.gif)
Lu Xun (Three Kingdoms)
Encyclopedia
Lu Xun was a military general and politician of the state of Eastern Wu
during the Three Kingdoms
era of Chinese history
. He is best known for defeating Liu Bei
's forces at the Battle of Xiaoting
in 222.
, who was then still a general and provincial warlord. Lu Xun was soon given a minor post as a commandant and civil official, where he distinguished himself to be proficient in administrating both civilian and military affairs. As a military commander, he pacified the Yue tribes in southeast China and brought them into the Chinese sphere of influence. As a civil official, he was successful in integrating northern refugees and minorities into the social and economic structure of Eastern Wu.
and Liu Bei
defeated the warlord Cao Cao
at the Battle of Red Cliffs
, halting Cao's southern expansion and cementing Eastern Wu's place in the Three Kingdoms
. Liu Bei did not have a power base then so Sun Quan agreed to lend him Jing Province until he had established his own domain. By 219, Liu Bei had seized Yi Province
from the warlord Liu Zhang
, but Jing Province was still under his control and governed by his general Guan Yu
.
When Guan Yu left Jing Province to attack Cao Cao's forces in the north, Lu Xun pretended to take over Lü Meng
's command of the military on Jing Province's eastern front. Lu Xun wrote a flattering letter to Guan Yu, praising Guan and putting on a weak front for himself. Guan Yu lowered his guard against Lu Xun and reduced the number of reserve troops in Jing Province. Lü Meng and Lu Xun then staged a secret attack on Jing Province and conquered it swiftly, with many of Guan Yu's subordinates defecting to Wu. Lu Xun also proposed to Sun Quan to adopt measures to win the hearts of people in Jing Province. The number of deserting troops in Guan Yu's army gradually increased as the morale decreased until Guan was left with a small force. Guan was eventually captured and executed on Sun Quan's order.
eastward to reclaim Jing Province and avenge Guan. The Wu army suffered defeats by Shu in the initial stages, until Sun Quan decided to appoint Lu Xun as commander-in-chief
.
Lu Xun established several forts and reinforced the existing citadels instead of directly contesting Liu Bei's advance. Although this strategy sacrificed territory, it gained him critical time to organize and transport the Wu troops. The critical points thus established also served to tie down enemy troops and disrupt enemy supply routes.
Few generals were happy with the choice of Lu Xun as commander-in-chief; many of them were hardened veterans who had been in service since Sun Jian
's time, whereas Lu Xun was relatively new and less well-known (Lü Meng
received most credit for the capture of Jing Province). They wished to attack Liu Bei while his troops were presumably exhausted from the march. Lu Xun denied them, stating that he discerned that Liu Bei had planned for that, and open battle would be too risky. Liu Bei then sent some forces forward to lure the Wu army into an ambush; the generals wanted to fight, but Lu Xun, predicting an ambush, once again ordered them to stay put.
Once the Shu troops had begun to show signs of fatigue, Lu Xun, after several months of inactivity, suddenly struck, first tricking the Shu commanders with a mock attack on one of their camps, then ordering his troops to move forward with torches and set fire to all the other camps of Liu Bei's army. This was followed by a devastating attack from three sides by all of the Wu forces, and Liu Bei's army was utterly destroyed. Liu Bei fled west and died a year later in the city of Baidicheng. Lu Xun rose to fame for his role in the battle and became highly regarded by his colleagues.
The Wu army prepared for a follow-up campaign into Shu territory, but Lu Xun perceived that Wei
forces would take the opportunity to attack Wu, and called off the campaign. His concern was justified when his prediction came true later.
, Zhou Fang
, a provincial official feigned defection to Wei, luring a large Wei army commanded by Cao Xiu
deep into Wu territory. Lu Xun laid an ambush and destroyed most of the enemy army, while the rest were rescued by Jia Kui
, who predicted the ambush and tried to convince Cao Xiu beforehand, but was rejected.
At a later date, Wu launched a campaign northward, but one of their trusted couriers was captured and news of their military plans leaked out. Zhuge Jin
, one of the generals leading the campaign, began to panic and wrote to Lu Xun, seeking advice on how to retreat; Lu Xun did not reply, but instead spent his time playing chess and planting beans. The perplexed Zhuge Jin went to find out what Lu Xun was up to. Lu Xun explained that if they fled immediately, the army would be in chaos and the enemy would be able to take advantage, pursue and destroy them. Instead, by acting calm, they would suspect that there is a plot and thus hesitate, allowing their forces to quietly withdraw. Just as he said, the enemy hesitated and their forces were able to withdraw safely.
Lu Xun was a highly respected advisor to Sun Quan; he was known for his virtue and humility, as well as his keen insight. After Sun Quan declared himself emperor
, Lu Xun was appointed chancellor.
, then heir to the throne, and Sun Ba, Prince of Lu. Sun He's position as crown prince
was threatened by Sun Ba, who was deeply favoured by his father. Lu Xun sided with Sun He and begged Sun Quan to affirm Sun He's position as crown prince, stating that Sun Ba's power was a threat to the stability of Wu. He wrote letters to Sun Quan several times; they were all ignored. Sun Quan eventually dismissed Lu Xun from office and repeatedly sent officials to reprimand him. Filled with grief, Lu Xun fell ill and died at the age of 63.
Lu Xun married Sun Ce
and Da Qiao
's daughter and fathered Lu Yan and Lu Kang
. Lu Kang became a distinguished general of Wu later.
Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu, also known as Sun Wu, was one the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period after the fall of the Han Dynasty. It was based in the Jiangnan region of China...
during the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
era of Chinese history
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
. He is best known for defeating Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
's forces at the Battle of Xiaoting
Battle of Xiaoting
The Battle of Xiaoting, also known as the Battle of Yiling and the Battle of Yiling and Xiaoting, was fought between the states of Eastern Wu and Shu Han in 222 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
in 222.
Early life
Lu Xun was from one of the four most prestigious and affluent families in the Jiangdong region (Zhu, Lu, Gu, Zhang). He began his career as a minor official under Sun CeSun Ce
Sun Ce was a military general and warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was the oldest of the children of Sun Jian who was killed during the Battle of Xiangyang when Sun Ce was only 16. Sun Ce then broke away from his father's overlord, Yuan Shu, and headed to...
, who was then still a general and provincial warlord. Lu Xun was soon given a minor post as a commandant and civil official, where he distinguished himself to be proficient in administrating both civilian and military affairs. As a military commander, he pacified the Yue tribes in southeast China and brought them into the Chinese sphere of influence. As a civil official, he was successful in integrating northern refugees and minorities into the social and economic structure of Eastern Wu.
Invasion of Jing Province
In 208, the allied forces of Sun QuanSun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
and Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
defeated the warlord Cao Cao
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
at the Battle of Red Cliffs
Battle of Red Cliffs
The Battle of Red Cliffs, otherwise known as the Battle of Chibi, was a decisive battle at the end of the Han Dynasty, immediately prior to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. It was fought in the winter of 208/9 AD between the allied forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan...
, halting Cao's southern expansion and cementing Eastern Wu's place in the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
. Liu Bei did not have a power base then so Sun Quan agreed to lend him Jing Province until he had established his own domain. By 219, Liu Bei had seized Yi Province
Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province
Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province was a military campaign by the warlord Liu Bei in taking control of Yi Province from its Governor, Liu Zhang. The campaign took place between 212 and 215 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
from the warlord Liu Zhang
Liu Zhang (warlord)
Liu Zhang was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He became governor of Yi Province , succeeding his father Liu Yan and ruled the region until 214, when he surrendered to Liu Bei...
, but Jing Province was still under his control and governed by his general Guan Yu
Guan Yu
Guan Yu was a general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han Dynasty of China. He played a significant role in the civil war that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the establishment of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, of which Liu Bei was the...
.
When Guan Yu left Jing Province to attack Cao Cao's forces in the north, Lu Xun pretended to take over Lü Meng
Lü Meng
Lü Meng was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He served as the commanding general in the invasion of Jing Province that led to the death of Guan Yu.-Early life:Lü Meng was born in Fupo, Runan Commandery in 178...
's command of the military on Jing Province's eastern front. Lu Xun wrote a flattering letter to Guan Yu, praising Guan and putting on a weak front for himself. Guan Yu lowered his guard against Lu Xun and reduced the number of reserve troops in Jing Province. Lü Meng and Lu Xun then staged a secret attack on Jing Province and conquered it swiftly, with many of Guan Yu's subordinates defecting to Wu. Lu Xun also proposed to Sun Quan to adopt measures to win the hearts of people in Jing Province. The number of deserting troops in Guan Yu's army gradually increased as the morale decreased until Guan was left with a small force. Guan was eventually captured and executed on Sun Quan's order.
Battle of Xiaoting
When Liu Bei found out that Jing Province had been taken and that Guan Yu had been executed, he was enraged. He led the army of Shu HanShu Han
Shu Han was one of the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period, after the fall of the Han Dynasty. The state was based on areas around Sichuan, which was then known as Shu...
eastward to reclaim Jing Province and avenge Guan. The Wu army suffered defeats by Shu in the initial stages, until Sun Quan decided to appoint Lu Xun as commander-in-chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
.
Lu Xun established several forts and reinforced the existing citadels instead of directly contesting Liu Bei's advance. Although this strategy sacrificed territory, it gained him critical time to organize and transport the Wu troops. The critical points thus established also served to tie down enemy troops and disrupt enemy supply routes.
Few generals were happy with the choice of Lu Xun as commander-in-chief; many of them were hardened veterans who had been in service since Sun Jian
Sun Jian
Sun Jian was a military general and warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He allied himself with Yuan Shu in 190 when warlords from eastern China formed a coalition to oust Dong Zhuo, a tyrannical warlord who held the puppet Emperor Xian in his power...
's time, whereas Lu Xun was relatively new and less well-known (Lü Meng
Lü Meng
Lü Meng was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He served as the commanding general in the invasion of Jing Province that led to the death of Guan Yu.-Early life:Lü Meng was born in Fupo, Runan Commandery in 178...
received most credit for the capture of Jing Province). They wished to attack Liu Bei while his troops were presumably exhausted from the march. Lu Xun denied them, stating that he discerned that Liu Bei had planned for that, and open battle would be too risky. Liu Bei then sent some forces forward to lure the Wu army into an ambush; the generals wanted to fight, but Lu Xun, predicting an ambush, once again ordered them to stay put.
Once the Shu troops had begun to show signs of fatigue, Lu Xun, after several months of inactivity, suddenly struck, first tricking the Shu commanders with a mock attack on one of their camps, then ordering his troops to move forward with torches and set fire to all the other camps of Liu Bei's army. This was followed by a devastating attack from three sides by all of the Wu forces, and Liu Bei's army was utterly destroyed. Liu Bei fled west and died a year later in the city of Baidicheng. Lu Xun rose to fame for his role in the battle and became highly regarded by his colleagues.
The Wu army prepared for a follow-up campaign into Shu territory, but Lu Xun perceived that Wei
Cao Wei
Cao Wei was one of the states that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period. With the capital at Luoyang, the state was established by Cao Pi in 220, based upon the foundations that his father Cao Cao laid...
forces would take the opportunity to attack Wu, and called off the campaign. His concern was justified when his prediction came true later.
Later campaigns
Lu Xun had cemented his position as a military commander, and was appointed governor of Jing Province. In the Battle of ShitingBattle of Shiting
The Battle of Shiting was fought between the contending states of Cao Wei and Eastern Wu in 228 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle concluded with victory of Wu over Wei.-The battle:...
, Zhou Fang
Zhou Fang (Three Kingdoms)
Zhou Fang, style name Ziyu , was a military general of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. In 228, he was a main figure in a confrontation between Eastern Wu and Cao Wei, when he pretended to surrender to Cao Wei to induce the enemy general Cao Xiu into a trap, and...
, a provincial official feigned defection to Wei, luring a large Wei army commanded by Cao Xiu
Cao Xiu
Cao Xiu was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He served the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. A distant nephew of Cao Cao, Cao Xiu was given special attention by the former, who once asserted him befitting...
deep into Wu territory. Lu Xun laid an ambush and destroyed most of the enemy army, while the rest were rescued by Jia Kui
Jia Kui
Jia Kui, , style name Liangdao , was a military general and bureaucrat during the Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He became a subject of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period.-Biography:...
, who predicted the ambush and tried to convince Cao Xiu beforehand, but was rejected.
At a later date, Wu launched a campaign northward, but one of their trusted couriers was captured and news of their military plans leaked out. Zhuge Jin
Zhuge Jin
Zhuge Jin , style name Ziyu , was a military general and politician of Eastern Wu during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history.-Early life:...
, one of the generals leading the campaign, began to panic and wrote to Lu Xun, seeking advice on how to retreat; Lu Xun did not reply, but instead spent his time playing chess and planting beans. The perplexed Zhuge Jin went to find out what Lu Xun was up to. Lu Xun explained that if they fled immediately, the army would be in chaos and the enemy would be able to take advantage, pursue and destroy them. Instead, by acting calm, they would suspect that there is a plot and thus hesitate, allowing their forces to quietly withdraw. Just as he said, the enemy hesitated and their forces were able to withdraw safely.
Lu Xun was a highly respected advisor to Sun Quan; he was known for his virtue and humility, as well as his keen insight. After Sun Quan declared himself emperor
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
, Lu Xun was appointed chancellor.
Later life
A dispute arose between two of Sun Quan's sons: Sun HeSun He
Sun He , style name Zixiao , formally known as Emperor Wen , was a son and crown prince of Eastern Wu's founding emperor Sun Quan during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
, then heir to the throne, and Sun Ba, Prince of Lu. Sun He's position as crown prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
was threatened by Sun Ba, who was deeply favoured by his father. Lu Xun sided with Sun He and begged Sun Quan to affirm Sun He's position as crown prince, stating that Sun Ba's power was a threat to the stability of Wu. He wrote letters to Sun Quan several times; they were all ignored. Sun Quan eventually dismissed Lu Xun from office and repeatedly sent officials to reprimand him. Filled with grief, Lu Xun fell ill and died at the age of 63.
Lu Xun married Sun Ce
Sun Ce
Sun Ce was a military general and warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was the oldest of the children of Sun Jian who was killed during the Battle of Xiangyang when Sun Ce was only 16. Sun Ce then broke away from his father's overlord, Yuan Shu, and headed to...
and Da Qiao
Two Qiaos
The Two Qiaos refer to two sisters who lived during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. Their names were not recorded, so in later times they are referred to simply as Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao . They were from Wan County, Lujiang Commandery...
's daughter and fathered Lu Yan and Lu Kang
Lu Kang
Lu Kang , style name Youjie , was a military general of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He was the son of Lu Xun and a maternal grandson of Sun Ce. He was praised for his talent and wisdom....
. Lu Kang became a distinguished general of Wu later.
Family
- Spouse: Sun CeSun CeSun Ce was a military general and warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was the oldest of the children of Sun Jian who was killed during the Battle of Xiangyang when Sun Ce was only 16. Sun Ce then broke away from his father's overlord, Yuan Shu, and headed to...
's second daughter, personal name unknown, bore Lu Xun two sons
- Sons:
- Lu Yan (陸延), died at a young age
- Lu KangLu KangLu Kang , style name Youjie , was a military general of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He was the son of Lu Xun and a maternal grandson of Sun Ce. He was praised for his talent and wisdom....
(陸抗), served Wu as a military general and politician
- Grandsons (all are sons of Lu Kang):
- Lu Yan (陸晏), served as Major General
- Lu Jing (陸景), served as Lieutenant General
- Lu Xuan (陸玄)
- Lu Ji (陸機)
- Lu Yun (陸雲)
- Lu Dan (陸耽)
Relatives
- Lu KaiLu KaiLü Kai, style name Jiping , was a minister of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Lü was the Administrator of Yongchang Commandery. He defended it from Yong Kai's rebel forces at one time...
(陸凱), nephew- Lu Yi (陸禕), Lu Kai's oldest son
- Lu Yin (陸胤), Lu Kai's second son
- Lu Shi (陸式), Lu Yin's son
- Lu Kang (陸康)
- Lu Ji (陸績), Lu Kang's youngest son, one of The Twenty-four Filial ExemplarsThe Twenty-four Filial ExemplarsThe Twenty-four Filial Exemplars is a classic text of Confucian filial piety written by Guō Jūjìng, a scholar of the Yuan dynasty .The exemplars are:# The Feeling of Filial Piety Moved Heaven...
, served as Administrator of Yulin- Lu Hong (陆宏), Lu Ji's oldest son, served as Commandant in south Kuaiji
- Lu Rui (陆叡), Lu Ji's second son, served as Changshui Colonel
- Lu Yusheng (陆鬱生), Lu Ji's daughter
- Lu Ji (陸績), Lu Kang's youngest son, one of The Twenty-four Filial Exemplars
Appointments and titles held
- TuntianTuntianThe Tuntian or Duntian system was a system of government-encouraged agriculture originated in the Western Han Dynasty period of Chinese history...
Commandant of Haichang (海昌屯田都尉) - Colonel Who Stabilises Might (定威校尉)
- Right Commander (右部督) under Sun Quan
- Administrator of Yidu (宜都太守)
- General Who Pacifies the Border (撫邊將軍)
- Marquis of Hua (華亭侯)
- Right Protector of the Army (右護軍)
- General Who Guards the West (鎮西將軍)
- Marquis of Lou (婁侯)
- Grand Viceroy (大都督)
- General Who Assists the State (輔國將軍)
- Governor of Jing Province (荊州牧)
- Marquis of Jiangling (江陵侯)
- Bearer of the Yellow Axe (黃鉞)
- Senior General-in-Chief (上大將軍)
- Right Protector (右都護)
- Chancellor (丞相)
- Marquis Zhao (昭侯) - granted to Lu Xun posthumously by Sun Xiu
Modern references
- Lu Xun is featured as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty WarriorsDynasty Warriorsis a series of tactical action video games created by Omega Force and Koei. The award-winning series is a spin-off of Koei's turn-based strategy Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, based loosely around the Chinese classical novel of the same name. The first game titled Dynasty Warriors,...
video game series, as well as Warriors OrochiWarriors Orochi, is a PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 hack and slash video game developed by Koei and Omega Force. It is a crossover of two of Koei's popular video game series, Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors...
, a crossover between Dynasty Warriors and Samurai WarriorsSamurai Warriorsis the first title in the series of video games created by Koei's Omega Force team based loosely around the Sengoku period of Japanese history and it is a spinoff of the Dynasty Warriors series...
.
- In the trading card game Magic: The GatheringMagic: The GatheringMagic: The Gathering , also known as Magic, is the first collectible trading card game created by mathematics professor Richard Garfield and introduced in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast. Magic continues to thrive, with approximately twelve million players as of 2011...
, Lu Xun is honored on his own card, "Lu Xun, Scholar General", in the Portal Three KingdomsPortal Three KingdomsPortal Three Kingdoms is the third Magic: The Gathering expansion of the Portal block, and the third starter level set. Like the other expansions in the Portal block, Portal: Three Kingdoms is designed for beginners to Magic. The setting is heavily based on the Chinese historical novel Romance of...
set.