, was a native of Rencheng, Yanzhou. During the Three Kingdoms period, he served as a general for
. He held various positions including Governor of Taishan, Cavalry Commandant, Deputy General, and finally reached the rank of General Who Calms the Barbarians, being enfeoffed as Marquis of Wannian Pavilion.
Biography
At the time, Cao Cao was in Yanzhou and heard that Lü Qian had courage and strategy. He appointed him as an assistant and tasked him with leading his family troops to guard Hulux. The sub-commander Du Song's subordinate commander Jiong Mu led a rebellion and communicated with Chang Xi. Cao Cao then appointed Lü Qian to replace Du Song. Upon taking office, Lü Qian lured Jiong Mu and other leaders along with dozens of troublemakers into a banquet; simultaneously, he selected strong soldiers to lie in ambush. When Lü Qian saw that Jiong Mu and the others were drunk, he ordered the ambushing soldiers to kill them all, pacifying the remaining populace and quelling the rebellion. Cao Cao subsequently appointed Lü Qian as Governor of Taishan.
The region governed by Taishan was close to mountains and seas. Due to the chaotic times, many civilians fled into hiding. The Northern warlords such as Yuan Shao's appointed Middle Commanders Guo Zu, Gong Sun Du, and others occupied the mountains and plundered, causing great suffering to the people. Lü Qian led his family troops to the region, extending wide-ranging benevolence and trust. As a result, Guo Zu and his followers surrendered, and those hiding in the mountains came down, settling into their land. Lü Qian selected some of the strong men as soldiers, making Taishan known for its elite troops, leading among all states and commanderies.
Later, the Yellow Turban rebels from Jijin, led by Xu He and others, captured local officials and attacked cities. Lü Qian joined forces with Xiahou Yuan to suppress them, engaging in numerous battles over several months, capturing or killing thousands of rebels. Cao Cao then ordered him to oversee the troops from Qingzhou to suppress the bandit armies led by Li Tiao and others in Donglai, achieving success in multiple battles. Cao Cao issued an order stating: "Those with aspirations will surely achieve their goals; this is what valiant men strive for. Since you took office in the commandery, you have captured villains and punished violence, bringing peace to the people, personally facing arrows and stones, and always winning every battle. In the past, Kou Xun gained fame in Ruyi and Ying; Geng Yan established his strategies in Qing and Yanzhou, just as it is today." He was then nominated as a talented official and promoted to Cavalry Commandant, continuing to manage the commandery.
Lü Qian governed Taishan for over ten years, earning great respect and favor. After Cao Cao's death, Cao Pi succeeded him as king, promoting Lü Qian to Deputy General and enfeoffing him as Marquis of Yishou Pavilion. He was later transferred to Governor of Xuzhou and promoted to General Who Calms the Barbarians. Among his actions, he recruited the nephew of former Jingzhou Governor Wang Rui, Wang Xiang, as a vice-governor and entrusted him with civil and administrative affairs. Many capable people were appointed by him during his tenure. Lü Qian owned a sword, which the craftsman said could only be possessed by someone who would reach the position of one of the Three Excellencies. Lü Qian gave this sword to Wang Xiang, and it was passed down through generations in the Wang family of Langya.
Later, he suppressed the rebellion led by Tang Ci in Licheng Commandery with notable success. When Cao Rui ascended to the throne, he was transferred and enfeoffed as Marquis of Wan Nian Pavilion, his fief being increased by 200 households, totaling 600. He later died due to illness.
Characteristics
Lü Qian was highly effective in managing the region, governing with a combination of benevolence and authority, resulting in multiple successes in suppressing bandits and pacifying the people.
Descendants
• Lü Fan, son of Lü Qian, inherited his father's estate.
• His son, Lü Gui, succeeded him after his death.
The New Book of Tang · Generations of Chancellors states that Lü Qian was a descendant of Duke Kang of Qi, and from Lü Xingjun onward, they resided in Hedong. Whether Lü Xingjun and Lü Gui are the same person remains to be verified.
Anecdotes
Lü Qians Sword
• The Tang Dynasty literary figure Li Han, while compiling the Mengqiu, which collects ancient and modern anecdotes, specifically included the story of "Lü Qian's Sword."
Evaluations
• Chen Shou, in his Records of the Three Kingdoms, commented: "Li Tong, Zang Ba, Wen Ping, and Lü Qian defended their states and commanderies with notable authority and benevolence"; "Lü Qian governed Taishan Commandery for over ten years with great authority and benevolence"; "Lü Qian was brave and strategic." (From Records of the Three Kingdoms · Volume 18 · Wei Book 18)
• Cao Cao ordered: "Those with aspirations will surely achieve their goals, which is what valiant men strive for. Ever since you took office in the commandery, capturing villains and punishing violence has brought peace to the people. You have personally faced arrows and stones and always won every battle. In the past, Kou Xun gained fame in Ruyi and Yi; Geng Yan established his strategies in Qing and Yan, just as it is today."
• Xu Hun: "Clear music and poetic thoughts are laborious, desiring to learn dragon strategy. Wang Can temporarily put down his pen, Lü Qian initially received the sword." (From Sending Lou Fan Li Bijia)
• Lu Bi: "Wen Ping governed Jiangxia for several decades; Du Ji governed Hedong for ten years, and Bingzhou and Jizhou for over twenty years; Lü Qian governed Taishan over ten years. They were all long-serving officials, trusted by their states to govern commanderies and provinces."
Artistic Depictions
Literature
• In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Lü Qian was initially recommended by Liu Ye and hired as an assistant in Cao Wei's army. He later held positions such as a commandant, central guard, and other roles. During the campaign against Lu Bu, he shot dead one of Lu Bu's generals, Xue Lan. In the battles against Liu Bei, he served as a vanguard alongside Li Dian. At the Battle of Red Cliffs, he commanded the rear naval forces, frequently accompanying Cao Cao in various campaigns and achieving numerous military successes.
Film and Television
• In the 1994 TV series Romance of theThree Kingdoms: Manglai
Further Reading
References
• 呂虔 (Chinese)
The text above incorporates content created automatically using artifical intelligence.
Lü Qian (lived years unknown), styled Zike, was a native of Rencheng, Yanzhou. During the Three Kingdoms period, he served as a general for Cao Wei. He held various positions including Governor of Taishan, Cavalry Commandant, Deputy General, and finally reached the rank of General Who Calms the Barbarians, being enfeoffed as Marquis of Wannian Pavilion.