Guo Tu
Encyclopedia
Guo Tu was an advisor to the warlord Yuan Shao
during the late Han Dynasty
period of Chinese history
. Yuan often sought his advice for civil and military decisions.
and Yuan Shao clashed at the Battle of Guandu
. Yuan dispatched Chunyu Qiong
and others to guard the Wuchao granaries, where he kept his food supplies. Cao Cao
personally led a raid on Wuchao with few men in disguise as Yuan's troops, as to debilitate Yuan. Zhang He
, one of Yuan's generals, said to his lord: "Duke Cao's armies are elite, they would surely defeat Chunyu Qiong. After Chunyu Qiong is defeated, the army will scatter. Instead, let me and Gao Lan
reinforce Wuchao." Guo remarked, "Zhang He's plans are bad. Instead, let us attack the original source (referring to Cao Cao's main camp), power will surely return to our side." "This explanation is why reinforcements should not be sent." Zhang He then replied: "Duke Cao's encampment is solidified, it is too hard to uproot. If Chunyu Qiong's camp is captured we will be depleted and captured in turn." "Cao will be too enveloped in taking Wuchao to leave a guard. I entreat you to attack his main camp."
Yuan Shao did not send the reinforcements to aid Chunyu Qiong, instead he sent five companies under Zhang He and Gao Lan to attack Cao's main army. Through a ruse involving Xu Chu
and Zhang Liao
, they beat out Chunyu Qiong and Yuan was led to believe that the granaries had been successfully defended. Yuan Shao's army was attacked on three sides, and when the men came back from Wuchao, they came up on Yuan's rear, surrounding the five companies. However, Zhang He and Gao Lan escaped, but altogether Yuan's army was defeated. When Chunyu reached the main army, which was devastated, he was brought in to see Yuan. Yuan railed at him asking why the defenses of the granary had been sparse. Chunyu's men told Yuan that Chunyu had been intoxicated that night, and Chunyu was executed forthwith. Guo was ashamed and plotted against Zhang He and Gao Lan, and said to Yuan, "Zhang He and Gao Lan were glad when your armies were defeated. "He was asked how he knew this and thus replied, "They have long wished to defect to Cao Cao, so when you put them on this duty, they did not try their best and brought on this disaster. Yuan then sent a messenger to recall and interrogate them, but Gao knew of the plans ahead of time and when the messenger came to recall them, he killed him and both he and Zhang truly defected to Cao, lest they be destroyed. They were warmly welcomed by Cao.
. During the impending attack on Ji Province, after the defeat at Guandu, Guo Tu was sent to muster Yuan Tan's troops. Further on, as the leader of the Yuan family was being decided after Yuan Shao's death, Guo Tu was sent to talk to Yuan Tan's younger brother Yuan Shang
, whom Yuan Shao had destined for succession. Yuan Shang had two advisors that were very crafty in their dealings, and it was Guo's idea to separate the two men as to make it easier for Yuan Tan to win over Yuan Shang's title. When Guo reached Yuan Shang, Yuan Shang gave Yuan Tan the title of General and ordered him to attack Cao Cao. Guo asked, since no men of Yuan Tan were fit to give advice, if Yuan Shang could send his two advisors to help. Yuan Shang could only but send one, whom Guo accompanied back to Yuan Tan. Upon reaching Yuan Tan, the advisor grew suspicious and retired to his chambers. He then entrusted a message to be brought to Yuan Shang saying, "Guo Tu is very guilefull and is likely planning to harm you after Cao Cao is dealt with. Me being here is only to weaken your current situation. I advise letting Cao Cao do your work for you and withhold reinforcements." He did so, but Yuan Tan found out of the ruse and killed his brother's advisor. News of this reached Yuan Shang and he began to worry of his brother's defection, in which case Cao would approach his city without opposition, so he marched to help his brother at once. They arrived and immediately was stricken with many defeats against Cao Cao. So Yuan Tan and Shang went on the defensive and Cao withdrew momentarily. Again suspicion arose between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang and Guo advised Yuan Tan set up a banquet for his brother's victory and assassinate him forthwith. The ruse was discovered by Yuan Shang, who brought five companies with him and besieged the city in which Yuan Tan resided. Guo, seeing defeat definite, advised surrendering to Cao, which Yuan Tan went about doing. Cao came with men and when he came upon the besieged city, Yuan Shang retreated back to Ji Province. Ji Province was besieged and Yuan Shang surrendered and was spared. Yuan Tan was to marry one of Cao's daughters and was sent to the capital, away from Guo.
Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He occupied the northern territories of China during the civil war that occurred towards the end of the Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms era...
during the late Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
period of Chinese history
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
. Yuan often sought his advice for civil and military decisions.
Serving Yuan Shao
The forces of Cao CaoCao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
and Yuan Shao clashed at the Battle of Guandu
Battle of Guandu
The Battle of Guandu was a military conflict between the warlords Cao Cao and Yuan Shao in 200 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle, which concluded with victory for Cao Cao, was a turning point in the war between the two warlords...
. Yuan dispatched Chunyu Qiong
Chunyu Qiong
Chunyu Qiong was a military general serving under the warlord Yuan Shao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He played a significant part in the Battle of Guandu in 200.-Biography:...
and others to guard the Wuchao granaries, where he kept his food supplies. Cao Cao
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
personally led a raid on Wuchao with few men in disguise as Yuan's troops, as to debilitate Yuan. Zhang He
Zhang He
Zhang He was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history. He continued serving the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period until his death....
, one of Yuan's generals, said to his lord: "Duke Cao's armies are elite, they would surely defeat Chunyu Qiong. After Chunyu Qiong is defeated, the army will scatter. Instead, let me and Gao Lan
Gao Lan
Gao Lan was a military general serving under the warlord Yuan Shao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He fought in many battles and was respected as a brave man by Yuan. He defected to Cao Cao's side after Yuan's defeat in the Battle of Guandu.-Serving Yuan Shao:Cao Cao and Yuan...
reinforce Wuchao." Guo remarked, "Zhang He's plans are bad. Instead, let us attack the original source (referring to Cao Cao's main camp), power will surely return to our side." "This explanation is why reinforcements should not be sent." Zhang He then replied: "Duke Cao's encampment is solidified, it is too hard to uproot. If Chunyu Qiong's camp is captured we will be depleted and captured in turn." "Cao will be too enveloped in taking Wuchao to leave a guard. I entreat you to attack his main camp."
Yuan Shao did not send the reinforcements to aid Chunyu Qiong, instead he sent five companies under Zhang He and Gao Lan to attack Cao's main army. Through a ruse involving Xu Chu
Xu Chu
Xu Chu was a warrior who lived during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He served as a bodyguard to the warlord Cao Cao. Gigantic and strong, yet simple-minded and honest, Xu Chu was referred to as "Dumb Tiger" by his fellow men...
and Zhang Liao
Zhang Liao
Zhang Liao was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He participated in many campaigns, including those against Yuan Shao's clan and the Wuhuan tribes...
, they beat out Chunyu Qiong and Yuan was led to believe that the granaries had been successfully defended. Yuan Shao's army was attacked on three sides, and when the men came back from Wuchao, they came up on Yuan's rear, surrounding the five companies. However, Zhang He and Gao Lan escaped, but altogether Yuan's army was defeated. When Chunyu reached the main army, which was devastated, he was brought in to see Yuan. Yuan railed at him asking why the defenses of the granary had been sparse. Chunyu's men told Yuan that Chunyu had been intoxicated that night, and Chunyu was executed forthwith. Guo was ashamed and plotted against Zhang He and Gao Lan, and said to Yuan, "Zhang He and Gao Lan were glad when your armies were defeated. "He was asked how he knew this and thus replied, "They have long wished to defect to Cao Cao, so when you put them on this duty, they did not try their best and brought on this disaster. Yuan then sent a messenger to recall and interrogate them, but Gao knew of the plans ahead of time and when the messenger came to recall them, he killed him and both he and Zhang truly defected to Cao, lest they be destroyed. They were warmly welcomed by Cao.
After Yuan Shao's death
After Yuan Shao died in 202, Guo became a staff advisor to Yuan's eldest son, Yuan TanYuan Tan
Yuan Tan was the oldest son of the warlord Yuan Shao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. After Yuan Shao's death, Yuan Tan split with his youngest brother Yuan Shang over the successorship to their father's realm. Yuan Tan sought help from the warlord Cao Cao and defeated Yuan...
. During the impending attack on Ji Province, after the defeat at Guandu, Guo Tu was sent to muster Yuan Tan's troops. Further on, as the leader of the Yuan family was being decided after Yuan Shao's death, Guo Tu was sent to talk to Yuan Tan's younger brother Yuan Shang
Yuán Shàng
Yuan Shang , style name Xianfu , was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was the third son of the warlord Yuan Shao, and succeeded his father...
, whom Yuan Shao had destined for succession. Yuan Shang had two advisors that were very crafty in their dealings, and it was Guo's idea to separate the two men as to make it easier for Yuan Tan to win over Yuan Shang's title. When Guo reached Yuan Shang, Yuan Shang gave Yuan Tan the title of General and ordered him to attack Cao Cao. Guo asked, since no men of Yuan Tan were fit to give advice, if Yuan Shang could send his two advisors to help. Yuan Shang could only but send one, whom Guo accompanied back to Yuan Tan. Upon reaching Yuan Tan, the advisor grew suspicious and retired to his chambers. He then entrusted a message to be brought to Yuan Shang saying, "Guo Tu is very guilefull and is likely planning to harm you after Cao Cao is dealt with. Me being here is only to weaken your current situation. I advise letting Cao Cao do your work for you and withhold reinforcements." He did so, but Yuan Tan found out of the ruse and killed his brother's advisor. News of this reached Yuan Shang and he began to worry of his brother's defection, in which case Cao would approach his city without opposition, so he marched to help his brother at once. They arrived and immediately was stricken with many defeats against Cao Cao. So Yuan Tan and Shang went on the defensive and Cao withdrew momentarily. Again suspicion arose between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang and Guo advised Yuan Tan set up a banquet for his brother's victory and assassinate him forthwith. The ruse was discovered by Yuan Shang, who brought five companies with him and besieged the city in which Yuan Tan resided. Guo, seeing defeat definite, advised surrendering to Cao, which Yuan Tan went about doing. Cao came with men and when he came upon the besieged city, Yuan Shang retreated back to Ji Province. Ji Province was besieged and Yuan Shang surrendered and was spared. Yuan Tan was to marry one of Cao's daughters and was sent to the capital, away from Guo.