Wei Yan, 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 in the late Eastern Han dynasty, Wei Yan rose through the ranks and became a general when Liu Bei seized control of Yi Province in 214. 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 and as an Area Commander in 219. Between 228 and 234, he participated actively in the Northern Expeditions led by the Shu regent Zhuge Liang against Shu's rival state, Cao Wei. After Zhuge Liang's death in c.September 234, Wei Yan was killed by another Shu general, Ma Dai, for alleged treason.
A Qing dynasty illustration of Wei Yan
monument in Hutouqiao, Hanzhong, Shanxi. believed to be site where Wei Yan was executed
Statue of Wei Yan in the Zhuge Liang Memorial Temple in the Wuzhang Plains, Shaanxi
Wei Yan (far left) and Han Xuan (sitting) in Chinese theater
Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande (玄德), was a Chinese warlord in the late Eastern Han dynasty who later became the founding emperor of Shu Han, one of the Three Kingdoms of China.
Tang dynasty portrait of Liu Bei by Yan Liben
Edo period illustration of Liu Bei
Baling Qiao, mural illustration of the Oath of the Peach Garden between Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, & Liu Bei
Edo period illustration of Liu Bei breaking the Siege of Beihai along with Taishi Ci, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei