Map Introduction

You Province

You Province was a crucial provincial-level administrative district for the Cao Wei regime in the north. Its historical evolution can be divided into the following stages:

Establishment as a Provincial-Level Administration

After the establishment of Cao Wei, You Province was formally incorporated into the central administrative system as an official administrative division. Records indicate that in the second year of the Huangchu era (221 AD), three counties from Taiyuan Commandery were separated to form Xihe Commandery. However, this adjustment pertained to internal administrative changes within Bing Province and was not directly related to the establishment of You Province itself.

Military and Political Turmoil

In 193 AD, Gongsun Zan launched a rebellion in You Province, seizing control of the entire region and establishing his "White Horse Yi Cong" force. In 195 AD, Yuan Shao, allied with the Wuhuan tribes, defeated Gongsun Zan and briefly controlled You Province. After the Battle of Guandu in 200 AD, Yuan Shao's power declined, but local separatist forces still persisted within You Province.

Attempts at Centralization

In 208 AD, after Cao Cao escorted Emperor Xian to Xuchang, he began implementing the system of Provincial Inspectors (Cishi). Although historical sources do not explicitly record the appointment of a Inspector for You Province, considering the Cao Wei regime's sustained control over the northern frontier, it is inferred that You Province was integrated into the central administrative system around this time.

Final Stabilization

When Guan Yu attacked Fan Castle in 219 AD, the Cao Wei regime still mobilized troops from You Province under the authority of the Inspector of Jing Province. This indicates that by around 219 AD at the latest, You Province had been fully incorporated into the Cao Wei central military command structure.

It is important to note that due to limitations in the historical record, many details of You Province's administration during the Cao Wei period remain unclear. For instance, the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi) only documents the tenures of officials like Chen Tai and Tian Yu in Bing Province, while the succession of Inspectors for You Province lacks clear documentation.