Li Dian

Historical Record

Li Dian, styled Mancheng, was a native of Juye in Shanyang. His paternal uncle Li Qian, a man of bold and martial spirit, gathered several thousand households of retainers at Chengshi. During the Chuping era, Li Qian led his followers in support of Cao Cao, routing the Yellow Turban Army at Shouzhang, and later joined Cao Cao in campaigns against Yuan Shu and in the campaign against Xu Province. When Lü Bu rebelled, Cao Cao sent Li Qian back to Chengshi to reassure and comfort the various counties. However, Lü Bu's Attendant Officer Xue Lan and Officer of Merit Li Feng tried to recruit Li Qian, intending to rebel together; Li Qian firmly refused and was thereupon killed by Xue Lan and Li Feng. On hearing this, Cao Cao appointed Li Qian's son Li Zheng to command his father's former troops, and together with the other generals he defeated Xue Lan and Li Feng, pacified the counties of Yanzhou, repeatedly won merit, and rose to be Inspector of Qing Province. After Li Zheng died, Li Dian succeeded his elder cousin in commanding the troops, was transferred to be Prefect of Yingyin, then promoted to General of the Household, and again transferred to be Administrator of Linghu. According to the Book of Wei, Li Dian was fond of study from childhood and had no interest in military affairs; he studied the Zuo Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals under a teacher and read widely. Cao Cao greatly admired this and tried him out in the administration of governing the people^[1].

During the Battle of Guandu, while Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were locked in a stalemate, Li Dian led his clan and household troops to transport grain and cloth as military provisions for Cao Cao. After Yuan Shao was defeated, Li Dian was appointed Assistant General and stationed to pacify the populace. When Cao Cao campaigned against Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang at Liyang, he sent Li Dian together with Cheng Yu and others to handle the transport of military provisions by waterway. At that time Yuan Shang sent the Administrator of Wei Commandery, Gao Fan, to station troops on the river and cut off the waterway. Cao Cao ordered that if the boats could not pass, they should switch to the land route. After consulting with the other generals, Li Dian held that Gao Fan, with few troops yet relying on the river's advantage, would surely grow complacent, and that striking now would certainly bring victory. He proposed that an army in the field, when it serves the state's interest, may act on its own discretion, and that they should attack Gao Fan at once. Cheng Yu also agreed with this. So they crossed the Yellow River, broke Gao Fan, and reopened the waterway^[2].

When Liu Biao sent Liu Bei to invade northward as far as Ye County, Cao Cao sent Li Dian to accompany Xiahou Dun in resisting him. Liu Bei suddenly burned his camp and withdrew, and Xiahou Dun led his troops in pursuit. But Li Dian held: "The enemy retreats without cause—I fear there is an ambush. The road to the south is narrow, with dense grass and trees; it is not fit for pursuit." Xiahou Dun, however, would not heed his advice, and pursued together with Yu Jin, while Li Dian remained behind to guard the rear. As expected, Xiahou Dun and the others fell into Liu Bei's ambush and the battle went badly. Li Dian arrived in time to rescue them; seeing the relief force coming, Liu Bei dispersed and withdrew^[2].

Thereafter Li Dian joined the army in besieging Ye, and after Ye was pacified, he and Yue Jin besieged Gao Gan at Huguan and defeated Guan Cheng at Changguang, winning victory in each. He was thereby promoted to General Who Captures Bandits and enfeoffed as Marquis of Duting. Li Dian's clan and household troops, numbering over three thousand households, dwelt at Chengshi. He requested of his own accord to relocate to Wei Commandery, and Cao Cao asked him with a smile, "Do you wish to emulate Geng Chun?" Li Dian apologized, saying: "I am of dull capacity and meager merit, yet my rank and favor are overly generous; rightly my whole household should serve the state. Moreover, the campaigns are not yet ended, so all the more should the region near the capital be made full, to overawe all quarters—this is not emulating Geng Chun." So Li Dian relocated his clan and household troops, more than thirteen thousand persons, to Ye. Cao Cao commended him and promoted him to General Who Routs Bandits^[2].

In the twentieth year of Jian'an, after returning from his campaign against Sun Quan, Cao Cao sent Zhang Liao, Yue Jin, Li Dian, and others, more than seven thousand men, to garrison Hefei. When Cao Cao campaigned against Zhang Lu, he left a sealed letter with the Army Protector Xue Ti, noting on its edge, "Open only when the enemy arrives." Before long, Sun Quan led an army of a hundred thousand to besiege Hefei. Xue Ti and the others together opened the sealed letter, which instructed: "If Sun Quan arrives, Generals Zhang Liao and Li Dian shall go out to fight; General Yue shall guard the Army Protector and not take part in the battle." The generals had many doubts about these instructions. Zhang Liao said: "Our lord is on a distant campaign; by the time relief arrives, we shall surely already have been broken. That is why the letter instructs us to make a surprise attack before the enemy's forces have gathered, to blunt their edge and steady the men's hearts, after which we may hold firm. Success or failure rests on this one battle—why do you gentlemen doubt?" Li Dian was of one mind with Zhang Liao^[3]. So Zhang Liao that night recruited eight hundred dauntless men, slaughtered oxen to reward the soldiers, and prepared for a great battle the next day. At first light, Zhang Liao, clad in armor and grasping a long halberd, was the first to charge into the enemy ranks, slaying several dozen men and killing two enemy generals, calling out his own name as he drove into Sun Quan's camp and reached Sun Quan's own banner. Sun Quan was struck with terror, and his men, not knowing what to do, fled up a high mound and defended themselves with long halberds. Zhang Liao shouted for Sun Quan to come down and fight, but Sun Quan dared not stir. Seeing how few troops Zhang Liao had, Sun Quan's men surrounded him in layers. Zhang Liao slashed left and right and pressed straight ahead in a fierce assault, opening the encirclement, and led several dozen of his followers out of the ring. The rest of his men cried out, "Has the general abandoned us?" Zhang Liao then plunged back into the encirclement and rescued the remaining men. Sun Quan's men and horses all gave way, and none dared block him. They fought from dawn until midday, and the Wu army's morale was badly broken, so that they could only withdraw and build defensive works. The men within the city were thereby steadied, and all the generals were filled with admiration for Zhang Liao. Sun Quan besieged Hefei for more than ten days but could not take the city, and had to lead his troops in withdrawal. Zhang Liao led the armies in pursuit and nearly captured Sun Quan a second time. Cao Cao therefore greatly praised Zhang Liao and appointed him General Who Conquers the East^[3].

In the Novel

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Li Dian appears early. In chapter five, he and Yue Jin come together to join Cao Cao and are retained by Cao Cao as officers before his tent^[4]. Thereafter, as an important general under Cao Cao, he appears frequently in Cao Cao's early military operations. For instance, in chapter six, when Dong Zhuo burned Luoyang and abducted and relocated the emperor, Cao Cao angrily rebuked the lords for not advancing and led his own troops in pursuit of Dong Zhuo, with Li Dian accompanying him alongside Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Yue Jin, and other generals^[5]. This accords with the historical record of Li Dian's involvement in Cao Cao's early operations, though specific details such as the joint pursuit of Dong Zhuo are literary invention.

The novel's characterization of Li Dian especially highlights his prudence and his concern for the larger picture. In chapter twelve, when Cao Cao attacked Puyang, Li Dian once advised Cao Cao to stay outside the city and let their own soldiers enter first, but Cao Cao would not listen and personally led his troops into the city^[6]. Afterward Cao Cao was trapped, and Dian Wei, Li Dian, Yue Jin, and other generals searched within and outside the city for Cao Cao; while Dian Wei searched for Cao Cao, Li Dian was responsible for urging on the relief force outside the city^[7].

In the campaigns against Liu Bei, the novel repeatedly shows Li Dian's prudence. For example, in chapter thirty-five, Cao Ren and Li Dian garrisoned Fancheng, and Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang requested troops to attack Liu Bei at Xinye, only for the two of them to be killed. Cao Ren wished to rush to avenge them, but Li Dian advised: "The two generals fell because they made light of the enemy. The best course now is to hold the troops still, report to the Chancellor, and raise a great army to mount a campaign." He held that Liu Bei was a man of exceptional ability, not to be taken lightly^[8]. But Cao Ren would not listen and compelled Li Dian to march with the army. In chapter thirty-six, when Cao Ren deployed the "Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation," Li Dian again warned Cao Ren that there must be a capable man in Liu Bei's camp, but Cao Ren still would not heed the advice and was at last broken by Liu Bei's forces. Only after his defeat did Cao Ren trust Li Dian's words, and he invited Li Dian to confer; Li Dian again dissuaded Cao Ren from raiding Liu Bei's camp by night, holding that Liu Bei must be prepared, but Cao Ren still would not listen^[9]. These episodes all highlight Li Dian's strategy and foresight, echoing and artistically exaggerating the historical episode in which he dissuaded Xiahou Dun from pursuing Liu Bei at the Battle of Bowang Slope.

The novel's depiction of Li Dian at the Battle of Hefei is broadly consistent with the historical record, but it places greater emphasis on the conflict and cooperation among Zhang Liao, Yue Jin, and Li Dian. In chapter fifty-three, when Sun Quan besieged Hefei, Zhang Liao wished to go out to battle on Cao Cao's orders, but Li Dian and Zhang Liao had long been on poor terms. Yue Jin too held that the enemy was many and they few, making it hard to meet them in battle, and that it was better to hold firm. Zhang Liao declared he would go out to fight alone, whereupon Li Dian feelingly said: "Since the general is thus, how could I, Dian, dare to forget public duty for the sake of a private grudge? I am willing to follow your command"^[10]. This episode vividly displays Li Dian's character of placing the affairs of state first, consistent with the historical record that "Dian too was of one mind with Liao," rendered with dramatic flourish. At the Battle of Hefei, Li Dian and Yue Jin coordinated with Zhang Liao, together repelling Sun Quan, and Li Dian shot and killed Song Qian (unique to the novel)^[11].

Key Relationships

* Zhang Liao (friend_of): In history, Li Dian and Zhang Liao together resisted Sun Quan at the Battle of Hefei; Li Dian endorsed Zhang Liao's decision to go out to fight and fought side by side with him, successfully repelling Sun Quan^[3]. In the novel, although Zhang Liao and Li Dian are at first depicted as long being on poor terms, in the face of the greater cause Li Dian could set aside his private grudge and cooperate fully with Zhang Liao against the enemy, displaying his noble character^[10].
* Li Qian (kin_of): Li Qian was Li Dian's paternal uncle, the founder of the Li clan's fortunes and an early follower of Cao Cao. After Li Qian was killed, his troops were commanded in succession by Li Zheng and Li Dian, laying the foundation for Li Dian's military career^[1].
* Li Zheng (kin_of): Li Zheng was Li Dian's elder cousin, who inherited Li Qian's troops after his death and won merit. After Li Zheng died, Li Dian succeeded his cousin in commanding the troops, which allowed Li Dian to inherit the clan's military strength and standing^[1].
* Cao Wei (serves): From his uncle Li Qian onward, Li Dian served Cao Cao and was an important general under his command. He won illustrious merit for Cao Cao's cause of unifying the north, took part in many important battles, and deeply earned Cao Cao's trust and esteem. The relocation of his clan and household troops also reflects his loyalty to Cao Cao's regime^[2].
* Yue Jin (colleague): Li Dian and Yue Jin were both generals under Cao Cao who took part in many battles together; especially at the Battle of Hefei, the two, together with Zhang Liao, were known as the "Three Generals of Hefei," jointly resisting Sun Quan^[3]. In the novel, Yue Jin and Li Dian also coordinated closely at the Battle of Hefei^[12].
* Xiahou Dun (colleague): Li Dian once accompanied Xiahou Dun in resisting Liu Bei, and at the Battle of Bowang Slope dissuaded Xiahou Dun from advancing rashly, reflecting his prudent character^[2].

Iconic Scenes

* The Battle of Hefei: This was the most representative battle of Li Dian's military career. In history, facing Sun Quan's army of a hundred thousand besieging the city, the generals had doubts about Cao Cao's sealed order, but Li Dian was of one mind with Zhang Liao, holding that they should make a surprise attack before the enemy's forces had gathered, to blunt their edge. He went out to fight together with Zhang Liao, successfully repelling Sun Quan and steadying morale^[3]. In the novel this scene is further dramatized, emphasizing the conflict between private grudge and public duty between Li Dian and Zhang Liao; in the end Li Dian, placing the larger interests of the state first, set aside his grudge and fought side by side with Zhang Liao, together winning the victory^[10].
* The Battle of Bowang Slope (unique to the novel): In the novel, when Li Dian accompanied Xiahou Dun in resisting Liu Bei, he repeatedly dissuaded Xiahou Dun from advancing rashly. When Liu Bei burned his camp and withdrew and Xiahou Dun wished to pursue, Li Dian pointed out, "The enemy retreats without cause—surely there is an ambush. The southern road is narrow and the grass and trees deep; it is not fit for pursuit," but Xiahou Dun would not listen and at last fell into the ambush. Li Dian arrived in time to rescue him, allowing Xiahou Dun to escape danger^[2]. This scene is recorded in history, but the novel depicts it in greater detail and repeatedly emphasizes Li Dian's prudence and foresight; as when Cao Ren attacked Xinye, Li Dian also repeatedly dissuaded Cao Ren from advancing rashly, but Cao Ren would not listen and was at last defeated^[8].
* Dissuading Cao Cao from Rash Advance (unique to the novel): In the novel, Li Dian repeatedly displays his prudent character; as at the Battle of Puyang, he once advised Cao Cao to let the soldiers enter the city first while he himself stayed outside, but Cao Cao would not listen^[6]. After the Battle of Changban, when Cao Cao wished to pursue Zhang Fei, Li Dian also warned Cao Cao that "this may be a ruse of Zhuge Liang; we must not advance lightly," but Cao Cao held that Zhang Fei was "a man of mere valor—how could he have a ruse?" and at last decided to pursue^[13]. These episodes all highlight Li Dian's strategy and insight into the situation; though his advice is often not adopted in the novel, the outcome usually proves him right.
* The Clan Relocation: Li Dian requested of his own accord to relocate his clan and household troops, more than three thousand households, to Wei Commandery, explaining to Cao Cao that this was to make the region near the capital full and to serve the state, not to emulate Geng Chun. Cao Cao therefore commended him and promoted him to General Who Routs Bandits^[2]. This event reflects Li Dian's loyalty and deep understanding of the greater cause, and also reflects the important standing of his clan within the Cao Wei regime.