Lǐ Yán appellation Zhèngfāng was a Nányáng man. When young he became a prefecture official, for talent and ability was praised. Jīng Province Governor Liú Biǎo had him successively serve in various prefectures and counties. At the time Excellency Cáo entered Jīng Province, Yán managed Zǐguī, and therefore went west to visit Shǔ, Liú Zhāng appointed him Chéngdū Magistrate, again he had reputation for ability. Jiàn’ān Eighteenth Year [213] appointed Yán as Protector of the Army, to resist Xiānzhǔ [Liú Bèi] at Miánzhú. Yán led his forces to surrender to Xiānzhǔ, Xiānzhǔ appointed Yán Assistant General. When Chéngdū was settled, he became Qiánwèi Administrator, Raising Enterprise General. Twenty-third Year [218], robber bandits Mǎ Qín and Gāo Shèng and others raised troubles at Qī, gathered divisions and squads of several tens of thousand men, arriving at Zīzhōng county. At the time Xiānzhǔ was at Hànzhōng, Yán did not again mobilize troops, but led prefecture soldiers of five thousand men to suppress them, beheading [Mǎ] Qín and [Gāo] Shèng and the rest’s heads. The branch factions scattered, all returning to civilian registers. Also Yuèxī barbarian leader Gāo Dìng sent army to besiege Xīndào county, Yán quickly went to go rescue, the bandits all were defeated and fled. Added Assisting Hàn General, designate in the prefecture as before.

Zhāngwǔ Second Year [222], Xiānzhǔ summoned Yán to visit Yǒng’ān Palace, appointed Secretariat Documents Director. Third Year [223], Xiānzhǔ was ill, Yán with Zhūgě Liàng received the posthumous Imperial Order to assist the young ruler, with Yán as Internal Regional Protector, managing inner and outer military affairs, remaining to defend Yǒng’ān. Jiànxīng Inaugural Year, enfeoffed as a capital village Marquis, Lent Staff, added Minister of Merits. Fourth Year [226], transferred to Front General. As Zhūgě Liàng wished to set out army to Hànzhōng, Yán understood rear affairs, moving garrison to Jiāngzhōu, leaving Protector of the Army Chén Dào to station at Yǒng’ān, all subordinate to Yán. Yán with Mèng Dá’s letter said: “I with Kǒngmíng both received the entrusting, the worries deep and responsibilities heavy, and appreciate obtaining a good partner.” Liàng also with Dá wrote letter that said: “Section like flowing, hastening without sluggishness, is Zhèngfāng’s nature.” He met with nobility and value like this. (1) Eighth Year [230], promoted to Elite Cavalry General. As Cáo Zhēn wished to on three roads head toward Hànchuān, Liàng ordered Yán to lead twenty thousand men to go to Hànzhōng. Liàng memorialized Yán’s son Fēng as Jiāngzhōu Regional Commander Commander of the Army, managing Yán’s rear affairs. Liàng in the next year was about to set out the army, ordering Yán as Internal Regional Protector arrange office matters. Yán changed name to Píng.

李嚴字正方，南陽人也。少為郡職吏，以才幹稱。荊州牧劉表使歷諸郡縣。曹公入荊州時，嚴宰秭歸，遂西詣蜀，劉璋以為成都令，復有能名。建安十八年，署嚴為護軍，拒先主於綿竹。嚴率眾降先主，先主拜嚴裨將軍。成都既定，為犍為太守、興業將軍。二十三年，盜賊馬秦、高勝等起事於郪，音淒。合聚部伍數萬人，到資中縣。時先主在漢中，嚴不更發兵，但率將郡士五千人討之，斬秦、勝等首。枝黨星散，悉復民籍。又越嶲夷率高定遣軍圍新道縣，嚴馳往赴救，賊皆破走。加輔漢將軍，領郡如故。章武二年，先主徵嚴詣永安宮，拜尚書令。三年，先主疾病，嚴與諸葛亮並受遺詔輔少主；以嚴為中都護，統內外軍事，留鎮永安。建興元年，封都鄉侯，假節，加光祿勳。四年，轉為前將軍。以諸葛亮欲出軍漢中，嚴當知後事，移屯江州，留護軍陳到駐永安，皆統屬嚴。嚴與孟達書曰：「吾與孔明俱受寄託，憂深責重，思得良伴。」亮亦與達書曰：「部分如流，趨捨罔滯，正方性也。」其見貴重如此。〔一〕八年，遷驃騎將軍。以曹真欲三道向漢川，亮命嚴將二萬人赴漢中。亮表嚴子豐為江州都督督軍，典嚴後事。亮以明年當出軍，命嚴以中都護署府事。嚴改名為平。

• (1) Zhūgě Liàng Jí has Yán to Liàng’s letter, advising Liàng it was appropriate to receive the Nine Bestowments, advancing fief to be declared King. Liàng’s reply letter said: “I and you have known each other for a long time, but [we] no longer mutually understand each other! You should encourage restoring the state, and warning of improper ways, therefore I cannot be silent. I originally was the eastern region’s lower servicemen, mistakenly employed by the Former Emperor, my rank the highest of servants of men, my salary and bestowments in the hundreds of hundred millions, now the suppression of the rebels is not yet enacted, you who understand me do not answer it, but apply the favors of Qí and Jìn, seating in nobility and greatness, it is not righteous. If [we] destroy Wèi and behead [Cáo] Ruì, the Emperor returning to the former residence, then [I will] with you sirs together rise, so even ten bestowments could be accepted, all the more for nine!”

〔一〕　諸葛亮集有嚴與亮書，勸亮宜受九錫，進爵稱王。亮答書曰：「吾與足下相知久矣，可不復相解！足下方誨以光國，戒之以勿拘之道，是以未得默已。吾本東方下士，誤用於先帝，位極人臣，祿賜百億，今討賊未效，知己未答，而方寵齊、晉，坐自貴大，非其義也。若滅魏斬叡，帝還故居，與諸子並升，雖十命可受，況於九邪！」

Ninth Year Spring, Liàng’s army was at Qíshān, Píng supervised transport matters. During autumn and summer, it happened to continuously rain, transports and grain was not connected, Píng sent Advisor to the Army Hú Zhōng and Commander of the Army Chéng Fān to inform and call Liàng to come return. Liàng thus withdrew the army. Píng heard the army withdrew, and then acted alarmed, saying “The military provisions are ample, why then return?” wishing to relieve himself of the blame of not managing, and make prominent Liàng’s fault of not advancing. He also memorialized Hòuzhǔ [Liú Shàn], saying “The army feigns withdrawing, wishing to entice the bandits to battle.” Liàng prepared and produced his beginning to end hand penned letters and memorials from root to tip, Píng’s violations and wrongs were clear and obvious. Píng’s words and feelings were exhausted, and he himself submitted to punishment. Therefore Liáng memorialized Píng saying: “From the Former Emperor passing afterward, Píng focused on managing his house, yet acted for small favors, securing himself and seeking reputation, without worry for the state’s affairs. I your servant was about to set out north, wished to obtain Píng’s troops to defend Hànzhōng, Píng was exhaustive and difficult in excuses, without intention to come, but sought to with five prefectures become Bā Province Inspector. Last year I your servant wished to campaign west, wishing to order Píng to master and command Hànzhōng, Píng said Sīmǎ Yì and the rest were opening offices and enlisting and recruiting. I your servant know Píng’s base feelings, wishing to take advantage of the time of traveling to pressure your servant to obtain profits, and therefore [I] memorialized Píng’s son Fēng to command and manage Jiāngzhōu, the lofty esteem treatment, was to obtain one time’s settlement. Píng up to this day, was all entrusted with various affairs, the various ministers high and low all are bewildered by the generosity of I your servant’s treatment of Píng. Exactly because great affairs are not yet settled, the Hàn House in danger, attacking Píng’s shortcomings was not as good as commending him. However in saying Píng’s feelings are in glory and profit and nothing more, it was unexpected that Píng’s heart would be as deranged as this. If the matter is inspected and left, it will reach to disaster and destruction, it is I your servant’s lack of cleverness, to say more is to increase the misfortune.” (1)

Therefore deposed Píng to commoner, exiled to Zǐtóng prefecture. (2) Twelfth Year [234], Píng heard Liàng had died, fell ill and died. Píng always hoped Liàng would himself restore him, judged that later men would not be able to, and therefore was because of this furious. (3) Fēng’s rank reached Zhūtí Administrator. (4)

九年春，亮軍祁山，平催督運事。秋夏之際，值天霖雨，運糧不繼，平遣參軍狐忠、督軍成藩喻指，呼亮來還；亮承以退軍。平聞軍退，乃更陽驚，說「軍糧饒足，何以便歸」！欲以解己不辦之責，顯亮不進之愆也。又表後主，說「軍偽退，欲以誘賊與戰」。亮具出其前後手筆書疏本末，平違錯章灼。平辭窮情竭，首謝罪負。於是亮表平曰：「自先帝崩後，平所在治家，尚為小惠，安身求名，無憂國之事。臣當北出，欲得平兵以鎮漢中，平窮難縱橫，無有來意，而求以五郡為巴州刺史。去年臣欲西征，欲令平主督漢中，平說司馬懿等開府辟召。臣知平鄙情，欲因行之際偪臣取利也，是以表平子豐督主江州，隆崇其遇，以取一時之務。平至之日，都委諸事，群臣上下皆怪臣待平之厚也。正以大事未定，漢室傾危，伐平之短，莫若褒之。然謂平情在於榮利而已，不意平心顛倒乃爾。若事稽留，將致禍敗，是臣不敏，言多增咎。」〔一〕乃廢平為民，徙梓潼郡。〔二〕十二年，平聞亮卒，發病死。平常冀亮當自補復，策後人不能，故以激憤也。〔三〕豐官至朱提太守。〔四〕

• (1) Liàng’s Gōngwén Shàng Shàngshū states: “Píng is a great minister, received favor excessively, did not think of loyal repayment, was unreasonable without sense, danger and shame not distinguished, confused and deceived high and low, in discussing punishments abandoned standards, guided people to treachery, his feelings narrow-minded and ambitions insane, like without Heaven or Earth. He himself judged his treachery was exposed, and suspicious heart was therefore born, hearing the army was arriving, to the west he went claiming illness to return to Jǔ and Zhāng, the army arriving at Jǔ, he again returned to Jiāngyáng. Píng’s Advisor to the Army Hú Zhōng diligently remonstrated and so he stopped. Now the usurper rebels are not yet exterminated, the State Altars have many troubles, the state’s affairs ponder harmony, and can act quickly, it cannot delay and tolerate, and so endanger the great enterprise. Thus [I] with the Acting Central Master of the Army Chariots and Cavalry General and capital village Marquis your servant Liú Yǎn, Envoy Wielding Staff Front Master of the Army Campaigning West General-in-Chief designate Liáng Province Inspector Nánzhèng Marquis your servant Wèi Yán, Front General capital precinct Marquis your servant Yuán Chēn, Left General designate Jīng Province Inspector Gāoyáng village Marquis your servant Wú Yī, Commander of the Front Division Right General Xuán village Marquis your servant Gāo Xiáng, Commander of the Rear Division Rear General Ānlè precinct Marquis your servant Wú Bān, Managing Chief Clerk Pacifying the Army General your servant Yáng Yí, Commander of the Left Division Acting Central Supervisor of the Army Raising Warfare General your servant Dèng Zhī, Acting Front Supervisor of the Army Campaigning South General your servant Liú Bā, Acting Central Protector of the Army Supporting General your servant Fèi Yī, Acting Front Protector of the Army Supplementary General Hànchéng precinct Marquis your servant Xǔ Yǔn, Acting Left Protector of the Army Devout Faith Internal Cadet General your servant Dīng Xián, Acting Right Protector of the Army Supplementary General your servant Liú Mǐn, Acting Protector of the Army Campaigning South General Jiāng Wéi, Acting Central Manager of the Army Suppressing Caitiffs General your servant Shàngguān Yōng, Acting Central Advisor to the Army Shining Warfare Internal Cadet General your servant Hú Jì, Acting Advisor to the Army Establishing Righteousness General your servant Yán Yàn, Acting Advisor to the Army Supplementary General your servant Cuàn Xí, Acting Advisor to the Army Subordinate General your servant Dù Yì, Acting Advisor to the Army Martial Strategy Internal Cadet General your servant Dù Qí, Acting Advisor to the Army Pacifying the Róng Commandant Shèng Bó, designate Attending Official Martial Strategy Internal Cadet General your servant Fán Qí and the rest discussed, at once dissolved Píng’s appointment, dismissing from office and salary, staff and summons, seal and ribbon, talleys and slips, removing his noble rank and territory.”

〔一〕　亮公文上尚書曰：「平為大臣，受恩過量，不思忠報，橫造無端，危恥不辦，迷罔上下，論獄棄科，導人為姦，（狹情）〔情狹〕志狂，若無天地。自度姦露，嫌心遂生，聞軍臨至，西嚮託疾還沮、漳，軍臨至沮，復還江陽，平參軍狐忠勤諫乃止。今篡賊未滅，社稷多難，國事惟和，可以克捷，不可苞含，以危大業。輒與行中軍師車騎將軍都鄉侯臣劉琰，使持節前軍師征西大將軍領涼州刺史南鄭侯臣魏延、前將軍都亭侯臣袁綝、左將軍領荊州刺史高陽鄉侯臣吳壹、督前部右將軍玄鄉侯臣高翔、督後部後將軍安樂亭侯臣吳班、領長史綏軍將軍臣楊儀、督左部行中監軍揚武將軍臣鄧芝、行前監軍征南將軍臣劉巴、行中護軍偏將軍臣費禕、行前護軍偏將軍漢成亭侯臣許允、行左護軍篤信中郎將臣丁咸、行右護軍偏將軍臣劉敏、行護軍征南將軍當陽亭侯臣姜維、行中典軍討虜將軍臣上官雝、行中參軍昭武中郎將臣胡濟、行參軍建義將軍臣閻晏、行參軍偏將軍臣爨習、行參軍裨將軍臣杜義、行參軍武略中郎將臣杜祺、行參軍綏戎都尉盛勃、領從事中郎武略中郎將臣樊岐等議，輒解平任，免官祿、節傳、印綬、符策，削其爵土。」

• (2) Zhūgě Liàng also with Píng’s son Fēng instructed saying: “I with you father and son devoted strength to encourage the Hàn House, this the divine intelligence has heard, not only men know it. Memorializing you as Regional Protector managing Hànzhōng, entrusting you with the eastern passes, not with others discussing. It is said utmost heart moves emotions, end and beginning can be guaranteed, how can one plan for irregularity in the middle? In the past Chǔ Qīng repeatedly was removed, and also then was able to be restored; pondering principles leading to good fortune, is in compliance with self-natural reasoning. May you console the Regional Protector [your father], to diligently recall previous mistakes. Now though dismissed from appointment, appearances and enterprise decreased from before, [your family’s] maidservants and guest retainers are a hundred and several tens of people, you as Internal Cadet Advisor to the Army reside in office, comparing in vitality and class, yet you are a superior family. If the Regional Protector ponders failure with unified thinking, and you with Gōngyǎn devoting heart in attending to matters, the blocked can again be connected, the lost can again be returned. Carefully consider this admonishment, understand my use of heart, overlooking letter and ever sighing, shedding tears and nothing more.

〔二〕　諸葛亮又與平子豐教曰：「吾與君父子戮力以獎漢室，此神明所聞，非但人知之也。表都護典漢中，委君於東關者，不與人議也。謂至心感動，終始可保，何圖中乖乎！昔楚卿屢絀，亦乃克復，思道則福，應自然之數也。願寬慰都護，勤追前闕。今雖解任，形業失故，奴婢賓客百數十人，君以中郎參軍居府，方之氣類，猶為上家。若都護思負一意，君與公琰推心從事者，否可復通，逝可復還也。詳思斯戒，明吾用心，臨書長歎，涕泣而已。」

• Xí Zuòchǐ states: In the past Guǎn Zhòng seized Bó shì’s parallel villages of three hundred, to his loss of teeth [old age] he yet was without complaining word, sagely men believed it difficult. Zhūgě Liàng’s causing Liào Lì to shed tears, Lǐ Píng to reach death, how did it follow being without complaining word and nothing more? Water is of utmost evenness the bent take as its standard, mirrors are of utmost illumination and the ugly are without anger; that water and mirror are able to reveal things and yet there is no complaint, is that they are without selfishness. Water and mirror are without selfishness, and yet so avoid slander, so all the more for great men and gentlemen harboring heart of enjoying life, disseminating essence of sympathy and forgiveness, law enacted that cannot be not used, punishments applied on self violating guilt, ennobling them and yet no selfishness, punishing them and yet no anger, can Heaven’s Under have one who does not submit? Zhūgě Liàng therefore can be said to be able to use punishments, from Qín and Hàn onward there had never been such.

〔三〕　習鑿齒曰：昔管仲奪伯氏駢邑三百，沒齒而無怨言，聖人以為難。諸葛亮之使廖立垂泣，李平致死，豈徒無怨言而已哉！夫水至平而邪者取法，鏡至明而醜者無怒，水鏡之所以能窮物而無怨者，以其無私也。水鏡無私，猶以免謗，況大人君子懷樂生之心，流矜恕之德，法行於不可不用，刑加乎自犯之罪，爵之而非私，誅之而不怒，天下有不服者乎！諸葛亮於是可謂能用刑矣，自秦、漢以來未之有也。

• (4) Sū Lín’s Hànshū Yīnyì states: Zhū pronounced zhū, tí pronounced like the northern region people pronounce bǐ as tí.

〔四〕　蘇林漢書音義曰：朱音銖；提音如北方人名匕曰提也。