Cao Cao's siege of Ye in 204 broke Yuan Shang's hold on Ji Province and gave Cao Cao a strategic base for northern expansion.
Key Facts
- Year
- 204 CE
- Dynasty
- Late Eastern Han
- Location
- Ye (modern Handan, Hebei)
- Outcome
- Cao Cao captured Ye; Yuan Shang driven from Ji Province
- Alliance
- Cao Cao allied with Yuan Tan against Yuan Shang
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following Yuan Shao's death, his sons Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang entered a succession feud. Yuan Tan, the elder brother, allied with the warlord Cao Cao and requested his assistance in besieging Ye, the Yuan clan's headquarters, in order to dislodge his younger brother Yuan Shang from power.
In 204 CE, Cao Cao laid siege to the city of Ye in present-day Handan, Hebei, the stronghold of Yuan Shang. The siege was successful, forcing Yuan Shang out and capturing the fortified city that had served as the Yuan clan's primary base in Ji Province.
The fall of Ye ended Yuan Shang's control over Ji Province and significantly weakened the Yuan clan. Cao Cao subsequently adopted Ye as a major base of his military operations, using it as a foundation for further consolidation of power in northern China.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Cao Cao, Yuan Tan.
Side B
1 belligerent
Yuan Shang.