Never underestimate Jia Xu: The master of the most dangerous plots

Welcome back to Battlecry Chinese History. The Three Kingdoms era produced heroes and brilliant talents across the land. As waves surged along the Yangtze, outstanding men rose like stars. They competed to build careers and prove their abilities. The power struggle among Wei, Xu Han, and Eastern Wu led to fierce and dramatic confrontations. Shaping key moments on the political chessboard were brilliant military strategists. In fact, Wei, Xu, and Wu each possessed the era's finest minds. Ask who was the smartest, and opinions will differ. Some would say Zhuge Liang, others, Sima Yi. Yet the smartest man of the Three Kingdoms spoke few unnecessary words and enjoyed an unusually happy ending, Jia Su. Such was Jia Su's brilliance. Before joining Chao Wei, he served men like Dong Shuo, Li Ju, and Zhang Xiao. Even so, Chao Chao valued him highly when he joined the Chao family. After Chao Chao's death, Jia Su continued serving Chao Wei's successors. Why, then, do people call Jia Su the foremost strategist of the Three Kingdoms? Because whenever Jia Su offered advice, his schemes seemed to influence or create a new trend in Three Kingdoms' history. In Records of the Three Kingdoms, historian Qin Shou wrote of Jia Su's abilities. Jia Su's calculations were nearly flawless. His grasp of changing circumstances rivaled Zhang Liang and Qin Ping. History proved that Qin Shou's praise of Jia Su was entirely justified. While serving Dong Shuo, Jia Su offered him several crucial strategies. Helping Dong Shuo win suppression campaigns and expand his power. Laying the groundwork for his later advance into the Central Plains. After Dong Shuo's death, Jia Su advised Li Ju and Guo Xi to counterattack and seize Chang'an, severing the Eastern Han's lifeline. The Eastern Han's sudden collapse proved the extraordinary skill of the great strategist Jia Su. Chang'an was devastated, forcing the Han Xian Emperor to flee east in the historic eastern return. During the Emperor's flight east, Chao Chao chose to receive and protect him. Bringing him to Xudu and using the Emperor's authority to command campaigns across the realm. Jia Su later advised Zhang Xiao, helping him defeat Chao Chao twice. Killing Chao Chao's heir, Chao An, and his loyal general Dian Wei. During the conflict between Chao Chao and Yuan Shao, he again urged Zhang Xiao to surrender to Chao Chao. Securing Zhang Xiao a peaceful end. While greatly strengthening Chao Chao's power. At the Battle of Tong Pass, Jia Su drove a wedge between Ma Chao and Han Sui. Helping Chao Chao pacify the Western Liang region. Finally, he used Yuan Shao's failure as a lesson. And helped Chao Chao decide on his successor. Paving the way for Chao Pi to take the throne. With strategies that repeatedly turned the tide. Jia Su truly deserved the title. Of the greatest strategist of the Three Kingdoms. As for Jia Su's strategies. Critics called him resourceful and deeply calculating. He rarely offered plans. But every one was deadly. His schemes were thorough and maximally effective. Leaving no opening. Jia Su was also perceptive. Reading the times and adapting with flexibility. Serving Dong Zhuo, he already demonstrated his talent. Serving Li Ju and Guo Si, he achieved even greater results. As Zhang Xiao's aide, he helped the general dominate the battlefield. But his extraordinary intelligence shone even brighter after joining Chao Chao. Unlike Qin Gong, who misjudged Lu Bu and could never realize his talent. Jia Su did not die at Chao Chao's hands for clinging to rigid ideals. Yet Jia Su's schemes were often ruthless. Once employed, they drove his opponents into dead ends with no escape. Jia Su was the smartest strategist of the Three Kingdoms. Many famous strategists of that era met tragic ends. Among Chao Chao's advisors, some died young, like Guo Jia. Some fell from favor, like Mao Jia. Some died under mysterious circumstances, like Sun Yu. And some were unjustly killed, like Su Yu. Only Jia Su remained safe and lived to a very old age. He served two generations of the Chao family. Eventually becoming Grand Commandant under Emperor Wen, Chao Pai. He died at 77, posthumously honored as Marquis Su, a far better end than most. Jia Su was brilliant because he understood human nature and saw through his opponent's minds. According to the records of the Three Kingdoms, after leading the two northwestern wolves, Li Jiu and Guo Xi, into Chang'an. Jia Su did not remain with them, but waited for the right moment to leave. After leaving Chang'an, he first served Duan Wei, then joined Zhang Xiao. Someone asked, Duan Wei treats you so well, sir. Why do you still want to leave? Jia Su replied, Duan Wei is suspicious by nature. His kindness toward me proves he fears I may replace him. Sooner or later, he will turn against me. If I leave now, he will feel as though a heavy burden has been lifted. Duan Wei stood alone and hoped for outside support. He would treat my family well. Zhang Xiao had no strategist, so he took me along. That kept my family and me safe. Later, events proved Jia Su right. Zhang Xiao followed his advice completely, and Duan Wei treated Jia Su's family generously. Jia Su's plans for others were always uncannily accurate. That was the secret. Many are fooled into believing in magical strategies. In truth, none exist. Those who seem prophetic simply read people exceptionally well. Study human nature, not clever tactics. He who understands others understands himself. After surrendering to Chao Chao, Jia Su knew his position. A strategist as capable as him was both useful and dangerous to any ruler. Especially since he was also a former traitor. So he handled people and affairs with extreme caution. He became taciturn, rarely offering opinions or schemes, and never formed factions. Even for his children's marriages, he avoided powerful families. Jia Su knew he was not one of Chao Chao's old loyalists, and that his deep schemes could invite suspicion. So he kept to himself, returned home after court, and visited no one. His children married into ordinary families, never prominent clans. He was more discreet than anyone. Jia Su was truly a wise man. In the rest of this video, we'll review Jia Su's most remarkable strategies. And see just how impressive his talent was. His council helped Li Ju seize Chongyun. In 185, Han Sui and allied tribes in Xiliang rose in revolt in the northwest. The Eastern Han appointed Dong Zhuo commander of the imperial guard to suppress the rebellion. Renowned as he was, Jia Su was appointed a military aide by Dong Zhuo and joined the campaign. Jia Su offered Dong Zhuo many key strategies, helping him crush the rebellion and build his power. This laid the groundwork for Dong Zhuo's later march into the central plains. But Dong Zhuo was brutal and inhumane, making him many enemies. Jia Su foresaw Dong Zhuo's downfall, and found an excuse to leave him before being dragged down with him. Jia Su was then appointed strategist to Zhonglong General Niu Fu, Dong Zhuo's son-in-law, who was stationed in Shaanxi to oversee military affairs. The feudal lords, led by Yuan Shao, rebelled against Dong Zhuo. After his defeat, Dong Zhuo fled Luoyang, taking the Hanxian emperor with him to Chongyun. Jia Su followed. In 192, Dong Zhuo was assassinated by Lu Bu in Chongyun, and Niu Fu was killed soon after. Jia Su then approached Dong Zhuo's officers Li Ju, Hua Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou, who were stationed outside the city. Li Ju asked Huang Yan for pardon, but Huang Yan refused. Jia Su urged him to gather troops, seize Chongyun, and avenge Dong Zhuo. According to Qin Shou, after Dong Zhuo's defeat and Niu Fu's death, the men were terrified. Li Ju, Hua Si, and Zhang Ji wanted to disband and flee home, but Jia Su stopped them. I hear Chongyun's defenders plan to kill every man from Liangzhou. If you abandon your men and flee alone, even a village constable could capture you. Gather your soldiers from the west, recruit more troops, and besiege Chongyun to avenge Lord Dong. You may even serve the Han and pacify the realm. If you fail, it is not too late to flee. Li Ju and Hua Si took his advice. Spreading word that Huang Yan planned to slaughter all Liangzhou men, they rallied a huge army, defeated Lu Bu, and swiftly seized Chongyun. Jia Su's plan not only safely Ju and Hua Si's lives, but also gave them power to control the court, force Huang Yan to his death, drive out Lu Bu, and seize the government. Jia Su's advice had been remarkably sound. Yet that same advice brought great suffering to Chongyun's people, as the two men abused their power and unleashed massacres and chaos throughout the capital. After joining Zhang Xiao, Jia Su helped defeat Qiao Qiao, earning great credit for Li Ju and Hua Si. But he soon saw their short-sightedness and the deep tensions that would eventually turn them against each other. Jia Su decided to stop serving them. When Li Ju offered him a noble title, he declined. They again appointed him deputy minister, but he declined, feeling his reputation was not yet sufficient. Finally, they made Jia Su minister, overseeing official appointments. He helped them repeatedly, earning both Li Ju's admiration and fear. Yet after seizing Chongyun, events unfolded exactly as Jia Su had predicted. Li Ju and Hua Si soon turned on each other. Jia Su repeatedly mediated between them, and because of his immense authority, they both obeyed and temporarily set aside their conflict. In 195, Li Ju and Hua Si again plunged into a major power struggle. They threw the capital into chaos and held the emperor hostage. Seeing the situation worsen, Jia Su declined office and joined Duan Wei. Another of Dong Zhuo's former generals, stationed at Hua Ying. Jia Su's accurate predictions and decisive actions revealed his remarkable adaptability. But Duan Wei was suspicious and treated him poorly, so Jia Su left and joined Zhang Xiao. First, he advised Zhang Xiao to ally with Lu Biao and attack Chao Chao together. With Lu Biao's support, Zhang Xiao repeatedly struck Chao Chao's rear, throwing him into turmoil. In 197, fed up with Zhang Xiao, Chao Chao led a large army against him. In one battle, Chao Chao set an ambush and feigned retreat to lure Zhang Xiao in. Zhang Xiao eagerly gave chase himself. Jia Su hurriedly warned him, general, do not pursue them. You will surely lose. Zhang ignored him and advanced into battle. As Jia Su had predicted, Zhang Xiao suffered a crushing defeat. Later, seeing Chao Chao's battered army retreating, Jia Su urged Zhang Xiao to pursue at once, they would surely win. Zhang replied, I ignored you before and suffered this defeat. Why pursue them again? Jia Su said, war is ever-changing. Move quickly, and you will gain the advantage. Trusting him, Zhang Xiao swiftly pursued and attacked Chao Chao's rear guard. As expected, he returned victorious, having slain countless enemies. Zhang Xiao then asked Jia Su, I pursued the retreating army with elite troops, yet you said I was certain to lose. After defeat forced us to retreat, you said our beaten army would certainly defeat the victorious enemy. How could your seemingly contradictory predictions both come true? Jia Su replied, it is simple. Though you are a skilled commander, you are no match for Chao Chao. Since his army had just retreated, Chao Chao would personally command the rear guard. Even elite pursuers could not overcome him. His soldiers were also elite, so I knew you would lose. Chao Chao withdrew before his strength was spent, proving he had another plan. Once he defeated you, he would order his main force to retreat swiftly, leaving his generals to cover it. Though brave, they were no match for you. Thus, even after losing the battle, they would still win. Zhang Xiao was deeply impressed by Jia Su's insight. Later, Jia Su advised Zhang Xiao to feign surrender and launch a fiery ambush at Chao Chao's army in the Battle of Huanchen, destroying it completely. Chao Chao escaped thanks to Dian Wei, who sacrificed himself to stop Zhang Xiao's pursuit. Chao Chao also lost his son Chao Ang and nephew Chao Anmin, who had urged Zhang Xiao to surrender. After crushing many rebel forces and growing stronger, Chao Chao and Yuan Shao quickly became great rivals. A decisive war between them for supremacy over the central plains was now inevitable. To expand his power, Yuan Shao sent envoys to persuade Zhang Xiao to surrender. Yuan Shao now commanded a vast army and ruled a large territory. His advisors flocked to his side, and his power was immense, seemingly capable of covering the earth and sky. Zhang Xiao was ready to submit. But Jia Su would not let him surrender to Yuan Shao. Zhang Xiao was still confused. Jia Su then advised him, if you must surrender, surrender to Chao Chao. Zhang Xiao was shocked, for he understood that Chao Chao regarded him as an enemy. Zhang Xiao had attacked Chao Chao repeatedly, killed Dian Wei, and caused the deaths of Chao Chao's eldest son and nephew. Surely Chao Chao would never forgive him. Then why be so eager to join Chao Chao? Jia Su said that precisely because they had a blood feud, they should join Chao Chao. Jia Su cited three benefits of joining Chao Chao. First, Chao Chao held the emperor and commanded the feudal lords, giving him legitimacy. Zhang Xiao believed Chao Chao would gain a righteous reputation and fear no offense against the realm. Second, Chao Chao's forces were still weak, so he would welcome allies. Chao Chao was still building his strength. He would likely recruit talent and gather more troops and horses, rather than rule arbitrarily like Yuan Shao. Third, Chao Chao had grand ambitions and surely would not cling to old grudges. Jia Su's calculations proved exactly right. Chao Chao not only set aside his personal grudge, but also appointed Zhang Xiao to office, even agreeing to let Zhang Xiao's daughter marry his own son. At the same time, Jia Su's strategy helps Chao Chao's power grow even stronger. This shows us just how extraordinary Jia Su's talent was. He could assess and analyze the state of the realm amid chaos. Moreover, he had never miscalculated, leaving others in awe. They could not help but admire him. Under Chao Chao's command, in the decisive war against Yuan Shao, Jia Su urged Chao Chao to strike Yuan Shao's supplies, leading to a great victory at Wu Chao. Afterward, Chao Chao had essentially unified China. In 2008, Jia Su advised him not to attack eastern Wu, but Chao Chao ignored him and suffered a crushing defeat at Red Cliffs. In 211, Western Liang forces led by Ma Chao and Han Sui attacked Chao Chao's army at Tong Pass. Chao Chao fought back but was defeated at Tong Pass. Jia Su advised Chao Chao to sow discord between Ma Chao and Han Sui by altering a letter to Han Sui. And telling Ma Chao about it, arousing mutual suspicion. This stratagem proved decisive in Chao Chao's victory at Tong Pass. Jia Su also recognized the talent of Chao Pai, Chao Chao's second son, and strongly supported his bid to become heir. He intensified the rivalry between Chao Chao and Chao Xi, helping secure Chao Pai's selection as heir. When Chao Pai deposed the Han Xian emperor and proclaimed himself emperor in 220, he reportedly asked Jia Su whether Wei had the strength to attack Wu or conquer Shu. Jia Su replied that Wei's military strength was still insufficient to attack Wu or conquer Shu.