Li Yan (Three Kingdoms)

Li Yan
General of Shu Han
Born	(Unknown)
Died	234
Names
Traditional Chinese	李嚴
Simplified Chinese	李严
Pinyin	Lǐ Yán
Wade–Giles	Li Yen
Courtesy name	Zhengfang (Chinese: 正方; pinyin: Zhèngfāng; Wade–Giles: Cheng-fang)
Other names	Li Ping (Chinese: 李平; pinyin: Lǐ Píng; Wade–Giles: Li Ping)

Li Yan (died 234), courtesy name Zhengfang, also known as Li Ping, was a military general of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. He climbed to the zenith of his career when he was asked by the Shu emperor Liu Bei to be the military paramountcy and co-regent along with the chancellor 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 Liang's instruction to deliver supplies in a timely manner. After his attempt to fraudulently cover his inability to follow commands, Li Yan was stripped from positions and power.

During his youth, Li Yan worked as a civil clerk in Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan) under the provincial governor Liu Biao, and had earned himself a reputation of being competent. When the northern warlord Cao Cao launched a campaign in 208 to seize control of Jing Province, Li Yan became one of the refugees who escaped the province, and entered Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing), which was under control of Liu Zhang.

Liu Zhang appointed Li Yan as the 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 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".

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