| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 邴原, 邴原, Bǐng Yuán |
| Nickname | Dragon's Belly (with Hua Xin and Guan Ning) |
| Other name | Bình Nguyên |
| Courtesy name | 根矩, 根矩, Gēn Jǔ, Gen Ju, tự Căn Củ |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | 158 |
| Birth Place | Zhuxu County, Beihai Commandery (北海郡朱虚; Chu Hư, quận Bắc Hải) |
| Died | 208 |
| Death Reason | Died of illness while accompanying Cao Cao's campaign against Eastern Wu |
| FAMILY | |
| Children | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Han Dynasty, Cao Cao |
Biography & Historical Record
Bing Yuan (邴原, Bình Nguyên), courtesy name Genju (根矩, Căn Củ), was a renowned scholar of Beihai. Together with Hua Xin and Guan Ning he was likened to one dragon — Hua Xin the head, Bing Yuan the belly, Guan Ning the tail. After taking refuge in Liaodong under Gongsun Du he returned to serve Cao Cao as a principled adviser, famously refusing a posthumous marriage between his deceased daughter and Cao Chong.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
The novel names Bing Yuan in Chapter 66 among Cao Cao’s court scholars, preserving his reputation for integrity rather than giving him a long action plot.
Bing Yuan (邴原) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Youth
The ‘one dragon’ of Beihai
Praised with Hua Xin and Guan Ning.
Liaodong exile
Refuge under Gongsun Du
Teaches rites and letters on the frontier, then declines Gongsun Du’s offer of office.
208 AD
Death on campaign
Dies while Cao Cao moves against Wu; earlier refuses to marry his dead daughter to the dead Cao Chong.
Chapter 66
Novel appearance
Named at Cao Cao’s court.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Bing Yuan on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- Bing Yuan’s daughter: Died of illness around the same time as Cao Chong; Cao Cao asked for a posthumous marriage, which Bing Yuan refused as contrary to ritual.
Friends
- Hua Xin (华歆, Hoa Hâm): Fellow Beihai celebrity; the ‘dragon’s head’ in the famous trio.
- Guan Ning (管宁, Quản Ninh): Fellow exile and moral exemplar; the ‘dragon’s tail’.
Enemies
- No information
Other
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo): Lord who employed Bing Yuan as Eastern Pavilion libationer and later as an adviser to Cao Pi.
- Gongsun Du (公孙度, Công Tôn Độ): Liaodong administrator who hosted Bing Yuan during the civil wars.
- Cao Pi (曹丕, Tào Phi): Treated Bing Yuan with respect after Cao Cao told him to consult Bing Yuan and Zhang Fan.
In Novel
Chapter 66
- Bing Yuan (邴原, Bình Nguyên): Beihai scholar, courtesy name Genju; named among Cao Cao's court worthies.
In History
Summary
- Bing Yuan (邴原, Bình Nguyên): Attested in Chen Shou's Records of the Three Kingdoms (Wei 11). A Beihai scholar, courtesy name Genju, who served Cao Cao after returning from Liaodong.
Year: c. 196–208 AD
- Serves Cao Cao; refuses a ghost-marriage for his daughter and Cao Chong; dies during the campaign against Wu.
Historical Record
- Sanguozhi Wei 11 preserves his biography. Pei Songzhi's notes add the Liaodong years and the exchange with Cao Pi about saving one's father rather than one's lord.
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