Li Dian
Encyclopedia
Li Dian was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao
during the late Han Dynasty
period of Chinese history
. He participated in the Battle of Guandu
between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao
. Li Dian also played a significant role in the defense of Hefei
during the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
against the forces of Sun Quan
.
According to Chen Shou
's Records of Three Kingdoms
, Li Dian was a keen and humble learner who respected the literati. He did not fight with others for merits, and placed official affairs before himself.
, Yuan Shu
, and Tao Qian.
During conflicts with Lü Bu
in 194, Cao Cao bade Li Qian return to Chengshi (present day Heze
, Shandong
) to reaffirm local support. Lü Bu's subjects Xue Lan (薛兰) and Li Feng (李封) tried to persuade Li Qian to defect but were rejected. Hence they killed Li Qian. Cao Cao then gave command of Li Qian's former troops to Li Dian's older brother Li Zheng (李整), who was tasked with avenging Li Qian. After the forces of Xue Lan and Li Feng were quelled, Li Zheng was appointed Inspector of Qing Province (青州).
), primarily in charge of interior affairs.
In 200, Cao Cao confronted rival warlord Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu. Leading his clansmen and subjects, Li Dian took charge of supplying the frontline troops with food and clothings. After Yuan Shao was defeated, Cao Cao launched his northern campaigns against Yuan's heirs. Li Dian was again entrusted with logistics along with Cheng Yu
. They struck out and eradicated an enemy force guarding the waterway to ensure the smooth delivery of military necessities.
In 205, Li Dian was sent to aid Xiahou Dun
in the Battle of Bowang
where he was to help defend against the attacks led by Liu Bei
. Liu Bei burned his encampment and retreated abruptly, whereupon Xiahou Dun gave pursuit despite Li Dian's warnings. True enough, Xiahou Dun was ambushed by the enemy, who dispersed when Li Dian came to rescue with a relief force. In the same year, Li Dian and Yue Jin
were also deployed to lay siege on Gao Gan
at Hu Pass (壶关). Again Li Dian prevailed. He was then promoted to General who Destroys Barbarians (破虜將軍).
in 208, he placed Zhang Liao
, Yue Jin
and Li Dian at Hefei
with approximately 7,000 men to guard the strategic Hefei fortress against advances of the southern warlord Sun Quan
. Sun Quan later led a much more massive force upon Hefei (Sun boosted he brought with him 100,000 men, but that number was a mere exaggeration). Under instructions from Cao Cao, Zhang Liao and Li Dian should lead troops to deter the enemy outside the city, while Yue Jin stayed inside the castle for defense. However, Zhang Liao feared that long-running uncordial relationships among the three might jeopardize their mission, Li Dian assured him that affairs of the state should be placed before oneself. Thus, they picked 800 cavalry with them and dashed out, successfully lowered the enemy's morale by killing two of Sun Quan's generals on the field.
After the army was infected with a plague, Sun Quan had to withdraw from the siege he laid upon Hefei castle, and to avoid being infected, Sun Quan stayed at the northern part of Xiaoyao Ford (逍遥津) with only 1,000 soldiers and generals, while waiting for the main army to board the ships in the southern part of the ford. Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Liao led several thousand cavalry to surprise attack Sun Quan, while Li Dian volunteered to break the bridge which connected the northern and southern part of the ford. Sun Quan was immediately surrounded by Zhang Liao's cavalry, but was recused by his general Ling Tong
when the latter fought desperately and opened a route. Once Sun Quan was out of the thick of encirclement, Ling Tong turned back to hold the enemies, and urged Sun Quan to go for the bridge. However, Sun Quan was nearly captured when he found out the bridge connecting the southern part (where he could call forth reinforcement) was destroyed. Not knowing the identity of Sun Quan, Li Dian and Zhang Liao focused their attack on Ling Tong, and Sun Quan miraculously leaped over the broken bridge and fled to the southern side, where his main force was returning to save him. Afterwards, Li Dian and Zhang Liao asked a surrendered soldier about the identity of the "purple beard general" who was good at archery, the soldier replied them that was indeed Sun Quan, and the three generals greatly lamented on slipping away such an opportunity. When Cao Cao heard that Sun Quan was nearly captured, he could hardly believe the intelligence right away, and personally travelled east to take a look at the battlefield. Having observed on the field, Cao Cao lamented for some time and greatly praised the merits and bravery of the three; as a result of his performance, Li Dian was rewarded handsomely.
succeeded Cao Cao in 220, he gave Li Dian the posthumous title of Marquis Min (湣侯), literally meaning "sympathetic marquis", in reminiscence of his merits at the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
. One of his son was given the title of "Interior Marquis" (關内侯; lowest ranked marquis) and tax revenue of one hundred households.
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
during the late Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
period of Chinese history
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
. He participated in the Battle of Guandu
Battle of Guandu
The Battle of Guandu was a military conflict between the warlords Cao Cao and Yuan Shao in 200 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle, which concluded with victory for Cao Cao, was a turning point in the war between the two warlords...
between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He occupied the northern territories of China during the civil war that occurred towards the end of the Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms era...
. Li Dian also played a significant role in the defense of Hefei
Hefei
Hefei is the capital and largest city of Anhui Province in Eastern China. A prefecture-level city, it is the political, economic, and cultural centre of Anhui...
during the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
The Battle of Xiaoyao Ford, also known as the Battle of Leisure Ford, Battle of Hefei, and Hefei Campaign, was fought between the warlords Cao Cao and Sun Quan between 215 and 217 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history over the control of Hefei...
against the forces of Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
.
According to Chen Shou
Chen Shou
Chen Shou was a historian during the Jin Dynasty period of Chinese history. He is best known as the author of Records of Three Kingdoms, a historical account of the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period.-Biography:...
's Records of Three Kingdoms
Records of Three Kingdoms
Records of Three Kingdoms , is regarded as the official and authoritative historical text on the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history covering the years 184-280 CE. Written by Chen Shou in the 3rd century, the work combines the smaller histories of the rival states of Cao Wei , Shu Han and...
, Li Dian was a keen and humble learner who respected the literati. He did not fight with others for merits, and placed official affairs before himself.
Early life
A local of Juye, Li Dian's father Li Qian (李乾) had strong influence in the region. In the early 190s, Li Qian and his followers joined Cao Cao and participated in the warlord's subsequent campaigns against the Yellow Turban rebelsYellow Turban Rebellion
The Yellow Turban Rebellion, also translated as Yellow Scarves Rebellion, was a peasant revolt that broke out in 184 AD in China during the reign of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty...
, Yuan Shu
Yuan Shu
Yuan Shu was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history. He rose to prominence following the collapse of the imperial court in 189. He was said to be a younger cousin of the warlord Yuan Shao, but was actually Yuan Shao's younger half-brother...
, and Tao Qian.
During conflicts with Lü Bu
Lü Bu
Lü Bu was a military general and later a minor warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. According to the Records of Three Kingdoms, Lü Bu was highly-skilled in horse-riding and archery, and was thus nicknamed "Flying General"...
in 194, Cao Cao bade Li Qian return to Chengshi (present day Heze
Heze
Heze is a prefecture-level city in southwestern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. The westernmost prefecture-level city in Shandong, it borders Jining to the east and the provinces of Henan and Anhui to the west and south respectively. The old name of Heze was Caozhou and now a part...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
) to reaffirm local support. Lü Bu's subjects Xue Lan (薛兰) and Li Feng (李封) tried to persuade Li Qian to defect but were rejected. Hence they killed Li Qian. Cao Cao then gave command of Li Qian's former troops to Li Dian's older brother Li Zheng (李整), who was tasked with avenging Li Qian. After the forces of Xue Lan and Li Feng were quelled, Li Zheng was appointed Inspector of Qing Province (青州).
Performance in Cao Cao's northern campaign
Following the death of Li Zheng, Li Dian took over command of his father's former troops, although he was rather uninterested in military affairs. Recognizing Li Dian's intellects, Cao Cao appointed him Administrator of Lihu (southeast of present-day Dongming, ShandongShandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
), primarily in charge of interior affairs.
In 200, Cao Cao confronted rival warlord Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu. Leading his clansmen and subjects, Li Dian took charge of supplying the frontline troops with food and clothings. After Yuan Shao was defeated, Cao Cao launched his northern campaigns against Yuan's heirs. Li Dian was again entrusted with logistics along with Cheng Yu
Cheng Yu
Cheng Yu , originally named Cheng Li and changed his name to Yu after dreaming of the sun on top of Mount Tai, was one of the major advisors to the Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao, and became a high-ranking official of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of China...
. They struck out and eradicated an enemy force guarding the waterway to ensure the smooth delivery of military necessities.
In 205, Li Dian was sent to aid Xiahou Dun
Xiahou Dun
Xiahou Dun was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. Cao Cao's original family name was Xiahou, but his father Cao Song was the adopted son of the eunuch Cao Teng, so Xiahou Dun and Cao Cao share blood relations...
in the Battle of Bowang
Battle of Bowang
The Battle of Bowang, also known as the Battle of Bowang Slope, was a battle fought between the warlords Cao Cao and Liu Bei in 202 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history.-Background:...
where he was to help defend against the attacks led by Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
. Liu Bei burned his encampment and retreated abruptly, whereupon Xiahou Dun gave pursuit despite Li Dian's warnings. True enough, Xiahou Dun was ambushed by the enemy, who dispersed when Li Dian came to rescue with a relief force. In the same year, Li Dian and Yue Jin
Yue Jin
Yue Jin was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty of China. He was noted as much for his short stature as for his valor and ferocity on the battlefield...
were also deployed to lay siege on Gao Gan
Gao Gan
Gao Gan was a governor of Bing Province during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was a nephew of the warlord Yuan Shao and a cousin of Gao Rou. After the dissolution of the coalition against Dong Zhuo, warlords all across China returned to their respective territories...
at Hu Pass (壶关). Again Li Dian prevailed. He was then promoted to General who Destroys Barbarians (破虜將軍).
Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
After Cao Cao lost the Battle of JianglingBattle of Jiangling
The Battle of Jiangling was fought by the allied forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei against Cao Cao during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
in 208, he placed Zhang Liao
Zhang Liao
Zhang Liao was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He participated in many campaigns, including those against Yuan Shao's clan and the Wuhuan tribes...
, Yue Jin
Yue Jin
Yue Jin was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty of China. He was noted as much for his short stature as for his valor and ferocity on the battlefield...
and Li Dian at Hefei
Hefei
Hefei is the capital and largest city of Anhui Province in Eastern China. A prefecture-level city, it is the political, economic, and cultural centre of Anhui...
with approximately 7,000 men to guard the strategic Hefei fortress against advances of the southern warlord Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
. Sun Quan later led a much more massive force upon Hefei (Sun boosted he brought with him 100,000 men, but that number was a mere exaggeration). Under instructions from Cao Cao, Zhang Liao and Li Dian should lead troops to deter the enemy outside the city, while Yue Jin stayed inside the castle for defense. However, Zhang Liao feared that long-running uncordial relationships among the three might jeopardize their mission, Li Dian assured him that affairs of the state should be placed before oneself. Thus, they picked 800 cavalry with them and dashed out, successfully lowered the enemy's morale by killing two of Sun Quan's generals on the field.
After the army was infected with a plague, Sun Quan had to withdraw from the siege he laid upon Hefei castle, and to avoid being infected, Sun Quan stayed at the northern part of Xiaoyao Ford (逍遥津) with only 1,000 soldiers and generals, while waiting for the main army to board the ships in the southern part of the ford. Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Liao led several thousand cavalry to surprise attack Sun Quan, while Li Dian volunteered to break the bridge which connected the northern and southern part of the ford. Sun Quan was immediately surrounded by Zhang Liao's cavalry, but was recused by his general Ling Tong
Ling Tong
Ling Tong was a military general of the state of Eastern Wu during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He started his service to the Sun family since his childhood, and throughout his entire life, he had been contributing to the foundation and solidification of Eastern Wu...
when the latter fought desperately and opened a route. Once Sun Quan was out of the thick of encirclement, Ling Tong turned back to hold the enemies, and urged Sun Quan to go for the bridge. However, Sun Quan was nearly captured when he found out the bridge connecting the southern part (where he could call forth reinforcement) was destroyed. Not knowing the identity of Sun Quan, Li Dian and Zhang Liao focused their attack on Ling Tong, and Sun Quan miraculously leaped over the broken bridge and fled to the southern side, where his main force was returning to save him. Afterwards, Li Dian and Zhang Liao asked a surrendered soldier about the identity of the "purple beard general" who was good at archery, the soldier replied them that was indeed Sun Quan, and the three generals greatly lamented on slipping away such an opportunity. When Cao Cao heard that Sun Quan was nearly captured, he could hardly believe the intelligence right away, and personally travelled east to take a look at the battlefield. Having observed on the field, Cao Cao lamented for some time and greatly praised the merits and bravery of the three; as a result of his performance, Li Dian was rewarded handsomely.
Death
It was not stated when and how Li Dian died, though his age at death was specified to be around 45. When Cao PiCao Pi
Cao Pi , formally known as Emperor Wen of Wei, was the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Born in Qiao County, Pei Commandery , he was the second son of the late Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao.Cao Pi, like his father, was a poet...
succeeded Cao Cao in 220, he gave Li Dian the posthumous title of Marquis Min (湣侯), literally meaning "sympathetic marquis", in reminiscence of his merits at the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
The Battle of Xiaoyao Ford, also known as the Battle of Leisure Ford, Battle of Hefei, and Hefei Campaign, was fought between the warlords Cao Cao and Sun Quan between 215 and 217 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history over the control of Hefei...
. One of his son was given the title of "Interior Marquis" (關内侯; lowest ranked marquis) and tax revenue of one hundred households.
Appointments and titles held
- Prefect of Yingyin (潁陰令)
- General of the Household (中郎將)
- Administrator of Lihu (離狐太守)
- Major General (裨將軍)
- General Who Destroys Barbarians (破虜將軍)
- Marquis of Du (都亭侯)
- Marquis Min (湣侯) - granted to Li Dian posthumously