Yuan Shao

Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao
Traditional Chinese	袁紹
Simplified Chinese	袁绍
Hanyu Pinyin
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Yuán Shào
Gwoyeu Romatzyh	Yuan Shaw
Wade–Giles	Yüan2 Shao4
IPA	[ɥɛ̌n ʂâʊ]
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization	Yùhn Siuh
Jyutping	Jyun4 Siu6
IPA	[jyn˩ siw˨]
Southern Min
Tâi-lô	Uân Siō

Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao
袁紹
	A Qing dynasty illustration of Yuan Shao
General-in-Chief (大將軍)
	In office; 196 – 28 June 202
Monarch	Emperor Xian of Han
General of the Right (右將軍)
	In office; 195–196
Monarch	Emperor Xian of Han
Governor of Ji Province (冀州牧)
	In office; 191 – 28 June 202
Monarch	Emperor Xian of Han
Preceded by	Han Fu
Succeeded by	Yuan Shang
Colonel-Director of Retainers (司隸校尉); (self-appointed)
	In office; 190–191
Monarch	Emperor Xian of Han
General of Chariots and Cavalry (車騎將軍); (self-appointed)
	In office; 190–191
Monarch	Emperor Xian of Han
Administrator of Bohai (勃海太守)
	In office; 190
Monarch	Emperor Xian of Han
Personal details
Born	Unknown; Shangshui County, Henan
Died	28 June 202; Handan, Hebei
Spouses	Lady Liu; at least one other wife and five concubines;
Children	Yuan Tan; Yuan Xi; Yuan Shang;
Parent	Yuan Feng (father);
Relatives	Yuan An (ancestor); Yuan Ji (half brother); Yuan Shu (half brother); Yang Biao's wife (sister); Gao Gong's wife (sister); Yuan Yi (cousin); Gao Gan (nephew);
Occupation	Military general, politician, warlord
Courtesy name	Benchu (本初)
Peerage	Marquis of Ye (郿侯)
Military service
Allegiance	Han Empire; Guandong Coalition; Yuan Shao's forces
Battles/wars	Massacre of the Eunuchs; Campaign against Dong Zhuo; Battle of Jieqiao; Battle of Fengqiu; Campaign against Yuan Shu; Battle of Guandu

Yuan Shao (袁紹, pronunciation^ⓘ; died 28 June 202),^[1]^[2] courtesy name Benchu (本初),^[3] was a Chinese military general, politician, and warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty. He occupied the northern territories of China during the civil wars that occurred towards the end of the Han dynasty. He was also an elder half-brother of Yuan Shu, a warlord who controlled the Huai River region, though the two were not on good terms with each other.

One of the most powerful warlords of his time, Yuan Shao spearheaded a coalition of warlords against Dong Zhuo, who held Emperor Xian hostage in the imperial capital, Luoyang, but failed due to internal disunity. In 200, he launched a campaign against his rival Cao Cao but was defeated at the Battle of Guandu. He died of illness two years later in Ye. His eventual failure despite his illustrious family background and geographical advantages was commonly blamed on his indecisiveness and inability to heed the advice of his advisors.

^ ^a ^b de Crespigny (2007), p. 1009.
^ de Crespigny (1996), Note 4 of section Jian'an 7.
^ Benchu was also the era name used by Emperor Zhi of Han for his reign.

[FOOTNOTEde_Crespigny20071009-1] Crespigny (2007), p. 1009.

[FOOTNOTEde_Crespigny1996Note_4_of_section_Jian'an_7-2] Crespigny (1996), Note 4 of section Jian'an 7.

[3] Benchu was also the era name used by Emperor Zhi of Han for his reign.

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