Jia Xu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jia Xu
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| 賈詡 | |
A Qing dynasty illustration of Jia Xu
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| Grand Commandant (太尉) | |
| In office 6 April 220 – 11 August 223 |
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| Monarch | Cao Pi |
| Palace Counsellor (太中大夫) | |
| In office ? – 6 April 220 |
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| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Chancellor | Cao Cao / Cao Pi |
| Bearer of the Mace (執金吾) (under Cao Cao) |
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| In office 199–? |
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| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| General Who Upholds Righteousness (宣義將軍) (under Li Jue) |
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| In office 195–196 |
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| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Household Counsellor (光祿大夫) (under Li Jue) |
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| In office ?–195 |
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| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Master of Writing (尚書) (under Li Jue) |
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| In office ?–? |
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| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Left Adjunct (左馮翊) (under Li Jue) |
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| In office 192–? |
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| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Colonel Who Attacks Barbarians (討虜校尉) |
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| In office 189–192 |
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| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Chancellor | Dong Zhuo |
| Commandant of Pingjin (平津都尉) | |
| In office ?–189 |
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| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Chancellor | Dong Zhuo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 147 Wuwei, Gansu |
| Died | 11 August 223 (aged 76) |
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| Occupation | Official, adviser, writer |
| Courtesy name | Wenhe (文和) |
| Posthumous name | Marquis Su (肅侯) |
| Peerage | Marquis of Weishou District (魏壽鄉侯) |
Jia Xu (born 147 – died 11 August 223) was a very smart adviser and official in ancient China. His courtesy name was Wenhe. He lived during a time called the Three Kingdoms period. This was when China was divided into several states.
Jia Xu started his career as a small official in the late Eastern Han dynasty. This was before the Three Kingdoms period began. He became known for his clever ideas and strategies. He served several powerful leaders, or warlords, during his life. These included Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, Zhang Xiu, and finally Cao Cao. His advice helped these leaders in many important battles and decisions.
Later, Jia Xu became a key adviser to Cao Pi. Cao Pi was Cao Cao's son. Cao Pi eventually became the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei. Jia Xu was given a very high position in the government. He was known for being very wise and for giving good advice, even if it was sometimes ignored.
Contents
Early Life and Clever Escape
Jia Xu was born in a place called Wuwei, which is in present-day Wuwei, Gansu. When he was young, he did not seem very special. However, a wise official named Yan Zhong noticed him. Yan Zhong said that Jia Xu was as brilliant as famous strategists from an earlier time.
Jia Xu got a job in the government. But he had to leave because he became ill. On his way home, he was captured by rebels. These rebels also captured other travelers. Jia Xu told the rebels a clever lie. He said, "I am the grandson of Lord Duan. If you let me go, my family will give you a big reward."
Tricking the Rebels
"Lord Duan" was Duan Jiong (段熲). He was a famous general who had protected China's western regions for many years. The rebels were afraid of Duan Jiong. So, they believed Jia Xu's lie. They treated him with respect and let him go free. Sadly, all the other travelers were killed. This story shows how smart Jia Xu was, even at a young age.
Working for Different Warlords
In 189, a powerful warlord named Dong Zhuo took control of the government. Jia Xu was working as an official at that time. Dong Zhuo promoted him and assigned him to work with his son-in-law, Niu Fu.
Advice to Dong Zhuo's Followers
In 192, Dong Zhuo was killed by Lü Bu. Dong Zhuo's followers, like Li Jue and Guo Si, were scared. They wanted to go home. But Jia Xu gave them a bold idea. He told them: "The new government wants to get rid of all of you. If you go home alone, you will be easily caught. Why not gather your forces and attack the capital city, Chang'an? You can get revenge for Lord Dong. If you win, you can control the emperor and the empire. If you lose, you can still escape."
Dong Zhuo's followers listened to Jia Xu. They attacked Chang'an and won. They took control of the city. This advice was very clever, but it also caused more chaos in China. Some people later criticized Jia Xu for this. They felt that his advice made the country even more unstable after Dong Zhuo's death.
Serving Li Jue
Jia Xu served under Li Jue. Li Jue and his allies wanted to give Jia Xu a special title as a reward. But Jia Xu refused. He said his advice was just to save their lives, not to earn a reward. He also turned down another high position. He said he was not famous enough for it. He eventually accepted a role where he helped choose new government officials. He was praised for choosing good people.
Jia Xu also tried to stop fights between Li Jue and Guo Si. He even helped protect the young Emperor Xian. The emperor was being held by Li Jue. Jia Xu secretly helped the emperor and convinced some tribal leaders to leave Li Jue's side.
Joining Zhang Xiu
After Emperor Xian escaped from Chang'an, Jia Xu left Li Jue. He briefly joined another general named Duan Wei. But Jia Xu soon realized that Duan Wei was suspicious of him. Jia Xu knew he needed to leave for his own safety.
He secretly contacted Zhang Xiu, another warlord. Zhang Xiu was happy to have a smart adviser like Jia Xu. Jia Xu explained his decision to leave Duan Wei. He said, "Duan Wei is suspicious. He would eventually harm me. But if I leave now, he will be happy. And if I help him find a new ally, he will treat my family well. Zhang Xiu needs a strategist, so he will welcome me." Jia Xu was right. Duan Wei was pleased and Zhang Xiu welcomed him warmly.
Smart Advice to Zhang Xiu
Jia Xu became a trusted adviser to Zhang Xiu. He advised Zhang Xiu to team up with Liu Biao, another powerful leader. Jia Xu was very good at predicting what would happen in battles.
In 198, Cao Cao attacked Zhang Xiu. Cao Cao later pulled back his forces. Zhang Xiu wanted to chase Cao Cao, but Jia Xu told him not to. Jia Xu predicted Zhang Xiu would lose. Zhang Xiu ignored him and attacked. He lost, just as Jia Xu predicted.
When Zhang Xiu returned, Jia Xu told him to attack again. Zhang Xiu was confused. He had just lost. But Jia Xu said, "Things have changed. You will win this time." Zhang Xiu listened and attacked again. This time, he won!
Zhang Xiu asked Jia Xu why his predictions seemed so strange. Jia Xu explained: "When Cao Cao retreated, I knew he would lead his best troops at the back. You are good, but not as good as Cao Cao. So you lost. But when Cao Cao retreated a second time, I knew he would be less careful. His main generals would be at the back, not Cao Cao himself. You are better than them, even with tired troops. That's why you won." Zhang Xiu was very impressed.
Convincing Zhang Xiu to Join Cao Cao
In 199, two big warlords, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, were about to fight a huge battle. Yuan Shao asked Zhang Xiu to join him against Cao Cao. Zhang Xiu wanted to agree. But Jia Xu told Yuan Shao's messenger, "No, thank you. Yuan Shao can't even get along with his own family. How can he get along with others?"
Zhang Xiu was shocked. He asked Jia Xu, "What should I do now?" Jia Xu replied, "Why don't you join Cao Cao?" Zhang Xiu was worried. He said, "Yuan Shao is strong, and Cao Cao is weak. Plus, I am Cao Cao's enemy!"
Jia Xu gave three reasons why joining Cao Cao was better:
- Cao Cao controls the emperor, which gives him great power.
- Yuan Shao has many troops, so he wouldn't value Zhang Xiu much. Cao Cao has fewer troops, so he would be very happy to have Zhang Xiu.
- A truly great leader will put aside old fights and welcome new people.
Zhang Xiu listened to Jia Xu and joined Cao Cao. Cao Cao was very happy. He told Jia Xu, "You are the person who helps me show everyone how trustworthy I am!" Jia Xu was given important positions in Cao Cao's government.
Serving Cao Cao
Jia Xu became one of Cao Cao's most important strategists. He gave advice that helped Cao Cao win major battles.
Battle of Guandu
During the Battle of Guandu, Cao Cao was fighting Yuan Shao. Cao Cao's supplies were running low. He asked Jia Xu for advice. Jia Xu told him, "My lord, you are smarter, braver, better at leading, and more decisive than Yuan Shao. You have these four strengths. You have been too defensive. Be decisive now, and you will win." Cao Cao listened. He attacked Yuan Shao's camps and won a huge victory. This helped Cao Cao take control of northern China.
Battle of Tong Pass
In 211, Cao Cao fought against a group of warlords led by Han Sui and Ma Chao at the Tong Pass. The warlords wanted to make peace with Cao Cao. Jia Xu suggested that Cao Cao pretend to agree to their terms. Then, he should try to cause arguments between them. Cao Cao followed this advice. He successfully made Han Sui and Ma Chao fight each other. Then, Cao Cao attacked and won the battle.
Helping Cao Pi Become Successor
Later, Cao Cao's sons, Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, were competing to become their father's successor. Cao Pi asked Jia Xu for advice. Jia Xu told him simply, "Be good, humble, do your duties well, and be a good son." Cao Pi followed this advice carefully.
Cao Cao himself asked Jia Xu for advice on who should be his heir. Jia Xu did not answer right away. When Cao Cao asked why, Jia Xu said, "I am thinking about Yuan Shao and Liu Biao, and what happened to their sons." Yuan Shao and Liu Biao had both chosen younger sons over older ones, which led to problems. Cao Cao understood the hint. He laughed and decided to make Cao Pi his heir.
Jia Xu was careful not to make other officials jealous. He kept a low profile and did not let his children marry into powerful families. This earned him respect.
Serving Cao Pi
In 220, Cao Pi became the King of Wei. He appointed Jia Xu to a very high position called Grand Commandant. Later that year, Cao Pi became the first emperor of the new state of Cao Wei. He promoted Jia Xu even further. This was Cao Pi's way of thanking Jia Xu for helping him become the heir.
Advice Against Attacking Eastern Wu
Between 220 and 223, Emperor Cao Pi wanted to attack Wei's rival states, Eastern Wu and Shu Han. He asked Jia Xu which one he should attack first.
Jia Xu advised him: "To conquer others, you need strong armies and a good government. You are now the Emperor. If you focus on making your country strong and peaceful, your enemies will eventually surrender without a fight. Wu and Shu are protected by mountains and rivers. Their leaders are smart and their generals are skilled. It's not easy to attack them. You should build up your strength first. I don't think any of our generals can easily defeat their leaders. It's better to focus on our own country for now."
But Cao Pi did not listen to Jia Xu. In 223, he attacked Wu. His army suffered heavy losses and did not gain much.
Death
Jia Xu died on 11 August 223. He was 76 years old. He was given the special title "Marquis Su" after his death.
Family
Jia Xu had at least three sons: Jia Mu, Jia Ji, and Jia Fang. His eldest son, Jia Mu, inherited his father's special title. Jia Mu also served as a governor in different areas. Jia Fang, his youngest son, also received a special title.
Writings
Jia Xu was also a writer. He wrote notes on a military book called Wuzi. He also wrote another military text and copied Sun Tzu's famous book, The Art of War.
What People Thought of Jia Xu
A historian named Chen Shou wrote about Jia Xu. He said that Jia Xu was very good at planning and rarely made mistakes.
Another historian, Pei Songzhi, thought Jia Xu was very different from some other strategists. He believed Jia Xu was more like strategists who were very flexible and adaptable. He said Jia Xu's moral character was very different from others, like the difference between moonlight and candlelight. Both give light, but they are fundamentally different.
Images for kids
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An illustration of Jia Xu by an unknown artist.
