Historical sources on Guo Jias life

The authoritative historical source on Guo Jia's life is the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), which was written by Chen Shou in the third century. In the fifth century, Pei Songzhi annotated the Sanguozhi by incorporating information from other sources to Chen Shou's original work and adding his personal commentary. Some alternative texts used in the annotations to Guo Jia's biography include: Fu Zi, by Fu Xuan; Wei Shu (Book of Wei), by Wang Chen, Xun Yi and Ruan Ji; Shiyu (Accounts of this Generation), by Guo Song.

Early life

Guo Jia was from Yangzhai County, Yingchuan Commandery (颍川郡), which is in present-day Yuzhou, Henan. As a youth, he was famous for his intelligence and foresight. Since reaching adulthood at around the age of 19, Guo Jia had been travelling around the country and befriending members of the scholar-gentry and other talented persons. He did not associate himself with the hoi polloi and was thus not very well known outside of his circles. However, all those who knew him recognised his talent and felt that he was extraordinary. When he was 26, he served in the Han government as a minor official in the office of the Minister over the Masses (司徒).

Guo Jia once travelled to Hebei to meet Yuan Shao, an influential warlord who controlled most of northern China at the time. He later told Yuan Shao's advisers Xin Ping and Guo Tu, "An intelligent adviser should be prudent when he chooses which lord he wishes to serve so that his lord will heed every piece of advice he gives. The adviser can then establish his reputation. Lord Yuan (Yuan Shao) wishes to mimic the Duke of Zhou by recruiting men of talent to serve under him but he does not know how to tap into their abilities. He focuses too much on unnecessary details and neglects the main points; he likes to listen to many ideas but is indecisive. It is difficult for him to save the Empire from its troubles and achieve hegemony over the various warlords!" Guo Jia then left Yuan Shao.

Coming to serve Cao Cao

Around the time, Cao Cao had a brilliant adviser, Xi Zhicai (戏志才), whom he appreciated greatly, but Xi died early. Cao Cao told another adviser Xun Yu, "Ever since Xi Zhicai died, I've been lacking someone whom I can form strategies with. I heard there are many talents in the Ru and Ying regions. Who can replace Xi Zhicai?" Xun Yu recommended Guo Jia to Cao Cao. Cao Cao and Guo Jia had a discussion on the affairs of their time, after which the former remarked: "This must be the man who will help me achieve greatness." Guo Jia also happily said, "He's truly the lord I wish to serve." Guo Jia was then appointed as a Libationer (祭酒) in the army of Cao Cao, who then held the position of Minister over the Masses (司空) in the Han imperial court.

Evaluation of Cao Caos advantages over Yuan Shao

The Fu Zi recorded a detailed conversation between Guo Jia and Cao Cao, in which the former carefully pointed out ten advantages the latter had over Yuan Shao. Cao Cao asked Guo Jia, "Benchu (Yuan Shao) rules Ji, Qing and Bing provinces and has vast territories and large numbers of troops under his command. However, he has also been making offensive moves. I intend to attack him, but my forces are weaker than his, so what should I do?"

Guo Jia replied,

Cao Cao laughed and said, "If what you've said is true, I feel really flattered." Guo Jia said, "Yuan Shao is now occupied in a war with Gongsun Zan in the north. We should head east to attack Lü Bu. If we don't eliminate Lü Bu first, when Yuan Shao attacks us and Lü Bu assists him, we'll be in deep trouble." Cao Cao agreed with Guo Jia.

Cao Caos campaign against Lü Bu

In 198, Cao Cao launched a campaign against his rival Lü Bu in Xu Province, leading to the Battle of Xiapi. Lü Bu lost three battles and retreated to Xiapi (下邳; present-day Pizhou, Jiangsu). Cao Cao's forces besieged the city for months but they still could not conquer it because Lü Bu and his men resisted firmly. By then, Cao Cao's troops were tired and weary of battle, so Cao intended to withdraw his forces. However, Guo Jia and Xun You told Cao Cao, "Lü Bu is courageous but foolhardy. His army's morale is low because he has already lost three battles. The troops look up to their commander. If their commander shows any sign of weakness, the men will lose their fighting spirit. Lü Bu may have Chen Gong as an intelligent adviser but the latter's strategies always come late. Now, we should take advantage of this situation, when the morale of Lü Bu's forces is low and when Chen Gong has yet to think of a solution, to press on a fierce attack and we'll achieve victory." Cao Cao heeded their advice and directed the waters of the Yi (沂) and Si rivers to flood Xiapi, resulting in his triumph over Lü Bu.

The Fu Zi recorded another piece of advice Guo Jia gave to Cao Cao during the Battle of Xiapi: "In the past, Xiang Yu never lost any of the over 70 battles he fought in, but once the tide turned against him, he ended up in death and destruction. This was due to his reliance on his personal courage and his negligence towards strategy. Lü Bu has lost three consecutive battles and his army's morale is low and his defences are weakening. His might is not comparable to Xiang Yu, and he is now overwhelmed by defeat and weariness. If we take advantage of our successes to press on the attack on him, we can defeat him." Cao Cao agreed with him.

Advice to Cao Cao on how to handle Liu Bei

According to the Wei Shu, Guo Jia advised Cao Cao on how to handle Liu Bei when Liu Bei came to join Cao Cao in 196, after Lü Bu seized control of Xu Province from Liu's general Zhang Fei. On Cao Cao's suggestion, Emperor Xian appointed Liu Bei as the Governor (牧) of Yu Province (豫州). Someone told Cao Cao, "Liu Bei has the ambition of a hero. If you don't eliminate him now, he'll become a threat to you in the future." Cao Cao asked Guo Jia for his opinion, to which Guo replied, "That's true. However, when you raised an army in the name of righteousness and pledged to help the common people eliminate tyrants, you attracted talented and capable people to serve under you based on your sincerity and integrity. Liu Bei is known to be a hero, so if you kill him when he comes to serve you, you will be viewed as someone who harms men of virtue. Other talented persons will start to doubt you and may even change their minds about serving you. If that happens, who will help you achieve your goals? Therefore, it's imperative that you carefully consider the consequences of ruining your good reputation for the sake of eliminating one man who poses a threat to you." Cao Cao laughed and said, "I understand."

However, the Fu Zi gave a completely different account of Guo's advice to Cao Cao on how to handle Liu Bei. Guo Jia told Cao Cao, "Liu Bei has great ambitions and has won the hearts of many people. Zhang Fei and Guan Yu are formidable fighters and they have pledged to serve him with their lives. From what I observe, Liu Bei will never truly submit to anyone, and his intentions are unclear. The people in the past once said, 'If you let the enemy off today, they will become a threat to you for a long time.' You should settle (Liu Bei) soon." At the time, Cao Cao was using Emperor Xian as a figurehead to command respect and had attracted many heroes to serve under him so he did not heed Guo Jia's advice. When Cao Cao later sent Liu Bei with an army to attack Yuan Shu, Guo Jia and Cheng Yu warned Cao, "Liu Bei will rebel if you let him go!" By then, Liu Bei had already left and he really did rebel against Cao Cao as he later seized control of Xu Province from Che Zhou, the provincial governor appointed by Cao Cao. Cao Cao regretted not following Guo Jia's advice.

Pei Songzhi noted that the Wei Shu account is exactly the opposite of the Fu Zi account, but did not give his opinion on which he regarded to be the genuine one.

Prediction of Sun Ces death

Between 194 and 199, the warlord Sun Ce embarked on a series of conquests in Jiangdong and seized control of most of the territories in the region. Around 200, Cao Cao finally engaged Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu. When Sun Ce heard that Cao Cao was locked in a stalemate with Yuan Shao at Guandu, he planned to lead an army across the Yangtze River and launch a surprise attack on the imperial capital Xu (许; present-day Xuchang, Henan), which was Cao Cao's base. When Cao Cao's men received news of the impending assault, they were all shocked and frightened, but Guo Jia said, "Sun Ce had newly conquered the lands in Jiangdong and he killed many heroes whose followers were willing to die for them. Besides, Sun Ce is overly confident and is unprepared, so even though he has thousands of troops, the situation is not much different from him setting out to conquer the Central Plains all by himself. If he encounters assassins, he'll have to deal with them alone. From what I observe, he'll eventually die at the hands of a common man." Guo Jia's prediction came true as Sun Ce was assassinated by the followers of Xu Gong (a commandery administrator he killed earlier) before he could even carry out his plan.

Pei Songzhi commented that Guo Jia's accurate prediction of Sun Ce's assassination was a display of Guo's foresight, but not a good gauge of Guo's brilliance because Guo did not manage to predict which year Sun Ce would die. He felt that it was purely coincidental that Sun Ce was assassinated in the same year he was planning to attack Xu.

Suggestion to Cao Cao to attack Liu Bei first before attacking Yuan Shao

According to the Fu Zi, before the Battle of Guandu, Cao Cao wanted to attack Liu Bei (who had rebelled and seized control of Xu Province) first before dealing with Yuan Shao. However, some of Cao Cao's advisers expressed their worries that Yuan Shao would take advantage of their absence to attack them, rendering them trapped between Yuan and Liu Bei. Cao Cao faced a dilemma so he asked Guo Jia for his opinion. Guo Jia suggested, "Yuan Shao is suspicious and he hesitates before he makes any decision, so he won't make his move fast. Liu Bei had just taken control of Xu Province so his situation isn't stable yet. He can be easily defeated if we attack him fast and hard. This is a critical opportunity, we mustn't lose it." Cao Cao agreed and immediately led an army east to attack Liu Bei and defeated the latter. After his defeat, Liu Bei fled to Hebei to join Yuan Shao. Throughout that period of time, Yuan Shao did not make any move.

However, Pei Songzhi commented that Guo Jia was not the one who pointed out Yuan Shao's weakness and suggested to launch a swift attack on Liu Bei. Rather, according to Cao Cao's biography in the Sanguozhi, it was Cao who thought of that plan himself.

Cao Caos campaigns against Yuan Shaos sons

Cao Cao scored a decisive victory over Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu in 200. Yuan Shao died two years after his defeat and his sons Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang started fighting each other for control over their father's vast domain. Cao Cao defeated Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang at the Battle of Liyang in 202–203 and won several consecutive battles. At the time, many of Cao Cao's generals urged Cao to take advantage of his successes to continue attacking the Yuans, but Guo Jia said, "Yuan Shao loved both sons so he couldn't decide between them who would succeed him. With advisers like Guo Tu and Pang Ji to assist the Yuans, internal conflict will definitely break out between them. If we press on our attacks, the Yuans will unite to resist us. If we withdraw our forces, the Yuans will start fighting among themselves. Why don't we turn south and attack Liu Biao in Jing Province first? We should wait until the Yuan brothers start fighting each other and then attack them. We'll achieve victory in this way." Cao Cao agreed and prepared for a campaign against Liu Biao.

Internal conflict did break out between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang later, which resulted in Yuan Tan being defeated by his younger brother. Yuan Tan retreated to Pingyuan (平原) and sent Xin Pi to meet Cao Cao, agreeing to surrender to Cao and requesting for assistance in dealing with Yuan Shang. Cao Cao led his forces north and defeated Yuan Shang at the Battle of Ye in 204. In 205, Cao Cao attacked Yuan Tan on some pretence and defeated him at the Battle of Nanpi. By then, Cao Cao had pacified most of Ji Province in northern China. In recognition of his contributions, the Han imperial court enfeoffed Guo Jia as the Marquis of Weiyang Village (洧阳亭侯).

Battle of White Wolf Mountain

When Cao Cao was preparing for another campaign against Yuan Shang (who had fled to join his second brother Yuan Xi and the Wuhuan tribes), many of his followers were worried that Liu Biao might send Liu Bei (who had become a vassal under Liu Biao) to attack Cao Cao's base, the imperial capital Xu (许; present-day Xuchang, Henan). However, Guo Jia said to Cao Cao, "Your military might may be very well known now, but the Wuhuan will definitely not set up defences because they are deluded by a false sense of security since they are far away from you. As such, if you seize this opportunity to launch a surprise attack on them, you can eliminate them. Besides, Yuan Shao treated the ethnic minorities well and the Yuan brothers are still alive. Now, the people of northern China submit to you because they fear your military might, and you've yet to pacify them through benevolent governance. If you abandon the campaign and head south instead, the Wuhuan and Yuan Shao's former followers might rally the support of the people in northern China, who are likely to respond to their call. When that happens, the attention of Tadun (a Wuhuan chieftain) will be aroused and he may think of attacking you, and by then we would have lost Qing and Ji provinces. Liu Biao is a person who does nothing but sit and talk. He also does not trust Liu Bei as the latter is more capable than him – if he entrusts Liu Bei with important responsibilities, he will be worried that the latter will no longer submit to him; if he gives Liu Bei trivial tasks to do, the latter will be reluctant to serve him. Even if you empty your territories to campaign far away, you have no worries." Cao Cao proceeded with his campaign against the Yuan brothers and the Wuhuan.

When Cao Cao's forces arrived at Yi (易), Guo Jia said, "A swift army is powerful. Now, as we've travelled a long distance, we have much heavy baggage so we cannot launch a swift attack. If the enemy learns of our approach, they will definitely prepare defences. Why don't we leave the heavy baggage behind and send our light forces to take a shortcut and launch a surprise attack?" Cao Cao led his army through a secret passage at Lulong Pass (卢龙塞) and headed directly towards the Wuhuan chieftains' headquarters. The Wuhuan were shocked when they heard of Cao Cao's approach and they hastily assembled their army, but were defeated by Cao Cao at the Battle of White Wolf Mountain. Tadun was killed in battle. The Yuan brothers fled to Liaodong to join the warlord Gongsun Kang, who captured and executed them and then sent their heads to Cao Cao.

Death

Guo Jia was known for his deep foresight, which allowed him to accurately predict the outcomes of events. Cao Cao once remarked, "Only Fengxiao knows what's on my mind."

Chen Qun once made many complaints about Guo Jia, saying how Guo was very unbridled in his ways. Guo Jia, however, remained calm in the face of these accusations. Cao Cao still regarded Guo Jia highly but was also pleased that Chen Qun stood by his own principles.

Guo Jia fell ill after departing from Liucheng (柳城; in present-day Chaoyang County, Liaoning) following Cao Cao's victory at the Battle of White Wolf Mountain in 207. He was 38 years old (by East Asian age reckoning) at that time and he died not long later. Cao Cao was very grieved by Guo Jia's death. He told Xun You, "All of you are around the same age as me; only Fengxiao was the youngest. I planned to entrust him with responsibilities before my death, but it's destined that he would die at such a young age."

Cao Cao then wrote a memorial to Emperor Xian: "Army Libationer Guo Jia had served in the military for 11 years. There would be a discussion whenever we faced difficult situations, and when I could not decide on what to do, he was the one who helped me arrive at my decisions. He has made great contributions in the pacification of the Empire. It is unfortunate that he died early and did not manage to complete his task. We should not forget his contributions. I suggest that his family be granted an additional 800 taxable households under their control, making it a total of 1,000 households." The Wei Shu (魏书) recorded a longer memorial written by Cao Cao to Emperor Xian, requesting for Guo Jia to be honoured. Guo Jia was granted the posthumous title "Marquis Zhen" (贞侯), which literally means "chaste marquis".

In 209, when Cao Cao was returning to Xu (许; present-day Xuchang, Henan) after his defeat at the Battle of Red Cliffs, he passed by Baqiu (巴丘), where a plague broke out in his army. He ordered the boats to be burnt, and sighed, "If Guo Fengxiao was around, I wouldn't have ended up like this." Cao Cao mourned Guo Jia again. He also wrote to Xun Yu twice to lament Guo Jia's death.

Family

Guo Jia's peerage was inherited by his son, Guo Yi (郭奕/郭弈), whose courtesy name was Boyi (伯益). Wang Chang wrote in his book Family Rules (家诫) that Guo Yi was "well-read and intelligent, but prejudiced and not generous in how he treated others; he was respectful towards people he favoured, but contemptuous towards people he disliked." Wang Chang thus hoped that his children would learn from Guo Yi's example and not be like him. Guo Yi served as a Literary Scholar of the Crown Prince in the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period and died relatively early like his father before him.

Guo Yi's son, Guo Shen (郭深), inherited his father's peerage, and was in turn succeeded by his son Guo Lie (郭猎) when he died.

Guo Jia had another grandson, Guo Chang (郭敞), whose courtesy name was Taizhong (泰中). Guo Chang was known for his brilliance and he served as a Regular Mounted Attendant (散骑常侍) in the Cao Wei state during the Three Kingdoms period.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Guo Jia appears as a character in the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguo Yanyi) by Luo Guanzhong, which romanticises the historical events before and during the Three Kingdoms period.

In chapter 33 of the novel, Guo Jia was accompanying Cao Cao on his campaign against the Yuan brothers (Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi) and the Wuhuan when he fell sick because he could not adjust to the climate. He advised Cao Cao to leave the heavy baggage behind and launch a swift attack on the enemy with a light force, which resulted in Cao's victory later at the Battle of White Wolf Mountain. Guo Jia remained in Yizhou (易州) to recover and did not follow Cao Cao to the frontline. When Cao Cao returned to Yizhou later, he was deeply grieved to hear that Guo Jia had already died several days ago. Before his death, Guo Jia wrote Cao Cao a note, whose contents were not revealed until later in the chapter. When Cao Cao received news that Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi had fled to Liaodong to join the warlord Gongsun Kang, his subordinates urged him to either attack Liaodong or return to Xu (许; present-day Xuchang, Henan), but Cao told them to wait until they had received the Yuan brothers' heads. Just then, Cao Cao heard that Gongsun Kang had captured and killed the Yuan brothers and sent their heads to him, and his followers were very surprised. Cao Cao then revealed Guo Jia's note, which stated: "I heard that Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang had fled to Liaodong. You should not mobilise the army. Gongsun Kang had long feared that the Yuans would conquer his territory so he would definitely feel suspicious when the Yuan brothers join him. If you attack them, they will unite to resist you and you cannot overcome them quickly; if you do not move, Gongsun Kang and the Yuans will fight each other, and this is definite."

In popular culture

Guo Jia is first introduced as a playable character in the Xtreme Legends version of the seventh instalment in Koei's Dynasty Warriors video game series. He also appears in Koei's Dynasty Tactics and Romance of the Three Kingdoms series.

Guo Jia is the protagonist of the manga by .

He is portrayed by Wang Jinxin in the 2010 Chinese television series Three Kingdoms.

生平简介

弱冠隐居

郭嘉少年时已有远见，见汉末天下将会大乱，于弱冠（二十岁）后便隐居，秘密结交英杰，不与世俗交往，所以不是太多人知道他。此前曾北见袁绍，了解袁绍的器度后，对其谋臣辛评、郭图说：「有智慧的人，会审察自己的主公，这样才可做一百件事而一百件事都成功，这才可建立功名。袁公徒欲仿效周公礼贤下士，但未知用人之道。头绪繁多却不得要领，喜欢谋划但优柔寡断，想与他救济天下的大难，成就霸王之业，难了！」于是离开远去。

荐得明主

196年，郭嘉二十七岁时，被司徒赵温辟为府吏；彼时曹操以司空之职架空三公，荀彧趁机向曹操推荐郭嘉顶替早逝的戏志才，曹操与郭嘉讨论天下大事后说：「使孤成大业者，必此人也。（能令我成就大业的，一定是这个人。）」而郭嘉出门后，亦高兴的说：「真吾主也。（果然够资格当我的主公。）」曹操便为郭嘉特设司空府军师祭酒一职。

料敌制胜

刘备被吕布袭击，依附于曹操。谋士程昱向曹操建议杀死刘备，郭嘉则认为刘备已是有关张两名虎将的名人，绝不会甘于人下，但杀之又会损曹操名声，故建议软禁刘备，但曹操觉得郭程二人言过其实，刘备根本没那么可怕与难驭，便不采二人之言，一心想让刘备归顺自己。

198年，曹操东征吕布，吕布固守城池，曹军疲乏，曹操有意退兵，但郭嘉劝说道：「昔日项籍七十多场战争未尝败北，但一朝失势便身死国亡，因他恃勇无谋。如今吕布每战皆败，气衰力尽，内外失守。吕布不及项籍，若乘胜攻击，必定能击败他。」曹操同意。郭嘉与荀攸都认为必败吕布，建议用水计强攻，果然攻克吕布。

不久，刘备藉口攻打袁术而离开曹操的势力中心，程昱、郭嘉曾再劝阻曹操：「放走刘备，会生变数了！」但当时刘备已走，而且果然夺了下邳，对抗曹操，曹操大叹不应放走刘备，便决定与袁绍开战前，先东征刘备，众将领都担心袁绍会南下，令曹军进退失据，曹操对此有疑惑，便问上郭嘉，郭嘉劝说曹操：「袁绍生性迟而多疑，必定不会来得很快。但刘备新起，众心未附，若尽快攻击，必败刘备。此乃影响存亡的机会，一定不可以失去。」曹操同意。曹军遂大破刘备，解决了东边的问题，令刘备逃奔投靠袁绍。

筹画所料

官渡之战前，曹操担心势力不及袁绍，郭嘉与荀彧便分析出曹袁间的十胜十败，令曹操信心大增。开战后，两军于官渡对峙，江东之主孙策有意北上，攻击曹操根据地许都，曹营众人皆感恐惧，但郭嘉认为：「孙策刚平定江东，所杀的都是值得为他拼命的英雄豪杰。然而孙策平时又喜欢轻骑单出，虽然他拥有百万之众，但亦无异于独自一人行走中原。若有刺客伏击，他只是一人之敌而已。我的看法是他必为刺客所害。」果然，孙策未渡江已在一次狩猎中被仇敌许贡的食客所杀。

200年，曹操大败袁绍。不久袁绍死去，曹操出兵讨伐袁绍儿子袁谭、袁熙、袁尚，节节胜利，众人都认为应该乘胜追击，郭嘉则认为应退兵，令其自相残杀，曹操从计，南击刘备。袁谭、袁尚果因争夺冀州而开战。可是袁谭被袁尚所败，出走平原，并派遣辛毗向曹操求降。曹操便进攻邺城，将袁尚赶向北走。不久曹军又击败袁谭，平定冀州。郭嘉被封为洧阳亭侯。

袁尚逃到乌桓，许多人都认为乌桓地处偏僻，不用征讨袁尚。郭嘉却提出，袁家父子于乌桓人有恩，是乌桓旧主，让其逃脱，恐将来东山再起。曹公意欲对南方用兵，到时候难免腹背受敌。趁袁尚根基未稳立即发兵，方能防范于未然。

征辽东

曹营中都怕荆州的刘表会派刘备偷击许都，但郭嘉认为刘表并未完全信任刘备，暂时不会有大动作，所以应尽快解决北方事宜，更建言要兵贵神速，宜留辎重，轻骑兼程，出其不意。207年，曹操继续北上，讨伐袁尚及外族乌桓，由于郭嘉建言，曹军不带辎重，远征军乏食，粮道也未建完善，军粮无法送达，董昭建议开凿平虏、泉州二渠因而解决运粮问题，然而夏天经常积水，道路不通，胡虏亦遮守蹊要，军队也无法前进，靠著田畴献计假装撤退，实际行小路攻击大本营，大破敌军，斩杀蹋顿，一路追杀袁尚。袁熙、袁尚前去投奔辽东太守公孙康，公孙康将他们杀死，表示归附曹操，曹操成功统一北方。

追惜良臣

郭嘉随同曹操征讨乌桓的途中，已经身染重病。在临行前，就留下遗言：「吾不南回。」当曹操自柳城北还时，郭嘉因水土不服而病情加重，曹操非常担心，不断前去探望。可惜，郭嘉回天乏术，死时三十八岁。郭嘉临走前，也曾托付曹操照顾自己的妻子和一岁的儿子郭弈。曹操承诺以亲子待之。曹操一辈的人中，郭嘉年纪最轻，曹操曾有意自己身故之后，由郭嘉辅佐自己的儿子。如今郭嘉早逝，曹操对自己的继承人也无比担忧。曹操到其丧礼时，恸哭流涕，对荀攸等说：「各位年纪都是我的一辈，唯独奉孝最年少。当天下定了后，想嘱托他后事，但他中年夭折，真是天命呀！」諡郭嘉为贞侯，其子郭奕继嗣。208年，曹操于赤壁之战大败，大叹：「郭奉孝在，不使孤至此。」而后也经常怀念起他，如「哀哉奉孝！痛哉奉孝！惜哉奉孝！」262年，因功而受到曹奂于曹操庙庭祭祀的礼遇。郭嘉临终前告知曹操:司马懿能用则用,不能用,则杀之。

形象特徵

郭嘉体弱多病，行为不守礼法，就算被陈群检举，但仍不作改变，不过曹操爱惜郭嘉的才能不加责备，也对陈群的公正态度加以赞许。看其弱冠后隐居，可见他喜爱不受拘束。此外他有远见，对他人的心理与性格都能推测清楚，如刘表、刘备、孙策、袁绍、袁谭、袁尚等都被其推测过，极其准确，又能精确地表达事情，曹操也大赞「只有郭奉孝能明白我的心思。」

民间艺术

三国演义

前期由荀彧推荐给曹操，再让程昱加以肯定与推举；是曹操麾下洞察力敏锐的谋士，深得信赖，自身也曾经推举过参谋刘晔。遗计定辽东的剧情，成功让公孙康斩杀二袁并降曹，使曹操不费一兵一卒兼领辽东（史书未载定辽东之策为郭嘉遗策）。

电视剧

• 1983年香港邵氏电影《神通术与小霸王》：顾冠忠饰演郭嘉

• 1993年电视剧《关公》：秦宝林饰演郭嘉

• 1994年电视剧《三国演义》：蒋恺饰演郭嘉，鲍大志配音，日语版为家中宏配音。

• 1999年电视剧《曹操》：安泽豪饰演郭嘉

• 2004年电视剧《武圣关公》：宋瑞饰演郭嘉

• 2010年电视剧《三国》：王今心饰演郭嘉

• 2013年电视剧《曹操》：严琨饰演郭嘉

• 2017年电视剧《军师联盟》：曹磊饰演郭嘉

• 2018年电视剧《三国机密》：王阳明饰演郭嘉

动漫游戏

• 真三国无双系列 / 无双OROCHI系列（光荣公司开发，原三宅淳一配音；系列作真三国无双八中，三宅淳一因病休养决定退出无双系列，现在改由神原大地任郭嘉配音）

• 三国演义

• 《火凤燎原》（陈某）、火凤燎原外传小说《袁方》、《奉孝》（王贻兴）:设定是司马徽的弟子，更是名闻天下的军师集团「水镜八奇」中的四奇，本来是袁绍收买其以分化八奇，后脱离控制，本身便身患重病得华佗诊治，经三师兄贾诩推荐予曹操，为曹操策划奉孝杀戳、濮阳练兵、水淹下邳，为官渡之战稳定后方及锻鍊军心，在统一北方后病死，临死前为曹操定下南征战略，并订嘱曹操在自己死后七师弟诸葛亮即将出山及司马懿为其接班人和可与诸葛亮匹敌，同时暗中制定副策，万一南征失败实行以保曹操安危。

• 《苍天航路》中的郭嘉和正史一样是洞察力敏锐的谋士，有慧眼识人的能力，乃当世奇才。

家庭

子

• 郭奕，郭嘉之子，继嗣。任太子文学，早卒。

孙

• 郭深，郭奕之子，继嗣。

• 郭敞，字泰中，有才识，任散骑常侍。

曾孙

• 郭猎，郭深之子，继嗣。

评价

《三国志》评曰:「程昱、郭嘉、董昭、刘晔、蒋济才策谋略，世之奇士，虽清治德业，殊于荀攸，而筹画所料，是其伦也。」

曹操：「使孤成大业者，必此人也。」、「唯奉孝为能知孤意。」、「郭奉孝在，不使孤至此。」、「哀哉奉孝！痛哉奉孝！惜哉奉孝！」

曹操表郭嘉：「臣闻褒忠宠贤，未必当身，念功惟绩，恩隆后嗣。是以楚宗孙叔，显封厥子；岑彭既没，爵及支庶。故军祭酒郭嘉，忠良渊淑，体通性达。每有大议，发言盈庭，执中处理，动无遗策。自在军旅，十有馀年，行同骑乘，坐共幄席，东擒吕布，西取眭固，斩袁谭之首，平朔土之众，逾越险塞，荡定乌桓，震威辽东，以枭袁尚。虽假天威，易为指麾，至于临敌，发扬誓命，凶逆克殄，勋实由嘉。方将表显，短命早终。上为朝廷悼惜良臣，下自毒恨丧失奇佐。宜追增嘉封，并前千户，褒亡为存，厚往劝来也。」、 「军祭酒郭嘉，自从征伐，十有一年。每有大议，临敌制变。臣策未决，嘉辄成之。平定天下，谋功为高。不幸短命，事业未终。追思嘉勋，实不可忘。可增邑八百户，并前千户。」

曹操书信给荀彧，追思郭嘉：「郭奉孝年不满四十，相与周旋十一年，阻险艰难，皆共罹之。又以其通达，见世事无所凝滞，欲以后事属之，何意卒尔失之，悲痛伤心。今表增其子满千户，然何益亡者，追念之感深。且奉孝乃知孤者也；天下人相知者少，又以此痛惜。奈何奈何！」、「追惜奉孝，不能去心。其人见时事兵事，过绝于人。又人多畏病，南方有疫，常言『吾往南方，则不生还』。然与共论计，云当先定荆。此为不但见计之忠厚，必欲立功分，弃命定。事人心乃尔，何得使人忘之！」

《彧别传》：「戏志才、郭嘉等有负俗之讥，杜畿简傲少文，皆以智策举之，终各显名。」

朱敬则：「神人无功，达人无迹。张子房元机孤映，清识独流。践若发机，应同急箭；优游澹泊，神交太虚，非诸人所及也。至若陈平、荀彧、贾诩、荀攸、程昱、郭嘉、田丰、沮授、崔浩、张宾等，可谓天下之菁英。帷幄之至妙，中权合变，因败为功，爰自秦汉，讫于周隋。」

薛稷：「张良之翼汉王，郭嘉之协魏主，宋武之得穆之，齐高之得褚彦：定策决胜，谋夫孔多。」

李隆基：「孝文之得魏尚，虏不足忧；太祖之见郭嘉，知成吾事。」

洪迈：「荀彧、荀攸、郭嘉皆腹心谋臣，共济大事，无待赞说。」

章如愚：「至于三国，各自据其土而成鼎峙之势，亦诸人之力也。故在魏，则荀攸、贾诩之算无遗策，郭嘉、刘晔之才策谋畧，管宁之渊雅高尚，毛玠之典选清正；在吴，则周瑜、鲁肃之俦入为腹心，出为股肱，甘宁、凌统之徒奋其威，黄盖、蒋钦之属宣其力；在蜀，则诸葛孔明之长于治国，费禕、董允之志虑忠纯，向宠之性行均淑，皆一时之人杰也。」

陈亮：「以成魏之霸业者，昱、嘉之谋为多，而曹公尤痛惜嘉之死也。」

刘祁：「已而诸豪割据，士大夫各欲择主立功名，如荀攸、贾诩、程昱、郭嘉、诸葛亮、庞统、鲁肃、周瑜之徒，争以智能自效。」

郝经：「危哉！昭烈防不出数子之彀，操之遣拒袁术也，昱、嘉、昭皆以为不可遣，毒手莫施幸而扬去，料敌制胜卒使昭烈不得中原尺土。呜呼！数子何雠汉之深也。当是之时，魏有荀彧、荀攸、贾诩、程昱、郭嘉、董昭、刘晔、蒋济、司马懿为之谋，吴有张昭、周瑜、鲁肃、吕蒙、陆逊运其筹。」

罗贯中：「天生郭奉孝，豪杰冠群英。腹内藏经史，胸中隐甲兵。运筹如范蠡，决策似陈平。可惜身先丧，中原栋梁倾。」「虽然天数三分定，妙算神机亦可图。若是当时存奉孝，难容西蜀与东吴。」「经天纬地实可夸，少年才学冠中华。曹公深识真梁栋，兵败犹然想郭嘉。」

王夫之：「曹孟德推心以待智谋之士，而士之长于略者，相踵而兴。孟德智有所穷，则荀彧、郭嘉、荀攸、高柔之徒左右之，以算无遗策。」

何焯：「孟德追惜奉孝，而诸葛亦思孝直帷幄之助，不可或失其人，虽英雄必资群策也。」

姚范：「袭许年死，故属偶合，即死于刺客，亦非事之可决。嘉此语藉以强镇一时众志，又或兼知卜筮之术耳。」

朱乾：「故国以一人兴，以一人亡。郭嘉归魏而魏兴，管宁去汉而汉亡。迹其兴废，关乎人才去就如此。」

王鸣盛：「诸人皆魏之谋主也，运筹决胜，功绩卓然。」

毛泽东：「才识超群，足智多谋，出谋划策，功绩卓著。」「郭嘉是历史上一位杰出的智谋之士，他的十胜论几乎涉及了中国兵法思想的各个方面，切中要害，言简意赅，博大精深，古今罕成。」