Records of Wei 10: Biographies of Xun Yu, Xun You and Jia Xu

Records of Wei 10: Biographies of Xun Yu, Xun You and Jia Xu

Xun Yu

荀彧

Xun Yu, courtesy name Wenruo, was a man of Yingyin in Yingchuan. His grandfather Xun Shu, courtesy name Jihe, was Magistrate of Langling. In the time of Emperors Shun and Huan of the Han he was renowned throughout his generation. He had eight sons, who were called the Eight Dragons. Xun Yu’s father, Xun Gun, was Chancellor of Jinan. His uncle Xun Shuang was Minister of Works.

荀彧字文若，潁川潁陰人也。祖父淑，字季和，朗陵令。當漢順、桓之間，知名當世。有子八人，號曰八龍。彧父緄，濟南相。叔父爽，司空。¹

When Xun Yu was young, He Yong of Nanyang thought him remarkable and said, “He has the talent to assist a king.” In the first year of Yonghan he was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt and appointed Prefect of the Palace Stores. When Dong Zhuo’s disorders broke out, he asked to be sent out to a post in the provinces. He was appointed Magistrate of Kangfu, but then abandoned his office and went home, where he said to the elders, “Yingchuan is a land open to war on all four sides. Whenever the realm is in upheaval, it always lies in the path of armies. We should leave quickly and not stay long.” Most of the people of the district clung to their homes and hesitated. Just then Han Fu, Governor of Ji Province and a man of the same commandery, sent horsemen to fetch them, but no one went along; Xun Yu alone led his clan to Ji Province.

彧年少時，南陽何顒異之，曰：「王佐才也。」¹永漢元年，舉孝廉，拜守宮令。董卓之亂，求出補吏。除亢父令，遂棄官歸，謂父老曰：「潁川，四戰之地也，天下有變，常爲兵衝，宜亟去之，無久留。」鄕人多懷土猶豫，會冀州牧同郡韓馥遣騎迎之，莫有隨者，彧獨將宗族至冀州。

But Yuan Shao had already taken Han Fu’s position, and he treated Xun Yu with the courtesies due an honored guest. Xun Yu’s younger brother Xun Chen and Xin Ping and Guo Tu of the same commandery were all in Yuan Shao’s service. Xun Yu judged that Yuan Shao would never accomplish anything great. At that time Taizu was General Who Displays Martial Vigor and was in Dong Commandery. In the second year of Chuping Xun Yu left Yuan Shao and followed Taizu. Taizu was overjoyed and said, “This is my Zifang!” He made him his Major; Xun Yu was then twenty-nine. At this time Dong Zhuo’s might overawed the realm. Taizu asked Xun Yu about him, and Xun Yu said, “Dong Zhuo’s cruelty is already extreme. He is bound to end in chaos; he can achieve nothing.”

而袁紹已奪馥位，待彧以上賔之禮。彧弟諶及同郡辛評、郭圖，皆爲紹所任。彧度紹終不能成大事，時太祖爲奮武將軍，在東郡，初平二年，彧去紹從太祖。太祖大悅曰：「吾之子房也。」以爲司馬，時年二十九。是時，董卓威陵天下，太祖以問彧，彧曰：「卓暴虐已甚，必以亂終，無能爲也。」

Dong Zhuo sent Li Jue and others out east of the passes; they took captives and plundered wherever they went, reaching Yingchuan and Chenliu before turning back. Many of the people who had stayed behind in Xun Yu’s home district were killed or plundered. The next year Taizu became Governor of Yan Province and later General Who Guards the East, and Xun Yu always followed him as Major. In the first year of Xingping Taizu campaigned against Tao Qian and left Xun Yu in charge of affairs at home. Just then Zhang Miao and Chen Gong rebelled with Yan Province and secretly brought in Lü Bu. When Lü Bu had arrived, Zhang Miao sent Liu Yi to tell Xun Yu, “General Lü has come to help Governor Cao attack Tao Qian. You should supply his army with provisions at once.”

卓遣李傕等出關東，所過虜略，至潁川、陳留而還。鄕人留者多見殺略。明年，太祖領兖州牧，後爲鎭東將軍，彧常以司馬從。興平元年，太祖征陶謙，任彧留事。會張邈、陳宮以兖州反，潛迎呂布。布旣至，邈乃使劉翊告彧曰：「呂將軍來助曹使君撃陶謙，宜亟供其軍食。」

Everyone was bewildered. Xun Yu knew that Zhang Miao was rebelling, and at once marshaled his troops, made his defenses ready, and sent in haste for Xiahou Dun, Prefect of Dong Commandery; but the cities of Yan Province had all gone over to Lü Bu. At that time Taizu had taken his entire army to attack Tao Qian, the garrison left behind was small, and many of the commanding officers and senior officials were in league with Zhang Miao and Chen Gong. When Xiahou Dun arrived, that very night he executed several dozen of the plotters, and only then did the people settle down. Guo Gong, Inspector of Yu Province, came to the foot of the city walls at the head of several tens of thousands of men. Some said he was in the plot with Lü Bu, and everyone was greatly afraid.

衆疑惑。彧知邈爲亂，即勒兵設備，馳召東郡太守夏侯惇，而兖州諸城皆應布矣。時太祖悉軍攻謙，留守兵少，而督將大吏多與邈、宮通謀。惇至，其夜誅謀叛者數十人，衆乃定。豫州刺史郭貢帥衆數萬來至城下，或言與呂布同謀，衆甚懼。

Guo Gong asked to see Xun Yu, and Xun Yu was about to go. Xiahou Dun and the others said, “You are the mainstay of the whole province. If you go, you will surely be in danger. You must not.” Xun Yu said, “Guo Gong and Zhang Miao and the rest have never had any standing bond. He has come so quickly that his plans cannot yet be settled. If we win him over before they are settled, then even if he does not join us, he can be made to stay neutral. But if we show suspicion of him first, he will grow angry and make up his mind against us.” Guo Gong saw that Xun Yu showed no sign of fear, concluded that Juancheng would not be easy to take, and led his troops away. Xun Yu also laid plans with Cheng Yu and had him go to win over Fan and Donge, and in the end the three cities were kept safe to await Taizu.

貢求見彧，彧將往。惇等曰：「君，一州鎭也，往必危，不可。」彧曰：「貢與邈等，分非素結也，今來速，計必未定；及其未定説之，縱不爲用，可使中立，若先疑之，彼將怒而成計。」貢見彧無懼意，謂鄄城未易攻，遂引兵去。又與程昱計，使説范、東阿，卒全三城，以待太祖。

Taizu came back from Xu Province and attacked Lü Bu at Puyang, and Lü Bu fled east. In the summer of the second year Taizu encamped at Chengshi. There was a great famine, and people ate one another.

太祖自徐州還撃布濮陽，布東走。二年夏，太祖軍乘氏，大饑，人相食。

When Tao Qian died, Taizu wanted to go on and take Xu Province, and only afterward return to deal with Lü Bu. Xun Yu said, “In the past Gaozu secured Guanzhong, and Emperor Guangwu held Henei. Both sank deep roots and made their base secure so as to command the realm. Advancing, they were strong enough to defeat their enemies; retreating, they were strong enough to hold fast. That is why, though they suffered hardships and defeats, they finally accomplished their great enterprise. You, General, first raised your cause in Yan Province and put down the troubles east of the mountains, and there is none among the common people whose heart has not turned to you in glad submission. Moreover, the land between the Yellow River and the Ji is the vital ground of the realm. Though it is now ravaged and ruined, it is still easy to defend oneself there. This, too, is your Guanzhong and your Henei, General, and you cannot fail to secure it first.

陶謙死，太祖欲遂取徐州，還乃定布。彧曰：「昔髙祖保關中，光武據河內，皆深根固本以制天下，進足以勝敵，退足以堅守，故雖有困敗而終濟大業。將軍本以兖州首事，平山東之難，百姓無不歸心悅服。且河、濟，天下之要地也，今雖殘壞，猶易以自保，是亦將軍之關中、河內也，不可以不先定。

Now that we have already defeated Li Feng and Xue Lan, if we divide our forces and attack Chen Gong in the east, he will not dare look west. Meanwhile, we can marshal our troops to harvest the ripened wheat, ration our food, and store up grain, and then Lü Bu can be crushed at a single stroke. Once Lü Bu is crushed, we can ally with Yang Province to the south, join in punishing Yuan Shu, and so bear down on the Huai and the Si. If you leave Lü Bu and go east, then if you leave many troops behind, you will not have enough to use, and if you leave few, the people will all shut themselves in the cities and be unable to gather firewood or forage. Lü Bu will take advantage of the gap to raid and ravage, the people’s hearts will be ever more imperiled, and only Juancheng, Fan, and Wei can be kept safe; the rest will no longer be ours. That would mean losing Yan Province.

今以破李封、薛蘭，若分兵東撃陳宮，宮必不敢西顧，以其閒勒兵收熟麥，約食畜穀，一舉而布可破也。破布，然後南結揚州，共討袁術，以臨淮、泗。若舍布而東，多留兵則不足用，少留兵則民皆保城，不得樵採。布乘虛寇暴，民心益危，唯鄄城、范、衞可全，其餘非己之有，是無兖州也。

If Xu Province is not subdued, where will you go back to, General? Besides, though Tao Qian is dead, Xu Province will not easily fall. Having learned from their defeat in past years, they will be afraid and bind themselves close together, each supporting the other within and without. Now the people in the east have all already gathered their wheat; they are sure to strengthen their walls, clear the countryside, and wait for you. You will attack them and fail to take their cities, plunder them and gain nothing, and within ten days your host of a hundred thousand will be in straits before it has fought a battle. When you punished Xu Province before, you carried out your fearsome punishments in earnest. Their sons and younger brothers remember the shame of their fathers and elder brothers; every one of them will surely defend himself, with no thought of surrendering. Even if you could crush them, you still could not hold the province.

若徐州不定，將軍當安所歸乎？且陶謙雖死，徐州未易亡也。彼懲往年之敗，將懼而結親，相爲表裏。今東方皆以收麥，必堅壁淸野以待將軍，將軍攻之不拔，略之無獲，不出十日，則十萬之衆未戰而自困耳。¹前討徐州，威罰實行，²其子弟念父兄之恥，必人自爲守，無降心，就能破之，尚不可有也。

In affairs there are certainly times when one gives up this to take that. It is right to exchange the small for the great; it is right to exchange danger for safety; and it is right to weigh the circumstances of the moment and set aside worry that one’s base is not secure. But now none of these three brings any advantage. I beg you, General, to consider this carefully.” Taizu then gave up the plan. He gathered in a great harvest of wheat, fought Lü Bu again, and divided his forces to subdue the various counties. Lü Bu was defeated and fled, and Yan Province was at last pacified.

夫事固有棄此取彼者，以大易小可也，以安易危可也，權一時之勢，不患本之不固可也。今三者莫利，願將軍熟慮之。」太祖乃止。大收麥，復與布戰，分兵平諸縣。布敗走，兖州遂平。

In the first year of Jian'an Taizu routed the Yellow Turbans. Emperor Xian of the Han returned from Hedong to Luoyang. Taizu proposed to receive the Emperor and establish the capital at Xu, but some thought that the east was not yet pacified, that Han Xian and Yang Feng had just brought the Emperor to Luoyang and were allied with Zhang Yang to the north, and that they could not be brought under control quickly. Xun Yu urged Taizu, “In ancient times Duke Wen of Jin restored King Xiang of Zhou, and the feudal lords followed him like shadows; Gaozu, marching east, put on white mourning for Emperor Yi, and the whole realm gave him its heart.

建安元年，太祖撃破黃巾。漢獻帝自河東還洛陽。太祖議奉迎都許，或以山東未平，韓暹、楊奉新將天子到洛陽，北連張楊，未可卒制。彧勸太祖曰：「昔晉文公納周襄王而諸侯景從，髙祖東伐爲義帝縞素而天下歸心。

Ever since the Emperor was driven into wandering, you, General, were the first to raise a righteous army. Only because the east was in turmoil could you not go far off to the lands west of the passes; even so, you sent out generals and braved dangers to keep up communication with him. Though you were warding off troubles abroad, your heart was always with the royal house. This has been your abiding resolve to set the realm right. Now the imperial carriage has turned back, but the Eastern Capital is overgrown with brambles. Men of principle long to preserve the foundations, and the common people, remembering the past, grieve all the more. If you truly seize this moment to uphold the sovereign and follow the people’s hopes, that is the greatest compliance with the right; to hold fast to perfect impartiality and win over the heroes, that is the greatest strategy; to champion great righteousness and draw in men of outstanding talent, that is the greatest virtue.

自天子播越，將軍首唱義兵，徒以山東擾亂，未能遠赴關右，然猶分遣將帥，蒙險通使，雖禦難于外，乃心無不在王室，是將軍匡天下之素志也。今車駕旋軫，東京榛蕪，義士有存本之思，百姓感舊而增哀。誠因此時，奉主上以從民望，大順也；秉至公以服雄傑，大略也；扶弘義以致英俊，大德也。

Even if there are those in the realm who defy you, it is clear that they cannot become a burden. How would Han Xian and Yang Feng dare do any harm? But if you do not settle this in good time, men everywhere will harbor other designs, and though you may worry about it later, it will be too late.” Taizu then went to Luoyang, received the Emperor, and established the capital at Xu. The Emperor appointed Taizu Grand General and promoted Xun Yu to Palace Attendant of the Han and acting Director of the Secretariat. Xun Yu always stayed at the center and held things steady; even when Taizu was away on campaign, he planned all military and state affairs with Xun Yu.

天下雖有逆節，必不能爲累，明矣。韓暹、楊奉其敢爲害！若不時定，四方生心，後雖慮之，無及。」太祖遂至洛陽，奉迎天子都許。天子拜太祖大將軍，進彧爲漢侍中，守尚書令。常居中持重，¹太祖雖征伐在外，軍國事皆與彧籌焉。²

Taizu asked Xun Yu, “Who could take your place in planning for me?” Xun Yu named Xun You and Zhong Yao. Before this, when Xun Yu was speaking of men skilled in strategy, he had recommended Xi Zhicai. When Xi Zhicai died, he recommended Guo Jia as well. Taizu considered that Xun Yu knew men, and all those he recommended proved equal to their posts—except that Yan Xiang, put in charge of Yang Province, and Wei Kang, put in charge of Liang Province, later met defeat and death.

太祖問彧：「誰能代卿爲我謀者？」彧言「荀攸、鍾繇」。先是，彧言策謀士，進戲志才。志才卒，又進郭嘉。太祖以彧爲知人，諸所進達皆稱職，唯嚴象爲揚州，韋康爲涼州，後敗亡。¹

Ever since Taizu had received the Emperor, Yuan Shao had inwardly refused to accept it. Once Yuan Shao had annexed the lands north of the Yellow River, the whole realm feared his strength. Taizu was just then worried about Lü Bu in the east and resisting Zhang Xiu in the south, and Zhang Xiu defeated Taizu’s army at Wan. Yuan Shao grew even more arrogant and sent Taizu a letter whose words were insolent and overbearing. Taizu was furious, and his comings and goings and his whole demeanor were not as usual. Everyone said it was because of his setback at the hands of Zhang Xiu. Zhong Yao asked Xun Yu about it, and Xun Yu said, “Lord Cao is far too perceptive to dwell on past failures. He must have some other concern.”

自太祖之迎天子也，袁紹內懷不服。紹旣并河朔，天下畏其彊。太祖方東憂呂布，南拒張繡，而繡敗太祖軍於宛。紹益驕，與太祖書，其辭悖慢。太祖大怒，出入動靜變於常，衆皆謂以失利於張繡故也。鍾繇以問彧，彧曰：「公之聦明，必不追咎往事，殆有他慮。」

Xun Yu then went to see Taizu and asked him about it. Taizu showed him Yuan Shao’s letter and said, “Now I mean to punish this unrighteous man, but my strength is no match for his. What should I do?”

則見太祖問之，太祖乃以紹書示彧，曰：「今將討不義，而力不敵，何如？」

Xun Yu said, “Among those who succeeded or failed in ancient times, a man who truly had the talent grew strong even if he started weak, while a man who was not up to it grew weak easily even if he started strong. The rise and fall of Liu Bang and Xiang Yu is proof enough. Now the only one contending with you, Lord Cao, for the realm is Yuan Shao.

彧曰：「古之成敗者，誠有其才，雖弱必彊，苟非其人，雖彊易弱，劉、項之存亡，足以觀矣。今與公爭天下者，唯袁紹爾。

Yuan Shao looks magnanimous on the outside but is jealous within; he employs men yet doubts their hearts. You, Lord Cao, are clear-sighted and broad-minded, unconstrained by convention, and use men solely according to their talents. In this you win on breadth of mind.

紹貌外寬而內忌，任人而疑其心，公明達不拘，唯才所宜，此度勝也。

Yuan Shao is slow and ponderous and seldom decisive; his failing is that he lags behind the moment. You, Lord Cao, can decide great matters and respond to change in endless ways. In this you win on strategy.

紹遲重少決，失在後機，公能斷大事，應變無方，此謀勝也。

Yuan Shao is lax in handling his troops and his laws and orders are not enforced, so although his soldiers are many, in truth they are hard to use. Your laws and orders, Lord Cao, are clear and your rewards and punishments are always carried out, so although your soldiers are few, they all vie to fight to the death. In this you win on martial prowess.

紹御軍寬緩，法令不立，士卒雖衆，其實難用，公法令旣明，賞罰必行，士卒雖寡，皆爭致死，此武勝也。

Yuan Shao relies on the standing his family has held for generations and makes a leisurely show of wisdom to win renown, so the men who gather to him are mostly those of little ability who love to debate. You, Lord Cao, treat people with the utmost benevolence, extend your sincerity to them without empty flattery, are careful and frugal in your own conduct, yet begrudge nothing to those who have achieved merit. So all the loyal, upright men of the realm who work for real results wish to be used by you. In this you win on virtue.

紹憑世資，從容飾智，以收名譽，故士之寡能好問者多歸之，公以至仁待人，推誠心不爲虛美，行己謹儉，而與有功者無所恡惜，故天下忠正效實之士咸願爲用，此德勝也。

With these four advantages you assist the Emperor and uphold righteousness in your campaigns. Who would dare not follow you? What can Yuan Shao’s strength accomplish?” Taizu was pleased.

夫以四勝輔天子，扶義征伐，誰敢不從？紹之彊其何能爲！」太祖悅。

Xun Yu said, “Unless you first take Lü Bu, the north of the Yellow River will not be easy to win either.”

彧曰：「不先取呂布，河北亦未易圖也。」

Taizu said, “True. But what troubles me is the fear that Yuan Shao will also harry Guanzhong, stir up the Qiang and the Hu, and entice Shu and Hanzhong in the south. Then I alone, with only Yan and Yu provinces, would be standing against five-sixths of the realm. What is to be done?”

太祖曰：「然。吾所惑者，又恐紹侵擾關中，亂羌、胡，南誘蜀漢，是我獨以兖、豫抗天下六分之五也。爲將柰何？」

Xun Yu said, “The commanders in Guanzhong number in the dozens, and none can unite the others; only Han Sui and Ma Chao are the strongest. When they see that the east is locked in struggle, each will surely hold on to his own men to protect himself. If you now win them over with kindness and send envoys to make peace with them, then even if the standoff cannot hold for long, it will be enough to keep them from moving until you, Lord Cao, have pacified the east. Zhong Yao can be entrusted with affairs in the west. Then you will have nothing to worry about.”

彧曰：「關中將帥以十數，莫能相一，唯韓遂、馬超最彊。彼見山東方爭，必各擁衆自保。今若撫以恩德，遣使連和，相持雖不能久安，比公安定山東，足以不動。鍾繇可屬以西事。則公無憂矣。」

In the third year, having defeated Zhang Xiu, Taizu went east, captured Lü Bu, and pacified Xu Province, and then faced off against Yuan Shao.

三年，太祖旣破張繡，東禽呂布，定徐州，遂與袁紹相拒。

Kong Rong said to Xun Yu, “Yuan Shao’s territory is vast and his army strong. Tian Feng and Xu You, men of wisdom and cunning, plan for him; Shen Pei and Feng Ji, ministers of utter loyalty, manage his affairs; Yan Liang and Wen Chou, the bravest in all his armies, command his troops. Surely he will be hard to overcome!”

孔融謂彧曰：「紹地廣兵彊；田豐、許攸，智計之士也，爲之謀；審配、逢紀，盡忠之臣也，任其事；顏良、文醜，勇冠三軍，統其兵：殆難克乎！」

Xun Yu said, “Yuan Shao’s troops are many, but his laws are in disorder. Tian Feng is unbending and defies his superior; Xu You is greedy and undisciplined. Shen Pei is high-handed and lacks judgment; Feng Ji is bold but self-willed. These two will be left in charge of affairs in the rear. If Xu You’s family breaks the law, they will certainly not let it pass, and if they do not, Xu You will certainly turn against him. As for Yan Liang and Wen Chou, theirs is the courage of a single man; they can be captured in one battle.”

彧曰：「紹兵雖多而法不整。田豐剛而犯上，許攸貪而不治。審配專而無謀，逢紀果而自用，此二人留知後事，若攸家犯其法，必不能縱也，不縱，攸必爲變。顏良、文醜，一夫之勇耳，可一戰而禽也。」

In the fifth year there were repeated battles with Yuan Shao. Taizu held Guandu, and Yuan Shao besieged him there. Taizu’s army was running out of grain, and he wrote to Xun Yu proposing to return to Xu to draw Yuan Shao after him. Xun Yu said, “Though your army’s food is short, it is not as bad as when Chu and Han faced each other between Xingyang and Chenggao. At that time neither Liu Bang nor Xiang Yu would be the first to retreat, for whoever retreated first would see his position collapse. You, Lord Cao, with a force one-tenth the size of his, have drawn a line on the ground and held it, gripping his throat so he cannot advance, for half a year already.

五年，與紹連戰。太祖保官渡，紹圍之。太祖軍糧方盡，書與彧，議欲還許以引紹。彧曰：「今軍食雖少，未若楚、漢在滎陽、成皐間也。是時劉、項莫肯先退，先退者勢屈也。公以十分居一之衆，畫地而守之，扼其喉而不得進，已半年矣。

His true state is exposed and his momentum spent; something is bound to give way. This is the time to use a surprise stroke; it must not be missed.” Taizu then stayed where he was. He went on to send a surprise force against Yuan Shao’s detached camp and beheaded his general Chunyu Qiong and others, and Yuan Shao withdrew in flight. Shen Pei, because Xu You’s family had broken the law, arrested his wife and children, and Xu You in anger turned against Yuan Shao; Yan Liang and Wen Chou lost their heads on the field of battle; and Tian Feng was put to death for his remonstrances—all just as Xun Yu had foreseen.

情見勢竭，必將有變，此用奇之時，不可失也。」太祖乃住。遂以奇兵襲紹別屯，斬其將淳于瓊等，紹退走。審配以許攸家不法，收其妻子，攸怒叛紹；顏良、文醜臨陣授首；田豐以諫見誅：皆如彧所策。

In the sixth year Taizu went to Anmin in Dongping to find food. His grain was short, not enough to hold out against the north, and he wanted to take advantage of Yuan Shao’s recent defeat to attack Liu Biao in the meantime. Xun Yu said, “Now that Yuan Shao has been defeated, his followers are losing heart. You should take advantage of his distress and finish him off. If instead you turn your back on Yan and Yu provinces and take your army far off to the Yangtze and the Han, and Yuan Shao gathers up his dying embers and exploits the gap to come out behind you, then your cause will be lost, Lord Cao.” Taizu again encamped on the Yellow River.

六年，太祖就穀東平之安民，糧少，不足與河北相支，欲因紹新破，以其間撃討劉表。彧曰：「今紹敗，其衆離心，宜乘其困，遂定之；而背兖、豫，遠師江、漢，若紹收其餘燼，承虛以出人後，則公事去矣。」太祖復次于河上。

Yuan Shao died of illness. Taizu crossed the Yellow River and attacked Yuan Shao’s sons Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, while Gao Gan and Guo Yuan invaded and plundered Hedong and the lands west of the passes were shaken. Zhong Yao led Ma Teng and others and defeated them. The account is in the Biography of Zhong Yao.

紹病死。太祖渡河，撃紹子譚、尚，而髙幹、郭援侵略河東，關右震動，鍾繇帥馬騰等撃破之。語在《繇傳》。

In the eighth year Taizu recorded Xun Yu’s merits, past and recent, and memorialized to have him enfeoffed as Marquis of Wansui Village.

八年，太祖録彧前後功，表封彧爲萬歳亭侯。¹

In the ninth year Taizu took Ye and assumed the governorship of Ji Province. Someone advised him, “You should restore the ancient system of nine provinces. Then the territory governed by Ji Province would be vast, and the realm would submit.” Taizu was about to follow this advice, but Xun Yu said, “In that case Ji Province would take in Hedong, Pingyi, Fufeng, Xihe, and the lands of You and Bing, and many would lose territory. When you, Lord Cao, recently crushed Yuan Shang and captured Shen Pei, all within the seas were shaken and alarmed. Everyone must be afraid that he cannot keep his lands or hold on to his troops. If you now divide their lands and attach them to Ji Province, they will all be unsettled.

九年，太祖拔鄴，領冀州牧。或説太祖「宜復古置九州，則冀州所制者廣大，天下服矣。」太祖將從之，彧言曰：「若是，則冀州當得河東、馮翊、扶風、西河、幽、并之地，所奪者衆。前日公破袁尚，禽審配，海內震駭，必人人自恐不得保其土地，守其兵衆也；今使分屬冀州，將皆動心。

Moreover, many people are urging the generals west of the passes to close the passes against us. If they hear of this, they will think they are sure to be stripped of their lands in turn. Once trouble breaks out, even those who would hold loyal will be pressured by one another into wrongdoing. Then Yuan Shang will win a reprieve from death, Yuan Tan will turn double-hearted, and Liu Biao will be able to keep his hold on the lands between the Yangtze and the Han, and the realm will not be easy to win. I beg you, Lord Cao, to lead your troops swiftly and first subdue the north, then restore the old capital, and bear down south on Jing Province, calling it to account for its failure to send tribute. Then everyone in the realm will understand your intentions, and all will feel secure.

且人多説關右諸將以閉關之計；今聞此，以爲必以次見奪。一旦生變，雖有善守者，轉相脅爲非，則袁尚得寬其死，而袁譚懷貳，劉表遂保江、漢之閒，天下未易圖也。願公急引兵先定河北，然後脩復舊京，南臨荊州，責貢之不入，則天下咸知公意，人人自安。

Once the realm is fully settled, then discuss the ancient system. This is what will serve the altars of state for a long time to come.” Taizu then shelved the proposal for nine provinces.

天下大定，乃議古制，此社稷長久之利也。」太祖遂寢九州議。

At this time Xun You was always the chief planner. Xun Yu’s elder brother Xun Yan, as Colonel Supervising the Army, guarded Ye and held overall command of affairs north of the Yellow River. When Taizu campaigned against Yuan Shang, Gao Gan secretly sent troops in a plot to take Ye by surprise, but Xun Yan discovered it in advance and executed them all. For this service he was enfeoffed as a full marquis.

是時荀攸常爲謀主。彧兄衍以監軍校尉守鄴，都督河北事。太祖之征袁尚也，髙幹密遣兵謀襲鄴，衍逆覺，盡誅之，以功封列侯。¹

Taizu gave his daughter in marriage to Xun Yu’s eldest son, Xun Yun; she was later styled Princess of Anyang. Xun Yu and Xun You were both honored and highly placed, yet both were modest and frugal, and they distributed their salaries and gifts among their clansmen and old friends, so that their households had no wealth to spare. In the twelfth year Xun Yu’s fief was increased by another thousand households, for two thousand in all.

太祖以女妻彧長子惲，後稱安陽公主。彧及攸並貴重，皆謙沖節儉，祿賜散之宗族知舊，家無餘財。十二年，復增彧邑千戸，合二千戸。¹

When Taizu was about to attack Liu Biao, he asked Xun Yu what strategy to adopt. Xun Yu said, “Now that the central lands are pacified, the south knows it is in straits. You could march out openly toward Wan and She while light troops advance by byways to take them unawares.” Taizu then set out. Just then Liu Biao died of illness, and Taizu made straight for Wan and She as Xun Yu had planned. Liu Biao’s son Liu Cong came out to meet him and surrendered the province.

太祖將伐劉表，問彧策安出，彧曰：「今華夏已平，南土知困矣。可顯出宛、葉而間行輕進，以掩其不意。」太祖遂行。會表病死，太祖直趨宛、葉如彧計，表子琮以州逆降。

In the seventeenth year Dong Zhao and others held that Taizu should be raised in rank to a duke with a state of his own and be granted the full array of the Nine Distinctions, to display his extraordinary merit, and they secretly consulted Xun Yu. Xun Yu held that Taizu had originally raised a righteous army to set the court right and bring peace to the state, and that he should hold to sincere loyalty and keep to genuine humility; a gentleman loves others by means of virtue, and this was not fitting. Because of this Taizu could not be at ease. When it came time to campaign against Sun Quan, Taizu memorialized asking that Xun Yu be sent to reward the army at Qiao, and then kept him there, as Palace Attendant and Grandee of Splendid Happiness bearing the Staff of Authority, to participate in the military affairs of the Chancellor.

十七年，董昭等謂太祖宜進爵國公，九錫備物，以彰殊勳，密以諮彧。彧以爲太祖本興義兵以匡朝寧國，秉忠貞之誠，守退讓之實；君子愛人以德，不宜如此。太祖由是心不能平。會征孫權，表請彧勞軍于譙，因輒留彧，以侍中光祿大夫持節，參丞相軍事。

When Taizu’s army reached Ruxu, Xun Yu fell ill and stayed behind at Shouchun, where he died in grief and worry at the age of fifty. He was given the posthumous title Respectful Marquis. The next year Taizu at last became Duke of Wei.

太祖軍至濡須，彧疾留壽春，以憂薨，時年五十。諡曰敬侯。明年，太祖遂爲魏公矣。¹

Xun Yu’s Son Xun Yun

彧子　惲

His son Xun Yun inherited the marquisate and rose in office to General of the Household Rapid as Tigers. Earlier, when Emperor Wen and Cao Zhi, Marquis of Pingyuan, were both being weighed as possible heirs, Emperor Wen had gone out of his way to treat Xun Yu with courtesy. After Xun Yu died, Xun Yun became friends with Cao Zhi and was on bad terms with Xiahou Shang, so Emperor Wen deeply resented Xun Yun. Xun Yun died young, but his sons Xun Han and Xun Yi (霬), being Emperor Wen’s nephews, continued to enjoy favor. Xun Yun’s younger brother Xun Yu (俁) was Palace Assistant Imperial Clerk, and his younger brother Xun Shen was Attendant Gentleman on the staff of the Grand General. Both were well known, and both died young. Xun Shen’s younger brother Xun Yi (顗) became Minister of Works during the Xianxi era.

子惲，嗣侯，官至虎賁中郎將。初，文帝與平原侯植並有擬論，文帝曲禮事彧。及彧卒，惲又與植善，而與夏侯尚不穆，文帝深恨惲。惲早卒，子甝、霬，¹以外甥故猶寵待。惲弟俁，御史中丞，俁弟詵，大將軍從事中郎，皆知名，早卒。²詵弟顗，咸熙中爲司空。³

Xun Yun’s Son Xun Han

惲子　甝

Xun Yun’s son Xun Han succeeded him, became Regular Mounted Attendant, and was advanced in rank to Marquis of Guangyang District. He died at thirty. His son Xun Jun succeeded him.

惲子甝，嗣爲散騎常侍，進爵廣陽鄕侯，年三十薨。子頵嗣。¹

Xun Yun’s Son Xun Yi

惲子　霬

Xun Yi rose in office to Commander of the Central Guard. When he died he was given the posthumous title Chaste Marquis and was posthumously made General of Agile Cavalry. His son Xun Kai succeeded him. Xun Yi’s wife was the younger sister of Sima Shi (King Jing) and Sima Zhao (King Wen), and both kings were on close terms with him. During the Xianxi era, when the five ranks of nobility were established, because Xun Yi had rendered distinguished service in earlier reigns, Xun Kai’s fief was changed and he was made Viscount of Nandun.

霬官至中領軍，薨，諡曰貞侯，追贈驃騎將軍。子愷嗣。霬妻，司馬景王、文王之妹也，二王皆與親善。咸熙中，開建五等，霬以著勳前朝，改封愷南頓子。¹

Xun You

荀攸

Xun You, courtesy name Gongda, was Xun Yu’s nephew. His grandfather Xun Tan was Prefect of Guangling. Xun You lost his father when young. When Xun Tan died, a former subordinate of his, Zhang Quan, asked to guard Xun Tan’s tomb. Xun You, then thirteen, was suspicious of him and said to his uncle Xun Qu, “This man has an unusual look about him. He must be hiding some crime!” Xun Qu understood, questioned him closely, and found that he had indeed killed a man and was a fugitive. From then on Xun You was thought remarkable.

荀攸字公達，彧從子也。祖父曇，廣陵太守。¹攸少孤。及曇卒，故吏張權求守曇墓。攸年十三，疑之，謂叔父衢曰：「此吏有非常之色，殆將有姦！」衢寤，乃推問，果殺人亡命。由是異之。²

When He Jin held the reins of government, he summoned more than twenty renowned gentlemen from all within the seas, Xun You among them. On his arrival Xun You was appointed Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. During the upheaval caused by Dong Zhuo, when troops rose east of the passes, Dong Zhuo moved the capital to Changan. Xun You plotted with the Consultants Zheng Tai and He Yong, the Palace Attendant Chong Ji, the Colonel of Elite Cavalry Wu Qiong and others, saying, “Dong Zhuo is more lawless than Jie or Zhou, and the whole realm resents him. Though he relies on strong troops, he is in truth no more than a common fellow. If we now simply stab him to death to make amends to the people, and then hold Xiao and Hangu, uphold the royal commands and issue orders to the realm, this will be a deed like those of Duke Huan and Duke Wen.”

何進秉政，徴海內名士攸等二十餘人。攸到，拜黃門侍郎。董卓之亂，關東兵起，卓徙都長安。攸與議郎鄭泰、何顒、侍中种輯、越騎校尉伍瓊等謀曰：「董卓無道，甚於桀紂，天下皆怨之，雖資彊兵，實一匹夫耳。今直刺殺之以謝百姓，然後據殽、函，輔王命，以號令天下，此桓文之舉也。」

When the plan was on the verge of success it was discovered, and He Yong and Xun You were arrested and thrown into prison. He Yong, overcome by anxiety and fear, killed himself, but Xun You talked, ate and drank as calmly as ever, and it happened that Dong Zhuo died, so he escaped. He abandoned his office and went home. He was again summoned to the offices of the Excellencies, was recommended in the highest grade, and was transferred to be Chancellor of Rencheng, but he did not go. Because Shu and Han were rugged and secure and their people numerous and prosperous, Xun You asked to be made Prefect of Shu Commandery, but the roads were cut and he could not get there, so he stayed in Jing Province.

事垂就而覺，收顒、攸繫獄，顒憂懼自殺，¹攸言語飲食自若，會卓死得免。²棄官歸，復辟公府，舉髙第，遷任城相，不行。攸以蜀漢險固，人民殷盛，乃求爲蜀郡太守，道絶不得至，駐荊州。

When Taizu welcomed the Emperor and made Xu the capital, he sent Xun You a letter saying, “Now the realm is in great turmoil; this is a time for wise men to exert their minds. Yet you look on at the changes from Shu and Han—has this not gone on too long?” He then summoned Xun You and made him Prefect of Runan, and later brought him into the court as Master of Writing. Taizu had long heard of Xun You’s reputation; when he talked with him he was delighted and said to Xun Yu and Zhong Yao, “Gongda is no ordinary man. If I can plan affairs with him, what need I fear in the realm?”

太祖迎天子都許，遺攸書曰：「方今天下大亂，智士勞心之時也，而顧觀變蜀漢，不已久乎！」於是徴攸爲汝南太守，入爲尚書。太祖素聞攸名，與語大悅，謂荀彧，鍾繇曰：「公達，非常人也，吾得與之計事，天下當何憂哉！」

He was made Military Adviser. In the third year of Jian'an he followed Taizu on the campaign against Zhang Xiu. Xun You said to Taizu, “Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao rely on each other for strength, but Zhang Xiu with his roving army depends on Liu Biao for food, and Liu Biao cannot keep supplying him; in the nature of things they must part. It would be better to slow our advance and wait for that; then he can be lured over to us. If we press him hard, they are bound to come to each other’s rescue.” Taizu did not listen and advanced his army to Rang and fought him. When Zhang Xiu was hard pressed, Liu Biao did indeed come to his rescue.

以爲軍師。建安三年，從征張繡。攸言於太祖曰：「繡與劉表相恃爲彊，然繡以遊軍仰食於表，表不能供也，勢必離。不如緩軍以待之，可誘而致也；若急之，其勢必相救。」太祖不從，遂進軍之穰，與戰。繡急，表果救之。

The army fared badly. Taizu said to Xun You, “It has come to this because I did not take your advice.” He then set up a surprise force, fought again, and crushed them.

軍不利。太祖謂攸曰：「不用君言至是。」乃設奇兵復戰，大破之。

That year Taizu set out from Wan to campaign against Lü Bu and reached Xiapi. Lü Bu, defeated, fell back and held fast. Taizu attacked but could not take the city; after battle upon battle the soldiers were exhausted, and Taizu wanted to turn back. Xun You and Guo Jia urged him, “Lü Bu is brave but has no strategy. He has now been beaten in three battles, and his keen spirit is failing. The army takes its general as its master; when the master falters, the army loses its will to fight. Chen Gong has wisdom but is slow. If we now press the attack hard, before Lü Bu’s spirit has recovered and before Chen Gong’s plans are settled, Lü Bu can be overcome.” So they diverted the Yi and Si rivers to flood the city; the city collapsed, and Lü Bu was taken alive.

是歳，太祖自宛征呂布，¹至下邳，布敗退固守，攻之不拔，連戰，士卒疲，太祖欲還。攸與郭嘉説曰：「呂布勇而無謀，今三戰皆北，其鋭氣衰矣。三軍以將爲主，主衰則軍無奮意。夫陳宮有智而遲，今及布氣之未復，宮謀之未定，進急攻之，布可拔也。」乃引沂、泗灌城，城潰，生禽布。

Later he followed Taizu to relieve Liu Yan at Baima, and Xun You devised the plan by which Yan Liang was beheaded. The account is in the Annals of Emperor Wu. When Taizu withdrew from Baima and turned back, he sent the baggage train west along the Yellow River. Yuan Shao crossed the river in pursuit and suddenly came upon Taizu. The generals were all afraid and urged Taizu to go back and hold the camp, but Xun You said, “This is the very means to capture the enemy. Why abandon it?” Taizu glanced at Xun You and laughed. He then used the baggage train as bait for the rebels; they raced each other for it, and their ranks fell into disorder.

後從救劉延於白馬，攸畫策斬顏良。語在武紀。太祖拔白馬還，遣輜重循河而西。袁紹渡河追，卒與太祖遇。諸將皆恐，説太祖還保營，攸曰：「此所以禽敵，柰何去之！」太祖目攸而笑。遂以輜重餌賊，賊競奔之，陣亂。

Then he let loose his infantry and cavalry to attack, crushed them, and beheaded their cavalry commander Wen Chou. Taizu then faced Yuan Shao at Guandu. When the army’s food was about to run out, Xun You said to Taizu, “Yuan Shao’s supply wagons will arrive any day now. Their commander Han Meng is keen but holds the enemy cheap; if we strike, he can be beaten.” “Who can be sent?” asked Taizu. “Xu Huang can,” said Xun You. So Xu Huang and Shi Huan were sent to intercept them; they routed the convoy and burned its supplies. It happened that Xu You came over to surrender and reported that Yuan Shao had sent Chunyu Qiong and others with more than ten thousand troops to meet the grain shipments; the commanders were arrogant and the soldiers slack, and they could be ambushed.

乃縱歩騎撃，大破之，斬其騎將文醜，太祖遂與紹相拒於官渡。軍食方盡，攸言於太祖曰：「紹運車旦暮至，其將韓𦳣鋭而輕敵，撃可破也。」¹太祖曰：「誰可使？」攸曰：「徐晃可。」乃遣晃及史渙邀撃破走之，燒其輜重。會許攸來降，言紹遣淳于瓊等將萬餘兵迎運糧，將驕卒惰，可要撃也。

Everyone was doubtful. Only Xun You and Jia Xu urged Taizu on. Taizu then left Xun You and Cao Hong to hold the camp. Taizu led the attack himself, destroyed the convoy and beheaded Chunyu Qiong and all the rest. Yuan Shao’s generals Zhang He and Gao Lan burned their siege towers and surrendered, and Yuan Shao at last abandoned his army and fled. When Zhang He came, Cao Hong was suspicious and dared not accept him, but Xun You said to Cao Hong, “Zhang He came in anger because his plan was not used. Why do you doubt him?” So he was accepted.

衆皆疑。唯攸與賈詡勸太祖。太祖乃留攸及曹洪守。太祖自將攻破之，盡斬瓊等。紹將張郃、髙覽燒攻櫓降，紹遂棄軍走。郃之來，洪疑不敢受，攸謂洪曰：「郃計不用，怒而來，君何疑？」乃受之。

In the seventh year he followed Taizu in attacking Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang at Liyang. The next year, just as Taizu was about to campaign against Liu Biao, Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang fought over Ji Province. Yuan Tan sent Xin Pi to offer surrender and ask for help. Taizu was going to agree, and put the question to his subordinates. Most of them held that Liu Biao was strong and should be dealt with first, and that Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang were not worth worrying about. Xun You said, “The realm is full of troubles, yet Liu Biao sits guarding the land between the Yangzi and the Han; plainly he has no ambitions beyond his borders.

七年，從討袁譚、尚於黎陽。明年，太祖方征劉表，譚、尚爭冀州。譚遣辛毗乞降請救，太祖將許之，以問羣下。羣下多以爲表彊，宜先平之，譚、尚不足憂也。攸曰：「天下方有事，而劉表坐保江、漢之閒，其無四方志可知矣。

The Yuan clan holds the lands of four provinces with a hundred thousand armored troops, and Yuan Shao won the people over by his generosity. Had his two sons lived in harmony to guard the enterprise he built, the troubles of the realm would never cease. Now the brothers have fallen into enmity, and in the nature of things both cannot survive. If one absorbs the other, their strength will be united, and once it is united they will be hard to overcome. If we take them while they are in turmoil, the realm will be settled. This moment must not be lost.” “Good,” said Taizu. He then agreed to an alliance with Yuan Tan, and went back and crushed Yuan Shang.

袁氏據四州之地，帶甲十萬，紹以寬厚得衆，借使二子和睦以守其成業，則天下之難未息也。今兄弟遘惡，其勢不兩全。若有所并則力專，力專則難圖也。及其亂而取之，天下定矣，此時不可失也。」太祖曰：「善。」乃許譚和親，遂還撃破尚。

Later, when Yuan Tan rebelled, Xun You followed Taizu and beheaded Yuan Tan at Nanpi. When Ji Province was pacified, Taizu sent up a memorial asking that Xun You be enfeoffed, saying, “Military Adviser Xun You has assisted me from the beginning. There has been no campaign in which he did not take part, and our victories over the enemy, first and last, were all due to his plans.” He was thereupon enfeoffed as Marquis of Lingshu Village. In the twelfth year an order was issued for a great assessment of merit and grant of fiefs, and Taizu said, “Loyal and upright, secret in counsel, bringing peace within and without—that is Wenruo. Gongda comes next.” Xun You’s fief was increased by four hundred households, for seven hundred in all, and he was transferred to be Military Adviser of the Central Army. When the state of Wei was first established, he became Director of the Secretariat.

其後譚叛，從斬譚於南皮。冀州平，太祖表封攸曰：「軍師荀攸，自初佐臣，無征不從，前後克敵，皆攸之謀也。」於是封陵樹亭侯。十二年，下令大論功行封，太祖曰：「忠正密謀，撫寧內外，文若是也。公達其次也。」增邑四百，并前七百戸，¹轉爲中軍師。魏國初建，爲尚書令。

Xun You was deep and discreet, and guarded himself with wisdom. From the time he followed Taizu on campaign he was always making plans within the command tent, yet neither the people of the time nor even his own sons and nephews knew what he had said. Taizu often praised him, saying, “Gongda seems foolish outside but is wise within, seems timid outside but is brave within, seems weak outside but is strong within. He does not boast of his good deeds or make a show of his labors. His wisdom can be matched, but his foolishness cannot be matched. Even Master Yan or Ning Wu could not surpass him.” When Emperor Wen was in the Eastern Palace, Taizu said to him, “Xun Gongda is a model for all men. You must show him the utmost courtesy and respect.”

攸深密有智防，自從太祖征伐，常謀謩帷幄，時人及子弟莫知其所言。¹太祖毎稱曰：「公達外愚內智，外怯內勇，外弱內彊，不伐善，無施勞，智可及，愚不可及，雖顏子、寗武不能過也。」文帝在東宮，太祖謂曰：「荀公達，人之師表也，汝當盡禮敬之。」

Once when Xun You was ill, the Heir came to ask after him and bowed alone at the foot of his bed—such was the special honor in which he was held. Xun You was on good terms with Zhong Yao, who said, “Whenever I have something to do, I think it over again and again until I believe it cannot be improved; yet when I consult Gongda, he always goes beyond what one had in mind.” Gongda devised twelve extraordinary stratagems in all, and only Zhong Yao knew them. Zhong Yao was compiling them but died before he finished, so the world never came to hear of them all. Xun You died on the road while following Taizu on the campaign against Sun Quan. Whenever Taizu spoke of him, he wept.

攸曾病，世子問病，獨拜牀下，其見尊異如此。攸與鍾繇善，繇言：「我毎有所行，反覆思惟，自謂無以易；以咨公達，輒復過人意。」公達前後凡畫奇策十二，唯繇知之。繇撰集未就，會薨，故世不得盡聞也。¹攸從征孫權，道薨。太祖言則流涕。²

His eldest son, Xun Ji, had Xun You’s bearing but died young. His second son, Xun Shi, succeeded him but had no sons, and the line was cut off. During the Huangchu era Xun You’s grandson Xun Biao was enfeoffed as his successor as Marquis of Lingshu Village with a fief of three hundred households, and was later transferred to be Marquis of Qiuyang Village. During the Zhengshi era Xun You was posthumously named Marquis Jing.

長子緝，有攸風，早沒。次子適嗣，無子，絶。黃初中，紹封攸孫彪爲陵樹亭侯，邑三百戸，後轉封丘陽亭侯。正始中，追諡攸曰敬侯。

Jia Xu

賈詡

Jia Xu, styled Wenhe, was a man of Guzang in Wuwei. In his youth no one recognized his worth; only Yan Zhong of Hanyang thought him remarkable and said that Jia Xu had the extraordinary gifts of Zhang Liang and Chen Ping. He was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt and became a Gentleman, but left office because of illness. Returning west, he reached Qian and on the road ran into rebel Di tribesmen; the several dozen people traveling with him were all seized. Jia Xu said, “I am Lord Duan’s grandson through my mother. Bury me apart from the others; my family will surely pay a rich ransom for me.” At that time the Grand Commandant Duan Jiong had long served as a general on the frontier, and his might made the western lands tremble, so Jia Xu borrowed his name to frighten the Di.

賈詡字文和，武威姑臧人也。少時人莫知，唯漢陽閻忠異之，謂詡有良、平之奇。¹察孝廉爲郎，疾病去官，西還至汧，道遇叛氐，同行數十人皆爲所執。詡曰：「我段公外孫也，汝別埋我，我家必厚贖之。」時太尉段熲，昔久爲邊將，威震西土，故詡假以懼氐。

The Di did indeed not dare to harm him, but swore a covenant with him and sent him on his way; all the others died. Jia Xu was not in fact Duan’s grandson. His use of expedients to carry things through was always of this kind.

氐果不敢害，與盟而送之，其餘悉死。詡實非段甥，權以濟事，咸此類也。

When Dong Zhuo entered Luoyang, Jia Xu went from being a clerk on the Grand Commandant’s staff to Commandant of Pingjin, and was promoted to Colonel Who Punishes Caitiffs. Dong Zhuo’s son-in-law, the General of the Household Niu Fu, was stationed at Shan, and Jia Xu was with Niu Fu’s army. When Dong Zhuo fell and Niu Fu too was killed, the troops were terrified, and the colonels Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji and others wanted to disband and slip home by back roads. Jia Xu said, “I hear that in Changan there is talk of executing everyone from Liang Province. If you gentlemen abandon your troops and travel alone, a single village headman could tie you up.

董卓之入洛陽，詡以太尉掾爲平津都尉，遷討虜校尉。卓壻中郎將牛輔屯陝，詡在輔軍。卓敗，輔又死，衆恐懼，校尉李傕、郭汜、張濟等欲解散，間行歸鄕里。詡曰：「聞長安中議欲盡誅涼州人，而諸君棄衆單行，即一亭長能束君矣。

It would be better to lead your men west, gathering troops wherever you go, and attack Changan to avenge Lord Dong. If by good fortune you succeed, you can uphold the state and campaign across the realm; if you fail, it will not be too late to flee then.” They all agreed. Li Jue then marched west and attacked Changan. The account is in the Biography of Dong Zhuo. Later, when Jia Xu was Administrator of Zuopingyi, Li Jue and the others wanted to make him a marquis for his merit, but Jia Xu said, “That was a plan to save our lives. What merit was there in it?” He firmly refused and would not accept. They then wanted to make him Supervisor of the Secretariat, but Jia Xu said, “The Supervisor of the Secretariat is the head of the officials and the one the whole realm looks up to. My name has never carried weight; I am not the man to make others submit.

不如率衆而西，所在收兵，以攻長安，爲董公報仇，幸而事濟，奉國家以征天下，若不濟，走未後也。」衆以爲然。傕乃西攻長安。語在卓傳。¹後詡爲左馮翊，傕等欲以功侯之，詡曰：「此救命之計，何功之有！」固辭不受。又以爲尚書僕射，詡曰：「尚書僕射，官之師長，天下所望，詡名不素重，非所以服人也。

Even if I, Jia Xu, were blind to honor and profit, what of the court of the state?” So instead Jia Xu was appointed Master of Writing in charge of selections and recommendations, and he did much to correct and remedy matters; Li Jue and the others were close to him but held him in awe. When his mother died he left office to mourn, and was appointed Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. When Li Jue, Guo Si and the others fought one another inside Changan, Li Jue again called on Jia Xu and made him General Who Proclaims Righteousness. In Li Jue and the others making peace, letting the Emperor leave, and protecting the high ministers, Jia Xu played a strong part. Once the Emperor had left, Jia Xu returned his seal and ribbon. At that time the general Duan Wei was stationed at Huayin; he came from the same commandery as Jia Xu, so Jia Xu left Li Jue and put himself under Duan Wei’s protection.

縱詡昧於榮利，柰國朝何！」乃更拜詡尚書，典選舉，多所匡濟，傕等親而憚之。¹會母喪去官，拜光祿大夫。傕、汜等鬬長安中，²傕復請詡爲宣義將軍。³傕等和，出天子，祐護大臣，詡有力焉。⁴天子旣出，詡上還印綬。是時將軍段煨屯華陰，⁵與詡同郡，遂去傕託煨。

Jia Xu had long been well known, and Duan Wei’s troops looked up to him. Inwardly Duan Wei feared being supplanted by him, but outwardly he treated Jia Xu with the fullest courtesy, which made Jia Xu all the more uneasy.

詡素知名，爲煨軍所望。煨內恐其見奪，而外奉詡禮甚備，詡愈不自安。

Zhang Xiu was in Nanyang. Jia Xu secretly formed ties with him, and Zhang Xiu sent men to fetch him. As Jia Xu was about to go, someone said to him, “Duan Wei treats you generously. Why would you leave him?” Jia Xu said, “Duan Wei is suspicious by nature and is wary of me. Though his courtesy is generous, it cannot be relied on; in time he will move against me. If I leave he will surely be glad, and hoping that I will secure him a great ally outside, he is sure to treat my wife and children well. Zhang Xiu has no chief strategist and will also be glad to have me. So both my family and I are sure to come through safely.”

張繡在南陽，詡陰結繡，繡遣人迎詡。詡將行，或謂詡曰：「煨待君厚矣，君安去之？」詡曰：「煨性多疑，有忌詡意，禮雖厚，不可恃，久將爲所圖。我去必喜，又望吾結大援於外，必厚吾妻子。繡無謀主，亦願得詡，則家與身必倶全矣。」

So Jia Xu went, and Zhang Xiu treated him with the deference of a son or grandson, while Duan Wei, as expected, looked after his family well. Jia Xu persuaded Zhang Xiu to ally with Liu Biao. Taizu campaigned against them repeatedly, and one morning he suddenly withdrew his army. Zhang Xiu set out to pursue him himself. Jia Xu said to Zhang Xiu, “You must not pursue; if you do, you will surely be defeated.” Zhang Xiu did not listen, advanced and gave battle, and returned badly beaten. Jia Xu said to Zhang Xiu, “Pursue him again at once. If you fight again you will surely win.” Zhang Xiu apologized, saying, “It has come to this because I did not follow your advice, sir.

詡遂往，繡執子孫禮，煨果善視其家。詡説繡與劉表連和。¹太祖比征之，一朝引軍退，繡自追之。詡謂繡曰：「不可追也，追必敗。」繡不從，進兵交戰，大敗而還。詡謂繡曰：「促更追之，更戰必勝。」繡謝曰：「不用公言，以至於此。

Now that we have already been beaten, why pursue again?” Jia Xu said, “The situation has changed. If you go quickly you are sure to gain.” Zhang Xiu believed him, gathered his scattered troops and set off in pursuit, fought a great battle, and did indeed return victorious. He asked Jia Xu, “When I pursued a retreating army with my best troops, you said I would surely lose; when I turned round and attacked a victorious army with beaten men, you said I would surely win. Everything turned out as you said. How could both prove true when they ran contrary to each other?” Jia Xu said, “That is easy to understand. General, though you are skilled in war, you are no match for Lord Cao.

今已敗，柰何復追？」詡曰：「兵勢有變，亟往必利。」繡信之，遂收散卒赴追，大戰，果以勝還。問詡曰：「繡以精兵追退軍，而公曰必敗；退以敗卒撃勝兵，而公曰必剋。悉如公言，何其反而皆驗也？」詡曰：「此易知耳。將軍雖善用兵，非曹公敵也。

Though his army had only just withdrawn, Lord Cao was sure to guard the rear himself. However fine your pursuing troops, their general was no match for him and his men were keen as well, so I knew you would lose. Lord Cao made no mistakes in attacking you, General; if he withdrew before his strength was spent, there must have been trouble at home. Having beaten you, he was sure to press on quickly with a light army, and even if he left his generals to guard the rear, brave as they are, they are no match for you, General. That is why, even with beaten troops, you were sure to win.” Zhang Xiu was convinced.

軍雖新退，曹公必自斷後；追兵雖精，將旣不敵，彼士亦鋭，故知必敗。曹公攻將軍無失策，力未盡而退，必國內有故；已破將軍，必輕軍速進，縱留諸將斷後，諸將雖勇，亦非將軍敵，故雖用敗兵而戰必勝也。」繡乃服。

Later, when Taizu was holding off Yuan Shao at Guandu, Yuan Shao sent men to win Zhang Xiu over and also wrote to Jia Xu to form an alliance. Zhang Xiu wanted to agree, but Jia Xu, openly and in Zhang Xiu’s presence, said to Yuan Shao’s envoy, “Go back and decline on our behalf to Yuan Benchu. If he and his brother cannot tolerate each other, how can he tolerate the worthy men of the realm?” Zhang Xiu, shocked and alarmed, said, “How could you go that far!” and privately said to Jia Xu, “Things being so, to whom should we turn?” Jia Xu said, “Our best course is to follow Lord Cao.” Zhang Xiu said, “Yuan is strong and Cao is weak, and besides we are enemies of Cao. How could we follow him?”

是後，太祖拒袁紹於官渡，紹遣人招繡，并與詡書結援。繡欲許之，詡顯於繡坐上謂紹使曰：「歸謝袁本初，兄弟不能相容，而能容天下國士乎？」繡驚懼曰：「何至於此！」竊謂詡曰：「若此，當何歸？」詡曰：「不如從曹公。」繡曰：「袁彊曹弱，又與曹爲讎，從之如何？」

Jia Xu said, “That is exactly why we should follow him. Lord Cao upholds the Emperor and issues commands to the realm in his name: that is the first reason to follow him. Yuan Shao is strong and flourishing; if we follow him with our small numbers, he is sure not to value us. Lord Cao’s forces are weak; he is sure to be glad to have us: that is the second reason. One who has the ambitions of a hegemon or a king will certainly set aside private grudges in order to display his virtue to all within the four seas: that is the third reason. I beg you, General, to have no doubts!”

詡曰：「此乃所以宜從也。夫曹公奉天子以令天下，其宜從一也。紹彊盛，我以少衆從之，必不以我爲重。曹公衆弱，其得我必喜，其宜從二也。夫有霸王之志者，固將釋私怨，以明德於四海，其宜從三也。願將軍無疑！」

Zhang Xiu followed his advice and led his men to submit to Taizu. When Taizu saw them he was delighted, took Jia Xu by the hand and said, “It is you who have made me trusted and respected throughout the realm.” He memorialized that Jia Xu be made Bearer of the Golden Mace and enfeoffed as Marquis of a Chief Village, and later transferred him to be Governor of Ji Province. As Ji Province was not yet pacified, Jia Xu was kept on as Adviser to the Army of the Minister of Works. When Yuan Shao besieged Taizu at Guandu and Taizu’s provisions were about to run out, he asked Jia Xu what plan to adopt. Jia Xu said, “Lord Cao, you surpass Yuan Shao in discernment, surpass him in courage, surpass him in employing men, and surpass him in seizing the moment. That you have these four advantages and yet have not settled matters in half a year is only because you are looking for complete safety.

繡從之，率衆歸太祖。太祖見之，喜，執詡手曰：「使我信重於天下者，子也。」表詡爲執金吾，封都亭侯，遷冀州牧。冀州未平，留參司空軍事。袁紹圍太祖於官渡，太祖糧方盡，問詡計焉出，詡曰：「公明勝紹，勇勝紹，用人勝紹，決機勝紹，有此四勝而半年不定者，但顧萬全故也。

If you seize the moment decisively, the matter can be settled in no time.” “Good,” said Taizu. He then combined his forces and sallied out, surrounded and attacked Yuan Shao’s camps stretching over thirty li, and defeated them. Yuan Shao’s army collapsed completely, and the lands north of the Yellow River were pacified.

必決其機，須臾可定也。」太祖曰：「善。」乃并兵出，圍撃紹三十餘里營，破之。紹軍大潰，河北平。

When Taizu took the post of Governor of Ji Province himself, he moved Jia Xu to be Grand Palace Grandee. In the thirteenth year of Jian'an, Taizu conquered Jing Province and wanted to go down the Yangzi eastward. Jia Xu remonstrated, saying, “My illustrious lord, you once crushed the Yuan clan, and now you have taken the lands south of the Han. Your might and fame are known far and wide, and your army is already great. If you use the wealth of the old land of Chu to reward your officers and men, and comfort and settle the people so that they are content in their homes and happy in their work, then without wearying your troops Jiangdong will bow its head and submit.” Taizu did not listen, and his army in the end gained nothing.

太祖領冀州牧，徙詡爲太中大夫。建安十三年，太祖破荊州，欲順江東下。詡諫曰：「明公昔破袁氏，今收漢南，威名遠著，軍勢旣大；若乘舊楚之饒，以饗吏士，撫安百姓，使安土樂業，則可不勞衆而江東稽服矣。」太祖不從，軍遂無利。¹

Later, when Taizu fought Han Sui and Ma Chao at Weinan, Ma Chao and the others demanded a cession of land in return for peace and also asked to send sons as hostages. Jia Xu thought they could be given a feigned agreement. Taizu also asked Jia Xu for a stratagem, and Jia Xu said, “Just drive a wedge between them.” “I understand,” said Taizu, and he followed Jia Xu’s plan throughout. The account is in the Annals of Emperor Wu. That Han Sui and Ma Chao were finally defeated was originally Jia Xu’s plan.

太祖後與韓遂、馬超戰於渭南，超等索割地以和，并求任子。詡以爲可偽許之。又問詡計策，詡曰：「離之而已。」太祖曰：「解。」一承用詡謀。語在武紀。卒破遂、超，詡本謀也。

At that time Emperor Wen was General of the Household for the Five Offices, while Cao Zhi, Marquis of Linzi, was at the height of his fame for talent; each had his own faction, and there was talk of setting aside the rightful heir. Emperor Wen sent someone to ask Jia Xu how he might secure his position. Jia Xu said, “I hope that you, General, will broaden and exalt your virtue and magnanimity, conduct yourself in the manner of a plain scholar, work diligently morning and night, and never depart from the way of a son. That is all.” Emperor Wen followed this and strove hard to discipline himself. Taizu, too, once dismissed his attendants and asked Jia Xu’s opinion, but Jia Xu kept silent and did not answer.

是時，文帝爲五官將，而臨菑侯植才名方盛，各有黨與，有奪宗之議。文帝使人問詡自固之術，詡曰：「願將軍恢崇德度，躬素士之業，朝夕孜孜，不違子道。如此而已。」文帝從之，深自砥礪。太祖又嘗屛除左右問詡，詡嘿然不對。

Taizu said, “I speak to you and you do not answer—why?” Jia Xu said, “I happened to be thinking of something, so I did not reply at once.” “What were you thinking of?” asked Taizu. Jia Xu said, “I was thinking of Yuan Benchu and Liu Jingsheng and their sons.” Taizu laughed heartily, and after this the choice of Crown Prince was at last settled. Because he had not been one of Taizu’s original followers and yet his strategies were deep and far-reaching, Jia Xu feared falling under suspicion. He kept to himself behind closed doors, formed no private friendships outside his duties, and in marrying off his sons and daughters made no alliances with great families. Those in the realm who discussed wisdom and strategy all looked to him as their master.

太祖曰：「與卿言而不荅，何也？」詡曰：「屬適有所思，故不即對耳。」太祖曰：「何思？」詡曰：「思袁本初、劉景升父子也。」太祖大笑，於是太子遂定。詡自以非太祖舊臣，而策謀深長，懼見猜疑，闔門自守，退無私交，男女嫁娶，不結髙門，天下之論智計者歸之。

When Emperor Wen came to the throne, he made Jia Xu Grand Commandant, raised his rank to Marquis of Weishou District, and increased his fief by three hundred households, for eight hundred in all. He also divided off two hundred households of the fief to enfeoff Jia Xu’s youngest son Jia Fang as a full marquis, and made his eldest son Jia Mu Commandant of Escort Cavalry. The Emperor asked Jia Xu, “I wish to attack those who defy my commands and unite the realm. Should Wu or Shu come first?” He replied, “One who seeks to conquer puts military force and stratagem first; one who founds a state esteems transformation by virtue. Your Majesty has received the abdication in response to the times and presides over all the land. If you pacify them with civil virtue and wait for them to change, bringing them to order will not be difficult.

文帝即位，以詡爲太尉，¹進爵魏壽鄕侯，增邑三百，并前八百戸。又分邑二百，封小子訪爲列侯。以長子穆爲駙馬都尉。帝問詡曰：「吾欲伐不從命以一天下，呉、蜀何先？」對曰：「攻取者先兵權，建本者尚德化。陛下應期受禪，撫臨率土，若綏之以文德而俟其變，則平之不難矣。

Though Wu and Shu are petty little states, they rely on the protection of mountains and rivers. Liu Bei has heroic talent, Zhuge Liang governs his state well, Sun Quan can tell the real from the feigned, and Lu Yi understands the dynamics of war. They hold the strongholds and guard the key points, and their boats ply the rivers and lakes; neither can be dealt with quickly. The way of war is first to secure victory and then to fight, to weigh up the enemy and assess the generals, so that no stratagem is overlooked in any undertaking. Considering our ministers, as far as I can judge, there is none who is a match for Liu Bei or Sun Quan. Even if you confront them with Heaven’s might, I do not see a position of complete safety.

呉、蜀雖蕞爾小國，依岨山水，劉備有雄才，諸葛亮善治國，孫權識虛實，陸議見兵勢，據險守要，汎舟江湖，皆難卒謀也。用兵之道，先勝後戰，量敵論將，故舉無遺策。臣竊料羣臣，無備、權對，雖以天威臨之，未見萬全之勢也。

Long ago Shun danced with shield and axe, and the Miao submitted. In my view, at present we should put civil virtue first and military force after.” Emperor Wen did not accept this. Later he launched the Jiangling campaign, and many soldiers died. Jia Xu died at the age of seventy-seven and was posthumously named Marquis Su. His son Jia Mu succeeded him and served in turn as Administrator of several commanderies. When Jia Mu died, his son Jia Mo succeeded him.

昔舜舞干戚而有苗服，臣以爲當今宜先文後武。」文帝不納。後興江陵之役，士卒多死。詡年七十七，薨，諡曰肅侯。子穆嗣，歴位郡守。穆薨，子模嗣。¹

Appraisal

評

Appraisal: Xun Yu was pure, outstanding, broad-minded and refined, with the bearing of one who assists a king. Yet for all his discernment and foresight, he was unable to fulfill his aspirations.

評曰：荀彧淸秀通雅，有王佐之風，然機鑒先識，未能充其志也。¹

Xun You and Jia Xu came close to never miscalculating, and they understood both constant principles and the art of adapting to circumstances. Were they not second only to Zhang Liang and Chen Ping?

荀攸、賈詡，庶乎筭無遺策，經達權變，其良、平之亞與！¹