Yuan Tan (?-205) was Yuan Shao's oldest son. Following his father's death, he fought with the youngest of the descendants, Yuan Shang, but lost. Receiving help from Cao Cao, he defeated Yuan Shang, but was then killed by Cao Cao.
Biography[]
Yuan Tan was the eldest son of Yuan Shao and the elder brother of Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang. Despite being the oldest, he was stepped over in the succession by Shang, whom his father favored because of his good looks and his youth. Yuan Tan had a bitter rivalry with his younger brother, starting after the Yuan family was defeated at the Battle of Guandu in 200 AD by Cao Cao.
Cao Cao eventually led a campaign against Yuan Shao to conquer the Central Plains and all of northeastern China, and Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Shang were given command of an army at the 202 AD Battle of Ye in Ji Province. During the battle, the defeat of Yuan Xi on the battlefield left Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang holed up in their castles.
Guo Tu and Xin Ping, Yuan Tan's two strategists, told Yuan Tan to forsake his impudent brother, while Feng Ji and Shen Pei told Yuan Shang that he was the rightful heir to the Yuan family and that he had no need of his insolent brother. Cao Cao took advantage of this, and he convinced Yuan Tan to defect to his side. Yuan Shang's army was defeated, but when Yuan Shao himself arrived on the battlefield with reinforcements, he found out of the ploy. Yuan Shao convinced Yuan Tan to rejoin him, but it was too late; his army was destroyed, and Yuan Shao died soon after.
Yuan Tan was defeated time and time again by Cao Cao's powerful army, and he retreated to Nanpi Castle, where he resisted a siege by Cao Cao in 205 AD along with Xin Ping. Yuan Tan foolishly accused Xin Ping of being in league with the enemy because his brother Xin Pi served Cao Cao, and Xin Ping fell ill and died because of the harsh accusations. Yuan Tan came to regret this, as his strategist died during an important battle. Later, Cao Cao's army stormed the city, and Yuan Tan was slain by Cao Hong.