Yi Ji

Historical Record

Yi Ji, styled Boji, was a man of Shanyang commandery. In his early years he attached himself to his fellow townsman, the General Who Guards the South, Liu Biao. While Liu Bei was stationed in Jing Province, Yi Ji often associated with him and took the initiative to express his wish to submit to him^[1]. After Liu Biao died, Yi Ji followed Liu Bei across the Yangzi to the south and went with him into Yi Province. After Yi Province was pacified, Liu Bei appointed Yi Ji as attendant officer to the General of the Left, and the treatment he received was second only to that of Jian Yong, Sun Qian, and the like^[1].

Yi Ji was once sent as envoy to Eastern Wu. Sun Quan had long heard of his eloquence and wit and meant to blunt his edge in argument. When Yi Ji entered the hall and paid his respects, Sun Quan asked: "Is it not wearisome to serve a lord who lacks the Way?" Yi Ji at once replied: "One bow and one rising — that can hardly be called wearisome." Yi Ji's quick-wittedness was all of this kind, and Sun Quan was greatly astonished by it^[1].

Later, Yi Ji was promoted to General Who Manifests Culture, and together with Zhuge Liang, Fa Zheng, Liu Ba, and Li Yan he jointly drew up the Shu Code. The compilation of the Shu Code was accomplished by these five men^[1]. The historical sources record that Yi Ji held an important civil post in Liu Bei's group and took part in drawing up the state's code of laws, showing his outstanding political talent and legal learning.

In the Novel

In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Yi Ji's image is given more drama and a coloring of loyalty and righteousness, especially highlighting his character of "acting righteously without regard for himself." His first appearance is when Liu Bei was riding the horse Dilu; he promptly warned Liu Bei, "This horse is named Dilu; to ride it harms its master," and revealed the plot of Kuai Yue to harm Liu Bei^[2]. Although Liu Bei made light of this, Yi Ji's concern was already evident.

Yi Ji's loyalty to Liu Bei and his protection of him are shown to the fullest in the "Dilu leaps the stream" episode. Having learned that Cai Mao meant to harm Liu Bei, he knocked at the door deep in the night to secretly inform Liu Bei of Cai Mao's plot and urge him to leave at once^[3]. At the banquet, Yi Ji further, cleverly using the pretext of "changing clothes," led Liu Bei to the back garden and whispered to him that Cai Mao had set heavy troops outside the city and that only the west gate offered a way out, prompting Liu Bei to escape on the horse Dilu^[4]. These episodes have no record in the histories and are artistic inventions of the novel to portray Liu Bei's peril and Yi Ji's loyalty.

Thereafter, Yi Ji repeatedly offered Liu Bei counsel in the novel. For example, entrusted by Liu Qi, he reported to Liu Bei the death of Liu Biao and the usurping accession of Liu Cong, and advised Liu Bei to use the pretext of mourning to lure and capture Liu Cong and so take Jing Province (unique to the novel)^[5]. After Liu Bei occupied Jing Province, Yi Ji recommended Ma Liang to Liu Bei and, together with Ma Liang, served as attendant officer, jointly planning a long-term strategy for Jing and Xiang^[6],^[7]. He also once went as envoy to Eastern Wu to negotiate with Sun Quan over the return of Jing Province, displaying his eloquence^[8]. During Guan Yu's Northern Campaign, Yi Ji also accompanied the army as a military adviser^[9]. The Yi Ji of the novel is not only Liu Bei's strategist but also his savior in moments of peril, his image fuller and more legendary.

Key Relationships

* Liu Biao: Yi Ji attached himself to Liu Biao in his early years^[1], but while Liu Bei was stationed in Jing Province he had already shown closeness to Liu Bei and an intent to submit to him.
* Liu Bei's faction: Yi Ji was an important strategist and civil official of Liu Bei's faction. He followed Liu Bei south across the Yangzi and into Yi Province, and held posts such as attendant officer to the General of the Left and General Who Manifests Culture^[1]. In the novel, he was moreover Liu Bei's savior, repeatedly offering him counsel, such as recommending Ma Liang^[6] and going as envoy to Eastern Wu^[8].
* Sun Quan: Yi Ji was once sent by Liu Bei as envoy to Eastern Wu, and Sun Quan was deeply impressed by his eloquence and wit^[1]. In the novel, Yi Ji also represented Liu Bei in negotiating the Jing Province question with Sun Quan^[8].
* Zhuge Liang: Yi Ji, together with Zhuge Liang, Fa Zheng, and others, jointly drew up the Shu Code, showing his important standing in Liu Bei's faction and his close collaboration with the core advisers^[1]. In the novel, after Kongming went into Shu, he assisted Guan Yu in guarding Jing Province^[10].
* Ma Liang: In the novel, Yi Ji recommended Ma Liang to Liu Bei and, together with Ma Liang, served as attendant officer, jointly planning the affairs of Jing and Xiang^[6],^[7] (unique to the novel).

Signature Scenes

* Going as envoy to Eastern Wu, deftly answering Sun Quan: Yi Ji was sent as envoy to Eastern Wu, and Sun Quan asked, "Is it wearisome to serve a lord who lacks the Way?" Yi Ji quick-wittedly answered, "One bow and one rising — that can hardly be called wearisome," displaying his exceptional eloquence and resourcefulness^[1].
* Dilu saves its master: When Liu Bei was riding the horse Dilu, Yi Ji promptly warned him that the horse harmed its master^[2]. Further, when Cai Mao set a banquet meaning to harm Liu Bei, he secretly reported it deep in the night, and at the banquet, using the pretext of "changing clothes," softly told Liu Bei the way to escape, prompting Liu Bei to flee danger on the horse Dilu^[3],^[4] (unique to the novel).
* Recommending Ma Liang: Yi Ji recommended Ma Liang to Liu Bei, calling him "the finest of the white-browed," and together with Ma Liang planned a long-term strategy for Jing and Xiang for Liu Bei^[6],^[7] (unique to the novel).
* Taking part in drawing up the Shu Code: Yi Ji, together with Zhuge Liang, Fa Zheng, Liu Ba, and Li Yan, jointly drew up the Shu Code, making an important contribution to the legal construction of Shu Han^[1].