Chapter 53: Xu You’s Fury

At present, the person closest to Yuan Shao, whose words carried the most weight, was Guo Tu.

Guo Tu had offered Yuan Shao many strategies, and these shared one notable trait: they invariably contradicted Ju Shou’s counsel. For instance, when Yuan Shao first considered attacking Xuchang, Ju Shou had advised patience—he urged Yuan Shao to let the troops, still weary from recent battles, rest and recover before taking further action. Guo Tu, on the other hand, argued that their forces outnumbered Cao Cao’s by severalfold; now was the time to strike while the iron was hot, to crush Cao Cao in one decisive blow—otherwise, should Cao Cao be allowed time to grow stronger, it would be too late.

In this, Guo Tu conspired with Shen Pei and others, lavishing Yuan Shao with unrestrained praise, saying in essence: “Lord Yuan, you are wise and mighty; whenever you lead your troops to war, there is no path left for Cao Cao but utter defeat.” Yuan Shao, already somewhat vainglorious by nature, was clearly more inclined to heed such words when presented with two starkly opposing views.

Even after both Yan Liang and Wen Chou had fallen in battle, Yuan Shao had yet to discern the true worth of the strategists at his side. While preparing for the campaign against Guandu, he continued to undermine Ju Shou’s authority.

It was only natural that Yuan Shao remained unaware of the events unfolding in Xuchang. What he failed to realize, however, was that an inconspicuous incident was also taking place in his own stronghold of Ye.

Yuan Shao’s residence and family, as well as those of his principal advisers and generals, were all located in Ye. The official left in charge there was Shen Pei, whose closest confidant was none other than Guo Tu.

One day, Xu You’s younger brother, having drunk a few cups in a small tavern within Ye, was making his way home along the street when someone suddenly leaped out and began hurling insults at Xu You, cursing him loudly and incessantly. As Xu You’s brother, his entire comfortable life depended on his elder sibling, who was a renowned figure at Yuan Shao’s side. Fueled by wine and pride, he could not tolerate such provocation and immediately lunged at the offender, beating him soundly.

When Xu You’s brother sobered up, he found himself in the city jail of Ye—a situation he had never experienced before. Worse still, it was Shen Pei himself who had seen to his arrest.

In his time, Xu You’s brother was something of a notorious wastrel. After several fruitless attempts at negotiation—of the “do you know who my brother is?” variety—and a thorough drubbing, he resigned himself to his fate and secretly sent a servant from his household to Yuan Shao’s military camp, intending to inform Xu You of his predicament.

He knew his elder brother to be fiercely protective; such treatment of his blood kin would never be tolerated. Everything proceeded just as he expected: upon learning of his brother’s arrest, Xu You flew into a rage and stormed off to seek justice from Yuan Shao.

Xu You was certainly clever, but his emotional intelligence left much to be desired, and he lacked finesse in dealing with people. As soon as he saw Yuan Shao, he immediately began railing against Shen Pei’s lawless conduct in Ye and protested his brother’s unwarranted imprisonment.

But Yuan Shao’s mind was entirely consumed with the war against Cao Cao; he had no patience for such trifling matters. When Xu You, in the posture of a supplicant, finished his complaint, Yuan Shao merely frowned, set aside the military treatise in his hand, and said, “Our army’s foremost concern is to defeat Cao Cao. Ziyuan, you must not let petty matters sow discord in our rear. Your brother can remain in prison for now; when we return victorious, I will have Shen Pei release him.”

At these words, Xu You’s eyes blazed with fury. As a renowned figure in these turbulent times, men like Xu You prized their honor above all else. It was as if Shen Pei had spat in his face, and Yuan Shao expected him to endure it—a most intolerable humiliation.

“My lord! If Shen Pei does not release my brother, then there can be no reconciliation between us!” Xu You declared.

“If you are so resolved, Ziyuan,” Yuan Shao replied, “you might as well devote yourself to devising strategies for our victory over Cao Cao. When we return to Ye, I will even grant your brother an official post. What say you?”

Yuan Shao’s words were reasonable enough, but his expression was sour; it was clear he considered Xu You’s complaints to be petty and vexatious.

“Hmph! Between me and Shen Pei, there can be no peace!” Xu You retorted. With these parting words, he turned on his heel and strode away, not so much as glancing back.

Yuan Shao, for his part, had a fair understanding of Xu You’s temperament and thought little of his outburst, merely shaking his head dismissively before returning to his reading.

Yuan Shao clearly failed to grasp the meaning behind Xu You’s declaration that he and Shen Pei could not coexist; he took it for a fit of pique, but it was far more than that.

Returning to his chamber in a huff, Xu You quickly composed himself. He then sat motionless at his desk for two whole hours. At length, as if steeling himself for a momentous decision, he took up brush and paper and wrote a letter. Finished, he summoned a trusted aide, whispered instructions in his ear, and concealed the letter deep within the man’s garments.

This was hardly an event to draw attention—indeed, Shen Pei’s friend Guo Tu was still making jokes with other officials at Xu You’s expense, scoffing that even in Yuan Shao’s presence, Xu You amounted to nothing.

They had no inkling that Xu You’s confidant, dressed inconspicuously, mounted a horse under cover of darkness and rode off to destinations unknown.

Several days later, in the stillness of Guandu, Cao Cao—somewhat elated—gathered Guo Jia and several other close advisers before him. In his hand was the very letter written by Xu You.

“Gentlemen, take a look at this letter,” said Cao Cao, passing it along for all to read.

“Xu You is a distinguished scholar who has always been valued under Yuan Shao,” said Cheng Yu, ever cautious. “For him to suddenly seek defection now, when we seem at a disadvantage, strikes me as highly suspicious. My lord, you must consider this carefully!”

Cheng Yu knew Xu You’s character well—he had always been sociable and maintained good relations with both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, though he had ultimately chosen to serve the latter, which was not unusual for the times. Yet precisely because of these connections, Cheng Yu could not dismiss the possibility that this was some ruse of Yuan Shao’s.

“No, I can vouch for this matter,” came a voice from among the gathering.