29 Facts About Jiang Wan

Jiang Wan, courtesy name Gongyan, was a Chinese military general, politician, and regent of the state of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period of China.

Between 228 and 234, while Zhuge Liang was away leading Shu forces on the Northern Expeditions against Shu's rival state Wei, Jiang Wan took charge of internal affairs and provided logistical support to the Shu forces at the frontline.

Jiang Wan thus came up with a plan to switch to a water-based route along the Han River targeting Wei territories in present-day southern Shaanxi and northwestern Hubei.

Towards the final years of his regency, as his health worsened, Jiang Wan gradually relinquished his powers to his deputies Fei Yi and Dong Yun but he continued to rule as regent in name.

Jiang Wan died in late 246 and was succeeded by Fei Yi.

Jiang Wan was from Xiangxiang County, Lingling Commandery, which is present-day Xiangxiang, Hunan.

Around 209 or 210, Jiang Wan came to serve under the warlord Liu Bei, who was then the Governor of Jing Province, and held the position of a scribe.

On one occasion, when Liu Bei visited Guangdu County, he saw that Jiang Wan was not only dead drunk, but had been neglecting his duties as a county chief.

Jiang Wan hated his dream so he asked Zhao Zhi, a fortune teller, to explain its meaning.

Not long later, Jiang Wan was summoned back to serve as the Prefect of Shifang County.

Jiang Wan was later nominated as a maocai but he declined the honour and offered it to others such as Liu Yong, Yin Hua, Pang Yan and Liao Chun.

Jiang Wan then moved to the staging area in Hanzhong Commandery while leaving behind Jiang Wan and his chief clerk Zhang Yi to take charge of his office in the Shu capital Chengdu.

In 230, following Zhang Yi's death, Jiang Wan replaced him as Zhuge Liang's chief clerk and was given an additional appointment as General Who Pacifies the Army.

Between 228 and 234, while Zhuge Liang was leading Shu forces on a series of military campaigns against Wei, Jiang Wan provided logistical support by ensuring that reinforcements and supplies reached the Shu army at the frontline in timely fashion.

Jiang Wan will be someone who can work with me to accomplish our State's great mission.

In 234, when Zhuge Liang became critically ill at the Battle of Wuzhang Plains, he told Li Fu that Jiang Wan was the most suitable candidate to succeed him as regent and that Fei Yi could succeed Jiang Wan in turn.

Jiang Wan was appointed as acting Protector-General, granted imperial authority, and given the gubernatorial appointment of Inspector of Yi Province.

Jiang Wan was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Anyang Village.

Jiang Wan showed neither sadness nor joy, maintained his composure, and performed his duties as before.

Jiang Wan considered that one reason for the failure of Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions against Wei was that he chose the difficult route through the Qin Mountains; the mountainous terrain had made it difficult for the Shu army to navigate their way and transport their supplies to the frontline.

Jiang Wan then thought of switching from the land-based route to a water-based one.

However, due to poor health, Jiang Wan was unable to set his plan into motion.

Jiang Wan gave credit to Jiang Wan and his successor Fei Yi for following in Zhuge Liang's footsteps and pointed out that in doing so they managed to secure Shu's borders and maintain peace and harmony within Shu.

Jiang Wan argued that Jiang Wan and Fei Yi did well during their regencies when they refrained from making risky moves that could jeopardise Shu's future and when they successfully countered a Wei invasion and maintained peace within Shu's borders.

Jiang Wan recorded that the people of Shu named Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wan, Fei Yi and Dong Yun as the four heroic chancellors of their state.

Yang Min once criticised Jiang Wan for being "muddleheaded" and "inferior compared to his predecessor".

However, Jiang Wan did not hold a grudge against Yang Min and even helped him obtain a pardon.

Jiang Wan reached the rank of Left Protector of the Army and General Who Protects the Army.

Jiang Wan then headed to Fu County, found Jiang Wan's tomb, and paid his respects there.