1. Cao Cao Temporarily Retreats, Awaiting an Opportunity
Cao Cao led his army towards Ji Province. The brothers Yuan Tan and Yuan
Shang entered the city and held their ground. Yuan Xi and Gao Gan camped thirty
li outside the city, feigning a powerful offensive. Cao Cao attacked for
several days but could not capture the city.
The strategist Guo Jia advised Cao Cao, "Yuan Shao violated the rules
by not appointing his eldest son (Yuan Tan) as heir, but instead appointing his
younger son (Yuan Shang). Now, the brothers are vying for power, each
cultivating their own factions. If we press too hard, they will help each
other; but if we relax our efforts, they will fight each other."
Guo Jia suggested, "Why don't we pretend to march south to attack Liu
Biao in Jing Province, waiting for the Yuan brothers to change their ways? Once
they are fighting amongst themselves, we can turn back and attack, thus
eliminating them in one fell swoop."
Cao Cao thought this was a good plan and adopted it. He ordered Jia Xu to
guard Liyang and Cao Hong to defend Guandu. Cao Cao himself led the main army
towards Jing Province.
2. Yuan Tan's Plot to Kill His Brother
Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang celebrated upon hearing that Cao Cao's army had
retreated. Yuan Xi and Gao Gan also took their leave. Yuan Tan consulted with
his advisors Guo Tu and Xin Ping, saying, "I am the eldest son, yet I
cannot inherit my father's legacy; Yuan Shang, born to my stepmother, has
inherited the highest position. I am truly resentful."
Guo Tu said, "My lord, you can leave the army outside the city,
pretend to invite Yuan Shang and Shen Pei for drinks, then ambush them with
soldiers armed with swords and axes, and kill them. This way, our great
undertaking will succeed." Yuan Tan followed his advice.
Just then, Wang Xiu came to see Yuan Tan from Qingzhou, and Yuan Tan told
him about this plan. Wang Xiu advised, "Brothers are like one's own left
and right hands. Now you are fighting with someone else (referring to Cao Cao),
yet you are cutting off your own hand. How can you possibly win? If you can't
even be close to your own brothers, who else in the world will be close to you?
Those who sow discord are only doing it for their own benefit. I hope my lord
will not listen to them."
3. Brothers Turn Against Each Other, Yuan Tan Suffers a Major Defeat
Yuan Tan was furious upon hearing this and drove Wang Xiu away. He then sent someone to invite Yuan Shang over. Yuan Shang discussed the matter with his strategist, Shen Pei. Shen Pei said, "This must be Guo Tu's bad idea. If my lord goes, he will surely fall into a trap! It would be better to take this opportunity to attack Yuan Tan first!" Yuan Shang listened to Shen Pei's advice, immediately donned his armor, and led 50,000 troops out of the city on horseback. Yuan Tan saw Yuan Shang leading his troops and knew his plan had been exposed. He also quickly donned his armor and rode out to fight Yuan Shang. Yuan Shang cursed Yuan Tan upon seeing him. Yuan Tan retorted, "You killed our father, stole my official position, and now you want to kill your brother too?" The two brothers fought each other, and Yuan Tan was utterly defeated. Yuan Shang, disregarding the danger, personally charged in pursuit. Yuan Tan was forced to lead his defeated soldiers to Pingyuan. Yuan Shang then withdrew his troops and returned to the city.
037
After Yuan Shao's defeat at the Battle of Guandu, he still possessed considerable resources in terms of land and population. However, his sons, Yuan Xi, Yuan Shang, and Yuan Tan, were at odds with each other and fought amongst themselves, unfortunately lacking the unified strength to achieve their goals.
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