his force against Yuan Tan, who retreated to Nanpi. In 205, Yuan Tan was eventually defeated and killed in action in the Battle of Nanpi against Cao Cao. In Romance of the Three Kingdoms In Chapter 33 of the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Yuan Tan was said to have sent Xin Ping as an emissary to Cao Cao while besieged in Nanpi to seek surrender but was declined. When Xin returned, Yuan accused him of treason since his brother Xin Pi served in Cao Cao's camp. The undue accusation angered Xin so much that he soon died, much to Yuan's regret. The next morning, Yuan placed the commoners, who were hastily armed during the night, in front of his troops and marched into battle with Cao Cao outside the city. Yuan was subsequently killed in battle by Cao Hong. See also Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms References Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi). Fan, Ye (5th century). Book of the Later Han (Houhanshu). Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu). Sima, Guang (1084). Zizhi Tongjian. Year of birth unknown 205 deaths Generals under Cao Cao Generals under Yuan Shao Han dynasty people killed in battle Han dynasty warlords Officials under Cao Cao Officials under Yuan Shao Political office-holders in Shandong