Yuan Shao died 202 but leave a disputed succession that saw his sons turn on each other, Liu Biao wrote to Yuan Shao's third son and successor, Yuan Shang, and mentioned the rivalry between Yuan Shang and his eldest brother Yuan Tan. Liu Biao wrote: "Whenever I discussed this issue (the rivalry between you and your brother) with General Liu (Liu Bei) and Sun Gongyou, I feel very upset and heartbroken." Both Liu Bei and Liu Biao highly regarded Sun Qian.(後表與袁尚書，說其兄弟分爭之變，曰：「每與劉左將軍、孫公祐共論此事，未甞不痛心入骨，相為悲傷也。」其見重如此。) Sanguozhi vol. 38.
