In 189 AD, over the issue of dethroning the emperor, Yuan Shao severed ties with Dong Zhuo. Realizing he couldn’t match Dong Zhuo’s power, Yuan Shao fled to Ji Province (Jizhou).
Upon hearing of Yuan Shao’s escape, Dong Zhuo initially planned to issue an order for his execution. However, advisors warned that Yuan’s family’s influence and reputation were too great; killing him would provoke public outrage. Instead, they suggested bestowing him with an official title to win over public sentiment and keep him in check. Dong Zhuo agreed and appointed Yuan Shao as Governor of Bohai—a region under Ji Province’s jurisdiction. At the time, Han Fu held the position of Governor of Ji Province. Thus, Han Fu and Yuan Shao became superior and subordinate. Additionally, Han Fu held another identity: disciple of the Yuan family. He was an official groomed and promoted by the Yuan clan.
Shortly after, the event of “Eighteen Lords Uniting against Dong Zhuo” unfolded. Once again, Yuan Shao was unanimously chosen as the alliance’s leader, while Han Fu became one of the lords—nominally subject to Yuan’s command.
Yuan Shao’s cunning seizure of Jizhou
After Dong Zhuo’s fall, Yuan Shao’s ambitions grew even more unchecked. He set his sights on his superior, Han Fu.
He incited Gongsun Zan to attack Han Fu while simultaneously sending envoys to intimidate him. Ultimately, Yuan Shao successfully seized Ji Province without mobilizing his own forces.
Objectively speaking, although Gongsun Zan never actually launched an attack against Han Fu, Yuan Shao’s ability to take control of Ji Province was primarily due to the pressure created by Gongsun Zan’s troop deployments along the border. It was this military threat that compelled Han Fu to surrender Ji Province willingly. From this perspective, it seemed only natural that Yuan Shao should cede some territory to Gongsun Zan.
The broken promise and resulting conflict
However, even what appeared justified didn’t guarantee Yuan Shao’s compliance. Consequently, Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao engaged in armed conflict.
Li Jue later dispatched an envoy to mediate between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, leading to a cessation of hostilities between the two parties.
Analyzing Li Jue’s mediation motives
Why Li Jue would send an envoy over great distances to mediate this conflict? Was it genuinely for national peace and the welfare of the common people? While the surface reason was naturally to avoid war and enable civilians to resume normal lives, the reality was certainly more complex. There were two fundamental reasons.
Maintaining a divided landscape of warlords
The first was that divided warlords served Li Jue’s interests best.
When various warlords previously united to campaign against Dong Zhuo, their collective momentum was formidable. Had it not been for their individual self-interests, Dong Zhuo might have been overthrown much earlier. Now that Li Jue and Guo Si held power, they needed to prevent a recurrence of such unity. The most effective method to keep these warlords divided was to keep them constantly competing for their own interests. If these warlords were busy fighting among themselves, they naturally wouldn’t have the capacity to oppose Li Jue and Guo Si.
Yuan Shao’s main territory was in Ji Province, while Gongsun Zan controlled You Province. If they fought to the death, what would be the outcome? Either Yuan Shao would defeat Gongsun Zan, or Gongsun Zan would defeat Yuan Shao, or both would be so weakened that other warlords would eliminate them both. Regardless of the scenario, prolonged conflict would inevitably lead to the unification of Ji and You Provinces under a single ruler. Any warlord controlling such extensive territory would possess formidable power, posing a significant threat to Li Jue and Guo Si. Li Jue certainly didn’t want this outcome, hence his motivation to mediate—keeping each controlling their respective territories, preventing either from eliminating the other, and maintaining mutual containment.
Forcing other warlords to choose sides
The second reason was to compel other warlords to align with specific factions.
During the coalition against Dong Zhuo, although few warlords made substantial contributions, even those who merely showed up with troops created an intimidating spectacle. Sun Jian, Cao Cao and a few others are exceptional, see why Dong Zhuo retreated to Chang’an for more details. If either Yuan Shao or Gongsun Zan emerged victorious, other warlords would have no choice but to follow and obey the victor, creating a unified force with tremendous power. With Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan ceasing hostilities, other warlords gained more strategic options—they could align with either side, primarily based on who offered greater benefits.
Once such a situation emerged, the warlords could no longer be united. Even if surface harmony prevailed, underlying conflicts and struggles would inevitably persist. As long as warlords contended over interests, Li Jue could position himself as a mediator in the name of the emperor, transforming into the benevolent peacemaker. Therefore, as long as the warlords remained divided, even if one attempted to attack Li Jue, the likelihood of success would be minimal. Li Jue could use the emperor’s authority to unite other warlords against any potential threat.
Thus, Li Jue’s mediation between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan was fundamentally not about ending war or improving people’s lives, but about serving his own substantial political interests.
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