The position of the Three Kingdoms of the Later Han Dynasty in history is self-evident, and it is an important era of heroes. Classic allusions such as the well-known Taoyuan Jieyi and Sangu Maolu were born in the Three Kingdoms period, and in that era of warlord strife and war, many prodigies were also remembered by future generations.
A hundred schools of thought contend, and a chaotic world produces a capable subject
The wonderful thing about the Three Kingdoms period is that not only the military generals are very famous, but many civilian ministers have also made pivotal contributions in the long river of history, because in that era of melee, in order to stand out among many overlords and realize the blueprint for the unification of the country, in addition to the military generals who need to be brave and good at war, the resourceful civilians are also very critical.
When it comes to the Wenchen of the Three Kingdoms period, I believe that many people's first reaction is Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi. Many people believe that Zhuge Liang's talent is the highest in the Three Kingdoms era, and he is thousands of miles away in strategic planning. And Sima Yi laid a good foundation for his children and grandchildren through his own forbearance, and his descendants also lived up to expectations and opened a new chapter in history.
And there is a counselor, although not as famous as the first two, but his historical contribution is no less than any civilian minister in the Three Kingdoms period, that is, Xun Yu.
Foresight, the wizard of Wang Zuo
Xun Yu (荀彧), courtesy name Wenruo, was born into a famous and prestigious family, and began to follow Cao Cao in the second year of Chuping, and was called "Fang Ye, the son of this Wu" by Cao Cao, which is enough to see this person's important position in the Cao Wei clique. Because he later opposed Cao Cao's claim to the throne and was sent by Cao Cao to empty the box, Xun Yu knew that Cao Cao wanted to get rid of himself, so he hanged himself at the age of fifty.
Xun Yu, who was born into a famous family, was known as "Wang Zuozhicai" when he was young, and then worked under Yuan Shao of the Fourth Dynasty and the Third Duke, and was enshrined as a guest of honor, Yuan Shao in the speech was indecisive and obedient to rumors, and in fact he was also a monarch with the ability to be virtuous, otherwise there would not be so many people following him.
However, at that time, Xun Yu was able to see through Yuan Shao's power at the peak of his power, and he would soon suffer a major defeat, so he threw himself into Cao Cao, who was still unknown at that time, and even many people around him at that time were very puzzled, but he insisted on believing in his own judgment, and it was this decision that changed the fate of Cao Cao, the first emperor.
Turn the tide, one person to fight all enemies
At that time, Xun Yu worked more for Cao Cao to consolidate the rear camp, and rarely participated in front-line wars, and Cao Cao was also quite recognized by Xun Yu's ability, so that in matters large and small in the army, they had to ask Xun Yu's opinions, and even in that era when communications were still very backward, the major affairs and small situations on the front would specially send people to the base camp to ask Xun Yu for advice.
Cao Cao's father was killed by Tao Qian's subordinate Zhang Min when he was passing through Xuzhou, so he personally commanded a large army of Phi Ma Dai To raise the national army to avenge his father, but he did not expect that his most important strategist Chen Gong would cooperate with Lü Bu to defect, seeing that Cao Cao was about to fall into a dilemma, and Xun Yu, who was still very young at the time, turned the tide and urgently summoned Xiahou Huan to stabilize the situation.
But sooner or later it should come back, this side has just eliminated the rebels, Yuzhou assassin Shi Guogong at this time led troops to attack the city, intending to break into the city with Lü Bu, seeing that the situation was precarious, Xun Yu was not in a hurry, he went to the meeting alone, and single-handedly scared tens of thousands of enemies away, so resourceful and calm and courageous Xun Yu, it is no wonder that future generations have such a high evaluation of him.
When Xiahou Yu knew that Xun Yu was going to go to the city to talk to the rebels, he was very worried and repeatedly dissuaded, but Xun Yu said lightly: "Guo Gong and Zhang Mi look like they are separated, and they will retire soon." Unexpectedly, he was indeed spoken by Xun Yu, and soon Guo Gong withdrew.
The story of Guan Yunchang's single-handed attendance at the meeting can be described as well known to women and children, but although Guan Yu was brave, he saw a civilian official like Lu Su after all, and Xun Yu went to the meeting alone among many military generals, which showed this person's extraordinary bravery and full control over the battle situation.
Xun Yu's force value was almost zero, but it was such an unarmed and weak strategist who not only saved Juancheng, but also boosted the morale of the whole army, so that later generations mentioned Xun Yu, and the evaluation was not only that the wise man was confused, but also the brave and fearless!
Also a teacher and friend, consult Wen Ruo in advance
Xun Yu was seven years old when Cao Cao was younger, but Cao Cao regarded him as a division commander, and Zhong Xuan commented on the relationship between the two, saying: "Fu Ming Jun's master, followed by friends" Cao Cao attached great importance to Xun Yu's opinion.
And why, under the command of Cao Cao, who had many strategists, Xun Yu was able to "receive favors"? In fact, Xun Yu not only had a very good relationship with Cao Cao, but also had a very polite relationship with other courtiers, unlike Yang Xiu who speculated on the intentions of the lord in vain, unlike Xu You, who was blind, but did not talk much and do more practical things.
It can be said that Xun Yu foresaw his defeat at the peak of a person's heyday, and the hegemons of a party as strong as Dong Zhuo and Yuan Shao, he could categorically part ways with them, but instead turned to Cao Cao, who was still in the "development period" at that time, foresaw that this person could become a tyrant for thousands of years, and did his best to help him attack the city and pull out the village.
Empower the wise and gain insight into the affairs of the world
Xun Yu was not only an important strategist of Cao Cao, but also formed a "super strategist group" for Cao Cao, Xun You, Guo Jia, Chen Qun, Sima Yi, Zhong Xuan, etc., and there were countless strategists recommended by Xun Yu, and the final results could also be verified, and the strategists recommended by Xun Yu were all first-class talents.
When everyone is dazed, he can lead the team out of the predicament; when everyone is happy, he can clearly analyze the battle situation; when the crowd is desperate; he can glimpse the method of victory; Xun Yu is not only an important strategist in Cao Cao's forces, but can even be said to be a key figure in history.
The hero's end is inevitably lamented
However, it was such a meritorious minister who was killed by Cao Cao, and there are many opinions in the history books about the reason why Cao Cao wanted to kill Xun Yu, the most reliable is that Xun Yu strongly supported the Han Dynasty, and Cao Cao was already old at that time, and it was only a matter of time before his descendants inherited the throne, and Xun Yu, a top strategist who did not support his family, may have endless troubles.
And as Cao Cao's strength grew, his contradictions with the Yingchuan clique became increasingly prominent, and Xun Yu had a high status in the Yingchuan clique, and Cao Cao implied that Xun Yu committed suicide in order to suppress the Yingchuan Shi clan. So he sent someone to send an empty box to Xun Yu, and Xun Yu also knew that he would not be able to escape death, so he committed suicide.
Cao Cao's move, although ruthless, also shows the wise side of this adulterous male. First, he hinted at Xun Yu's suicide, clearing the way for his children and grandchildren to carry out their grand ambitions in the future.
Secondly, with the death of Xun Yu, he knocked on the side of the side to attack the increasingly arrogant Yingchuan Shi Clan.
In the end, Xun Yu was shown in an empty box, so that he was discouraged and committed suicide, and even gave the illusion of "Cao Cheng Xiang innocent" to the world who did not know the truth, which can be described as killing three eagles with one stone.
However, in the Southern and Northern Dynasties period 106 years later, the power of the Mengmen clan was too large, and for a time it overshadowed the emperor. A few powerful people were even able to subvert a dynasty, slaughter the royal family, and look back at the series of actions taken by Cao Cao against Xun Yu and the Yingchuan Shi clan in the late Han Dynasty, and people can appreciate the good intentions of this adulterous male.
If Xun Yu could live a few more years, if Cao Cao did not have the heart to stand on his own, wouldn't such an excellent Xun Yu be able to leave more legendary stories for future generations?