January 193: Cao Cao counters Yuan Shu’s advance
In January 193 AD, Yuan Shu launched a northern campaign against Chenliu, preparing to attack Cao Cao in the northwestern part of Yan Province(Yanzhou).
At the same time, Liu Biao, Governor of Jing Province(Jingzhou), pressed hard upon Nanyang, cutting off Yuan Shu’s supply lines.
Seizing this opportunity, Cao Cao launched a surprise offensive against Yuan Shu’s weakened forces. Yuan Shu’s army collapsed without a major battle, and Cao Cao pursued relentlessly, inflicting repeated defeats. Yuan Shu was forced into a full retreat, eventually retreating to the Huai River region of Jiujiang Commandery (modern-day Shou County, Anhui). This campaign effectively eliminated Yuan Shu’s immediate threat to Yan Province, securing Cao Cao’s western flank.
March 193: Yuan Shu Seizes Yangzhou
In March 193, Yuan Shu consolidated his control over Yang Province(Yangzhou), though historical accounts differ on the exact circumstances:
- Version One: The Inspector of Yang Province, Chen Wen, died of illness. Both Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu attempted to install their own candidates—Yuan Yi and Chen Yu, respectively. After Yuan Yi was defeated, Chen Yu assumed office. However, when Yuan Shu sought to enter the province, Chen Yu refused him entry. In response, Yuan Shu rallied scattered troops, attacked Shouchun (modern Shou County), drove out Chen Yu, and declared himself Inspector of Yang Province.
- Version Two: According to some records, Yuan Shu attacked and killed Chen Wen in March 193, seized control of Yang Province by force, and installed himself as its ruler.
Regardless of the version, by mid-193, Yuan Shu had established his power base in the Huai River region, setting the stage for his later imperial ambitions.
Early 193: Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan’s Struggle for Qingzhou
At the beginning of 193, Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan vied for control of Qing Province(Qingzhou). Yuan Shao appointed his eldest son, Yuan Tan, as Inspector of Qing Province, and ordered him to attack Tian Kai, the general Gongsun Zan had installed. Tian Kai led his forces in resistance but suffered repeated defeats at the hands of Yuan Tan. Eventually, the Han court sent envoys to mediate, and both sides agreed to a ceasefire. As a result, Yuan Shao’s influence extended into Qing Province, marking a significant expansion of his northern domain.
May–June 193: Yuan Shao’s Campaigns and Regional Upheavals
In May 193, Yuan Shao appointed Gao Gan, his nephew, to take control of Bing Province(Bingzhou), further consolidating his control over northern China.
In June, Yuan Shao launched a major campaign against the Heishan Bandits, led by Yu Du. He succeeded in killing Yu Du and subsequently executed other rebel leaders, including Zuo Zi Zhangba, Liu Shi, Qing Niu Jiao, Zuo Xiao, Guo Da Xian, Li Da Mu, and Yu Di Gen. Later, Yuan Shao engaged in a fierce battle with Zhang Yan, another Heishan commander, near Changshan. The two armies fought for over ten days with heavy casualties on both sides before disengaging and retreating.
Also in June:
Lü Bu, growing distrustful of Yuan Shao, left his service and sought refuge with Zhang Yang in Henei.
In Xiapi, a man named Que Xuan rebelled, gathered several thousand followers, and declared himself emperor. Tao Qian, Governor of Xu Province, allied with Que Xuan to attack Cao Cao’s territories, capturing Huaxian and Fei counties in Taishan Commandery, and then raiding Rencheng Commandery. Later, Tao Qian killed Que Xuan and absorbed his forces, which significantly bolstered his military strength but also directly escalated his conflict with Cao Cao.
Most significantly, Cao Cao’s father, Cao Song, was murdered by Tao Qian’s subordinates in Xu Province(Xuzhou)—a tragedy that would ignite one of the most brutal campaigns of the warlord era.
June 193: Cao Cao’s siege of Xuzhou
Enraged by his father’s death—widely believed (though debated in historical sources) to have been orchestrated or tolerated by Tao Qian’s subordinates—Cao Cao launched a full-scale invasion of Xu Province in June 193. His forces laid siege to the provincial capital and conducted a brutal campaign, massacring civilians in cities such as Pengcheng and Xiaopei. This invasion, known in history as “Cao Cao’s Siege of Xu Province,” marked a turning point in Cao Cao’s image—from a righteous warlord to a ruthless conqueror.
October 193: Gongsun Zan executes Liu Yu
In October 193, Gongsun Zan captured Liu Yu, the former Governor of You Province and a respected imperial clansman whom he had long resented. After a sham trial, Gongsun Zan executed Liu Yu at Juyong, eliminating a major rival and moral authority in the north. This act further tarnished Gongsun Zan’s reputation and deepened the chaos in the northeastern frontier.
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