Yang Xiu

楊修
Courtesy name: Dezu (德祖)
Born
175
Died
219
Ancestral home
Huayin, Hongnong (East of Huayin, Shaanxi)
Book mentions
44
Roles:
advisor politician
Factions:
Cao Cao (primary)
Appears in 4 chapters:
  • Chapter 23 — Mi Heng Slips His Garment And Rails At Traitors; Ji Ping Pledges To Kill The Prime Minister.
    Yang Xiu's debut - Cao Cao's brilliant secretary; the famous 'one cup of strained curds' / 'one man one mouthful' anecdote and the 'wisdom-equals-mine' aside foreshadow his eventual execution at Hanzhong.
  • Chapter 60 — Zhang Song Turns The Table On Yang Xiu; Pang Tong Proposes The Occupation Of Shu.
    Yang Xiu; tests Zhang Song with Cao Cao's military treatise; Zhang Song recites it back word for word - proving the treatise is a copy of an older work. The Yang Xiu / Zhang Song exchange is the chapter's standout intelligence scene.
  • Chapter 71 — At Opposite Hill, Huang Zhong Scores A Success; On The River Han, Zhao Zilong Conquers A Host.
    Yang Xiu; in attendance with Cao Cao.
  • Chapter 72 — Zhuge Liang's Wit Takes Hanzhong; Cao Cao's Army Retires To The Ye Valley.
    Yang Xiu; reads Cao Cao's 'chicken-ribs' watchword and tells the camp to pack - Cao Cao executes him for breaking discipline. The famous 'too clever' death scene; Yang Xiu's previous over-readings of Cao Cao (the box of biscuits, the garden gate, the bowl of cake) are recapped in retrospect.