Here is the exhaustive biography of Li Yue (李楽 / 李乐) (? – c. 196), a leader of the White Wave Bandits (Baibo) who briefly helped escort Emperor Xian during his flight from Chang’an, incorporating historical records and the narrative of Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Contents
Historical Career
Li Yue was one of the commanders of the White Wave Bandits (a remnant Yellow Turban force based in Hedong Commandery), together with Han Xian and Hu Cai. In 195, when Emperor Xian fled Li Jue and Guo Si, Yang Feng summoned the White Wave leaders. Li Yue, Han Xian and Hu Cai brought several thousand cavalry and helped defeat the pursuers. Li Yue cooperated with Dong Cheng in guarding the emperor’s left and right flanks and guiding the way with torches. At Anyi he was appointed General Who Conquers the North (or General of the North). After the emperor reached Luoyang in mid-196, Li Yue and Hu Cai returned to Hedong; Li Yue later died of illness there. Hu Cai was killed by a personal enemy.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms Portrayal
In the novel Li Yue is likewise one of the White Wave leaders summoned to protect the emperor. He is depicted as violent and opportunistic: after receiving office he abuses power, and later turns against the imperial party, joining the attempt to seize the emperor. He is killed by Xu Huang in single combat.
Family, Friends and Enemies
Family:
- No recorded parents, spouse or children.
Colleagues: Han Xian and Hu Cai (fellow White Wave leaders); briefly Yang Feng, Dong Cheng and the imperial escort.
Principal adversaries: Li Jue and Guo Si (pursuers of the emperor); in the novel also Xu Huang (who kills him).
Li Yue (李楽) — Historical & Literary Timeline
c. 188–195 AD — White Wave Bandits
Leader in Hedong
One of the commanders of the White Wave Bandits (Yellow Turban remnants) based in Hedong, together with Han Xian and Hu Cai.
195–196 AD — Escort of Emperor Xian
Rescue & Brief Service
Summoned by Yang Feng; helped defeat Li Jue’s pursuers and escorted the emperor to Anyi and then toward Luoyang. Appointed General Who Conquers the North. Returned to Hedong and later died of illness (history). In the novel he turns violent, abuses power and is killed by Xu Huang.
Historical Note
Historically Li Yue was a minor White Wave leader who performed a useful service in the desperate flight of Emperor Xian in 195–196 and then faded back into Hedong, where he died of illness. The novel darkens his character, turning him into an opportunistic ruffian who ultimately betrays the emperor and is slain by Xu Huang. The historical record thus shows a brief, practical contribution to the imperial escape; the fictional version supplies a more dramatic and morally negative arc.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Li Yue on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- No parents, spouse, children, or other kin are named for Li Yue (李乐, Lý Lạc) in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel or in surviving historical notices of the White Wave leaders — his record is purely military and political.
Friends
- Han Xian (韩暹, Hàn Thiêm): Fellow White Wave (Baibo) general who rode with Li Yue to escort Emperor Xian’s flight from Chang’an in 195.
- Yang Feng (杨奉, Dương Phụng): Allied commander who summoned the White Wave leaders from Hedong to shield the emperor against Li Jue’s pursuers.
- Dong Cheng (董承, Đổng Thừa): Imperial relative who cooperated with Li Yue in guarding the emperor’s flanks and guiding the night marches with torches.
Enemies
- Li Jue (李傕, Lý Thôi): Chang’an warlord whose pursuit along the Yellow River the White Wave cavalry helped blunt.
- Guo Si (郭汜, Quách Dĩ): Partner of Li Jue in the capital chaos that forced Emperor Xian’s eastward flight.
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo): Chancellor who later cleared White Wave / Baibo remnants from the central plains after the emperor reached his protection.
- Xu Huang (徐晃, Từ Hoảng): Novel only: slays Li Yue in single combat when Li Yue turns on the imperial convoy; history instead has Li Yue die of illness in Hedong.
Other
- White Wave / Baibo Bandits (白波): Hedong remnant Yellow Turban force; Li Yue ranked with Han Xian and Hu Cai as a commander of several thousand cavalry in 195–196.
- Emperor Xian (刘协, Lưu Hiệp): Han emperor whose escape Li Yue helped escort to Anyi and toward Luoyang; at Anyi Li Yue was named General Who Conquers the North.
- Hu Cai (胡才, Hồ Tài): Fellow White Wave leader who returned with Li Yue to Hedong after mid-196; Hu Cai was later killed by a personal enemy.
- Death: history vs novel: Official notices say Li Yue died of illness in Hedong after quitting the capital escort; the novel darkens him into an opportunistic traitor slain by Xu Huang — keep both versions distinct.
In Novel
Emperor Xian flight chapters
- Li Yue (李乐, Lý Lạc): White Wave leader summoned with Han Xian (韩暹, Hàn Thiêm) by Yang Feng (杨奉, Dương Phụng) to escort Emperor Xian (刘协, Lưu Hiệp); later abuses office and turns on the convoy, then is killed by Xu Huang (徐晃, Từ Hoảng).
In History
Summary
- Li Yue (李乐, Lý Lạc) was a White Wave (Baibo) commander in Hedong who briefly helped escort Emperor Xian away from Li Jue (李傕, Lý Thôi) and Guo Si (郭汜, Quách Dĩ) in 195–196.
Year: 195 AD
- With Han Xian and Hu Cai brought thousands of cavalry; cooperated with Dong Cheng (董承, Đổng Thừa); appointed General Who Conquers the North at Anyi.
Year: 196 AD
- After the emperor reached Luoyang, returned to Hedong and later died of illness; Hu Cai was killed by a personal enemy.
Historical Record
- Hou Hanshu / ZZTJ notices on the White Wave escort of Emperor Xian; novel death by Xu Huang is fictional.
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