Wei Yan is the minor character and the anti-hero in Luo Guanzhong's Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He serves the Kingdom of Shu Han as a general in courtesy of Liu Bei.
History[]
As a general, he serves under Liu Bei's leadership through military means. Between 209 and 211 AD, he volunteered for Liu Bei's army to bolster his forces into Jing Province. By the near end of 211 AD, he and his soldiers, alongside Liu Bei's generals entered into Yi Province to confront Liu Zhang before establishing the kingdom called Shu. Liu Zhang refused to let Liu Bei to his state. However, Wei Yan showed gratitude to him and said that the province is under Liu Bei's control.
During the battle with Cao Cao, he assisted Liu Bei in control of the Hanzhong Province. Wei Yan was then nominated as the general of Shu, alongside Zhang Fei. He is now prompted an honorary title of Hanzhong.
In 220 AD, the Eastern Han Dynasty has come to an end and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms period. Liu Bei declared himself as emperor of Shu (in 221 AD). When Liu Bei passed away after his defeat with Sun Quan, his son, Liu Shan inherited the throne to lead the people of the state.
Between 228 and 234, Wei Yan joined the expedition in the North with Zhuge Liang. After 234 AD, Zhuge Liang passed away, Ma Dai beheaded Wei Yan who was responsible for this treason. He is now considered to be the greatest traitor of Shu.
Biography[]
Although Wei Yan shows respect to Liu Bei, he is somewhat stubborn in the sense that he always wants his way. During the campaign in Yi Province, he helped Liu Bei to subjugate the territory and make it into the state of Shu. Perhaps the people of Shu had become aware about him that he would likely betray them after Zhuge Liang's death. Thus, this makes sense about his treachery.
Trivia[]
- In Dynasty Warriors, he is also a playable character but speaks in an unintelligible voice due to his lack of intellect.
- His voice shares similarities with Marvel's Hulk and DC's Solomon Grundy.
- Wei Yan appeared as a supporting character turned antagonist in the 2010 TV Series Three Kingdoms, portrayed by Wang Xinjun, notably being the secondary antagonist of episode 94.