Family background and early life

Xun Xu was born in the eminent Xun family, whose ancestral home was in Yingyin County (潁陰縣), Yingchuan Commandery (穎川郡), which is in present-day Xuchang, Henan. His great-grandfather, Xun Shuang, served as the Minister of Works during the Eastern Han dynasty. His grandfather, Xun Fei (荀棐), served as Colonel of Trainee Archers (射聲校尉).

Xun Xu's father, Xun Xi (荀肸), died early, so Xun Xu was raised by his maternal granduncle Zhong Yao and the Zhong family. Zhong Yao served as the Grand Tutor (太傅) in the imperial court of the state of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period after the end of the Eastern Han dynasty. As a child, Xun Xu was a fast learner and could already write essays when he was only 10. Zhong Yao once remarked that Xun Xu would grow up to become like his great-grandfather Xun Shuang.

Among Xun Xu's relatives, the more notable ones were Xun Yu, Xun Yue and Xun You. Xun Yu and Xun Yue were Xun Xu's second cousins twice removed while Xun You was Xun Xu's third cousin once removed. Xun Yu and Xun You were influential statesmen of the late Eastern Han dynasty and advisers to the warlord Cao Cao, who laid the foundation for the state of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. Xun Yue was an official, historian and Confucian scholar of the late Eastern Han dynasty.

Service under the Cao Wei state

By the time Xun Xu reached adulthood, he was already a learned and knowledgeable young man. He was interested in government and politics so he started his career as an assistant to Cao Shuang, a general serving as regent to Cao Fang, the third emperor of Wei. He was subsequently reassigned to be a communications secretary in the palace secretariat. In 249, Cao Shuang was executed after losing power in a coup launched by his co-regent, Sima Yi. None of Cao Shuang's former aides dared to collect his remains and arrange a funeral for him because they were afraid of being implicated. Xun Xu stepped up, held a funeral for Cao Shuang, and inspired others to follow him.

Xun Xu later became the Prefect of Anyang County (安陽縣) and an assistant to the General of Agile Cavalry. During his tenure in Anyang County, Xun Xu gained so much respect and love from the local residents that they even built a shrine to honour him. He was subsequently held the following appointments: Judge under the Minister of Justice (廷尉正), military adviser to the regent Sima Zhao, official in the Hall of Records (記室). He was also ennobled as a Secondary Marquis (關內侯).

In 260, the fourth Wei emperor, Cao Mao, attempted a coup to seize back power from the regent, Sima Zhao, who had been monopolising state power since 255. Sima Zhao's younger brother, Sima Gan, heard of the coup and tried to enter the palace to help his brother. However, he was denied entry by Sun You (孫佑), an officer guarding the main gate, so he had to enter the palace through another gate. When Sima Zhao found out why Sima Gan showed up late, he wanted to execute Sun You and his family. However, Xun Xu advised him against it by pointing out that it would be unfair and unjust to punish Sun You's family as well. Sima Zhao heeded Xun Xu's advice and punished Sun You only, by demoting him to the status of a commoner.

Around the same time, Lu Yi (路遺), a cavalry officer, requested permission from Sima Zhao to infiltrate Wei's rival state, Shu Han, and assassinate Shu's leaders. Xun Xu advised Sima Zhao against using assassination because he believed that defeating Shu forces in battle was a better way of convincing the people of Shu to surrender and for Sima Zhao to gain greater prestige. Sima Zhao praised Xun Xu for his sound advice.

In 264, the Wei general Zhong Hui started a rebellion against Sima Zhao after leading Wei forces to conquer Shu. At the time, Sima Zhao only heard rumours about the rebellion and had no concrete evidence yet. As he had all along treated Zhong Hui well, he was reluctant to believe that Zhong would rebel against him. After Xun Xu cautioned him against trusting Zhong Hui, Sima Zhao led his forces to garrison at Chang'an as a precautionary measure. Guo Yi (郭奕) and Wang Shen (王深) urged Sima Zhao to banish Xun Xu because they feared that he would side with Zhong Hui, given that he was raised by the Zhong family (Zhong Hui was Zhong Yao's son). However, Sima Zhao ignored them and continued to treat Xun Xu as he did before, and even allowed Xun Xu to ride in the same carriage as him. Previously, when Sima Zhao ordered Zhong Hui to lead Wei forces to conquer Shu, Xun Xu had nominated Wei Guan to supervise the campaign. Later, Wei Guan played a huge role in suppressing Zhong Hui's rebellion. After Shu had been pacified, Xun Xu followed Sima Zhao back to the Wei capital, Luoyang, where he, Pei Xiu and Yang Hu were put in charge of the privy council.

After eliminating Shu, Sima Zhao planned to conquer Wei's other rival state, Eastern Wu, so he sent an emissary to pass a letter to the Wu emperor, Sun Hao. Sima Zhao had previously ordered his subordinates to draft the letter to Sun Hao. Among the numerous drafts he read, he eventually chose the one written by Xun Xu. Sun Hao agreed to make peace with Wei after reading the letter. Sima Zhao remarked that Xun Xu's letter had the power equivalent to that of an army of 100,000. In mid 264, the fifth Wei emperor, Cao Huan, conferred Sima Zhao the title of a vassal king, "King of Jin" (晉王). Xun Xu was appointed as a Palace Attendant (侍中), and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Anyang (安陽侯) and given 1,000 taxable households for his marquisate.

Overview of service under the Jin dynasty

Following Sima Zhao's death in September 265, in February 266 the Wei emperor Cao Huan abdicated his throne to Sima Zhao's son, Sima Yan, who established the Jin dynasty to replace Wei. After Sima Yan was enthroned and became historically known as Emperor Wu, he enfeoffed Xun Xu as the Duke of Jibei Commandery (濟北郡公). However, Xun Xu declined the enfeoffment after seeing that Yang Hu also declined his. However, he still remained as a marquis under the new title "Marquis of Jibei" (濟北侯). Xun Xu was then concurrently appointed as Supervisor of the Palace Writers (中書監), Palace Attendant (侍中), and zhuzuo (著作; senior writer). The emperor also tasked him and Jia Chong with drafting the laws of the Jin dynasty.

In the early Xianning era (275–280), Emperor Wu named Xun Xu, Shi Bao and others as the pioneers of the Jin dynasty and included them among those honoured in the Jin dynasty's ancestral temple. Around 280, when Wang Jun requested permission to lead an army to conquer Eastern Wu (the last of the Three Kingdoms), Xun Xu and Jia Chong strongly objected but Emperor Wu ignored them and ordered Wang Jun and others to lead Jin forces on an invasion of Wu. The invasion turned out successful and led to the reunification of China under the Jin dynasty. When Emperor Wu assessed Xun Xu's contributions in helping him draft imperial edicts, he rewarded Xun Xu by enfeoffing one of his sons as a village marquis with 1,000 taxable households in his marquisate and awarding him 1,000 rolls of silk. The emperor also enfeoffed Xun Xu's grandson, Xun Xian (荀顯), as the Marquis of Yingyang Village (潁陽亭侯).

Around the time, there was much discussion in the imperial court over the issue of restoring the nobles to their fiefs and allowing them to govern from their respective fiefs. When Emperor Wu sought his opinion, Xun Xu disapproved because he believed that since the nobles also held gubernatorial appointments, they might neglect their original jurisdictions once they return to their respective fiefs. He also pointed out the possible complications such as having to subdivide the fiefs into commanderies and counties, as well as the risk of making people unhappy since the subdividing would require relocating residents from one area to another. He further pointed out that they would need to reassign troops from the borders and place them under decentralised command in the various fiefs. When Emperor Wu asked Xun Xu to reconsider his views, Xun Xu explained further that the best course of action was to maintain the status quo, since the redrawing of boundaries between the fiefs might lead to resentment and potential unrest if it was not carefully managed. He also pointed out that there were far more important issues that required immediate attention, so they should focus on those first. Emperor Wu thought that Xun Xu's advice was appropriate and heeded it.

Around the time, the imperial court was discussing a proposal to retrench about half the number of officials in commanderies and counties to free up labour for agricultural works. Xun Xu cited examples from the Han dynasty and gave a long explanation on why he believed that the best solution was to reduce the layers of bureaucracy in the administration. He pointed out how doing so could help to discourage officials from corrupt behaviour, improve administrative efficiency, and build up greater social trust among the masses. He often applied such critical analysis in assessing the costs and benefits of government policies.

In the Taikang era (280–289), Emperor Wu issued an imperial edict to praise Xun Xu for his talents and contributions, and said that he was capable of assuming greater responsibilities. He then appointed Xun Xu as a Household Counsellor (光祿大夫) to be treated like one of the Three Ducal Ministers, as well as allowing Xun Xu to have his own administrative office, in addition to his existing appointments as Supervisor of the Palace Writers (中書監) and Palace Attendant (侍中). Around the time, Jia Chong and Li Yin were already dead and the position of Crown Prince's Grand Tutor (太子太傅) was vacant. Xun Xu wrote a memorial to Emperor Wu, nominating Yang Yao to be the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, and either Wei Guan or Shan Tao to be the new Minister over the Masses. Emperor Wu accepted his suggestions.

In the autumn of the following year, heavy flooding occurred in many commanderies, with Yan Province being the worst hit. Xun Xu wrote a memorial to Emperor Wu and suggested that he create the office of a dushui shizhe (都水使者; an official in charge of waterworks) to deal with floods in the future. Later, on a separate occasion, he appointed his subordinates Yin Xian (伊羨) and Zhao Xian (趙咸) as Members of the Retinue (舍人) and tasked them with drafting legislation. When Emperor Wu asked him why he did so, Xun Xu explained the importance of delegating responsibilities to subordinates. He also pointed out why he believed it was redundant to have officials focusing on drafting legislation only since their duties overlap with those of other officials, so it was better to delegate such additional responsibilities to the latter group.

Xun Xu was careful and cautious in his behaviour. Whenever policy changes were announced, if he played a role in lobbying for those changes, he would keep quiet about his involvement. Xun Liang (荀良), one of his younger relatives, advised him to let others know the good deeds he did so that he would gain greater respect. Wu Tong (武統), his son-in-law, also urged him to attract people to support him. However, Xun Xu refused to listen to them and he warned his sons against forming their own political clouts and forgetting their place as subjects of the emperor. Later, Emperor Wu promoted Xun Xu to be the Prefect of the Masters of Writing (尚書令).

Xun Xu served as the Supervisor of the Palace Writers for a long time and had access to state secrets. After he was reassigned to be the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, he felt dissatisfied and unhappy. When someone congratulated on his new appointment, he expressed his anger over losing his previous appointment. When he was serving as the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, he evaluated his subordinates based on their performance and dismissed those who failed to live up to his expectations. Emperor Wu once told Xun Xu that he hoped that Xun Xu would learn from Xun Yu and Xun You by promoting deserving officials and dismissing corrupt officials. A few months after Xun Xu assumed his new appointment, his mother died so he resigned and wanted to go home for filial mourning. However, Emperor Wu denied him permission and sent Zhou Hui (周恢) to announce an imperial edict ordering him to return to his job.

Association with Jia Chong, Jia Nanfeng and Sima Zhong

When Emperor Wu wanted to reassign Jia Chong to guard the Guanzhong region, Xun Xu told his colleague Feng Dan that their status in the imperial court depended on Jia Chong's presence so they should try to stop the emperor from sending Jia Chong out of the imperial capital, Luoyang. Xun Xu thought of persuading Emperor Wu to arrange a marriage between Sima Zhong, the crown prince, and Jia Chong's daughter, Jia Nanfeng. In this way, Jia Chong, as the crown prince's father-in-law, would have to remain in Luoyang. Xun Xu and Feng Dan then sang praises of Jia Chong's daughter in front of Emperor Wu and managed to convince him to arrange the marriage. Many officials were disgusted by Xun Xu's fawning behaviour and called him a sycophant.

Emperor Wu knew that Sima Zhong had developmental disability so he became worried that his son would bring disaster upon the Jin dynasty. He ordered Xun Xu and He Jiao to observe and evaluate Sima Zhong. Xun Xu praised Sima Zhong for being a virtuous crown prince, while He Jiao said that Sima Zhong was the same as before. He Jiao became respected for being honest about Sima Zhong, whereas Xun Xu was derided for lying in order to please the emperor.

In another incident, when Emperor Wu wanted to depose Jia Nanfeng from the position of crown prince's consort, Xun Xu and Feng Dan immediately went to plead with the emperor to reconsider his decision and eventually succeeded in dissuading him from deposing Jia Nanfeng. Many people believed that Xun Xu could potentially bring about the Jin dynasty's downfall and compared him unfavourably to Sun Zi and Liu Fang, who were seen as having caused the downfall of Wei.

Other contributions and anecdotes

Xun Xu was in charge of music arrangement. Some of the pieces he arranged became widespread. He once heard the sound of a cowbell ringing and thought of using cowbells as an instrument to fine tune musical pieces.

When Xun Xu was serving as mishujian (秘書監; a supervising secretary), Emperor Wu also tasked him and Zhang Hua with arranging the imperial library's collection into a catalogue like Liu Xiang's Bielu (別錄). When old bamboo scrolls were discovered in an ancient tomb in Ji Commandery (汲郡) in 279, Emperor Wu tasked Xun Xu with copying, organising and compiling them. Xun Xu did so and created a book, Zhongjing (中經), which was then added to the imperial library's collection.

Xun Xu set up a school for students to learn calligraphy in the styles of Zhong Yao and Hu Wujing.

In one instance, Xun Xu was dining beside Emperor Wu when he told everyone that the food they were eating was cooked with fire created from wood that has undergone much "hardship". Everyone did not believe him, so the emperor summoned the chef and asked him. The chef said that he used wood from the wheels of an old carriage to start the fire, hence Xun Xu was right. They were impressed with his intelligence.

Death and appraisal

Xun Xu died in 289 during the Taikang era (280–289) of Emperor Wu's reign. The emperor granted him the posthumous appointment of Minister over the Masses and the posthumous title "Marquis Cheng" (成侯), in addition to awarding his family some ceramics from the imperial palace's collection, a set of official robes, 500,000 coins and 100 rolls of silk. He also sent an Imperial Secretary (御史) as his personal representative to attend Xun Xu's funeral.

Xun Xu served in the privy council and was in charge of state secrets for a long time. He was not only a talented writer, but also a deep thinker who understood very well his place as a subject of his lord. He knew what his lord expected of him and adapted his behaviour accordingly to please his lord. That was why he managed to remain in Emperor Wu's favour and live a comfortable life until his death.

Family

Xun Xu had ten sons. Among them, the notable ones were Xun Ji (荀輯), Xun Fan (荀籓) and Xun Zu (荀組). Xun Ji inherited his father's marquis title and served in the Jin government, with his highest appointment being Minister of the Guards (衛尉). He was honoured with the posthumous title "Marquis Jian" (簡侯) after his death. His son, Xun Jun (荀畯), succeeded him and was posthumously honoured as "Marquis Lie" (烈侯). As Xun Jun had no son to succeed him, his marquis title was passed on to his nephew, Xun Shi (荀識).

Xun Ji had another son, Xun Chuo (荀綽), whose courtesy name was Yanshu (彥舒). Xun Chuo was famous for his literary talent and wrote 15 chapters of the Later Book of Jin (晉後書). Towards the end of the Yongjia era (307–313) in Emperor Huai's reign, he served as an Assistant Palace Gentleman (從事中郎) to the Minister of Works. He was captured by Shi Le when the latter rebelled against the Jin dynasty and became Shi Le's military adviser.

Xun Xu had at least one daughter, who married Wu Tong (武統).

One of Xun Xu's grandsons, Xun Xian (荀顯), was enfeoffed by Emperor Wu as the Marquis of Yingyang Village (潁陽亭侯).

生平

早年事跡

因為父親荀肸早死，荀勗惟有依靠舅父生活。荀勗幼年聰慧，十多歲就能寫文章，長大後博學，通曉從政之事。最初任大將軍曹爽的掾（秘書），遷中書通事郎。正始十年（249年），曹爽因被指控謀反而被殺，當時曹爽的門生和舊部屬都無人敢弔唁，唯獨荀勗隻身前往致哀，大家才跟去。後轉任安陽縣令，因對當地人留下恩德，在荀勗轉任驃騎從事中郎時，為荀勗立祠。後又遷任廷尉正，參大將軍司馬昭軍事，獲賜爵關內侯。後改任大將軍從事中郎，領記室。

忠於晉王

景元四年（263年），有言剛剛攻滅蜀漢的鍾會謀反，但當時尚未有確實證據，司馬昭因為一向對鍾會不薄，信任鍾會而未相信。但荀勗卻認為鍾會的性格可能令他忘記恩義，做出謀反行為，勸司馬昭早作準備。司馬昭於是出鎮長安，並派賈充領兵到漢中。此時主簿郭奕和參軍王深認為荀勗與鍾會家族有親戚關係（荀勖是鐘會堂甥），而且亦是由鍾會家族養大，勸司馬昭罷免他，但司馬昭對他十分信任，仍然讓荀勗與他同車，對待沒有改變。而因荀勗在伐蜀之前曾建議任用衛瓘為監軍，而在鍾會叛亂後，有賴衛瓘穩定當地局勢，於是在次年叛亂平息後，荀勗與裴秀、羊祜等人共掌機密。同年司馬昭進封晉王，荀勗官拜侍中、封安陽子。咸熙二年（265年），司馬炎受魏元帝禪讓為帝，荀勗改封濟北郡侯原封濟北郡公，但荀勗辭讓。，官拜中書監、加侍中，領著作，與賈充共定律令。

靠攏賈充

荀勗與馮紞、楊珧等人在朝中依附著司馬炎的寵臣賈充，與任愷、庾純、和嶠等正直官員有朋黨之爭。泰始七年（271年），任愷趁鮮卑禿髮樹機能侵擾秦州和雍州，令司馬炎大為憂慮的機會，向司馬炎建議讓一個有威望和智謀的重臣前去鎮撫邊族，並首推賈充。在庾純支持下，司馬炎於是任命他加都督秦涼二州諸軍事，並出鎮長安。荀勗知後即和馮紞說：「賈充一旦出鎮長安，我們就會失勢。現在太子（司馬衷）還未娶妃，若果讓賈充的女兒任為太子妃，賈充就自然不用出鎮了。」馮紞聽到計劃後無異議；後荀勗又將計劃告訴擔憂中的賈充。荀勗和馮紞於是向司馬炎說賈充的女兒賈南風「才色絕世，若納東宮，必能輔助君子，有《關睢》后妃之德。」加上皇后楊艷的極力推薦，司馬炎最終都為司馬衷娶了賈南風。賈充亦得以留任。當時荀勗這種將性格嫉妒、相貌醜陋、膚色黑並短小的賈南風說成賢慧又絕美的行為令朝中正直的官員所不齒，於是被譏為佞媚之徒。後荀勗進位光祿大夫，後領秘書監，又設立教授書法的博士，由他們教學弟子，主要教授鍾繇、胡昭的書法。

咸寧五年（279年），益州刺史王濬請求征伐東吳，荀勗與賈充等人極力勸止，認為不能取勝，但司馬炎不聽，但其後卻一舉攻滅東吳。戰後以專典詔命有功，封一子為亭侯，賜絹一千匹。荀勗多次議論政策事項，司馬炎大多都同意，於是在太康年間下詔稱許荀勗，並任命荀勗為光祿大夫、儀同三司、開府，守中書監、侍中。

司馬炎早已知道太子司馬衷昏庸儒弱，恐怕這樣下去接管天下會令西晉大亂，於是派荀勗和和嶠去觀察司馬衷。回來報告時，荀勗大讚司馬衷有德行，但和嶠則說司馬衷仍是老樣子。後賈南風用戟擲打懷有司馬衷身孕的妃妾，令她們流產；司馬炎大怒，要廢掉她，荀勗和馮紞又奮力營救，令賈南風免於被廢。

改掌尚書

後來荀勗由領中書監改領尚書令。荀勗因任中書監己很久，專管機要之事，現在改任尚書令，像是被削奪了權力，十分不高興。任尚書令時，對令史以下的人作出審核，凡見有人文法上有問題，或不能決斷處理事情的疑點，都一律革職。司馬炎對此卻大為賞識，並以東漢末年的荀彧和荀攸與他比較，稱荀勗有二人的長處。在職約一個月後，以母親逝世為由辭職，但司馬炎不許，並命他奉詔視職。

太康十年（289年）十一月，荀勗逝世，獲追贈司徒，又賜棺材錢帛，而且派兼御史持節喪。諡成侯。

其他成就

• 荀勗通曉音樂，曾帶領著作郎劉恭依《周禮》仿製古尺，然後依古尺鑄造銅律呂，用以校正音律。亦曾依照典制，按十二律製造了十二支笛，音調相應，以正音律。

• 荀勗任中書監時，曾與中書令張華依劉向、劉歆《別錄》，整理西晉宮廷藏書。咸寧五年（279年），汲郡（今河南汲縣）古墓中發現的古文簡牘文獻，由荀勗等人負責校理竹簡成《汲塚書》，其中包括《竹書紀年》、《穆天子傳》等。

• 荀勗亦善畫畫，據說鍾會曾經偽作荀勗書信去騙荀勗母親以得寶劍，荀勗就在鍾會到來前於牆壁上畫上鍾會父祖的樣子。鍾會甫進門就看見畫像，感到愧疚，於是不再進去了。謝赫曾說：「荀與張墨同品。在第一品衛協下、顧駿之上。」作品有《大列女圖》、《小列女圖》。晉史道碩及南朝宋時的王微都從荀勗及衛協的畫學習。

性格特徵

• 荀勗依附賈充，為讓賈充留在朝中保持勢力而以虛言讓司馬衷娶賈南風，後又假稱司馬衷有德行、讓暴虐的賈南風繼續留在儲君身邊，成為將來的皇后等，都受到當時的人的非議。

• 荀勗性格慎密，而他任中書監，掌管機密。每有詔令大事時，即使已經宣布，荀勗都不發一言，不想讓人知道自己有份參與。

• 荀勗有才思，可以看出君主的心思，不會犯顏直諫，故此一直都得到司馬炎的寵信，沒有減退過。

• 荀勗常與阮咸討論音律，自嘆弗如，由此嫉恨在心，藉故遷阮咸為始平太守，故後人稱阮咸為阮始平。

食辨勞薪

• 荀勗有卓越的識見。有一次荀勗與司馬炎和其他人一起吃飯，荀勗說這是勞薪（老舊的木頭）煮的飯，其他人都不信，而司馬炎問煮飯的人，那人說是木頭車老舊的車腳所燒的，事後各人都佩服他的識見。這亦是成語「食辨勞薪」的典故。

評論

• 《晉書》史臣曰：公曾，慈明之孫，景倩，文若之子，踐隆堂而高視，齊逸軌而長騖。孝敬足以承視，周慎足以事主，刊姬公之舊典，採蕭相之遺法。然而援朱均以貳極，煽褒閻而偶震。雖廢興有在，隆替靡常，稽之人事，乃二荀之力也。至於斗粟興謠，踰里成詠，勗之階禍，又巳甚焉。

• 《晉書》贊：安陽（即荀勗）英英，匪懈其職。傾齊附魯，是為蝥賊。

• 鍾繇：此兒當及其曾祖（荀爽）。

• 司馬炎：勗明哲聰達，經識天序，有佐命之，兼博洽之才。久典內任，著勳弘茂，詢事考言，謀猶允誠。

• 《晉書·律曆志上》史臣按：勗於千載之外，推百代之法，度數既宜，聲韻又契，可謂切密，信而有徵也。

家庭

曾祖父

• 荀爽，東漢司空。與他七位兄弟並稱「荀氏八龍」。

祖父

• 荀棐，東漢射聲校尉。

父親

• 荀肸

母親

• 鐘氏 （父鍾繇, 異母弟 鍾會）

子女

• 荀連，長子，早逝

• 荀輯，嗣子，官至衛尉

• 荀藩，官至司空

• 荀組，官至太尉，領豫州刺史，後渡過長江到東晉，又任太尉，領太子太保

• 荀氏，嫁給武統

• 荀氏，嫁吳王司馬晏，生晉愍帝司馬鄴

孫兒

• 荀畯，荀輯子，嗣子

• 荀綽，荀輯子，西晉司空從事中郎，後任石勒參軍

• 荀邃，荀藩子，西晉時拜散騎常侍，東晉蘇峻之亂時與王導等於石頭城侍奉晉成帝，戰後獲贈金紫光祿大夫

• 荀闓，東晉官至御史中丞、侍中、尚書

• 荀奕，東晉官至散騎常侍、侍中

曾孫

• 荀識，荀畯弟弟息子，因荀畯無子而為嗣子

• 荀汪，荀邃之子

• 荀達，荀闓之子