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Xu Shu
Dynasty Warriors 9 artwork
Character Information
Force(s): Liu Bei's Forces
Wei
Height:
182 cm (6'0")
Weapon Type: Jian and hooked dagger (7:E~8, 9 DLC)
Jian (9)
Significant Battle(s):
Playable Debut: Dynasty Warriors 7: Empires
Historical Information
Real name:
Xú Shù
Chinese name:
徐庶
Style name:
Yuánzhí
Chinese name:
元直
Born:
?
Died:
234
Said to have been named as Shàn Fú (單福) in his earlier years.
Warriors Orochi Info
Force:
Liu Bei Resistance's Coalition
Stage:
Yiling (WO3) Okehazama (WO4)
Character Type:
Speed (WO3~4)
Sacred Treasure:
Gleipnir

Xu Shu (onyomi: Jo Sho) is a disciple of Sima Hui and an expert swordsman in his younger days. Avenging his old friend with his blade, he gave up swordsmanship and decided to commit to study after his arrest, eventually befriending Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong in later parts of his life. He was known to have been a filial son, and cared deeply for his mother. In both history and in fiction, it is because of Xu Shu's piety that he chooses to leave Liu Bei for Cao Cao, as the latter held the aforementioned mother hostage.

Although there is nothing historically recorded to imply as such, Romance of the Three Kingdoms portrays him as Cao Cao's advisor in name only; Xu Shu regretted leaving Liu Bei and remained sympathetic to him and his followers.

Before his playable Dynasty Warriors appearance, he was a generic NPC since the series's third title's expansion. In Famitsu's first most wanted character poll, he ranked seventh with participating fans. Xu Shu placed second in the boyfriend category for Famitsu's character centric survey. He was the third most popular character in Gamecity's Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends popularity poll. The latest poll for the eighth installment puts him in fourth. The character poll for overseas fans puts him in fourth place for the Shu division. This counterpart has two image songs titled Find My Place and Live & Learn.

His character's height in Kessen II is 180 cm (5'11").

Role in Games[]

Dynasty Warriors[]

Dynasty Warriors 4 has Xu Shu already working for Cao Cao in the Wei army. At Bo Wan Po, he competes with Zhuge Liang over strategy. Successfully handling the plans will have Xu Shu outmatch his rival. At Chi Bi, Xu Shu will try to spot Pang Tong's attempt to chain the boats.

He momentarily appears at Liu Bei's side in Dynasty Warriors 7 and orders Zhang Fei to follow his strategy at Xinye. With the army victorious, he admits that his strategies pale in comparison to Zhuge Liang. He respectfully declines to join Liu Bei due to a plot concocted by Cao Cao.

During the fifth chapter of Dynasty Warriors Next, Xu Shu is dispatched by Sima Hui to help Liu Bei find Zhuge Liang. He advocates the use of strategy to Liu Bei's men and displays its effectiveness at the Battle of Xinye by employing a sneak attack to split Cao Ren's troops in half. In non-story battles, he serves as one Cai Wenji's default lieutenants.

Dynasty Warriors 8 has Xu Shu introduce himself to Liu Bei's party at Xinye, convincing them to find a strategist for future battles ahead while aiding them as a temporary adviser. He guides the group to Zhuge Liang's home and departs once his colleague agrees to join Liu Bei's cause. Due to circumstances beyond his control, he is coerced to serve Wei and fights for them until his death at Chibi. In Shu's version of the stage, players can convince Xu Shu not to throw his life away by finding him after the fire attack has been executed. His return to Liu Bei and joins the fight at Chengdu. He is one of the key requirements needed to trigger the hypothetical route at Fan Castle where he arrives to assist the Guan family by formulating a strategy. Xu Shu correctly predicts the use of Wei's flood attack and stops it before fortifying the castle with ballistae, leading to a decisive Shu victory over the Wei and Wu forces. Xu Shu then participates in the Chang'an campaign and helps the other officers convince Jiang Wei to defect from Wei and join Shu. He joins the final offensive against Wei at Xuchang and intercepts Wei reinforcements, preventing them from attacking the ram.

In Wei's story, Xu Shu serves as Liu Bei's new aide, and they formulate the plan against Cao Cao. Despite repeated ambushes by Liu Bei's generals, the man is still defeated and Xu Shu is captured. At this time, Cao Cao chooses not to kill Xu Shu and releases him, surprising the accompanying Xiahou Dun and Jia Xu by saying he has no interest with people with such little ambition. He is not seen in remainder of Wei's story after this battle, and soldiers in the camp at Chibi state that Xu Shu was given a lowly rank.

In Wei's alternate story, Xu Shu is convinced to serve Cao Cao, and would rather serve him than Liu Bei. He makes a great contribution to his new lord by pointing out Pang Tong's location to the sentries, and helping Guo Jia pinpoint the target ship for Wu's fire attack at Chibi. He is later seen alongside Cao Cao and the Wei vassals when they are greeted by the Emperor after they win the Battle of Chibi. He also participates in both the campaign at Jianye to subjugate Wu and the final battle against his former lord at Baidi Castle.

He is given a unique role within Liu Bei's forces in the expansion. One of Shu's new scenarios involve Xu Shu remaining loyal at Changban. During the battle, he along with Sun Quan, Liu Qi, and Zhuge Liang coordinate a major ambush that completely demoralizes Cao Cao's forces.

Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed has Xu Shu reprise his role in helping Liu Bei and his brothers traverse the Eight Gates Formation safely. He fills them in on the strengths and weaknesses of each gate, enabling the group to pierce through Cao Ren's impregnable defenses. At Chibi, he is tasked by Cao Cao to watch over a warship armed with ballistae, forcing the player to defeat them in order for Pang Tong's chaining scheme to succeed.

His bond story starts off with him meeting Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong for the first time after stumbling his way to Jingzhou. In contrast to the carefree days he spent as a student, Xu Shu becomes a recluse after witnessing his mother committing suicide. Unwilling to help Cao Cao in any meaningful way, the former strategist wastes away doing nothing and eventually becomes bedridden. He spends his last moments thinking about the deaths of his colleagues, wondering if their own aspirations were nothing more than mere dreams.

In Dynasty Warriors 9, Xu Shu reprises his previous role at Xinye as Liu Bei's strategist. When the battle is won and Cao Ren is defeated, Xu Shu chooses to not join Liu Bei's forces completely as his mother is sickly and is in Xuchang, but he still recommends his lord to seek out Zhuge Liang. Serving as a petty official under Cao Cao, and later Cao Pi, Xu Shu was given multiple audiences. While thinking about his past, he anguishly remembers his decision and believes he would naively do the same thing if he went back again and expresses jealousy to not be like Zhuge Liang. On the other hand, Zhuge Liang, the newly appointed Prime Minister, still tells Shu's officials to always accept advice from others, but maintain a sense of self-worth, using Xu Shu as the prime example for this.

After his story, Zhuge Liang will learn of Xu Shu's employment under Cao Cao and will make a private request for the player during Shu's perspective of Chibi to have him escape to safety before the fire attack.

For his personal DLC scenario, Xu Shu chooses to accompany Liu Bei to meet Zhuge Liang. Before he can go, his friend asks him what his true feelings are, not the reason he is leaving. In response, Xu Shu expresses his wholehearted desire to serve beside Liu Bei. Realizing the scenario Xu Shu is in, Zhuge Liang creates a plan to help Xu Shu and his mother escape.

With Zhuge Liang leading a raid on Xuchang, Xu Shu is able to create enough chaos within the city to escape with his mother being rescued by Zhuge Liang. Free from burden, Xu Shu is able to remain with Liu Bei. Xu Shu is able to find information regarding Cao Cao's southern campaign. As Liu Biao, the ruler of Jing, controls a sizable army, Xu Shu joins Liu Bei in negotiating. Despite Cai Mao's misgivings due to Sun Quan's attack on Huang Zu, Liu Biao agrees to lend troops if Huang Zu's forces can be rescued.

Respecting Sun Quan's strength, Xu Shu offers an alliance with the Wu forces, warning them of Cao Cao's potential southern campaign, should Jing Province fall. Witnessing the success of Liu Bei's forces, Liu Biao wishes to leave Jing under his relative's hands once he passes. Despite Zhuge Liang's urging, Liu Bei refuses as it would rob Liu Qi and Liu Cong. Before Xu Shu and Zhuge Liang can discuss this matter further with their lord, Cao Cao attacks Xinye, forcing the pair to focus on eliminating the enemy first.

After defeating Cao Cao, both strategists are pessimistic in their ability to hold out against another attack, and they wonder if there would be a situation where Liu Bei could accept the offer without foregoing honor. Later on, Liu Biao's health begins failing, but he still hosts a banquet with Cai Mao's help. Upon learning that the guards and the nobles would eat separately, Xu Shu suspects this to be an assassination attempt and moves to rescue his lord once again.

Liu Biao passes away shortly after, and Liu Qi and Liu Cong's camps erupt into conflict. Xu Shu, realizing that his friend wishes for Liu Qi to fall and for his followers to join Liu Bei, confronts Zhuge Liang. Offering the solution to mediate both sides into giving Liu Bei the province, Zhuge Liang agrees with his friend's plan.

Defeating the root of the issue, Cai Mao, Xu Shu gets both brothers to reconcile. In gratitude, both of them urge Liu Bei to take control of the province, which he finally accepts. Zhuge Liang proceeds to thank Xu Shu for appealing to Liu Bei's heart and convincing him to accept the offer.

With the alliance between Sun Quan and Liu Bei underway, they both work together to attack Cao Cao's stronghold at Hefei. Despite their success, all of Zhuge Liang's plots are foiled, much to the anger of the Wu forces. Seeing the suspicious activity as well, Xu Shu moves to speak with his friend once more, only to find that he has disappeared. Believing a spy to be responsible, Xu Shu pushes the army to try and smoke out the culprit. As he expected, the spy finally appears and is revealed to be Cai Mao, who reveals that Zhuge Liang was imprisoned at Xiapi by Cao Pi.

After regaining the central plains, Liu Bei's forces begin advancing towards Cao Cao himself. Defeating the multiple schemes and fortresses against them, they are finally able to rescue the emperor. After helping Liu Bei restore order, Xu Shu drowns himself within many of the remaining records from both the Han and Wei, hoping to still learn as much as he can. During his searching, he is found by Zhuge Liang, who states how proud he is to have been a friend and ally to Xu Shu, admitting that his friend had long surpassed him. While honored by the words, Xu Shu wishes that for both of them to resolve to maintain the peace that Liu Bei had fought so hard to achieve.

In Guo Jia's DLC story, Xu Shu is able to survive the conflict at Chibi and continues to accompany Cao Cao's forces. Growing increasingly disgusted by Guo Jia's underhanded tactics, such as forcing the Wu forces to betray their allies and abusing Liu Bei's compassion in order to force him to make reckless decisions, Xu Shu ultimately opts to betray the Wei forces and frees both Guan Yu and Zhang Fei from captivity. His behavior, however, is not surprising, and he is immediately ambushed by Jia Xu and Xun You. After his defeat, he rejoins Liu Bei and helps in his final stand against Cao Cao's invasion of Chengdu and is slain. In Cao Pi's hypothetical, he leads a rebellion alongside Meng Da and he goes around, impeding the Wei forces, even encouraging Xiahou Shang to join their cause as well, but once Cao Pi defeats him in short order a few times, he surrounds Xinye and defeats both him and Meng Da, stopping them from allowing Shu to reclaim Jing Province.

Warriors Orochi[]

In Warriors Orochi, Xu Shu sometimes serves as Zhang Liao's replacement officer when players assume the latter's role.

In Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate, Xu Shu was last seen heading for Odawara Castle after the Hydra's defeat. He was actually present at the attempt to pass Yiling when Ma Chao was forced to leave behind his allies during the original timeline. While moving to Odawara Castle, however, Ma Chao opted to return to Yiling, leaving Xu Shu to make the journey alone. As the castle fell anyway, it is likely that Xu Shu was either caught or killed.

On a chapter 4 side mission, he, Zhuge Dan and Kanetsugu Naoe participate in a special training session with Seimei Abe, Zhuge Liang, and Zhang Jiao at the Wuzhang Plains.

Xu Shu was amongst Liu Bei's forces when they first entered the new world in Warriors Orochi 4. Early into their arrival, they are attacked by the Oda forces and end up forming an alliance with the Uesugi to resist Nobunaga. While the bulk of the alliance's army was occupied in saving both the Takeda and Kagekatsu's forces, Nobunaga leads a raid on Liu Bei's forces. With the help of the Takeda forces and the newly-arrived Perseus, they are able to flee.

Xu Shu later joins his lord in facing the Date-Wei army at Tedorigawa. Despite initially foiling their ambush, Xu Shu is taken aback by the amount of reserve troops of their enemies. Fortunately, Zhuge Liang arrives with his wife and Guan Yu and rescues Xu Shu's forces.

During one of the DLC stages, Xu Shu is tasked with leading a ragtag group of officers at Sekigahara in a mock battle against the Takeda-Tokugawa army. Despite the rocky start to the battle, Xu Shu is able to rescue his isolated allies and prevails when he is able to summon his reserve troops.

Kessen[]

In Kessen II, in Wei's story he first appears to join Ma Chao's army to Tong Gate, but summit's to Cao Cao afterwards. Players may choose to recruit him for Shu since he is Zhuge Liang's sworn brother. He continues to serve Wei through the later part of the story however, due to his family ties, he joins Liu Bei. He is a hot-blooded man who strongly believes in justice and love. He is the only magician cavalry general that Shu can recruit.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms[]

Within the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, Xu Shu is presented as a well-rounded strategist, possessing an intelligence stat in the low 90's while all of his remaining stats land in the 80's save for his war which rests in the 60's range, likely a nod to his past as a swordsman. Appearing first as a free officer at Xuchang before migrating to Jing, Xu Shu will serve Liu Bei loyally during the latter's tenure at Xinye before transferring his services to Cao Cao once news of his mother's capture reaches him. Serving Cao Cao and subsequently Wei from then on, Xu Shu is often initially positioned far from the front and in what-if scenarios, will either return to serve Liu Bei when the warlords forces mobilise northwards or in the situation where Cao Cao's children form their own factions, side with one of the smaller factions opposed to Cao Pi.

Character Information[]

Xu Shu 15th Anniversary Artwork (DWEKD)

Xu Shu's Shin Sangoku Musou 15th Anniversary artwork.

Development[]

Xu Shu's design focused on presenting him as a strategist and a fencer. His long coat is the key visual he shares with other intelligent characters, and his strapped gauntlets were added to indicate his mobility as a fighter. His hood was created with the intents of making him the "dark hero" of his playable debut.

The ninth installment also marks the first time his primary outfit has a brand new design since his playable debut.

Personality[]

Despite being very intelligent, Xu Shu is a very humble man in Liu Bei's service. He has little ambition, no self-confidence, and thinks he fails his purpose especially when compared to Zhuge Liang. The ninth installment also highlights Xu Shu's ability to use empathy within his strategies, revealing a more different approach to Zhuge Liang's methods for efficiency. In scenarios where they are together, Pang Tong advises his friend to have a more optimistic perspective of himself. He also remains very sympathetic to Liu Bei during most of his appearances.

The Warriors Orochi series has him form an affinity with Ina and Taigong Wang. In the fourth installment, he is astonished by Jiang Wei's whole-hearted admiration towards him, to the point where he believes it to be a trick by Zhuge Liang. He confides with Toshiie of the commander's inner doubts that he may not be doing enough to serve his lord, but Xu Shu remains confident that they should still serve their lords at their full even if there are others that are better than them.

In both the Shu and Wei hypothetical routes of the eighth installment, Xu Shu becomes more assertive and confident in his own skills. In Shu's path this is a result of his strategy that results in a decisive Shu victory at Fan Castle. In Wei's path, Xu Shu overcomes his self-defeating comparisons to Zhuge Liang after discovering Guo Jia's strategic brilliance and helping him foil Zhuge Liang's fire attack.

Character Symbolism[]

Via his primary weapon, Xu Shu was known for his skill as an avid swordsman in the past, though he eventually abandoned the art after avenging one of his friends by murdering the culprit and getting arrested for it (with his Musou Warriors playable counterpart showing he likely has not lost his touch). A majority of his swords are themed with the likeness of a fencing jian as sharp as a piercing arrow.

The item Xu Shu is personally affiliated with in Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate, the Forged Letter, refers to the famous incident regarding him switching sides in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Upon hearing of Xu Shu's talents after hearing of Cao Ren's defeats, Cao Cao attempted to get Xu Shu's mother to convince her son to defect but was slapped and cursed instead. Cheng Yu pleaded on her behalf, and pretended to be Xu Shu's "sworn brother" to spend time with his mother and learn her handwriting. Once he had perfected her handwriting, Cheng Yu sent a message to Xu Shu, in his mother's name, asking him to come to Cao Cao, and that "she" feared execution. Upon arrival, Xu Shu realized he had been duped, and his mother hung herself in response to her son abandoning Liu Bei.

Voice Actors[]

  • Peter Doyle - Warriors Orochi (English-uncredited)
  • Atsushi Kisaichi - Dynasty Warriors 7: Empires~9, Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate~4 (Japanese)
  • Darrel Guilbeau - Dynasty Warriors 8 (English-uncredited)
  • Steven Marter - Dynasty Warriors 9 (English)
  • Haoran Guo - Dynasty Warriors 9 (Chinese)
  • Choi Jihun - Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed (Korean)
  • Koji Haramaki - Kessen II (Japanese)
  • Christopher Corey Smith - Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao (English-uncredited)
  • Choi Seunghun - Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao (Korean)
  • Shigeru Nakahara - Romance of the Three Kingdoms drama CD series (Japanese)
  • Seirō Ogino - Sangokushi Legion (Japanese)
  • Kensuke Satō - Youkai Sangokushi (Japanese)
  • Satoshi Tsuruoka - Sangokushi Hadou (Japanese)
  • Hozumi Gōda - Sangokushi Three Kingdoms TV series

Quotes[]

See also: Xu Shu/Quotes
  • "Err... I don't know what to say at a time like this. I suppose I should say my thanks to the people who voted for me. I think I could become delirious by this unexpected result. However, I must keep my composure. From hereafter, I'll continue to polish my knowledge in order to end these turbulent times."
  • "Err... So there are many people who support me like this. I feel like I still can do my best."
  • "Your plan of splitting the enemy up worked brilliantly, Xu Shu. You are a great strategist."
"I am nothing if compared to the Sleeping Dragon, Zhuge Liang. He is a far greater strategist than I."
~~Zhao Yun and Xu Shu; Dynasty Warriors Next
  • "You are always able to see the big picture. Being able to discern that is a valuable skill."
"Umm... You're giving me too much credit. I still haven't mastered the role of Strategist yet."
"However, that is why you are able to notice things others wouldn't. Am I wrong?"
"Hah... You win. However, I've got nothing on you, Pang Tong."
~~Pang Tong and Xu Shu; Dynasty Warriors 8
  • "You are amazingly talented, Master Taigong Wang. I hope to approach your lofty abilities, even if just for a moment."
"Ahh, a human who hopes to be omnipotent... I feel it may be a bit overly ambitious for you, but I respect your tenacity."
"Umm... I didn't mean it like that... I would be happy just brushing up on my skills somewhat."
~~Xu Shu and Taigong Wang; Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate

Gameplay[]

See also: Xu Shu/Movesets

Dynasty Warriors 9[]

『真・三國無双8』徐庶アクション動画

『真・三國無双8』徐庶アクション動画

Keys: Square Flow Attack • Triangle Reactive Attack • Circle Musou X Jump/Mount

Xu Shu is affiliated with the general's sword and sword and hook in this title. When equipped with them, Xu Shu can perform the following unique attacks listed below.

Unique Attacks
Unique Flow Attack Finisher (General's Sword): Enemy Stunned + Square Square Square Square: Lands two rushing swipes to the right and left with each swing producing multiple slash trails surrounding Xu Shu.
Unique Flow Attack Finisher (Sword and Hook): Enemy Downed + Square Square Square Square: Xu Shu's unique finisher for this flow attack has him leap up and throw his hook on the ground, diving down to launch nearby foes to the air. Taken from the sword and hook moveset's fifth charge attack in previous titles.
Unique Trigger Attack (General's Sword): R1 + Triangle: Launches enemies to the air with a somersault kick, then pummels them with multiple slash trails. The somersault motion is derived from the old sword and hook moveset's third charge attack while the sword swing is based on Xu Shu's second EX attack from Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends.
Unique Trigger Attack (Sword and Hook): R1 + Square: Does a crouching sword swipe that produces a wide slash trail. Charging this move will result in multiple slash marks quickly popping in after the initial swipe, giving it more coverage.
Special Technique: R1 + Circle: Performs several rapid slashes that leave behind multiple trails of poison in front. The final hit is a crouching spin slash that further envenoms targets.
Musou Attack: Circle: Unleashes a series of forward spin slashes with each hit slanted in alternating directions while holding sword in a reverse grip. The finishing motion has Xu Shu produce numerous thin red streaks across the area in front of him while zipping randomly in the blink of an eye. He then reappears on the ground in a crouched stance as he sends out more red streaks to further eviscerate his targets. The attack's finisher is based on Xu Shu's Flashcut Musou from the previous game, albeit imbued with the slash element, making it even deadlier.
Aerial Musou Attack: X Circle: Dives forward and hacks at foes repeatedly from different angles before flinging them away with a fiery thrust forward. Xu Shu's quotation when performing this move is the one used for his Alternate Musou from the previous game rather than the aerial variation.
Horse Maneuvers
Summon Horse: L2: Summon horse to the battlefield. Holding L2 as the horse approaches will allow the character to automatically mount them.
Auto-Run: Riding Mode + L2: Automatically runs towards a specified destination. If a destination has not been set, the horse will instead run towards the location of the player's currently selected mission.
Sprint: Riding Mode + Direction + R1: Causes horse to run at a faster pace. Doing so depletes their stamina each time.
Jump: Riding Mode + Direction + R2: Causes horse to jump high while running.
Horse Fast Attack: Riding Mode + Square: Performs a fast and seamless attack while mounted. The attack itself varies depending on what type of weapon is equipped and whether the enemy is grounded or airborne.
Horse Trigger Attack: Riding Mode + Triangle: Performs an attack that sends enemies flying into the air. May vary depending on what type of weapon is equipped.
Horse Musou Attack: Riding Mode + Circle: Causes horse to sprint by consuming Musou instead of stamina.
Dismount Horse: Riding Mode + X: Dismounts from horse and resumes default fighting stance.
Bow Maneuvers
Shooting Mode: 🡻: Pulls out bow and assumes archery stance. Can be cancelled by tapping 🡻 again.
Switch Arrows: 🡸 or 🡺: Switches between different types of arrows.
Bow Attack: Shooting Mode + Square: Fires current arrow at a target. Can lock on targets by tapping R3.
Lower Bow: Shooting Mode + X: Lowers bow while squatting down.


Weapons[]

See also: Xu Shu/Weapons

Dynasty Warriors 8[]

Xu Shu still uses the sword and hook as his default weapon in this title.

Dynasty Warriors: Godseekers[]

Piercing Blade
Sword & Hook - 1st Weapon (DW8) Base Attack: 34~67
Rank: 1 ★
Kan Blade
Sword & Hook - 2nd Weapon (DW8) Base Attack: 54~104
Rank: 2 ★
Soaring Blade
Sword & Hook - 3rd Weapon (DW8) Base Attack: 86~162
Rank: 3 ★
Sapphire Blade
Sword & Hook - 4th Weapon (DW8) Base Attack: 135~250
Rank: 4 ★
Dispersion Blade
Sword & Hook - 5th Weapon (DW8) Base Attack: 209~388
Rank: 5 ★
Flashing Arrow Sword
Sword & Hook - 6th Weapon (DW8XL) Base Attack: 323~486
Rank: 6 ★



Historical Information[]

Xu Shu was originally named Shan Fu who was born at Yuzhou, Yingchuan (modern-day Xuchang, Henan). At a young age, he was skilled at swordsmanship. He killed a man, avenging someone Xu Shu knew, but was captured, and paraded around a local market to see if anyone knew him as he didn't disclose his own name, but none seemed to notice. Wu Gongcuan, a friend, rescued him and Xu Shu gave up swordsmanship for the life of a scholar. However, when he went to school, the others heard he was a criminal and didn't dare to come to know him. Despite the loneliness, Xu Shu woke up each morning and listened closely to lectures, then excelling in his studies. After greatly befriending a man named Shi Tou, Xu Shu left with him for Jingzhou where they met and befriended Zhuge Liang.

Jingzhou's rule had been transferred, and while Zhuge Liang left for service under Liu Bei, Xu Shu and Shi Tou went north for the capital. Xu Shu left Liu Bei when his mother was held hostage by Cao Cao's army and later became the right commander of the palace guards and a deputy imperial censor. Many years passed, and Zhuge Liang had heard that Xu Shu had received rank and sighed, saying Wei had many talents yet were not used. According to the Book of Wei, Xu Shu died of sickness around the same time as Zhuge Liang and was buried at Pangcheng.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms[]

Xu Shu Illustration

Xu Shu from Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Under Liu Bei[]

Xu Shu, an expert swordsman, was apprehended and rescued by friends. He changed into a scholar and studied under Sima Hui. Xu Shu left Liu Biao due to dissatisfaction with his treatment. In Xinye, he first appears by name when he sings a song and approaches Liu Bei, who mistakenly thinks Xu Shu is Zhuge Liang or Pang Tong.

Treated as a guest of honor, Xu Shu asked to take a look at Liu Bei's personal mount, the Hex Mark, and warned his master, "He may have phenomenal powers, but he will bring his master misfortune. Do not ride him." In response, Liu Bei told him that Hex Mark had successfully saved him when they escaped Cai Mao across the Tan river. Xu Shu once again warned of how Hex Mark was destined to fail its master in the end, but had a scheme and recommended that Liu Bei give the horse to an enemy and wait for the omen to pass until he rode it again. Liu Bei declined the suggestion, and Xu Shu said he had been testing Liu Bei's renowned virtue. Xu Shu was appointed as director general in order to reorganize and train the army.

In chapter 36, Xu Shu predicted that Cao Ren and Li Dian would come to invade Xinye, and advised his lord to attack Fan Castle while Cao Ren came. Xu Shu's predictions came out to be right when Cao Ren advanced, and so he and Zhao Yun's armies met them. The two sides retired for the day, and the next, Xu Shu recognized the contingents Cao Ren and Li Dian were using the Eight Gates to Impregnable Positions formation. Swiftly, he pointed out the formation's weakness to Liu Bei, and Zhao Yun quickly scattered the enemy at Xu Shu's advice. After retreating, Cao Ren marveled to Li Dian, "Someone very, very capable is in [Liu Bei's] army. My formations were completely destroyed."

Xu Shu and Liu Bei were discussing their next course of battle when a seasonal wind began blowing, and so the former put his army in an ambush, anticipating a night raid by Cao Ren.

Cao Ren indeed attacked that night but found the city's palisades set afire, signaling that Liu Bei expected them. When attempting to flee, Cao Ren was routed by Zhao Yun and had to retreat across the nearby river, where most of his force drowned. When he reached Fan Castle, Cao Ren found enemy banners atop its walls, and Guan Yu scurried him away back to the capital of Xuchang. On the way, however, Cao Ren had been told the alias of Liu Bei's advisor.

Madame Xu and under Cao Cao[]

Cao Ren and Li Dian confess their faults to Cao Cao, who wonders who gave the strategy to Liu Bei. Cheng Yu, an advisor, reveals Xu Shu's true identity and plans to capture his mother, Madame Xu, to draw him away from Liu Bei. Madame Xu is held in custody and Xu Shu rescues her. Liu Bei feels lost and refuses to give a strategy.

Liu Bei's tears engulfed Xu Shu, who sought help from Zhuge Liang, a man believed to plot the interaction between heaven and earth. Upon reaching Xuchang, Xu Shu was greeted by Cao Cao, Cheng Yu, and Xun Yu. His mother, Madame Xu, criticized Xu Shu for trusting a forged document and earning contempt. Xu Shu's mother died, and he lay faint for a while. Cao Cao sent him remorse gifts and interred him in Xuchang.

Meanwhile, Sima Hui visited Liu Bei, claiming he came especially to see Xu Shu. Liu Bei disclosed Xu Shu's leaving, and Sima Hui uttered how Xu Shu "fell for the ruse", and how Madame Xu was known for the utmost integrity and would not lure her son to the capital even if her life depended on it.

Later, in chapter 39 at the Battle of Bowang Slope, Xu Shu warned Cao Cao's general Xiahou Dun how Liu Bei had acquired the service of Zhuge Liang, a man whom Xu Shu claimed would be a full moon if he was a firefly. His advice was ignored.

Xiahou Dun soon was dealt a devastating defeat by the smaller armies of Liu Bei.

In chapter 41, during what would be the Battle of Changban, Cao Cao wished to level the city of Fancheng. However, to win over the hearts of the people, Cao Cao called for Xu Shu to offer an opportunity to submit to Liu Bei. Xu Shu complied and visited Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, reminiscing with the two of them of past memories. Afterwards, Xu Shu revealed Cao Cao's true plans and said he feared for Liu Bei not being to uphold the city. Unfortunately, he had to leave at the time to declare Liu Bei's independence, and Liu Bei escaped Cao Cao's pursuing armies leading an exodus of faithful, following peasants.

Xu Shu's last appearance is in chapter 48. At the Battle of Chibi, Xu Shu, alone, met with the Liu Bei-Sun Quan spy and his old friend Pang Tong, revealing that he knew of the agent's intentions to destroy Cao Cao's fleet. Pang Tong asked if Xu Shu wanted to reveal his intentions, to which Xu Shu responded that he never forgot Liu Bei's kindness to him, and asked for Pang Tong to come up with a plan for him to escape from a certain death.

After Pang Tong came up with a scheme and left back to the allied forces, Xu Shu spread rumors of how Han Sui and Ma Teng were planning to invade the capital city of Xuchang while Cao Cao was away. Cao Cao called his advisers and retold the rumor to them, and Xu Shu asked to take three thousand to take a vital point defending from the invasion of Ma Teng and Han Sui. Thus, Xu Shu, along with Zang Ba, departed.

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