Li Dian

Li Dian (birth and death dates unknown), courtesy name Mancheng, was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty. He participated in the Battle of Guandu in 200 between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. He also played a significant role in the defence of Hefei during the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford of 214–215 against the forces of Sun Quan.

Early life and career

Li Dian was from Juye County (鉅野縣), Shanyang Commandery (山陽郡), which is in present-day Juye County, Heze, Shandong. His uncle Li Qian (李乾) was an influential man in the region and had thousands of retainers working under him in Chengshi (乘氏; southwest of present-day Juye County, Heze, Shandong).

During the Chuping era (190–193) in the reign of Emperor Xian of the Eastern Han dynasty, Li Qian and Li Dian led their followers to assist the warlord Cao Cao in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion and they defeated the rebels at Shouzhang (壽張). Li Dian and his uncle later followed Cao Cao in the latter's campaigns against rival warlords such as Yuan Shu and Tao Qian. When conflict broke out between Cao Cao and Lü Bu in 194, Cao sent Li Qian back to Chengshi to reaffirm the support of the locals towards him. Lü Bu's subordinates Xue Lan (薛蘭) and Li Feng (李封) tried to persuade Li Qian to defect to their side but Li Qian refused and was killed by them. Cao Cao then gave command of Li Qian's troops to Li Qian's son, Li Zheng (李整), and sent some of his men to assist Li Zheng to attack Xue Lan and Li Feng. Li Zheng achieved victory over Xue Lan and Li Feng, and later helped to pacify the various counties in Yan Province. He was appointed as the Inspector (刺史) of Qing Province.