In the late Eastern Han dynasty, warlords carved up the realm, attacking and annexing one another. The imperial court was corrupt, relatives of the empress and eunuchs meddled in government, and the country was in turmoil. Xun Yu rose to prominence amid this chaos and was hailed as a man of exceptional ability, fit to serve as a king's chief adviser. Gifted from a young age and recommended by a renowned scholar, he was nominated as a Filial and Incorruptible candidate in the first year of the Yonghan era (189) and appointed Director of Palace Supplies, responsible for the emperor's writing brushes, ink, paper, and other items. Thus this descendant of Xunzi formally entered the historical stage, assisting Cao Cao and working with him toward great ambitions. He embarked on a momentous career and became a celebrated politician and strategist of his time.
