Ding Yuan

Ding Yuan (pronunciationⓘ) (died c.26 September 189¹), courtesy name Jianyang, was a Chinese politician and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China.² In 189, both he and Dong Zhuo were summoned into the capital Luoyang with their individual troops to assist in the struggle against the powerful eunuch faction. However, Ding Yuan was eventually killed by his trusted aide Lü Bu, who had been bought over by Dong Zhuo.

Life

According to the Records of Heroes (英雄記) by Wang Can, Ding Yuan was born in a poor family. Uncouth but brave, he was adept in horse riding and archery. During his early career as a county magistrate, he never turned away from his responsibility no matter the adversity or risk. He always pitched himself in front during confrontations with fugitive criminals and bandits.

In early 188, the northern frontiers in Bing province (并州; present-day Shanxi and the Hetao region in Inner Mongolia) fell into disorder when the Xiuchuge and Southern Xiongnu vassal tribes rose in rebellion, killing the provincial inspector, Zhang Yi (張懿) and the chanyu, Qiangqu. To quell the unrest, the Han court appointed Ding Yuan as the new Inspector of Bing province, later promoting him to Cavalry Commandant (騎都尉) and ordering him to garrison at Henei Commandery. Ding Yuan recruited several renowned warriors in the province, namely Zhang Yang, Zhang Liao and Lü Bu. Lü's martial prowess in particular greatly impressed Ding Yuan, who made him Chief Secretary and kept him close at side.