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Xun Yu | |
|---|---|
| 荀彧 | |
 AQing dynasty illustration of Xun Yu (1734) | |
| Prefect of the Masters of Writing (尚書令) (acting) | |
| In office 196 (196) – 212 (212) | |
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Chancellor | Cao Cao |
| Succeeded by | Hua Xin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 163[1] Xuchang,Henan |
| Died | between November 212 and February 213 (aged 49)[1] Shou County,Anhui |
| Children | |
| Parent |
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| Occupation | Military official, politician |
| Courtesy name | Wenruo (文若) |
| Posthumous name | Marquis Jing (敬侯) |
| Peerage | Marquis of Wansui Village (萬歲亭侯) |
Xun Yu (163–212),[1][2]courtesy nameWenruo, was a Chinese military official and politician who served as an adviser to the warlordCao Cao during the lateEastern Han dynasty of China.
Xun Yu was fromYingchuan Commandery (around present-dayXuchang,Henan), and was born into a family of government officials. He was described in historical records as a tall and handsome gentleman. His grandfather, Xun Shu, served as a local governor and had eight sons who were nicknamed the "Eight Dragons of the Xun Family"; an uncle of Xun Yu,Xun Shuang, served as one of theThree Ducal Ministers, while Xun Yu's father Xun Gun was the chancellor of theprincipality of Jibei.
Xun Yu proved to be a talented youth and was evaluated by the scholarHe Yong as "someone capable of assisting kings" (王佐之才). In 189, he was nominated as axiaolian (civil service candidate) and began his career in the civil service. When the warlordDong Zhuo seized control of the capitalLuoyang, Xun Yu feared for his safety and resigned, returning toJi Province (present-dayHebei).
In the subsequent years, warlords quickly rose in each region; Xun Yu first servedYuan Shao, whose power base was inJi Province, but later left him and went to serveCao Cao in 191. Cao Cao recognised Xun Yu's talent and he exclaimed, "Here comes myZifang![3]" When Xun Yu arrived, he appointed Xun as an army commandant.
Xun Yu's contributions to Cao Cao's forces and administration are immense. On one hand he recommended many other men of calibre to Cao Cao, includingXun You (hissecond cousin-nephew),Chen Qun,Zhong Yao,Guo Jia andSima Yi, creating a 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 lord. Cao Cao, in turn, respected Xun Yu greatly and placed a great store in his advice.
In 194, as Cao Cao led acampaign againstTao Qian inXu Province, his home base atYan Province was suddenly attacked byLü Bu. Two of Cao's officials,Chen Gong andZhang Miao, chose to defect to Lü 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 Cao's armies to return and drive away Lü Bu. Subsequently, on the death ofTao Qian, Cao Cao was tempted to turn around and move to Xu Province before returning to deal with Lü 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 escortEmperor Xian, who was then living in the ruins ofLuoyang, to his base at Xu (present-dayXuchang, Henan) in 196, taking on the role of protecting the emperor. Xun Yu's plan was to "control the insubordinate in the name of the emperor" (奉天子以令不臣); the 14th-century historical novelRomance of the Three Kingdoms subtly distorts this to "hold the emperor hostage to control the nobles" (挾天子以令諸侯). In the long run, this strategy would give Cao Cao a considerable political advantage over his rivals, allowing him to legitimise his actions by taking them in the emperor's name.
In 200, Cao Cao was locked in a stalemate againstYuan Shao at theBattle of Guandu for months, eventually exhausting his food supply; while contemplating retreat he sent a letter to Xun Yu (who was then defending Xu) for advice. Xun Yu dissuaded Cao Cao with a letter, highlighting several advantages that his army held over Yuan Shao's forces and urging him to stand fast; the eventual result was a decisive victory for Cao Cao, which was crucial to his domination of northern China.
In 212,Dong Zhao and a group of Cao Cao loyalists submitted a memorial to Emperor Xian proposing that Cao should be granted the title of a duke.[4] This proposal was significant as it would allow Cao Cao to set up a self-contained feudal state within the Han dynasty. Up to this point, Cao Cao's political legitimacy was only underpinned by his position as thechancellor. 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 that Cao's personal mission was one of restoring the Han dynasty and would not approve of such a move – thus possibly hinting to Cao that he should abandon the idea. Xun Yu's remarks greatly displeased Cao Cao.
Following this, Xun Yu was sent to Qiao to reward the soldiers who took part in a military campaign againstSun Quan inc.November 212. While there, Xun Yu was said to have fallen sick and was brought to Shouchun (寿春; present-dayShou County,Anhui) for treatment and recuperation. He died later that year (late 212 or early 213). 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.[5]
Xun Yu was given the posthumous name "Jing" (敬). More than 50 years after his death, in 265, he was posthumously granted the title of Grand Commandant.[6]
InKoei's video gameDynasty Warriors 7: Empires, fans voted in theFacebook andTwitter poll for one of the new officers to have the name Xun Yu. Xun Yu became a playable character inKoei'sDynasty Warriors 8: Empires.
In Koei'sKessen II, Xun Yu plays a prominent role, although the character is portrayed as a woman who harbours a requited love forCao Cao. In thevisual novel andanime seriesKoihime Musō, Jun'iku (Xun Yu's Japanese name) also serves as a strategist to Sōsō (Cao Cao) and has ahuge crush on her.
InWizards of the Coast'sMagic the Gathering Card Game, Xun Yu has a Magic Card "Xun Yu, Wei Advisor" from a set calledPortal Three Kingdoms. He is shown opening a container in his artwork and wearing traditional clothing for an advisor from theHan dynasty. His quote says, "A splendid talent, admired of all men! His folly lay in serving Cao Cao's Power."
Xun Yu appeared inTotal War: Three Kingdoms, serving under Han Fu before joining Cao Cao.
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