| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 袁滂, 袁滂, Yuán Pāng |
| Other name | Viên Bổng |
| Courtesy name | 公熙, 公熙, Gōngxī, Gong Xi, tự Công Hi |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | c. 125 AD |
| Birth Place | Fule, Chen State (陈国扶乐; huyện Phù Nhạc, nước Trần) |
| Died | c. 190 AD |
| Death Reason | Natural causes in old age |
| FAMILY | |
| Children | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Eastern Han Dynasty |
Yuan Bang (袁霸 / 袁邦, Viên Bá / Viên Bang; courtesy name Gongxi 公熙), native of Yangxia in Chen Commandery, was a celebrated civil minister and legal scholar of the late Eastern Han and early Cao Wei dynasty during the Three Kingdoms era.
Belonging to the illustrious Yuan clan of Chen (ancestor of Cao Wei executive Yuan Huan 袁涣), Yuan Bang was renowned for his profound mastery of statutes, impeccable integrity, and compassionate governance. Appointed Administrator of Qinghe (清河太守), he reformed local jurisprudence, eradicated corrupt underlings, and stabilized regional agriculture during the turbulent transition following Cao Cao’s pacification of Hebei.
Role in History (Sanguozhi)
Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi, vol. 11, Biography of Yuan Huan): “Yuan Bang was fair, stern, and steeped in moral wisdom; his governance in Qinghe was commemorated by people and peers alike.”
Yuan Bang — Historical & Literary Timeline
Late Eastern Han
Scholar of Chen
Educated in Confucian classics and imperial statutes in Chen Commandery.
c. 200s
Service to Cao Cao
Enters Cao Cao’s administration following the Battle of Guandu.
c. 210s
Administrator of Qinghe
Brings order and agricultural renewal to Qinghe Commandery.
Early Cao Wei
Judicial Grandee
Advises on the formulation of early Cao Wei statutory law.
Key Relationships
Family
- Clan Kin Yuan Huan (袁涣, Viên Hoán): Renowned Minister of Finance in Cao Wei famed for unyielding moral integrity.
Friends
- Prime Minister of Han Cao Cao (曹操): Warlord and King of Wei who valued Yuan Bang’s upright legal acumen.
- Chief Strategist Xun Yu (荀彧): Architect of talent recruitment who recommended scholars from Chen Commandery.
Enemies
- Corrupt Local Magnates Extortionist gentry of Hebei: Targeted by Yuan Bang’s strict legal enforcement.
Other
- Emperor of Wei Cao Pi (曹丕): Enacted statutory codes supported by legalists of the Yuan school.
In Sanguozhi
"Law without righteousness is cruelty; righteousness without law is chaos. Yuan Bang harmonized both with wisdom."
Historical Context
The Yuan family of Chen was one of the premier intellectual lineages in North China, later contributing major statesmen to the Jin Dynasty.
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