Guo Tu - After Yuan Shao's Death

After Yuan Shao's Death

After Yuan Shao died in 202, Guo became a staff advisor to Yuan's eldest son, Yuan Tan. During the impending attack on Ji Province, after the defeat at Guandu, Guo Tu was sent to muster Yuan Tan's troops. Further on, as the leader of the Yuan family was being decided after Yuan Shao's death, Guo Tu was sent to talk to Yuan Tan's younger brother Yuan Shang, whom Yuan Shao had destined for succession. Yuan Shang had two advisors that were very crafty in their dealings, and it was Guo's idea to separate the two men as to make it easier for Yuan Tan to win over Yuan Shang's title. When Guo reached Yuan Shang, Yuan Shang gave Yuan Tan the title of General and ordered him to attack Cao Cao. Guo asked, since no men of Yuan Tan were fit to give advice, if Yuan Shang could send his two advisors to help. Yuan Shang could only but send one, whom Guo accompanied back to Yuan Tan. Upon reaching Yuan Tan, the advisor grew suspicious and retired to his chambers. He then entrusted a message to be brought to Yuan Shang saying, "Guo Tu is very guilefull and is likely planning to harm you after Cao Cao is dealt with. Me being here is only to weaken your current situation. I advise letting Cao Cao do your work for you and withhold reinforcements." He did so, but Yuan Tan found out of the ruse and killed his brother's advisor. News of this reached Yuan Shang and he began to worry of his brother's defection, in which case Cao would approach his city without opposition, so he marched to help his brother at once. They arrived and immediately was stricken with many defeats against Cao Cao. So Yuan Tan and Shang went on the defensive and Cao withdrew momentarily. Again suspicion arose between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang and Guo advised Yuan Tan set up a banquet for his brother's victory and assassinate him forthwith. The ruse was discovered by Yuan Shang, who brought five companies with him and besieged the city in which Yuan Tan resided. Guo, seeing defeat definite, advised surrendering to Cao, which Yuan Tan went about doing. Cao came with men and when he came upon the besieged city, Yuan Shang retreated back to Ji Province. Ji Province was besieged and Yuan Shang surrendered and was spared. Yuan Tan was to marry one of Cao's daughters and was sent to the capital, away from Guo.