Family background

Guo Huai was from Yangqu County (阳曲县), Taiyuan Commandery, which is located southwest of present-day Yangqu County, Shanxi. His grandfather Guo Quan (郭全) and father Guo Yun (郭縕) served as the Grand Minister of Agriculture (大司农) and Administrator (太守) of Yanmen Commandery (near present-day Xinzhou, Shanxi) respectively in the Eastern Han dynasty.

Life in the Eastern Han dynasty

Guo Huai started his career in the middle of the Jian'an era (196–220) of Emperor Xian's reign in the late Eastern Han dynasty. He was nominated as a xiaolian (civil service candidate) and was subsequently appointed as an assistant official in Pingyuan Commandery.

Service under Cao Cao

When Cao Pi held the position of General of the Household for All Purposes (五官中郎将) between 211 and 220, he recruited Guo Huai to serve as an officer in the law enforcement bureau under his charge. Guo Huai was later reassigned to be a clerk in the military affairs bureau of the office of the Imperial Chancellor, the position held by Cao Pi's father Cao Cao, the warlord who controlled the Han central government and the figurehead Emperor Xian since 196.

In 215, Guo Huai accompanied Cao Cao on a campaign against a rival warlord, Zhang Lu, in Hanzhong Commandery. After defeating Zhang Lu and capturing Hanzhong Commandery, Cao Cao left his general Xiahou Yuan behind to guard Hanzhong against possible attacks by another rival warlord, Liu Bei, who was in the nearby Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing). Guo Huai also remained in Hanzhong and served as a Major (司马) under Xiahou Yuan's command.

In 217, Liu Bei launched a campaign to seize control of Hanzhong Commandery from Cao Cao's forces. Guo Huai did not participate in the initial battles as he was ill. After Xiahou Yuan was killed in action at the Battle of Mount Dingjun in 219, there was much panic and fear among Cao Cao's forces in Hanzhong as they had lost their commander. Guo Huai managed to restore order and stability within Cao Cao』s forces in two ways: First, he gathered and regrouped the soldiers who scattered when Xiahou Yuan was killed. Second, he nominated Zhang He to replace Xiahou Yuan as the commander of Cao Cao's forces in Hanzhong.

The following day, when Cao Cao's forces received news that Liu Bei's forces were preparing to cross the Han River to attack them, most of Cao Cao's officers suggested that they should make camp on the riverbank and take advantage of the river as a natural barrier to resist the enemy, who had superiority in numbers. Guo Huai disagreed and said: "This isn't the best move because it reveals our weakness to the enemy and can't deter them. Why don't we make camp further away from the river, lure the enemy to attack our camp, and strike back when they are halfway across? We can defeat Liu Bei if we do this." Zhang He and the other officers followed Guo Huai's plan. When Liu Bei saw that the enemy camp was further away from the river, he became suspicious and did not send his troops across the river to attack. Guo Huai also ordered his troops to strengthen their defences and show Liu Bei's forces that they were prepared to hold their ground. Cao Cao was very pleased when he heard about what Guo Huai did. He also approved Zhang He's command and ordered Guo Huai to continue serving as a Major under Zhang He.

Service under Cao Pi

Following Cao Cao's death in March 220, his son Cao Pi succeeded him as the Imperial Chancellor and vassal King of Wei (魏王) under the Eastern Han dynasty. Cao Pi awarded Guo Huai the title of a Secondary Marquis (关内侯) and reassigned him to be the Chief Clerk (长史) under the General Who Guards the West (镇西将军).

Later that year, Cao Pi appointed Guo Huai as acting Army Protector Who Attacks the Qiang (征羌护军) and ordered him to join Zhang He and Yang Qiu in leading imperial forces to attack Zheng Gan's (郑甘) bandit forces and the Lushui barbarians (卢水胡) in the Guanzhong region. They succeeded in their mission and restored peace and stability in the Guanzhong region.

Life in the Three Kingdoms period

Service under Cao Pi

In late 220, Cao Pi usurped the throne from Emperor Xian, ended the Eastern Han dynasty, and established the Cao Wei (or Wei) state with himself as the new emperor. As Guo Huai fell sick on his journey to the imperial capital Luoyang and had to rest until he was well, he showed up late to congratulate Cao Pi on his coronation. Later, while hosting a banquet to celebrate his coronation, Cao Pi sternly asked Guo Huai in front of all the guests: "In the past, when Yu the Great called the nobles to attend an assembly at Tushan, Fangfeng showed up late and was executed as punishment. Today, you showed up late for the festivities. Why is that so?" Guo Huai replied: "I heard that the Five Emperors taught and ruled their people by virtue. The use of punishments started in the Xia dynasty when its rule began to weaken. Today, as I am living in an age comparable to that of Yao and Shun's time, I know that I won't face the same fate as Fangfeng."

Cao Pi was so pleased to hear Guo Huai's response that he appointed him as the acting Inspector (刺史) of Yong Province and enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Sheyang Village (射阳亭侯). Guo Huai was officially commissioned as the Inspector of Yong Province about five years later. Sometime between 220 and 226, Guo Huai led Wei forces to suppress a rebellion by the Qiang chieftain Biti (辟蹏) in Anding Commandery (安定郡; around present-day Zhenyuan County, Gansu). Whenever the Qiang and other tribal leaders in Yong Province expressed their willingness to submit to Wei rule, Guo Huai always sent his subordinates to gather information about their clans (e.g. demographics) first. When he spoke to the leaders, he surprised and impressed them with his knowledge about their clans. He also paid close attention to, and showed understanding towards the concerns they had. The people in Yong Province praised him as a brilliant and wise governor.

Service under Cao Rui

Battle of Jieting

In 228, Wei's rival state Shu Han (or Shu) launched the first of a series of invasions on Wei territories in Yong Province. Zhuge Liang, the Imperial Chancellor of Shu, led the campaign and deployed his troops at Mount Qi (祁山; the mountainous areas around present-day Li County, Gansu). He then sent Ma Su to lead the Shu vanguard to attack Jieting (街亭; in present-day Qin'an County, Gansu) and Gao Xiang to lead another force to station at Liucheng (柳城; in present-day Zhangjiachuan, Gansu) as backup for Ma Su.

In response to the Shu invasion, Zhang He led an army to attack Ma Su at Jieting and inflicted a devastating defeat on the enemy. At the same time, Guo Huai also led a force to attack Gao Xiang's camp at Liucheng and succeeded in destroying it. Guo Huai then followed up by attacking Tangti (唐蹏), a rebellious Qiang tribal chief from Longxi Commandery (around present-day Longxi County, Gansu), and defeated him at Fuhan County (枹罕县; southwest of present-day Linxia County, Gansu). The Wei government granted him the additional appointment of General Who Establishes Might (建威将军) to honour him for his achievements.

Battle of Jianwei

In the spring of 229, when Shu forces led by Chen Shi attacked Wudu (武都; around present-day Cheng County, Gansu) and Yinping (阴平; present-day Wen County, Gansu) commanderies, Guo Huai led Wei forces to resist them. However, he retreated when he heard that Zhuge Liang had led a Shu army to Jianwei (建威; in present-day Longnan, Gansu) as backup for Chen Shi. The Shu forces then conquered Wudu and Yinping commanderies.

Battle of Mount Qi

In 231, during the Battle of Mount Qi between Wei and Shu, when the Wei army ran short of food supplies, the Wei government considered transporting food supplies from the Guanzhong region to the frontline at Longxi Commandery because the granaries in Longxi were empty. Guo Huai turned to the local Qiang and Di tribes for aid and managed to convince them to donate food supplies to the Wei army. He then allocated them accordingly such that all units had sufficient food supplies. The Wei government reassigned him from his position as General Who Establishes Might (建威将军) to General Who Spreads Martial Might (扬武将军).

Battle of Wuzhang Plains

In 234, Guo Huai joined Sima Yi in leading Wei forces to resist another Shu invasion led by Zhuge Liang. When Sima Yi and his troops were stationed at the south of the Wei River, Guo Huai urged them to move to the plains on the north bank of the river as he foresaw that Zhuge Liang would attempt to seize the plains. When the other officers disagreed, Guo Huai said, "If Zhuge Liang crosses the Wei River and occupies those plains, his troops will have access to the mountains in the north. If they block the road through the mountains, it will cause fear and panic among the people living in the region. This isn't helpful to our State." Sima Yi agreed with Guo Huai and sent him to occupy the plains. While Guo Huai and his men were building a camp on the plains, they came under attack by Shu forces but managed to drive them back.

Several days later, when Guo Huai received news that Zhuge Liang was planning to launch an attack in the west, his subordinates wanted to strengthen the defences in the west. Guo Huai was the only one who recognised that it was a ruse, and that Zhuge Liang was actually planning to attack Yangsui (阳遂; the area north of the Wei River in present-day Mei and Fufeng counties, Shaanxi). He was proven right later as the Shu forces attacked Yangsui at night. However, as Guo Huai had set up defences earlier, the Shu forces failed to capture Yangsui.

Service under Cao Fang

First Shu invasion

In 240, the Shu general Jiang Wei continued Zhuge Liang's aggressive foreign policy towards Wei and launched the first of a series of invasions of Wei. Guo Huai led Wei forces to repel the invaders at Longxi Commandery and forced them into the territory of the Qiang tribes. After Jiang Wei and his troops retreated back to Shu, Guo Huai followed up by attacking the Qiang tribes led by Midang (迷当). He also managed to pacify more than 3,000 Di clans in the region and resettled them in the Guanzhong region. The Wei government promoted him to General of the Left (左将军) in recognition of his achievements.

Resettling Xiongnu clans in Gaoping County

Liang Yuanbi (梁元碧), a Xiongnu leader in Liang Province, led more than 2,000 clans to submit to Wei rule. Guo Huai wrote to the Wei government, requesting permission for the Xiongnu clans to be resettled in Gaoping County (高平县; present-day Guyuan, Ningxia), Anding Commandery (安定郡). He also established the office of the Commandant of Xichuan (西川都尉) to oversee their safety. For his efforts, Guo Huai was promoted to General of the Vanguard (前将军), in addition to his appointment as the Inspector (刺史) of Yong Province.

Pulling back from a campaign against Shu

In 244, Guo Huai served as the vanguard commander when Xiahou Xuan led Wei forces to attack Shu. During the campaign, Guo Huai sensed that the Wei army was at a disadvantage so he immediately pulled back his troops and managed to minimise the Wei losses. He was conferred imperial authority by the Wei government after returning from the campaign.

Second Shu invasion

In 247, the Qiang tribes, led by Ehe (饿何), Shaoge (烧戈), Fatong (伐同), Ezhesai (蛾遮塞) and others, started a rebellion against Wei in four commanderies: Longxi, Nan'an (南安; around present-day Wushan County, Gansu), Jincheng (金城; around present-day Lanzhou, Gansu) and Xiping (西平; around present-day Xining, Qinghai). They attacked several cities and towns in the area, and called for Shu forces to support them.

The Wei government ordered Xiahou Ba to lead troops to garrison at the flank. When Guo Huai and his forces showed up at Didao (狄道; around present-day Lintao County, Gansu), his advisers suggested that they should attack Fuhan County (枹罕县; in present-day Linxia County, Gansu) and pacify the Qiang tribes first before dealing with the Shu invaders. Guo Huai predicted that Jiang Wei would attack Xiahou Ba's position, so he headed south to reinforce Xiahou Ba. As he expected, Jiang Wei did attack Xiahou Ba at the west of the Tao River, but retreated when Guo Huai and his reinforcements showed up. Guo Huai then moved on to attack the Qiang rebels, killed Ehe and Shaoge, and forced the thousands of Qiang clans to surrender.

Third Shu invasion

In 248, Qiang rebels led by Ezhesai (蛾遮塞) occupied fortresses in Heguan (河关; in the vicinity of present-day Dingxi, Gansu) and Baitu (白土; in present-day Minhe County, Qinghai) counties and used them as defences against Wei forces across the Tao River. Guo Huai pretended that he was going to attack from upstream, but actually secretly ordered his troops to cross the river downstream to attack Baitu. The assault was successful and the rebels were defeated. Zhiwudai (治无戴) led his tribal forces to attack Wuwei Commandery but left his family in Xihai Commandery (西海郡; near the Juyan Lake Basin, Inner Mongolia). When Guo Huai learnt about it, he led his troops to attack Xihai Commandery, but encountered Zhiwudai and his forces, who were on their way back from Wuwei Commandery. The two armies clashed at the north of Longyi County (龙夷县), with the Wei forces emerging victorious and Zhiwudai's forces retreating.

Jiang Wei led Shu forces from Shiying (石营; northwest of present-day Xihe County, Gansu) to Qiangchuan (强川) to rendezvous with Zhiwudai and his retreating forces. He left Liao Hua behind in Chengzhong Mountain (成重山) to build a fortress and gather the remaining Qiang forces and keep them as hostages in the fortress. When Guo Huai heard about Jiang Wei's advances, he wanted to divide his forces into two groups to attack the enemy. His officers, however, had a different opinion. They expected to Jiang Wei to head west to meet Zhiwudai and combine their forces, while Liao Hua would remain behind to defend the Shu position at Chengzhong Mountain. If they split their army into two, their attacking power would be greatly reduced, and they might end up in a situation where they were able to neither resist Jiang Wei nor capture Liao Hua's position. They urged Guo Huai to concentrate on advancing westward to attack Jiang Wei and Zhiwudai separately before they could meet up.

Guo Huai stood by his initial plan and said, "If we attack Liao Hua, we can catch the enemy off guard. Jiang Wei will then definitely turn back to save Liao Hua. By the time he returns, we would have already defeated Liao Hua. By doing so, we can make Jiang Wei and his men weary from travelling forth and back. If Jiang Wei does not meet the barbarians, the barbarians will retreat on their own. This is the best approach." He then instructed Xiahou Ba to lead one detachment to pursue Jiang Wei towards Tazhong (沓中; northwest of present-day Zhugqu County, Gansu), while he led the other group to attack Liao Hua. As Guo Huai foresaw, Jiang Wei did turn back to save Liao Hua and failed to meet up with Zhiwudai. As a reward for his contributions, the Wei government promoted Guo Huai from a village marquis to a Marquis of a Chief District (都乡侯).

Fourth Shu invasion

In 249, Guo Huai was promoted to General Who Attacks the West (征西将军) and put in charge of supervising military operations in Yong and Liang provinces.

In the autumn of 249, Jiang Wei led Shu forces on a fourth invasion of Wei and built two fortresses at Qushan (麴山; southeast of present-day Min County, Gansu), which were respectively guarded by the Shu officers Ju An (句安) and Li Xin (李歆). He also contacted the Qiang tribes and requested assistance from them in harassing the Wei-controlled commanderies in Yong Province. After discussing with Chen Tai, the Inspector of Yong Province, Guo Huai ordered him, Xu Zhi and Deng Ai to lead Wei forces to attack the Shu fortresses at Qushan and cut off their food and water supplies. Ju An and Li Xin led their men to taunt Deng Ai to attack them, but Deng Ai ignored them. As time passed, the two fortresses gradually ran out of supplies. Jiang Wei led his troops from Mount Niutou (牛头山; west of present-day Zhaohua District, Guangyuan, Sichuan) to reinforce the fortresses. They encountered Chen Tai and his army along the way. Chen Tai ordered his army to build forts to resist Jiang Wei and his troops but refrain from engaging the enemy. At the same time, he also wrote to Guo Huai and requested his help in attacking Mount Niutou. Guo Huai did so and led his forces across the Tao River in preparation for attacking Mount Niutou.

After Jiang Wei retreated, Ju An and Li Xin became isolated at the Shu fortresses at Qushan, so they had no choice but to surrender to the Wei forces. Guo Huai then led his troops further west to attack the restless Qiang tribes and forced them to surrender.

Promotions and awards

In 250, the Wei emperor Cao Fang issued an imperial edict to praise Guo Huai for his contributions and achievements throughout his tenure of over 30 years in the Guanzhong region. He also promoted Guo Huai to General of Chariots and Cavalry (车骑将军), granted him full imperial authority, and ordered him to be accorded treatment equivalent to that accorded to the Three Ducal Ministers. Guo Huai remained in charge of supervising military operations in Yong and Liang provinces.

Guo Huai was also promoted from a district marquis to a county marquis under the title "Marquis of Yangqu" (阳曲侯), with a marquisate comprising 2,780 taxable households. The Wei government then took out 300 households from his marquisate, created a new marquisate, and awarded it to one of his sons under a village marquis title.

Death

Guo Huai died on 23 February 255 during Cao Mao's reign. He was posthumously appointed as General-in-Chief (大将军) and granted the posthumous title "Marquis Zhen" (贞侯).

Family and relatives

Guo Huai married a younger sister of the Wei general Wang Ling. In 251, Wang Ling started a rebellion in Shouchun (寿春; around present-day Shou County, Anhui) against Wei but failed and ended up being captured. He committed suicide while being escorted as a prisoner to Luoyang. The Wei imperial court ordered the arrest and execution of his family members. When the imperial censors came to arrest Guo Huai's wife (because she was Wang Ling's sister), Guo Huai's subordinates and thousands of Qiang, Di and Xiongnu tribal leaders came to ask Guo Huai to beg the imperial court to spare his wife, but he reluctantly refused. As his wife was being taken away, many people who lined the path to see her off shed tears, tried to grab her hands, and even wanted to attack the guards to save her. Guo Huai's five sons came to see their father and kowtowed until their foreheads bled while begging their father to save their mother. Guo Huai, moved by his sons' filial piety, changed his mind and ordered his subordinates to bring his wife back. Thousands of Guo Huai's men pursued the imperial censors on horseback, caught up with them, and brought back Guo Huai's wife within a few days. Guo Huai then wrote a letter to the Wei regent Sima Yi: "My five sons are willing to sacrifice their lives for their mother. If they lose their mother, I lose them too. Without my five sons, I will no longer exist. If I have violated the law by seizing back my wife from the imperial censors, I am willing to see the Emperor and take full responsibility for my actions." After reading Guo Huai's letter, Sima Yi made an exception for Guo Huai's wife and pardoned her.

One of Guo Huai's sons, Guo Tong (郭统), inherited his father's peerage and became the next Marquis of Yangqu (阳曲侯). He also served under the Wei government and the highest appointment he held was Inspector (刺史) of Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan). After Guo Tong's death, his son Guo Zheng (郭正) succeeded him as the next Marquis of Yangqu. Sometime between 264 and 265, the Wei government established a new five-rank nobility system and converted Guo Huai's peerage from the Marquis of Yangqu to the Viscount of Fenyang (汾阳子).

Guo Huais younger brothers and their families

Guo Pei

Guo Pei (郭配), whose courtesy name was Zhongnan (仲南), served as the Administrator (太守) of Chengyang Commandery (城阳郡; around present-day southeastern Shandong). Guo Pei had at least two daughters: one of them married Pei Xiu; the other, named Guo Huai (郭槐), married Jia Chong. Guo Pei also had two sons: Guo Zhan (郭展), whose courtesy name was Taishu (泰舒); and Guo Yu (郭豫), whose courtesy name was Taining (泰宁). Guo Zhan performed well in office and rose to the position of Minister Coachman (太仆); Guo Yu served as a military adviser (参军) to the Chancellor of State (相国), but died early. Guo Yu's daughter married Wang Yan (王衍; 256–311), a notable scholar of the early Western Jin dynasty.

Guo Zhen

Guo Zhen (郭镇), whose courtesy name was Jinan (季南), served as a Supervisor of the Internuncios (谒者仆射). Guo Zhen's son, Guo Yi (郭弈), had the courtesy name Taiye (泰业) and served as the Inspector of Yong Province (雍州刺史) and a Master of Writing (尚书) during the Western Jin dynasty. Shan Tao, one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, once praised Guo Yi for being virtuous and magnanimous.

Guo Liang

Guo Liang (郭亮) was a younger brother of Guo Huai. One of his descendants, Guo Zuo (郭祚; 449–515), served as an official under the Northern Wei dynasty.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Guo Huai is a minor character in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which romanticises the historical figures and events before and during the Three Kingdoms period of China. In the novel, he dies in 253 after being fatally wounded by an arrow fired by Jiang Wei during the sixth of Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions.

In popular culture

Guo Huai is a playable character in the seventh and eighth instalments of Koei's Dynasty Warriors video game series.

生平

郭淮之祖父郭全曾任大司农，父亲郭縕曾任雁门太守。建安中期郭淮举孝廉，为平原府丞。曹丕为五官中郎将时，召郭淮署为门下贼曹，后转为丞相兵曹议令史。

重整军势

215年，郭淮随曹操征讨汉中。曹操回军后，留夏侯渊守汉中，而郭淮为夏侯渊的司马。

218年，刘备进攻汉中。次年正月，刘备军的将领黄忠在定军山击败并斩杀大将夏侯渊，曹军大败，退守阳平关东。郭淮因病，未参加此战。夏侯渊战死后，郭淮收集夏侯渊残兵，曹军无主，三军慌乱。郭淮和杜袭收敛散卒，推举张合为主帅，皆已渐渐稳得局面，并协助他成功据守汉水，刘备退回。不久，曹操让张合假节，以郭淮为张合司马。

镇压叛乱

220年，曹丕即王位，赐郭淮关内侯，转为镇西长史。又行征羌护军，与护左将军张合、冠军将军杨秋讨山贼郑甘、卢水叛胡等，皆平之。至此关中平定，百姓得以安居乐业。同年10月，曹丕称帝，群臣进京祝贺，郭淮因病迟到，但因巧妙的回答未受责罚。曹丕升郭淮为雍州刺史，封射阳亭侯。其后几年，郭淮多次镇压羌族叛乱，威镇边疆。

街亭之战

228年，蜀汉军第一次北伐，诸葛亮派马谡守街亭、高翔守柳城。张合率军攻打街亭，郭淮则率军装作攻击的形式，屯兵柳城，为了牵制敌军，最后在街亭之战取得胜利。随后郭淮又在枹罕破羌人唐泛，加建威将军。

御蜀屏障

229年，汉军第三次北伐，汉将陈式进攻武都、阴平二郡。郭淮率兵救援，在建威遭到诸葛亮主力的阻击，被迫退走。汉军遂攻占武都、阴平二郡。231年，汉军第四次北伐，郭淮奉命随司马懿防御汉军。当时陇右缺粮，郭淮招抚羌人，恩威并施，调集粮草，遂解军粮之急，转为扬武将军。234年，汉军第五次北伐，郭淮随司马懿渡渭水据守，先后提出抢占北原，备守阳遂的建议，因此成功防御蜀军。

方策精详

240年，汉将姜维出陇西，郭淮成功防守，之后多次平定少数民族叛乱，升为左将军。后又转拜前将军，仍为雍州刺史。

244年，曹爽、夏侯玄等伐蜀，郭淮为前锋。郭淮分析形势不利，及时撤军，才不至大败。回军后，郭淮假节。247年，雍、凉等地的羌胡族人背魏降蜀，蜀将姜维率兵出陇右接应，留廖化于成重山筑城。郭淮、夏侯霸与姜维交战于洮西。郭淮打算分兵进攻渢中，诸将认为姜维西联羌、胡族人，廖化防守天险，分兵相对，兵力会转弱，进不能制衡姜维，退不能拔掉廖化的天险，计不可行，不如合兵攻取西边，令胡、蜀来不及交接，破其交接之兵。郭淮说：「如今攻取廖化，可出其不意，姜维一定担心后方受到袭击。姜维会竭尽救援，这样廖化会被平定，而且这样可使姜维疲惫赶至。姜维不接应胡人，胡人不见姜维接应便会撤退，这是一举两得之策。」郭淮打算利用夏侯霸作为姜维攻击的对象，姜维果真进攻夏侯霸于为翅。郭淮率军进攻廖化，姜维知道后赶至救援廖化，正如郭淮所料的计策，再从渢中转向南解救夏侯霸，姜维见状便撤退，部分投降的羌胡部落入汉境，未迁走者皆为郭淮击平。

曲城之战

249年，郭淮升为征西将军，都督雍、凉两州军事。同年，姜维进攻雍州；靠近曲山筑城，牵制魏军，并派句安、李歆驻防，羌胡人联合发动进攻附近的地方。魏国派征西将军郭淮和雍州刺史陈泰统领万人去抵挡，郭淮听从陈泰的计谋。郭淮命陈泰率领讨蜀护军徐质，南安太守邓艾围曲城，切断运粮通道和城外水源。句安等来挑战，将士困窘，分粮食月。姜维领兵救援，进至牛头山，与陈泰相持。陈泰兵部队坚守不要出战，自己南渡白水，靠水东行，使得郭淮率兵进至牛头山，合兵一起打算切断姜维退路，姜维察觉，撤退出牛头山。郭淮进军到洮水，在与蜀军交战中击败廖化，俘虏蜀将句安。邓艾建议让他屯兵白水北岸，姜维自己率兵进攻洮水，并派廖化到白水南岸牵制邓艾，邓艾查破廖化破绽；晚上成功袭取洮城，姜维惧怕便撤退，句安、李歆等人孤立无援，最后献城投降。

250年五月，郭淮因前功升为车骑将军，仪同三司，持节、都督如故，并进封阳曲侯，食邑共2780户，分出300户，封其一子亭侯。

正元二年正月癸未日（255年2月23日），郭淮去世，被追赠为大将军，諡贞侯，儿子郭统继嗣。郭统死后，子郭正继嗣。

逸闻

情义救妻

根据《世说新语》记载，郭淮之妻王氏是扬州都督司空王凌之妹。嘉平三年(251年)王凌谋反失败后，被司马懿下令夷族，王氏亦被牵连。郭淮原本已经默默接受这样的安排，但是王氏离开雍州前五个孩子哀痛至极，苦苦哀求郭淮救母一命，叩头至血流满面。郭淮不忍，于是上表请求司马懿法外开恩。司马懿考虑许久之后，同意了特赦。

与寒贫事

郭淮任车骑将军时，曾想帮石德林，问其想要的东西，石氏不答，由于家境考虑，郭淮「取其脯一朐、糒一升而止」。

评价

• 陈寿：「郭淮方策精详，垂问秦、雍。」

• 曹芳：「昔汉川之役，几至倾覆。淮临危济难，功书王府。在关右三十馀年，外征寇虏，内绥民夷。比岁以来，摧破廖化，禽虏句安，功绩显著，朕甚嘉之。」

• 拓跋宏：「先贤后哲，顿在一门。」

• 郭祚：「昔臣先人以通儒英博，唯事魏文。」

• 洪迈：「张辽走孙权于合肥，郭淮拒蜀军于阳平，徐晃却关羽于樊，皆以少制众，分方面忧。」

家庭

祖辈

• 祖父郭全，东汉大司农

• 父亲郭縕，东汉雁门太守

夫人

• 太原王氏，王淩之妹

弟弟

• 郭配，字仲南，城阳太守

• 郭镇，字季南，谒者仆射

• 郭亮，北魏侍中、金紫光禄大夫、并州大中正、尚书右仆射、东光文贞公郭祚的七世祖

子孙

• 郭统，魏荆州刺史，袭阳曲侯

• 郭正，袭阳曲侯，后改封汾阳子

侄辈

• 郭展，字泰舒，郭配子，西晋太仆

• 郭豫，字泰宁，郭展弟，相国参军

• 郭槐，郭配之女，贾充夫人，晋惠帝皇后贾南风之母

• 郭氏，郭配之女，裴秀妻

• 郭奕 (西晋)，字泰业，西晋雍州刺史、尚书、平陵简男。于《晋书·列传十五》有传

艺术形象

三国演义

演义中的郭淮在第七十回「猛张飞智取瓦口隘，老黄忠计夺天荡山」初次登场，劝说曹洪不要将败于张飞的张合处死，使其攻打葭萌关；夏侯渊战死于定军山后，又推举张合为主将，收拾残局。第九十三回时，由曹真推举为副将，此后屡次与汉军交战。诸葛亮死后，姜维率领北伐军与司马昭交战，将司马昭围困于铁笼山上，并约羌王派兵相助。郭淮先击败羌王，继而和司马昭里应外合，大胜姜维。郭淮追杀没枪、有弓却无箭的姜维，以弓箭射向姜维，却被其躲过接住箭，反被姜维射击致命。

影视

• 1994年电视剧《三国演义》：常玉平、孙启成饰演

• 2010年电视剧《三国》：张歉饰演

• 2016年电视剧《一统三国》：程相银饰演

• 2017年电视剧《军师联盟》：何翔饰演

漫画游戏

• 真三国无双系列 / 无双OROCHI系列（光荣公司开发，蒲田哲配音）

• 漫画《苍天航路》（王欣太）

• 漫画《火凤燎原》（陈某）:设定为新一代残兵成员兼军师，父亲郭昂为上一代残兵成员，其后同为上一代残兵成员的张雷所照顾，在官渡之战篇以年幼时期登场和王双拜祭小孟，于周瑜亡命篇时正式登场，与同组织成员王双、燎原广和黄皓关系友好，在行刺周瑜失败后为了避免曹家追究而安排燎原广和黄皓去南方，王双「投靠」周瑜静待时机，并尽得周瑜信任，后被周瑜得悉诈降，在周瑜设计火攻下和王双、贾诩困于大火中，幸得马钧及其设计的指南车逃离并会合曹真。