Map Introduction

The Yong Province of the Cao Wei era was an administrative district initially established late in the Eastern Han Dynasty due to the distance of the four Hexi Corridor commanderies (Wuwei, Jiuquan, Dunhuang, Zhangye) from the seat of Liang Province. Its historical evolution can be divided into three stages:

Initial Establishment (194–213 AD)

In the first year of the Xingping era (194 AD), under Emperor Xian of Han, to strengthen control over the Hexi region, the court partitioned off the four commanderies of Wuwei, Jiuquan, Dunhuang, and Zhangye from Liang Province to create Yong Province. Its administrative seat was established at Guzang (modern Wuwei, Gansu). In the 18th year of the Jian'an era (213 AD), Cao Cao merged Yong Province back into Liang Province. However, the four Hexi commanderies retained the organizational structure of Yong Province.

Reorganization (213–220 AD)

Before his death, Cao Cao, seeking to consolidate control over the northwest, placed powerful Liang Province families and local strongmen, such as Qu Yan and Huang Hua, under the jurisdiction of the Yong Province administration. This effectively created a dual administrative system where both Liang Province and Yong Province held overlapping authority. After Cao Pi usurped the Han throne, he continued this administrative arrangement, although specific documented changes to Yong Province's precise boundaries from this period are lacking.

Reduced Scope (220–280 AD)

During the height of Cao Wei power, the territory of Yong Province included the modern Guanzhong Plain in Shaanxi Province and the areas east of the Yellow River in Gansu Province. It administered core commanderies such as Jingzhao, Fengyi, and Fufeng. While the Cao Wei realm reached its greatest extent following the fall of Shu Han (263 AD) and Eastern Wu (280 AD), the boundaries of Yong Province itself did not expand further. It consistently maintained control over the Guanzhong and Longyou regions.