荀彧

Profile

The "talent fit to aid kings" who served as the brain of Cao Cao’s camp. His was the decisive counsel to take in Emperor Xian, and at Guandu a single letter from him kept a wavering Cao Cao in the fight until victory. He was also the great talent-spotter who recommended Guo Jia and others. But when Cao Cao reached for a dukedom, Xun Yu — a Han loyalist to the end — opposed him, and died in sorrow.

Key events

1. 196

   Cao Cao Takes Custody of the Emperor

   On Xun Yu’s counsel, Cao Cao brings the wandering Emperor Xian to Xudu — the cornerstone of "commanding the lords in the Son of Heaven’s name."

   Cao CaoEmperor Xian

2. 200

   Battle of Guandu

   Cao Cao shatters Yuan Shao’s far larger host by burning the Wuchao grain depot — the war for the north. Zhang He defected to Cao Cao here.

   Cao CaoYuan ShaoGuo JiaZhang HeXu Huang

3. 212

   Death of Xun Yu

   Xun Yu, the "talent fit to aid kings," dies in despair after opposing Cao Cao’s elevation — torn between his lord and his loyalty to the Han.

   Cao Cao

History vs. the novelHistoryvsNovel

The novel dramatizes his end with Cao Cao’s empty food box and a suicide; the histories say only that he died of grief. His essence is the paradox: Cao Cao’s chief strategist who remained, at heart, a servant of the Han.