Yuan Shao

Zhang Fei to Yuan Shao after the defeat at Guan Du: with 700,000 men, it would take 3 days and nights to chop all their heads off, how do you fight this war?

The only reason for keeping a record of him is to understand that there are foolish leaders around, incapable, indecisive, makes a decision and recalls it when another advisor speaks, and recall it again when yet another speak, listening to rumours, uses people based on his likeness rather than talent.

Chapter 29: Post Battle of Guan Du, Xu You (许攸）

After the humilating defeat at Guan Du, Yuan Shao executed Tian Feng who was the only one against the war and called for an internal strengthening of the economy, preparation for food, training and army.

In 10 days, with his vast territory, Yuan Shao managed to gather 400,000 men and 100,000 food. Xu You proposed a two pronged attacked: one on the main camp, another on Xu Chang, which must be and is empty. However it fell on death ears.

Chancing upon Cao's rider riding out of the encampment, Xu You came across Cao's letter and realised that the enemy's camp is short of grain.

With the indecisiveness of the 'Yong Jun', advisors often conflict with one another, trying to outdo and get into Yuan's good books, whilst Xu You was responsible for Tian Feng's execution, Guo Tu also took a big hard stab at Xu You, resulting in the latter defecting to Cao's camp.

Trusting his own judgement, Cao took Xu You, an old friend, advice after lying to him on 5 occasions on the actual situation of the grain shortage.

Xu You advised Cao to take Yuan's granary in Wu Chao, restoring his own supplies, setting fire to the encampment demoralising and destroying his troops there. Understanding Yuan's personality, he then told Cao to set a trap in his camp for Yuan will not go to the rescue of the granary but attempt an attack on Cao's main camp thinking that it is empty.

It was a good plan, but not enough for Cao Cao. He decided to 'switch' camps with Yuan as his camp was much larger.

The ambush was laid, sure enough, as Xu You had said. Losing the granary, more men at Cao's camp, and nowhere to go, Yuan Shao vomited blood, fell from his horse and recalled his entire army.

As they were retreating, they met Xu You, somehow it always has to be on top of some mountain. Xu You tried to persuade the men to kill Yuan Shao, in anger Yuan ordered them to charge up the mountain, in the books, and in all reasonable common sense, all types of ambush can be laid and will be laid with a highly disadvantageous ground and sight.

Lamenting the heaven, earth, sky, start, moon, sun, earth, ground, the end result lies in 100 of their men, all died for his incompetency.

The battle was initiated 6 months ago.

Jian An 11th Year

Cao Cao launched successive attacks on Yuan Shao's Ji, Qing, Bing [4th], You Zhou and became the most powerful warlord when Yuan Shao died in anger.