Xu Yi 徐奕 Jicai 季才

Contents

Biography

Early life and refusal of Sun Ce

Xu Yi was from Dongguan Commandery. His courtesy name was Jicai. When chaos spread, he went to Jiangdong to take refuge. Sun Ce summoned him with courtesy, but Xu Yi refused and changed his name and dress to return secretly to Dongguan.

Service under Cao Cao

After Cao Cao became Minister over the Masses, he recruited Xu Yi as a clerk in his office.

In 211, when Cao Cao campaigned against Ma Chao in Guanzhong, Xu Yi accompanied him. After Ma Chao was defeated, Guanzhong remained unstable, so Cao Cao left Xu Yi as Long History of the Chancellor’s Office to guard Chang’an. Xu Yi was later transferred to acting Inspector of Yong Province and then to Officer of the Eastern Section.

At this time, Ding Yi was deeply favoured and slandered Xu Yi, but Xu Yi firmly refused to submit to Ding Yi. Xu Yi was then transferred to Administrator of Wei Commandery.

In 212, when Cao Cao campaigned against Sun Quan, he appointed Xu Yi as Long History of the Chancellor’s Office to remain in charge of affairs. When Cao Cao became Duke of Wei and established the Wei dukedom, Xu Yi served as Gentleman of the Masters of Writing and later managed selection of officials. He was promoted to Director of the Masters of Writing.

Commandant of the Capital and death

In 219, Wei Feng took advantage of Cao Cao’s campaign to plot rebellion. The Commandant of the Capital Yang Jun was demoted. Cao Cao believed that Wei Feng had dared to rebel because Yang Jun and others had failed to check evil men like Wei Feng and allowed their schemes to succeed. He asked Huan Jie who could replace Yang Jun; Huan Jie recommended Xu Yi. Cao Cao therefore appointed Xu Yi as Commandant of the Capital. However, after several months in office, Xu Yi resigned due to illness. Cao Cao then made him Remonstrant Gentleman, and he died soon after.

Afterwards, whenever Cao Pi met with court officials, he would sigh and remember Xu Yi’s character.

Heir

Xu Yi had no sons. Cao Pi issued an edict appointing Xu Yi’s nephew Xu Tong as a Gentleman to serve as Xu Yi’s heir.

Historical evaluations

Cao Cao: “Your loyalty and integrity surpass the ancients, but you are slightly too strict. In the past, Ximen Bao wore leather to remind himself to be gentle. Those who can use softness to overcome hardness—I hope you will be like this. Now that you are in charge of affairs, I have no further worries about returning.” “In the past, Chu had Ziyu, and Duke Wen sat uneasily; Ji An was at court, and Huainan abandoned his plans. The Book of Songs says ‘the state’s rectifier’—this describes you.”
Fu Xuan: “Cui Yan and Xu Yi were both pure and worthy men of their time; both achieved prominence in Wei through loyalty and trustworthiness.”
Chen Shou: “Xu Yi, He Kui, and Xing Yong valued sternness and were famous in their time.”

References

Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 12, Biography of Xu Yi