Pei Yuanshao

Biography & Historical Record

Pei Yuanshao (裴元绍, Bùi Nguyên Thiệu) (? – novel c. 200) is a novel-only Yellow Turban remnant who becomes co-leader of bandits at Sleeping Ox Hill (卧牛山, Ngọa Ngưu Sơn) with Zhou Cang (周仓, Chu Thương). In Romance of the Three Kingdoms Chapter 28 he first tries to seize Red Hare from Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ), then submits when he recognises the hero; later he ambushes Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân) for a white warhorse and dies in a single duel. No Sanguozhi or Hou Hanshu notice attests him — the arc explains how Zhou Cang enters Guan Yu’s service and re-introduces Zhao Yun on the road north.

Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 28 (Guan Yu Slays Cai Yang; Reunion at Gucheng colour): After the Yellow Turban collapse, Pei Yuanshao and Zhou Cang hold Sleeping Ox Hill. A youth reports a splendid horse (Red Hare / 赤兔) on the road; Pei Yuanshao rides to rob the rider — Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ), escorting Lady Gan (甘夫人) and Lady Mi (糜夫人) after leaving Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo). Recognising the famous ruddy-bearded warrior of whom Zhou Cang has spoken, Pei Yuanshao apologises and offers allegiance. Guan Yu takes Zhou Cang but leaves Pei Yuanshao with the band until Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) can reunite. Soon after, Pei Yuanshao again seeks a gift horse — this time from Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun kills him; the death frames Zhao Yun’s return and the danger of the road.

Pei Yuanshao (裴元绍) — Literary Timeline

For literary context, see Pei Yuanshao on Wikipedia.

Key Relationships

Family

• No kin recorded in Romance or any dynastic source — Pei Yuanshao is a fictional character with no named father, mother, spouse, or children. (Honest none; do not invent family.)

Friends

• Zhou Cang (周仓, Chu Thương): Brother-in-arms and co-leader of the Sleeping Ox Hill band; Guan Yu accepts Zhou Cang while Pei Yuanshao stays behind — Zhou Cang later becomes Guan Yu’s famous subordinate.
• Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ): Hero whom Pei Yuanshao first tries to rob, then seeks to serve after recognising him; Guan Yu defers Pei Yuanshao’s enlistment until Liu Bei’s party reunites.
• Zhang Jiao (张角, Trương Giác) (Zhang Jue in some English spellings): Novel-framed former Yellow Turban supreme leader whose collapsed rising leaves Pei Yuanshao and Zhou Cang as remnant outlaws. Site slug /zhang-jiao/.

Enemies

• Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Kills Pei Yuanshao in Chapter 28 when Pei Yuanshao ambushes him for his white warhorse — Pei Yuanshao’s only recorded death.
• Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo): Broader novel colour — Pei Yuanshao’s band targets travellers and supply lines in Cao Cao’s northern sphere while Guan Yu is leaving Cao Cao’s service.

Other

• Red Hare (赤兔, Xích Thố): The famous horse Pei Yuanshao tries to seize from Guan Yu — the failed theft triggers his recognition and apology. No dedicated horse post; plain text.
• Sleeping Ox Hill (卧牛山, Ngọa Ngưu Sơn): Bandit base shared with Zhou Cang; stage of both the Guan Yu encounter and the Zhao Yun duel.
• Yellow Turban remnant framing: Novel presents Pei Yuanshao as a Zhang Jiao-era survivor turned brigand — literary device linking Chapter 28 bandits to the 184 rising, not a historical roster entry.
• Lady Gan (甘夫人) / Lady Mi (糜夫人): Wives Guan Yu is escorting when Pei Yuanshao first attacks — same-scene co-appearances that fix the chapter’s purpose (safe passage north).
• Novel vs History: Entire biography is Romance-only; history is silent — always label the character as fictional.