Guō Jiā appellation Fèngxiào was a Yǐngchuān Yángdí man. (1)

郭嘉字奉孝，潁川陽翟人也。〔一〕

• (1) Fù-zǐ states: Jiā when young had far-reaching judgement. At Hàn’s end the realm Under Heaven was about to be in chaos. From when he was capped he hid is reputation and impact, secretly joining with the outstanding and talented, did not with the vulgar communicate, and therefore at the time of people many did not know him, and only those that met him were impressed with him. At twenty-seven years, he was recruited to the Office of the Excellency of Works.

〔一〕　傅子曰：嘉少有遠量。漢末天下將亂。自弱冠匿名跡，密交結英雋，不與俗接，故時人多莫知，惟識達者奇之。年二十七，辟司徒府。

Previously, he went north and met Yuán Shào, and said to [Yuán] Shào’s strategy ministers Xīn Píng and Guō Tú: “The wise are careful in judging rulers, and therefore a hundred actions are a hundred completions, and achievement and reputation can be established. Excellency Yuán only wishes to imitate Zhōu-gōng’s treatment of subordinates, but does not know the fundamentals of employing men. He has many dealings but few essentials, enjoys planning but has no decisions, wishes to with you together relive the realm Under Heaven’s great troubles, settle the overlord’s enterprise, how difficult!” Therefore he then left them.

初，北見袁紹，謂紹謀臣辛評、郭圖曰：「夫智者審于量主，故百舉百全而功名可立也。袁公徒欲效周公之下士，而未知用人之機。多端寡要，好謀無決，欲與共濟天下大難，定霸王之業，難矣！」於是遂去之。

Before this time, Yǐngchuān’s Xì Zhìcái, was a planning strategist, and Tàizǔ [Cáo Cāo] was deeply impressed with him. He died young. Tàizǔ with Xún Yù wrote a letter: “Since after [Xì] Zhìcái died, there is none I can plan affairs with. Rǔ[nán] and Yǐng[chuān] assuredly have many unique people. Who can succeed him?” [Xún] Yù recommended Jiā. He was summoned to meet, and discussed the realm Under Heaven’s affairs. Tàizǔ said: “The one to have me complete the great enterprise, certainly is this man.” Jiā went out, and also was pleased and said: “He truly is my master.” He was memorialized as Libationer to the Army of the Excellency of Works. (2)

先是時，潁川戲志才，籌畫士也，太祖甚器之。早卒。太祖與荀彧書曰：「自志才亡後，莫可與計事者。汝、潁固多奇士，誰可以繼之？」　彧薦嘉。召見，論天下事。太祖曰：「使孤成大業者，必此人也。」嘉出，亦喜曰：「真吾主也。」表為司空軍祭酒。〔二〕

• (2) Fù-zǐ states: Tàizǔ said to Jiā: “[Yuán Shào] Běnchū gathers Jì Province’s armies, Qīng and Bìng follow him, his lands are broad and troops strong, and repeatedly he is not humble. I wish to suppress him, but my strength is no match, what can be done?”
• [Guō Jiā] replied: “Liú [Bāng] was no match for Xiàng [Yǔ], this your excellency knows. Hàn [Gāo]zǔ only in wisdom was superior, and although Xiàng Yǔ was strong, in the end he was taken. I Jiā have humbly appraised this, that [Yuán] Shào has ten failings, your Excellency ten superiorities, and though his troops are strong, there is nothing he can do:
• • [Yuán] Shào has complicated rituals and many ceremonies, your Excellency’s form and responsibilities are natural. This Method is superiority one.
• • [Yuán] Shào by rebelliousness moves, your Excellency serves obedience to lead the realm Under Heaven. This Righteousness is superiority two.
• • Hàn’s final government was lost in lenience, [Yuán] Shào by lenience relieves lenience, and therefore he does not gain. Your Excellency corrects by severity, so superiors and subordinates know regulations. This Governance is superiority three.
• • [Yuán] Shào is outside generous but inside envious, employs men but suspects them, those he appoints are only close kin and junior relatives. Your Excellency outside is amiable and uncomplicated but inside clever and wise, employ men without doubt, only ability is considered, without distinguishing far or near. This Evaluation is superiority four.
• • [Yuán] Shào has many plans but few decisions, and loses in later affairs. Your Excellency when planning is done then at once act, answer changes without end. This Strategy is superiority five.
• • [Yuán] Shào because he has accumulated generations of resources, uses high discussion and saluting yielding to gather the famous, and of scholars of flattering words and outside ornamentation many join him. Your Excellency with utmost heart treat people, seek the sincere and act, do not act for empty beauty, by frugality lead subordinates, and with the accomplished have no stinginess, and of scholars of loyalty and uprightness and far-reaching vision and sincerity all wish to be employed. This Virtue is superiority six.
• • [Yuán] Shào when seeing someone hungry and cold, has sympathetic appearance in his countenance, but when they are not seen, his thoughts do not reach them, what is called a woman’s benevolence. Your Excellency when small affairs are before your eyes, at times neglect them, so reaching great affairs, you with the Four Seas connect, your grace is given, and all surpass their hopes, so although it is not seen, you think of it all, and none are not relieved. This Benevolence is superiority seven.
• • [Yuán] Shào’s great ministers contend for power, slandering in confusion and chaos. Your Excellency leads subordinates by principle, defamation does not spread. This Enlightenment is superiority eight.
• • [Yuán] Shào’s rights and wrongs cannot be known. Your Excellency advances the right by ritual, corrects the not right by law. This Culture is superiority nine.
• • [Yuán] Shào enjoys empty power, does not know military essentials. Your Excellency with few overcome many, use troops like a spirit, the army’s men rely on you, the enemy’s men fear you. This Warfare is superiority ten.
• Tàizǔ laughed and said: “What you have said, what virtue have I to deserve it?”
• Jiā also said: “[Yuán] Shào has just to the north struck Gōngsūn Zàn, and you can therefore go on distant campaign, and to the east capture Lǚ Bù. If you do not first capture [Lǚ] Bù, if [Yuán] Shào invades, and [Lǚ] Bù serves as his assistance, this is an extreme danger.” Tàizǔ said: “Agreed.”

〔二〕　傅子曰：太祖謂嘉曰：「本初擁冀州之眾，青、并從之，地廣兵彊，而數為不遜。吾欲討之，力不敵，如何？」對曰：「劉、項之不敵，公所知也。漢祖唯智勝；項羽雖彊，終為所禽。嘉竊料之，紹有十敗，公有十勝，雖兵彊，無能為也。紹繁禮多儀，公體任自然，此道勝一也。紹以逆動，公奉順以率天下，此義勝二也。漢末政失於寬，紹以寬濟寬，故不攝，公糾之以猛而上下知制，此治勝三也。紹外寬內忌，用人而疑之，所任唯親戚子弟，公外易簡而內機明，用人無疑，唯才所宜，不間遠近，此度勝四也。紹多謀少決，失在後事，公策得輒行，應變無窮，此謀勝五也。紹因累世之資，高議揖讓以收名譽，士之好言飾外者多歸之，公以至心待人，推誠而行，不為虛美，以儉率下，與有功者無所吝，士之忠正遠見而有實者皆願為用，此德勝六也。紹見人飢寒，恤念之形于顏色，其所不見，慮或不及也，所謂婦人之仁耳，公於目前小事，時有所忽，至於大事，與四海接，恩之所加，皆過其望，雖所不見，慮之所周，無不濟也，此仁勝七也。紹大臣爭權，讒言惑亂，公御下以道，浸潤不行，此明勝八也。紹是非不可知，公所是進之以禮，所不是正之以法，此文勝九也。紹好為虛勢，不知兵要，公以少克眾，用兵如神，軍人恃之，敵人畏之，此武勝十也。」太祖笑曰：「如卿所言，孤何德以堪之也！」嘉又曰：「紹方北擊公孫瓚，可因其遠征，東取呂布。不先取布，若紹為寇，布為之援，此深害也。」太祖曰：「然。」

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Campaigning against Lǚ Bù, in three battles defeating him, [Lǚ] Bù retreated and firmly defended. At the time the soldiers were weary, and Tàizǔ wished to lead the army back, Jiā persuaded Tàizǔ to urgently attack him, and therefore captured [Lǚ] Bù. The story is in Xún Yōu’s biography. (1)

征呂布，三戰破之，布退固守。時士卒疲倦，太祖欲引軍還，嘉說太祖急攻之，遂禽布。語在荀攸傳。〔一〕

• (1) Fù-zǐ states: Tàizǔ wished to lead the army back, Jiā said: “In the past Xiàng Jí in over seventy battles, was not once defeated, but in one morning he lost momentum and he was killed and his state was destroyed. Relying on valor without planning was the reason. Now [Lǚ] Bù in every battle is at once defeated, his spirit declines and his strength is exhausted, inside and outside has lost guard. [Lǚ] Bù’s power does not reach Xiàng Jí, while his destitution and defeats surpass him. If you follow up on victory to attack him, he truly can be captured.” Tàizǔ said: “Excellent.”
• Wèishū states: Liú Bèi came to take refuge, and was appointed Governor of Yù Province. Someone said to Tàizǔ: “[Liú] Bèi has a hero’s ambitions, now if you do not early plan, later he will certainly be a danger.” Tàizǔ about this asked Jiā, and Jiā said: “It is true. However your Excellency drawing sword raised righteous troops, to for the common people eliminate the brutal, enacting sincerity and wielding faith to recruit outstanding talents, yet fear it is not enough. Now [Liú] Bèi has a hero’s reputation, and in destitution he joined you, and if you harm him, it will give you reputation for harming worthies, and then wise scholars will doubt themselves, and withdraw their hearts to choose other masters, and who will your Excellency work with to settle the realm Under Heaven? To remove a danger of one man, is to destroy the hopes of the Four Seas. The juncture between safety and danger, cannot but be examined!” Tàizǔ laughed and said: “You get it.”
• Fù-zǐ states: Previously, Liú Bèi came to surrender, Tàizǔ with the Rites due to a guest treated him, and had him serve as Governor of Yù Province. Jiā said to Tàizǔ: “[Liú] Bèi has imposing ability and has deeply obtained the masses’ hearts. Zhāng Fēi and Guān Yǔ are both a match for ten thousand men, and to the death serve him. I Jiā have observed them, that [Liú] Bèi in the end will not be another’s subordinate, and his plans cannot yet be guessed. The ancients had a saying: ‘One day releasing an enemy, is a danger for multiple generations.’ It is appropriate to early deal with him.” At the time, Tàizǔ served Heaven’s Son to command the realm Under Heaven, and was just recruiting heroes to demonstrate his great faith, and could not yet follow Jiā’s plan. It happened that Tàizǔ sent [Liú] Bèi to intercept Yuán Shù, and Jiā with Chéng Yù together rode carriage to remonstrate Tàizǔ saying: “Letting out [Liú] Bèi, he will rebel!” At the time [Liú] Bèi had already left, and therefore raised troops to rebel. Tàizǔ regretted that he had not used Jiā’s advice.
• What Wèishū says, is with Fù-zǐ exactly opposite.

〔一〕　傅子曰：太祖欲引軍還，嘉曰：「昔項籍七十餘戰，未嘗敗北，一朝失勢而身死國亡者，恃勇無謀故也。今布每戰輒破，氣衰力盡，內外失守。布之威力不及項籍，而困敗過之，若乘勝攻之，此成禽也。」太祖曰：「善。」魏書曰：劉備來奔，以為豫州牧。或謂太祖曰：「備有英雄志，今不早圖，後必為患。」太祖以問嘉，嘉曰：「有是。然公提劍起義兵，為百姓除暴，推誠仗信以招俊傑，猶懼其未也。今備有英雄名，以窮歸己而害之，是以害賢為名，則智士將自疑，回心擇主，公誰與定天下？夫除一人之患，以沮四海之望，安危之機，不可不察！」太祖笑曰：「君得之矣。」傅子曰：初，劉備來降，太祖以客禮待之，使為豫州牧。嘉言于太祖曰：「備有雄才而甚得眾心。張飛、關羽者，皆萬人之敵也，為之死用。嘉觀之，備終不為人下，其謀未可測也。古人有言：『一日縱敵，數世之患。』宜早為之所。」是時，太祖奉天子以號令天下，方招懷英雄以明大信，未得從嘉謀。會太祖使備要擊袁術，嘉與程昱俱駕而諫太祖曰：「放備，變作矣！」時備已去，遂舉兵以叛。太祖恨不用嘉之言。案魏書所云，與傅子正反也。

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Sūn Cè went about contending for a thousand lǐ, and completely gained the Jiāng’s east, heard Tàizǔ with Yuán Shào were locked together at Guāndù, and was about to cross the Jiāng north to attack Xǔ. Everyone who heard was all afraid, Jiā appraised this and said: “[Sūn] Cè has newly conquered the Jiāng’s east, those he executed are all outstanding heroes, and is able to obtain people’s to the death strength. However [Sūn] Cè is frivolous and without preparations, and though he has an army of a million, he is no different from someone alone in the central plains. If an assassin from hiding rises, he is only a match for one man and that is all. By my observations of him, he will certainly die at the hands of a common fellow.” [Sūn] Cè overlooked the Jiāng had had not yet crossed, when indeed he was by Xǔ Gòng’s retainers killed. (1)

孫策轉鬥千里，盡有江東，聞太祖與袁紹相持於官渡，將渡江北襲許。眾聞皆懼，嘉料之曰：「策新并江東，所誅皆英豪雄傑，能得人死力者也。然策輕而無備，雖有百萬之眾，無異於獨行中原也。若刺客伏起，一人之敵耳。以吾觀之，必死於匹夫之手。」策臨江未濟，果為許貢客所殺。〔一〕

• (1) Fù-zǐ states: Tàizǔ wished to quickly campaign against Liú Bèi, commentators were afraid if the army went out, Yuán Shào would strike their rear, and advancing they would not be able to battle and retreating they would lose what they occupied. The story is in Wǔjì [SGZ 1]. Tàizǔ was doubtful, and about this asked Jiā. Jiā urged Tàizǔ saying: “[Yuán] Shào by nature is slow with many doubts, if he comes he will certainly not be fast. [Liú] Bèi is newly risen, his armies’ hearts is not yet attached, urgently striking him he is certain to be defeated. This is the juncture of living or perishing, and cannot be lost.” Tàizǔ said: “Excellent.” Therefore he went east to campaign against [Liú] Bèi. [Liú] Bèi was defeated and fled to [Yuán] Shào, and [Yuán] Shào indeed did not set out.
• Your Servant Sōngzhī cites Wǔjì [SGZ 1], that the decision and plan to campaign against Liú Bèi, and the judgement that [Yuán] Shào would not set out, all came from Tàizǔ. This says it was using Jiā’s plan, then it is not the same. Also the base biography saying that Jiā appraised Sūn Cè as frivolous, and certain to die at the hand of a common fellow, it truly it is wisdom in observing affairs. However since it was not above wisdom, there was no way to know his death would be in which year. Now right in the year of attacking Xǔ dying, this matter is coincidence.

〔一〕　傅子曰：太祖欲速征劉備，議者懼軍出，袁紹擊其後，進不得戰而退失所據。語在武紀。太祖疑，以問嘉。嘉勸太祖曰：「紹性遲而多疑，來必不速。備新起，眾心未附，急擊之必敗。此存亡之機，不可失也。」太祖曰：「善。」遂東征備。備敗奔紹，紹果不出。臣松之案武紀，決計征備，量紹不出，皆出自太祖。此云用嘉計，則為不同。又本傳稱（自）嘉料孫策輕佻，必死於匹夫之手，誠為明於見事。然自非上智，無以知其死在何年也。今正以襲許年死，此蓋事之偶合。

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He accompanied in defeating [Yuán] Shào, [Yuán] Shào died, he also accompanied in suppressing [Yuán] Tán and [Yuán] Shàng at Líyáng, continuously battling with repeated victories. The various officers wished to follow up on victory to then attack them, Jiā said: “Yuán Shào favored these two sons, with no decision on who to establish. With Guō Tú and Páng Jǐ as their strategy ministers, they will certainly be contention between them, and they will return to discord with each other. If pressuring them then they will support each other, if relieving them then afterward their contending hearts will appear. It is not as good as turning south to Jīng province to appear to campaign against Liú Biǎo, to wait for their change; when the change occurs and afterward striking them, in one move they can be settled.” Tàizǔ said: “Excellent.” Therefore he campaigned south. The army reached Xīpíng, [Yuán] Tán and [Yuán] Shàng indeed fought over Jì Province. [Yuán] Tán was by [Yuán] Shàng’s army defeated, and fled to protect Píngyuán, sending Xīn Pí to ask to surrender. Tàizǔ returned to rescue him, and therefore campaigned and settled Yè. He also accompanied in attacking [Yuán] Tán as Nánpí, and Jì Province was pacified. Fief was given on Jiā as Wěiyáng precinct Marquis.

從破袁紹，紹死，又從討譚、尚于黎陽，連戰數克。諸將欲乘勝遂攻之，嘉曰：「袁紹愛此二子，莫適立也。有郭圖、逢紀為之謀臣，必交鬥其間，還相離也。急之則相持，緩之而後爭心生。不如南向荊州若征劉表者，以待其變；變成而後擊之，可一舉定也。」太祖曰：「善。」乃南征。軍至西平，譚、尚果爭冀州。譚為尚軍所敗，走保平原，遣辛毗乞降。太祖還救之，遂從定鄴。又從攻譚於南皮，冀州平。封嘉洧陽亭侯。〔一〕

• (1) Fù-zǐ states: When the Hé’s north was pacified, Tàizǔ recruited and someone’s many of Qīng, Jì, Yōu, and Bìng’s famed scholars, gradually employed them, appointing them to manage affairs as Officials and Associates. This all was Jiā‘s plan.

〔一〕　傅子曰：河北既平，太祖多辟召青、冀、幽、并知名之士，漸臣使之，以為省事掾屬。皆嘉之謀也。

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Tàizǔ was about to campaign against Yuán Shàng and the Three Prefectures’ Wūhuán, and of the subordinates many feared Liú Biǎo would send Liú Bèi to attack Xǔ to suppress Tàizǔ, and Jiā said: “Though your Excellency’s authority shakes the realm Under Heaven, the Hú rely on their distance, and certainly have not set up preparations. Therefore with their lack of preparations, suddenly striking them, they can be defeated and destroyed. Moreover Yuán Shào had favor with the people and the foreigners, and [Yuán] Shàng and his brother still survive. Now the four provinces’ people, go to attach to authority, your virtuous actions are not yet distributed, so withdrawing to campaign south, [Yuán] Shàng with the Wūhuán’s resources, will recruit their to the death servants, and as soon as the Hú peoples make a move, the people and foreigners will all answer, and so support Tàdùn’s heart, and achieve his covetous plan, and one fears that Qīng and Jì will not be ours. [Liú] Biǎo sits and speaks with guests and that is all, and himself knows his ability is not enough to restrict [Liú] Bèi, if he heavily entrusts him then he fears he will be unable to control him, if he lightly employs him then [Liú] Bèi will be of no use, and though the state is emptied for a distant campaign, your Excellency has nothing to worry about.” Tàizǔ therefore went.

太祖將征袁尚及三郡烏丸，諸下多懼劉表使劉備襲許以討太祖，嘉曰：「公雖威震天下，胡恃其遠，必不設備。因其無備，卒然擊之，可破滅也。且袁紹有恩于民夷，而尚兄弟生存。今四州之民，徒以威附，德施未加，舍而南征，尚因烏丸之資，招其死主之臣，胡人一動，民夷俱應，以生蹋頓之心，成覬覦之計，恐青、冀非己之有也。表，坐談客耳，自知才不足以御備，重任之則恐不能制，輕任之則備不為用，雖虛國遠征，公無憂矣。」太祖遂行。

Reaching Yì, Jiā said: “Warfare values divine speed. Now to cross a thousand lǐ to attack someone, with many heavy supply wagons, it is difficult to be successful, and moreover of they hear of it, they will certainly make preparations; it is better to leave the heavy supply wagons, and with light troops on double march set out, to surprise them unprepared.” Tàizǔ therefore secretly went out Lúlóng pass, going directly to the Shànyú Court. The caitiff soldiers heard Tàizǔ had arrived, and in terror met in battle, greatly defeating them, beheading Tàdùn and his named Kings on down. [Yuán] Shàng and his older brother [Yuán] Xī fled to Liáodōng.

至易，嘉言曰：「兵貴神速。今千里襲人，輜重多，難以趣利，且彼聞之，必為備；不如留輜重，輕兵兼道以出，掩其不意。」太祖乃密出盧龍塞，直指單于庭。虜卒聞太祖至，惶怖合戰。大破之，斬蹋頓及名王已下。尚及兄熙走遼東。

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Jiā had deep comprehension and calculation strategy, and understood circumstances. Tàizǔ said: “Only Fèngxiào can understand my thinking.”

嘉深通有算略，達於事情。太祖曰：「唯奉孝為能知孤意。」

Aged thirty eight years, as he from Liǔchéng returned, he was critically ill, and those Tàizǔ sent to ask after his illness went back and forth. At his death, [Tàizǔ] oversaw his mourning, his grief was extreme, and he said to Xún Yōu and the rest: “You sirs in age are all of my generation, only Fèngxiào was the youngest. When the realm Under Heaven’s affairs were finished, I wished to entrust later affairs to him, but in his middle years he prematurely died, such was fate!”

年三十八，自柳城還，疾篤，太祖問疾者交錯。及薨，臨其喪，哀甚，謂荀攸等曰：「諸君年皆孤輩也，唯奉孝最少。天下事竟，欲以後事屬之，而中年夭折，命也夫！」

Therefore he memorialized: “Military Libationer Guō Jiā, from since accompanying campaigns and expeditions, had ten and one years. Every time there was great discussion, he oversaw enemies and controlled changes. When I your servant’s plans were not yet decided, Jiā always completed them. In pacifying and settling the realm Under Heaven, planning achievement is highest. By misfortune he was short lived, the enterprise not yet finished. Memorial of Jiā’s merits, truly cannot be forgotten. His fief can be increased by 800 households, adding to the previous to 1000 households.” (1) Posthumous name Zhēn-hóu “Chaste Marquis.” His son Yì succeeded. (2)

乃表曰：「軍祭酒郭嘉，自從征伐，十有一年。每有大議，臨敵制變。臣策未決，嘉輒成之。平定天下，謀功為高。不幸短命，事業未終。追思嘉勳，實不可忘。可增邑八百戶，并前千戶。」〔一〕諡曰貞侯。子奕嗣。〔二〕

• (1) Wèishū records Tàizǔ’s memorial: “I your servant have heard that in commending loyalty and favoring worthies, it should not necessarily on one person, in recollecting achievements and thinking of merits, favor can be given to posterity. Therefore Chǔ honored Sūnshū, by giving fief on his son; when Cén Péng died, noble rank was given on his non-successor sons. Former Military Libationer Guō Jiā, was loyal and profoundly good, comprehended forms and understood situations. At every great discussion, his words filled the court, he used exact actions, actions without gaps in planning. From when he was in the army, was over ten years, when traveling riding together, when sitting sharing tent and mat, to the east capturing Lǚ Bù, to the west taking Suī Gù, beheading Yuán Tán’s head, pacifying the northern land’s masses, going beyond the rugged passes, sweeing away and settling the Wūhuán, shaking and awing Liáodōng, to take the head of Yuán Shàng. Although it was borrowing Heavenly Authority, it is easy to direct signal flag, leading up to facing the enemy, announcing the sworn command, the vicious and rebellious overcome and destroyed, the achievement truly was by Jiā. Just about to memorialize about him, he was short lived and early died. Above for the Court mourning the loss of a good minister, below for myself painfully regretting the loss of an exceptional assistant. It is appropriate to posthumously increase Jiā’s fief, adding with the previous to 1000 households, to commend the deceased’s service to the surviving, honoring the departed to encourage the yet to come.”

〔一〕　魏書載太祖表曰：「臣聞褒忠寵賢，未必當身，念功惟績，恩隆後嗣。是以楚宗孫叔，顯封厥子；岑彭既沒，爵及支庶。故軍祭酒郭嘉，忠良淵淑，體通性達。每有大議，發言盈庭，執中處理，動無遺策。自在軍旅，十有餘年，行同騎乘，坐共幄席，東禽呂布，西取眭固，斬袁譚之首，平朔土之眾，踰越險塞，盪定烏丸，震威遼東，以梟袁尚。雖假天威，易為指麾，至於臨敵，發揚誓命，凶逆克殄，勳實由嘉。方將表顯，短命早終。上為朝廷悼惜良臣，下自毒恨喪失奇佐。宜追增嘉封，并前千戶，褒亡為存，厚往勸來也。」

• (2) Wèishū appraises Yì as understanding and logical. Yì appellation Bóyì. See Wáng Chǎng’s Jiājiè.

〔二〕　魏書稱奕通達見理。奕字伯益，見王昶家誡。

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Later Tàizǔ campaigned against Jīng Province and returned, at Bāqiū encountered epidemic, burned his ships, and sighed and said: “If Guō Fèngxiào were here, he would not have allowed me to come to this.” (1) Previously, Chén Qún opposed Jiā for not cultivating conduct and restraint, and repeatedly in court complained of Jiā, but Jiā was at ease. Tàizǔ all the more valued him, but because [Chén] Qún was able to uphold uprightness, was also pleased. (2) Yì became Heir-Apparent’s Literary Scholar, early died. His son Shēn succeeded. Shēn died, his son Liè succeeded. (3)

後太祖征荊州還，於巴丘遇疾疫，燒船，歎曰：「郭奉孝在，不使孤至此。」〔一〕初，陳群非嘉不治行檢，數廷訴嘉，嘉意自若。太祖愈益重之，然以群能持正，亦悅焉。〔一〕奕為太子文學，早薨。子深嗣。深薨，子獵嗣。〔三〕

• (1) Fù-zǐ states: Tàizǔ also said: “Grief for Fèngxiào! Pain for Fèngxiào! Regret for Fèngxiào!”

〔一〕　傅子曰：太祖又云：「哀哉奉孝！痛哉奉孝！惜哉奉孝！」

• (2) Fù-zǐ states: Tàizǔ with Xún Yù wrote letter, recollecting pain for Jiā: “Guō Fèngxiào’s years did not reach forty, I with him traveled for eleven years, the dangers and difficulties, we all together shared in. Also for his clear understanding, observing the world’s affairs with nothing hindered, I wished to entrust later affairs to him, how could I have thought he would die like this and lose him, and I am grieved and pained in heart. Now I memorialized to increase his son’s fief to 1000 households, but what benefit is it to the deceased? Remembering him my emotions are deep. Moreover Fèngxiào was someone who understood me; Under Heaven, people understanding each other is rare, and also for this I lament. What to do!”
• He also with [Xún] Yù wrote letter: “Recollection and regret for Fèngxiào, cannot leave my heart. This man’s observation of the time’s affairs and soldier affairs, surpassed other men. Also of men most fear illness, the south has illness, and there is common saying: ‘If I go to the south, then I cannot alive return.’ However in discussing plans together, he said to early settle Jīng. This is not only seeing and calculating his loyalty and consideration, it certainly was wishing to establish achievement, willing to give up life for settlement. To serve people’s hearts like this, how can people be allowed to forget him!”

〔二〕　傅子曰：太祖與荀彧書，追傷嘉曰：「郭奉孝年不滿四十，相與周旋十一年，阻險艱難，皆共罹之。又以其通達，見世事無所凝滯，欲以後事屬之，何意卒爾失之，悲痛傷心。今表增其子滿千戶，然何益亡者，追念之感深。且奉孝乃知孤者也；天下人相知者少，又以此痛惜。奈何奈何！」又與彧書曰：「追惜奉孝，不能去心。其人見時事兵事，過絕於人。又人多畏病，南方有疫，常言『吾往南方，則不生還』。然與共論計，云當先定荊。此為不但見計之忠厚，必欲立功分，棄命定。事人心乃爾，何得使人忘之！」

• (3) Shìyǔ states: Jiā’s grandson Chǎng, appellation Tàizhōng, had ability and insight, rank reached Cavalier Regular Attendant.

〔三〕　世語曰：嘉孫敞，字泰中，有才識，位散騎常侍。