Lu Bu

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Lü Bu (吕布)
Alias(es)	Lü Fengxian; Marquis Wen; Flying General
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Former ruler of Xuzhou; later serves under Liu Bei as a cavalry commander 32 390
Occupation/Role	Warlord, general, and cavalry commander
Titles	General Who Pacifies the East; General Who Suppresses the North 32 390
Status	Alive; re-employed by Liu Bei after his capture 283 390
First Appearance	Chapter 32

Background / History

Early life and rise

Lü Bu was born in Jiuyuan County of Wuyuan Commandery. Skilled in archery and horsemanship, he spent years resisting northern tribes before Ding Yuan recruited him alongside Zhang Yang, Zhang Liao, and others to serve the Han. 265

Dong Zhuo later used Li Su to induce Lü Bu to kill Ding Yuan. Although Lü Bu initially retained some loyalty to the Han court, repeated reversals after Dong Zhuo's fall—being mistrusted by Yuan Shu, nearly assassinated after serving Yuan Shao, and threatened while under Zhang Yang—made him increasingly self-interested. Chen Gong subsequently encouraged his move against Yanzhou. 265

Rule of Xuzhou

After seizing Xuzhou, Lü Bu possessed no unified core army; his followers included remnants of Ding Yuan's old Bing Province forces, men supported by Zhang Yang, and later recruits. His rule depended largely on his personal martial intimidation. 32

His habit of pursuing his generals' wives bred resentment and contributed to Hao Meng's rebellion at Xiapi. After suppressing the uprising with Gao Shun's help, Lü Bu became deeply suspicious: he stripped Gao Shun of command over the Trap-Breaking Battalion, distanced himself from Chen Gong, and trusted few of his followers. 32

Cao Cao appointed him General Who Pacifies the East. Yuan Shu then sought Lü Bu's daughter as a bride for his son; Lü Bu initially accepted the alliance but recalled her after Chen Gui warned that association with Yuan Shu would damage his standing with the Imperial Court. 32

Alliances, profit, and rivalry with Liu Bei

Lü Bu repeatedly alternated between cooperating with and undermining Liu Bei. He joined Liu Bei in the campaign against Shouchun, volunteered to act as vanguard, and was impressed by Liu Bei's rapidly expanding army. 87

After the Huainan settlement, he left peacefully because the terms still offered him profit and the chance to rebuild his force. He retained the captured Qin Song as an adviser and later maintained commercial ties with Liu Bei's territory, even forbidding private taxes on Liu Bei's goods. 113 142

His northern campaign with Zang Ba initially took several Qingzhou territories from Yuan Tan, but Ju Shou's intervention forced him to retreat to Xiapi. Alarmed by Liu Bei's growing strength and persuaded by both Chen Gong and Qin Song, Lü Bu ultimately broke with Liu Bei and prepared a southern attack. 254

Defeat in Huainan and Xuzhou

Lü Bu attacked Shouchun believing its defenses weak, but Qin Tian and Chen Deng had drawn him into a trap. His assaults failed against the city's prepared defenses, and Qin Tian ambushed his rear with allied troops. 268

During the ensuing battle, Lü Bu personally broke through Qin Tian's formation, slew one commander, wounded Xiahou Lan, and nearly reached Qin Tian. Zhang Liao's intervention and the collapse of Lü Bu's supporting troops forced him to withdraw; of the 9,000 men he had brought to besiege Shouchun, nearly 5,000 were lost. 269

Successive defections and losses followed. Chen Deng deceived him into attacking Dongcheng, Xiapi fell, and Lü Bu fainted from rage upon receiving the news. His battered army was eventually driven into Tan County, where roughly 14,000 remaining troops faced an encircling force of more than 50,000. 273 274

Capture and later service

Internal resentment culminated in a mutiny within Tan County. Lü Bu fought his way through the rebels, killing Cheng Lian and defending his residence, but Qin Tian's forces entered through the breached gates. 280

While attempting to break out, Lü Bu was knocked from his horse by Zhao Yun and captured alive. He offered to serve Liu Bei, but Qin Tian questioned whether his long history of betrayal could be trusted. 281

Liu Bei ultimately spared him after Qin Tian argued that Lü Bu no longer had the political foundation to threaten Liu Bei's power. 283

For years afterward, Lü Bu lived comfortably on Liu Bei's provisions and did not seek to restore an independent domain. Liu Bei eventually returned him to service, pairing him with Zhao Yun in cavalry operations against the Qiang around Guanzhong and Western Liang. Their campaigns subdued dozens of settlements; Lü Bu received a thousand-household fief and the title General Who Suppresses the North. 390

Appearance

Lü Bu is depicted as an exceptionally tall, burly man, standing over a zhang in height. He has a high-bridged nose, deep-set eyes, and tiger-like whiskers beneath his jaw. 32

• Tall and powerfully built. 32 281
• High nose bridge and deep-set eyes. 32
• Distinctive tiger-like facial hair. 32
• Later grows noticeably heavier, with a rounder face after years away from battle. 390

Personality

Lü Bu is proud, volatile, and highly responsive to praise. Flattery from Liu Bei, Sun Ce, and their advisers repeatedly softens his hostility and makes him more receptive to alliances or proposals that benefit his reputation and wealth. 32 85 91 98

He is greedy for money, provisions, territory, women, and personal comfort. His desire to retain war spoils and avoid sharing them with allies frequently shapes his decisions, while his plundering of civilians is treated as a known part of his conduct. 46 62 84

His greatest political flaw is distrust. The Hao Meng rebellion left him suspicious of Gao Shun, Chen Gong, Zhang Liao, and other subordinates; this suspicion repeatedly prevents him from accepting sound advice and contributes directly to his collapse. 32 278

Despite his ruthlessness, Lü Bu is strongly attached to his household and certain longtime followers. He prioritizes recovering his wife and daughter during the Tan County siege, and he openly weeps after Cao Xing dies protecting him. 275 280

Abilities & Skills

Martial Prowess

Lü Bu is regarded as one of the era's foremost individual warriors. His personal strength can reverse collapsing formations and force opponents to commit elite generals merely to contain him. 269 281

• Broke through Qin Tian's ambushing formation despite his army's exhaustion. 269
• Killed an enemy commander and knocked Xiahou Lan from his horse in rapid succession. 269
• Fought through dense enemy ranks and escaped an encirclement after confronting Zhang Liao. 269
• Slaughtered mutineers within Tan County and personally killed Cheng Lian. 280
• His effectiveness declines when exhausted, trapped, or confronted by coordinated opponents such as Zhao Yun, Gan Ning, and Qin Tian's forces. 273 281

Cavalry Command

Lü Bu's handling of cavalry is described as unmatched. His mounted charges are fast, aggressive, and capable of rupturing enemy formations. 275 390

• Previously led Cheng Lian, Wei Yue, and other mounted officers in repeated charges that broke Zhang Yan's formations. 275
• Commanded cavalry alongside Zhao Yun during Liu Bei's Hebei campaign and penetrated Yuan Tan's central army. 390
• Helped sweep Qiang settlements around Guanzhong and Western Liang over a two-year period. 390
• His cavalry skill does not compensate for poor strategic judgment, inadequate reconnaissance, or attacks launched without securing his rear. 268 269

Command Presence

Lü Bu possesses an innate ability to rally troops through personal example. His soldiers repeatedly regroup when he enters combat himself. 281

• His appearance in battle restores morale among troops shaken by mutiny and siege. 280 281
• His personal bravery allows him to lead charges from the front rather than command from safety. 269
• His forces become unstable when he is despondent, indecisive, or absent from the field. 274 278

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Great halberd — Lü Bu's primary battlefield weapon; used during his charge against Qin Tian's forces. 269
• Sword — Given to him by Chen Gong during the Tan County mutiny; used to kill several attackers in close quarters. 280

Relationships

• Liu Bei — Alternating ally, rival, captor, and eventual lord. Lü Bu repeatedly cooperates with Liu Bei for profit or security, later betrays him, and is eventually spared and re-employed by him. 87 254 283 390
• Qin Tian — Principal strategic adversary. Qin Tian repeatedly manipulates Lü Bu's suspicions, defeats him through layered traps, captures him, and later argues for sparing his life. 107 268 281 283
• Chen Gong — Adviser whose relationship with Lü Bu is strained by mistrust. Chen Gong continues offering military counsel despite being ignored and remains with Lü Bu through his final siege. 32 278 280
• Zhang Liao — Former follower and close associate. Zhang Liao defects to save Lü Bu's life, later blocks him in battle, and still pleads for his former lord after the capture. 265 269 281
• Gao Shun — Loyal general whose command of the Trap-Breaking Battalion was removed after Hao Meng's rebellion; he remains devoted to Lü Bu despite this treatment. 32 265
• Chen Gui and Chen Deng — The Chen father and son initially advise and serve Lü Bu, but Chen Deng ultimately leaks intelligence and helps bring about the fall of Xuzhou. 32 254 273
• Qin Song — Captured Sun Ce adviser whom Lü Bu coerces into service. Qin Song later defects during the Tan County siege, providing Qin Tian with information on Lü Bu's defenses. 113 278
• Wei Xu — Lü Bu's kinsman and subordinate. After being severely punished for losing Xiapi, Wei Xu turns against Lü Bu, captures his family, and advocates for his death. 276 281
• Wei Yue — Loyal subordinate who remains with Lü Bu during the final breakout attempt and is imprisoned alongside him after refusing to surrender. 281
• Yan Shi — Lü Bu's principal wife and mother of his sole daughter; her capture becomes a major pressure point during the siege of Tan County. 275

Notable Quotes

“Lu Bu is here! Whoever dares take another step forward shall all be slain!” 280