Zhao Yan

Zhao Yan (171 – July or August 245), courtesy name Boran, was a government official and military general of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He previously served under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han dynasty. Early life Zhao Yan was from Yangzhai County, Yingchuan Commandery, which is present-day Yuzhou, Henan. When chaos broke out in central China towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, Zhao Yan fled south to Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan), where he met Du Xi and Po Qin. The three of them became close friends, pooled their wealth together, and helped each other out financially. Zhao Yan shared equal fame as Xin Pi, Chen Qun and Du Xi, who like him were also from Yingchuan Commandery. They were collectively referred to as "Xin, Chen, Du and Zhao". Service under Cao Cao In 196, the warlord Cao Cao received Emperor Xian, who was previously held hostage by other warlords, and brought him to his base in Xu (許; present-day Xuchang, Henan), which became the new Han imperial capital. The figurehead emperor and the Han central government thus came under Cao Cao's control. When Zhao Yan heard about it, he told Po Qin: "Cao Cao's actions are in line with the will of Heaven and the people. He will definitely be able to restore order and peace to Huaxia. I have found my calling." In the following year, a 26-year-old Zhao Yan brought along his fellow townsfolk to Xu to join Cao Cao. Cao Cao appointed him as the Chief of Langling County (朗陵縣; southwest of present-day Queshan County, Henan), the capital of Yang'an Commandery.