When rebel leader Dong Zhuo rose up against the Han imperial Court, Yuan Shao was appointed head of the allied task force to remove the threat. Cao Cao was the person to suggest Yuan Shao, on the basis of his noble lineage. He first lead an attack on Si Shui gate, held by one of Dong Zhuo's generals Li Jue. He sent Sun Jian to attack the gate itself, later sending Liu Bei in reinforcement and then arriving himself. During this attack, Sun Jian sent for supplies. Yuan Shao's brother, Yuan Shu, was in charge of supplies, and felt that if Sun Jian were to win then he would take all the glory. He did not send any supplies. Demoralised and starving, Sun Jian's troops were forced to attack Si Shui gate through lack of any other option. In this state, enemy general Hua Xiong easily defeated the allied forces. After many generals had been defeated by one of Dong Zhuo's best men, second only to Lu Bu, Liu Bei's sworn brother Guan Yu took up the challenge. In a very short time he slew Hua Xiong and rolled the head to Yuan Shao's feet.

After securing Si Shui gate thus, Yuan Shao lead an attack on Hu Lao gate, held by Lu Bu. This attack was to end in failure, due to the extraordinary military prowess of Lu Bu. He held off Hua Xiong's slayer Guan Yu for a score of bouts, whereupon Guan's sworn brother Zhang Fei came in aid. Still Lu Bu held the two great fighters off, and the third brother Liu Bei came to help. Lu Bu began to tire, but he managed to flee due to the speed of his steed, Red Hare.