Yan Liang

Yan Liang was a military general serving under the warlord Yuan Shao during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He is primarily known for his martial prowess and early death during the prelude to the Battle of Guandu.

Yan Liang, along with Wen Chou, was considered one of Yuan Shao's most formidable generals. Historical accounts portray him as a brave and skilled warrior.

Before the main Battle of Guandu, Cao Cao sent his general Guan Yu to relieve the siege of Baima. In the engagement that followed, Guan Yu charged into Yuan Shao's army and, according to historical texts, identified Yan Liang amidst the chaos. Guan Yu then swiftly killed Yan Liang and returned, breaking the siege.

Yan Liang's death significantly impacted Yuan Shao's morale and strategic plans, ultimately contributing to Yuan Shao's defeat at Guandu. While details regarding Yan Liang's life and personality are scarce, his reputation as a powerful warrior is firmly established in historical records and popular culture, particularly in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. His abrupt demise at the hands of Guan Yu remains one of the most debated and dramatic moments of the Three Kingdoms period.