Legacy of Yue Yi: From Conquest to Honor

Yue Yi, whose ancestor was named Yue Yang, served as a general under Marquis Wen of Wei, conquering Zhongshan, known today as Dingzhou. Marquis Wen honored Yue Yang with the title of Ling Shou. After Yue Yang’s death, he was buried in Ling Shou, and his descendants settled there. Zhongshan revived as a state, but during the reign of King Wu of Zhao, it was again destroyed. Despite Wei’s initial defeat of Zhongshan, the ancestral rites were not abolished, leading to its revival, only to be destroyed again during the reign of King Wu of Zhao.

From this lineage came Yue Yi, a man known for his military prowess, who was recognized by the people of Zhao. During the chaos of Shaqiu under King Wu of Zhao, Yue Yi left Zhao and joined Wei. Hearing of the defeat of Yan by Qi, King Zhao of Yan harbored resentment against Qi and never forgot to avenge Qi. As Yan was small and weak, unable to restrain itself, it sought to recruit talented individuals, first extending courtesy to Guo Kui. Yue Yi was chosen by Wei’s King Zhao as an envoy to Yan, where he was treated with hospitality. Yue Yi, however, modestly declined and instead pledged his loyalty, and Yan’s King Zhao treated him as a vassal for a long time.

During this period, King Min of Qi was strong, defeating Chu’s Tang Mei near Ju Lu and the Three Jins near Guanjin. This led to a joint attack on Qin, assisting Zhao in the destruction of Zhongshan, and the expansion into Song, covering over a thousand miles of land. They contended with King Zhao of Qin for the title of emperor, but ultimately returned it. All the feudal lords wished to turn their backs on Qin and submit to Qi. However, King Min boasted, and the people could not bear it. Therefore, King Zhao of Yan inquired about attacking Qi. Yue Yi replied, “Qi is a remnant of a hegemonic state, with vast territory and population, not easily attacked alone. If the king wishes to attack it, it would be best to form an alliance with Zhao, Chu, and Wei.” Therefore, he sent Yue Yi to Zhao’s King Huiwen, and separately sent envoys to Chu and Wei, instructing Zhao Yan to persuade Qin to attack Qi. All the feudal lords were envious of King Min of Qi’s arrogance and were eager to join forces with Yan to attack Qi. Yue Yi returned with the news, and King Zhao of Yan raised an army, appointing Yue Yi as the chief general, and King Huiwen of Zhao was appointed as the prime minister. Yue Yi then protected the armies of Zhao, Chu, Han, Wei, and Yan to attack Qi, breaking through to the west of the Jishiyi. The feudal lords returned their troops, but Yue Yi alone pursued them to Linzhi. King Min of Qi was defeated in the west of Jishiyi and fled to Ju. Yue Yi alone remained in Qi for five years, taking over more than seventy cities, all of which belonged to the county of Linyi. When King Zhao of Yan died, his son succeeded him as King Hui. When he was the crown prince, he was not happy with Yue Yi, but when he succeeded, Tian Shan heard it, sent an envoy to Yan, Yue Yi. resisted King Hui of Yan, turned it over, advisors such