Xianyu Fu

Historical Record

Xianyu Fu, a native of You Province, became renowned in the late Eastern Han and early Three Kingdoms period for his loyalty and contributions to the Cao Wei regime. He initially led his own forces in response to the court's call, was appointed General Who Establishes Loyalty, and was put in charge of the military and civil affairs of the six commanderies of You Province^[1].

During the critical period when Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were in a standoff at Guandu, Xianyu Fu showed his political foresight and firm support for Cao Cao. He went in person to Cao Cao to express his intention to submit. Cao Cao therefore appointed him General of the Left Who Crosses the Liao, enfeoffed him as a Marquis of a Village, and then sent him back to his own province to continue pacifying the region^[1]. This move not only consolidated Cao Cao's influence in You Province but also laid a foundation for Cao Cao's later unification of the north. The Weilüe records that after Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao at Guandu, he said to Xianyu Fu: "When the year before last Benchu sent over the head of Gongsun Zan, I regarded myself as insignificant in comparison, yet now I have overcome him. This is both the will of Heaven and the strength of you and your fellows."^[1] This shows that Cao Cao held the contributions of Xianyu Fu and others in high regard.

After Cao Cao broke Nanpi, Xianyu Fu once again led his forces to follow Cao Cao, taking part in the military campaign against the Wuhuan of the three commanderies, and for this achievement was enfeoffed as a Marquis Within the Passes^[1]. This further raised his standing within the Cao Wei group.

After Cao Pi ascended the throne, Xianyu Fu's standing continued to rise. He was appointed General of the Tiger's Fang, was further promoted to a County Marquis, and ranked among the Specially Advanced^[1]. This shows that he was consistently held in high regard within the Cao Wei regime and enjoyed considerable honor and favor.

Xianyu Fu achieved not only in military and political affairs but also displayed a distinctive quality in personal relationships. He once interceded with Cao Cao on behalf of his friend Xu Miao after Xu Miao spoke carelessly while drunk. At the time, Xu Miao, while intoxicated, called clear wine a "sage" and cloudy wine a "worthy," and was reported by the investigator Zhao Da, which greatly angered Cao Cao. Xianyu Fu spoke up in time to explain: "Ordinarily drunken guests call clear wine the sage and cloudy wine the worthy; Miao is by nature cultivated and cautious, and these were merely the words of a chance bout of drunkenness."^[2] In the end, Xu Miao was thereby spared punishment. This incident not only reflects Xianyu Fu's righteous outspokenness but also indirectly reflects the deep trust between him and Cao Cao.

In the Novel

Romance of the Three Kingdoms does not give detailed literary treatment to the figure of Xianyu Fu; his deeds are scarcely mentioned in the novel. It is therefore impossible to describe his image or storyline from the perspective of the novel.

Key Relationships

* Cao Wei: Xianyu Fu was a firm supporter and important general of the Cao Wei regime. He submitted and pledged loyalty from the very start of Cao Cao's uprising and played a role in major military campaigns such as the Battle of Guandu and the campaign against the Wuhuan^[1]. Both Cao Cao and his son Cao Pi trusted him greatly, entrusting him with heavy responsibilities and continually raising his offices and titles. His close ties with the Cao Wei regime ran through his entire political career.
* Xu Miao: Xianyu Fu and Xu Miao were friends. When Xu Miao faced heavy punishment for careless words spoken while drunk, Xianyu Fu stepped forward and interceded with Cao Cao with an explanation, sparing Xu Miao from punishment^[2]. This incident displays the deep friendship between the two and Xianyu Fu's righteous character.

Iconic Scenes

* Submission and enfeoffment at Guandu: At the critical moment when Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were in a standoff at Guandu, Xianyu Fu went in person to Cao Cao to express his intention to submit, was appointed General of the Left Who Crosses the Liao, enfeoffed as a Marquis of a Village, and sent back to pacify his own province^[1]. This scene not only displays Xianyu Fu's political decisiveness but also marks his formal entry into the Cao Wei camp, contributing to Cao Cao's cause of unifying the north.
* Interceding for Xu Miao: Xu Miao, having spoken carelessly while drunk—calling clear wine a "sage" and cloudy wine a "worthy"—was reported by the investigator Zhao Da, and Cao Cao was greatly angered. At this critical juncture, Xianyu Fu spoke to Cao Cao in explanation, saying that Xu Miao's words were merely those of a chance bout of drunkenness and not a deliberate offense, ultimately sparing Xu Miao from punishment^[2]. This scene highlights Xianyu Fu's righteous outspokenness and the deep trust between him and Cao Cao, and also displays his loyalty and wisdom as a friend.