Li Yan
Encyclopedia
Li Yan style name
Zhengfang (正方), was a political figure and military general of Shu Han
during the Three Kingdoms
period of Chinese history
. Li Yan climbed to the zenith of his career when he was asked by Shu emperor Liu Bei
to be the military paramountcy and co-regent along Zhuge Liang
for his son and successor, Liu Shan
. However, during Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions, Li Yan was assigned to handle logistics, and he was unable to follow Zhuge's instruction to deliver supplies in a timely manner. After his attempt to fraudulently cover his unability to follow commands, Li Yan was stripped from positions and power.
, and had earned himself a reputation of being competent. When the dominant warlord Cao Cao
campaigned against Jing Province, Li became one of the refugees who escaped the province, and entered Yi Province, which was under control of the Governor, Liu Zhang
.
Liu Zhang appointed Li Yan as a Prefect of Chengdu
, and once again, Li distinguished himself on his new post. Later, when the warlord, Liu Bei
, invaded Yi Province
, Li Yan was assigned as an army controller after initial resistance proved futile. Li was supposed to repel the invading army at Mianzhu
, a strategic stronghold that laid before Yi Province's capital city of Chengdu; however, Li led his subordinates to surrender to Liu Bei when the latter arrived. For his timely defection, Li Yan was granted the position of Assistant General.
, Fa Zheng
, Yi Ji
, and Liu Ba
.(Shu Ke would be the most important guidance on the legal system of future Kingdom of Shu Han). Li continued to prove his talent as a local administrator - several major civil projects were initiated and conducted under his leardership: a tunnel was dug through mount Tianshe, roads along rivers were repaired, infrastructures within his jurisdiction were decorated and rebuilt. Residents under Li Yan's rule were pleased. However, he started to reveal his weak intra-bureaucratic relationship with his peer. Yang Hong
, Li Yan's official chief assistant, opposed one of Li's reconstruction projects - the relocation of the Administrator's residency. Li would not listen to Yang's suggestion, and Yang resigned after repetitive opposition to Li's plan. Wang Chong, General of Standard under Li Yan, was recorded to flee to Wei
because he had a major fall-out with his supervisor.
In AD 218, while Liu Bei was wrestling control with Cao Cao over the Hanzhong region, bandit leaders Ma Qin (馬秦) and Gao Sheng (高勝) rebelled. The rebels controlled Zizhong County and gathered several tens of thousands people to join their cause. Since the majority of the mobile forces were deadlocked in the Hanzhong frontline, Li Yan could only muster 5,000 strong local defensive forces in Jianwei, which he led to successfully suppress the revolt.
The emperor of Shu, Liu Bei, suffered a devastating defeat to the eastern warlord, Sun Quan
, at the Battle of Xiaoting
, and died unwillingly at Baidicheng. On his death-bed, Liu Bei specifically asked Li Yan to be a co-regent with Zhuge Liang to take care of his son, Liu Shan
, and appointed Li to be the Central Commandant (中都護) to handle all military matters - both imperial guards and standard armies were supposed to be under his command. According to Liu Bei's dying wish, Li Yan should be the military paramountcy within Shu Han politics, but latter political development would strip him off from such a position.
, Yong Kai
rose up and claimed independence from the Shu Han regime, Li Yan tried to utilize his personal authority to dissuade the former from doing so, and a total of six letters were sent, however, with no positive result. The leader of Lao
tribe, Gao Ding, also corresponded to Yong's revolution, and attacked Shengdao County (新道縣). Li Yan led his unit to relieve the county and repelled Gao's aggression.
After his successful southern subjugation
and repair of the Wu-Shu alliance, Zhuge Liang, utilizing his huge bureaucratic power and influence, carried out a serious of human resources rearrangement. Chen Zhen
, a close associate of Zhuge Liang, was chosen by the latter as the embassador to congratulate Sun Quan's enthronement. Before his departure, Chen told Zhuge that "Li Yan has scales in his stomach" but Zhuge replied that he would rather praise Li Yan than to attack him because the situation was not settled. Circa AD 216, Zhuge attempted to replace Wei Yan
, the area commander of Hanzhong assigned by Liu Bei, with Li Yan. Li was the acting area commander of the eastern front at the time, so such a move transferred him form the east to the north without technically changing his rank; however, Li Yan would not perceive thus. On the other hand, Li Yan suggested Zhuge to set up a new province with five commandaries of Ba region, and recommended himself to be the Inspector of the province. Zhuge Liang did not listen to Li Yan neither. In the following years, Li and Zhuge shared a competitive and cooperative relationship. Li once sent a letter to Zhuge, stating the latter should receive the nine bestowments
, and suggested Zhuge to take the title of a king. Zhuge Liang told Li Yan that he would do so after the kingdom of Wei was destroyed. Li Yan finally compromised on Zhuge Liang's proposal of a large-scaled Northern campaign, and accepted the role of a logistic officer.
Entrusted with logistics, Li Yan failed to provide supplies during one of Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions. He also attempted to lie and cover up his failure, but was discovered. Stripped of his rank and banished, he died soon after in 234.
Chinese style name
A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name , is a given name to be used later in life. After 20 years of age, the zì is assigned in place of one's given name as a symbol of adulthood and respect...
Zhengfang (正方), was a political figure and military general of Shu Han
Shu Han
Shu Han was one of the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period, after the fall of the Han Dynasty. The state was based on areas around Sichuan, which was then known as Shu...
during the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
period of Chinese history
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
. Li Yan climbed to the zenith of his career when he was asked by Shu emperor Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
to be the military paramountcy and co-regent along Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang was a chancellor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He is often recognised as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era....
for his son and successor, Liu Shan
Liu Shan
Liu Shan, , was the second and last emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. As he ascended the throne at the young age of 16, Liu Shan was entrusted to the care of the Chancellor Zhuge Liang and Imperial Secretariat Li Yan...
. However, during Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions, Li Yan was assigned to handle logistics, and he was unable to follow Zhuge's instruction to deliver supplies in a timely manner. After his attempt to fraudulently cover his unability to follow commands, Li Yan was stripped from positions and power.
Early life and career
During his youth, Li Yan worked as a civil clerk in Jing Province under the Governor, Liu BiaoLiu Biao
Liu Biao , style name Jingsheng , was a warlord and the governor of Jing Province during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was a member of the extended family of the Han Dynasty emperors...
, and had earned himself a reputation of being competent. When the dominant warlord Cao Cao
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
campaigned against Jing Province, Li became one of the refugees who escaped the province, and entered Yi Province, which was under control of the Governor, Liu Zhang
Liu Zhang (warlord)
Liu Zhang was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He became governor of Yi Province , succeeding his father Liu Yan and ruled the region until 214, when he surrendered to Liu Bei...
.
Liu Zhang appointed Li Yan as a Prefect of Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
, and once again, Li distinguished himself on his new post. Later, when the warlord, Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
, invaded Yi Province
Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province
Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province was a military campaign by the warlord Liu Bei in taking control of Yi Province from its Governor, Liu Zhang. The campaign took place between 212 and 215 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
, Li Yan was assigned as an army controller after initial resistance proved futile. Li was supposed to repel the invading army at Mianzhu
Mianzhu
Mianzhu is a county-level city of Deyang, Sichuan province in Southwest China.It has an area of and a population of 510,000 in 2004.The city was heavily damaged during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Fuxin No...
, a strategic stronghold that laid before Yi Province's capital city of Chengdu; however, Li led his subordinates to surrender to Liu Bei when the latter arrived. For his timely defection, Li Yan was granted the position of Assistant General.
Service under Liu Bei
After Liu Bei conquered Yi Province, Li Yan was appointed the Administrator of Jianwei (犍為太守), and General of Initiating Career (興業將軍), as a follow-up solidification of the new regime. Even being a new comer, Li Yan was invited to constitute the "Shu Ke" (蜀科, the law code for Shu region) with Zhuge LiangZhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang was a chancellor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He is often recognised as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era....
, Fa Zheng
Fa Zheng
Fa Zheng , style name Xiaozhi , was an advisor to the warlord Liu Bei during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history....
, Yi Ji
Yi Ji
Yi Ji, style name Boji , was a minister of Shu Han during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history.Yi Ji was introduced to Liu Bei by Zhuge Liang, among with Sima Hui, Ma Liang and other scholars who refused to serve in Liu Biao's regime...
, and Liu Ba
Liu Ba
Liu Ba , style name Zichu , was a minister serving under the warlord Liu Zhang during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. Out of his profound loyalty to Liu Zhang, he did not surrender to Liu Bei when seized Yi Province from Liu Zhang. However, Liu Ba ended up later joining Liu Bei...
.(Shu Ke would be the most important guidance on the legal system of future Kingdom of Shu Han). Li continued to prove his talent as a local administrator - several major civil projects were initiated and conducted under his leardership: a tunnel was dug through mount Tianshe, roads along rivers were repaired, infrastructures within his jurisdiction were decorated and rebuilt. Residents under Li Yan's rule were pleased. However, he started to reveal his weak intra-bureaucratic relationship with his peer. Yang Hong
Yang Hong
Yang Hong may refer to the following persons:*Yang Hong , an official serving under the warlord Yuan Shu during the late Han Dynasty*Yang Hong , style name Jixiu , an official of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period...
, Li Yan's official chief assistant, opposed one of Li's reconstruction projects - the relocation of the Administrator's residency. Li would not listen to Yang's suggestion, and Yang resigned after repetitive opposition to Li's plan. Wang Chong, General of Standard under Li Yan, was recorded to flee to Wei
Wei
-States:* Northern Wei , during Southern and Northern Dynasties* Wei , during the Spring and Autumn Period* Wei , during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period...
because he had a major fall-out with his supervisor.
In AD 218, while Liu Bei was wrestling control with Cao Cao over the Hanzhong region, bandit leaders Ma Qin (馬秦) and Gao Sheng (高勝) rebelled. The rebels controlled Zizhong County and gathered several tens of thousands people to join their cause. Since the majority of the mobile forces were deadlocked in the Hanzhong frontline, Li Yan could only muster 5,000 strong local defensive forces in Jianwei, which he led to successfully suppress the revolt.
The emperor of Shu, Liu Bei, suffered a devastating defeat to the eastern warlord, Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
, at the Battle of Xiaoting
Battle of Xiaoting
The Battle of Xiaoting, also known as the Battle of Yiling and the Battle of Yiling and Xiaoting, was fought between the states of Eastern Wu and Shu Han in 222 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
, and died unwillingly at Baidicheng. On his death-bed, Liu Bei specifically asked Li Yan to be a co-regent with Zhuge Liang to take care of his son, Liu Shan
Liu Shan
Liu Shan, , was the second and last emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. As he ascended the throne at the young age of 16, Liu Shan was entrusted to the care of the Chancellor Zhuge Liang and Imperial Secretariat Li Yan...
, and appointed Li to be the Central Commandant (中都護) to handle all military matters - both imperial guards and standard armies were supposed to be under his command. According to Liu Bei's dying wish, Li Yan should be the military paramountcy within Shu Han politics, but latter political development would strip him off from such a position.
As a co-regent
When a local leader of NanzhongNanzhong
Nanzhong was an ancient region consisting of modern-day Yunnan, Guizhou, and southern Sichuan in southern China.The region was the homeland of the rebellious Nanman tribes, led by Meng Huo. In 225 AD, the famed statesman Zhuge Liang led three columns into Yunnan to pacify the tribes. His seven...
, Yong Kai
Yong Kai
Yong Kai was the prefect of Jianning Commandery in the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He joined the Nanman chieftain Meng Huo in revolting against Shu Han. During the Shu Han chancellor Zhuge Liang led a southern campaign to suppress the rebellion, he used a...
rose up and claimed independence from the Shu Han regime, Li Yan tried to utilize his personal authority to dissuade the former from doing so, and a total of six letters were sent, however, with no positive result. The leader of Lao
Lao
Lao or Laotian may refer to:* Something of, from, or related to Laos, a country in Southeast Asia* Lao people * The Lao language* Lao script, the writing system used to write the Lao language* Lao cuisine...
tribe, Gao Ding, also corresponded to Yong's revolution, and attacked Shengdao County (新道縣). Li Yan led his unit to relieve the county and repelled Gao's aggression.
After his successful southern subjugation
Zhuge Liang's Southern Campaign
Zhuge Liang's Southern Campaign, also known as the War of Pacification in Nanzhong, refers to a military campaign led by Shu Han chancellor Zhuge Liang to suppress opposing forces in the south in 225 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
and repair of the Wu-Shu alliance, Zhuge Liang, utilizing his huge bureaucratic power and influence, carried out a serious of human resources rearrangement. Chen Zhen
Chen Zhen
Chen Zhen , style name Xiaoqi , was a minister serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. Chen originally served Yuan Shao. At one time when Liu Bei was taking refuge under Yuan Shao, Chen was the one tasked to deliver Liu's letter to Guan Yu...
, a close associate of Zhuge Liang, was chosen by the latter as the embassador to congratulate Sun Quan's enthronement. Before his departure, Chen told Zhuge that "Li Yan has scales in his stomach" but Zhuge replied that he would rather praise Li Yan than to attack him because the situation was not settled. Circa AD 216, Zhuge attempted to replace Wei Yan
Wei Yan
Wei Yan was a military general of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He became a soldier of Liu Bei when the latter fled Jing Province and seek protection from the eastern warlord, Sun Quan, in 208. In 211, Wei had climbed up the ranks and become a general in Liu Bei's...
, the area commander of Hanzhong assigned by Liu Bei, with Li Yan. Li was the acting area commander of the eastern front at the time, so such a move transferred him form the east to the north without technically changing his rank; however, Li Yan would not perceive thus. On the other hand, Li Yan suggested Zhuge to set up a new province with five commandaries of Ba region, and recommended himself to be the Inspector of the province. Zhuge Liang did not listen to Li Yan neither. In the following years, Li and Zhuge shared a competitive and cooperative relationship. Li once sent a letter to Zhuge, stating the latter should receive the nine bestowments
Nine bestowments
The nine bestowments were awards given by Chinese emperors to extraordinary officials, ostensibly to reward them for their accomplishments. The nine bestowments were awards given by Chinese emperors to extraordinary officials, ostensibly to reward them for their accomplishments. The nine...
, and suggested Zhuge to take the title of a king. Zhuge Liang told Li Yan that he would do so after the kingdom of Wei was destroyed. Li Yan finally compromised on Zhuge Liang's proposal of a large-scaled Northern campaign, and accepted the role of a logistic officer.
Entrusted with logistics, Li Yan failed to provide supplies during one of Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions. He also attempted to lie and cover up his failure, but was discovered. Stripped of his rank and banished, he died soon after in 234.
Appointments and titles held
- The following appointments and titles were held by Li Yan when he served Liu Zhang
- Prefect of Chengdu (成都令)
- Protector of the Army (護軍)
- The following appointments and titles were held by Li Yan when he served Liu Bei and the state of Shu
- Major General (裨將軍)
- Administrator of Jianwei (犍為太守)
- General Who Revives the Empire (興業將軍)
- General Who Assists Han (輔漢將軍)
- Chief Imperial Secretary (尚書令)
- Protector of Central Capital (中都護)
- Marquis of Du (都鄉侯)
- Minister of the Household (光祿勳)
- General of the Vanguard (前將軍)
- General of Agile Cavalry (驃騎將軍)