Li Yan

李嚴
Courtesy name: Zhengfang (正方)
Died
234
Ancestral home
Nanyang (Nanyang, Henan)
Book mentions
37
Roles:
general politician
Factions:
Liu Biao Liu Zhang (primary) Shu Han
Appears in 9 chapters:
  • Chapter 64 — Zhuge Liang Plans For The Capture Of Zhang Ren; Yang Fu Borrows Soldiers To Destroy Ma Chao.
    Li Yan; defects to Liu Bei after the Luocheng fall - a key Shu administrator.
  • Chapter 65 — Ma Chao Battles At Jiameng Pass; Liu Bei Takes Over Yizhou.
    Li Yan; in Liu Bei's circle.
  • Chapter 85 — The First Ruler Confides His Son To A Guardian; The Prime Minister Calmly Settles Five Attacks.
    Li Yan; named co-regent at Baidicheng alongside Zhuge Liang. The civil counterweight to Zhuge Liang's military authority - important later when he sabotages a Northern Expedition.
  • Chapter 87 — Conquering The South Mang, The Prime Minister Marches The Army; Opposing Heaven Troops, The King Of The Mangs Is Captured.
    Li Yan; ordered to defend the capital and the eastern frontier with Wu while Zhuge Liang is south.
  • Chapter 91 — Sacrificing At River Lu, The Prime Minister Marches Homeward; Attacking Wei, The Lord Of Wuxiang Presents A Memorial.
    Li Yan; named in the Memorial as a senior official; tasked with eastern defence.
  • Chapter 94 — Zhuge Liang Defeats The Qiangs In A Snowstorm; Sima Yi Captures Meng Da By A Rapid March.
    Li Yan; sends supplies forward.
  • Chapter 100 — Raiding A Camp, The Shu Soldiers Defeat Cao Zhen; Contesting Array Battles, Zhuge Liang Shames Sima Yi.
    Li Yan; the chapter's other Shu villain - as co-regent he is responsible for supplying Zhuge Liang at the front; falsifies despatches about supply shortages and Wu invasions to cover his own logistic failures. Will be impeached and demoted next chapter. The civil-side counterweight to Zhuge Liang collapses.
  • Chapter 101 — Going Out From Longshang, Zhuge Liang Dresses As A God; Dashing Toward Saber Pass, Zhang He Falls Into A Snare.
    Li Yan; impeached at Zhuge Liang's memorial; demoted to commoner status. The civil counterweight to Zhuge Liang in Liu Shan's court collapses; Zhuge Liang is now effectively the sole regent.
  • Chapter 104 — A Falling Star: The Prime Minister Ascends To Heaven; A Wooden Statue: The Commander-In-Chief Is Terrified.
    Li Yan; named in passing - the demoted ex-co-regent; weeps inconsolably when he hears of Zhuge Liang's death; dies of grief shortly after.