Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Lu Meng (178–220 AD) was a prominent military general serving the warlord Sun Quan (孫權, Tôn Quyền) during the late Eastern Han dynasty. Originally a brave but uneducated warrior who joined his brother-in-law Deng Dang (鄧當, Đặng Đương) at a young age, Lu Meng rose through the ranks of Eastern Wu through sheer bravery and tactical capability. At the urging of Sun Quan, Lu Meng dedicated himself to scholarly learning, transforming himself into a highly erudite and brilliant strategist. This legendary transformation inspired the famous Chinese idiom “Wu Xia A-Meng” (阿蒙 of Wu), used to describe someone who has vastly improved from their humble beginnings, as well as the phrase “to view someone with new eyes after three days of separation.”
Lu Meng’s military career was marked by incredible achievements, including his roles in the Battle of Chibi (赤壁之戰, Trận Xích Bích) and the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford. However, his defining historical achievement was the invasion of Jing Province (荊州, Kinh Châu) in 219 AD. Recognizing that Guan Yu (關羽, Quan Vũ) was a formidable but proud commander, Lu Meng designed a brilliant strategy of deception. He feigned illness, allowing the seemingly inexperienced Lu Xun (陸遜, Lục Tốn) to take over, which lulled Guan Yu into a false sense of security. Lu Meng then launched a surprise attack by disguising his fleet as merchant vessels—an operation known as the “White Clothing Crossing” (白衣渡江)—and successfully seized Jing Province, capturing Guan Yu and securing a monumental victory for Eastern Wu. Tragically, Lu Meng died of illness shortly after this campaign at the age of 42.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong (羅貫中, La Quán Trung)’s historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Lu Meng is depicted as an intelligent and faithful commander, though his death is heavily dramatized to satisfy the narrative’s themes of karmic retribution. After successfully executing the plot to capture and execute Guan Yu (關羽, Quan Vũ), Lu Meng is honored by Sun Quan (孫權, Tôn Quyền) at a grand victory banquet. During the feast, Lu Meng suddenly becomes possessed by the wrathful ghost of Guan Yu. He seizes Sun Quan, hurls him to the ground, and proclaims his divine vengeance before collapsing and dying, coughing blood from every orifice.
“I have roamed the universe for thirty years! I am Guan Yunchang, Lord of Hanshou! You green-eyed brat, do you recognize me? You and your scheming dog Lu Meng have ruined me with your treacherous tricks! Now, I shall take his soul!”
Notable Quotes & Famous Sayings
- “When scholars part for three days, they must look at each other with fresh eyes.” (士別三日，即更刮目相待) — Formulated after Lu Su (魯肅, Lộ Túc) praised his immense intellectual progress.
Lu Meng — Historical & Literary Timeline
Birth in Runan
Lu Meng is born in Fuyang, Runan Commandery, during the late Eastern Han dynasty.
Secret Military Career Begins
At the age of sixteen, Lu Meng secretly joins the army of his brother-in-law Deng Dang (鄧當, Đặng Đương) to fight bandits under Sun Ce (孫策, Tôn Sách).
Assuming Command
Following the death of Deng Dang, Sun Ce officially appoints Lu Meng as a military commander to lead Deng’s former troops.
The Scholar’s Transformation
Urged by Sun Quan to study, Lu Meng transforms into a highly learned military intellectual, earning the immense respect of Lu Su (魯肅, Lộ Túc).
Campaign in Jing Province and Hefei
Captures the southern commanderies of Changsha, Guiyang, and Lingling. Later fights bravely at the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford against Zhang Liao (張遼, Trương Liêu).
Appointment as Chief Commander
Following the death of Lu Su, Lu Meng succeeds him as the Commander-in-Chief of Eastern Wu’s forces, stationed at Lukou.
Recapturing Jing Province
Concocts a masterful plan to bypass Guan Yu’s (關羽, Quan Vũ) defenses. Feigning illness, he replaces himself with the young Lu Xun (陸遜, Lục Tốn). He then executes the famous “White Clothing Crossing” (白衣渡江) to capture Jing Province and trap Guan Yu.
Death of a Legend
Lu Meng passes away at the age of 42. In history, he succumbed to illness despite Sun Quan’s efforts to save him. In the novel, he dies from possession by Guan Yu’s vengeful ghost.
Key Relationships
Family
- Deng Dang (邓当, Đặng Đương) — His brother-in-law who initially brought him into the military ranks and mentored him during his early service under Sun Ce.
Friends
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lộ Túc) — A close friend and predecessor as Commander-in-Chief who famously praised Lu Meng’s scholarly growth, leading to their mutual respect.
- Lu Xun (陆逊, Lục Tốn) — A trusted strategic partner who collaborated with Lu Meng on the deception plan to capture Jing Province and eventually succeeded him in command.
- Zhou Yu (周瑜, Chu Du) — His military superior during the early campaigns of the Sun-Liu alliance, including the Battle of Chibi.
Enemies
- Guan Yu (关羽, 关羽) — His primary strategic rival whom he outmaneuvered in 219 AD through the “White Clothing Crossing” to recapture Jing Province, leading to Guan Yu’s capture and execution.
- Chen Jiu (陈就, 陈就) — A general under Huang Zu whom Lu Meng personally slew during the campaign at Xiakou in 208 AD.
- Huang Zu (黄祖, 黄祖) — A warlord whose forces Lu Meng fought against during the early expansion of Sun Quan’s territory.
Other
- Sun Ce (孙策, 孙策) — His first lord who recognized his youthful bravery and officially appointed him as a military commander.
- Sun Quan (孙权, 孙权) — His primary lord and mentor who encouraged him to pursue scholarly studies, transforming him into a brilliant strategist, and who deeply mourned his death.
In Novel
Chapter 38
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lã Mông): Talented military commander of Eastern Wu, courtesy name Ziming (子明); participated in the pacification of Jiangxia, slaying enemy commander Chen Jiu.
Chapter 44
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lã Mông): Served as a naval division officer under Zhou Yu (周瑜, Chu Du) during the Battle of Red Cliffs.
Chapter 51
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lã Mông): Assisted in the capture of Nanjun from Cao Ren (曹仁, Tào Nhân).
Chapter 60
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lã Mông): Devised river defenses and stone-fortification strategies at Ruxu, successfully repelling Cao Cao’s (曹操, Tào Tháo) grand southern invasion.
Chapter 67
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lã Mông): Recommended by Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền) to study classics, earning Lu Su’s (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc) profound praise that ‘he is no longer the simple soldier of Wu’.
Chapter 73
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lã Mông): Feigned severe illness to allow the young scholar Lu Xun (陆逊, Lục Tốn) to assume command, completely disarming Guan Yu’s (关羽, Quan Vũ) vigilance in Jingzhou.
Chapter 75
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lã Mông): Executed the historic ‘White-Robe Crossing’ by disguising elite troops as merchants along the Yangtze, capturing the beacon towers and seizing Jiangling without bloodshed.
Chapter 76
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lã Mông): Treated the civilians of Jingzhou with strict discipline and profound benevolence, causing Guan Yu’s army to dissolve through widespread desertion.
Chapter 77
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lã Mông): Celebrated the total conquest of Jingzhou in Sun Quan’s grand banquet, where he was suddenly possessed by the vengeful spirit of Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ), cursed Sun Quan, and collapsed dead, bleeding from every orifice.
In History
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lã Mông), courtesy name Ziming, was an Eastern Wu general and strategist who became one of Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền)‘s most important commanders.
Year: 217 AD
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lã Mông) played a major role in Wu’s military preparations against Guan Yu.
Year: 219 AD
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lã Mông) carried out the campaign that seized Jing Province from Guan Yu, using the surprise movement of Wu forces down the Yangtze.
Year: 220 AD
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lã Mông) died from illness shortly after the Jing Province campaign.
Historical Record
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lã Mông) was a real historical commander. His transformation from an initially less educated soldier into a capable strategist is emphasized in the historical biography.
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