Li Yan

Who was Li Yan?

Li Yan, style 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.