CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Xu Chu许褚
A fierce general under Cao Cao during the Three Kingdoms period, known for his bravery and serving as Cao Cao's bodyguard.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 9
- RELATION RECORDS
- 12
- SOURCE WORKS
- 2
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Xu Chu, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
2 figures · 3 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Cao Cao→Xu Chuappreciate
Read the original source
操曰：“吾闻大名久矣，还肯降否？”褚曰：“固所愿也。”遂招宗族数百人俱降。操拜许褚为都尉
Cao Pi→Xu Chudispatch
02CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
7 figures · 9 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Xu Chu→Liu Beiordered to invite
Xu Huang→Xu Chufight
Zhang Fei—Xu Chubattle
Xu Chu—Ma Chaobattle
Xu Chu→Cao Renblock
Xu Chu→Xu Youslay
Xu Chu—Gao Lanbattle
9 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms
Cao Cao's bodyguard, exceptionally strong and courageous. He once saved Cao Cao at Tong Pass and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Mouxiang. A fierce general of Wei, father of Xu Yi.
In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Xu Chu was originally a local strongman. After surrendering to Cao Cao, he was appointed as Commandant. He was exceptionally brave and killed many enemy generals in battle, such as Li Yan and Li Bie. When Cao Cao was in danger, Xu Chu carried him across a river to escape. In the Battle of Weinan, Xu Chu fought fiercely with Ma Chao and was called 'Tiger Fool' for his bravery. As Cao Cao's bodyguard, he once prevented Cao Ren from entering, and killed Xu You for insulting him with words. Later, he led the Tiger Guard to capture Cao Zhi.
Across source works
How this figure changes across texts
Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.
- Literature / legend27 profile notes
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
12 relations16 verified quotations- Cao Cao→ appreciate →Xu Chu
- Xu Chu→ save master →Cao Cao
- Liu Bei→ refuse →Xu Chu
- Xu Chu→ ordered to invite →Liu Bei
Verified original text · 16
操曰：“吾闻大名久矣，还肯降否？”褚曰：“固所愿也。”遂招宗族数百人俱降。操拜许褚为都尉
recruit surrender · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 12
曹操抚许褚之背曰
appreciate · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 14
14 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history2 profile notes
Records of the Three Kingdoms
2 relations2 verified quotations- Xu Chu→ save master →Cao Cao
- Xu Chu→ battle →Ma Chao
Verified original text · 2
褚以众归太祖
submit · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·李臧文吕许典二庞阎传
褚瞋目盼之。超不敢动
confront · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·李臧文吕许典二庞阎传
History vs. fiction
In the official history, Xu Chu intimidated Ma Chao with his glare at the Wei River, while the novel dramatizes his bare-chested fierce battle with Ma Chao for hundreds of rounds.
- novel inventionXu Chu fought Ma Chao bare-chested for hundreds of rounds
According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Wei Shu, Biography of Xu Chu, during the meeting at the Wei River, Cao Cao was alone with Ma Chao, and Ma Chao wanted to attack Cao Cao but saw Xu Chu beside him, 'Xu Chu glared at him. Ma Chao dared not move, so they each withdrew.' There is no account of taking off clothes and fighting fiercely. In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 59, the scene of the duel is greatly exaggerated, describing Xu Chu 'taking off his armor, muscles bulging, bare-chested, holding a knife, mounting his horse to fight Ma Chao to the death,' and they fought for over 230 rounds, which is fictional.
Relationship network
- appreciate← Cao Cao → Xu ChulitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 12Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 14Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 32Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 57Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 66Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 67
Original text (5)
操曰：“吾闻大名久矣，还肯降否？”褚曰：“固所愿也。”遂招宗族数百人俱降。操拜许褚为都尉
Original relation: recruit surrender · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 12
曹操抚许褚之背曰
操曰：“许仲康安在？”许褚应声而出
Original relation: ruler-subject · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 32
曹操闻之，叹曰……许褚真忠臣也
操自领诸将居中；后部曹仁、夏侯惇
Original relation: subordinate general · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 67
- save masterXu Chu → Cao Caohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·李臧文吕许典二庞阎传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 58Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 61
Original text (3)
褚负操一跃上船
操背后许褚纵马舞刀
Original relation: guard · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 61
褚以众归太祖
Original relation: submit · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·李臧文吕许典二庞阎传
Original text (1)
公可速回，为我禀覆丞相
Original text (1)
遂令许褚将兵五百前往，务要追玄德转来
Original text (1)
即令许褚领虎卫军三千
- battle← Zhang Fei → Xu ChulitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 41Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 72
Original text (1)
- battleXu Chu → Ma Chaohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·李臧文吕许典二庞阎传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 59
Original text (2)
许褚拍马舞刀而出
褚瞋目盼之。超不敢动
Original relation: confront · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·李臧文吕许典二庞阎传
Original text (1)
曹仁欲入，被许褚当住
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
许褚挥刀纵马，直出助战。高览挺枪接住。