Liu Yan

Liu Yan (died 234), courtesy name Weishuo, was a long serving official in the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms of China having served under the much travelled warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty. Handsome and well spoken, he achieved high rank and favour but there were questions about his abilities, with his rank more honorary then powerful in practise, and he had a drinking problem. Nearly sacked after a fall out with Wei Yan, accusations about his wife Lady Hu and the Emperor saw him executed in disgrace. Early career under Liu Bei Liu Yan was born during the late Eastern Han dynasty in the Lu State, a princedom around present-day Qufu, Shandong. When the warlord Liu Bei was the nominal inspector of Yu Province during the early 190s under Tao Qian, he met Liu Yan and recruited him as an assistant officer. A charming, handsome and eloquent man, skilled in debate with ties to the imperial clan, Liu Yan became a personal favourite of Liu Bei's and accompanied the warlord across the land. In 214, after Liu Bei seized control of Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing) from the warlord Liu Zhang, he appointed Liu Yan as the Administrator of Guling Commandery (固陵郡; a.k.a. Badong Commandery 巴東郡; covering parts of present-day Chongqing). Service under Liu Shan In 223, after Liu Bei's son and successor Liu Shan became emperor of Shu Han, he enfeoffed Liu Yan as a Marquis of a Chief District and accorded him honours and privileges second to those accorded to Li Yan. He also appointed Liu Yan as Minister of the Guards, Central Military Adviser, and General of the Rear. Liu Yan was later promoted to the position of General of Chariots and Cavalry.