Guo Tu

Guo Tu (died 205) was an advisor to the warlord Yuan Shao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. Yuan often sought his advice for civil and military decisions.

Serving Yuan Shao

The forces of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao clashed at the Battle of Guandu. Yuan dispatched Chunyu Qiong and others to guard the Wuchao granaries, where he kept his food supplies. Cao Cao personally led a raid on Wuchao with few men in disguise as Yuan's troops, as to debilitate Yuan. Zhang He, one of Yuan's generals, said to his lord: "Duke Cao's armies are elite, they would surely defeat Chunyu Qiong. After Chunyu Qiong is defeated, the army will scatter. Instead, let me and Gao Lan reinforce Wuchao." Guo remarked, "Zhang He's plans are bad. Instead, let us attack the original source (referring to Cao Cao's main camp), power will surely return to our side." "This explanation is why reinforcements should not be sent." Zhang He then replied: "Duke Cao's encampment is solidified, it is too hard to uproot. If Chunyu Qiong's camp is captured we will be depleted and captured in turn." "Cao will be too enveloped in taking Wuchao to leave a guard. I entreat you to attack his main camp."