Yuan Shu (pronunciationⓘ) (died July or August 199[2]),[1] courtesy name Gonglu, was a Chinese military general, politician, and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty.

His family had for over four generations been a prominent force in the Han civil service, having produced numerous members in high positions since the first century CE.

When Dong Zhuo seized control of the Han central government, he wanted to appoint Yuan Shu as General of the Rear, but, fearing Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shu fled to Nanyang Commandery,[5] which he took control over after Sun Jian killed its grand administrator, Zhang Zi.

By the time Sun Jian reached Luoyang, it had been largely destroyed by fires set by Dong Zhuo, whose forces fled westwards to Chang'an, abducting the emperor.

After this defeat and his unpopularity due to his extravagant regime in Nanyang, Yuan Shu moved his residence to Chenliu, and extended his influence into Yang Province in 192.

[12] He fled to Shouchun in Jiujiang (present day Shou County, Anhui) on the southern bank of the Huai River.

He was less successful in expanding his rule in Xu Province, where he fought against Liu Bei and Lü Bu; the latter briefly allied himself to Yuan Shu in 196, but betrayed him again and drove him back to Shouchun.