Xu Shu

Xu Shu is a supporting character in the 14th-century Chinese classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by the late Luo Guanzhong, and its multiple adaptations. He was born in the late Eastern Han dynasty and used to be a vigilante swordsman in his early life. However, after running into trouble with the authorities, he renounced his old ways and took up scholarly pursuits.

History
When Cao Cao admired Xu Shu, and hoped to pull Xu Shu to his side by holding Xu Shu's mother and taking his mother to the country's capital Wei. Xu Shu, who was known for the kindness of a child to his mother, that left Liu Bei and went looking for his mother. But he promised Liu Bei that he would not give any advice to Cao Cao. During the Battle of Chibi, Xu Shu was in Cao Cao's camp when Pang Tong advised Cao Cao to tie ships together with a chain to avoid seasickness because Cao Cao's soldiers were not used to the war at sea.

Xu Shu is could guess that this trick was to help Zhou Yu's fire attack to attack the Cao Cao's ship. While Xu Shu asked Pang Tong how to escape, and he was told to spread rumors that Ma Teng and Han Sui were leading a rebellion against Cao Cao. Cao Cao then ordered Xu Shu to finish the rebellion, from which Xu Shu was able to escape. Little information that Xu Shu recommended Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei, who later became one of the most important people and advisor and strategist trusted by Liu Bei.

Personality
Xu Shu is a very humble man in Liu Bei's service. He has little ambition, no self-confidence, and thinks he fails his purpose especially when compared to Zhuge Liang. While he is remains very sympathetic to Liu Bei during most of his appearances.

Trivia

 * He is a playable character in the Dynasty Warriors series.