Encyclopedia: Wei Yan

Wei Yan (Wenchang); Wei Yen (Wên-ch‘ang); 魏延 (文長)

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You are viewing the profile of Wei Yan (魏延), styled Wenchang (文長), born in Yi Yang City (Presently Tong Bo in He Nan Province). “Talented commander. Killed Han Xuan and surrendered his territory to Liu Bei.” Wei Yan was affiliated with the Han Xuan Dynasty and the Shu Kingdom. Return to the Three Kingdoms Encyclopedia to learn more or explore our Encyclopedia Directory to browse by kingdom or category.

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Wei Yan (Wenchang) 魏延 (文長)

Lived: AD ?–234

Biographies:

Served: Han Xuan, Shu

Talented commander. Killed Han Xuan and surrendered his territory to Liu Bei.

Officer Details

Wade-Giles: Wei Yen (Wên-ch‘ang)
Simplified Chinese: 魏延 (文长)
Pronunciation: Wei4 Yan2 (Wen2chang2Pronunciation

Birthplace: Yi Yang City
(Presently Tong Bo in He Nan Province)

Rank and Titles

General of the Standard; General Who Maintains Distant Lands in Peace, Governor of Hanzhong; General Who Suppresses the North; Marquis of a Chief Village (AD 223); Major of the Prime Minister, Inspector of Liangzhou (AD 227); Advisor of the Front Army, General Who Conquers the West, Marquis of Nanzheng (AD 230)

Fact vs. Fiction

Differences Between Fact and Common Fiction

  • Wei Yan never killed Han Xuan to save Huang Zhong.
    (Han Xuan surrendered Changsha of his own accord.)
  • In fact, there is no historic record of Wei Yan having ever been a general of Liu Biao or Han Xuan. He was originally a mere common soldier.
  • Wei Yan served under Zhang Fei for a brief period before Liu Bei took Han Zhong, and was highly respected by Zhang Fei for his intelligence.
  • Wei Yan did not slay the fictional Cao Zun.
  • Wei Yan did not slay Wang Shuang historically.

Literary Appearances

Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 41, 53, 55, 56, 6065, 7072, 81, 8597, 99104, 105

Search Results

If Wei Yan Dont Die, What Would Shu Be ?
Date: 09/15     Replies: 29
Let’s Say Wei Yan Was Chosen to Be a 5 Tiger….
Date: 05/11     Replies: 26
Why Do People Think Wei Yan is So Great?
Date: 10/07     Replies: 17
Wei Yan
Date: 01/07     Replies: 20
Would It Be Better if Wei Yan Was One of the Five Tigers?
Date: 03/05     Replies: 59
Wei Yan
Date: 07/04     Replies: 74
What Was Wei Yan’s Intention Before Death?
Date: 08/03     Replies: 41
Wei Yan’s Plan to Take Changan
Date: 06/03     Replies: 70
How Would You Justify Wei Yan’s Actions?
Date: 04/03     Replies: 23
Why Wei Yan over Zhang Fei?
Date: 02/03     Replies: 25
Unfair Treatment of Wei Yan!
Date: 02/03     Replies: 27
Wei Yan
Date: 07/02     Replies: 392

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February 17, 2023