Who is wei yan

By A. Wei Yan suspected that Xiahou Mao had earned his position because he was familiar with the Wei Emperor and his father had also performed valuable service for Cao Cao, not on his own merits. If I am given 5, troops and another 5, to carry provisions, to march straight out of Baozhong eastward along the Qingling mountains, and then turn west from the Ziwu highway, I shall be at Chang'an in ten days at most.

When he hears of my sudden arrival, Xiahou Mao is sure to leave the walled city and take to flight. In Chang'an itself there will be no one to defend it but the Imperial Secretary and the Grand Administrator of Jingzhao. The provisions in the storehouse at Guangmen and those left behind by people who scatter in flight will suffice to feed us.

It will take some twenty days more to unite with our forces from the east, and by taking Yegu route Your Excellency will also be able to reach the place. In this manner the region west of Xianyang will be conquered with a single stroke. After all, should the city not immediately fall, the advance force would be stranded and easily picked off.

Having not followed Wei Yan's plan of using a surprise attack, Zhuge Liang initiated his first campaign north , bringing the Shu-Han army to Mt. Ma Su was defeated at Jieting and the entire campaign ended. In the latter part A. Wei Yan was a fierce soldier but he was also conceited and arrogant. While others would tolerate him, only Yang Yi would not bear his behaviour, which made Yan loathe him.

The pair were like water and fire, whenever they were in the same place they would argue constantly; Military Protector of the Palace Fei Yi would often feel forced to sit between them and remonstrate with the pair. The animosity between the two had even reached as far as the state of Wu. Although they were once useful in the management of affairs of the time by their howling and barking, one cannot neglect the fact that they have been entrusted with some power.

Yan pursued him for about seven miles, but went back as Yong Kai was too far. The next day, Yong Kai issued a challenge against the Shu troops, but they refused to fight. Yong Kai and Gao Ding attempted a double pincer attack, but were both ambushed. Some few nights later, Zhao Yun and Wei Yan were rejected for battle and were ashamed for being passed up for battle as they didn't know the territory.

The two then surveyed the country, capturing a few natives, and got them to mention the locations of the camps of Jinhuan Sanjie , Dongtuna , and Ahuinan. Wei Yan charged towards Dongtuna's camp. The Nanman were defeated, but Dongtuna escaped. He and Ahuinan were captured, and Wei Yan found out that Zhuge Liang told them not to go because of their lack of terrain purposely in order to increase their morale.

Meng Huo retreated from Zhao Yun, and stumbled upon Wei Yan, who captured him for the first time, and assisted in capturing him a second and third time. After releasing him for the third time, Wei Yan said, "See to it: We have got into the inmost recesses of your country and have taken all your defensive positions. Yet you are foolish enough to hold on. Next time you are caught, you will be quite destroyed.

There will be no more pardons. Wei Yan captured Meng Huo the fourth and sixth times, not helping in the fifth. Zhao Yun and Yan even fought Lady Zhurong in between the captures. Zhuge Liang made a plan for Wei Yan to retreat fifteen times while losing seven camps, which he obeyed. By the end of a month-and-a-half, Wei Yan led Wutugu into a fire attack, which led to Meng Huo's surrender of the army.

He sent three hundred forty thousand troops to Qishan, and marched in five divisions, with Jiang Wei and Wei Yan in the van. The command reached Beiyuan at dusk, before the scouts had informed the Wei defenders, led by Sun Li , and fled.

Wei Yan had began to retreat as well. At this point, shouting was heard, and two bodies of the enemy under Sima Yi and Guo Huai attacked both left and right. Wei Yan and Ma Dai fought desperately to break free of the onslaught, but many of their troops fell into the river and drowned. The two officers thought that they were about to die when the ally Wu Yi appeared, saving the Shu forces from destruction, and moved to make camp.

Fei Yi delivered the letter. Sun Quan smiled and said, "The man has courage to spare, but he is not altogether reliable and will cause trouble when Kongming is gone, though Kongming must know that. However, I value Wei Yan because he is very bold. Fei Yi returned to Chengdu.

The soldiers wanted to accept his challenge, but Sima Yi would not move his troops. Wei Yan eventually gave up and returned to camp. Zhuge Liang was going to try to provoke Sima Yi into fighting to lure him into a trap, and told Wei Yan, "Go to the camp of Wei with five hundred troops and provoke them to battle. The important matter is to entice Sima Yi out of his stronghold.

You will be unable to obtain a victory, so retreat that he may pursue. You are to make for the signal, the seven star flags by day or the seven lamps at night. Thus you will lead him into the Gourd Valley, where I have a plan prepared for him. Wei Yan galloped up and recognized Sima Yi as the leader. He shouted, "Sima Yi, stay! The two exchanged blows when Yan turned his steed and bolted towards the seven star flags, as he was ordered.

Sima Yi pursued, more eagerly when he saw the small force accompanying him. Sima Yi assumed it was the stone valley when no troops were occupying it. Sima Yi then noticed kindling wood on the straw huts, and began to feel uneasy. The fire attack then occurred. Zhuge Liang had become ill. He ordered forty nine guards dressed in black to be placed around his tent. If the master-lamp within his tent remained alight for seven days, then his life would be prolonged for twelve years.

If the lamp went out, he was to die. Suddenly shouting was heard outside. Jiang Wei was going to send someone to inquire about it when Wei Yan dashed in, saying, "The Wei soldiers are upon us! Zhuge Liang threw down the sword and sighed, saying, "Life and death are foreordained. No prayers can alter them. Jiang Wei grew angry and drew his sword to slay Wei Yan, however, Zhuge Liang stopped the weapon, saying, "It is my fate - Not his fault. When he arrived, Zhuge Liang gave him a silken bag containing secret orders.

When that happens and the army is in danger, you will find herein what to do. In AD, Zhuge Liang died. One night after his death, Wei Yan had a dream in which two horns sprouted from his head. It is a terrible omen. Yang Yi was a counselor whose rank was below Wei Yan's own, and so, Wei Yan believed he should lead the campaign, while the aforementioned should conduct the coffin.

After telling Wei Yan he would attempt to persuade Yang Yi to give the supreme military position to him, Fei Yi went to Yang Yi and told him about the conversation. Yang informed him about Zhuge Liang's foretelling of Wei Yan's betrayal, and so, he just directed Jiang Wei at the rearguard. However, as Wei Yan was informed this by Ma Dai, he accused Yang Yi of playing with him, calling him a "pedantic blockhead", and announcing to Ma Dai that Yang Yi would die for his actions.

The two then donned mourning garbs and began to wail for their dead. A great blaze caught their attention as they were walking. Yang Yi sent someone to find out who the force that did this belonged to.

The scout told him that the cohorts were Shu soldiers under the supervision of Wei Yan. Plank Trail was being burned, and blocked the way. Yang Yi felt that this confirmed Wei Yan's traitorous actions, and Fei Yi planned to explain the truth about him to the Throne and to plan his destruction. It said:. Empress Wu replied with how Liu Bei had always said Zhuge Liang knew Wei Yan had a treacherous heart, and how Yang Yi was a scholar placed in great responsibility by Zhuge Liang, showing a great bond of trust.

Just then, a letter was resented from Yang Yi: " I, Yang Yi, leader of the retreating army, humbly and with trepidation, present this memorial. In his last moments the late Prime Minister made over to me the charge of the great enterprise, and bade me carry out his plan without change. I have respected his charge. I ordered Wei Yan to command the rearguard with Jiang Wei as his second.

But Wei Yan refused obedience and led away his own army into Hanzhong. Then he burned the Plank Trail, tried to steal away the body of the late Commander-in-Chief, and behaved altogether unseemly.

His rebellion came upon me suddenly and unexpectedly. I send this memorial in haste. Fei Yi came in and repeated what had happened at Plank Trail. An officer named He Ping was discovered from a distance with an army of three thousand, sent by Yang Yi. The officer taunted Wei Yan, looking for a "rebel" and "traitor". Wei Yan, raged, mustered his now small force. Please improve this article by adding a reference. For information about how to add references, see Template:Citation.

The reason as to why Zhuge Liang rejected Wei Yan's plan remained dubious due to the absence of details in historical records. He was certain that his plan would work out without any worry, so he did not accept Wei Yan's plan. The viability of Wei Yan's Ziwu Valley Plan before Xiahou Mao's reassignment became a subject of debate among historians over the centuries. However, there is no doubt that Zhuge Liang had forfeited a chance to execute Wei Yan's plan, regardless of whether it would have turned out to be successful or not.

When Zhuge Liang's own strategy during the second Northern Expedition failed, Wei Yan sighed that his talent was not employed to its full potential. Wei Yan was to guard the rear with Jiang Wei after him. If Wei Yan refused to accept the order, they were to retreat without him. When Zhuge Liang died, news of his death were kept secret. The officials serving in the Chancellor's Office may bring his body back to Chengdu for burial, but I should remain behind to lead the armies to attack the enemy.

Must we neglect the affairs of the State just because of the death of one man? Besides, who am I, Wei Yan, to follow the command of Yang Yi and become the general of the rearguard? Wei Yan and Fei Yi then took command of the troops left behind, and Fei wrote a letter to be signed by both of them which would be read out to all the commanders.

Fei Yi offered to go on Wei Yan's behalf and explain the situation to the Chief Clerk Yang Yi, saying that Yang was a civil official and was not experienced in military affairs, making it certain that Yang would not disobey him. Wei Yan then let Fei Yi go, but he immediately regretted his decision and he went after Fei, but could not catch up with the latter in time. He then sent his subordinate to meet Yang Yi and the others, but was shocked to discover that the various encampments were preparing to retreat, in accordance with Zhuge Liang's final orders.

Wei Yan wanted to continue the campaign against Cao Wei even though Zhuge Liang had died, so he was furious when he heard of the retreat. He intended to block the Shu forces from retreating, so he led his force towards the south, ahead of the main army commanded by Yang Yi, and then sealed the return route by destroying the gallery roads leading back to Shu.

Wei Yan and Yang Yi separately wrote memorials to the Shu imperial court, accusing each other of treason. Their memorials arrived in the Shu capital Chengdu on the same day, and the emperor Liu Shan asked the ministers Dong Yun and Jiang Wan for their opinions.

While they were marching with twenty thousand troops toward the Gu valley, Shu advisor Deng Zhi appeared, telling Wei Yan to be careful. Now he is bent on taking Qishan. What is the good of it? He gave us the order to advance and now he stops us.

Truly the orders are confusing. Chen Shi then charged into the Qishan Mountains. Deng Zhi tried to change their minds, but to no avail as we went back to Zhuge Liang. After a few miles, Chen Shi heard a bomb, and fell into an ambush.

Chen Shi was not able to get out. Then there was a shout, and Wei Yan came to the rescue. Chen Shi and Wei Yan regretted their shortsightedness.

Zhuge Liang only laughed. However, I value his valor, and so I have employed him. But he will do real harm some day. Since Zhuge Liang knew the governor, he was allowed in. Zhuge asked where the wheat was, and the governor told him that the wheat was stationed in Longshang, so that is where Zhuge, Wei Yan, and others went.

It turned out that Sima Yi had already gotten to Longshang. Zhuge Liang thought of a ploy. He brought in four chariots, each one propelled by a team of twenty-four men, all dressed in black, barefooted and with loosened hair. Each one of the team also had in hand a sword and a black seven-starred flag.

After a Wei defeat, Zhuge had the troops of Lucheng desert the city because they thought Wu was going to attack. When you hear the bomb, at once barricade the road with timber and stones so as to impede them. When they halt, shoot at them with the bows and the crossbows. Zhang He advanced after the Shu troops quickly.

Guan Xing did the same thing. Zhang He continued to pursue when Wei Yan appeared again. The two fought a half score of bouts before Wei Yan fled again. Wei Yan and Guan Xing continued this all day. In the evening, both sides were close to the wooden path. I have despised fighting you, but you have kept pursuing me.

Now we will fight to the death! Zhang He charged after Wei Yan. Suddenly lights appeared, the sky became aglow, and boulders were rolling down the slopes. Zhuge Liang was once again trying to take Qishan. He sent , troops to Qishan. They marched in 5 divisions, with Jiang Wei and Wei Yan in the van. They reached Beiyuan at about dusk. The scouts had informed the Wei defenders, led by Sun Li, and fled.

This work Wei Yan his attack was expected, so be began to retreat. At this moment a great shouting was heard, and there appeared two bodies of the enemy under Sima Yi and Guo Huai attacking both left and right. Wei Yan and Ma Dai fought desperately to free themselves, but many of their troops fell into the river and drowned.

The two officers thought they were dead when Wu Yi appeared, saved the Shu forces from destruction, and moved across the river to make camp. However, I value Wei Yan because he is very bold. After another Shu victory, Zhuge Liang had shown the Shu troops the creation of his wooden oxen. After six days, he learned that Wei had copied his design. He already had a plan ready. While Sima Shi and Sima Yi were talking about how to get revenge on Zhuge Liang, an officer reported that Wei Yan was insulting their army, reminding them that he had the helmet of their leader.

He was challenging the soldiers, and they desired to accept the challenge, but Sima Yi would not move his troops. Wei Yan eventually gave up and went back to his camp.

Zhuge Liang was going to try to provoke Sima Yi into fighting, and lure him into a trap. The important matter is to entice Sima Yi out of his stronghold.

You will be unable to obtain a victory, so retreat that he may pursue. You are to make for the signal, the seven star flags by day or the seven lamps at night. Thus you will lead him into the Gourd Valley, where I have a plan prepared for him. The troops of Wei went to attack Qishan, when Shu troops appeared, pretending to reinforce the defenders. The Wei army turned towards Gourd Valley. Wei Yan was expecting them, and as soon as the army appeared, Wei Yan galloped up and recognized Sima Yi as the leader.

Wei Yan flourished his sword, and Sima Yi his spear. The two exchanged blows when Wei Yan suddenly turned his steed and bolted towards the seven star flags, as he was ordered. Sima Yi followed him, more eagerly when he saw that Wei Yan had a small force. Sima Yi sent some scouts into the valley that Wei Yan had entered.

When they saw no signs of any Shu troops, Sima Yi assumed it was the store valley. Sima Yi then noticed kindling wood on the straw huts, and began to feel uneasy. The fire attack then occurred. Zhuge Liang, however, had become gravely ill.

He ordered 49 guards, each with a black flag and dressed in black, to be placed outside his tent. If the lamp goes out, then he is to die. Suddenly shouting was heard outside. No prayers can alter them. Jiang Wei got angry and drew his sword to slay Wei Yan. When he arrived, he received a silken bag containing secret orders. When that happens and the army is in danger, you will find herein what to do.

In his vision two horns grew out of his head. When he awoke, he was much perplexed to explain his dream. I have dreamed that two horns grew upon my head, and would trouble you to expound the dream and tell me its portent. Dragon and Jilin both have horns on the head. It augurs transformation into an ascending creature. Fei Yi asked where he came from. He dreamed that he grew horns upon his head, and I have given him an auspicious interpretation.

But really it is inauspicious. However, I did not wish to annoy him. It is a terrible omen. Fei Yi then went to the camp of Wei Yan.

He left certain final orders, and among them, that you are to command the rearguard to keep Sima Yi at bay while the army retreats. No mourning is to be worn.