Xu Yi 徐奕

Xu Yi, courtesy name Jicai, was a man of Dongguan. He took refuge from the disorders in Jiangdong, and Sun Ce summoned him with due courtesy. Xu Yi changed his name and returned to his home commandery in humble disguise. Records, Wei 12 §36

When Cao Cao became Minister of Works he summoned him as a clerk on his staff, and Xu Yi followed him on the western campaign against Ma Chao. When Ma Chao had been defeated and the army was returning, the Guanzhong region had only just submitted and was not yet settled, so Cao Cao left Xu Yi behind as Chief Clerk to the Chancellor to pacify and govern the Western Capital, where his authority and good faith were praised. He was transferred to Inspector of Yong Province and then returned to become Officer of the Eastern Bureau. Records, Wei 12 §36

Ding Yi and others, who enjoyed favor at the time, together tried to harm him, but Xu Yi was never shaken. According to the Biography of Huan Jie, Mao Jie and Xu Yi were upright and unbending and seldom formed factions, so they were disliked by Ding Yi, Clerk of the Western Bureau. Ding Yi repeatedly spoke of their faults, but thanks to Huan Jie's support the two men were able to keep themselves safe. Records, Wei 12 §37Records, Wei 22 §5

Xu Yi went out to become Administrator of Wei Commandery. When Cao Cao campaigned against Sun Quan, he transferred him to Chief Clerk of the Rear Headquarters, telling him that even the men of old could not surpass his loyalty and clear-sightedness, but that he was a little too strict. In former times, he said, Ximen Bao wore soft leather to temper himself, and he hoped Xu Yi could control the hard and strong with the soft and weak; now that Xu Yi was in charge of the affairs left behind, he would have no more worries about what lay behind him. After the State of Wei was founded, Xu Yi became a Master of Writing, again took charge of selecting officials, and was promoted to Prefect of the Masters of Writing. Records, Wei 12 §37

When Cao Cao campaigned against Hanzhong, Wei Feng and others plotted rebellion and the Commandant of the Capital Yang Jun was demoted. Cao Cao sighed that Wei Feng had dared to harbor thoughts of rebellion because among his claws-and-teeth ministers there was no one to check wickedness and forestall plots, and asked how he might find someone like Zhuge Feng to replace Yang Jun. When Huan Jie said that Xu Yi was just the man, Cao Cao made Xu Yi Commandant of the Capital. Records, Wei 12 §38

In an order written in his own hand, Cao Cao said that formerly, when Chu had Ziyu, Duke Wen of Jin sat sideways on his mat because of him, and when Ji An was at court, the Prince of Huainan abandoned his plots because of him, and that 'the upholder of uprightness for the state' spoken of in the Book of Songs referred to Xu Yi. After a few months in office Xu Yi fell gravely ill and asked to retire; he was appointed Grandee Remonstrant and died. Records, Wei 12 §38–39

In his assessment Chen Shou said that Xu Yi, He Kui and Xing Yong valued and esteemed sternness and became famous men of their time. The same assessment concludes that it is hard to possess both 'clear-sighted and wise' and 'upright yet gentle' unless one has all-round talents. Records, Wei 12 §99