Yan Yan

Bazhou's old Governor — 'this is like calling a tiger to protect a person alone on a bare hillside' was his verdict on inviting Liu Bei. Mutilates Zhang Fei's messenger, absorbs three days of insults behind his walls, springs the trap on the fake night march — and is caught by the real Zhang Fei. Bound, he refuses to kneel: 'you may behead me as you will, but I will not surrender.' Zhang Fei's bow wins what his rage could not, and Yan Yan opens the road to Chengdu.

Redeems his surrender in full: forty-five garrisons yield at his summons ('you see I have submitted — how much more ought you'), Liu Bei gives him the golden chain mantle off his own back, and he stands in the bridge-trap line and before Luocheng's wall — where Liu Gui dies aiming an arrow at him.

Made General of the Front Army in the Chengdu investiture — first named of the Shu officers rewarded.

Huang Zhong's chosen second — the laughingstock pair of 'dotards' proves Zhuge Liang right: he springs the rear attack that first breaks Zhang He, then gathers the brushwood, fires the valley, and cuts down Xiahou De to seal the taking of Tiandang Mountain.

Left behind to hold Langzhong and Baxi in place of Zhang Fei and Wei Yan when they march for Hanzhong.

Takes over the Langzhong command — the relief that frees Zhang Fei and Wei Yan for the double attack that captures Nanzheng.

Named in the elegy — 'who freed Yan Yan and thus won a friend.'

Appointed Inspector of the Northern Expedition — the veteran of the Yi Province campaign given the army's disciplinary oversight.