Yan Liang

Yan Liang (?-200) was a general under Yuan Shao, during the later Han Dynasty. In the novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he was portrayed as one of Yuan Shao's greatest generals, along with Wen Chou. The two were held as priceless warriors, who were demons on the battlefield. Yan Liang is barely shown within historical records, compared to other prominent officers.

Historical Information
Yan Liang served under Yuan Shao, during the later eastern Han Dynasty, and before the Three Kingdoms era of China. Although little, almost nothing is shown in records, in the Records of Three Kingdoms, by Chen Shou, he has some role in Yuan Shao's, Guan Yu's, and Cao Cao's biographies. It's been stated that Yan Liang was highly praised by Yuan Shao, and was the highest-ranking general under him.

In the year 200AD, Yuan Shao built up an army of 100,00, and marched on Xuchang, a city used as Cao Cao's base. To ensure a safe crossing of the Yellow River, Yuan Shao sent Yan Liang to attack Baima fort as a diversionary tactic. Ju Shou, the advisor of Yuan Shao, suggested that he was too weak to handle it. However, in a countering tactic, Cao Cao moved his main force on the western Yellow River, diverting the Yuan forces in the same direction. However, Guan Yu and Zhang Liao were sent to relieve Baima. From there, Guan Yu saw Yan Liang's chariot, and rode to attack. He impaled Yan Liang among the mass of enemy troops, and brought back Yan Liang's head.

His Pompous Praise and Dong Zhuo

 * "What a pity my two able generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, are not here! Then should we have someone who would not fear this Hua Xiong."
 * -Yuan Shao, praising his two best generals at the Battle of Hulao Pass.

In the historical novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Yan Liang is just as famed as he was in history. In 190AD, Yuan Shao led an alliance against a tyrant governor, Dong Zhuo, marching his army towards the capital, Luoyang. The alliance encountered a heavy resistance, when they reached Si Pass. It's defender, Hua Xiong, scattered the vanguard, led by Sun Jian. Hua Xiong then led an attack on their main camp, killing two allied generals. Yuan Shao said, "What a pity my two able generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, are not here!". Guan Yu, a sworn brother of another leader, Liu Bei, rode out to Hua Xiong, killing him in a battle, before Yan Liang could arrive.

Eventually, Dong Zhuo withdrew his troops from Si Pass, abandoning the capital before burning it to the ground. The alliance against Dong Zhuo quickly marched onto Luoyang, and started putting out fires, and rebuilding what could be saved. A soldier came to inform Yuan Shao that Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China's, Imperial Seal had been found by Sun Jian. The next day, Sun Jian informed Shao that he and his army would be withdrawn, as he had fallen ill. Shao then confronted Sun Jian about the Imperial Seal and his supposed possession of it, but Jian denied having it. The argument heated until Sun Jian and his generals drew their weapons. However, Yan liang and Wen Chou protected Yuan Shao until the matters calmed. The alliance under Yuan Shao broke up soon afterwards.

Campaign against the Great Cavalry

 * "Formerly you were regarded as loyal and public spirited, and we chose you chief of the confederacy. Now your deeds prove you cruel and base and wolf-hearted in behavior! How can you look the world in the face?"
 * -Gongsun Zan, challenging Yuan Shao.

In the year 191AD, Yuan Shao decided to take Jizhou from Han Fu, and wrote a letter to Gongsun Zan, a highly-feared warlord and. The letter requested a joint attack on the region, which Zan accepted. At the same time, however, Shao wrote a letter to Han Fu, informing him that Gongsun Zan's forces were intent on invading Jizhou. Han Fu surrendered the region to Yuan Shao. Yan Liang accompanied Shao, and protected him from two assassination attempts by two of Han Fu's generals. Gongsun Zan heard of Yuan Shao's capture of Jizhou, and sent his brother, Gongsun Yue, to demand his share. However, Yuan Shao rejected Yue, requesting to only be spoken to by Zan himself. However, when Yue was leaving, he was ambushed and killed by soldiers claiming to be Dong Zhuo's. Gongsun Zan then led an invasion against Yuan Shao's company.

Yuan Shao prepared an army to meet Zan, and Yan Liang, along with Wen Chou, were given command of the vanguard. Qu Yi commanded the ceter, while Yuan Shao himself commanded the rear. The forces met at the River Pan. Gongsun Zan shouted, "Formerly you were regarded as loyal and public spirited, and we chose you chief of the confederacy. Now your deeds prove you cruel and base and wolf-hearted in behavior! How can you look the world in the face?". Enraged, Yuan Shao sent Wen Chou to attack. Wen Chou faced Gongsun Zan, but the latter, knowing death was certain, fled. Wen Chou pursued. Four of Zan's best officers attacked Wen Chou, but he cut one down, and the other three fled. Seeing this, Gongsun Zan panicked and fled for the mountains, but still, Chou pursued. As Zan reached the base of the mountains, his steed fell and threw him off the saddle.

Shao's army scored initial success. The next day, the enemy's general, Yan Guang, came to challenge. But, Yan Liang's archers isolated him, allowing Qu Yi to cut him down. Shao's army then attacked in full force and drove his enemy back. Yuan Shao, though, went too far out, and was surrounded by the enemy. Yan Liang led reinforcements to save his lord and drove enemies back until Liu Bei arrived with an army to aid Gongsun Zan.