Guo Jia

A strategist of uncanny foresight who helped Cao Cao pacify the north and died young in his prime.

Life

Left Yuan Shao for Cao Cao

Guo Jia first joined Yuan Shao but left, judging that Yuan could not succeed. On Xun Yu's recommendation he joined Cao Cao, who after talking with him said, "The one who will help me accomplish great deeds is surely this man."

Uncanny foresight

Deep-thinking and far-sighted, he repeatedly read situations accurately: he urged Cao Cao to destroy Lü Bu first, predicted that Sun Ce would die at an assassin's hand, and after the Battle of Guandu advised pressing the victory against the Yuan clan and launching an expedition against the Wuhuan.

Died young in his prime

In 207 Guo Jia accompanied Cao Cao's northern campaign against the Wuhuan and died of illness on the return march, aged only 38. The following year, after the defeat at Red Cliffs, Cao Cao sighed: "Had Guo Fengxiao been alive, he would not have let me come to this."

Legacy

Guo Jia was known for brilliant stratagems and was one of Cao Cao's most valued strategists; his early death is considered a heavy loss for Cao Cao.

Major works & achievements

• Urged Cao Cao to destroy Lu Bu first
• Advised the expedition against the Wuhuan

Did you know? Cao Cao's remark after his defeat at Red Cliffs, "Had Guo Fengxiao been alive, he would not have let me come to this," is found in the Fuzi, as quoted in Pei Songzhi's commentary.

Key dates

• 196Joined Cao Cao on Xun Yu's recommendation
• 198Urged the destruction of Lü Bu
• 200Battle of Guandu
• 207Accompanied the campaign against the Wuhuan; died of illness