CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Li Yan李严
A general of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, originally a subordinate of Liu Zhang, later surrendered to Liu Bei and was entrusted with assisting the government by his dying order.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 5
- RELATION RECORDS
- 9
- SOURCE WORKS
- 2
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Li Yan, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
4 figures · 6 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Liu Bei→Li Yanorphan entrust
Li Yan→Zhuge Liangco-regent
Source record
Cao Cao→Li Yanconscript
Source record
Liu Biao→Li Yanemploy
02CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
2 figures · 3 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Zhuge Liang→Li Yandepose
Li Yan→Gao Dingdefeat
6 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms
A minister of Shu Han, Liu Bei's second-in-command in the entrusted care. A Shu minister who, together with Zhuge Liang, received the imperial edict to assist the government, but was later deposed due to crimes. The Protector of Shu Han, later deposed and exiled.
In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Li Yan was originally a subordinate of Liu Zhang, guarding Mianzhu. When Liu Bei attacked Shu, Li Yan surrendered and was appointed General of the Left. Before Liu Bei's death, Li Yan received the dying order to assist the government, and later guarded Yong'an Palace. During Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions, Li Yan falsely reported military intelligence due to insufficient grain and was demoted to commoner. After Zhuge Liang's death, Li Yan wept bitterly and died.
Across source works
How this figure changes across texts
Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.
- Literature / legend7 profile notes
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
3 relations3 verified quotations- Li Yan→ surrender →Liu Bei
- Li Yan→ deceive →Zhuge Liang
- Zhuge Liang→ demote →Li Yan
Verified original text · 3
李严忙下马卸甲投降
surrender · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 65
李严发书告急，说东吴将兴兵寇川
deceive · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 101
1 more verified quotation in the relationship records below.
- Official history7 profile notes
Records of the Three Kingdoms
6 relations6 verified quotations- Cao Cao→ conscript →Li Yan
- Liu Bei→ orphan entrust →Li Yan
- Zhuge Liang→ depose →Li Yan
- Li Yan→ co-regent →Zhuge Liang
Verified original text · 6
尚书令李严为副
orphan entrust · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·先主传
先主拜严裨将军。
employ · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·刘彭廖李刘魏杨传
4 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
The process of Li Yan's surrender to Liu Bei
In Chapter 65 of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it emphasizes Fei Guan's dispatch: 'When Fei Guan heard that Xuande's troops were coming, he sent Li Yan out to meet them.' The Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Shu, Biography of the Former Lord, clearly states that he supervised the army and led his troops to surrender: 'Zhang again sent Li Yan to supervise the various armies at Mianzhu, and Yan led his troops to surrender to the Former Lord.'
Relationship network
- orphan entrust← Liu Bei → Li YanhistRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·先主传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·刘彭廖李刘魏杨传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·邓张宗杨传
Original text (3)
尚书令李严为副
先主拜严裨将军。
Original relation: employ · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·刘彭廖李刘魏杨传
赞李正方
Original relation: ruler-subject · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·邓张宗杨传
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
李严发书告急，说东吴将兴兵寇川
Original text (1)
乃废平为民，徙梓潼郡。
Original text (1)
后主从之，即谪为庶人
Original text (1)
荆州牧刘表使历诸郡县。
Original text (1)
严驰往赴救，贼皆破走。