Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Lu Yu (183–257 AD), courtesy name Zijia, was a prominent minister and political figure of the Cao Wei state during the Three Kingdoms period. He was the youngest son of the famous Eastern Han scholar-general Lu Zhi. After his father’s early death and amidst the chaos of the era, Lu Yu showed exceptional familial devotion by caring for his widowed sister-in-law and orphaned nephews.
Lu Yu entered civil service under Cao Pi and rose significantly under Cao Rui (Emperor Ming). He was highly regarded for his fairness, integrity, and strict adherence to merit-based talent selection. His most famous historical legacy is his critique of selecting officials based solely on superficial fame, stating: “Reputation is like a painting of a cake; it cannot satisfy hunger” (名如畫餅，不可食也). He held several high offices, including Minister of Personnel (吏部尚書) and Minister of Justice (廷尉), eventually reaching the rank of Excellency of Works (司空). He passed away in 257 AD and was posthumously awarded the title Marquis Cheng (成侯).
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Lu Yu is depicted as a senior, upright civil official of the Cao Wei dynasty who maintains his administrative duty during the tumultuous transition of power to the Sima clan.
“The selection of officers should be based on solid performance, not merely on their worldly reputation, which is but a painted cake that cannot satisfy hunger.”
Lu Yu — Historical & Literary Timeline
Birth and Early Life
Born in Fanyang, Zhuo Commandery. His father, the legendary scholar Lu Zhi, passes away in 192 AD, leaving the young Lu Yu to navigate the war-torn Central Plains while demonstrating exceptional filial piety.
Service Under Cao Wei
With the founding of Cao Wei by Cao Pi, Lu Yu is appointed to various local and central administrative posts due to his stellar local reputation and lineage.
The Painted Cake Analogy
Under Cao Rui, Lu Yu is tasked with choosing capable officials. He advises the emperor against selecting candidates based on hollow public fame, coining the famous idiom ‘painted cake’ (畫餅充飢).
The Gaoping Tombs Coup
Following Sima Yi’s coup against Cao Shuang, Lu Yu is entrusted with maintaining peace and stability in the capital, temporarily taking control of the Palace Guard due to his unimpeachable moral standing.
Death and Posthumous Honor
Lu Yu passes away in the 2nd year of the Ganlu era of Cao Mao’s reign, at the age of 75. He is posthumously honored as Marquis Cheng (成侯).
Key Relationships
Family
- Lu Zhi (卢植, Lư Thực): Father. Legendary Eastern Han scholar-general, educator of Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan, and Minister who opposed Dong Zhuo.
- Lu Ting (卢珽, Lư Đĩnh): Eldest son. Official of Western Jin who served as Grand Administrator of Weijun.
- Lu Qin (卢钦, Lư Khâm): Son. Senior statesman in Western Jin who rose to Minister of Personnel (Libu Shangshu).
- Lu Xun (卢逊, Lư Tốn – son of Lu Yu): Son. Official in Cao Wei.
- Lu Chen (卢谌, Lư Thầm): Great-grandson. Celebrated poet and Chancellor of Later Zhao.
Friends
- Cao Rui (曹叡, Tào Duệ): Second Emperor of Cao Wei (Emperor Ming). Highly esteemed Lu Yu’s incorruptible talent selection as Minister of Personnel, where Lu Yu coined the immortal phrase: *”Reputation is like a painted cake; it cannot satisfy hunger”* (*Ming ru hua bing, bu ke shi ye*).
- Cao Pi (曹丕, Tào Phi): Founding Emperor of Cao Wei who brought Lu Yu into the central administration.
- Sima Yi (司马懿, Tư Mã Ý): Grand Commander of Cao Wei. During the 249 AD Gaoping Tombs coup, Sima Yi entrusted Lu Yu to take command of the Palace Guards to preserve public order in Luoyang.
- Sima Shi & Sima Zhao (司马师、司马昭, Tư Mã Sư, Tư Mã Chiêu): Regents of Cao Wei who elevated Lu Yu to Excellency of Works (Sikong) and Marquis Cheng.
- Bing Yuan & Guan Ning (邴原、管宁, Bính Nguyên, Quản Ninh): Celebrated virtuous scholars who maintained mutual intellectual reverence with Lu Yu.
Enemies
- Superficial Factionalists (浮华名士之流, Bọn danh sĩ phù hoa chuộng hư danh): Superficial courtiers (such as He Yan and Xiahou Xuan in their youth) whose empty reputation-mongering Lu Yu strictly banned from official appointments.
- Zhuge Dan (诸葛诞, Gia Cát Đản): Wei Grand General who rebelled at Shouchun in 257 AD, during which Lu Yu assisted in stabilizing the capital administration before his passing.
Others
- No information
In Novel
Lu Yu (陆纡, Lư Dục) does not have a securely verified named appearance under the exact Chinese name 陆纡 in the supplied novel text. No chapter is assigned without exact textual evidence.
In History
Eastern Han
- Lu Yu (陆纡, Lư Dục) was a scholar and official of the late Eastern Han. He came from the prominent Lu family of Wu commandery.
Family
- He was the father of Lu Kang (陆康, Lục Khang) and grandfather of the famous Wu commander Lu Xun. His family became one of the most important aristocratic lineages in Jiangdong.
Public Service
- Lu Yu served the Han government and was respected for his learning and integrity. His career helped establish the reputation of the Lu family before the rise of Sun Quan’s state.
Legacy
- Through his descendants, Lu Yu became part of one of the most influential scholarly and military families in Eastern Wu.