In the first month of 191, Yuan Shao and Han Fu, arguing that Emperor Xian was too young and under Dong Zhuo’s control, proposed proclaiming Liu Yu, the Governor of Youzhou and a respected member of the imperial clan, as the new emperor. However, both Cao Cao and Yuan Shu strongly opposed the move, and Liu Yu himself firmly refused the throne. The plan was thus abandoned.
In the second month of 191, Sun Jian, the “Tiger of Jiangdong,” achieved a major victory against Dong Zhuo’s forces, driving them back. By April, Dong Zhuo withdrew fully into Chang’an, and the Eighteen Lords’ coalition began to disintegrate as its members turned on each other.
In June 191, eyeing the wealthy and strategically vital Ji Province(Jizhou), Yuan Shao pressured the Governor Han Fu into surrendering the region. After ceding Ji Province, Han Fu sought refuge with Zhang Miao, the Governor of Chenliu. When Yuan Shao sent an emissary to Zhang Miao, Han Fu, fearing it was a plot to kill him, committed suicide.
Later that autumn, under the pretext of suppressing the Heishan bandits, Yuan Shao dispatched Cao Cao to lead troops into Dong Commandery. Cao Cao achieved decisive victories against the Heishan rebels in Puyang, Dunqiu, and Neihuang, and repelled incursions by the Xiongnu chieftain Yufuluo. In recognition, Yuan Shao recommended Cao Cao to the imperial court as Commander of Dong Commandery, granting him his first stable territorial foothold.
In November 191, Ying Shao, the Governor of Mount Tai Commandery, defeated the Qingzhou Yellow Turbans.
Also in 191, while Sun Jian was campaigning against Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao sent Zhou Ang to serve as Inspector of Yu Province(Yuzhou) and seize Yangcheng, Sun Jian’s administrative seat. Forced to retreat from his campaign, Sun Jian turned back to defeat Zhou Ang and Zhou Yu (Cao Cao’s strategist). Meanwhile, Yuan Shu, learning that Sun Jian possessed the Imperial Seal, imprisoned Sun Jian’s wife and seized the treasure. This betrayal marked the effective collapse of the anti-Dong Zhuo alliance.
That same year, Liu Biao allied with Yuan Shao and cut off Sun Jian’s supply lines and retreat route. Sun Jian was compelled to attack Liu Biao, during which he was killed in battle—a major turning point in southern power dynamics.
In 191, Gongsun Zan defeated the Qingzhou Yellow Turbans at Dongguang, further enhancing his military reputation.
Later in 191, Gongsun Zan launched an invasion of Ji Province(Jizhou), sparking open war with Yuan Shao. The two warlords clashed fiercely at Jieqiao and Longcou. Despite initial momentum, Gongsun Zan suffered major defeats, weakening his forces significantly. He was forced to retreat to You Province, never again able to mount a large-scale offensive against Yuan Shao.
In 191, Liu Yan, Governor of Yizhou, executed Han imperial envoys and declared de facto independence, establishing a separatist regime in Yizhou.
Also in 191, Liu Bei, who had once studied under Lu Zhi alongside Gongsun Zan, joined Gongsun Zan’s forces. Recognizing Liu Bei’s contributions in helping Tian Kai suppressing the remnants of the Yellow Turban rebels in Qing Province(Qingzhou), Gongsun Zan appointed him Chancellor of Pingyuan—a modest but crucial beginning to Liu Bei’s independent career.
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