Li Zicheng, the "Linwang", killed Yan Li mainly for these reasons. First of all, they come from different backgrounds. Yan Li comes from a distinguished family. His father was the governor of Shandong, and Li Zicheng was indeed from the peasant class. They are not the same people. At first, Li Zicheng really appreciated the talented Yan Li, but as Yan Li's position in the army became higher and higher and was appreciated by more and more people, Li Zicheng began to worry about him, gradually alienated Yan Li, and finally led to listening to rumors and killing Yan Li.

The second reason is that Niu Jinxing, who was a counselor of Li Zicheng with Li Yan at that time, added fuel to the fire. Niu Jinxing was recommended to Li Zicheng by Yan Li, and Niu Jinxing was really talented. But later, Niu Jinxing was proud of himself, greedy for power, jealous of Yan Li's position, and even wanted to get rid of Li Yan to replace him.

Indeed, Niu Jinxing later found an opportunity to slander Yan Li, while Li Zicheng just found a suitable excuse. Unfortunately, Yan Li finally got a glass of poisoned wine from Li Zicheng. At that time, it can be said that Yan Li also had the desire to die. With his prestige and position in the army, it is not impossible to leave, but because he has been disappointed with Li Zicheng, he knows that he has become a thorn in Li Zicheng's side, and Yan Li all over the world has accepted this poisoned wine.

Yan Li is also a rare talent. He is an all-rounder and has a very good personality. He likes being attacked and has an upright heart. At that time, his reputation and prestige in the military camp were very good, which made Li Zicheng very worried about him. But if Li Zicheng didn't have so many worries and Niu Jinxing didn't add fuel to the fire, then Yan Li would be Li Zicheng's best assistant, and the final outcome would be very different.