Xun You 荀攸/Official SGZ Biography

Xun You's biography is chapter (卷 juan) 10 of the Records of the Three Kingdoms and the tenth Book of Wei. The following is a copy of that page. The black text is Chen Shou's original Records of the Three Kingdoms. The blue text are Pei Songzhi's additions.

荀攸傳 Biography of Xun You
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 * style="font-size:130%;" |　　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〕. 何進秉政，徵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. 」事垂就而覺，收顒、攸繫獄，顒憂懼自殺，〔3〕攸言語飲食自若，會卓死得免. 〔4〕棄官歸，復辟公府，舉高第，遷任城相，不行. 攸以蜀漢險固，人民殷盛，乃求為蜀郡太守，道絕不得至，駐荊州.

Xun You, styled Gongda. Xun You is also Xun Yu's cousin once removed. He grandfather, Xun Tan, was Grand Administrator of Guangling. (1) When Xun You was young he was orphaned. In time, Xun Tan died, a former official, Zhang Quan, requested that he guard Xun Tan's tomb. Xun You was 13 years old, but he was suspicious of Zhang Quan's request; he spoke to his father's younger brother, Xun Qu, saying: "This is not some common official, there is probably some treachery afoot!" Xun Qu got up and went to ask Zhang Quan and sure enough he had murdered someone and fled his fate. Due to this Xun You was known to be special. (2) He Jin had control of political affairs and asked for famous scholars from throughout the country, Xun You was among the two dozen men who came. Xun You arrived and was conferred the rank of Gentleman in Attendance of the Yellow Gates. During Dong Zhuo's disorder, the soldiers east of the passes rose up and Dong Zhuo resituated the capital to Chang'an. Xun You, Gentleman-Consultant Zheng Tai, He Yong, Palace Attendant Chong Ji, Colonel of Elite Cavalry Wu Qiong, et al. schemed: "Dong Zhuo is wicked, worse than Xia Jie or King Zhou; all under Heaven resent him. Although he is supported by strong soldiers, in reality he is an ordinary man. Now, we can assassinate him in order to apologise to the common people. Thereafter, occupy Mt. Yao and Hangu Pass and assist with the imperial mandate in order to give orders to the whole empire. This was how Duke Huan of Zheng and Duke Wen of Jin rose up." The plot had not yet been carried out when it became known. He Yong and Xun You were arrested and imprisoned; He Yong was worried and afraid and committed suicide (3), but Xun You talked, ate, and drank calmly. It happened that Dong Zhuo died and Xun You obtained release. (4) Xun You relinquished his office and returned [to his hometown] but was again recruited by the government and raised to a high position. He was promoted to Chancellor of Rencheng but did not go. Because of the solid strategic passes at Shu and the Han River, and the people there were eager and abundant, Xun You therefore requested he be appointed Grand Administrator of Shu commandery. But the road was cut off so he was not allowed to go and stationed at Jing Province.





(2) {Wei Shu (History of Wei)} says: When Xun You was 7 or 8 years old, Xun Qu was drunk and accidentally hurt Xun You's ear. Whenever Xun You went out to walk about or play, he would conceal his ear not wanting Xun Qu to catch sight of it. Afterwards, Xun Qu heard this and thereupon was surprised of his wisdom despite his youth. {Biographies of the Xun Clan} says: Xun Qu's son, Xun Qi, styled Boqi, and Xun Yin were both reputable. Xun Qi discussed corporal punishment with Kong Rong, and Xun Yin discussed the positives and negatives of sages with Kong Rong, at the same time they compiled historical collections. Xun Qi became Grand Administrator of Jiyin; Xun Yin became Libationer to the Imperial Chancellor.





(4) {Wei Shu (History of Wei)} says Xun You sent a man to convince Dong Zhuo to obtain his exemption. This is not the same.

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！」於是徵攸為汝南太守，入為尚書. 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！」以為軍師. 建安三年，從征張繡. 攸言於太祖曰：「繡與劉表相恃為彊，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. 軍不利. 太祖謂攸曰：「不用君言至是. 」乃設奇兵復戰，大破之.

Cao Cao received the Emperor and set the capital at Xu, he left behind a letter for Xun You, saying: "At this time, the whole empire is in great disorder, it is the time for wise scholars to toil. Yet you watch and look for changes between Shu and the Han River, have you not already waited long enough?!" Consequently he asked that Xun You be appointed Grand Administrator of Runan, and he was appointed a Master of Writing. In the past Cao Cao had heard of Xun You's reputation, and when they conversed he was very delighted. He spoke to Xun Yu and Zhang Yao, saying: "Xun You is an exceptional man. With him I can plan affairs, what worries will I have regarding the empire!" He appointed Xun You Master of the Army. Third year of Jian'an [198], Xun You followed in the subjugation of Zhang Xiu. Xun You spoke to Cao Cao, saying: "Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao rely on one another to be strong; however, Zhang Xiu's army has no base and looks to Liu Biao for food, and Liu Biao is unable to keep him supplied, so they will certainly part ways. It would be better to postpone the attack in order to await this, or maybe even precipitate this. If you worry them, they will certainly go to one another's aid." Cao Cao did not heed this and advanced the army to Rang to engage Zhang Xiu in battle. Zhang Xiu was under pressure and sure enough Liu Biao came to his rescue, so Cao Cao's forces were defeated. Cao Cao said to Xun You: "Sir, I did not use your advice and so we have arrived at this." Thereupon he arranged an ambushcade and again battled, greatly breaking them.

是歲，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. 攸與郭嘉說曰：「呂布勇而無謀，今三戰皆北，其銳氣衰矣. 三軍以將為主，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.

That year [198], Cao Cao went from Wan to subdue Lü Bu (1) at Xiapi. Lü Bu was defeated and retreated and firmly entrenched himself at Xiapi. Cao Cao attacked it but could not seize [the city], they repeatedly battled and the soldiers were exhausted. Cao Cao wanted to withdraw so Xun You and Guo Jia convinced him, saying: "Lü Bu is courageous but he has no strategy; now, there have been three battles and each time he was forced back, so his fighting spirit has faltered. The three armies look to their lord for leadership, if the lord falters then the army will not exert themselves fully. Lord, Chen Gong is wise but slow. At present, Lü Bu's spirit has not yet recovered and Chen Gong's stratagem is still undecided; advance the army and urgently attack them and Lü Bu can be seized." Thereupon, Cao Cao redirected the Yi and Si rivers and flooded the city, the city forces were routed and Lü Bu was captured alive.



(1) {Wei Shu (History of Wei)} says: Advisors said 'Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu are behind you yet you want to withdraw and raid Lü Bu, they will certainly be a danger.' Xun You believed 'Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu have recently been broken, in their situation they will not dare act. Lü Bu is brave and fierce and also relies on Yuan Shum if he operates between the Huai and Si river, fighting men will certainly respond to him. Now, take advantage of his earlier rebellion while his forces are not yet of one heart, go and you can break him.' Cao Cao said: "Excellent." As they were travelling, Lü Bu defeated Liu Bei and Zang Ba and others came to him.

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，說太祖還保營，攸曰：「此所以禽敵，奈何去之！」太祖目攸而笑. 遂以輜重餌賊，賊競奔之，陳亂. 乃縱步騎擊，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銳而輕敵，擊可破也. 」〔1〕太祖曰：「誰可使？」攸曰：「徐晃可. 」乃遣晃及史渙邀擊破走之，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，可要擊也. 眾皆疑. 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、高覽燒攻櫓降，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.

Afterwards he followed [Cao Cao] to rescue Liu Yan at Baima, through Xun You's planning Yan Liang was beheaded. It is told in Cao Cao's SGZ. Cao Cao seized Baima and then withdrew, but he sent his baggage train west to follow the Yellow River. Yuan Shao forded the Yellow River in pursuit and his soldiers neared Cao Cao. The various officers were all afraid and tried to convince Cao Cao to withdraw and defend his camp, but Xun You said: "This is so we can capture the enemy; how can we leave!" Cao Cao looked at Xun You and laughed. Forthwith, Cao Cao used his baggage train to lure the enemy, they competed with one another as the rushed to the baggage train, breaking their formation. Thereupon Cao Cao let loose his footmen and cavalry, struck them and greatly broke them, beheading their commander of cavalry, Wen Chou. Cao Cao then faced off against Yuan Shao at Guandu; at that time, the military provisions were exhausted, Xun You spoke to Cao Cao, saying: "Yuan Shao's transport carts arrive at dawn and dusk, his officer Han Meng is keen spirited but makes light of the enemy, strike him and ou will break him." (1) Cao Cao said: "Who can I send?" Xun You said: "Xu Huang." Thereupon Cao Cao dispatched Xu Huang and Shi Huan, who intercepted him, broke him, and put him to flight. It happened that Xu You came to surrender, he said that Yuan Shao had dispatched Chunyu Qiong and others with a command of over 10,000 soldiers to receive and transport the provisions, but the officers were arrogant and the soldiers lazy so they could also be attacked. Cao Cao's forces were all suspicious, only Xun You and Jia Xu urged Cao Cao to do it. Thereupon Cao Cao left Xun You and Cao Hong to defend [the camp] while Cao Cao himself led the attack and broke them and behead Chunyu Qiong and all the other officers. Yuan Shao's officers Zhang He and Gao Lan burned their siege engines and surrendered, Yuan Shao forthwith abandoned his army and fled. When Zhang He came, Cao Hong doubted his intentions and did not dare receive him, but Xun You said to Cao Hong: "Zhang He's strategies were not used, so he was angry and came here. Why do you suspect him?" Thereupon Cao Hong received them.



(1) Minister Pei Songzhi's Appraisal of the various books is that Han ? is sometime called Han Meng and some say Han Ruo and he can not yet explain which is accurate.

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，以問群下. 群下多以為表彊，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. 袁氏據四州之地，帶甲十萬，紹以寬厚得眾，借使二子和睦以守其成業，則天下之難未息也. 今兄弟遘惡，此勢不兩全. 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，遂還擊破尚. 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，并前七百戶，〔1〕轉為中軍師. 魏國初建，為尚書令.

[Jian'an] year 7 [202], Xun You followed [Cao Cao] and punished Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang at Liyang. The next year [203], while subduing Liu Biao, Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang vied for Ji province. Yuan Tan dispatched Xin Pi to beg to surrender to Cao Cao and request rescue, Cao Cao was planning to accept it but first wanted to ask his subordinates. Many of his subordinates believed Liu Biao was strong and first he should be pacified; while Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang were not worth fretting over. Xun You said: "At a time when the whole empire has opportunities, Liu Biao does nothing but sit and defend [his territory] between the Yangzi and Han rivers, so we certainly know he has no aspirations beyond that. The Yuan clan occupy a territory of four provinces, and they wield 100,000 armed men because Yuan Shao extended his favour to the masses. Consider if the two sons reconcile in order to retain their inheritance, then the difficulties of the whole empire will not yet rest. At present, the brothers are squabbling so are currently divided. If they unite then it would concentrate their power, if their power is concentrated then they would be difficult to deal with. But while they are disorderly you can take them, then the whole empire will be settled. This is not an opportunity you can miss." Cao Cao said: "Excellent." Thereupon Cao Cao promised Yuan Tan an alliance and returned to strike and break Yuan Shang. Later Yuan Tan betrayed him, so Xun You followed Cao Cao and Yuan Tan was beheaded at Nanpi. Ji Province was pacified and Cao Cao recommended Xun You be enfeoffed, saying: "Master of the Army Xun You has been assisting us since the beginning, there was no campaign he did not follow along and from beginning to end it was because of Xun You's plans that the enemy was overcome." Consequently Xun You was enfeoffed as Village Marquis of Lingshu. [Jian'an] year 12 [207], an imperial edict made a great statement of Xun You's exploits and conduct, and enfeoffed him. Cao Cao said: "For upright loyalty, secret stratagems, and comforting and giving peace inside and out, Xun Yu is best. Xun You is next." His fief was increased by 400 households to a total of 700, (1) and he was appointed Master of the Army of the Centre. At the establishment of the Wei state, Xun You was appointed Director of the Imperial Secretariat.



(1) {Wei Shu (History of Wei)} says: As Cao Cao was returning from Liucheng, he passed Xun You's residence. He narrated and praised Xun You's stratagems, labours, and mertiorious service from start to finish, then said: "At present the affairs of the empire are close to being settled, and I want to able and virtuous scholars and together offer a sacrifice to their labours. In former times, Emperor Liu Bang sent Zhang Liang to choose his own fief of 30,000 households, now, I also want you, sir, to choose a fief for yourself."

攸深密有智防，自從太祖征伐，常謀謨帷幄，時人及子弟莫知其所言. 〔1〕太祖每稱曰：「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、甯武不能過也. 」文帝在東宮，太祖謂曰：「荀公達，人之師表也，汝當盡禮敬之. 」攸曾病，世子問病，獨拜床下，其見尊異如此. 攸與鍾繇善，繇言：「我每有所行，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. 〔2〕攸從征孫權，道薨. 太祖言則流涕. 〔3〕

Xun You would always do what he could to keep his wisdom under wraps, whenever he followed Cao Cao on campaign, they would plot strategies in his tent. At that time no one, not even his sons or younger brothers knew what was said. (1) Cao Cao would regularly praise Xun You, saying: "Xun You is outwardly humble, but inwardly wise; outwardly cowardly, but inwardly courageous; outwardly weak, but inwardly strong. He does not sabotage other good men [to benefit himself] or use his labours to leverage [favour]. His wisdom can be attained but his humility cannot be. Even Yan Hui and Ning Wu cannot compare." Cao Pi was at the eastern palace, Cao Cao said to him: "Xun You is a paragon of man, you should show him the utmost courtesy and respect." Xun You was once ill and Cao Pi personally went to his bedside and asked him how he was feeling; Xun You was shown special honours like this. Xun You was friends with Zhong Yao, Zhong Yao said of him: "Whenever the is something I must do, I would think it over and over and over until I can think of no further changes can be made. I would then consult Xun You and he would always add something I could not foresee." From start to finish, Xun You drew up 12 unusual policies that only Zhong Yao was aware if. Zhong Yao was going to compile this collection but had not undertaken the task when he died, hence future generations would not hear of them. (2) Xun You followed Cao Cao to subdue Sun Quan, on the road he passed away. Cao Cao spoke of him and wept. (3)



(1) {Wei Shu (History of Wei)} says: Xun You's mother-in-law's son, Xin Tao, once tried to convince Xun You to tell him about the affairs regarding Cao Cao's capture of Ji Province. Xun You said: "On behalf of Yuan Tan, a government aide begged surrender, and Cao Cao himself has gone to pacify him. What would I know of this?" Since Xin Tao's attempt, there were none who dared ask Xun You of the affairs of state.



(2) Minister Pei Songzhi's Appraisal: It was 16 years after Xun You's death that Zhong Yao died, why was there difficulty in compiling Xun You's unusual policies? Yet at 80 he nevertheless had not yet undertaken the task, forthwith those stratagems Xun You developed while on campaign would not be handed down to later generations. Alas, what a pity!



(3) {Wei Shu (History of Wei)} says: At that time it was Jian'an year 19 [214] and Xun You was 58. It can be calculated that he was six years Xun Yu's senior. A parallel edict of Cao Cao's in {Wei Shu (History of Wei)} says: "I toured with Xun You for over 20 years, and not once was he careless or did he err." He also said: "Xun You was a genuine and virtuous man, it is said, "溫良恭儉讓以得之" Confucius said: "Yang Ying was good at interacting with men, even being long acquainted he still showed them respect." This was the sort of man Xun You was. {Fu Xuan's Fuzi} says: someone asked Fu Xuan who was the greatest example of a superior man from the immediate generation, he replied: "The benevolent Director of the Imperial Secretariat Xun [You] and the wise Master of the Army Xun [Yu], they can be said to be the greatest example of a superior man from the immediate generation. Through Director Xun You's benevolence, the virtuous found positions [in office], and through his perspicacity worthy people rose [through the ranks]; he did not reward sycophants; and made stratagems in response to crucial moments. Mencius said: "In the course of 500 years a true king will certainly rise, and during his reign there will certainly be those capable of commanding the world" Is that not Director Xun You! Cao Cao praised both Xun You and Xun Yu, saying: "When Director Xun You went to advance the virtuous, if they were not advanced he did not rest. When Master Xun Yu went to remove wicked men, if they were not removed he would not stop.""

長子緝，有攸風，早沒. 次子適嗣，無子，絕. 黃初中，紹封攸孫彪為陵樹亭侯，邑三百戶，後轉封丘陽亭侯. 正始中，追諡攸曰敬侯.

Xun You's eldest son, Xun Ji, had Xun You's spirit but he died early. His next son, Xun Shi, was his heir, but he had no son so Xun You's line was cut. During Huangchu [220-226], Xun You's inheritance was continued, his grandson, Xun Biao, was appointed Village Marquis of Lingshu and given a fief of 300 households, and was afterwards transferred to Village Marquis of Qiuyang. During Zhengshi [240-249], Xun You was posthumously titled "Respectful" Lord.