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Guo Huai, courtesy name Boji, was from Yangqu, Taiyuan (now Yangqu, Shanxi).

A famous general of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period, he served as the governor of Yongzhou for a long time and guarded the northwest.

In his early years, Guo Huai served as Cao Pi's aide. When Cao Cao captured Hanzhong, he left Xiahou Yuan to garrison, and Guo Huai served as Xiahou Yuan's Sima.

Liu Bei attacked Hanzhong and killed Xiahou Yuan. The army was in panic. Guo Huai gathered the scattered soldiers and recommended Zhang He as the commander-in-chief to stabilize the situation.

"After Emperor Wen of Wei, Cao Pi, ascended the throne, he was granted the title of Guannei Hou and transferred to be the Chief Clerk of Zhenxi. Soon after, he was promoted to Sheyangting Hou."

"In the fifth year of Huangchu (224 AD), Guo Huai was promoted to governor of Yongzhou and quelled several rebellions of the Qiang people."

"In the second year of Qinglong (234 AD), Zhuge Liang led his troops out of Xiegu, and Sima Yi stationed his troops in Weinan."

"Guo Huai predicted that Zhuge Liang would definitely fight for Beiyuan, so he should seize it first. As expected, the Later Shu army attacked, and Guo Huai led his troops to repel them."

"After that, Guo Huai suppressed the rebellion of the Qiang tribe several times and repelled the attack of the Shu general Jiang Wei. He was promoted to Duke of Duxiang for his merits, and was successively promoted to General of the Left, General of the Front, and General of the Western Expedition, commanding the military affairs of Yongzhou and Liangzhou."

"In the first year of Zhengyuan (254 AD), Guo Huai was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, and given the title of Marquis of Yangqu."

"The following year, Guo Huai died and was posthumously awarded the title of General and Marquis Zhen. His son Guo Tong inherited the title."

"Guo Huai guarded the northwestern border of Cao Wei for more than 30 years, repelling powerful enemies from outside and keeping the people safe at home. He worked hard and made great contributions. Emperor Cao Fang of Wei praised him for "helping in times of crisis and making remarkable achievements";"

"Chen Shou, a historian of the Jin Dynasty, commented that Guo Huai's "strategies were meticulous and detailed," and his reputation spread throughout Qinchuan and Yongzhou."

"Later generations regarded Guo Huai as a wise minister. For example, Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Tuoba Hong, and the Southern Song Dynasty scholar Hong Mai both praised Guo Huai highly."

"Guo Huai was recommended as a filial and honest official in his early years and served as the county magistrate of Pingyuan County."

"When Cao Pi was the General of the Five Officials, Guo Huai was hired as a thief in his court. Soon he was transferred to the position of military officer in the prime minister's office and followed Cao Cao to conquer Hanzhong."

"Cao Cao led his troops back to Luoyang, leaving General Xiahou Yuan to guard Hanzhong, and appointed Guo Huai as the Sima of the General's Office."

"In the 219th year of Jian'an ( AD), Xiahou Yuan and Liu Bei fought in Hanzhong. Guo Huai was ill and did not join the army."

"Xiahou Yuan died in battle, and the army was in a panic. Guo Huai gathered the scattered soldiers and recommended Zhang He, the bandit-suppressing general, as the commander-in-chief, and only then did the camps settle down."

"The next day, Liu Bei wanted to cross the Han River to attack. The generals thought that the enemy's strength was too different from ours, and Liu Bei was going to attack by force. They could rely on the Han River formation to stop Liu Bei."

"Guo Huai thought that this was a sign of weakness to the enemy. It would be better to set up the battle array away from the Han River, lure the enemy to attack, and then attack when the enemy was halfway across the Han River."

"The soldiers followed the plan, and Liu Bei became suspicious and did not dare to force his way across the Han River. Guo Huai took the opportunity to consolidate his position and was determined to hold on."

"When Cao Cao heard about the situation in Hanzhong, he was very impressed and gave Zhang He the title of commander-in-chief. He also appointed Guo Huai as Sima to assist Zhang He."

"In the 220th year of Jian'an ( AD), Cao Cao died and Cao Pi succeeded him as King of Wei. Guo Huai was granted the title of Guannei Hou and transferred to be the Chief Clerk of Zhenxi."

"He also served as the acting commander of the Qiang Guard, assisting General Zhang He and General Yang Qiu in suppressing the bandit Zheng Gan and the rebellion of the Lushui Hu people."

"The rebellion was quelled, Guanzhong was stable from then on, and the people were able to live and work in peace."

"In October of the first year of the Huangchu reign (220 AD), Guo Huai was ordered to go to the capital to congratulate Cao Pi on his ascension to the throne. He was delayed on the way due to illness. The court calculated the distance and thought that Guo Huai had stayed on the road too long."

"When the court officials gathered, Cao Pi severely rebuked Guo Huai, saying that in the past, when Dayu met with the princes at Tushan, Fang Feng arrived late and was executed as a result."

"Guo Huai responded tactfully, saying that he was now in a prosperous era like Yao and Shun, and would not face the same punishment as Fang Feng."

Li Bai: Cao Pi was very happy to hear this, and stopped blaming Guo Huai. He promoted Guo Huai to acting governor of Yongzhou and conferred him the title of Marquis of Sheyang Ting.

In the fifth year of Huangchu (224 AD), Guo Huai was officially promoted to the governor of Yongzhou.

The Qiang leader Pi Ti in Anding County rebelled. Guo Huai led his troops to fight and defeat the rebels, and Pi Ti surrendered.

Whenever he encountered Qiang or Hu people coming to surrender, Guo Huai would always ask his men to inquire about their relatives in detail, such as how many children they had and their ages.
By the time he met them, Guo Huai was already aware of their situation, so he asked thorough questions, and everyone he met praised him as a god.

In the second year of Taihe (228 AD), Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of Shu, led his troops out of Qishan and sent General Ma Su to garrison Jieting (now Longcheng Town, northeast of Qin'an County, Gansu Province), and General Gao Xiang to guard Lieliu City (now in Feng County, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province).

Zhang He attacked Ma Su and Guo Huai attacked Gao Xiang, and both were victorious.

Guo Huai also defeated Tang Ti, a famous Qiang leader in Longxi, in Fuhan (now Qin'an County, Gansu Province), and was promoted to General Jianwei for his merits.

In the fifth year of Taihe (231 AD), the Shu army attacked from Lucheng (now Yanguan Town, Li County, Longnan, Gansu).

At that time, there was a shortage of food in Longxi area. Many people advocated transporting a large amount of food from Guanzhong. However, Guo Huai used both kindness and force on the Qiang and Hu people in the area.
They were fairly allocated food supplies, ensuring that the army had sufficient food supplies. Because of his merits, Guo Huai was promoted to General Yangwu.

In the second year of Qinglong (234 AD), Zhuge Liang sent troops to Xiegu (now southwest of Mei County, Shaanxi Province) and stationed in Lankeng (now east of He County, Gansu Province).

At that time, Sima Yi was stationed on the south bank of the Wei River. Guo Huai estimated that Zhuge Liang would definitely attack Beiyuan (now on the north bank of the Wei River in Mei County, Shaanxi Province) and that he should send troops to occupy it first. However, everyone disagreed.

Guo Huai analyzed that if Zhuge Liang crossed the Weishui River and occupied Beiyuan, he could unite with the rebel forces in the northern mountainous areas, cut off the road to Longxi, and be disadvantageous to the Wei army.

Sima Yi agreed and sent Guo Huai to station troops in Beiyuan. Guo Huai led his troops to Beiyuan. Before the trenches and barriers were completed, a large number of Shu troops poured into Beiyuan. Guo Huai led his troops to fight back and repel the Shu troops.

A few days later, Zhuge Liang led his army westward. The generals judged that the Shu army would attack the camp in the west, but Guo Huai thought that Zhuge Liang was marching westward.
He wanted to lure the main force of the Wei army, but his real direction of attack was Yangsui in the east (now north of Caijiaopo Town, Shaanxi).

At night, the Shu army launched a surprise attack on Yangsui, but failed because the city was well guarded.

In the first year of the Zhengshi reign (240 AD), the Shu general Jiang Wei sent troops to Longxi. Guo Huai led a large army and pursued the Shu army all the way to Qiangzhong.

After Jiang Wei retreated, Guo Huai attacked the Qiang leader Mi Dang and others, pacified more than 3,000 Di families who surrendered, and moved them to the Guanzhong area. Guo Huai was promoted to the left general.

Liang Yuanbi, the leader of the Hu people near Xiutu Lake in Liangzhou, and others led more than 2,000 tribes to submit to Yongzhou.

Guo Huai submitted a memorial requesting that these people be settled in Gaoping County to serve as a barrier for the Han people. Later, the post of Xizhou Duwei was established for this reason.

Soon, Guo Huai was promoted to General of the Front, and still served as the Governor of Yongzhou. In the fifth year of Zhengshi (244 AD), General Xiahou Xuan led his troops to attack Shu, and Guo Huai's army served as the vanguard.

"Xiahou Xuan encountered an attack from the Shu army and was defeated. Guo Huai estimated that the situation was unfavorable and decided to withdraw his troops in advance, so the loss was not great and he was awarded a staff by the court."

"In the eighth year of the Zhengshi reign (247 AD), the Qiang leaders Ehe, Shaoge, Fatong, Ezhesai and others from Longxi, Nangan, Jincheng and Xiping counties jointly rebelled, besieged the city and sought help from the Shu army in the south. Zhiwudai, a famous Hu leader from Liangzhou, also raised his army to respond."

"Xiahou Ba, the general who was in charge of the army, was stationed in Weichi. Guo Huai had just arrived in Didao with his troops. The generals believed that they should first attack Fuhan to the west, put down the Qiang rebellion, and then defeat the invasion plan of Shu."

"Guo Huai speculated that Jiang Wei would definitely attack Xiahou Ba, so he led his troops into Fengzhong and then headed south to support Xiahou Ba."

"Shu General Jiang Wei's attack was in vain, but Guo Huai arrived with his troops, so Jiang Wei had to retreat."

"Guo Huai led his troops to attack the rebellious Qiang people, beheaded E He, burned his weapons, and subdued more than 10,000 Qiang tribesmen."

"In the ninth year of the Zhengshi reign (248 AD), the Qiang leader Ezhesai and others rebelled and stationed troops at Heguan and Baitucheng, relying on the natural barrier of the Yellow River to resist the Wei army."

"Guo Huai pretended to send troops from upstream, secretly sent troops to cross the river from downstream to capture Baitu City (now the southern part of Minhe County, Qinghai), and then launched an attack and defeated the rebels."

"In the same year, Zhi Wudai rebelled again and led his troops to surround Wuwei County, while his family members stayed in Xihai County."

"Guo Huai marched to attack Xihai, intending to raid the rebels' food and supplies."

"It so happened that Zhi Wudai led his troops back again, and the two armies fought in the north of Longyi. Zhi Wudai was defeated and fled."

"Let the rebels in Ju County block the main road to the west of Shitou Mountain to block the imperial envoys. Guo Huai will lead his troops to suppress the rebels on his way back."

"Shu general Jiang Wei led his troops to Shiying, passed through Qiangchuan, and marched westward to support Zhi Wudai."

"Leave behind Liao Hua, the governor of Yinping, to build a castle in Chengchong Mountain (today's west of Lintao County) to gather the fleeing Qiang soldiers and protect the families of the soldiers."

"Guo Huai planned to divide his troops to attack Jiang Wei and Liao Hua. The generals believed that Jiang Wei had allied with the powerful Hu people, and Liao Hua occupied a strategic location."

"If we divide our forces to attack, we will inevitably weaken our strength. We can neither contain Jiang Wei nor defeat Liao Hua. It is better to concentrate our forces to launch an attack."

"Guo Huai analyzed that if we attack Liao Hua unexpectedly, Jiang Wei will definitely return to rescue him and be exhausted. It is a good opportunity to defeat them one by one. The two Wei armies will not have to march westward, and the Hu rebels will naturally disintegrate. It can be said that we kill two birds with one stone."

"So he sent Xiahou Ba and others to lead troops to pursue Jiang Wei in the direction of Dazhong, while Guo Huai personally led the main force to attack Liao Hua. As expected, Jiang Wei hurried back to rescue him."

"The situation developed just as Guo Huai had expected, and Guo Huai was promoted to Duke of Duxiang for his merits."

"In the first year of Jiaping (249 AD), Guo Huai was promoted to General of the Western Expedition and commanded the armies of Yongzhou and Liangzhou."

"Shu general Jiang Wei led his troops to attack Yongzhou. Guo Huai and Yongzhou governor Chen Tai joined forces to resist the Shu army and forced Shu army guard general Ju An and others to surrender."

"In the second year of Jiaping (250 AD), Emperor Cao Fang of Wei issued an edict to commend Guo Huai and promoted him to General of Chariots and Cavalry, with the same status as the three officials, and holding a staff of authority,"

"The army he led remained the same, and Guo Huai was promoted to Marquis of Yangqu, with a fief of 2,780 households, 300 of which were divided out, and one of Guo Huai's sons was made Marquis of Ting."

"In the second year of Zhengyuan (255 AD), Guo Huai died. The court posthumously awarded him the title of general and the title of Zhenhou. His son Guo Tong inherited his title."

Su Shi: The Guo family of Taiyuan rose to prominence very early, and produced many famous figures. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, it became a prominent family, among which the Jinyang and Yangqu branches were the most prominent.

Guo Huai was from this branch of Yangqu. His great-grandfather Guo Zun was the governor of Yanzhou and the Grand Master of Imperial Households, and one of the "Eight Talents" of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

His grandfather Guo Quan was the Minister of Agriculture, and his father Guo Wei was the prefect of Yanmen. Both were high-ranking officials with the rank of 2,000-shi.

Guo Huai, Guo Pei, Guo Zhen, Guo Liang and their descendants all served as officials during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, gradually pushing the family to the top.

Not to mention the development of the family for the time being, Guo Huai at this time had not yet found his own path. He was just appointed as a local official after being selected as a filial and honest official, quietly waiting for a new appointment from the court.

In the 211th year of Jian'an (), Cao Pi was appointed General of the Five Officials and Deputy Prime Minister. During this period, he discovered and promoted Guo Huai to his side, and summoned him to be his own thief Cao.

Later, Guo Huai was appointed as the military advisor to the Prime Minister and began to work under Cao Cao, starting his military career of more than 30 years.

In the 215th year of Jian'an (), Guo Huai followed Cao Cao to attack Hanzhong. Due to the great changes in Guanzhong, Guo Huai was appointed as Sima of Xiahou Yuan.

In the Battle of Dingjun Mountain, General Xiahou Yuan and Governor of Yizhou Zhao Yong were killed by the Shu Han general Huang Zhong, and Cao's army was defeated.

Sima Guo Huai and General Du Xi had to gather the scattered soldiers and stabilize the morale of the army by recommending Zhang He as the commander-in-chief, and they were able to repel the Shu army in Yangping.

With the decline of the Yingchuan scholar group in Cao Wei, the Bingzhou scholar group headed by the Sima family occupied the top of Cao Wei, especially after Cao Pi ascended the throne of Wei and proclaimed himself emperor.
Guo Huai was first granted the title of Guannei Hou, then transferred to be the Chief Clerk of Zhenxi, and then led the expedition to protect the Qiang army. Later, he was promoted to the Governor of Yongzhou and was granted the title of Sheyang Ting Hou.

Interestingly, the turnaround in Hanzhong and the court was all related to Guo Huai’s “illness”.

During the Battle of Hanzhong, Xiahou Yuan led famous generals such as Zhang He and Xu Huang to fight fiercely with Liu Bei, but Guo Huai fell ill. "Yuan and Bei were fighting, while Huai was ill and did not go out."

However, when Xiahou Yuan died in battle and Zhang He was defeated, Guo Huai was able to drag his sick body and do his best to maintain the situation.

After Cao Pi became emperor, all officials were supposed to go to the capital to congratulate him, but Guo Huai fell ill again and "he fell ill on the way, so he was delayed according to the distance he traveled."

Cao Pi did not give his old subordinate any face, and tried to scare Guo Huai by saying that Dayu summoned the princes and killed Fangfeng who was late. Guo Huai then compared Cao Pi to Tang and Yu, saying, "I lived through the times of Tang and Yu, so I know I can escape Fangfeng's punishment." He saved his life and was also highly valued by Cao Pi.

Cao Pi continued to use Sima Yi and other direct descendants who helped him ascend the throne, and Guo Huai was fortunate to be counted among them. But when Guo Huai returned home in glory, he discovered how "tricky" Cao Pi's appointment was.

Guo Huai, who was stationed in the northern border of Cao Wei, not only had to be on guard against the invasion of Shu Han, but also had to deal with the problem of dealing with the Qiang and Hu.

Guo Huai, who was well aware of the customs of the Hu and Qiang people, chose to kill only the main culprits and accept ordinary people who were forced to rebel.

After suppressing the rebellion of the Qiang chieftain in his jurisdiction, Guo Huai's reputation soared. Also, because he had a clear understanding of the situation of the Qiang and Hu people who had surrendered and the current status of their families, "he knew everything about them, interrogated them thoroughly, and they all praised him as a god."

Guo Huai spent most of his time guarding the border for decades dealing with the Qiang, Hu, Di and other ethnic minorities who had lived there for generations, which also provided important support for him to stop the Northern Expedition of Shu Han. (End of this chapter)