View source for Wei Yan

{{Short description|State of Shu Han general (died 234)}}
{{for|the Chinese-American biologist|Wei Yan (biologist)}}
{{family name hatnote|[[Wei (surname)|Wei]]|lang=Chinese}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Wei Yan
| native_name         = 魏延
| image               = Wei Yan Qing dynasty illustration.jpg
| image_size          = 200px
| caption             = A [[Qing dynasty]] illustration of Wei Yan
| alt                 = 
| office              = Senior General Who Attacks the West<br>(征西大將軍)
| term_start          = {{Start date|231}}
| term_end            = {{End date|234}}
| monarch             = [[Liu Shan]]
| chancellor          = [[Zhuge Liang]]
| office1             = Vanguard Military Adviser (前軍師)
| term_start1         = {{Start date|231}}
| term_end1           = {{End date|234}}
| monarch1            = [[Liu Shan]]
| chancellor1         = [[Zhuge Liang]]
| office2             = Inspector of Liang Province<br>(涼州刺史)<br>(nominal)
| term_start2         = {{Start date|227}}
| term_end2           = ?
| monarch2            = [[Liu Shan]]
| chancellor2         = [[Zhuge Liang]]
| office3             = General Who Guards the North<br>(鎮北將軍)
| term_start3         = {{Start date|221}}
| term_end3           = ?
| monarch3            = [[Liu Bei]] / [[Liu Shan]]
| chancellor3         = [[Zhuge Liang]]
| office4             = General Who Guards Distant Lands<br>(鎮遠將軍)
| term_start4         = {{Start date|219}}
| term_end4           = {{End date|221}}
| monarch4            = [[Liu Bei]]
| office5             = Administrator of Hanzhong<br>(漢中太守)<br>(acting)
| term_start5         = {{Start date|219}}
| term_end5           = ?
| monarch5            = [[Liu Bei]] / [[Liu Shan]]
| office6             = General of the Ivory Gate<br>(牙門將軍) / (牙门将军)
| term_start6         = {{Start date|214}}
| term_end6           = ?
| birth_date          = Unknown
| birth_place         = [[Nanyang, Henan|Nanyang]], [[Henan]]
| death_date          = 234
| death_place         = [[Sichuan]]
| children            = ''at least one son''
| occupation          = Military general, politician
| blank1              = [[Courtesy name]]
| data1               = Wenchang (文長)
| blank2              = Peerage
| data2               = Marquis of Nanzheng<br>(南鄭侯)
}}

'''Wei Yan''' ({{audio|Wei Yan.ogg|pronunciation}}) (died {{circa}} October 234<ref>Zhuge Liang's biography in ''Records of the Three Kingdoms'' mentioned that he died in the 8th month of the 12th year of the ''Jianxing'' era (223–237) in [[Liu Shan]]'s reign. This month corresponds to 11 September to 10 October 234 in the Julian calendar. ({{lang|zh-hant|[建興]十二年 ... 其年八月，亮疾病，卒于軍...。}}) Since Wei Yan died soon after Zhuge Liang, his death date should be in {{circa}} October 234.</ref>), [[courtesy name]] '''Wenchang''', was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of [[Shu Han]] during the [[Three Kingdoms]] period of China. Originally a subordinate of the warlord [[Liu Bei]] during the late [[Eastern Han dynasty]], Wei Yan rose through the ranks and became a general after Liu Bei [[Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province|seized control]] of [[Yi Province]] (covering present-day [[Sichuan]] and [[Chongqing]]) in 214.{{sfnp|de Crespigny|2007|p=857}} His performance in battle helped him to become a prominent figure in the Shu military in a short period of time. He was later appointed as the Administrator of [[Hanzhong]] [[Commandery (China)|Commandery]] and as an Area Commander in 219.{{sfnp|de Crespigny|2007|p=857}} Between 228 and 234, he participated actively in the [[Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions|Northern Expeditions]] led by the Shu regent [[Zhuge Liang]] against Shu's rival state, [[Cao Wei]]. After Zhuge Liang's death in {{circa}} September 234, Wei Yan was executed by another Shu general, [[Ma Dai]], for alleged treason.

== Early life ==
Wei Yan was from Yiyang Commandery ({{lang|zh|義陽郡}}), which covered parts of present-day [[Nanyang, Henan|Nanyang]] in southern [[Henan]] and parts of northern [[Hubei]].{{sfnp|de Crespigny|2007|p=857}} He started his career as a foot soldier under the warlord [[Liu Bei]], probably sometime between 209 and 211 when Liu Bei was in southern [[Jing Province]] (covering present-day Hubei and [[Hunan]]).{{sfnp|de Crespigny|2007|p=857}} Around 212, he followed Liu Bei into [[Yi Province]] (covering present-day [[Sichuan]] and [[Chongqing]]) and served Liu Bei as a personal retainer in [[Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province|a war]] against [[Liu Zhang (warlord)|Liu Zhang]], the Governor of Yi Province (益州牧).{{sfnp|de Crespigny|2007|p=857}} [[Huang Zhong]] and Wei Yan scored many military exploits during the capture of [[Guanghan|Guanghan County]].<ref name="三国史话 2">{{cite book |author1=黄其军 |title=三国史话  |page=63 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g12HDwAAQBAJ |access-date=17 January 2022 |language=zh |quote=刘备派遣黄忠、魏延等分统军队平定广汉郡,立下战功。214 年,魏延随刘备攻克益州重镇雒城,并与诸葛亮、张飞等人一起包围并占领了成都。镇守汉中扬威名。219 年,刘备在沔阳自称汉中王,定都于成都,主力回撤后必须留大将镇守汉中。}}</ref> Thus, Wei Yan promoted to full general.{{sfnp|de Crespigny|2007|p=857}}

The campaign met early success with the quick death of Gao Pei and Yang Huai and the later occupation of the passes, followed by the defeat of Liu Zhang's reinforcements at Fu County. Pang Tong was killed during the siege of Luocheng and the siege became a prolonged one. One year later, Wei Yan and Liu Bei finally captured [[Luocheng Mulao Autonomous County|Luocheng]], then surrounded and occupied Chengdu together with Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei along with others.<ref name="三国史话 2" /> Thus, around the summer of 214, Liu Bei seized control of Yi Province from Liu Zhang.{{sfnp|Sima|1084|loc=vols. 66–67}}{{efn|In the [[Eastern Han dynasty]] and [[Three Kingdoms]] period, there were two categories of general ranks: Generals of Important Titles (重號將軍) and Generals of Miscellaneous Titles (雜號將軍). The former category includes generals with specific appointments. The latter category includes generals with no specific appointments. Wei Yan's rank of General of the Ivory Gate ({{lang|zh-hant|牙門將軍}}) belonged to the latter category.<ref name="miscellanous title general">{{cite book | author = Sima Guang | author-link= Sima Guang| title= Zizhi Tongjian zhu | title-link= Zizhi Tongjian| orig-date= 1084 | date= 1200s | editor= Hu Sanxing | editor-link=Hu Sanxing | chapter=[[:zh:s:資治通鑒 (胡三省音注)/卷068|vol. 68]]|quote=牙門、鎮遠，皆劉備創置將軍號}}</ref>}}{{efn|According to the biographies of Wei Yan and [[Zhao Yun]] in ''Records of the Three Kingdoms'', this title was only bestowed to the two of them. However, the biography of [[Wang Ping (Three Kingdoms)|Wang Ping]] also recorded that Wang Ping also offered the same title by Liu Bei.}} As Wei Yan has made several contributions in the conquest of Yi Province, Liu Bei promoted him to the rank of General of the Ivory Gate ({{lang|zh-hant|牙門將軍}}).<ref name="傳世藏書: 三国志, 晋书">{{cite book |author1=李学勤 (Li Xueqin)|title=傳世藏書: 三国志, 晋书 (Handed down collections: Three Kingdoms, Jinshu)|date=1995 |publisher=海南国际新闻出版中心 (Hainan International Press and Publication Center )|page=380, (以部曲隨先主入蜀，數有戰功，遷牙門將軍。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2oQNAQAAMAAJ |access-date=15 January 2022 |language=zh |quote=魏延字文长,义阳人也。以部曲随先主入蜀,数有战功,迁牙门将军。先主为汉中王,迁治成都,当得重将以镇汉川,众论以为必在张飞,飞亦以心自许。}}</ref>

==Administrator of Hanzhong ==
In 217,{{sfnp|Sima|1084|loc=vol. 68}} Liu Bei started the [[Hanzhong Campaign]] against his rival [[Cao Cao]].<ref name="Translations from Chen Shou's 'Records of Three Kingdoms'" /> There is no direct mention of Wei Yan's participation. After Liu Bei captured Hanzhong, Liu Bei asked his subjects to nominate one of his generals to remain behind and guard Hanzhong.<ref name="Translations from Chen Shou's 'Records of Three Kingdoms'" /> His subjects nominated [[Zhang Fei]], who also strongly believed that he would most likely be chosen.<ref name="Translations from Chen Shou's 'Records of Three Kingdoms'" /> However, much to everyone's surprise, Liu Bei chose Wei Yan instead and appointed him as General Who Guards Distant Lands ({{lang|zh-hant|鎮遠將軍}}) and acting Administrator of Hanzhong ({{lang|zh|漢中太守}}).{{sfnp|de Crespigny|2007|p=857}}<ref name="Translations from Chen Shou's 'Records of Three Kingdoms'">{{harvp|Chen and Pei|429|loc=[[:zh:s:三國志/卷40#魏延|vol. 40: Biography of Wei Yan]]}}: "先主為漢中王，遷治成都，當得重將以鎮漢川，衆論以為必在張飛，飛亦以心自許。先主乃拔延為督漢中鎮遠將軍，領漢中太守，一軍盡驚。"</ref><ref name="Comprehensive Jonathan Wu" /> When Liu Bei asked Wei Yan in front of everyone how would he perform his duty, the latter confidently replied:

{{blockquote|text="If Cao Cao leads all his forces to attack Hanzhong, let me assist Your Highness in resisting them. If an enemy general comes with an army of 100,000, let me engulf them for Your Highness."}} Liu Bei was very pleased and everyone was impressed with Wei Yan's reply.<ref name="駢志">{{cite book |author1=陳禹謨 |title=駢志 |date=1992|type=Encyclopedias and dictionaries, Chinese |publisher=上海古籍出版社 |isbn=9787532511105 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xKmwAAAAIAAJ |access-date=20 January 2022 |language=zh |format=hardcover |quote=....亮每次伐魏,延輛請別將萬人出子午谷為奇兵,徑襲長安,亮終不許,由是為延所 o 卿以重任,卿居之,欲云何?』延對曰:『若曹操舉天下而來,請為大王拒之;偏將十萬之眾至,請為大王吞之。張飛,飛亦以心自許,先主乃拔延為督漢中、鎮遠將軍,領漢中『太守·一軍盡驚。.... Sanguozhi}}</ref>

During his tenure, Wei Yan explained to Liu Bei that he used a strategy called the "double gates" ({{lang-zh|重門之計|labels=no}}). The ancient text ''[[I Ching]]'' described this strategy as a particularly designed fortification which laid numerous military garrisons surrounding the outskirt and trail exits linking to Hanzhong.<ref name="阳平关口说三分">{{cite book |author1=张东 |title=阳平关口说三分 |date=2016 |publisher=BEIJING BOOK CO. INC. |isbn=9787551813679 |page=(初，先主留魏延鎮漢中，皆實兵諸圍以禦外敵，敵若來攻，使不得入。(At the beginning, the First Sovereign stayed in the Weiyan town of Hanzhong, all surrounded by troops to defend against foreign enemies. If the enemy came to attack, they would not be able to enter.) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 44 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QIz6DwAAQBAJ |access-date=20 January 2022 |language=zh |format=ebook}}</ref><ref name="Journal of Social Sciences - Volumes 60-65" />

Following the end of the [[Eastern Han dynasty]] and the start of the [[Three Kingdoms]] period in 220, Liu Bei declared himself emperor in 221 and established the state of [[Shu Han|Shu Han (or Shu)]] to challenge the legitimacy of the [[Cao Wei|Cao Wei (or Wei)]] state established by Cao Cao's successor, [[Cao Pi]], to replace the Eastern Han dynasty.{{sfnp|Sima|1084|loc=vol. 69}} Liu Bei further promoted Wei Yan to General Who Guards the North ({{lang|zh-hant|鎮北將軍}}) after his coronation.<ref name="Textual Research History of the Political System of Shu Han">{{cite book |author1=洪武雄 (Hong Wuxiong) |title=蜀漢政治制度史考論|trans-title=A Textual Research on the History of the Political System of Shu and Han |date=2008 |type=China -- History -- Three kingdoms, 220-265 -- Politics and government -- 221 B.C.-960 A.D., China -- Politics and government, China -- Politics and government -- History -- Three kingdoms, 220-265, China / History / Three kingdoms, 220-265, China / Politics and government / 220-589, China -- Politics and government -- 220-589 -- History -- Three kingdoms, 220-265 |publisher=文津出版有限公司 (Wenjin Publishing Co) |isbn=9789576688515 |page=369 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LlTTAAAAMAAJ |access-date=21 January 2022 |quote=先主踐尊號，進拜鎮北將軍}}</ref>

==Northern Expeditions==
{{main|Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions}}
[[File:Zhuge Liang 4th and 5th Northern Expeditions.png|260px|thumb|right|Zhuge Liang's fourth and fifth northern expeditions against Cao Wei]]

After Liu Bei died in 223, his son [[Liu Shan]] succeeded him as the emperor of Shu.{{sfnp|Sima|1084|loc=vol. 70}} In the same year, Liu Shan enfeoffed Wei Yan as a Marquis of a Chief Village ({{lang|zh|都亭侯}}).<ref name="Zhang Xiufeng">{{cite book |author1=(Zhang Xiufeng) |title=歷史的羅生門 |date=2013 |type=Young Adult Nonfiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / History, China -- Anecdotes -- History -- Biography |publisher=新潮社文化事業有限公司(Xinchaoshe Cultural Enterprise Co., Ltd. ) |isbn=9789863162995 |page=34 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=05w9DwAAQBAJ |access-date=21 January 2022 |language=zh |quote=建興元年，封都亭侯}}</ref>

In 227, [[Zhuge Liang]], the [[Chancellor (China)|Imperial Chancellor]] of Shu, mobilised the Shu military and gathered troops in [[Hanzhong|Hanzhong Commandery]] in preparation for a large scale invasion of Shu's rival state, [[Cao Wei|Cao Wei (or Wei)]], where he put Wei Yan in charge of the vanguard division and appointed him as acting Major under the Imperial Chancellor ({{lang|zh-hant|丞相司馬}}) and acting Inspector of [[Liang Province]] ({{lang|zh|涼州刺史}}).{{sfnp|de Crespigny|2007|p=857}}<ref name="奇葩歷史 魏延簡傳， 魏延之子">{{cite web |title=奇葩歷史 魏延簡傳， 魏延之子 |url=https://www.herostory.tw/article/7287?extra= |access-date=5 December 2021 |date=2021 |quote=此「重門之計」並非重於城門的防守，而是於漢中險要之地，東、南、北門、等各路關口、隘口，設下大型防禦工事，皆以強將銳卒守御，工事中弩兵可強弩齊發，隘口下可輕騎疾行，並可相互救援、接應，以精銳部隊防禦反擊的策略。}}(五年，諸葛亮駐漢中，更以延為督前部，領丞相司馬、涼州刺史， ...) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40.</ref> During [[Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions|this campaign]], Wei Yan always requested to lead a separate detachment of 10,000 troops, take a different route through the Ziwu Valley ({{lang-zh|子午谷|labels=no}}) and rendezvous with the Shu main army at Tong Pass ({{lang-zh|潼關|labels=no}}; in present-day [[Tongguan County]], [[Shaanxi]]).<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊">{{cite book |author1=林文月 |author2=莊信正 |author3=蔡宗齊 |editor1-last=Xu |type=Reference / General, Scholars -- Biography -- Taiwan, Chinese literature -- History and criticism |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=FNDlDwAAQBAJ|editor1-first=Youfang |title=國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊|trans-title=Trends in International Sinology Research: Professor Zheng Qingmao's Eighth Rank Birthday Essay Collection Volume 2 |date=2013 |publisher=Airiti Press |isbn=9789860363333 |page=192 |access-date=18 January 2022 |language=zh |quote=達得亮書,數相交通,辭欲叛魏... 亮亦以達無款誠之心,故不救助也。」同前註,卷 41,頁 1016。 27 裴松之注引《魏略》曰:「夏侯楙為安西將軍,鎮長安,亮於南鄭與群下計議,延曰:『聞夏侯楙少,主婿也,怯而無謀。今假延精兵五千, 今假延精兵五千,負糧五千,直從褒中出,循秦嶺而東,當子午而北,不過十日可到長安.... 京兆太守耳,橫門邸閣與散民之穀足周食也。比東方相合聚,尚二十許日....  从斜谷来,必足以达。如此,则一举而咸阳以西可定矣。;Vol. 41, p. 1016. 27 Pei Songzhi's commentary quoted "Wei Lue" }}</ref>

Wei Yan argued that the Ziwu Valley and its resources could support the Shu army's operations at least for a week.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊" /> However, Zhuge Liang rejected the plan because he thought that it was too risky, prompting Wei Yan to call Zhuge Liang a coward and complain that his talent was not put to good use.{{sfn|张东|2016 ||page=(延每隨亮出，輒欲請兵萬人，與亮異道會于潼關，如韓信故事，亮制而不許。延常謂亮為怯，歎恨己才用之不盡。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40. According to [[Sima Guang]], this strategy was based on an earlier strategy used by the general [[Han Xin]] in the 200s BCE.}}{{sfnp|Sima|1084|loc=vol. 71}} When [[Chen Shou]] compiled the unofficial works on the history of Shu to write the ''Sanguozhi'', he only mentioned that Wei Yan suggested to Zhuge Liang to split the Shu army into two, and the two forces would take two different routes and rendezvous at Tong Pass.{{efn|Not much details were recorded due to the fact that during Liu Shan's rule, he did not establish a history bureau, a department whose task was to maintain records of historical events. When Chen Shou attempted to compile the histories of Shu, he lamented about this. It is noteworthy that Shu had 40,000 officials when it was [[Conquest of Shu by Wei|conquered by Wei]] in 263, but out of these 40,000, none of them held the appointment of historian.<ref name="Twenty-five Histories: Anthology of the Three Kingdoms in Sixty-five Volumes">{{cite book |title=二十五史: 三國志集解六十五卷 (Twenty-five Histories: Anthology of the Three Kingdoms in Sixty-five Volumes) |date=1956 |type=China -- History |publisher=藝文印書舘 (Art Press) |edition=reprint |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wfpVAAAAYAAJ |access-date=21 January 2022 |language=zh |quote=(又國不置史，注記無官，是以行事多遺，灾異靡書。諸葛亮雖達於為政，凡此之類，猶有未周焉。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 32.}}</ref>}}

Later in 230, during the [[Ziwu Campaign]], Wei Yan led some troops towards Yangxi ({{lang-zh|陽谿|labels=no}}; southwest of present-day [[Wushan County, Gansu]]) and engaged the Wei forces led by and [[Guo Huai]] and [[Fei Yao]], where Wei Yan managed to inflict a heavy defeat to them.{{sfn|Shi |2020|p=Records of the Three Kingdoms, compiled by Chen Shou in 289; Sanguozhi vol. 40. Pei Songzhi's annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 45....; 八年，使延西入羌中，魏後將軍費瑤、雍州刺史郭淮與延戰于陽谿，延大破淮等，Sanguozhi vol. 40.}} During the same year, he also assisted another Shu general [[Wu Yi (Three Kingdoms)|Wu Yi]] in attacking Nan'an Commandery ({{lang-zh|南安郡|labels=no}}; southeast of present-day [[Longxi County]], [[Gansu]]) where they scored another victory against a Wei army led by [[Fei Yao]].<ref name="Li Shi; HISTORY OF THREE KINGDOMS">{{harvnb|Shi |2020|p=(三國志, Sānguó Zhì), compiled by Chen Shou 陳壽 in 289; (建興八年，與魏延入南安界，破魏將費瑤，) Pei Songzhi's annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 45.}}</ref>

During the [[Battle of Mount Qi|fourth campaign]] in 231, Wei Yan was also involved in the [[Battle of Mount Qi]] when he, together with the Shu generals [[Gao Xiang (Three Kingdoms)|Gao Xiang]] and [[Wu Ban]], scored a major victory against the Wei army led by [[Sima Yi]], during which they killed 3,000 Wei soldiers and seized 5,000 sets of armour and 3,100 crossbows. Sima Yi was forced to retreat back to his camp.<ref name="One Hundred Cases of Ancient Chinese Wars">{{cite book |author1=中國人民解放军. 武汉部队. 司令部. 軍事资料研究组 (People's Liberation Army. Wuhan Army. Headquarters. Military Data Research Group ) |title=中國古代戰争一百例  |trans-title=One Hundred Cases of Ancient Chinese Wars |date=1979 |type=Subject: Battles -- China, China -- History, Military |publisher=湖北人民出版社 |location=China |page=329 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH5pAAAAIAAJ |access-date=18 January 2022 |language=zh |quote=漢晉春秋曰： ... 五月辛巳，乃使張郃攻无當監何平於南圍，自案中道向亮。亮使魏延、高翔、吳班赴拒，大破之，獲甲首三千級、玄鎧五千領、角弩三千一百張，宣王還保營}}</ref><ref name="record of three kingdoms Zhuge Liang biography">{{cite book |last1=Shi |first1=Li |title=The Military History of Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasty |publisher=deeplogic |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xiGKDwAAQBAJ&dq=wei+yan+gao+xiang+wu+ban&pg=PT48 |access-date=18 January 2022 |language=en |format=ebook |quote=Three kingdoms vol 35 Zhuge Liang biography;[[Pei Songzhi]] annotation of [[Xi Zuochi]] ''Hanjin Chunqiu''  from in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 35.}}</ref> [[Zhang He]], a veteran Wei general, was also killed in battle during this conflict.<ref name="诸葛亮研究">{{cite book |title=诸葛亮研究 |date=1985 |publisher=巴蜀书社, 成都市诸葛亮研究会(Zhuge Liang research center in Chengdu) |page=63 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7kHTAAAAMAAJ |access-date=17 January 2022 |quote=吴班赴拒,大破之,获甲首三千级,玄铠五十领,角弩三千一百张,宣王还保营。( 54 )从上所述,证实郭冲说的诸葛亮“杀张郃,却宣王”是可信的,只不过这两件事有先有后,不是“一战”取得的。至于《晋书》所载: “ (宣)帝攻拔其围,亮弯道,追击破之,俘斩万计。}}</ref>{{efn|Guo Chong, a minister in the late Wei and early Jin dynasties and the son of Guo Zhi, the Prefect of Dong'an County, had assessed this record of Zhang He's defeat as reliable. However, he noted this campaign actually occurred in two separate battles, in which Zhang He fell during the second clash.<ref name="诸葛亮研究" />}} As a reward for his contributions, the Shu government promoted Wei Yan to Vanguard Military Adviser ({{lang|zh-hant|前軍師}}) and Senior General Who Attacks the West ({{lang|zh-hant|征西大將軍}}), and elevated him from a village marquis to a county marquis under the title "Marquis of Nanzheng" ({{lang|zh-hant|南鄭侯}}).{{sfn|张东 |2016|p=遷為前軍師征西大將軍，假節，進封南鄭侯}}

==Battle of Wuzhang Plains==
{{see also|Battle of Wuzhang Plains}}
[[File:虎头桥遗址 碑刻.jpg|260px|thumb|A monument in Hutouqiao, Hanzhong, Shanxi, believed to be site where Wei Yan was executed]]

In 234, Zhuge Liang launched the [[Battle of Wuzhang Plains|fifth Shu invasion of Wei]], with Wei Yan leading the Shu vanguard force as one of the commanding officers. Wei Yan reportedly had a dream that a horn grew on top of his head. He asked the dream diviner Zhao Zhi ({{lang-zh|趙直|labels=no}}) the meaning of this.<ref name="文學與人生 2">{{harvnb|李慕如|2004|p=21, 十二年，亮出北谷口，延為前鋒。出亮營十里，延夢頭上生角，以問占夢趙直退而告人曰) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40}}</ref> Zhao Zhi lied to him and said:

{{blockquote|text="A [[qilin]] has horns, but does not use them; this is an auspicious sign that the enemy will destroy themselves without battle".<ref>(，直詐延曰：「夫麒麟有角而不用，此不戰而賊欲自破之象也。」) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40.</ref>}}

After Wei Yan left, Zhao Zhi revealed to someone that the Chinese character for "horn" ({{lang-zh|角|labels=no}}) is composed of a "knife" ({{lang-zh|刀|labels=no}}) with "use" ({{lang-zh|用|labels=no}}) below it, which meant that dreaming of "using a knife" atop one's head was an extremely ominous omen.<ref>(退而告人曰：「角之為字，刀下用也；頭上用刀，其凶甚矣。」) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40.</ref><ref name="文學與人生">{{cite book |author1=李慕如 |title=文學與人生 |trans-title=Literature and Life |date=2004 |type=Conduct of life, Literature -- History and criticism |publisher=五南圖書出版股份有限公司 |isbn=9789571134611 |page=21 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gBoAUOBG8HwC |access-date=20 January 2022 |language=zh |quote=(，直詐延曰：「夫麒麟有角而不用，此不戰而賊欲自破之象也。」) Sanguozhi vol. 40.}}</ref> Later in the encampment, Wei Yan had a quarrel with [[Yang Yi (Shu Han)|Yang Yi]], Zhuge Liang's chief clerk, whom Wei Yan was extremely resentful of.<ref name="Zhuge Liang's Personnel Arrangement and the Generational Transition of Power">{{cite journal |author1=洪武雄(HUNG, Wu-hsiung) |title=諸葛亮之人事布局與蜀漢政權的世代交替 Zhuge Liang's Personnel Arrangement and the Generational Transition of Power of the Shu Han regime |journal=新亞學報 (Journal of New Asia) |date=2019 |volume=36 |pages=169–209; ''Only Yang Yi did not use the delay, but felt that the delay was extremely angry, like water and fire''(唯楊儀不假借延，延以為至忿，有如水火。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40|url=https://www.airitilibrary.com/Publication/alDetailedMesh?DocID=P20171013001-201908-201909250009-201909250009-169-209 |access-date=20 January 2022 |publisher=HUNG, Wu-hsiung |language=zh, en}}</ref> Whenever they got into heated quarrels, Wei Yan often drew his sword and brandished it in front of Yang Yi, who sobbed as tears rolled down his cheeks. This prompted [[Fei Yi]] to step in to stop them from fighting and keep them under control until Zhuge Liang's death.<ref name="洪武雄 Wei Yan vs Yang Yi">{{harvnb|洪武雄(HUNG, Wu-hsiung)|2019|p=169 - 209;  ''The military advisor Wei Yan and Yang Yi, the chief historian, hated each other. Whenever they sat side by side to argue, they extended or raised their swords to imitate the ceremony. The user of ceremonies was also the power of saving''(值軍師魏延與長史楊儀相憎惡，每至並坐爭論，延或舉刃擬儀，儀泣涕橫集。禕常入其坐間，諫喻分別，終亮之世，各盡延、儀之用者，禕匡救之力也。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 44.}}</ref> Zhuge Liang was upset by the lack of harmony between Wei Yan and Yang Yi, but was unwilling to side with either of them because he appreciated the talents of both men.{{sfn|jiuwan (Giao Chau)|2003 |p=(亮深惜儀之才幹，憑魏延之驍勇，常恨二人之不平，不忍有所偏廢也。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40.}}

When Zhuge Liang became critically ill during the invasion, he gave secret orders to [[Yang Yi (Shu Han)|Yang Yi]], [[Fei Yi]] and [[Jiang Wei]] to lead the army back to Shu after his death, with Wei Yan in charge of the rearguard and Jiang Wei to follow behind. If Wei Yan refused to follow the order, they were to retreat without him.<ref name="prof zhengqingmao">{{harvnb|林文月 |莊信正 |蔡宗齊 |2013|p=202(秋，亮病困，密與長史楊儀、司馬費禕、護軍姜維等作身歿之後退軍節度，令延斷後，姜維次之；若延或不從命，軍便自發。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40..(亮適卒，祕不發喪) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40..(儀令禕往揣延意指...(延先至，據南谷口，遣兵逆擊儀等，) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40....(儀等槎山通道，晝夜兼行，亦繼延後。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40...。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40.}}</ref> When Zhuge Liang died, news of his death was kept secret.<ref name="prof zhengqingmao" /> Yang Yi sent Fei Yi to meet Wei Yan and assess his intentions.<ref name="prof zhengqingmao" /> Wei Yan told Fei Yi:

{{Blockquote|text="Although the Imperial Chancellor is dead, I am still alive. The officials serving in the Imperial Chancellor's Office may bring his body back (to [[Chengdu]]) for burial, but I should remain behind to lead the army to attack the enemy. Must we abandon our mission just because of the death of one man? Besides, who am I, Wei Yan, to submit to Yang Yi's command and lead the rearguard?"<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 2">{{harvnb|林文月 |莊信正 |蔡宗齊 |2013 |p=202 延曰：「丞相雖亡，吾自見在。府親官屬便可將喪還葬，吾自當率諸軍擊賊，云何以一人死廢天下之事邪？且魏延何人，當為楊儀所部勒，作斷後將乎！ 」) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40.}}</ref>}}

Wei Yan then asked Fei Yi to assist him in making arrangements for part of the Shu army to remain behind and continue with the campaign, while the rest would retreat back to Shu.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 5" /> Fei Yi pretended to write a letter, signed by both of them, and told Wei Yan that he would read out the letter to all the officers about the new arrangements. It turned out that he had lied by telling Wei Yan that he would go back and explain Wei Yan's answer to Yang Yi.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 5" />

==Death==
Wei Yan then let Fei Yi leave, but he immediately regretted his decision and went after Fei Yi, but could not catch up with Fei Yi in time.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 5">{{harvnb|林文月 |莊信正 |蔡宗齊 |2013|p=202, 因與禕共作行留部分，令禕手書與己連名，告下諸將...當為君還解楊長史，長史文吏，稀更軍事，必不違命也。」)...死廢天下之事邪?且魏延何人,當為楊儀所部勒,作斷後將乎!...儀未發，率所領徑先南歸...延、儀各相表叛逆，...所過燒絕閣道....一日之中，羽檄交至...後主以問侍中董允、留府長史蔣琬，琬、允咸保儀疑延，Sanguozhi vol. 40}}</ref> He then sent his subordinate to meet Yang Yi and the others, but was shocked to discover that all units were preparing to retreat in accordance with Zhuge Liang's final orders.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 5" /> Wei Yan wanted to continue the battle even though Zhuge Liang had died, so he became furious when he heard of the retreat.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 5" /> He intended to block the Shu forces from retreating, so he led his force towards the south – ahead of the main army under Yang Yi's command – and sealed the return route by destroying the [[gallery road]]s leading back to Shu.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 5" />

Wei Yan and Yang Yi separately wrote memorials to the Shu imperial court to accuse each other of treason; both memorials arrived in [[Chengdu]] on the same day.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 5" /> The Shu emperor [[Liu Shan]] asked the ministers [[Dong Yun]] and [[Jiang Wan]] for their opinions.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 5" />  Both of them sided with Yang Yi and felt that Wei Yan's actions were suspicious. In the meantime, Yang Yi ordered his men to cut down trees to rebuild the gallery roads, and his troops marched day and night to catch up with Wei Yan.<ref name="prof zhengqingmao" /> Wei Yan arrived at the southern valley first and ordered his soldiers to attack Yang Yi.<ref name="prof zhengqingmao" /> Yang Yi sent [[Wang Ping (Three Kingdoms)|Wang Ping]] to resist Wei Yan. Wang Ping shouted at Wei Yan:

{{Blockquote|text="His Excellency (Zhuge Liang) had just died and his body had yet to turn cold, and now you dare to do something like this!"}} Wei Yan's men knew that their commander was in the wrong so they deserted.<ref name="prof zhengqingmao 2">{{harvnb|林文月 |莊信正 |蔡宗齊 |2013|p=203(儀等令何平在前禦延。平叱延先登曰：「公亡，身尚未寒，汝輩何敢乃爾！」延士眾知曲在延，莫為用命，軍皆散。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40.}}</ref>

Wei Yan was left with only his son(s) and a few followers, and they fled towards [[Hanzhong|Hanzhong Commandery]]. Yang Yi ordered [[Ma Dai]] to give chase.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 3" /> Ma Dai executed Wei Yan, brought his head back, and threw it in front of Yang Yi.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 3">{{harvnb|林文月 |莊信正 |蔡宗齊 |2013|p=203, 延獨與其子數人逃亡，奔漢中....儀遣馬岱追斬之,致首於儀,儀起自踏之,曰...儀遣馬岱追斬之，致首於儀，儀起自踏之，曰：「庸奴！復能作惡不？...遂夷延三族...初，蔣琬率宿衛諸營赴難北行...行數十里，延死問至，乃旋}}</ref> Yang Yi trampled on Wei Yan's head and said:

{{Blockquote|text="You inferior slave! Now, can you still commit evil?"<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 3" />}}

Wei Yan's family members and close relatives were also executed.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 3" /> Before Wei Yan's death, Jiang Wan had led the imperial guards from Chengdu to deal with what appeared to be a mutiny by Wei Yan.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 3" /> They had travelled for about 10 ''[[Li (unit)|li]]'' (about three miles) when they received news of Wei Yan's death; they then turned back and returned to Chengdu.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 3" />

== Character analysis ==
[[File:Wei Yan 2016 Temple of Marquis Wu (Wuzhang Plains).jpg|thumb|Statue of Wei Yan in the Zhuge Liang Memorial Temple in the [[Wuzhang Plains]], [[Shaanxi]]]]

Wei Yan was known for treating his soldiers well and for his bravery with valour that surpassed others. However, he was also boastful of his talents, hence his peers tended to shun him.<ref>{{cite book |author1=沈伯俊 (Shen Bojun) |title=Shen Bojun on the Three Kingdoms: 2 volumes |date=2018 |type=Literary Criticism / Ancient & Classical, Literary Criticism / Asian / Chinese, Electronic books |publisher=西南交通大学出版社 (Beijing Book Co. Inc. ) |isbn=9787564364403 |pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=wrgXEAAAQBAJ&dq=%E5%BB%B6%E6%97%A3%E5%96%84%E9%A4%8A%E5%A3%AB%E5%8D%92%EF%BC%8C%E5%8B%87%E7%8C%9B%E9%81%8E%E4%BA%BA%EF%BC%8C%E5%8F%88%E6%80%A7%E7%9F%9C%E9%AB%98%EF%BC%8C%E7%95%B6%E6%99%82%E7%9A%86%E9%81%BF%E4%B8%8B%E4%B9%8B&pg=PT303 (延旣善養士卒，勇猛過人，又性矜高，當時皆避下之。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40.] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wrgXEAAAQBAJ |access-date=21 January 2022 |language=zh |format=ebook}}</ref> [[Sun Quan]] had also once remarked that once Zhuge Liang died, Wei Yan would prove to be an unreliable person.<ref name="Comprehensive Jonathan Wu">{{harvnb|Wu |2003 |p=“There is treason in his bones,” said Zhuge Liang about Wei Yan. However there is no real basis for such an assumption other than a remark from Sun Quan recorded in SGZ, saying that Wei Yan may prove unreliable after Kongming’s death.}}</ref> [[Chen Shou]], who wrote Wei Yan's biography in the ''Sanguozhi'', analysed Wei Yan's death as such: {{blockquote|"Wei Yan's initial intention was not to head north to surrender to [[Cao Wei|Wei]]. Instead, he wanted to retreat back to the south. He desired to kill [[Yang Yi (Shu Han)|Yang Yi]] and the others who disagreed with him. Although the officers held differing opinions, he strongly believed that they would generally agree to him becoming Zhuge Liang's successor. That was his true intention; he was not thinking of rebelling."<ref>(原延意不北降魏而南還者，但欲除殺儀等。平日諸將素不同，兾時論必當以代亮。本指如此。不便背叛。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40.</ref><ref name="阳平关口说三分 2">{{harvnb|张东 |2016 |p=他说:“原延意不北降魏而南还者,但欲除杀仪等。平日诸将素不同,冀时论必当以代亮。本指如此。不便背叛。''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40.}}</ref>}} Chen Shou also remarked that Zhuge Liang valued Wei Yan's bravery and was caught in a dilemma when the latter got into conflict with Yang Yi, whose talent Zhuge Liang also appreciated.<ref name="Yang Yi (Weigong) 楊儀 (威公) kongming archives">{{cite web |author1=jiuwan (Giao Chau) |title=Yang Yi (Weigong) 楊儀 (威公) |url=http://kongming.net/novel/sgz/yangyi.php |website=Kongming archives |access-date=20 January 2022 |language=en |date=2003 |quote=Translated from Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms annotated by Pei Songzhi}}</ref>

A similar, but somewhat different and more detailed, account exists in the historical text ''[[Weilüe]]'' by [[Yu Huan]]. It stated that Zhuge Liang told Wei Yan to set up defences, although he also gave further instruction to "not return here".<ref name="Zhuge Liang history" /> Wei Yan kept this order to himself and did not share it with others, thus prompting Wei Yan's rival, Yang Yi, to spread false rumours that Wei Yan intended to defect to the enemy, causing Shu forces to turn against Wei Yan and result in his downfall.<ref name="Zhuge Liang history">{{cite book |author1=姚季農 |title=諸葛亮: 歷史平話 |date=1966 |publisher=姚秉凡 |page=179 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qD_TAAAAMAAJ |access-date=20 January 2022 |language=zh |quote=... 可是,魏略又這樣說:「諸葛亮病,謂延等云:我之死後,但謹自守,慎勿復來也。令延攝行已事,密持喪去,延遂匿之,行至褒口,乃發喪。''Weilüe'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40.}}</ref> [[Pei Songzhi]], who added the ''Weilüe'' account to Wei Yan's biography and [[Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms|annotated the ''Sanguozhi'']], cast doubts on the ''Weilüe'' account:

{{blockquote|"I believe this account (Weilue) was derived from hearsay in the enemy state ([[Cao Wei|Wei]]) and may not be as reliable as compared to the original account (by Chen Shou)."<ref name="Nanjing university press">{{cite book |author1=杨耀坤 |author2=伍野春 |author3=南京大学. 中国思想家研究中心 |title=陈寿裴松之评传 |trans-title=A Biography of Chen Shou and Pei Song |date=1998|type=Historians -- Biography -- China, Historiography, Chinese -- Biography |publisher=南京大学出版社 / [[Nanjing University]] Press |isbn=978-7-305-03268-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Lp-AAAAIAAJ |access-date=20 January 2022 |language=zh |format=hardcover |quote=(臣松之以為此蓋敵國傳聞之言，不得與本傳爭審。) Pei Songzhi's annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40.}}</ref>}}

Wei Yan's death was explained in political terms in "Injustice to Wei Yan" ({{lang|zh|魏延的千古奇冤}}), a neoteric article by [[Zhu Ziyan]], a history professor from [[Shanghai University]]. Zhu wrote that Zhuge Liang personally appointed [[Jiang Wan]], [[Fei Yi]] and [[Jiang Wei]] to be his successors, but Wei Yan's appointments and contributions were greater than those of any of them at the time.<ref name="Zhu Ziyan" /> Zhuge Liang ostracised Wei Yan and cracked down on him because he wanted to eliminate Wei Yan as a possible obstacle to his appointed successors.<ref name="Zhu Ziyan">{{cite web |last1=Ziyan |first1=Zhu |title=Injustice to Wei Yan'' (魏延的千古奇冤) |url=http://www.qulishi.com/news/201405/13854.html |website=quilishi |access-date=20 January 2022 |language=zh |date=2014 |quote=诸葛亮亲自指定了接班人，蒋琬、费袆、姜维。但是魏延的官职、功劳要比他们个人大得多，诸葛亮打击魏延，排挤魏延是为他的接班人扫除障碍，去掉绊脚石}}</ref>

Meanwhile, in the ''Analysis of the Three Kingdoms'', [[Yi Zhongtian]] commented that Zhuge Liang's last order to forcibly retreat and leave Wei Yan alone was contradicted by what he personally instructed Wei Yan; such contradiction indirectly led to tragedy between Wei Yan and Yang Yi.<ref name="Yi Zhongtian" /> The forced retreat after Zhuge Liang's death might have been Yang Yi's idea rather than Zhuge Liang's, since Zhuge Liang died before devising any withdrawal plan. Yi Zhongtian thus theorised that there was no evidence of the theory that Yang Yi fabricated the order.<ref name="Yi Zhongtian" /> Yi Zhongtian also explained another possible hypothesis that Zhuge Liang's final order "leave Wei Yan alone" simply meant "ignore Wei Yan" rather than "kill Wei Yan"; the Shu forces had to withdraw and if Wei Yan could not be stopped, they should have just let him be.<ref name="Yi Zhongtian" /> Yi Zhongtian analysed and criticised Wei Yan for not grasping the political-economic reasons behind Zhuge Liang's expeditions and his extreme caution.<ref name="Yi Zhongtian" /> Zhuge Liang launched the expeditions not only to restore the Han dynasty, but also to keep Shu in a state of war so that he could strengthen his control over Shu's internal affairs and suppress potential dissidence among local elites in Shu.<ref name="Yi Zhongtian" />

As the smallest and weakest amongst the Three Kingdoms, Shu would be the first one to be targeted, hence it had to launch preemptive attacks to intimidate its opponents, to expand its territory, and to improve its conditions - the chances of success were not high but it would have been better than doing nothing.<ref name="Yi Zhongtian" /> Zhuge Liang's goal of restoring the Han dynasty was sincere and had never changed. However, Wei was too powerful and could not be defeated in a single blow, hence the expeditions had to be carried out in a careful manner with guaranteed advances rather than going with daring but risky strikes which could lead to disasters like the Battles of Xiaoting and Fancheng.<ref name="Yi Zhongtian" /> Such a complicated situation could not be explained clearly to Wei Yan, and probably did not need to be, as Zhuge Liang wanted to keep Wei Yan's morale at his peak.<ref name="Yi Zhongtian">{{cite book |author1=易中天 |title=Yi Zhongtian. Analysis of the Three Kingdoms |date=2001|type=history |isbn=978-7532157747 |language=zh |chapter=41: Attacks for Defenses|publisher=上海文艺出版社 }}</ref>

==Ziwu Valley plan analysis==
Wei Yan's reasoning for his Ziwu Valley Plan was recorded in the ''[[Weilüe]]'', which was then added as an annotation to his biography in the ''Sanguozhi'', where [[Chen Shou]] recorded that Wei Yan received intelligence which led him to conclude that the defender of the strategic city of [[Chang'an]], [[Xiahou Mao]], was incompetent.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 4" /> Thus, Wei Yan reasoned, it would be easy for him to take 5,000 troops (and another 5,000 to carry supplies) across the [[Qin Mountains]] via the Ziwu Valley and into Chang'an.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 4" /> Wei Yan estimated that he would reach Chang'an in ten days and scare Xiahou Mao into flight, leaving the grain in Chang'an's storehouses for Shu's taking.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 4" /> There, Wei Yan's force can wait for Zhuge Liang's main army to take the safer road out of Xie Valley ({{lang-zh|斜谷|labels=no}}) and rendezvous in Chang'an. In this way, the region west of [[Xianyang]] could be conquered in one movement.<ref name="國際漢學研究趨勢：鄭清茂教授八秩華誕祝壽論文集下冊 4">{{harvnb|林文月 |莊信正 |蔡宗齊 |2013|p=202,(魏略曰：夏侯楙為安西將軍，鎮長安，亮於南鄭與羣下計議，延曰：「聞夏侯楙少，主壻也，怯而無謀。今假延精兵五千，負糧五千，直從褒中出，循秦嶺而東，當子午而北，不過十日可到長安。楙聞延奄至，必乘船逃走。長安中惟有御史、京兆太守耳，黃門邸閣與散民之穀足周食也。比東方相合聚，尚二十許日，而公從斜谷來，必足以達。如此，則一舉而咸陽以西可定矣。」亮以為此縣危，不如安從坦道，可以平取隴右，十全必克而無虞，故不用延計。) ''Weilüe'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 40.}}</ref> The ''Weilue'' argued that the plan might have worked; Sima Yi had acknowledged the possibility that Shu forces would carry out the plan while Xiahou Mao had not realised it.<ref name="《早期中國史研究》第3卷第2期">{{cite journal |title=《早期中國史研究》第3卷第2期 |journal=Zaoqi Zhongguo Shi Yanjiu |date=2011 |page=20 |url=https://www.academia.edu/1524994 |access-date=15 January 2022 |publisher=Early and Medieval Chinese History |location=Taipei, Taiwan |issn=2075-0366}}</ref>

When the Wei government received intelligence about Wei Yan's Ziwu Valley Plan, the Wei emperor [[Cao Rui]] immediately removed Xiahou Mao from his military command in Chang'an and reassigned him to be a Master of Writing ({{lang|zh|尚書}}) in Luoyang.<ref name="Yi Zhongtian" /> [[Yi Zhongtian]], in his ''Analysis of the Three Kingdoms'', commented that both proponents and opponents of Wei Yan's plan had strong reasons.<ref name="Yi Zhongtian" /> Wei forces were rather unprepared to counter the first Northern Expedition as they had not foreseen that Shu forces could launch such an offensive, hence both Zhuge Liang and Wei Yan's strikes could have dealt a massive blow to Wei defences.<ref name="Yi Zhongtian" /> However, Wei Yan's plan was also very risky, as neither Xiahou Mao's retreat nor the timely arrival of the main Shu force led by Zhuge Liang could have been guaranteed. Moreover, the Wei general [[Guo Huai]] was stationed nearby and could have come to Xiahou Mao's aid.<ref name="Yi Zhongtian" />

However, recent scholarship of Chinese history criticised the ''Weilue'' account, stating that Yu Huan had exaggerated the alleged conflict between Wei Yan and Zhuge Liang over the latter's rejection of the former's Ziwu Valley plan.<ref name="How do Yu Huan Construction’s the Three Kingdoms history image in his book Weilüe" /> Wen-Chin Wang of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature suspected that the ''Weilue'' account was biased since Yu Huan supported the state of Wei.<ref name="How do Yu Huan Construction’s the Three Kingdoms history image in his book Weilüe">{{harvnb|Wang |2011|p=33}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
=== Military fortification ===
The "Heavy Gate" ({{lang-zh|重門之計|labels=no}}) bulwark designed by Wei Yan during his tenure as Administrator of Hanzhong Commandery particularly turned out useful on two occasions when his successors as Administrator of Hanzhong Commandery used it to repel invaders. It also helped the Shu general [[Wang Ping (Three Kingdoms)|Wang Ping]] defend Hanzhong Commandery from a massive invasion led by the Wei general [[Cao Shuang]].<ref name="Journal of Social Sciences - Volumes 60-65">{{cite book |author1=Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, Liaoning Federation of Philosophy and Social Sciences Societies, 辽宁 社会 科学院, 辽宁省 哲学 社会 科学 学会 联合会 |title=社会科学辑刊 Volumes 60-65|trans-title=Journal of Social Sciences - Volumes 60-65 |date=1989 |publisher=沈阳市邮政局 (Shenyang Post Office ) |page=77 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dms4AAAAIAAJ&q=%E4%B9%90%E4%BA%8C%E5%9F%8E,%E4%BD%BF%E6%95%8C%E4%B8%8D%E5%BE%97%E5%85%A5%E5%B9%B3,%E4%B8%94%E9%87%8D%E5%85%B3%E9%8E%AE%E5%AE%88%E4%BB%A5%E5%BE%97%E4%B9%8B%E3%80%82 |access-date=17 January 2022 |language=zh}}</ref><ref name="阳平关口说三分 3">{{harvnb|张东 |2016 |p=(及興勢之役，王平捍拒曹爽，皆承此制。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 44. |url=https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/%E9%98%B3%E5%B9%B3%E5%85%B3%E5%8F%A3%E8%AF%B4%E4%B8%89%E5%88%86/QIz6DwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 }}</ref> The Shu general [[Jiang Wei]] later [[Conquest of Shu by Wei#Changes in the Shu defences at Hanzhong|dismantled]] the "Heavy Gate" fortification in favour of his own design.{{sfnp|Sima|1084|loc=vol. 68}} However, Jiang Wei's new defence strategy failed to impede Wei invaders led by [[Zhong Hui]], and Jiang Wei himself ultimately lost control of Hanzhong.<ref name="傳世藏書: 三国志, 晋书 2">{{harvnb|李学勤 (Li Xueqin)|1995 p=26, (姜維聞之，引還，王頎追敗維於強川。) ''Jin Shu'' vol. 2.}}</ref><ref name="傳世藏書: 三国志, 晋书"/><ref name="Academia Sinica. Institute of History and Linguistics">{{cite book |author1=嚴耕望 (Yang Gengwang) |author2=中央研究院. 歷史語言研究所 (Academia Sinica. Institute of History and Linguistics) |title=唐代交通圖考 Volume 4 (Tang Dynasty Traffic Map Examination, Volume 4) |date=1985 |type=Communication and traffic -- History -- China |publisher=中央研究院歷史語言研究所 (Institute of History and Linguistics, Academia Sinica ) |page=909 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f68nAQAAIAAJ&q=%E7%B6%AD%E8%81%9E%E9%8D%BE%E6%9C%83%E8%AB%B8%E8%BB%8D%E5%B7%B2%E5%85%A5%E6%BC%A2%E4%B8%AD%EF%BC%8C%E5%BC%95%E9%80%80%E9%82%84%E3%80%82 |access-date=22 January 2022 |language=zh |quote=(維聞鍾會諸軍已入漢中，引退還。欣等追躡於彊川口，大戰，維敗走。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 28.}}</ref>

=== Wei Yan Shrines ===
A Wei Yan Shrine ({{lang|zh|魏延祠}}) is located in Baique Village, Sanquan Township, [[Zitong County]], [[Sichuan]]. In front of the shrine flows a Wei Family River ({{lang|zh|魏家河}}). On the plains east of the river, there once stood a Wei Family River Temple ({{lang|zh|魏家河廟}}), which had three stone tablets in front of it.<ref name="三国史话">{{cite book |author1=黄其军 |title=三国史话 |publisher=DeepLogic |page=203 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g12HDwAAQBAJ |access-date=17 January 2022 |language=zh |quote=间三国“24 将”里排名第 20 位,武艺高强勿庸置疑,自从跟随刘备之后就一直忠心耿耿,是一名不可多得的将才。但最终谋反的结局令人意外,惨遭被杀也令人痛惜,《三国志·蜀书》和《资治通鉴》有其记载。此一回书评就来看看这魏延的故事。}}</ref> One of the stone tablets bears the words "Wei Yan once led soldiers and was stationed here."<ref name="三国史话"/> According to legend, in 231, during the [[Battle of Mount Qi|fourth Shu invasion of Wei]], [[Zhuge Liang]] ordered Wei Yan to lead a separate force to station south of the Wei Family River where, in memory of the incident, the locals built the Wei Family River Temple beside the river and a small bridge called "General Bridge" ({{lang|zh-hant|將軍橋}}).<ref name="三国史话"/> The Wei Yan Shrine was initially demolished by the government but was rebuilt in 1995.<ref name="三国史话"/> A statue of Wei Yan stands in the main hall of the shrine.<ref name="Wei yan Shrine">{{cite web|title=镇远将军魏延祠 [Shrine of General Wei Yan]|url=http://weishi.10000xing.cn/2012/0105141243.html|website=中华魏氏网 [Chinese Wei Family Website]|access-date=21 February 2015|language=zh|date=5 January 2012}}</ref>

There is another temple attributed to Wei Yan in Wei Yan's purported hometown in Weijia Village, Gaobao Township, [[Qingfeng County]], [[Henan]].<ref name="三国史话"/>

==In popular cultures==
{{multiple image
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 | image1 = 战长沙151549.jpg
 | width1 = 
 | alt1 = 
 | link1 = 战长沙151549.jpg
 | caption1 = Wei Yan (far left) and [[Han Xuan]] (sitting) in Chinese theater

 | image2 = Wei Yan traps Sima Yi and his sons.jpg
 | width2 = 
 | alt2 = A donkey
 | link2 = 
 | caption2  = Wei Yan (far left) trapping [[Sima Yi]] and his sons in Shangfang Valley (上方谷).
 | footer = Depictions of ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'' novel
}}

===In ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms''===
Wei Yan appears as a character in the historical novel ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' by [[Luo Guanzhong]], which romanticises the historical events leading to, and during the [[Three Kingdoms]] period, such as Wei Yan participation in the [[List of fictitious stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms|fictional Battle of Changsha]].<ref name="Robert Moss translation">{{cite book |last1=Roberts |first1=Moss |translator=Moss Roberts |last2=Guanzhong |first2=Luo |type=Novel, historical novel, Historical Fiction, War story |editor1-last=Roberts |editor1-first=Moss |editor2-last=S. Service |editor2-first=John |title=Three Kingdoms, A Historical Novel Complete and Unabridged |date=2004 |publisher=University of California Press |page=403 |isbn=9780520224780 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RtwAMoUzDJcC |access-date=20 January 2022 |language=en |format=paperback}}</ref> Wei Yan surrendered to Liu Bei after killing his superior, Han Xuan.{{sfn|Roberts|Guanzhong|2004 |p=1051}}

During a clash between Liu Bei against Ma Chao forces, Wei Yan defeat Ma Dai after they duelled for several bouts, causing the latter to flee.{{sfn|Roberts |Guanzhong|2004 |p=495}}

During the battle in Hanzhong, Wei Yan and Zhang Fei were unable to overcame Zhang He, causing both to retreat.{{sfn|Roberts |Guanzhong|2004 |p=536}}

According to Zhang Chaoju,{{efn|Zhang Chaoju is a modern self taught historian and professor of finance who served as lecturer in University of Queensland and Harvard, he authored the trilogy books of Cao Cao historical biography and the biography of the Sima family which involved in the [[War of the Eight Princes]]}} Wei Yan was beaten during this campaign by Cao Cao's general,  [[Pang De]].<ref name="Zhang Caoju">{{cite book |last1=Chaoju |first1=Zhang |title=曹操3：铜雀春深 Volume 3 |date=2019 |publisher=百花洲文艺出版社 |isbn=9787550031944 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bcDUDwAAQBAJ |format=ebook |access-date=10 January 2022 |language=zh}}</ref>

Later, during the battle of Wuzhang plains, Wei Yan lured [[Sima Yi]] and his two sons, [[Sima Shi]] and [[Sima Zhao]] into a fire ambush. However, a sudden, heavy rain caused the fire to extinguish, and the plan failed; prompting the Simas to escape.{{sfn|Roberts |Guanzhong|2004 |p=800}}

===Modern era depictions===
“Sun Qi Mountain” drama which was written by Wei Ming-Lun, that described the relationship between two important historical figures Zhuge Liang and Wei Yan depicted the latter in positive light as it was not Wei Yan intent to betray Shu, which making him as tragic hero figure.<ref name="悲劇英雄？代罪羔羊？難纏對手？－論陳耀昌、平路、林克明形塑之「揆一」形象">{{cite journal |author1=楊雅儒 |title=悲劇英雄？代罪羔羊？難纏對手？－論陳耀昌、平路、林克明形塑之「揆一」形象 |journal=Institute of Taiwan Literature Art College |date=2017 |issue=36 |page=45 |url=https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/482836 |access-date=15 January 2022 |publisher=Tamkang Chinese Literature|doi=10.6187/tkujcl.201706.36-9 |language=zh, en}}</ref>

<!-- PLEASE DO NOT INTRODUCE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS PERSON'S ROLE IN THE GAMES ALREADY MENTIONED IN THIS SECTION. -->
Wei Yan is featured as a playable character in [[Koei]]'s ''[[Dynasty Warriors]]'' and ''[[Warriors Orochi]]'' video game series. He also appears in Koei's ''[[Dynasty Tactics 2]]''.<ref name="Enemy Officer Defeated">{{cite thesis |last1=Johnson |first1=Rainie |title=Enemy Officer Defeated: The Dynasty Warriors Series within the Spheres of Three Kingdoms and Videogames |type=Master of Arts |date=June 2020 |page=28 |doi=10.13140/RG.2.2.25414.09281 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341164290 |access-date=18 January 2022 |publisher=Virginia Commonwealth University |quote=....Those who are not beautified, are typically deformed to become inhuman muscle men, as in the case of Dian Wei 典韋 (d. 197 CE) or disguised caricatures like Pang Tong 龐統 (179–214 CE) and Wei Yan 魏延 (d. 234 CE).....}}</ref>

== Bibliography ==

=== Notes ===
{{notelist}}

=== References ===
{{reflist|30em}}

=== Primary & secondary sources ===
* {{ cite book
| title = Annotated Records of the Three Kingdoms 
| title-link= Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms
| script-title= zh:三國志注
| author= Chen Shou | author-link= Chen Shou
| editor=Pei Songzhi | editor-link=Pei Songzhi
| year = 1977 | orig-year=429
| publisher= Dingwen Printing
| place=Taipei
| ref={{sfnref|Chen and Pei|429}}
}} (''Sanguozhi'').
* {{cite book|last=de Crespigny|first=Rafe|author-link=Rafe de Crespigny|url=https://digitalcollections.anu.edu.au/html/1885/42048/gos_index.html|title=Generals of the South: The Foundation and Early History of the Three Kingdoms State of Wu|publisher=Australian National University|location=Canberra|year=1990|edition=internet (2004)|access-date=2013-02-07|archive-date=2015-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510215229/https://digitalcollections.anu.edu.au/html/1885/42048/gos_index.html|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book|last=de Crespigny|first=Rafe|author-link=Rafe de Crespigny|year=2003|url=https://digitalcollections.anu.edu.au/html/1885/42048/3KWJin.html|title=The Three Kingdoms and Western Jin: A History of China in the Third Century AD|edition=internet|access-date=2013-02-07|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304185548/https://digitalcollections.anu.edu.au/html/1885/42048/3KWJin.html|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book|last=de Crespigny|first=Rafe|author-link=Rafe de Crespigny|title=To Establish Peace: Being the Chronicle of the Later Han Dynasty for the Years 189 to 220 AD as Recorded in Chapters 59 to 69 of the Zizhi Tongjian of Sima Guang|volume=1|edition=internet|url=https://digitalcollections.anu.edu.au/html/1885/42048/peace1_index.html|publisher=Australian National University|location=Canberra|year=2004}}
* {{cite book|last=de Crespigny|first=Rafe|author-link=Rafe de Crespigny|title=To Establish Peace: Being the Chronicle of the Later Han Dynasty for the Years 189 to 220 AD as Recorded in Chapters 59 to 69 of the Zizhi Tongjian of Sima Guang|volume=2|edition=internet|url=https://digitalcollections.anu.edu.au/html/1885/42048/peace2_index.html|publisher=Australian National University|location=Canberra|year=2004}}
* {{cite book|last=de Crespigny|first=Rafe|author-link=Rafe de Crespigny|title=A Biographical Dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms (23-220&nbsp;AD) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ|publisher=Brill|place=Leiden, The Netherlands|year=2007|isbn=978-90-04-15605-0}}
* {{cite book |last1=Shi |first1=Li |title=History of Three Kingdoms 二十四史三国志  |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YsKIDwAAQBAJ&dq=Wei+Yan+qiang+guo+huai&pg=PT623 |access-date=17 January 2022 |date=2020|language=en }}
* {{cite book |author-link=Sima Guang|last=Sima |first= Guang |year=1084 |title=Zizhi Tongjian: records of Han Dynasty|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A2aHDwAAQBAJ|chapter=9.-68. Han Dynasty}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=Wen-chin |title=How do Yu Huan Construction's the Three Kingdoms history image in his book Weilüe |journal=Studies in Sinology |date=2011 |volume=33 (autumn) |page=33 |url=https://www.ch.ntnu.edu.tw/SIS/show_paper_detail.php?locale=en&periodicalsPage=2&issue_id=19&paper_id=93 |access-date=15 January 2022 |publisher=Department of Chinese Language and Literature, NTNU |location=Taipei |language=en, zh}}
*{{Citation |author1-link=Wu Hung | last=Wu | first=Hung | chapter=The ''Admonitions'' Scroll Revisited: Iconology, Narratology, Style, Dating | pages=89–99 | editor-last=McCausland | editor-first=Shane | year=2003 | title=Gu Kaizhi and the Admonitions Scroll | publisher=British Museum Press | isbn=978-0-7141-2414-8 }}
* {{Citation|last=Zhu|first=Ziyan|script-title=zh:魏延的千古奇冤| trans-title=Injustice to Wei Yan|publisher=文汇读书周报 [Weekly Academic Readings]|location=Shanghai|year=2010|url=http://www.qulishi.com/news/201405/13854.html|language=zh}}

{{People of Shu}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wei, Yan}}
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:234 deaths]]
[[Category:3rd-century executions]]
[[Category:Executed people from Henan]]
[[Category:People executed by a Three Kingdoms state]]
[[Category:Generals under Liu Bei]]
[[Category:Political office-holders in Shaanxi]]
[[Category:People executed by a Three Kingdoms state by decapitation]]
[[Category:People executed by Shu Han]]
[[Category:Shu Han generals]]
[[Category:Shu Han government officials]]