Xu Shu

Xu Shu
A Qing dynasty illustration of Xu Shu
Official of Cao Wei
Born	(Unknown)
Died	(Unknown)
Names
Traditional Chinese	徐庶
Simplified Chinese	徐庶
Pinyin	Xú Shù
Wade–Giles	Hsu Sh'u
Courtesy name	Yuanzhi (Chinese: 元直; pinyin: Yuánzhí; Wade–Giles: Yüan-chih)
Other names	Shan Fu (simplified Chinese: 单福; traditional Chinese: 單福; pinyin: Shàn Fú; Wade–Giles: Shan Fu)

Xu Shu, courtesy name Yuanzhi, originally named Shan Fu, was an official of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period. He was born sometime in the late Eastern Han dynasty and used to be a vigilante swordsman in his early life. However, after running into trouble with the authorities, he renounced his old ways and took up scholarly pursuits. He lived a reclusive life from the 190s to mid-200s in Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan provinces), where he met and befriended Zhuge Liang. In late 207, he became an adviser to the warlord Liu Bei and served under Liu for about a year. He also recommended Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei during this period of time. In late 208, Liu Bei was defeated at the Battle of Changban by his rival Cao Cao. Xu Shu's mother was captured by Cao Cao's forces during the battle. Feeling lost and without a sense of direction, Xu Shu eventually left Liu Bei and joined Cao Cao. He continued serving in the state of Cao Wei – founded by Cao Cao's son and successor, Cao Pi, who ended the Han dynasty – and died of illness in office.

Xu Shu's defection from Liu Bei to Cao Cao was fictionalised in the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In the novel, he was Liu Bei's chief strategist before Zhuge Liang came along, and he once helped Liu repel two attacks from Cao Cao's general Cao Ren. He was eventually tricked by Cao Cao into leaving Liu Bei and joining Cao, but he recommended Zhuge Liang to Liu before leaving and swore never to give advice to Cao.

Xu Shu was from Yingchuan Commandery (潁川郡), Yu Province, which is in present-day central Henan. His original family name was Shan (單) and his original given name was Fu (福). He was a swordsman in his early life and he once helped someone take revenge by killing another person. To avoid being recognised, he covered his face with white chalk and let his hair run wild. He was later arrested by an official, who asked him for his name, but he did not reply. The official tied him to a cart, paraded him through the streets, and asked for any person who could identify him. No one came forth. Xu Shu's fellows rescued him later. He was so grateful to be saved that he gave up his life as a swordsman and became a scholar.