Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Lu Su (172–217 AD), courtesy name Zijing, was a prominent statesman and strategist of Eastern Wu. Born into a wealthy family in Dongcheng, Linhuai, he was known for his generous nature and visionary political outlook. After Zhou Yu’s death, Lu Su succeeded him as the chief commander of Wu, advocating for the strategic alliance with Liu Bei to counter Cao Cao. He was a master of diplomacy, famously maintaining the unstable Jing Province ‘loan’ to Liu Bei while keeping the alliance functional to protect Wu’s borders. His foresight and diplomatic skills were vital in the formative years of the Kingdom of Wu.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In the novel, Lu Su is portrayed as the quintessential honest and diplomatic advisor, often contrasting with the cunning Zhuge Liang and the fiery Zhou Yu. He plays a pivotal role in mediating disputes between the allies and is frequently the target of Zhuge Liang’s mental games, which he takes with good-natured, if sometimes naive, resignation. His efforts to manage the complex relationship between Wu and Shu form the backbone of the diplomatic tensions in the novel’s middle chapters.
Notable Quotes & Famous Sayings
- “Our goal is to stabilize the realm, not to fight among ourselves.” — On his dedication to the alliance.
- “Liu Bei is a dragon among men; to ignore him is a grave error.” — On his strategic appreciation for Liu Bei.
Lu Su (魯肅) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Alliance Recommendation
Lu Su recommends an alliance with Liu Bei to Sun Quan, foreseeing the necessity of unity against Cao Cao’s northern invasion.
Battle of Red Cliffs
Lu Su acts as a vital diplomat, accompanying Zhuge Liang to bridge the trust between Wu and Shu before the decisive conflict.
Commander of Wu
Upon Zhou Yu’s death, Lu Su is appointed as the new Commander-in-Chief, tasking him with holding Jing Province and maintaining the alliance.
Death of Lu Su
Lu Su passes away after a distinguished career of maintaining peace and stability for Wu.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Zhou Yu (周瑜, Chu Du): His predecessor as Commander-in-Chief of Wu; they shared a close strategic bond and mutual respect for their shared vision of the state’s future.
- Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng): A strategic counterpart from Shu; while they were diplomatic rivals, Lu Su maintained a professional relationship with him to preserve the anti-Cao Cao alliance.
Enemies
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo): The primary northern rival; Lu Su dedicated his career to building the Sun-Liu alliance specifically to contain Cao Cao’s expansionist ambitions.
- Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ): A Shu general whose aggressive posturing and refusal to return the Jing Province territories created significant diplomatic friction, eventually straining the alliance Lu Su worked to uphold.
Other
- Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền): The ruler of Eastern Wu whom Lu Su served with unwavering loyalty, providing the long-term strategic framework for the survival and growth of the state.
In Novel
Chapter 29
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc): Generous statesman and strategist from Linhuai, courtesy name Zijing (子敬), who donated his family’s vast granaries to Zhou Yu (周瑜, Chu Du) and entered Sun Quan’s (孙权, Tôn Quyền) service, presenting the grand strategy to divide the realm.
Chapter 38
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc): Advised Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền) on regional governance and military consolidation across Jiangdong.
Chapter 42
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc): Traveled to Xiakou under the pretext of mourning Liu Biao (刘表, Lưu Biểu), forging the historic anti-Cao Cao alliance with Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) and escorting Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) to Chaisang.
Chapter 43
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc): Firmly supported military resistance against Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo), countering the defeatist arguments of Wu’s civil scholars.
Chapter 44
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc): Facilitated the war conference between Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền) and Zhou Yu (周瑜, Chu Du).
Chapter 45
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc): Assisted Zhou Yu (周瑜, Chu Du) during the naval standoff, remaining an honest mediator between Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang.
Chapter 46
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc): Secretly provided twenty straw-covered boats to Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) to enable the famous arrow-borrowing stratagem.
Chapter 51
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc): Repeatedly traveled to Jingzhou to negotiate territorial boundaries with Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) and Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng).
Chapter 54
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc): Assisted in the diplomatic arrangements for Liu Bei’s (刘备, Lưu Bị) marriage in Eastern Wu.
Chapter 57
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc): Succeeded Zhou Yu (周瑜, Chu Du) as Supreme Commander of Eastern Wu’s military forces upon Zhou Yu’s deathbed recommendation.
Chapter 66
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc): Hosted the famous single-blade banquet at Lukou, debating territorial rights face-to-face with Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ).
Chapter 73
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc): Passed away of illness in Jiangdong, deeply mourned by Sun Quan and the people of Wu.
In History
Summary
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc), courtesy name Zijing, was a major adviser and diplomat of Eastern Wu.
Year: 208 AD
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc) strongly advocated cooperation between Sun Quan and Liu Bei against Cao Cao and played an important role in the diplomatic preparations for the Red Cliffs alliance.
Year: 210 AD
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc) succeeded Zhou Yu as Wu’s senior military commander in the Jing Province region.
Historical Record
- Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc) was a real historical strategist and statesman. The historical record gives him a more substantial diplomatic and strategic role than some later literary portrayals.
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