Jia Xu | Wei

Name:Jia Xu

Age:53 (Born 147 AD)

Appearance: Jia Xu is a 5'8" middle-aged man with a sharp face and dark eyes. He has dark hair past his shoulders that he leaves loose, and is rarely seen without his signature purple bandana/headscarf tied around the top of his head. He has a thin mustache and a sharp goatee. He is typically clad in purple armor and robes, in contrast with the preferred color of blue for most Wei officers. He usually has a hidden knife somewhere on his body.

Personality: Sly and quick-witted, Jia Xu deems his role as a strategist to hold utmost importance to him. Loyalty, fairness, nor patriotism fit his business agenda. Experience has taught him to seek lasting results rather than try to maintain lofty ideals. He will do anything within his power to obtain them. Underhanded tactics are not above his stature; if he feels they give succor to his cause he will use them. Should he meet failure he simply hops to another creative possibility which interests him, and is someone who carefully considers possible setbacks while also deeming them necessary in life.

Jia Xu approaches people with a relaxed, honest and somewhat cynical temperament. His words may have no apparent malice, but they often rouse a feeling of weary caution to those around him. Jia Xu talks with a snappy rhythm and tends to say the phrase, "Aha-haa", a type of amused acknowledgement. Jia Xu is acknowledged multiple times for his immense intellect, including by Cao Cao. Even Guo Jia has the opportunity to state that Jia Xu is the smartest person in Wei. Jia Xu also thinks highly of Xun You, but he also enjoys teasing the man's overly serious-and-occasionally-dull work ethic.

Jia Xu isn't completely detached from his feelings as he seems, given his tendency to chuckle and make light of any situation. Even he is surprised by Dian Wei's demise and Cao Cao's forgiveness. Other spontaneous acts which are beyond his expectations trigger similar dumbfounded reactions from the strategist. He is quite impressed at Cao Pi's talent and ambition, often praising the youth during battle. He is also friends with Guo Jia who he often refers to as "Young Master". Guo Jia entrusts Jia Xu with the task of protecting and serving Cao Cao in the occasion that Guo Jia dies early. Jia Xu is considered the "old man strategist" of the cast, one with sharp eyes and a rhythmic speech pattern. Jia Xu is a character who seemingly "devours other people with his words".

Jia Xu’s weapon of choice is a large sickle on a chain.

Background: Jia Xu, from Guzang County, was initially unremarkable but gained attention from Yan Zhong for his talents. After a brief civil service career, Jia Xu returned home due to illness and was captured by rebels. He lied about his identity and was released, while the other captives were killed. In 189, he served as an assistant official under Dong Zhuo and later advised Dong Zhuo’s loyalists, including Li Jue, after Dong Zhuo’s assassination. Jia Xu played a key role in avoiding conflicts among Li Jue's faction and was respected, though also regarded with suspicion.

After refusing to join a plot involving Emperor Xian, Jia Xu defected from Li Jue’s camp. He joined Duan Wei but found his position precarious, as Duan Wei feared Jia Xu would usurp him. In 196, Jia Xu secretly contacted Zhang Xiu and joined his forces, eventually aiding Zhang Xiu against Cao Cao.

In 198, Jia Xu played a pivotal role in a surprise attack that killed Cao Cao’s son, nephew, and bodyguard Dian Wei. Despite this, Jia Xu convinced Zhang Xiu to surrender to Cao Cao, knowing that Cao Cao’s power would provide more opportunities. Cao Cao, impressed by Jia Xu's abilities, forgave him and welcomed him into his service.