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During the reign of Emperor Ling of Han, Ju Shou served as the Prefectural Governor and was recommended as a talented scholar. He served as a county magistrate twice and later as the Prefectural Governor of Han Fu. He was then appointed as a Cavalry Commandant.

In 191 AD, Gongsun Zan launched an attack on Dong Zhuo and sent troops into Ji Province, but his real intention was to attack Han Fu, who was filled with anxiety.

Just then, Yuan Shao returned his army to Yanjin and sent Gao Gan, Xun Chen and others to persuade Han Fu to submit to Yuan Shao. Ju Shou, Chief Clerk Geng Wu and Assistant Administrator Min Chun advised Han Fu to defend Ji Province.

They argued, "Although Ji Province is small, it has a million men capable of fighting and enough food to last ten years. Yuan Shao is an outsider with a struggling army, dependent on us for survival. He is like an infant in an adult's palm; if we cut off his milk, he will starve to death immediately. Why should we give Ji Province to Yuan Shao?" Han Fu ignored them and ceded Ji Province to Yuan Shao.

After Yuan Shao occupied Ji Province, he appointed Ju Shou as his chief advisor and asked him, "Now, treacherous ministers are causing chaos everywhere, and the court is moving around. Our family has been favored for generations, and we should be resolute and do our utmost to restore the Han Dynasty. However, Duke Huan of Qi could not have achieved hegemony without Guan Zhong, and Goujian could not have protected his country without Fan Li. Now I want to work with you to stabilize the country and its people. What strategies do you have to help me?"

Ju Shou replied, “General, you were highly regarded and renowned throughout the land at a young age. Just as Dong Zhuo was deposing and installing emperors, you bravely displayed your loyalty and righteousness, standing up alone on horseback, which instilled fear in Dong Zhuo, causing him to cross the Yellow River and head north. The people of Bohai Commandery all submitted to you. You now command the army of one commandery, plus the forces of Ji Province, extending your influence north of the Yellow River and greatly enhancing your reputation. If you were to launch an eastward campaign, you could annihilate the Yellow Turban Rebellion, attack the Black Mountain, and destroy Zhang Yan. If you were to launch a northward campaign, you would surely capture Gongsun Zan, using your power to coerce the Western Rong regions, pacify the Xiongnu forces, sweep across the land north of the Yellow River, unify the territories of four provinces, recruit heroes, command a million troops, welcome the emperor in Chang'an, restore the ancestral temples in Luoyang, command the world, and punish those who disobey. With such conditions to decide the outcome, who could resist? In a few more years, establishing great achievements will not be difficult.”

Yuan Shao was overjoyed upon hearing this and expressed his approval, immediately appointing Ju Shou as military supervisor and General Fenwei.

In 195 AD, Ju Shou persuaded Yuan Shao to welcome back Emperor Xian of Han, move the capital to Ye City, hold the emperor hostage, and rule the world in the emperor's name, recruiting talented people to punish those who disobeyed the central government's orders.

Yuan Shao was pleased to hear this and prepared to follow Ju Shou's advice. Guo Tu and Chunyu Qiong, however, objected, saying, "The Han Dynasty has been in decline for many years. Is it not difficult for it to prosper now? You now control prefectures and counties and have a large army. The Qin Dynasty has lost power, and heroes from all over the world are rising up. First come, first served. If you welcome the emperor, obeying him will weaken your power, while disobeying him will be disobeying orders. This is not a good strategy."

Ju Shou retorted, "Welcoming back the Emperor now is a matter of righteousness and in line with the grand strategy of the times. If we don't act soon, someone else will surely come to greet him first. We must be flexible and seize the opportunity; success lies in swift action. General, you must act!" Yuan Shao did not heed Ju Shou's advice.

Ju Shou advised Yuan Shao to welcome Emperor Xian of Han and use the emperor to command the other warlords.
Yuan Shao dispatched his eldest son Yuan Tan to govern Qingzhou, his second son Yuan Xi to govern Youzhou, and his nephew Gao Wo to govern Bingzhou.

Ju Shou advised, "If a rabbit escapes and ten thousand people chase it, and one person catches it, the others will stop because the ownership has already been determined. When choosing people, if they are of similar age, we should choose the most virtuous and capable; if they are of similar ability, we should use divination to determine their status. This is the rule of the ancients. I hope you will take the successes and failures of your ancestors as a warning and deeply consider the meaning of chasing a rabbit to determine one's status."

Yuan Shao ignored him and retorted, "I just want to let each of my four sons occupy a province to test their abilities." Ju Shou came out of the tent and said, "Disaster is about to begin here."

Yuan Shao was about to launch a campaign against Cao Cao when Ju Shou and Tian Feng advised him, "Our army has been on campaign for many years, the people are exhausted, the granaries are nearly empty, and taxes are heavy. This is a major hidden danger for the country. We should first send an envoy to inform the emperor to develop agriculture and allow the people to rest. If this cannot be resolved, we should submit a memorial stating that Cao Cao has blocked Your Majesty's army's path. Then we should garrison Liyang, build ships and manufacture weapons in Henan, and send elite troops to garrison the surrounding areas. Then, within three years, our great cause will be accomplished."

Shen Pei and Guo Tu argued that Yuan Shao held a large army, several times the size of Cao Cao's, and that they should seize the opportunity to attack Cao Cao.

Ju Shou argued: "An army that rescues the people from chaos and punishes the tyrannical is called a righteous army, while an army that relies on numbers to become strong is called an arrogant army. A righteous army is invincible, while an arrogant army is bound to be defeated. Cao Cao has placed the emperor in Xuchang, and now he is launching an attack, which violates morality. Moreover, the strategies formulated by the court to defeat the enemy are not based on strength. Cao Cao's laws are strict, and he is not like Gongsun Zan. Now you are abandoning a plan of peace and raising an army without a just cause. I am worried about you."

Guo Tu and others countered that Yuan Shao's attack on Cao Cao was not without justification. Furthermore, they argued that both civil and military officials had been utterly loyal, and that failing to establish a decisive victory soon would have been a mistake in their thinking.

They also cited examples of the rise and fall of the states of Wu and Yue to Yuan Shao, arguing that Ju Shou's strategy was prudent but lacked adaptability. Yuan Shao listened and heeded the advice of Shen Pei and Guo Tu.

On the eve of the Battle of Guandu, Ju Shou met with his clansmen, distributed his wealth lavishly, and said, "If we win, our prestige will be unparalleled; if we lose, we will not even be able to protect ourselves. It is truly a tragedy!"

The younger brother, Ju Zong, said, "Cao Cao's army is not as strong as ours, so why are you afraid?"

Ju Shou replied, “With Cao Cao’s wisdom and the power of the emperor, although our army has defeated Gongsun Zan, our soldiers are exhausted and our generals are arrogant. The army’s defeat will come in this battle. Now it is just like the situation Yang Xiong described: ‘The six states are stupid and weak, and the emperor is weak and powerful.’”

In 200 AD, Yuan Shao marched on Liyang and sent Yan Liang to attack Liu Yan at Baima Ford. Ju Shou advised Yuan Shao, "Yan Liang is narrow-minded and impetuous. Although he is brave and good at fighting, he cannot command alone."

Yuan Shao refused to listen. Cao Cao came to Liu Yan's aid and fought a fierce battle with Yan Liang, eventually defeating and killing Yan Liang.

Cao Cao defeated the forces of Liu Bei and Wen Chou sent by Yuan Shao and returned to Guandu. Ju Shou suggested that they take advantage of Yuan Shao's control of the north and his abundant resources, avoid a direct confrontation with Cao Cao's army, prolong the battle lines, and gradually conquer him.

Yuan Shao did not heed his advice. When Yuan Shao's army was about to cross the river, Ju Shou suggested that they should stay behind to defend Yanjin and send troops to Guandu. If they were victorious, they could still meet the enemy; if there were problems, they could retreat.

Yuan Shao refused to listen. Before crossing the river, Ju Shou lamented, "The leader is ambitious, and his subordinates only know how to covet fame and fortune. What will become of me, the mighty Yellow River?"

He then resigned on the grounds of illness. Yuan Shao hated him and therefore assigned the troops under Ju Shou's command to Guo Tu.

Yuan Shao dug tunnels in preparation for an attack on Cao Cao's camp. Cao Cao then dug deep trenches within his own camp to block them, and also dispatched a surprise attack on Yuan Shao's supply wagons, which they successfully captured and burned Yuan Shao's provisions.

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao had been locked in a stalemate for a long time, the people were exhausted, and many defected to Yuan Shao, leaving the army short of food.

Just then, Yuan Shao dispatched Chunyu Qiong and others with more than 10,000 men to welcome the transport wagons coming from the north. Ju Shou advised Yuan Shao: "You can send Jiang Qi with another army as an allied force to launch an attack from the outside, thereby cutting off Cao Cao's encirclement."

Yuan Shao still refused to listen. Chunyu Qiong was stationed at Wuchao, forty li away from Yuan Shao's army. Cao Cao left Cao Hong to guard the area and personally led five thousand cavalry in a night attack on Chunyu Qiong. Yuan Shao sent troops to his aid, but they were defeated and fled.

Cao Cao's army defeated Chunyu Qiong and his men, killing them all. Cao Cao returned to his camp, but before he even reached it, Yuan Shao's generals Gao Lan and Zhang He surrendered with their troops. Yuan Shao's army suffered a crushing defeat, and Yuan Shao and Yuan Tan fled across the river on horseback.

When Yuan Shao fled, Ju Shou was caught and captured before he could cross the river. He met Cao Cao, who tried to persuade him to surrender and join him in his great cause. Ju Shou refused, saying that his entire clan's lives were in Yuan Shao's hands. Cao Cao lamented, "If I had obtained Ju Shou earlier, pacifying the world would have been no problem!" Later, Ju Shou attempted to escape and returned to Yuan Shao, but was killed by Cao Cao.

Ju Shou, whose original name was Yuan Rang and courtesy name was Ju Shou, added much brilliance to Yuan Shao's camp with his talent. In his youth, Ju Shou served as an official in Ji Province and rose to fame for his wit and eloquence.

Whether handling government affairs or dealing with unexpected situations, Ju Shou was always able to cope with them calmly. Some people say that he was one of the closest people to a "strategist" in that era, as he was intelligent, decisive, and insightful.

Ju Shou truly distinguished himself after joining Yuan Shao's camp. In many of Yuan Shao's strategic decisions, Ju Shou offered his opinions, often hitting the nail on the head and helping Yuan Shao win many battles.

His "united resistance against Cao Cao" plan, proposed before the Battle of Guandu, was not fully realized in the end, but his insights accurately predicted Cao Cao's military movements.

Although Ju Shou's strategies brought Yuan Shao many benefits, Yuan Shao could never fully trust him. From Ju Shou's perspective, Yuan Shao was clearly a suspicious man who repeatedly doubted Ju Shou over trivial matters.

Ju Shou felt that he should never become a source of doubt in Yuan Shao's mind, which was perhaps a deep mark on his life.

Ju Shou's ability, talent, and loyalty were not the problem; the problem lay in Yuan Shao's character and his way of treating his subordinates. This lack of trust from such a leader was the root cause of Ju Shou's later fate.

Yuan Shao never truly trusted him completely, nor gave him enough power and opportunity to realize his ideals.

Ju Shou and Sima Yi were both important strategists in the history of the Three Kingdoms. They were both at the heart of that chaotic era and knew how to use their wisdom to gain a foothold. However, they had completely different personalities and ways of dealing with situations.

Ju Shou was upright and resolute, while Sima Yi was someone who was extremely adept at acting discreetly and adjusting his strategies at any time.

Sima Yi's success lay in his ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances. In a turbulent political situation, Sima Yi always maintained a humble stance and chose not to do anything that would be too conspicuous.

He was calm and composed, able to navigate the power struggles between Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Liu Bei with ease. Whether under Cao Cao or later in the political center of Wei, Sima Yi was able to maximize his gains by taking advantage of the existing situation.

Despite his exceptional talent, Ju Shou could never change his straightforward personality. He lacked the necessary flexibility, especially when facing a complex and ever-changing political situation.

After Yuan Shao's death, Ju Shou's judgment of the situation remained within the framework of the past, and he was completely unable to adapt to the arrival of the new situation. He failed to react quickly to some changes in the situation, which led to his gradual exclusion from the center of power.

Sima Yi's philosophy of "being content with one's lot" contrasts sharply with Ju Shou's uprightness. Sima Yi was adept at adjusting his strategies and postures, making precise responses to changes in the situation.

Ju Shou, on the other hand, adhered to his belief in loyalty to Yuan Shao and always upheld his values ​​and principles. This "principle" was both Ju Shou's strength and his greatest weakness.

Ju Shou's fate did not reward his talent; his end reflects how, in the chaotic Three Kingdoms period, those who were both loyal and wise were swallowed up in the vortex of power.

The phrase "wrapped in horsehide to die" was not unfounded for Ju Shou; it was a true reflection of his tragic fate.

After Yuan Shao's death, Ju Shou's fate took a sharp turn for the worse. Yuan Shao's son, Yuan Shang, succeeded him. Yuan Shang was narrow-minded and became more wary of the strategists left behind by his father.

Yuan Shang was young and ambitious, eager to prove himself, and harbored strong suspicions about his father's former subordinates. Unlike his father, Yuan Shang did not value key advisors like Ju Shou, and instead believed that these former officials were doubtful about their loyalty to the new leader.

Ju Shou's abilities and reputation did not help him gain a higher position; on the contrary, they made Yuan Shang more wary of him.

The infighting among the brothers only provided Cao Cao with opportunities, but neither of the Yuan brothers listened. He tried to use his influence to mediate the conflict and persuade Yuan Shang to adopt some strategies to consolidate his power, but these suggestions were repeatedly ignored.

Ju Shou thought he could continue to participate in decision-making, but he did not expect that he had already become a thorn in the side of the new leader. His downfall was not only due to the change in the political landscape, but also directly related to his own personality.

Ju Shou once tried to surrender to Cao Cao and seek new protection, but Cao Cao was extremely indifferent to him. Cao Cao's interest in Ju Shou never lasted. After learning about Ju Shou's relationship with Yuan Shao, he was never able to fully trust this former strategist.

Although Ju Shou showed a certain degree of loyalty to Cao Cao, this loyalty did not bring him any real benefits. "Loyalty does not necessarily bring rewards." In Cao Cao's eyes, Ju Shou was just a character who had been valued by his opponent.

Ju Shou's final choice was to end his own life. The phrase "wrapped in horsehide" does not describe his death as tragic. He did not choose to die a violent death, but voluntarily chose to die. He did not want to become a pawn in someone else's hands, nor did he want to see his loyal allegiance be ruthlessly rejected again.

Ju Shou was rigid and inflexible, while Sima Yi was undoubtedly the representative of "flexibility and adaptability" in that era. He was not only an outstanding strategist but also a politician who controlled the situation.

He was able to navigate complex environments with ease, gradually accumulating power and achieving political dominance in the Wei Kingdom. "Being content with one's lot" was the core philosophy behind Sima Yi's success.

Sima Yi's success was not due to extraordinary military talent or unparalleled strategy, but rather to his profound understanding and adaptation to the changing times. In such a volatile environment, it was impossible to remain stagnant forever. (End of Chapter)