Xiahou Yuan (died 219) was a Chinese general loyal to Cao Cao, his cousin, during the last years of the Han dynasty.
Biography[]
Xiahou Yuan in the battle.
Xiahou Yuan was the brother of Xiahou Dun and a younger cousin of Cao Cao, and he joined Cao Cao's army in 190 when he was raising an army to join the campaign against Dong Zhuo. He commanded Cao Cao's supply lines during his post-Guandu campaign against Yuan Shao, ensuring that morale was kept high by a steady flow of supplies.
In 207, he crushed the Yellow Turbans of Jinan and pacified Taishan and Pingyuan commanderies, and, in 209, he pacified Lujiang and Taiyuan commanderies. In 211, Xiahou Yuan fought at the Battle of Tong Gate and forced Yang Qiu to surrender, and, in 214, he defeated Ma Chao and Zhang Lu's forces when they launched one last attempt at regaining Liang Province.
In 216, he defeated the Di and Qiang tribes of Wudu, and Qiang chiefs were always fearful of Xiahou Yuan whenever they meet with Cao Cao. After Zhang Lu's defeat, Xiahou Yuan was sent to govern Hanzhong Commandery, which was invaded by Liu Bei's forces in 217.
In 219, at the Battle of Mt. Dingjun, Liu Bei's general, Huang Zhong led a surprise attack on Xiahou Yuan's base atop Mount Dingjun, and Xiahou Yuan was killed by an arrow fired by Huang Zhong. His son, Xiahou Ba was present at the battle, and would later go on to defect to Shu, the state established by Liu Bei in 223.