CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Xun You荀攸
Xun You, advisor to Cao Cao, nephew of Xun Yu, often offered ingenious plans.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 5
- RELATION RECORDS
- 9
- SOURCE WORKS
- 3
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Xun You, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01MENTORSHIPMentorship
Teachers, disciples and transmission
1 figure · 1 record＋
Mentorship
Teachers, disciples and transmission
Xun Yu→Xun Yourecommend
02KINSHIPKinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
2 figures · 3 records＋
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Xun You—Xun Yunephew
Xun You—Zhong Yaofriendly
03ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
2 figures · 3 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Cao CaoisXun You’s ruler
Xun You→Kong Rongrecommend
04CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
2 figures · 2 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Cao Cao→Xun Yourebuke
Xun You→Dong Zhuoplot assassination
Read the original source
攸与议郎郑泰、何颙、侍中种辑、越骑校尉伍琼等谋曰：“董卓无道，甚於桀纣，天下皆怨之，虽资彊兵，实一匹夫耳。今直刺杀之以谢百姓
7 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms
A man of wisdom and strategy, treated generously by He Jin. A native of Yingchuan, he conspired with Zheng Tai to assassinate Dong Zhuo, but the plot was leaked and he was arrested. Nephew of Xun Yu, advisor to Cao Cao.
In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms · Book of the Later Han
Xun You, nephew of Xun Yu, joined Cao Cao as a military instructor, later becoming an advisor. He suggested attacking Lü Bu, saw through the enemy's bait, offered plans to defeat Yuan Shao, recommended taking Jizhou, opposed Cao Cao's claim to kingship, and died of grief and anger.
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.
- Official history3 profile notes
Book of the Later Han
2 relations1 verified quotations- Xun You→ offer plan →Cao Cao
- Xun Yu→ recommend →Xun You
Verified original text · 1
彧又进操计谋之士从子攸
recommend · Book of the Later Han, 郑孔荀列传
- Literature / legend17 profile notes
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
4 relations7 verified quotations- Cao Cao→ ruler-subject →Xun You
- Xun You→ offer plan →Cao Cao
- Cao Cao→ rebuke →Xun You
- Xun You→ recommend →Kong Rong
Verified original text · 7
操以为行军教授
employ · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 10
荀攸曰：“三公之言未善
ruler-subject · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 32
5 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history6 profile notes
Records of the Three Kingdoms
6 relations8 verified quotations- Cao Cao→ ruler-subject →Xun You
- Xun You→ offer plan →Cao Cao
- Xun You→ plot assassination →Dong Zhuo
- Xun You→ nephew →Xun Yu
Verified original text · 8
於是徴攸为汝南太守，入为尚书。
conscript · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·荀彧荀攸贾诩传
於是封陵树亭侯。
enfeoff · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·荀彧荀攸贾诩传
6 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
Death from grief and illness is fabricated
In Chapter 66 of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it is written that Xun You opposed Cao Cao's advancement to the rank of Prince of Wei, and Cao Cao angrily rebuked: 'This man wants to imitate Xun Yu!' When Xun You learned of this, he 'became ill from grief and anger, and died after lying in bed for more than ten days.' Comparing with the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biographies of Xun Yu, Xun You, and Jia Xu, Xun You did not die from melancholy due to political friction. The official history records: 'You accompanied the expedition against Sun Quan and died on the way. The Grand Ancestor (Cao Cao) wept when speaking of him.' This shows that he died of illness on the way while accompanying the army on the southern expedition against Sun Quan, and Cao Cao even wept in mourning when mentioning him. The novel changes this to make him a loyal minister who opposed Cao Cao, following in Xun Yu's footsteps, which is a fabrication to highlight Cao Cao's usurpation and treason.
Relationship network
- ruler-subject← Cao Cao → Xun Youhist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·荀彧荀攸贾诩传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 10Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 32Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 57
Original text (5)
操以为行军教授
Original relation: employ · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 10
荀攸曰：“三公之言未善
我若远征，恐马腾来袭许都
於是徴攸为汝南太守，入为尚书。
Original relation: conscript · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·荀彧荀攸贾诩传
於是封陵树亭侯。
Original relation: enfeoff · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·荀彧荀攸贾诩传
- offer planXun You → Cao Caohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 42Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 57Book of the Later Han, 郑孔荀列传
Original text (5)
彧又进操计谋之士从子攸
Original relation: assist · Book of the Later Han, 郑孔荀列传
我今大振兵威，遣使驰檄江东
Original relation: offer strategy · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 42
周瑜新死，可先取孙权，次攻刘备
荀攸说公曰
荀攸、贾诩劝公。
Original relation: urge to ascend · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪
Original text (1)
曹操闻之，怒曰……此人欲效荀彧耶
Original text (1)
攸与议郎郑泰、何颙、侍中种辑、越骑校尉伍琼等谋曰：“董卓无道，甚於桀纣，天下皆怨之，虽资彊兵，实一匹夫耳。今直刺杀之以谢百姓
Original text (1)
彧又进操计谋之士从子攸
Original text (1)
荀攸字公达，彧从子也。
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
颍川荀攸、锺繇相与亲善
Original text (1)