Gongjin's Campaign Memorials
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Gongjin's Campaign Memorials

Of those who are strong in the realm, how can it just be you, Lord Dong?
~ Yuan Shao


Yuan Shao 袁紹 was a major warlord and Yuan Shu's older brother. He hailed from the prestigious Yuan clan of Runan, with his relations propelling him to fame. He was the coalition leader against Dong Zhuo, but abandoned its goal in favor of seizing fellow member Han Fu 韓馥's land for himself. Within 8 years, with capable advisors and generals, Yuan Shao was able to form his own state, successfully defending and taking over Gongsun Zan. At his peak, he had control over Ji province, Bing province, and parts of both You province and Qing province. However, his hubris led him to gradually ignore capable advice as well as act impetuously. Soon, he declared war against his tentative ally, Cao Cao. A series of decisive battles in Cao Cao's favor devastated his spirit with the loss of his lands, however, and he soon fell ill and died, a damaging succession crisis among his sons rising at the same time.

Biography[]

Family[]

Notes[]

  1. Rafe de Crespigny, in A Biographical Dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms says that Yuan Shao was "in his twenties" late in the 160s.

Fact vs. Fiction[]

References[]

Sources[]

  • Chen Shou 陳壽 (233–297). Sanguo zhi 三國志 “Records of the Three Kingdoms”, with official commentary compiled by Pei Songzhi 裴松之 (372-451).
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