Guandong Coalition

Chapter 05 — Cao Cao and various warlords of the coalition.
Image from chapter 5 of a Ming Dynasty edition of *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*.

The Guandong Coalition (Guāndōng liánméng 關東聯盟, or Guāndōng liánjūn 關東聯軍), translated as "Coalition East of the Pass", was a coalition formed in the first month of the year 190 A.D. that opposed Dong Zhuo. Yuan Shao, being a descendant of great officials, was appointed as its leader.

"Pass" specifically means Hulaoguan (虎牢關), the gate of Luoyang (洛阳), which is the core area of Dong Zhuo's territory and former Han Empire's capital.

The coalition failed to gain much success and eventually the warlords turned against each other.

The coalition was divided in three forces:

Yuan Shao, leader of the alliance, was north of the Yellow River, in Henei commandery.
A second group occupied the southern bank of the river, east of the capital.
A third group was commanded by Yuan Shu, with headquarters at Luyang in Nanyang.

Members of the Guandong Coalition[]

Officers of the Coalition Members[]

Sub-Officers[]

Notes[]

References[]

Sources[]

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Sima Guang 司馬光 (1019–1086). Zizhi tongjian 資治通鑒 "Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government".