zhang and his fellow laborers in fine clothes he had purchased, Edward asked them to act as his informants in Macau once again. However, this time they were able to secure work contracts with major trading companies and spy on them, thanks to their clothes which made them appear to be of a higher social status.

After some time, Zhang managed to learn of a meeting between three higher-ups from Lee's rival trading companies and asked Edward to come meet him in Macau. After the Assassin startled Zhang by approaching him from behind, he pointed Edward to one of the meeting's attendees, Alan Jacob of the Far East Company, who was part of a nearby crowd. Edward then left Zhang in order to follow Alan to the meeting place.

Zhang and Edward talking with the manager of Sun's ceramic shop

Later, while on his way to the market, Zhang ran into Edward, who was investigating another one of Lee's rivals, Sun of the Hualien Trading Company. After heading to a secluded spot to talk, Edward asked Zhang if he knew what Sun's largest shop in Macau was.

Zhang claimed that it was a ceramic shop and proceeded to lead Edward there. The Assassin then attempted to set up a business meeting with Sun, but was turned down by the store's manager due to being a complete stranger. As Edward and Zhang left the shop, the former spotted a trio of ninja in disguise walking among the crowd and decided to tail them, telling Zhang to head back for his own safety.

Member of the Zhang Wei Union

Journey to Manila

Zhang: "With all the traffic passing through the Strait, I expected there to be a scramble for capable hands. And yet no one wants to give us any work"

Edward: "That certainly is mighty odd."

—Zhang and Edward wondering why no one is willing to hire them, 1725.

Zhang trying out his businessman garb

After Edward inadvertently ended his partnership with Lee, he decided to start his own organization, the Zhang Wei Union, which vowed to bring people together, protect them, and conduct business through ethical means. Edward recruited many people from Zhang's village, including Zhang himself, into his new company, and had them relocated to the A-Ma Cultural Village, which became the company's headquarters.

Zhang was also given new clothes by Edward to wear in order to resemble a businessman, so that they would be able to find clients more easily. He later accompanied Edward and John Young to Macau to try and drum up business for the Union, but had no success as they were turned down at every step.

Eventually, the trio were approached by a merchant, who revealed that Lee, Sun, and the Far East Company had blacklisted them, making it near impossible to find clients. However, grateful to Edward for previously defending his ship from pirates, the merchant offered to hire them himself, explaining that he needed someone to escort his vessel to Manila for a business endeavor.

Accepting the job, Edward, John and Zhang used the ship of the former pirate captain Rupiya to sail to the Philippines. Once they arrived in Manila, the merchant thanked Zhang for the escort and went to conduct his business in the city. However, during the journey back to Macau, the crew caught sight of a pirate ship attacking a Dutch East India Company vessel. Edward decided to take the pirate ship as a prize and ordered Rupiya to attack it, much to Zhang's horror.

Zhang telling Edward and John about Korea

Edward's plan to seize the pirate ship ultimately failed when the vessel sank due to the damages it had sustained, though he did manage to rescue a number of slaves held aboard, including the Korean scholar and engineer Yun Pyeong-Gyu.

Zhang later clarified to Edward and John that Yun's homeland was located near Cipango and was known for its rich cultural and academic tradition. Once they eventually returned to Macau, Edward referred the liberated slaves to Zhang should they wish to join the Zhang Wei Union.

Mission to the Paracel Islands

Zhang: "We're going to do what?"

Edward: "I said, we're to set sail for the Paracel Islands to rid them of pirates. We're going into business with the Dutch East India Company."

Zhang: "But... Mister Kenway, I thought we're an honest shipping company. Not that I doubt your abilities in that regard, obviously, but..."

—Zhang voicing his doubts about the mission, 1725.

Later, Edward accepted a job from Jan van Aert, the Dutch East India Company's chief navigator, to rid the Paracel Islands of pirates. He informed Zhang and John, who believed that the job was too dangerous and broke their vow to only accept honest shipping contracts, but the Assassin argued that securing a partnership with the Dutch East India Company was their best chance to grow their organization. Edward then volunteered to complete the job alone, but both Zhang and John refused to let him endanger himself and insisted that they accompany him.

Zhang posing as Rupiya's prisoner while he meets with the pirate captain

En route to the islands, Edward devised a plan to destroy the pirates' stronghold while Rupiya and Zhang provided a distraction, with the latter posing as a prisoner. Once the pair arrived at the pirate base, Rupiya went to celebrate with the pirates, as their captain was an old acquaintance of his, while Zhang was imprisoned in a cage alongside the pirates' other slaves. Zhang and the other prisoners were rescued later that night by Edward after he had planted explosives around the stronghold, though the commotion attracted the attention of the pirates, initiating a gunfight.

Chased by the pirates, Zhang and the others managed to return to Rupiya's ship and escape from the islands. Zhang later took part in the naval battle against the pursuing pirates, helping to raise the sails as part of Edward's plan to lure the pirates into a trap where they were killed by hwachas.

Following the crew's return to Macau, Edward met with Jan, who agreed to uphold his end of their deal by securing a five-year partnership between the Dutch East India Company and the Zhang Wei Union. However, the Assassin referred Jan to Zhang, who he claimed was the true head of the Union, much to both Zhang and Jan's surprise.

Shimazu clan civil war

"According to recent rumors in Macau, Master Sun is often seen in the company of the Japanese these days. And there is another, more troubling rumor on that note... It seems the Japanese have divided into two camps..."

―Zhang explaining the conflict between the Shimazu ninja, 1725.

Thanks to the Union's partnership with the Dutch East India Company, the organization grew rapidly, receiving numerous shipping contracts. However, Edward later decided to turn his attention back to the sea log stolen by the Templars, which was the only lead to the location of Angkor, which both the Assassins and Templars sought.

Zhang explaining the conflict between the Shimazu ninja

While meeting with Edward and John in his office to discuss the situation, Zhang revealed that the ninja who had stolen the log had been recently seen in the company of Sun. He also told them about rumors that the ninja had split into two opposing factions: the mainland Japanese ninja and those originating from overseas. This intrigued Edward, who decided to head to Macau to investigate alongside Zhang and John.

At the city market, the trio witnessed an altercation between two groups of ninja, which eventually escalated into a standoff between Lee and Sun, who had allied themselves with the Japanese and the mixed-blood ninja, respectively. Fortunately, Edward, with the help of Jan and the Dutch East India Company, was able to break up the fight before more damage was done, and Zhang assisted with the repairs afterwards.

Later, Edward was tasked by Fuma Sukuna, the leader of the Japanese ninja, to assassinate Shimazu Saito, who was leading the mixed-blood ninja and serving as Sun's bodyguard aboard his floating gambling hall. Edward informed Zhang and John about his new mission and claimed that it was an opportunity to retrieve the sea log, which was in Sun's possession. He then asked Zhang and John for their help, to which they both immediately accepted.

Leading the Union

"On my word, we'll never forget our debt to you. No matter where you are in the world... We will do everything we can to help you, Mister Kenway."

―Zhang to Edward, before parting ways, 1725.

Zhang and the others listening to Yun's protests

Following the events at Sun's floating gambling hall, Edward decided to recruit Saito into the Zhang Wei Union due to the deaths of all of her ninja followers. However, his decision was heavily opposed by Yun, which confused Edward and John as they had never seen Yun in such an agitated state. Zhang explained that Yun's animosity towards Saito roused from the Imjin War fought between their respective countries over a century prior. Eventually, Yun and Saito were able to drop the animosity between them during a friendly archery contest.

Edward later told Zhang and John about how he had lost Hendrik's sea log to members of the Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins who sought to use Angkor's treasure to overthrow the Qing dynasty, endangering countless lives in the process. The group resolved to find the treasure first, but were at a loss without the sea log. Fortunately, Saito had memorized the log's contents and worked with Edward and Yun to decode them, learning that they had to trace the footsteps of explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

The Zhang Wei Union's members subsequently left Macau in order to follow up on this lead by sailing to the Philippines, though Edward opted to have Zhang stay behind to lead the Union during their absence. Zhang was uncertain about the Assassin's decision, but Edward assured him that they would return to Macau once they had found Angkor's treasure and told Zhang to help them from afar in any way he could.

Edward leaving Zhang in charge of the Union

During his fellow Union members' absence, Zhang wasted no time in trying to expand the organization. In only a short amount of time, he was able to reach the Philippines and establish trade relations with several of the villages there. This surprised Edward when he and the rest of the Fenghuang's crew reached one of these villages, and the Assassin remarked that Zhang had proven more than capable of leading the Union. Later, Zhang also established contact with a group of Buddhist monks from Yangon, Burma, who agreed to help the Fenghuang's crew retrieve a Piece of Eden that was housed in the Shwedagon Pagoda.

Eventually, Edward and the others came back to Macau, though the Assassin was forced to leave for good not long after. Prior to his departure, he met with Zhang one last time in the latter's office to appoint him the official head of the Zhang Wei Union. Zhang assured Edward that his organization would remain in good hands and promised that they would find a way to continue helping the Assassin, wherever he was in the world.

Legacy

By the 21st century, Zhang's former residence in the A-Ma Cultural Village had become one of the region's many popular tourist attractions. In 2023, the site was visited by Noa Kim and Shimazu Sei, who sought to trace Edward's footsteps and learn where the Assassin had gone after leaving Macau. Noa infiltrated the residence using a secret entrance he discovered using his Eagle Vision, and retrieved an old ledger that had belonged to Zhang, which contained details about Edward's adventures.

Personality and traits

"We're a family and we never abandon family, Mr. Kenway!"

―Zhang to Edward, 1725.

Zhang was an honest and hard-working man who greatly valued his family and friends. After Edward saved his life, he felt that he owed him a great debt, which only increased as the Assassin continued to help Zhang and his fellow villagers. This significantly improved their way of life, as Zhang went from a simple laborer to a successful businessman seemingly overnight.

Zhang being startled by Edward

Over time, Zhang developed a genuine friendship with Edward and went to great lengths to repay all the good the Assassin had done for his village. Following the loss of his daughter to cholera, Zhang mourned her death, but did not blame Edward for failing to save her, instead thanking the Assassin for rescuing his fellow villagers. He also insisted that he accompany Edward on several of his missions, regardless of the possible danger, claiming that the Assassin was "family" and refusing to abandon him.

Despite his initial job as a laborer, Zhang was a well-cultured man, possessing a great deal of knowledge about the various happenings in Macau, as well as other countries' cultures such as Korea and Japan. However, he also had a cowardly side, as he was easily startled by Edward at one point.

Skills and equipment

"You've certainly been busy, Mister Zhang... When did you have the time to reach out to this remote corner of the world? It almost frightens me just how capable he's proven himself."

―Edward commenting on Zhang's skills as a businessman, 1725.

Zhang working in Macau

While not a fighter by any means, Zhang possessed some physical capabilities thanks to his years of work as a laborer, which required him to carry heavy items such as crates and chests. Despite his cowardly nature, he could remain calm in dangerous situations long enough to lend a helping hand, such as raising the sails during a naval battle.

Despite his complete lack of prior experience, Zhang proved to be a capable businessman, as he handled the "legal" side of the Zhang Wei Union with little to no difficulties. Edward trusted Zhang's skills enough to appoint him the leader of the Union in his absence and believed that the organization would be in good hands under his guidance.

Initially, Zhang was only fluent in his native Mandarin and struggled to speak English when he first met Edward and John. His English improved over time, however, to the point he no longer needed John to translate what he was saying, as Edward was able to understand him perfectly.

Behind the scenes

Zhang is a character introduced in Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple. His name is a common Chinese surname which means "to draw a bow".

Gallery

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  Close-up of Zhang
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  Zhang leading Edward and John to his village
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  Zhang welcoming Edward and John to his home
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  Zhang, Edward and John struggling to find clients for the Zhang Wei Union
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  Zhang during the escape from the Paracel Islands pirates
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  Zhang shaking hands with Jan van Aert
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  Zhang meeting with Edward and John in his office

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple