Contents
Biography and Feats of Lu Ju
As a prominent military leader during China’s tumultuous Three Kingdoms era, Lu Ju (courtesy name Shiyi) inherited the noble martial lineage of his father, Lu Fan. Serving the southern empire of Eastern Wu with unyielding loyalty, he rapidly ascended through the ranks due to his administrative discipline and frontline prowess. Over the 230s and 240s AD, he conducted decisive campaigns to pacify restless Shanyue mountain strongholds, successfully recruiting tens of thousands of skilled warriors into the central Wu army.
His finest battlefield hour occurred during the winter of 252 AD at the strategic Battle of Dongxing. When the northern state of Cao Wei launched a massive invasion, he co-commanded the defensive vanguard alongside veteran commander Ding Feng. Executing a rapid amphibious maneuver through heavy winter snowfall, his detachment stormed the enemy stockades, shattered hostile bridgeheads, and forced generals Zhuge Dan and Hu Zhi into a chaotic retreat, capturing substantial military supplies.
Resistance Against Tyranny and Historical Legacy
Tragedy struck in 256 AD when Lu Ju took an uncompromising stand against domestic tyranny. Following the sudden death of regent Sun Jun, the ruthless autocrat Sun Chen seized absolute power, sidelining Emperor Sun Liang and senior ministers. Stationed on the northern frontier, the veteran general joined forces with Minister Teng Yin to demand the removal of the despotic regent and restore imperial authority.
When imperial forces loyal to the usurper encircled his camp at Xinquan, the commander refused to ignite a destructive civil war against his own countrymen. Declaring his undying allegiance to the founding Sun dynasty, he drew his sword and died by his own hand. In Luo Guanzhong’s literary epic, his valor at Dongxing and noble martyrdom are celebrated as enduring symbols of unyielding righteousness.
Key Historical Milestones
- 228 AD: Inherited his family’s noble marquisate and pacified regional Shanyue rebellions.
- 252 AD: At Dongxing, Lu Ju led the vanguard charge that crushed the massive Wei invasion.
- 256 AD: Staged a valiant resistance against Sun Chen’s coup before dying as a martyr at Xinquan.
In Novel
Chapter 107
- Lu Ju (吕据, Lữ Cử): Lu Ju is a senior Wu commander who becomes involved in the political struggle after Sun Quan’s death. He supports the faction opposed to Sun Jun’s control and attempts to rally military forces against the regent. The effort fails, and Lu Ju is forced to flee.
Chapter 108
- Lu Ju (吕据, Lữ Cử): Lu Ju continues resisting the dominant faction in Wu but is pursued and defeated. He eventually dies after his attempt to overturn the political order collapses.
History
- Lu Ju (吕据, Lữ Cử) was a prominent military commander of Eastern Wu.
- He served under Sun Quan and later rulers and became involved in the internal political conflicts of the late Wu court.
- Lu Ju supported the political faction opposing Sun Chen after the death of Sun Jun and the rise of Sun Chen.
- His opposition failed, and he was forced into flight.
- Lu Ju was eventually killed while attempting to escape, bringing his political and military career to an end.
Classification
- Historical.