The years between 192 and 195 AD marked a critical period in the disintegration of Eastern Han authority and the rise of regional warlords vying for control of the central and southern territories. Amidst shifting alliances, imperial appointments, and military campaigns, the struggle for control of Yan Province (Yanzhou) and Yang Province (Yangzhou) became a key theater of conflict.
This article examines the complex interplay of Cao Cao’s rise in the north, Yuan Shu’s southern ambitions, and Sun Ce’s emergence as a military prodigy, drawing from Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), Sima Guang’s Zizhi Tongjian, and the dramatized narrative of Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
The Power Vacuum in Yanzhou and Cao Cao’s Rise
In April 192 AD, the Qing Province Yellow Turban rebels launched a massive invasion into Yan Province. Liu Dai, the Inspector of Yan Province, led his forces to resist but was defeated and killed in battle.
With the provincial leadership in chaos, Li Jue, who controlled the Han central government in Chang’an, appointed Jin Shang as the new Inspector of Yan Province.
However, the local gentry and powerful clans of Yan Province, seeking a strong military leader to restore order, instead they proposed Cao Cao as Governor of Yan Province. Though Cao Cao had not received official imperial sanction, he acted swiftly. He expelled Jin Shang, who fled south to seek refuge with Yuan Shu.
This de facto seizure of power by Cao Cao—without formal recognition—provided Yuan Shu with a political pretext to later launch a campaign against him, claiming to restore the Han-appointed official.
Yuan Shu’s Northern Campaign and Defeat at Kuangting
In 193 AD, Yuan Shu, facing severe supply shortages after Liu Biao cut off his grain routes from Jing Province (Jingzhou). Since Sun Jiang was killed in the battle against Liu Biao in the south, Yuan Shu decided to march north into Yan Province (Yanzhou). He allied himself with Jin Shang, the Han-appointed Inspector, and gathered forces including remnants of the Heishan Bandits and Hu Fu Luo, a Xiongnu chieftain.
Yuan Shu advanced into Changliu, preparing to challenge Cao Cao.
Cao Cao, a master of tactical warfare, employed a “besiege the city to lure the relief force” strategy. He besieged Kuangting, knowing Yuan Shu would send reinforcements. When Yuan Shu dispatched Liu Xiang to relieve the siege, Cao Cao ambushed and crushed the relief army.
Forced into retreat, Yuan Shu fled eastward, abandoning his campaign. He withdrew to Fengqiu, Xiangyi, and Ningling, but Cao Cao pursued relentlessly, driving him all the way to the Huai River region, near Shouchun in Jiujiang.
Yuan Shu Seizes Yangzhou
Following his defeat, Yuan Shu turned his focus southward. In 193 AD, he killed Chen Wen, the Inspector of Yang Province, and declared himself the new Governor of Yang Province.
Historical records offer conflicting accounts: some suggest Chen Wen died of illness and Yuan Shu simply occupied the power vacuum; others imply Yuan Shu orchestrated his death. Regardless, by seizing Shouchun, the traditional capital of Yang Province, Yuan Shu established his southern power base.
The Han Court’s Countermove – Liu Yao’s Appointment
In 194 AD, the Han imperial court, still under the control of Li Jue and Guo Si, sought to counter Yuan Shu’s growing power by appointing Liu Yao as the Governor of Yang Province (Yangzhou).
At the time, Lu Kang served as Commandant of Lujiang, loyal to the Han court and part of Liu Yao’s administrative network. Lu Kang was a respected and capable official, maintaining order in a strategically vital region.
To consolidate his control over the Jiangdong (Lower Yangtze) region, Yuan Shu needed to break Liu Yao’s authority. Lu Kang, as the key defender of Lujiang, became Yuan Shu’s primary target.
The Siege of Lujiang and Sun Ce’s Rise
In 195 AD, Yuan Shu demanded 30,000 hu of grain from Lu Kang to support his military campaigns.
Lu Kang, viewing Yuan Shu as a rebel against the Han, refused the demand, closed the city gates, and began preparing for war.
Enraged, Yuan Shu dispatched Sun Ce, then a young but brilliant commander, to attack Lujiang.
Sun Ce laid a tight siege on Lujiang city. Lu Kang led a fierce defense, and even soldiers who had been on leave returned voluntarily to help defend the city, a testament to his leadership and loyalty.
Despite their valor, the city was cut off and starved. After a prolonged siege of over a year, Lujiang fell. Lu Kang died shortly after, either from illness or the strain of the siege. His entire family perished, except for a few survivors.
This campaign marked Sun Ce’s first major independent military success and cemented his reputation as a formidable general.
The Political Landscape of Yangzhou
At this time, Sheng Xian, the Governor of Wu Commandery, resigned due to illness. Xu Gong, the Chief Military Officer of Wu Commandery, succeeded him as governor.
Meanwhile, Liu Yao, the Han-appointed Governor of Yang Province, had finally entered the province. Originally, the provincial capital was Shouchun in northern Yang Province, but it had been occupied by Yuan Shu.
Wu Jing and Sun Ben, both serving under Yuan Shu, welcomed Liu Yao to Qu’a in southern Wu Commandery, allowing him to establish his base there.
Recognizing Yuan Shu’s aggression, particularly the siege of Lujiang by Sun Ce, Liu Yao dispatched generals Fan Neng and Zhang Ying to fortify the southern banks of the Yangtze River to block Yuan Shu’s advance.
Suspecting Wu Jing and Sun Ben of collusion with Yuan Shu, Liu Yao forced them north across the river to Liyang.
Liu Yao then seized control of Danyang Commandery, further consolidating his position in southern Yang Province.
As a result, Yuan Shu’s territorial control was reduced to only Jiujiang Commandery.
A Turning Point in the South
Though Yuan Shu appeared weakened, having lost most of Yang Province, he still held a powerful ace: Sun Ce. The young general’s conquest of Lujiang demonstrated his exceptional military talent, and Yuan Shu would soon empower him with greater forces, setting the stage for Sun Ce’s legendary conquest of Jiangdong.
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