Zhang Yi

Zhao Yun's Deputy General, left holding the riverside camp — his instinct is to bar the gates; his commander's is to open them.

Marching Commander of the Center Army, paired with Fu Tong.

Deputy Commander — third blade of the E Huan pincer, ambusher on the by-roads who brings in Ahui Nan, and half of the double flank that closes on Meng Huo's pursuit.

Stations one of the four heat-shelter stockades on the River Lu line.

Keeps the abandoned camp lit through the night of the ruse, cuts off the Mang retreat — and brings in Meng You, a captive for the fourth time.

Sent to build the stockade at the appointed point in the great half-month choreography of the valley trap.

Appointed Front Army Marching General under Wei Yan for the Northern Expedition.

With Gao Xiang, pours out to rescue Zhao Zilong when Jiang Wei's counter-ambush closes on him. Later intercepts Jiang Wei's raid on the grain wagons and pins him until Wang Ping arrives to make it two sides. One of the four commanders in ambush around the empty camp.

Takes secret orders with Ma Dai before the snowstorm battle, and comes in with Jiang Wei and Ma Dai as the third of the converging divisions once the Qiang column has gone into the pits.

Sent to put Saber Pass in order for the retreat — the line of withdrawal the whole army depends on once Jieting is gone.

Steps forward when Zhuge Liang asks a second time whether anyone will devote himself to death, is told flatly that Zhang He is 'valorous beyond all compare. You are not a match for him', and answers 'If I fail, may my head fall at the tent door.' Given ten thousand veterans, lies hidden in the valleys, cuts the Wei retreat, and when Sima Yi's fifty thousand arrive and surround him keeps his nerve: 'Our minister is truly wonderful. The battle goes just as he foretold. He will surely send help now, and we will fight to the death.' Takes Sima Yi's division on himself for a whole day so Wang Ping can hold Zhang He, then comes up behind the retreat and does the heaviest damage of the day.

One of the four sent through the Xie Valley to the rendezvous at Qishan, and one of the columns that breaks out behind the camp raid once Cao Zhen has been drawn away by the torches in his rear.

Left with Ma Zheng to hold Lucheng after its governor surrenders, while the rest of the army moves up to Longshang for the wheat.

Rear division of the crossing with Liao Hua, and joint commander of the ambush that ends the chapter - the one that sends Sima Yi's relief force running from the sight of two banners.

Halts the rear division at the top of the chapter and holds it while Liao Hua goes on alone after the fleeing Sima Yi — the discipline that keeps the pursuit from becoming a scattered chase, even though the quarry gets away.

One of the five named on the deathbed as dependable to the death, and with the army on the ordered withdrawal from the Wuzhang Hills.

The other Leader of the Van, second to fail against Xu Zhi's ax and second into the ambush that pays for it - 'Liao Hua and Zhang Yi from left and right fell on Xu Zhi with great fury, and the troops of Wei were wholly defeated.'

The chapter's dissenting voice twice over. Opposes the expedition outright — 'Shu is not a big country, and its resources are not too abundant. Thus a far expedition should be avoided' — then, overruled, argues for speed and surprise instead. Takes the Wei rear with Xiahou Ba at River Yao. And after the victory he gives the warning the chapter's closing verse repeats: 'General, you have won a great victory, which will bring you fame. If you attempt more, things may go astray, and you will only add legs to your sketch of a serpent.' Left to carry on the siege of Didao when Jiang Wei goes out to meet Deng Ai.

The other Leader of the Van, sent with Liao Hua to the back of the hills, and the second jaw of the ambush — 'Then Zhang Yi came forth and attacked on the other side. The army of Wei was worsted.'

His is the argument that wins at the start: 'The country begins to resent these many years of war. Rather take the occasion of the victory you have just won to return and pacify the people' — which is what turns an act of defiance into an orderly withdrawal. Leader of the Van for the Luo Valley column on the next expedition, and paired with Liao Hua to capture Qishan.

The chapter's one good Shu idea is his: 'With so many troops of Wei here, their camp at Qishan must be undefended. I propose, General, that while you continue the contest here with Deng Ai, I go to try to capture the nine camps. If I succeed, Changan will be at our mercy.' Takes the second division, is driving Shi Zuan in when Deng Ai arrives and forces him behind the hills with no road open, and turns the tables again the moment Jiang Wei comes up. Withdraws with the main body when the edicts arrive.

Named in Jiang Wei's memorial as the man who should hold the Yangping Pass — the post that instead goes to Fu Qian and Jiang Shu and is lost by treachery. Marches with Liao Hua to relieve Hanzhong, finds it gone, and joins Jiang Wei's column for the retreat on Saber Pass.

One of the three commanders who reach Saber Pass with Jiang Wei after the retreat from the Yinping Bridge, and part of the garrison that holds it successfully throughout the chapter while the war is lost a hundred miles behind them.

Dies in this chapter. Named among those killed when Hu Yuan's mutiny turns into a general massacre in the Forbidden City: 'Many other generals also perished in the fighting, and with them died Zhang Yi and other officers.'