Xun Xu was an exceptionally learned man.
Of the three great treacherous ministers, he was probably the most erudite and the cleverest.
He was versed in the Classics, skilled in musical theory, proficient in law, and an accomplished painter. He knew how to judge people, administer government, and get things done.
It could be said that, aside from leading troops into battle, he was first-rate in every respect.
One point worth mentioning was that Xun Xu's mother's surname was Zhong.
She was Zhong Yao's niece and Zhong Hui's older paternal cousin... so Zhong Hui was also Xun Xu's maternal uncle-not some distant relation, but his actual maternal uncle.
When Xun Xu had just turned ten, he went to see Zhong Yao. The aged Zhong Yao stroked his head and said with gratification, "This child will surely match his great-grandfather one day!"
And how had Zhong Hui assessed him at the time?
Oh, Zhong Hui was still nursing then.
Xun Xu really was very capable. During his tenure as a county magistrate, he had governed so well that the local people established a living shrine for him, an achievement few ministers could claim.
Later, while serving in numerous other posts, his administrative accomplishments were also outstanding.
He had served as Director of the Secretariat. Though he had not reached Pei Xiu's standard of "not a single error in four years," he had fulfilled his duties conscientiously throughout his tenure.
He had examined officials from document clerks downward, verified their abilities impartially and objectively, and dismissed a great many wine sacks and rice bags.
As for why he had left behind a reputation as a treacherous minister, that was chiefly because he was too clever for his own good.
Xun Xu was far too adept at reading his sovereign's mind and knew