田晏 / Tian Yan (late Han)

Hanji 909 introduces Tian Yan as a late-Han figure who had previously been punished and later pardoned, then sought military merit through a new expedition against 鲜卑. He asks the eunuch 王甫 to recommend him to 汉灵帝, and Wang Fu’s support helps make him Po Xianbei zhonglangjiang.

The appointment makes Tian Yan part of a court-access problem before it is a battlefield problem. He leads the Yunzhong column of the three-route offensive, enters Xianbei territory with more than 10,000 cavalry, and is defeated by 檀石槐. Like 夏育 and 臧旻, he escapes with only a few dozen riders, is jailed in 洛阳, redeems guilt through payment and connections, and is demoted to commoner.

Connections

• Hanji 909 — source episode for his recommendation, appointment, and defeat.
• 王甫 — eunuch sponsor who helps convert his desire for merit into command appointment.
• 汉灵帝 — ruler who authorizes the expedition.
• 夏育 and 臧旻 — other route commanders in the failed campaign.
• 鲜卑, 檀石槐, and 边境远征过度 — opponent, commander, and strategic pattern attached to the defeat.
• 君臣反馈失灵 — decision environment in which Cai Yong’s warning loses to offensive lobbying.