Page "Li Yan (Three Kingdoms)" Paragraph 5

The emperor of Shu, Liu Bei, suffered a devastating defeat to the eastern warlord, Sun Quan, at the Battle of Xiaoting, and died unwillingly at Baidicheng.

On his death-bed, Liu Bei specifically asked Li Yan to be a co-regent with Zhuge Liang to take care of his son, Liu Shan, and appointed Li to be the Central Commandant ( 中都護 ) to handle all military matters-both imperial guards and standard armies were supposed to be under his command.

According to Liu Bei's dying wish, Li Yan should be the military paramountcy within Shu Han politics, but latter political development would strip him off from such a position.