Battle of Nanpi

In the autumn of 202, Cao Cao waged war against the Yuans' ally [[Liu Biao]] to his south, part of a strategy to let the Yuan brothers tire themselves out. Taking advantage of Cao Cao's apparent absence, Yuan Shang marched his men to Nanpi and defeated Yuan Tan there. Yuan Tan fled south into Qing province, to [[Pingyuan County, Shandong|Pingyuan]]. Though it was Yuan Tan's former domain, Qing province had been slowly encroached by Cao Cao's general [[Zang Ba]]. So when Yuan Shang followed up his attack by laying siege to Pingyuan, Yuan Tan could not expect much help within his province. Yuan Tan's key advisor [[Guo Tu]] summarized the situation and proposed an unlikely alliance:

In the autumn of 202, Cao Cao waged war against the Yuans' ally [[Liu Biao]] to his south, part of a strategy to let the Yuan brothers tire themselves out. Taking advantage of Cao Cao's apparent absence, Yuan Shang marched his men to Nanpi and defeated Yuan Tan there. Yuan Tan fled south into Qing province, to [[Pingyuan County, Shandong|Pingyuan]]. Though it was Yuan Tan's former domain, Qing province had been slowly encroached by Cao Cao's general [[Zang Ba]]. So when Yuan Shang followed up his attack by laying siege to Pingyuan, Yuan Tan could not expect much help within his province. Yuan Tan's key advisor [[Guo Tu]] summarized the situation and proposed an unlikely alliance:

{{quote|"Now, general, your domains are small and your soldiers are few, your supplies are lacking and your forces are weak. [Yuan Shang]'s coming cannot be fought off for long. Your doting servant believes it is possible to summon Duke Cao to attack [Yuan Shang]. When Duke Cao comes, he must first attack Ye, and [Yuan Shang] will return to save it. The general need only lead his soldiers to the west, and all north of Ye can be seized. If [Yuan Shang]'s army is defeated, his men will come fleeing, and they can be appropriated to resist Duke Cao. Duke Cao will be far afield, and with his food and provisions unsustainable, he shall surely flee. At that time, all to the north of [[Zhao (state)|state of Zhao]] shall be ours, and then it will be sufficient to confront Duke Cao. If you don't take this advice, all shall be in discord."''Records of Heroes'', cited in Biography of Xin Pi, Volume 25, ''[[Records of the Three Kingdoms|Annotated Records of the Three Kingdoms]]''; Original quote: 今將軍國小兵少，糧匱勢弱，顯甫之來，久則不敵。愚以為可呼曹公來擊顯甫。曹公至，必先攻鄴，顯甫還救。將軍引兵而西，自鄴以北皆可虜得。若顯甫軍破，其兵奔亡，又可斂取以拒曹公。曹公遠僑而來，糧餉不繼，必自逃去。比此之際，趙國以北皆我之有，亦足與曹公為對矣。不然，不諧。}}

{{quote|"Now, general, your domains are small and your soldiers are few, your supplies are lacking and your forces are weak. [Yuan Shang]'s coming cannot be fought off for long. Your doting servant believes it is possible to summon Duke Cao to attack [Yuan Shang]. When Duke Cao comes, he must first attack Ye, and [Yuan Shang] will return to save it. The general need only lead his soldiers to the west, and all north of Ye can be seized. If [Yuan Shang]'s army is defeated, his men will come fleeing, and they can be appropriated to resist Duke Cao. Duke Cao will be far afield, and with his food and provisions unsustainable, he shall surely flee. At that time, all to the north of [[Zhao (state)|state of Zhao]] shall be ours, and then it will be sufficient to confront Duke Cao. If you don't take this advice, all shall be in discord."''Records of Heroes'', cited in Biography of Xin Pi, Volume 25, ''[[Annotated Records of the Three Kingdoms]]''; Original quote: 今將軍國小兵少，糧匱勢弱，顯甫之來，久則不敵。愚以為可呼曹公來擊顯甫。曹公至，必先攻鄴，顯甫還救。將軍引兵而西，自鄴以北皆可虜得。若顯甫軍破，其兵奔亡，又可斂取以拒曹公。曹公遠僑而來，糧餉不繼，必自逃去。比此之際，趙國以北皆我之有，亦足與曹公為對矣。不然，不諧。}}

Guo Tu's proposal was a marked departure from the calls for reconciliation by Wang Xiu and Liu Biao, and though Yuan Tan was initially reluctant to act on this advice, he soon sent [[Xin Pi]] to negotiate with his father's nemesis.

Guo Tu's proposal was a marked departure from the calls for reconciliation by Wang Xiu and Liu Biao, and though Yuan Tan was initially reluctant to act on this advice, he soon sent [[Xin Pi]] to negotiate with his father's nemesis.