CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Yan Yan严颜
An old general of Shu Han, originally a subordinate of Liu Zhang, who surrendered to Liu Bei after being released by Zhang Fei.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 3
- RELATION RECORDS
- 4
- SOURCE WORKS
- 2
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Yan 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
3 figures · 3 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Liu Bei→Yan Yangrant armor
Yan Yan→Zhang Feisurrender
Yan Yan—Huang Zhongcolleague
02CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
1 figure · 1 record＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Zhang Fei→Yan Yancapture alive
4 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms
Originally a subordinate of Liu Zhang, he surrendered after being captured by Zhang Fei.
In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Yan Yan was originally a subordinate of Liu Zhang, serving as the governor of Ba Commandery. When Zhang Fei attacked Ba Commandery, Yan Yan defended steadfastly and refused to surrender. After being captured, he remained unyielding even in the face of death. Zhang Fei, moved by his loyalty, personally untied his bonds and treated him with respect, whereupon Yan Yan surrendered. Thereafter, Yan Yan served as the vanguard, assisting Zhang Fei in persuading the passes along the way to surrender, contributing to Liu Bei's entry into Shu. After Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor, Yan Yan was appointed General of the Vanguard, serving alongside other veteran generals such as Huang Zhong. Later, he was stationed in Langzhong, Ba, becoming an important general of Shu Han.
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 / legend5 profile notes
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
4 relations7 verified quotations- Liu Bei→ grant armor →Yan Yan
- Zhang Fei→ capture alive →Yan Yan
- Yan Yan→ surrender →Zhang Fei
- Yan Yan→ colleague →Huang Zhong
Verified original text · 7
即脱身上黄金锁子甲以赐之
grant armor · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 64
严颜为前将军
appoint · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 65
5 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history1 profile notes
Records of the Three Kingdoms
1 relations1 verified quotations- Zhang Fei→ capture alive →Yan Yan
Verified original text · 1
飞壮而释之，引为宾客
release · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·关张马黄赵传
History vs. fiction
Performance in the Battle of Hanzhong
- novel inventionYan Yan's performance in the Battle of Hanzhong.
The novel describes Yan Yan partnering with Huang Zhong during the Battle of Hanzhong, participating in the attack on Mount Tiandang, and personally killing Wei general Xiahou De (Chapter 70 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms: "He happened to meet the old general Yan Yan, who raised his blade and cut Xiahou De off his horse."). In official history, after Yan Yan was released by Zhang Fei at Jiangzhou, there are no further records of his life; he did not participate in the Battle of Hanzhong (Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Shu, Biographies of Guan, Zhang, Ma, Huang, and Zhao: "Fei, admiring his valor, released him and made him a guest. Wherever Fei went, he conquered, and he met with the Lord in Chengdu.").
Relationship network
- grant armor← Liu Bei → Yan YanlitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 64Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 65
Original text (2)
即脱身上黄金锁子甲以赐之
严颜为前将军
Original relation: appoint · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 65
- capture alive← Zhang Fei → Yan Yanhist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·关张马黄赵传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 63Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 64
Original text (3)
生擒过来，掷于地下
义释严颜
Original relation: release honorably · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 64
飞壮而释之，引为宾客
Original relation: release · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·关张马黄赵传
- surrenderYan Yan → Zhang FeilitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 63Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 64
Original text (2)
严颜感其恩义，乃降
严颜为前部，张飞领军随后
Original relation: surrender · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 64
Original text (1)
严颜曰：“愿听将军之令。”