Xu You

Chinese
t=許攸
s=许攸

Xu You (? - 204), styled Ziyuan (子远), was a strategist who served under the warlord Yuan Shao during the Three Kingdoms period. He was known to be greedy by nature.

Xu You was a close friend of Cao Cao and during the Battle of Guandu, Xu decided to leave Yuan Shao and join Cao Cao. This was because Shen Pei had informed Yuan Shao that Xu You's family had been locked up for charges of corruption. At that time, Xu You was suggesting a strategy to Yuan Shao and when Yuan received the news, he sneered at Xu You and said, "You still have the cheek to present your strategies in front of me.".

Xu You was furious and left Yuan Shao, and joined Cao Cao. He suggested that Cao Cao attack Wuchao, where Yuan Shao's army had their supplies stored. It was due to Xu's plan that Cao Cao managed to win a strategic victory over Yuan Shao's massive army in the Battle of Guandu. Later, Xu You showed disrespect when Cao Cao paid his respects in front of Yuan Shao's grave after he had defeated Yuan Shao, and was killed by Xu Chu.

ee also

*Three Kingdoms
*Personages of the Three Kingdoms
*"Records of Three Kingdoms"
*"Romance of the Three Kingdoms"