In 191, Xun Yu broke away from Yuan Shao and defected to Cao Cao, who was still weak, and Cao Cao took Xun Yu's hand and said excitedly, "You are my Zhang Liang!" Since then, the two sides have begun a twenty-one-year cooperation, and with the assistance of Xun Yu, Cao Cao quickly expanded his power and became the most powerful person in the late Han Dynasty. However, the two sides parted ways, and Xun Yu was forced to commit suicide under the pressure of Cao Cao. So what happened to Xun Yu's descendants after his death?
It is reasonable to say that Xun Yu was the first contributor to Cao Cao's hegemony, and he not only made many major decisions to Cao Cao strategically, but also handled military and state affairs when Cao Cao went out on the expedition. Wang Dao, the Eastern Jin Dynasty Minister, praised: "Xun Wenruo, the most meritorious of the heroes!" However, as his strength increased, Cao Cao began to have ambitions to usurp Han, and he planned to enter Wei Gong and Jia Jiu Xi. Xun Yu objected to this, which led to the final tragic ending. Therefore, Xun Yu was not worthy of Cao Cao's Taimiao Temple.
After Xun Yu's death, his sons were politically snubbed. Xun Yu's eldest son was named Xun Yun (荀恽), who married Cao Cao's daughter in his early years, and later inherited the title of father Xun Yu (荀彧) and served as a general in the Tiger Dynasty. Xun Yun had a good relationship with Cao Zhi, and a very poor relationship with Xiahou Shang, which caused Cao Pi to be jealous. Because Xiahou Shang was Cao Pi's hair small, and Cao Zhi was his competitor. Therefore, "Emperor Wen deeply hated Yun", fortunately, Xun Yun died early, or he had to be persecuted.
Xun Yu had many sons, among whom the second son Xun Yu, the third son Xun Yu, and the youngest son Xun Yue were all relatively well-known, Xun Yu was an official to Yushi Zhongcheng; Xun Yu became a great general and participated in the revision of the law; Xun Yu, although his career was not obvious, was a famous metaphysician at that time, "can not be handed over to ordinary people, all the friends are junjie", and Wang Bi was on a par with Wang Bi, and later died of illness and died of a terrible injury, leaving behind the story of "Xun Ling hurting the gods".
Among Xun Yu's sons, the most prominent was the sixth son, Xun Yan. Xun Yan was "erudite and thoughtful", and since childhood he was praised by his brother-in-law Chen Qun. Later, Sima Yi saw Xun Yan and praised him on the spot: "It is really worthy of being Xun Lingjun's son!" Under the care of Sima Yi, Xun Yan successively served as a loose riding attendant, a waiter, and a knight lieutenant. At that time, Cao Shuang and Sima Yi formed two camps, and Xun Yan fully supported Sima Yi.
After Sima Yi's death, Xun Yan repeatedly offered advice to Sima Shi and participated in the rebellion against Yuqiu Jian, making battle achievements. After Sima Shi's death, Sima Zhao continued to control the imperial government, and he trusted Xun Yan even more, and even put Xun Yan in charge of staying behind in The Capital Division when he went out to Huainan. After Cao Huan ascended the throne, Xun Yan was promoted to Sikong and ranked third duke. After Sima Zhao became the King of Jin, Xun Yan openly performed the worship service. All in all, the Yingchuan Xun clan, represented by Xun Yan, actively supported the Sima family.
In 265, Sima Yan usurped the throne and established the Western Jin Dynasty, Xun Yan was one of the founding heroes, promoted to the Duke of Linhuai, with 1,800 households, and also served as a lieutenant, a servant, a military governor outside the city, and a prince. In 274, Xun Yan fell ill and died, witnessing his father's tragedy and the rise and fall of Cao Wei, and participating in the usurpation of the Throne by the Sima family. Xun Yu's grandson Xun Yu (荀霬), xun Yun's second son, also married Sima Yi's daughter.
Xun Yu was Cao Cao's first meritorious servant, but he was forced to die by Cao Cao, and after his death, he was not able to enjoy Cao Cao's Temple. For Xun Yu's descendants, their hearts should be very dissatisfied. Therefore, under the influence of Sima Yi, the Yingchuan Xun clan completely fell to the side of the Sima clan and became a hero of the Western Jin Dynasty. During the reign of the Jin Dynasty, the Yingchuan Xun clan was very prominent, and its political status far exceeded that of the reign of Cao Wei.
References: 1. Romance of the Three Kingdoms; 2. Book of Jin