Jia Xu
Portrait of Jia Xu during the Qing Dynasty
Strategist of Cao Wei
Born	147
Died	223 (aged 75–76)
Names
Simplified Chinese	贾詡
Traditional Chinese	賈詡
Pinyin	Jiǎ Xǔ
Wade-Giles	Chia Xü
Style name	Wenhe (文和)
Posthumous name	Marquis Su (肅侯)

Jia Xu (147–223),^[1] style name Wenhe (文和), was an advisor to the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He previously served Dong Zhuo, Li Jue and Zhang Xiu before finally joining Cao Cao. During the Three Kingdoms era, he served as an official in the state of Cao Wei under Cao Pi, Cao Cao's son and successor.

Early life[link]

Jia Xu was born in Gozang (姑臧) in Wuwei (now Wuwei, Gansu). He received proper education since his childhood. A man from Hanyang named Yan Zhong (閻忠) once stated that Jia Xu had the genius of Zhang Liang and Chen Ping, two famous strategists in the early Han dynasty. He was appointed as an official in the Eastern Han government when he was a youth. However, upon seeing the corruption in the government at the time, he returned to Wuwei with excuses of sickness. On the way back he was captured by rebels from the Di tribe along with several other travellers. He lied that he was the grandson-in-law of Duan Gong (段熲), a popular general at that time, and was treated with respect and released, while the other travellers were all executed.

In 185, Han Sui in the northwest initiated a rebellion with the assistance of the various Qiang tribes, and took the Liang province for himself. The court of Eastern Han appointed general Dong Zhuo to subdue the rebellion, and Jia Xu was one of Dong's advisers at the time. In 189, Dong Zhuo entered the capital city of Luoyang, and became the de facto leader of the court by using Emperor Xian as a mere puppet. Dong Zhuo's cruelty and recklessness, however, soon started to create enemies, and Jia Xu, sensing defeat in Dong Zhuo, left the court. Jia Xu was then appointed as an advisor of Dong Zhuo's son-in-law, Niu Fu.

In May 192, Dong Zhuo was murdered by Lü Bu in Luoyang. Li Jue and a few other loyalists of Dong Zhuo, including Niu Fu Fan Chou, Guo Si, and Zhang Ji, managed to escape. However, Niu Fu was soon killed by one of his own servants, then Jia Xu went to join Li Jue and suggested him to gather troops and take Chang'an so as to avenge the death of Dong Zhuo and to take the Emperor captive. The plan succeeded; however, Guo Si and Li Jue start to fight over who was in control despite Jia Xu's mediation, and Jia Xu left them, partly also because his mother died. Nonetheless, Li Jue and Guo Si, admiring his talent, ordered him back.

A portrait of Jia Xu by an unknown artist

Serving Zhang Xiu[link]

In 196, Li Jue and Guo Si were once again engaged in a major conflict against each other, and because of this, Jia Xu deserted them. Jia Xu then made connections with Zhang Ji's nephew Zhang Xiu who was in Nanyang and joined him. Jia Xu suggested an alliance with Liu Biao, which was concluded. However, he soon repented and told Zhang Xiu that Liu Biao was weak in nature, a view shared by many others, including the famous strategist Zhuge Liang.

In 197, the powerful warlord Cao Cao attacked Zhang Xiu. Jia Xu and Zhang Xiu feigned surrender and made a sudden fire attack against Cao Cao in the Battle of Wancheng, which destroyed Cao Cao's entire army, though Cao himself managed to escape. In part to Jia Xu's advice, Zhang Xiu was able to turn back several of Cao's later attacks with the help of Liu Biao.

Serving Cao Cao[link]

In 199, Yuan Shao, a major warlord at the time, sent a request for Zhang Xiu to join him in his fight against Cao Cao. Zhang Xiu wanted to accept the request; however, Jia Xu turned away the messenger and told Zhang Xiu that Yuan Shao was not worth serving. Ultimately Jia Xu advised Zhang Xiu to surrender to Cao Cao, a surrender which was well-received by Cao. Jia Xu then became an advisor to Cao Cao and later Cao Pi.

Jia Xu helped Cao Cao defeat Yuan Shao in the Battle of Guandu by advising Cao Cao to cut off Yuan Shao's grain supply, which succeeded and became an important factor of the decisive victory of Cao Cao, and eventually his unification of Northern China.

In 208, after Cao Cao took Jing province from Liu Biao, Jia Xu suggested Cao Cao not to attack Eastern Wu, an advice which was rejected, and Cao Cao soon regretted the decision when his entire army was demolished at the Battle of Red Cliffs. Soon afterwards, Cao Cao was attacked by an army led by Han Sui and Ma Chao in the Battle of Tong Pass. Jia Xu laid out a plan which turned Han Sui against Ma Chao and ensured victory for Cao Cao.

Jia Xu was a major supporter of Cao Pi, the eldest son of Cao Cao, in his conflict with Cao Zhi for the succession of Cao Cao, and successfully talked Cao Cao into selecting Cao Pi.

Serving Cao Pi and death[link]

When Cao Pi abolished Emperor Xian of Han and made himself emperor, he asked Jia Xu whether to attack the state of Eastern Wu or Shu Han first. Jia Xu said that Cao Pi with his state of Cao Wei at that time had neither the power to attack Wu nor Shu. Cao Pi rejected his advise and once again suffered a major defeat from Wu.

Jia Xu died out of natural causes when he was 77 years old by Chinese age reckoning. He was given the posthumous title Marquis Su (肅侯; Respected Lord).

Family[link]

According to the New Book of Tang, Jia Xu was a descendant of the Western Han Dynasty statesman Jia Yi. According to Weijin Shiyu (魏晉世語; Sayings of Wei and Jin), members of the Jia clan served as high ranking officials during the reign of Emperor Hui of Jin.

• Sons:
  • Jia Mu (賈穆), Jia Xu's oldest son, served as Prince Consort Commandant (駙馬都尉) and was appointed as administrator of various commanderies, inherited Jia Xu's marquis title
  • Jia Fang (賈訪), received a quarter of his father's fief of 800 households, was also granted the title of a marquis

• Grandsons:
  • Jia Mo (賈模), Jia Mu's oldest son, inherited Jia Mu's marquis title, served as Attendant of Scattered Cavalry (散騎常侍) and General Who Protects the Army (護軍將軍) during the reign of Emperor Hui of Jin
  • Jia Pi (賈疋), Jia Mo's cousin, also served Emperor Hui of Jin

• Great grandsons:
  • Jia Yin (賈胤), Jia Mo's son, served Emperor Hui of Jin
  • Jia Kan (賈龕), Jia Yin's younger brother, also served Emperor Hui of Jin

Appointments and titles held[link]

• Filial and Incorrupt (孝廉) - nominated candidate to be a Gentleman Cadet (郎)
• Assistant to the Grand Commandant (太尉掾)
• Commandant of Pingjin (平津都尉)
• Colonel Who Attacks Barbarians (討虜校尉)
• Deputy Director in the Imperial Secretariat (尚書僕射)
• Imperial Secretary (尚書)
• Household Counsellor (光祿大夫)
• General Who Proclaims Righteousness (宣義將軍)
• Bearer of the Mace (執金吾)
• Marquis of Du (都亭侯)
• Army Advisor (參軍事) to the Excellency of Works
• Palace Counsellor (太中大夫)

The following appointments and titles were held by Jia Xu when he served the state of Wei

• Grand Commandant (太尉)
• Marquis of Weishou (魏壽鄉侯)
• Marquis Su (肅侯) - granted to Jia Xu posthumously

Modern references[link]

Jia Xu is first introduced as a playable character in the seventh installment of Koei's Dynasty Warriors video game series.

See also[link]

• List of people of the Three Kingdoms
• List of Dynasty Warriors characters

References[link]

• Chen Shou. Records of Three Kingdoms, Volume 10, Biography of Jia Xu.
• Luo Guanzhong. Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (December 2010)

Guo Jia
Portrait of Guo Jia from a Qing Dynasty edition of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Strategist of Cao Cao
Born	170
Died	207 (aged 37)
Names
Simplified Chinese	郭嘉
Traditional Chinese	郭嘉
Pinyin	Guō Jiā
Wade-Giles	Kuo Chia
Style name	Fengxiao (奉孝)
Posthumous name	Marquis Zhen (贞侯)

Guo Jia (170–207) was a strategist and advisor to the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. During his 11 years of service, Guo Jia's brilliance greatly aided Cao Cao in his victories over rival warlords Lü Bu and Yuan Shao, as well as chief of the Wuhuan tribe, Tadun. As a result, he was one of the most trusted and favored subjects of Cao Cao.

Biography[link]

Guo Jia was born in the county of Yangdi (present-day Yuzhou, Henan). He initially sought a position under Yuan Shao, the most powerful warlord in northern China at that time. However, he judged Yuan Shao to be an indecisive man who did not know how to fully make use of talented people. Thinking that Yuan Shao had little hope of achieving great things, Guo Jia left his service.

In 196, Guo Jia was recommended to Cao Cao by Xun Yu. After a discussion about the state of China at that time, both found each other likable. Cao Cao then made Guo Jia his military advisor.

During the campaign against Lü Bu in 198, Cao Cao's force won three consecutive battles, forcing his enemy to retreat and fortify itself within the city of Xiapi. By then Cao Cao's troops were exhausted from fighting, and he intended to withdraw. However, Guo Jia persuaded Cao Cao to press on and not give Lü Bu time to recuperate. Cao Cao took the advice and ultimately prevailed against his opponent.

In 200, Cao Cao confronted Yuan Shao's forces at the Battle of Guandu, leaving his base city Xuchang sparsely guarded. Seeing this opportunity, Sun Ce, a warlord in the south, planned to move north and attack Xuchang. Everyone despaired at the news, but Guo Jia foretold that Sun Ce, being proud and impulsive, would be killed by his own people before reaching Xuchang. True to his prediction, Sun Ce was assassinated before he could even cross the Yangtze River. Cao Cao then scored a great victory against Yuan Shao, solidifying his position as the strongest warlord in the north.

After losing the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao soon died. His legacy was contested between two of his sons, Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang. Many urged Cao Cao to seize the opportunity to root out the heirs. However, Guo Jia advised Cao Cao to turn his attention south to attack Liu Biao in Jing Province and let the brothers destroy themselves in battle with each other.

Cao Cao accepted Guo Jia's counsel and prepared for a campaign against Liu Biao. The Yuan brothers did indeed wear themselves out, resulting in the overmatched Yuan Tan seeking Cao Cao's aid. Cao Cao moved his force north again and easily defeated Yuan Shang, who escaped to Tadun, chief of the Wuhuan tribes. Cao Cao then conquered Yuan Tan in Nanpi and took control of Ji Province.

At this time, Cao Cao intended to launch an expedition deep into the north to eradicate Yuan Shang and the Wuhuan tribes, but many feared that Liu Biao would attack from the south. Guo Jia encouraged Cao Cao to quickly take up the expedition to prevent a resurgence of Yuan Shang's power. Under Guo Jia's counsel, the army travelled light, leaving behind the bulk of supplies. The resulting swift strike caught the Wuhuan unprepared in the Battle of White Wolf Mountain. Tadun was killed and Yuan Shang went into exile in present-day Heilongjiang and Jilin.

Guo Jia died of a sickness in 207 at the young age of 37. He was conferred the posthumous title of "Marquis Zhen" (贞侯). A year later, after Cao Cao was defeated at the Battle of Red Cliffs, he lamented, "If Fengxiao (Guo Jia's style name) were alive, I would not be in this state."

Family[link]

• Son: Guo Yi, inherited the title "Marquis Zhen", served as Crown Prince's Tutor in Wei

• Grandsons:
  • Guo Shen (郭深), Guo Yi's son, inherited the title "Marquis Zhen"
  • Guo Chang (郭敞), served as Cavalry Attendant

• Great-grandson: Guo Lie (郭獵), Guo Shen's son, inherited the title "Marquis Zhen"

Appointments and titles held[link]

• Libationer of the Excellency of Works' Army (司空軍祭酒)
• Marquis of Weiyang (洧陽亭侯)
• Marquis Zhen (貞侯) - granted to Guo Jia posthumously

Modern references[link]

Guo Jia is first introduced as a playable character in the Xtreme Legends version of the seventh installment in Koei's Dynasty Warriors video game series. He also appears in Koei's Dynasty Tactics and Romance of the Three Kingdoms series.

See also[link]

• List of people of the Three Kingdoms

References[link]

• Chen Shou (2002). Records of Three Kingdoms, Volume 14, Biography of Guo Jia. Yue Lu Shu She. ISBN 7-80665-198-5. 
• The results of the Famitsu poll at koeiwarriors.co.uk

Meng Huo
Qing Dynasty illustration of Meng Huo
Rebel leader of Nanzhong
Names
Simplified Chinese	孟获
Traditional Chinese	孟獲
Pinyin	Mèng Huò

Meng Huo was popularly regarded as a local leader representing the gentries of the Nanzhong region during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. When the emperor of Shu Han, Liu Bei, died, the local people of Nanzhong severed their ties with Shu Han, stating that there were three lords claiming to be the legitimate ruler of China and they "no longer knew whom should they pledge allegiance to". In retaliation, Shu Han's chancellor, Zhuge Liang, launched a full invasion on the Nanzhong region, and successfully quelled the uprising. It was recorded in the Spring and Autumn Annal of Han and Jin Dynasty (漢晉春秋) and the Chronicles of Huayang that Zhuge had captured and let go of the local leader seven times, so the leader finally swore his allegiance to Shu Han.

The popular image of Meng Huo follows Luo Guanzhong's semi-fictitious novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where he is portrayed as a southern barbarian tribal leader. In the novel Meng Huo was married to a fictional Lady Zhurong, who claimed descent from the Chinese god of fire, Zhu Rong.

Contentions on historicity[link]

The absurdity of Meng Huo being captured and released seven times led many to doubt the story, and even of Meng Huo's existence. The Republican-era Yunnan historian Zhang Hualan (張華爛) wrote in his article "Discussion on Meng Huo" (孟獲辯) that Meng was a fictional character invented by later historians, noting that the name "Huo" (獲), which means "captured" in Chinese, is too coincidental considering Meng's fate on being captured,^[1] a view shared by many academics.^[2] Meng Huo and the record of his captures first appeared in the Spring and Autumn Annal of Han and Jin Dynasty, written by Xi Zaochi (習鑿齒) of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and were also detailed in the near-contemporary Chronicles of Huayang. The Liu Song Dynasty historian Pei Songzhi, when compiling his annotated version of the Records of the Three Kingdoms, found Xi Zaochi's work unreliable at times. Pei does not specifically comment on Meng Huo's historicity, but points out elsewhere that Xi writes history not found in earlier records,^[3] hence the Yunnan historian Fang Guoyu (方国瑜) uses Pei's doubts on Xi's unreliability to challenge the story of Meng Huo's seven captures (though Fang does not go as far as to doubt Meng Huo's existence).^[4] Modern researcher Huang Chengzhong (黄承宗) of the Liangshan Yi Slave Society Museum (凉山彝族奴隶社会博物馆) believes Meng to be a real historical figure, though he is certain that the "seven times freed" story is fiction.^[5] The Sichuan University professor Miao Yue (缪钺) analysed Zhuge would not be able to release the leader if the latter was indeed captured. Tan Liangxiao (谭良啸), director of the Museum of Temple of the Marquis of Wu in Chengdu, also stated the "seven times freed" story to be "strange and unbelievable", but like Fang and Huang, he believes Meng Huo did exist in history.^[6]

In fiction[link]

Extracts from Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms pertaining to Meng Huo:

• In the third year of Jianxing a bulletin came to Yi Province announcing, "Meng Huo has led 100,000 Nanman tribesmen across our borders to plunder the villages." (Chapter 87 - Paragraph 2)
• Despite protest from Court Conselor Wang Lian, Zhuge Liang leaves to lead five hundred thousand soldiers against the southern forces.
• The Shu forces were led by Zhuge Liang. Zhao Yun and Wei Yan were his generals, their lieutenants being Wang Ping and Zhang Ni.
• Meng Huo speaks to Zhuge Liang: "The whole of the riverlands once belonged to another. Your lord seized it by force and proclaimed himself emperor. My ancestors held these lands, which you have encroached upon so barbarically." (87-36)
• Zhuge Liang captures and frees Meng Huo: "I can catch him again with ease whenever I choose to. But pacification of the south requires that we subdue the hearts of the Nanman people." (88-1)
• During the conquest, Meng Huo was captured on seven different occasions, by Zhuge Liang. In addition, many Nanman generals and lieutenants were captured and treated with kindess. This caused many withdrawals and eventually the pacification of the south.
• Zhuge Liang: "I guessed the enemy would be looking for an ambush in the woods, so I set up decoy banners there to confuse them. There were never any troops. Next, I had Wei Yan lose a series of battles to strengthen their confidence... I ordered Ma Dai to deploy the black wagons in the valley - they had been loaded earlier with fire launchers called 'earth thunder', each containing nine missiles... We cut off the road and burned out the enemy..." (90-41)
• Finally, Meng Huo admits defeat: "Seven times captured, seven times freed! Such a thing has never happened! Though I stand beyond the range of imperial grace, I am not utterly ignorant of ritual, of what propriety and honor require. No, I am not so shameless!" He then stripped off one of his sleeves (a sign of swearing oath) and pledged: "By Chancellor's celestial might, the Southerners will never rebel again." (90-44)

Modern references[link]

Meng Huo is featured as playable character in Koei's Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi video game series.

See also[link]

• List of people of the Three Kingdoms
• List of Dynasty Warriors characters

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Luo Guanzhong, translated by Moss Roberts (2004). Romance of the Three Kingdoms, University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-22503-1.