Yue Yi

Lore & Background

Yue Yi's journey began when his father, the prime minister of Zhongshan, saw their state destroyed by King Wuling of Zhao. Forced to wander between countries, Yue Yi eventually found recognition under King Zhao of Yan. As a minister, he orchestrated a grand alliance involving Zhao, Wei, Chu, Han, and Qin against Qi. Leading these allied armies, he crushed Qi's forces, driving away the cruel king and capturing all but two cities of its territory. However, following the sudden death of King Zhao of Yan, Yue Yi faced mistrust from the new King Hui due to the scheming of Tian Dan of Qi. Fearing for his safety, he fled to Zhao, where he was enfeoffed as Lord of Wangzhu.

In Their Own Story

The Coalition Army, led by Gaku Ki, executed a masterstroke against the State of Qi. Yue Yi coordinated forces from five other nations—Zhao, Wei, Chu, Han, and Qin—to break Qi's defenses. The campaign was devastating; the cruel King of Qi fled in disgrace while the allied armies seized nearly the entire territory, leaving only two cities under Qi control. This victory established Gaku Ki as a legendary figure in Yan. Yet, the triumph was cut short by political intrigue. When King Zhao of Yan died suddenly, the new ruler, King Hui, began to mistrust Yue Yi because of Tian Dan's schemes. Unable to remain in Yan, Yue Yi departed for the State of Zhao. There, he received a new title: Lord of Wangzhu. His son, Yue Jian, remained behind to inherit his original title, Lord of Changguo.

Reader's Guide

In Kingdom, Yue Yi serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Coalition Army that invades Qi. Historical records confirm he led allied forces from Zhao, Wei, Chu, Han, and Qin against Qi under King Zhao of Yan. The manga accurately reflects his title "Military God" and the outcome where all but two cities were captured. While the source notes Yue Yi's son Yue Jian inherited the title Lord of Changguo in Yan, it does not mention him appearing as a character or holding office in Qin. Fans should note that historically, Yue Yi was enfeoffed as Lord of Wangzhu in Zhao after fleeing Yan, not as part of Qin's unification efforts.

Did You Know?

• Yue Yi was known as Gaku Ki in Kingdom and called the "Military God" for his battlefield feats.
• He led an alliance of five states (Zhao, Wei, Chu, Han, Qin) against Qi under King Zhao of Yan.
• After fleeing Yan due to mistrust from King Hui and Tian Dan's scheming, he was enfeoffed as Lord of Wangzhu in Zhao.
• His son Yue Jian inherited his original title, Lord of Changguo, in the State of Yan.
• Yue Yi is one of 32 historical figures appearing as special characters in Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI.