[ Guard of Deng Ai. Versed in the Book of Changes, he predicts Deng Ai’s success and fall.
Officer Details
Wade-Giles: Yüan Shao
Simplified Chinese: 爰邵
Pronunciation: Yuan2 Shao4
Other Names: Shao Yuan
Name Notes: Sometimes called Shao Yuan, likely to differentiate from his more famous namesake. Dispite the fact that they are different Han Zi, Yuan Shao of Wei’s name is pronounced exactly the same as the more commonly known Yuan2 Shao4 [Benchu]
Literary Appearances
Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 116
Biography
Yuan Shao was a guard in Deng Ai’s service. Deng Ai, while preparing for his invasion of the Riverlands, had a dream in which he climbed a high hill surveying Hanzhong, when a spring erupted at his feet and overflowed.
He turned to Yuan Shao, who was well versed in the Book of Changes, for an interpretation. Yuan Shao explained, “The Changes says, ‘The symbols “water” above “mountain” form the hexagram jian, “Impeded,” which reads: ‘Gain to the southwest, loss to the northeast.’ Confucious said, ‘Jian means gain to the southwest—go there and win merit; loss to the northeast—there your road will end.’ General, this expedition will undoubtedly lead to the conquest of the Riverlands. Unfortunately, however, you will be ‘impeded’ there, and not return.” This interpretation left Deng Ai depressed and anxious.