Zhang Fei (courtesy name Yide) was a fierce general under Liu Bei. When Cao Cao occupied Jingzhou, Liu Bei fled to Jiangnan. Cao Cao led tens of thousands of cavalry, pursuing them for a day and a night until they reached Changban Bridge in Dangyang. In this perilous situation, Zhang Fei, with just over twenty cavalrymen, guarded the rear. Zhang Fei stood on the bridge, spear held horizontally, and shouted, "I am Zhang Yide! Who dares to come forward and fight to the death!" Not a single soldier from Cao Cao's vast army dared to advance.

Later, when Liu Bei entered Sichuan, Zhang Fei attacked Ba Commandery in Jiangzhou and captured its prefect, Yan Yan. Zhang Fei angrily asked Yan Yan, "My great army has arrived, why do you not surrender and instead resist?" Yan Yan replied, "You lack righteousness, seizing my commandery. My commandery only has generals who would rather be beheaded, not generals who surrender." Zhang Fei was furious and ordered him to be executed. Yan Yan's expression remained unchanged. As he was being led out, he turned back and cursed, "Villain! If I am to be beheaded, then beheaded! There's no need to get angry!" Zhang Fei was impressed by Yan Yan's integrity, so he released him and apologized. Yan Yan, moved by Zhang Fei's kindness and righteousness, then surrendered.