Here is the exhaustive biography, ancestral background, historical records, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms narrative for Wei Xu (魏續) (d. 200 AD), military officer who initially served under Lü Bu, participated in the betrayal and surrender of Xiapi, and later met his end during the campaign against Yuan Shao.
Contents
Ancestry, Military Career & Service Under Lü Bu
Wei Xu served as a military commander during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, famously acting as one of Lü Bu’s top eight generals during his campaigns across Yanzhou and Xuzhou. Throughout Lü Bu’s turbulent military career, Wei Xu participated in various regional conflicts, including defending the western camps during Cao Cao’s invasion of Xiapi. He also served as an escort when Lü Bu attempted to forge an alliance with Yuan Shu by sending his daughter to marry Yuan Shu’s son.
The Betrayal at Xiapi & Death
During the prolonged siege of Xiapi in 198–199 AD by Cao Cao, friction grew severely between Lü Bu and his commanders after Lü Bu harshly punished Hou Cheng for a minor infraction. Driven by fear and discontent, Wei Xu, alongside fellow officers Song Xian and Hou Cheng, conspired against their lord. During the night, Song Xian and Wei Xu tied up Lü Bu while he slept, bound chief adviser Chen Gong, and surrendered the fortress of Xiapi to Cao Cao, resulting in Lü Bu’s capture and execution. Historically, Wei Xu’s fate afterward remains obscure, but in the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he meets his demise in 200 AD during the campaign against Yuan Shao when he is slain in battle by Yan Liang.
Wei Xu (魏續) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Trusted General in Lü Bu’s Army
Serves as a prominent officer under Lü Bu during campaigns in Yanzhou and Xuzhou, escorting Lü Bu’s daughter toward Yuan Shu’s territory.
Mutiny at Xiapi & Surrender
Conspires with Song Xian and Hou Cheng to mutiny against Lü Bu during Cao Cao’s siege of Xiapi, binding Chen Gong and surrendering the city to Cao Cao.
Battle against Yuan Shao & Death
Serves under Cao Cao’s banner during the preliminary skirmishes against Yuan Shao, where he is slain in battle by Yan Liang.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms Narrative
In Luo Guanzhong’s historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Wei Xu is depicted as a capable cavalry commander who ultimately turns traitor under extreme pressure. In Chapter 19, following Lü Bu’s brutal punishment of Hou Cheng, Wei Xu and Song Xian secretly bind their sleeping lord and hand over Xiapi to Cao Cao. Later, in Chapter 26, after defecting to Cao Cao’s camp, Wei Xu participates in the conflict against Yuan Shao, where he faces Yuan Shao’s champion Yan Liang and is swiftly killed in battle.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Wei Xu on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Lü Bu (吕布, Lữ Bố): Warlord and commander whom Wei Xu served as a trusted general during campaigns in Yanzhou and Xuzhou before ultimately betraying him.
- Song Xian (宋宪, Tống Hiến): Fellow officer under Lü Bu who conspired with Wei Xu to bind their lord and surrender the fortress of Xiapi to Cao Cao in 199 AD.
- Hou Cheng (侯成, Hầu Thành): Fellow officer under Lü Bu whose harsh punishment by their lord served as the catalyst for the mutiny plotted by Wei Xu and Song Xian.
Enemies
- Chen Gong (陈宫, Trần Cung): Chief adviser to Lü Bu whom Wei Xu and Song Xian captured and bound during the betrayal at Xiapi in 199 AD.
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo): Warlord who besieged Xiapi; Wei Xu surrendered to him after betraying Lü Bu and subsequently served under his banner.
- Yan Liang (颜良, Nhan Lương): Elite general serving Yuan Shao who slew Wei Xu in battle during the campaign of 200 AD.
Other
- Yuan Shu (袁术, Viên Thuật): Warlord whom Wei Xu served as an escort for Lü Bu’s daughter during a diplomatic mission intended to forge a marriage alliance.
In Novel
Chapter 11
- Wei Xu (魏续, Ngụy Tục): Subordinate general under Lü Bu (吕布, Lã Bố) who fought in the defensive engagements at the Battle of Puyang against Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo).
Chapter 12
- Wei Xu (魏续, Ngụy Tục): Dispatched by Lü Bu (吕布, Lã Bố) alongside Cao Shun (高顺, Cao Thuận) and Hou Cheng (侯成, Hầu Thành) to reinforce outposts around Bộc Dương.
Chapter 18
- Wei Xu (魏续, Ngụy Tục): Participated in the encirclement operations against Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) around Xiaopei under Lü Bu’s command.
Chapter 19
- Wei Xu (魏续, Ngụy Tục): Conspired with Hou Cheng (侯成, Hầu Thành) and Song Xian (宋宪, Tống Hiến) to mutiny against Lü Bu (吕布, Lã Bố) during the flood of Xiapi, opening the city gates and delivering Lü Bu bound to Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo).
Chapter 25
- Wei Xu (魏续, Ngụy Tục): Serving under Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) at the Battle of Boma, he volunteered to avenge his fallen comrade Song Xian (宋宪, Tống Hiến) by dueling Yan Liang (颜良, Nhan Lương), only to be cleaved in two on the opening charge.
In History
Year: 198 AD
- Wei Xu (魏续, Ngụy Tục) was a military officer serving Lü Bu (吕布, Lữ Bố). During the siege of Xiapi, Wei Xu joined Song Xian (宋宪, Tống Hiến) and Hou Cheng (侯成, Hầu Thành) in capturing Chen Gong (陈宫, Trần Cung) and surrendering to Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo).
Historical Record
- Wei Xu (魏续, Ngụy Tục) was a real historical officer. The historical sources do not record the novel’s later death for him in battle against Liu Bei.
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