Childhood friend, and later enemy of, Cao Cao. Defeated at Guan Du.
Officer Details
Wade-Giles: Yüan Shao (Pên-ch‘u)
Simplified Chinese: 袁绍 (本初)
Pronunciation: Yuan2 Shao4 (Ben3chu1) ![]()
Cantonese (Yale): Yun Siu (Bun-cho)
Cantonese (Jyutpin): Jyun Siu (Bun-co)
Min-Nan: Wan Siauw (Pun-cee)
Birthplace: Ru Yang, Ru Nan Commandery
(Presently Sang Shui County, He Nan Province)
Rank and Titles
Attendant Imperial Clerk; Colonel of the Central Army; Grand Administrator of Bohai, Marquis of Kangxiang; General of Chariots and Cavalry (self-proclaimed); Governor of Jizhou; Grand Commandant; General-in-Chief
Family and Relationships
Yuan Cheng (Most Likely Father); Lady Liu (Wife); Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, Yuan Shang (Sons); Yuan Wei (Uncle); Yuan Shu (Cousin); Yuan Yao, Yuan Yin (Nephews); Gao Gan (Son-in-law); Lady Zhen (Daughter-in-law)
Fact vs. Fiction
Differences Between Fact and Common Fiction
- Yuan Shao was described to be in his late 20s in the late AD 160s. This contradicts his traditional birth date of AD 154. [Rafe de Crespigny]
Literary Appearances
Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 2-7, 10, 11, 13-16, 19, 21-31, 32, 33, 38, 40, 43-45, 48-50, 56, 60, 68, 91, 93
Search Results
- Zhang He: Underrated by Yuan Shao?
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01/08Replies:17 - Was the War between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao to the death?
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07/07Replies:13 - Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao’s Relationship
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01/07Replies:10 - Who was Yuan Shao's best?
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03/06Replies:15 - A look into Yuan Shao and Cao Cao’s childhood ‘friendship’
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02/06Replies:12 - Yuan Shao's Force
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12/05Replies:36 - Without Guan Yu's help, Cao Cao vs. Yuan Shao.
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11/05Replies:78 - Why was Yuan Shao so Ambitious
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11/05Replies:10 - Was Xun Yu wrong about Yuan Shao's advisors? (Novel)
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11/04Replies:28 - Yuan Shao against Yuan Shu & the alliances they made
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09/04Replies:52 - Liu Bei leaving Yuan Shao and Other Warlords
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04/04Replies:18 - Yuan Shu vs. Yuan Shao
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01/04Replies:13 - Historical Yuan Shao
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12/03Replies:36 - Yuan Shao's Fifth Son?
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07/03Replies:11 - Yuan Shao's officers
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04/03Replies:44 - What if Yuan Shao had actually beaten Cao Cao?
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02/03Replies:34 - Could Yuan Shao have conquered China?
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01/03Replies:16 - Yuan Shao, fool or genius
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12/02Replies:19 - Yuan Shao
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09/02Replies:42
Biographies
- Yuan Shao (Benchu) Comprehensive Officer Biography
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12/03Replies:0
Premium External Linkage
First class external must-reads. Enjoy!
- The Family Slave: Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu
A forum discussion about the relationship between Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and others involved, such as Yuan Cheng, Sun Jian, Gongsun Zan and Zhou Xin.