Zhang Yi

Zhang Yi ( 166 – 230), courtesy name Junsi, was an official of the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period of China. Serving the Yi Province government Zhang Yi was from Chengdu, the capital of Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing). He was an avid reader of the Gongyang Zhuan and studied conscientiously the Book of Han along with the Records of the Grand Historian. When Xu Jing (Three Kingdoms) from Runan who was famous for his appraisals entered the Yi Province. He praised Zhang Yi as a nimble man in actions and perspicacious in reasons; even said that he was the equivalent of Zhong Yao from the central plains. He started his official career after Liu Zhang, the Governor of Yi Province, nominated him as a xiaolian (civil service candidate), later assigned as the Chief of Yufu. And was recalled to serve as an official in the Yi's staff. Between 212 and 214, when conflict broke out between Liu Zhang and another warlord Liu Bei, Liu Zhang sent Zhang Yi to Deyang County to block Liu Bei's reinforcements from entering Yi Province. However, Liu Bei's general Zhang Fei defeated the force led by Zhang Yi, who was forced to return to Chengdu. In 214, as Liu Bei's forces besieged Liu Zhang in Chengdu, Liu Zhang sent Zhang Yi as his envoy to negotiate the terms of surrender with Liu Bei. Liu Bei reassured the people of his intention and promised that he would treat Liu Zhang well if he surrendered, which Liu Zhang did. Liu Bei's adviser, Zhuge Liang, named Zhang Yi as one of the most capable officials who served under Liu Zhang, and urged Liu Bei to employ him. Liu Bei then appointed Zhang Yi as the Administrator (太守) of Ba Commandery (巴郡) and was promoted to Managing Metal Internal Cadet General. Here, he managed the manufacture of the warfare equipment and the production and distribution of the agriculture.