“Cautious, northern frontier state, late mover. Ancient lineage but often passive. Capable of dramatic action when provoked (Yue Yi's campaign against Qi) but struggles with sustained strategic initiative.”
Biography 傳
Yue Yi was the general who led Yan's devastating invasion of Qi in 284 BC, one of the most dramatic campaigns of the Warring States period. Originally from Wei, he was recruited by King Zhao of Yan and organized a five-state coalition against Qi. Leading the combined forces, he shattered the Qi army and overran the Qi territories, capturing over seventy cities in rapid succession. Only Jimo and Ju held out. His campaign demonstrated that Yan — long dismissed as the weakest of the seven powers — could defeat even the wealthiest state when properly led. After King Zhao's death, the new king distrusted Yue Yi and replaced him. Yue Yi fled to Zhao, and Tian Dan's counteroffensive reclaimed the lost Qi territories.