Huo Yi

Huo Yi (birth and death dates unknown), style name Shaoxian, was a military general of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period.

Life
Huo Yi's father was Huo Jun, a general who served under the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han Dynasty and died sometime in the late 210s. In 221, Liu Bei declared himself 'Emperor' and founded the state of Shu Han, after which he appointed Huo Yi as a "Member of the Suite of the Heir" (太子舍人). Liu Bei died in 223 and was succeeded by his son Liu Shan, who appointed Huo Yi as an "Internuncio" (謁者) after his enthronement. Between 227 and 234, when Shu's chancellor Zhuge Liang was stationed in Hanzhong commandery during the launching of a series of military campaigns against Shu's rival state Cao Wei, he requested for Huo Yi to be transferred to his office. Huo Yi worked together with Zhuge Liang's adoptive son Zhuge Qiao during this period of time.

Huo Yi was appointed as a "Gentleman of the Yellow Gate" (黃門侍郎) after Zhuge Liang died in 234. Later, when Liu Shan designated his son Liu Xuan as his heir apparent, he appointed Huo Yi as a zhongshuzi (中庶子; an aide) to Liu Xuan. Liu Xuan enjoyed horse-riding and archery and used to behave recklessly, but Huo Yi managed to use teachings from ancient classics to persuade Liu Xuan to improve his behaviour and he succeeded in doing so. He was later reassigned to be in charge of military affairs in the Nanzhong region in the southern part of Shu. When the tribal peoples in Yongchang (永昌) commandery caused trouble, Huo Yi was appointed as the Administrator of Yongchang and was ordered to lead troops to attack the tribes. Huo Yi achieved victory as he killed the tribal chiefs, destroyed their bases and restored peace at the borders of Yongchang. For his contributions, he was promoted to "General Who Inspects the Army" (監軍將軍) and appointed as the Administrator of Jianning (建寧) commandery, effectively being in charge of affairs in Nanzhong.

In 263, Huo Yi was promoted to the position of "General Who Pacifies the South" (安南將軍). Later that year, the state of Cao Wei launched a campaign against Shu with the aim of vanquishing its rival state. When Huo Yi received news of the invasion, he wanted to lead troops from Nanzhong to assist in the defence of the Shu capital Chengdu, but Liu Shan rejected Huo Yi's suggestion and surrendered to the Wei general Deng Ai, bringing an end to the Shu regime. Huo Yi donned mourning garments and lamented the fall of Shu for three days, after which his subordinates urged him to follow in his lord's footsteps by surrendering to Wei as well. Huo Yi refused to surrender and stated that he would fight to the death unless he was assured that Liu Shan was safe and was treated well after submitting to Wei. Upon receiving news that Liu Shan was not harmed and had moved from Chengdu to the Wei capital Luoyang, he officially surrendered to Wei. The Wei regent Sima Zhao was very pleased so he appointed Huo Yi as the Area Commander (都督) of Nanzhong and allowed the latter to remain in charge of Nanzhong.

Huo Yi later sent troops to assist Lü Xing (呂興) in pacifying the three commanderies of Jiaozhi (交阯), Rinan (日南) and Jiuzhen (九真). For his contributions, he received a marquis title and other rewards from the Wei imperial court. Huo Yi's grandson, Huo Biao (霍彪), served as the Administrator of Yuexi (越嶲) during the Jin Dynasty.