- Xun Yu
Chinese
t=荀彧
s=荀彧Xun Yu (163 - 212), styled Wenruo (文若), was a strategist and statesman who served as a key advisor to
Cao Cao during theThree Kingdoms era ofChina .Life
Origins and youth
Xun Yu was a native of Yingchuan (modern day
Xuchang , Henan), and was born to a renowned family. His grandfather, Xun Shu, served as a local governor and his eight sons were called the "Eight Dragons"; an uncle, Xun Shuang, served as one of theThree Excellencies , while his own father Xun Fan was the chancellor of the feudal principality of Jibei.Xun Yu proved to be a talented youth, and was evaluated by the scholar
He Yong as "someone capable of assisting kings" (王佐之才). In 189 he was nominated asXiaolian (literally "Fillial and Incorrupt"), beginning his career as an official in theEastern Han Dynasty , butDong Zhuo entered the capital ofLuoyang soon after, and fearing for his safety Xun Yu fled to Ji Province (modern-dayHebei ), resigning his post.In the subsequent years local warlords quickly rose in each region; Xun Yu first served
Yuan Shao , whose power base was in Ji Province, but later left him and went over toCao Cao in 191; Cao Cao recognised his talent, calling him "my Zifang" (Zifang being thecourtesy name of Zhang Liang, a key advisor toHan Gaozu ) and appointing him as an army commandant.ervice under Cao Cao
Xun Yu's contributions to Cao Cao's army and administration are immense. On one hand he recommended many other men of calibre to Cao, including
Xun You (who was his nephew),Chen Qun ,Zhong Yao ,Guo Jia andSima Yi , creating a formidable body of advisors around Cao; at the same time he participated in several battles and major events of the era, often giving timely advice to his master. Cao Cao, in turn, respected Xun Yu greatly and placed great store in his advice.In 194, as Cao Cao led a campaign against Tao Qian in the area of
Xu province , his home base atYan province was suddenly attacked byLu Bu 's armies, and two of Cao Cao's officials,Chen Gong andZhang Miao , chose to defect to Lu Bu. At that time Xun Yu was in charge of the defences of Juancheng (鄄城), and his firm actions saved the city from capture, allowing Cao's armies to return and beat off Lu Bu. Subsequently, on the death of Tao Qian, Cao Cao was tempted to turn around and move on Xu province before returning to deal with Lu Bu; it was Xun Yu who dissuaded him from this, reminding him that Yan province was his heartland and power base and should be secured first before launching campaigns abroad.It was also at Xun Yu's suggestion that Cao Cao chose to escort
Emperor Xian of Han , who was then living in the ruins ofLuoyang , to his own base atXuchang in 196, taking on the role of protecting the Emperor's safety. Xun Yu's plan was to "control the rebellious in the name of the Emperor" (奉天子以令不臣); the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms " subtly distorts this to "hold the Emperor hostage to control the warlords" (挟天子以令诸侯). In the long run this strategem would give Cao Cao a considerable political advantage over his rivals, allowing him to legitimise his actions by taking them in the name of the Emperor.In 200, Cao Cao faced off at
Guandu against Yuan Shao for months, eventually exhausting his food supply; while contemplating retreat he sent a letter to Xun Yu (who was then guarding Xuchang) for advice. Again Xun Yu dissuaded his master with a letter, highlighting several advantages that his army held over the Yuan forces and urging him to stand fast; the eventual result was theBattle of Guandu , a decisive victory for Cao and crucial to his domination of northern China.Death
In 211,
Dong Zhao and a group of Cao loyalists submitted a memorial to Emperor Xian proposing that Cao Cao should be promoted to the rank of duke (公). This proposal was significant as it would allow Cao Cao to set up a self-contained feudal state (国) within the Han empire. Up to this point, Cao Cao's political legitimacy was only underpinned by his position as the Han Chancellor. Xun Yu, whose ideals were for Cao Cao to continue being the protector of the Han Dynasty, opposed Dong Zhao's proposal.Knowing that Dong Zhao was probably a conduit for Cao Cao, when approached by the former for his support, Xun Yu told Dong Zhao that Cao Cao's personal mission was one of restoring the Han Dynasty and would not approve of such a move — thus possibly hinting to Cao Cao himself that he should abandon the idea. According to Book Ten of
Chen Shou 's "Records of Three Kingdoms ", Xun Yu's remarks were said to have greatly displeased Cao Cao.Following this, Xun Yu was sent to to Jiao (谯) to reward the soldiers who took part in a military campaign against Sun Quan. While there, Xun Yu was said to have fallen sick and brought to Shouchun (寿春) for treatment and recuperation. He passed away the following year in 212. The circumstances of his death aroused great suspicion and is a matter of debate as it came closely after his opposition towards Cao Cao's ascension to duke.
Personal information
* Brother
**Xun Chen (荀諶)ee also
*
Three Kingdoms
*Personages of the Three Kingdoms
*"Records of Three Kingdoms "
*"Romance of the Three Kingdoms "
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.