NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Lü Bu

Lü Bu (? – 198) was a military general during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms Period in ancient China. According to the Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Lü Bu was a master in horse riding, archery, and armed combat, and was thus known as the Flying General. His image as a handsome and mighty warrior wielding a halberd on top of his steed Red Hare was later popularized by the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Download high resolution version (341x615, 122 KB)Portrait of Lü Bu from a Qing Dynasty edition of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms File links The following pages link to this file: Lü Bu Categories: Public domain images ... Download high resolution version (341x615, 122 KB)Portrait of Lü Bu from a Qing Dynasty edition of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms File links The following pages link to this file: Lü Bu Categories: Public domain images ... The Qing Dynasty (Manchu: daicing gurun; Chinese: 清朝; pinyin: qīng cháo; Wade-Giles: ching chao), sometimes known as the Manchu Dynasty, was founded by the Manchu clan Aisin Gioro, in what is today northeast China expanded into China proper and the surrounding territories of Inner Asia, establishing the... Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Simplified Chinese: 三国演义; Traditional Chinese: 三國演義, Pinyin: sān guó yǎn yì), written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel about the turbulent period often referred to as the Three Kingdoms (220-280). ... Chinese personal names follow a number of different conventions from Western personal names. ... Simplified Chinese characters (Simplified Chinese: 简体字; Traditional Chinese: 簡體字; pinyin: jiǎntǐzì; also called 简化字/簡化字, jiǎnhuàzì) are one of two standard character sets of printed contemporary Chinese written language. ... Traditional Chinese characters are one of two standard character sets of printed contemporary Chinese written language. ... Pinyin (拼音, pīnyīn) literally means join (together) sounds (a less literal translation being phoneticize, spell or transcription) in Chinese and usually refers to Hànyǔ Pīnyīn (汉语拼音, literal meaning: Han language pinyin), which is a system of romanization (phonetic notation and transliteration to roman script) for Standard Mandarin used in the... Wade-Giles, sometimes abbreviated Wade, is a Romanization (phonetic notation and transliteration) system for the Chinese language based on Mandarin. ... A Chinese courtesy name, sometimes also known as a style name, was a pseudonym that was used in place of a given name by educated Chinese up until the 20th century. ... Events Publius Septimius Geta receives the title of Caesar. ... The Han Dynasty (Traditional Chinese characters: 漢朝, Simplified Chinese characters: 汉朝, pinyin Hàncháo 202 BC - AD 220) followed the Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms in China. ... The Three Kingdoms period (Traditional Chinese characters: 三國, Simplified Chinese characters: 三国, pinyin Sānguó) is a period in the History of China. ... The Sānguó Zhì (Chinese 三国志, or 三國誌), variously translated as Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms, Records of the Three States and Records of the Three Kingdoms was the official and authoritative historical text compiled by Chen Shou during the Chinese Jin Dynasty (265-420) on the period of the Three... horse, see Horse (disambiguation). ... Archers in Competition Archery is the practice of using a bow to shoot arrows. ... Red Hare was the extraordinary horse that Dong Zhuo presented to Lü Bu along with gold, pearls, and a belt of jade to persuade Lü Bu to murder his stepfather, Ding Yuan, and join Dong Zhuo in the historical novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. ... Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Simplified Chinese: 三国演义; Traditional Chinese: 三國演義, Pinyin: sān guó yǎn yì), written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel about the turbulent period often referred to as the Three Kingdoms (220-280). ...

Besides being matchless on the battlefield, Lü Bu was also the synonym of frivolous, having betrayed and slayed his own masters twice. He was perhaps most well-known for his amorous relationship with the fictional Diao Chan which led to his slaying of his adoptive father Dong Zhuo, the tyrannical warlord who held the figurehead Emperor Xian in his power. Diao Chan (Simplified Chinese: 貂蝉; Traditional Chinese: 貂蟬, Pinyin: Diāo Chán) was one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. ... Dǒng Zhuō (董卓; stylename: Zhongying 仲颖) (139? - 192 AD) was a general in the Later Han Dynasty of ancient China. ... Format of naming convention in English is under discussion at Wikipedia talk:Naming conventions (Chinese). ...

Lü Bu was eventually defeated and captured by Cao Cao in Xiapi (下邳). Having little trust in the capricious character, Cao Cao then had Lü Bu hanged. Cáo Cāo (曹操, pronounced Tsao Tsao) (155-220), courtesy name Mèngdé (孟德), was the self-appointed Imperial Secretarist of the Han Dynasty and the de facto ruler of Northern China (as the Kingdom of Wei) during the beginning of the period of Three Kingdoms. ... A battle fought in 198 AD. A mightly warrior by the name of Lu Bu had stolen the land of Xia Pi from Liu Bei. ...

Life

Services under Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo

A local of the county of Jiuyuan in the Wuyuan Commandery (a district of present day Baotou, Shaanxi), Lü Bu started his career as the Chief Secretary under Bingzhou (并州) Governor Ding Yuan. In 189, Ding Yuan led his troops into Luoyang to assist General-in-Chief He Jin to eliminate the powerful eunuch faction. However, He Jin was soon assassinated and a bloody clash between the eunuchs and government officials that ensued saw the capital plunged into chaos. Baotou (包头) is the largest city in Inner Mongolia, Peoples Republic of China. ... Not to be confused with the neighboring province of Shanxi Shaanxi (Simplified Chinese: 陕西; Traditional Chinese: 陝西; pinyin: Shǎnxī; Wade-Giles: Shan-hsi; Postal System Pinyin: Shensi, pronounced like Shahn-shee) is a northwestern province of the Peoples Republic of China, and includes portions of the Loess Plateau on... Ding Yuan (? - 189) was a rival warlord to Dong Zhou. ... Luoyang(洛阳) (Simplified Chinese: 洛阳; Traditional Chinese: 洛陽; pinyin: ) is a city in Henan province, China. ... He Jin as portrayed in the CCTV series Romance of the Three Kingdoms. ...

Dong Zhuo, another warlord summoned into Luoyang by He Jin, quickly established control. Under enticement from this rising power, Lü Bu soon defected. He even severed his former master's head and brought it to Dong Zhuo as a gesture of allegiance. The duo then swore to be father and son. Dǒng Zhuō (董卓; stylename: Zhongying 仲颖) (139? - 192 AD) was a general in the Later Han Dynasty of ancient China. ...

To consolidate his power, Dong Zhuo placed in the throne a puppet emperor and moved the capital west to Chang'an. These acts, coupled with his tyrannical and cruel ways, angered many and the risk of assassination was high. For his personal safety, Dong Zhuo depended heavily on Lü Bu, who had by then been promoted to Knight General (中郎将). The son shadowed the father almost all the time. For the town in the Guangdong province of China, see Changan Town Changan listen? ( Simplified Chinese: 长安; Traditional Chinese: 長安; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chang-an) is the ancient capital of more than 10 dynasties in China. ...

However, in his frequent bouts of temper Dong Zhuo would hurl a halberd at Lü Bu. Although the agile Lü Bu could always duck the throw, and Dong Zhuo's fury would dissipate quickly, Lü Bu nonetheless bore a furtive displeasure against his adoptive father. Furthermore, being entrusted to guard the residence of Dong Zhuo, Lü Bu held an amorous affair with one of Dong Zhuo's chambermaids. For this he was constantly in fear of being discovered.

In 192, encouraged by Imperial Minister of the Interior (司徒) Wang Yun, Lü Bu finally made up his mind to murder Dong Zhuo. Bringing along a dozen trusted man, including Cavalry Captain Li Su, Lü Bu greeted Dong Zhuo at the palace gate. When Li Su stepped up and stabbed Dong Zhuo, the obese warlord cried out for his son. But saying "This is an imperial order," Lü Bu delivered the fatal blow. Wang Yun was the father of Diao Chan, and is most famous for creating the great rift that led to the death of Dong Zhuo at the hands of Lu Bu. ... Li Su was a famous general of the late Han Dynasty. ...

Days of exile

After the death of Dong Zhuo, rumors spread that the court intended to execute all his former troops from Liangzhou (凉州). When a royal decree of pardon was not issued, former subjects of Dong Zhuo, Li Jue and Guo Si (郭汜), staged a coup and defeated Lü Bu within ten days. Escaping from Chang'an, Lü Bu went to Yuan Shu in Yangzhou (杨州). Deterred by Lü Bu's fickleness, however, Yuan Shu declined to keep him. Li Jue (simplified Chinese: 李傕) (died 197) took command of Dong Zhuos empire after the latter was assassinated by Lü Bu, and in this way gained control of the Han emperor. ... Yuan Shu (袁术; style name Gonglu 公路) (?? - 199) was a major warlord of the Later Han Dynasty who rose to prominence following the collapse of the Han court in 189. ...

Lü Bu then headed north to seek a position under Yuan Shao. Having been given some troops by the northern warlord, Lü Bu successfully flushed out the bandit army under Zhang Yan (张燕). However, with his own force growing in strength, Lü Bu was beginning to seem like a threat to Yuan Shao. Sensing this himself, Lü Bu then bid his short-term master farewell. Yuan Shao sent assassins after Lü Bu but the latter managed to slip away. Portrait of Yuan Shao from a Qing Dynasty edition of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. ...

In 194, while Cao Cao was away on a campaign against Tao Qian (陶谦) in Xuzhou (徐州), his subjects Zhang Miao (张邈) and Chen Gong (陈宫) rebelled and handed Yanzhou (兖州) to Lü Bu. When Cao Cao heard the news, he quickly turned back and laid siege on Lü Bu in Puyang (濮阳). After more than hundred days of stalemate, a famine breakout forced Lü Bu to give up his position. Cáo Cāo (曹操, pronounced Tsao Tsao) (155-220), courtesy name Mèngdé (孟德), was the self-appointed Imperial Secretarist of the Han Dynasty and the de facto ruler of Northern China (as the Kingdom of Wei) during the beginning of the period of Three Kingdoms. ...

Occupation of Xuzhou

Thinking that by forcing Cao Cao's retreat he had done Xuzhou a favor, Lü Bu then headed for Xiapi (下邳) to seek refuge under Liu Bei, who was then the governor of Xuzhou. In 196, however, Lü Bu turned on his host and took over Xiapi, proclaiming himself the governor and sending Liu Bei to the nearby town of Xiaopei (小沛). A battle fought in 198 AD. A mightly warrior by the name of Lu Bu had stolen the land of Xia Pi from Liu Bei. ... Liu Bei was the founder of the Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period of China. ...

In the same year, Yuan Shu sent a force led by Ji Ling to attack Liu Bei. Fearing that the defeat of Liu Bei would expose his backdoor to Yuan Shu, Lü Bu made camp south of Xiaopei and brought Ji Ling and Liu Bei together. The Flying General then had a halberd erected at the campground gate. Urging peace between both parties, Lü Bu extracted their promises to withdraw troops if he could hit the sharp tongue of the halberd with an arrow. From afar, Lü Bu fired a shot and the missile came in squarely on its target. Awed by such mastery in archery, the two sides then abode by their words. An Officer under Yuan Shu, he lead a campaign against the three brothers Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. ...

To ward off the expansion of Cao Cao's power, Yuan Shu then offered to ally with Lü Bu. Lü Bu initially agreed but soon regretted. He even sent men to retrieve his daughter, who was on her way to be married to Yuan Shu's son. Lü Bu also imprisoned Yuan Shu's envoy and sent the captive to Cao Cao as a sign of friendship.

In 198, however, Lü Bu again switched his allegiance to Yuan Shu and attacked Liu Bei in Xiaopei. The defeated Liu Bei sought help from Cao Cao, who then personally led a force on Xiapi. After three months of siege and many consecutive losses, Lü Bu subjects were down in morale and defected. Lü Bu had no choice but to surrender himself.

Tightly bound and brought before Cao Cao, Lü Bu pledged his service. However, being reminded by Liu Bei of the fate of Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao then had the dangerous captive hanged.

Lü Bu in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a historical novel by Luo Guanzhong, was a romanticization of the events that occurred before and during the Three Kingdoms Period. It painted Lü Bu as an unbeatable warrior in duels but an incapable leader of armies, being further marred with character flaws. While staying true to history in the general course of events, Luo Guanzhong exaggerated or sentimentalized many stories about Lü Bu, drawing inspirations from a wide array of folklore and traditional operas. These stories include: Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Simplified Chinese: 三国演义; Traditional Chinese: 三國演義, Pinyin: sān guó yǎn yì), written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel about the turbulent period often referred to as the Three Kingdoms (220-280). ... An historical novel is a novel in which the story is set among historical events, or more generally, where the time the action takes place in predates the lifetime of the author -- distinguish and contrast the alternate history genre. ... Luo Guanzhong or Lo Kuan-chung (羅貫中) was a 14th century Chinese author attributed with writing Romance of the Three Kingdoms and editing Outlaws of the Marsh, two of the most revered adventure epics in Chinese literature. ... The Three Kingdoms period (Traditional Chinese characters: 三國, Simplified Chinese characters: 三国, pinyin Sānguó) is a period in the History of China. ...

Lü Bu (left) standing beside Ding Yuan in the 84-episode TV serial Romance of the Three Kingdoms This is a screenshot of a copyrighted movie or television program. ... Lü Bu (left) standing beside Ding Yuan in the 84-episode TV serial Romance of the Three Kingdoms This is a screenshot of a copyrighted movie or television program. ... Ding Yuan (? - 189) was a rival warlord to Dong Zhou. ... Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Simplified Chinese: 三国演义; Traditional Chinese: 三國演義, Pinyin: sān guó yǎn yì), written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel about the turbulent period often referred to as the Three Kingdoms (220-280). ...

Defection to Dong Zhuo

Lü Bu first appeared in Chapter 3 as the adopted son of Ding Yuan, who opposed Dong Zhuo's plan to depose the emperor. Dong Zhuo intended to kill Ding Yuan but feared the strength of Lü Bu. Li Su, a general under Dong Zhuo and a fellow townsman of Lü Bu, then volunteered to persuade the formidable warrior to defect. Ding Yuan (? - 189) was a rival warlord to Dong Zhou. ... Dǒng Zhuō (董卓; stylename: Zhongying 仲颖) (139? - 192 AD) was a general in the Later Han Dynasty of ancient China. ... Li Su was a famous general of the late Han Dynasty. ...

Bringing along a famous steed named Red Hare, a thousand taels of gold, dozens of pearls and a jade belt, Li Su came to see Lü Bu, who was encamped outside the city. It did not take much persuasion to convince Lü Bu to betray his master. That very night, Lü Bu carried a sword into the tent of Ding Yuan, who was reading under the candlelight. Red Hare was the extraordinary horse that Dong Zhuo presented to Lü Bu along with gold, pearls, and a belt of jade to persuade Lü Bu to murder his stepfather, Ding Yuan, and join Dong Zhuo in the historical novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. ...

With a stroke of his sword Lü Bu cut down his master's head, which he brought to Dong Zhuo the next morning. Lü Bu then took Dong Zhuo as his new adoptive father, who was overjoyed and showered his newly adopted son with more gifts.

Battle with three heroes at Hulao Pass

Since he placed the puppet Emperor Xian in the throne, Dong Zhuo's tyrannical and cruel ways had angered many warlords around the country. The warlords formed a coalition under Yuan Shao in 190 and came for Dong Zhuo in the capital Luoyang. Format of naming convention in English is under discussion at Wikipedia talk:Naming conventions (Chinese). ... Portrait of Yuan Shao from a Qing Dynasty edition of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. ... Luoyang(洛阳) (Simplified Chinese: 洛阳; Traditional Chinese: 洛陽; pinyin: ) is a city in Henan province, China. ...

However, they were stopped at Hulao Pass, 50 li from Luoyang. Riding forth on his Red Hare, his halberd in hand, Lü Bu taunted for challengers to duel him. Wielding his Eight-Zhang Serpent Spear, Zhang Fei galloped out to fight Lü Bu. The three sworn brothers – Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei – joined hands to fight Lü Bu at Hulao Pass in the 84-episode TV serial Romance of the Three Kingdoms Template:Film screenshot File links The following pages link to this file: Lü Bu ... The three sworn brothers – Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei – joined hands to fight Lü Bu at Hulao Pass in the 84-episode TV serial Romance of the Three Kingdoms Template:Film screenshot File links The following pages link to this file: Lü Bu ... Liu Bei was the founder of the Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period of China. ... A statue of Guan Yu on an altar Guan Yu (關羽; style name Changsheng 長生, Yunchang 雲長; 160 – 219) was a military commander of Han Dynasty China. ... In the Romance of Three Kingdoms, Zhāng Fēi (張飛)(168?-222 AD), courtesy name Yìdé (翼德), was first a butcher, than an officer of the Kingdom of Shu and the second member of the Five Tiger Generals. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Simplified Chinese: 三国演义; Traditional Chinese: 三國演義, Pinyin: sān guó yǎn yì), written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel about the turbulent period often referred to as the Three Kingdoms (220-280). ... This article needs to be wikified. ... Li: A Chinese unit of distance, 里(Lǐ), a li is equal to 500 metres, or about 1/3 mile, in ancient times, during the Chin and Han dynasties. ... Red Hare was the extraordinary horse that Dong Zhuo presented to Lü Bu along with gold, pearls, and a belt of jade to persuade Lü Bu to murder his stepfather, Ding Yuan, and join Dong Zhuo in the historical novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. ... In the Romance of Three Kingdoms, Zhāng Fēi (張飛)(168?-222 AD), courtesy name Yìdé (翼德), was first a butcher, than an officer of the Kingdom of Shu and the second member of the Five Tiger Generals. ...

Neither could gain an advantage over the other for more than fifty bouts. Then Guan Yu, brandishing his Green Dragon Crescent Sabre, dashed out to assist his brother. The three fighters were engaged in another thirty bouts or so when Liu Bei, holding up his Dual Swords, also joined the battle. A statue of Guan Yu on an altar Guan Yu (關羽; style name Changsheng 長生, Yunchang 雲長; 160 – 219) was a military commander of Han Dynasty China. ... Liu Bei was the founder of the Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period of China. ...

Like a merry-go-round the three brothers galloped in a circle caging Lü Bu inside. Unable to face the combined efforts of his three opponents, Lü Bu then made a feign at Liu Bei and retreated through the resulting gap back to the pass gate.

Slaying of Dong Zhuo

After Dong Zhuo moved the capital to the more strategically sound Chang'an, Minister of Interior Wang Yun started to contemplate a plot to assassinate the tyrant by using Diao Chan, a song girl who was brought up in his household but whom he had been treating like his own daughter, to plant the seed of dissension between Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu. For the town in the Guangdong province of China, see Changan Town Changan listen? ( Simplified Chinese: 长安; Traditional Chinese: 長安; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chang-an) is the ancient capital of more than 10 dynasties in China. ... Wang Yun was the father of Diao Chan, and is most famous for creating the great rift that led to the death of Dong Zhuo at the hands of Lu Bu. ... Diao Chan (Simplified Chinese: 貂蝉; Traditional Chinese: 貂蟬, Pinyin: Diāo Chán) was one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. ...

Inviting Lü Bu over one night, Wang Yun asked Diao Chan to serve wine to the guest. Lü Bu was immediately seized by the girl's beauty. Well aware of this, Wang Yun then promised to marry Diao Chan to the mighty warrior.

A few days later, however, Wang Yun laid a feast for Dong Zhuo and repeated the feat. Like Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo could not lift his eyes off Diao Chan, who also displayed her prowess in song and dance. Dong Zhuo then brought Diao Chan home and made her his concubine.

When Lü Bu heard about this the next morning, he headed for Dong Zhuo's bedroom and peeped in through the window. There he saw Diao Chan sitting up grooming her hair while Dong Zhuo was still asleep. Aware of Lü Bu's presence, Diao Chan then put up a sorrowful expression and pretended to wipe tears off her eyes with a handkerchief.

A similar incident recurred about a month later, but this time Dong Zhuo woke up in time to see Lü Bu staring fixedly at Diao Chan. Lü Bu was then shoved out and forbidden to come into the house.

Then one day, while Dong Zhuo was holding a conversation with Emperor Xian, Lü Bu stole to his foster father's residence and met with Diao Chan in the Fengyi Pavilion (凤仪亭). Weeping, Diao Chan pled with Lü Bu to rescue her from Dong Zhuo. Placing his halberd aside, Lü Bu held Diao Chan in his arms and comforted her with words. Lü Bu hugging Diao Chan in the Fengyi Pavilion in the 84-episode TV serial Romance of the Three Kingdoms This is a screenshot of a copyrighted movie or television program. ... Lü Bu hugging Diao Chan in the Fengyi Pavilion in the 84-episode TV serial Romance of the Three Kingdoms This is a screenshot of a copyrighted movie or television program. ... Diao Chan (Simplified Chinese: 貂蝉; Traditional Chinese: 貂蟬, Pinyin: Diāo Chán) was one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. ... Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Simplified Chinese: 三国演义; Traditional Chinese: 三國演義, Pinyin: sān guó yǎn yì), written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel about the turbulent period often referred to as the Three Kingdoms (220-280). ...

Right then, Dong Zhuo returned to find the duo in the pavilion. The startled Lü Bu turned to flee. Dong Zhuo grabbed the halberd and gave chase. Being too obese, Dong Zhuo could not catch up with the agile Lü Bu. He then hurled the halberd at Lü Bu but the latter fended it off and got away.

After the incident, Lü Bu was becoming increasingly displeased with Dong Zhuo. This displeasure was further enticed by Wang Yun, who suggested subtly that Lü Bu take over Dong Zhuo. Lü Bu attempted weakly to argue for Dong Zhuo's paternal relationship to himself, but Wang Yun dismissed it, saying, "His name is Dong and yours is Lü. Where was the paternal feeling when he threw the halberd at you?" Whereupon Lü Bu made up his mind to kill Dong Zhuo.

The conspirators then sent Li Su to fetch Dong Zhuo from his castle in the county of Mei under the pretense that the emperor intended to abdicate the throne to the warlord. The overjoyed Dong Zhuo then came to the palace gate, where his troops were barred from entering. As Dong Zhuo's carriage neared the palace building, soldiers loyal to Wang Yun surrounded the carriage and stabbed Dong Zhuo with spears.

Injured only in the arms as he was wearing heavy armor, Dong Zhuo then cried out for Lü Bu. But Lü Bu impaled Dong Zhuo's throat with his halberd, proclaiming, "I have a royal decree to slay the rebel!"

Lü Bu's downfall

In 198, Cao Cao and Liu Bei formed a short-term alliance and laid siege on Lü Bu in Xiapi (下邳). The siege dragged on for two months without significant gains. Two advisors to Cao Cao, Xun You and Guo Jia, then suggested flooding the city with water from the Yi River (沂水) and Si River (泗水). A battle fought in 198 AD. A mightly warrior by the name of Lu Bu had stolen the land of Xia Pi from Liu Bei. ... The introduction of this article does not provide enough context for readers unfamiliar with the subject. ... Guō Jiā (郭嘉)(170-207), courtesy name Fèngxiào (奉孝), was a famous strategist and advisor for the Kingdom of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of ancient China. ...

As the water level rose and submerged the city gates, Lü Bu's subjects rushed to inform their leader, but Lü Bu dismissed the threat on account that his Red Hare could run as well in water as on land. Thereupon he returned to his wine cups and consorts. However, heavy indulgence in alcohol and women had wasted his strength away such that one day Lü Bu looked into the mirror and found himself looking thin and pallid. Making the resolution to quit drinking, Lü Bu then passed an order for all within the city to keep off wine.

One day, Hou Cheng (侯成), an officer under Lü Bu, caught a defector who attempted to steal fifty horses and give it to the enemy. Hou Cheng then prepared barrels of wine to celebrate with his colleagues. Fearing wrath of Lü Bu, he then had five bottles sent to his superior to appease the latter. However, Lü Bu was enraged at the opposition to his alcoholic ban, and had Hou Cheng thrashed as punishment.

The unhappy Hou Cheng then plotted with two colleagues, Song Xian (宋宪) and Wei Xu (魏续), to betray Lü Bu to the enemy. Under the cover of the night Hou Cheng stole Lü Bu's Red Hare and galloped out of the only gate not submerged in water towards Cao Cao's camp.

The next morning, Cao Cao's troops launched a fierce attack on the city. Lü Bu had to personally take part in the defense of the walls. The battle dragged into high noon and the attackers backed off for a rest. The exhausted Lü Bu then took a nap himself on top of the city wall.

Taking the opportunity, Song Xian and Wei Xu tied Lü Bu up and hoisted a white flag. The two also threw Lü Bu's halberd down the wall as a proof. Seeing the signals, Cao Cao's troops then flocked into the city and seized it in no time. Lü Bu bound and brought to Cao Cao in the 84-episode TV serial Romance of the Three Kingdoms This is a screenshot of a copyrighted movie or television program. ... Lü Bu bound and brought to Cao Cao in the 84-episode TV serial Romance of the Three Kingdoms This is a screenshot of a copyrighted movie or television program. ... Cáo Cāo (曹操, pronounced Tsao Tsao) (155-220), courtesy name Mèngdé (孟德), was the self-appointed Imperial Secretarist of the Han Dynasty and the de facto ruler of Northern China (as the Kingdom of Wei) during the beginning of the period of Three Kingdoms. ... Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Simplified Chinese: 三国演义; Traditional Chinese: 三國演義, Pinyin: sān guó yǎn yì), written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel about the turbulent period often referred to as the Three Kingdoms (220-280). ...

Reference

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