Lü Bu is a much-discussed figure from the late Han and Three Kingdoms period. Renowned for his martial prowess but criticized for his fickleness and lack of loyalty, he first betrayed and killed Ding Yuan, and later did the same to Dong Zhuo. Lü Bu ultimately met his end at the hands of Cao Cao.
Rejection of Chen Gong’s Strategy
From previous linked page, you may find that his death was closely linked to his wife. According to the Book of the Later Han: Biography of Lü Bu:
Lü Bu’s wife said: “In the past, the Cao family treated Gongtai (Chen Gong) like their own child, yet he still left them to join us. Now, General, you treat Gongtai no better than the Cao family did, yet you want to entrust him with the entire city, leave behind your wife and children, and lead an isolated army on a distant campaign? If something unexpected happens, how could I remain your wife?” Lü Bu then abandoned the plan.
When Cao Cao besieged Lü Bu, Chen Gong proposed a strategy: Lü Bu should lead the main force out of the city to form a pincer attack with the defending troops inside, trapping Cao Cao’s army in between. However, Lü Bu’s wife, Lady Yan, distrusted Chen Gong and persuaded Lü Bu not to leave the city.
Lü Bu rejected Chen Gong’s advice and adopted the most passive strategy: defending the city and waiting for external reinforcements. Unfortunately, before any relief forces arrived, Lü Bu was captured alive by Cao Cao. After capturing the city, Cao Cao also took Chen Gong prisoner.
A dialogue ensued between them, recorded in both the Book of the Later Han and Romance of the Three Kingdoms:
Cao Cao said to Chen Gong: “Gongtai, you always considered yourself exceedingly clever. What are your thoughts now?” Chen Gong, pointing at Lü Bu, replied: “Had this man followed my advice, he would not have come to this. If he had listened, the outcome would have been immeasurable.”
Chen Gong believed he had not been defeated by Cao Cao but lamented that Lü Bu’s refusal to adopt his strategies, such as the alliance with Yuan Shu through political marriage, the “twin-camp” or pincer attack strategy, led to their capture.
Surface vs Deep Causes
Superficially, Lü Bu’s downfall resulted from heeding his wife’s advice. In reality, it exposed the severe internal conflicts within his faction. It is surprising that Chen Gong, Lü Bu’s chief strategist, failed to earn his trust. However, Lü Bu’s distrust of Chen Gong was not without reason. The Chronicles of Heroes records:
Hao Meng, a general from Henei, rebelled… Hao Meng’s subordinate Cao Xing turned against him. They fought, and Hao Meng wounded Cao Xing, but Cao Xing cut off one of Hao Meng’s arms. Gao Shun beheaded Hao Meng. Using a bed as a stretcher, he carried Cao Xing to Lü Bu. Lü Bu questioned Cao Xing, who said, “Hao Meng conspired with Yuan Shu.” “Who else was involved in the plot?” Lü Bu asked. Cao Xing replied, “Chen Gong was also involved.” At that time, Chen Gong was present, his face turned red, and everyone noticed. But because Chen Gong was a senior general, Lü Bu did not pursue the matter.
The coup occurred in June, 196 AD, more details can be found from this post about Yuan Shu’s failed plot to topple Lü Bu in Xuzhou.
This incident shows that Lü Bu’s willingness to believe his wife and distrust Chen Gong was not entirely unfounded.
Widespread Distrust and Favoritism
Within Lü Bu’s camp, Chen Gong was not the only one who suffered from distrust. Gao Shun was one of Lü Bu’s rare undefeated generals. The Chronicles of Heroes states:
Gao Shun was a man of integrity and dignity, who did not drink alcohol and did not accept gifts. The 700-plus troops he commanded were known as a thousand. Their armor and weapons were well-trained and complete. Every time they attacked, they shattered the enemy. They were called the “Camp Crushers.”
Even more commendable was Gao Shun’s absolute loyalty to Lü Bu. Yet, Lü Bu placed Wei Xu, a relative, in command of Gao Shun’s troops. Only during battles was Gao Shun allowed to retrieve his subordinates from Wei Xu. Despite this, Gao Shun never complained. However, not all of Lü Bu’s subordinates were like Gao Shun. His practice of appointing people based on kinship ultimately caused his officers to become disheartened and alienated.
Personal Conduct and Deepening Rifts
Lü Bu’s personal conduct was also highly problematic. The Chronicles of Heroes records:
Lü Bu said to Cao Cao: “I treated my generals well, yet they all betrayed me in a crisis.” Cao Cao replied: “You betrayed your own wife and had affairs with the wives of your generals. How can you call that treating them well?” Lü Bu fell silent.
After his capture, Lü Bu, seeing that most of his generals had betrayed him, indignantly told Cao Cao that he had always treated them generously. Cao Cao retorted,
“You were unfaithful to your wife and carried on with your generals’ wives—how can you claim to have treated them well?”
Lü Bu’s favoritism and his affairs with his subordinates’ wives gradually deepened the rift between him and his officers. But the conflicts within Lü Bu’s camp were not limited to those between him and his officers; tensions also existed among the generals themselves.
The Records of the Three Kingdoms: Book of Wei, Biography of Lü Bu notes:
“Although Lü Bu was brave and fierce, he lacked strategy and was deeply suspicious. He could not control his followers and only trusted his generals. But the generals were suspicious of each other and held different agendas, so they were often defeated in battle.”
The discord between Chen Gong and Gao Shun was publicly known within Lü Bu’s camp. The Chronicles of Heroes records:
Lü Bu intended to have Chen Gong and Gao Shun defend the city while he led cavalry to cut off Cao Cao’s supply lines. His wife said: “It is right for you, General, to go and sever Cao Cao’s supply route. But Gong and Shun have never been on good terms. If you leave, they will certainly not work together harmoniously to defend the city. Should any mishap occur, where would you stand, General?”
Chen Gong and Gao Shun were two pivotal figures in Lü Bu’s faction—one his chief strategist, the other his top general. That these two were at odds with each other highlights the lack of cohesion within Lü Bu’s group.
The Inevitability of Collapse
Leading a faction riddled with discord and distrust, Lü Bu’s decision to heed his wife’s words and reject Chen Gong’s plan merely accelerated his inevitable downfall. A group as fractured as Lü Bu’s, in such turbulent times, was destined to be crushed by a cunning and formidable rival like Cao Cao.
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