Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Xu Sheng (c. 177–228 AD), courtesy name Wenxiang, was a distinguished military general of Eastern Wu during the late Eastern Han dynasty and Three Kingdoms period. Born in Ju County, Langya Commandery (present-day Junan County, Shandong), he fled south to Jiangdong to escape civil turmoil in northern China during the late Han era. Recognized for his courage and tactical acumen, he was recruited by Sun Quan and assigned to command local garrisons, where he successfully repelled incursions by the Huang Zu forces and local Shanyue insurgents despite being heavily outnumbered.
Throughout his military career under Eastern Wu, Xu Sheng proved to be an exceptionally reliable frontline commander and defensive strategist. He served with distinction in major military engagements, including the Battle of Chibi, the defensive campaigns at Ruxukou, and the decisive Battle of Yiling under Lu Xun. His most famous historical stratagem occurred in 224 AD during Cao Pi’s massive invasion of Wu: Xu Sheng constructed a fake defensive wall spanning hundreds of li along the southern bank of the Yangtze River overnight, decorated with dummy soldiers and fake battlements. Fooled by the elaborate illusion and facing treacherous river weather, Cao Pi lamented that Eastern Wu still possessed formidable talent and ordered a full retreat. Xu Sheng was promoted to General Who Pacifies the East and Administrator of Lujiang, passing away around 228 AD.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s epic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Xu Sheng is depicted as one of Wu’s most valorous, disciplined, and steadfast military commanders, frequently paired alongside his close comrade Ding Feng. In Chapter 55, following Sun Quan and Zhou Yu’s orders, Xu Sheng and Ding Feng lead troops to pursue Liu Bei and Sun Shangxiang as they flee Nanxu for Jingzhou. However, when Sun Shangxiang personally confronts them from her carriage and sternly scolds them using her imperial authority, Xu Sheng and Ding Feng dare not disobey the princess and are forced to let the couple escape.
In Chapter 83, during the Battle of Yiling, Xu Sheng serves as a key commander under Grand Marshal Lu Xun, participating in the devastating fire attack that destroys Liu Bei’s 700-li line of encampments. In Chapter 86, when Wei Emperor Cao Pi leads a massive naval armada across the Yangtze River, Xu Sheng devises the legendary ‘Dummy Wall’ stratagem. By erecting fake battlements lined with straw soldiers along the riverbank overnight, he tricks Cao Pi into believing Wu is heavily fortified. As Cao Pi retreats in panic, Xu Sheng and Ding Feng launch a fierce counter-ambush with fire ships, inflicting heavy losses on the Wei army and securing Wu’s borders.
Notable Quotes & Famous Sayings
- “Sun Quan has entrusted me with the defense of this domain; how can I stand idle while enemy ships cross the Yangtze?” — Xu Sheng’s passionate declaration of duty before constructing the fake wall at Jianye.
- “Although Wei has a million soldiers, they cannot cross our natural moat when our defenses stand secure!” — Xu Sheng reassuring the Wu court before repelling Cao Pi’s naval invasion.
Xu Sheng (徐盛) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Xu Sheng serves under Zhou Yu during the Battle of Chibi, participating in naval engagements and pursuing Cao Cao’s retreating forces after the allied fire attack burns the northern fleet.
Pursuit of Liu Bei & Sun Shangxiang
Xu Sheng and Ding Feng are dispatched to capture Liu Bei as he flees Wu. However, Sun Shangxiang severely reprimands them from her carriage, forcing Xu Sheng to stand down out of respect for the princess.
Defense at Ruxukou & Xiaoyao Pass
Xu Sheng fights bravely under Sun Quan at Hefei and Ruxukou against Zhang Liao and Cao Cao, holding his ground amidst heavy naval bombardments and fierce weather.
Fire Attack at the Battle of Yiling
Xu Sheng serves as a senior general under Grand Marshal Lu Xun, helping execute the coordinated fire offensive that incinerates Liu Bei’s military camps along the Yangtze.
The Fake Wall Stratagem at Jianye
Facing Cao Pi’s massive invasion, Xu Sheng constructs a 100-li fake wall with straw soldiers along the riverbank overnight. Tricked into believing Wu is impregnable, Cao Pi orders a retreat, and Xu Sheng’s fire fleet routed the fleeing Wei forces.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Xu Sheng on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- Xu Kai (徐楷, Từ Giai) — Son of Xu Sheng who inherited his father’s title and continued to serve the Eastern Wu state after his father’s passing.
Friends
- Ding Feng (丁奉, Đinh Phụng) — A fellow Eastern Wu general and close comrade who frequently fought alongside Xu Sheng, notably during the pursuit of Liu Bei and the counter-ambush against Cao Pi in 224 AD.
- Lu Xun (陆逊, Lục Tốn) — Grand Marshal of Eastern Wu under whom Xu Sheng served as a key commander during the decisive Battle of Yiling in 222 AD.
- Zhou Yu (周瑜, Chu Du) — The Eastern Wu commander under whom Xu Sheng served during the pivotal Battle of Chibi in 208 AD.
- Lu Meng (吕蒙, Lữ Mông) — A senior Eastern Wu commander who recognized and utilized Xu Sheng’s defensive tactical acumen during his tenure.
Enemies
- Cao Pi (曹丕, Tào Phi) — The Wei Emperor whose massive naval invasion of Eastern Wu in 224 AD was thwarted by Xu Sheng’s “Dummy Wall” stratagem.
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) — The Shu Han ruler whose forces were defeated by the Eastern Wu military, including Xu Sheng, during the 222 AD Battle of Yiling.
- Zhang Liao (张辽, Trương Liêu) — A prominent Wei general whom Xu Sheng encountered and clashed with during the defensive campaigns at Hefei and Ruxukou around 215 AD.
Other
- Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền) — The ruler of Eastern Wu who recruited Xu Sheng, entrusted him with the defense of the Yangtze frontier, and promoted him to General Who Pacifies the East.
- Sun Shangxiang (孙尚香, Tôn Thượng Hương) — The sister of Sun Quan who, in the novel, used her imperial authority to reprimand Xu Sheng and Ding Feng, forcing them to abandon their pursuit of her and Liu Bei.
In Novel
Chapter 38
- Xu Sheng (徐盛, Từ Thịnh): Distinguished general of Eastern Wu, courtesy name Wenxiang (Văn Hướng); participated in the naval pacification of Jiangxia.
Chapter 49
- Xu Sheng (徐盛, Từ Thịnh): Dispatched alongside Ding Feng (丁奉, Đinh Phụng) to intercept Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) at South Screen Mountain following the fire prayer ritual.
Chapter 55
- Xu Sheng (徐盛, Từ Thịnh): Participated in the naval pursuit of Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) along the Yangtze.
Chapter 83
- Xu Sheng (徐盛, Từ Thịnh): Command frontline divisions under Lu Xun (陆逊, Lục Tốn) at the Battle of Xiaoting.
Chapter 85
- Xu Sheng (徐盛, Từ Thịnh): Command naval defenses at Dongkou against Cao Pi’s (曹丕, Tào Phi) invading army, ambushing and routing Wei general Zang Ba (臧霸, Tang Bá).
Chapter 86
- Xu Sheng (徐盛, Từ Thịnh): Constructed hundreds of miles of mock defensive battlements with straw effigies along the southern banks of the Yangtze, completely deterring Cao Pi’s grand army without engaging in combat.
In History
Summary
- Xu Sheng (徐盛, Từ Thịnh), courtesy name Wenxiang, was a prominent general of Eastern Wu.
Year: 222 AD
- Xu Sheng (徐盛, Từ Thịnh) participated in the defense of Wu against Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) and distinguished himself during the Battle of Yiling period.
Year: 228 AD
- Xu Sheng (徐盛, Từ Thịnh) participated in the campaign against Wei and helped repel the invading forces.
Historical Record
- Xu Sheng (徐盛, Từ Thịnh) was a real historical general whose career continued through the reigns of Sun Quan and his successors.
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