In Fiction
In Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Xu made his first appearance in chapter 13, where he served under Yang Feng, a general in the capital Chang'an. Together they escorted Emperor Xian back to Luoyang after the death of Dong Zhuo, who had been holding the emperor hostage.
When Cao Cao came to Luoyang to fetch the emperor to Xuchang, Yang sent out Xu Huang to deter him. Seeing the formidable Xu Huang on his horse, Cao knew he was an extraordinary man. Cao then dispatched his own personal bodyguard and one of his fiercest warriors Xu Chu to duel with the enemy. Neither side could gain an advantage over each other after 50 bouts, by then Cao was very impressed by Xu Huang's skill. Not wanting either duelist to get hurt, Cao then called for Xu Chu to retreat. Knowing his lord intended to recruit Xu Huang, Man Chong, a subject of Cao and a fellow townsman of Xu Huang, volunteered to persuade Xu to defect. That very night, Man disguised himself as a common soldier and sneaked into Xu's tent. After some persuasion, Xu was won over. Man then suggested slaying Yang Feng as a gesture of defection. However, Xu was a righteous man and refused to kill his former superior.
Xu, along with Zhang Liao, was the closest friend to Guan Yu during the latter's service under Cao Cao. They meet again when Xu led Cao Cao's army against Guan while Lü Meng was attacking Jing Province. After exchanging pleasantries, Xu shouted to his men offering 1,000 pieces of gold for whoever that took Guan's head. Guan was stunned, and Xu remarked that as he was on official duty, and he would not allow his private friendship with Guan to affect his performance.
In the novel, Xu met his end outside Xincheng, where he was shot in his forehead by Meng Da from the city wall. His men immediately took him back to camp, where the physician removed the arrow and tried to heal him, but Xu eventually died later that night. The novel claimed that he was 59 years old, but this figure is not supported by any historical record. Xu is also widely regarded as one of Cao Cao's greatest generals, along with Zhang Liao, Yue Jin, and Zhang He.
Read more about this topic: Xu Huang
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