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关系	对象	文献依据
type	person
name	吕布
name-style	奉先	《后汉书·卷一百五·列传第六十五》：吕布字奉先，五原九原人也。
born	161
died	199
authority-wikidata	Q317846
link-wikipedia_zh	吕布
link-wikipedia_en	Lü_Bu
killed	person:董卓	《三国志·魏志一》：夏四月，司徒王允与吕布共杀卓。
at-date 初平三年四月 192/4/30 - 192/5/28

吕布（不晚于161年 - 199年），字奉先，并州五原郡九原（今内蒙古自治区包头市九原区）人，东汉末年著名武将与军阀。先后为丁原、董卓的部将，也曾为袁绍效力，后乘刘备与袁术交战时而占据徐州，自成一方势力。建安三年（公元198年12月，阳历为199年2月7日）在下邳被曹操击败并处死于白门楼。

生平事迹

早年时期

吕布原籍山西并州，中平六年（189年），因其骁勇善战在并州任职。刺史丁原兼任骑都尉后，在河内驻守并任命吕布为主簿，相当器重他。

汉灵帝驾崩后，丁原进京与大将军何进密谋诛杀宦官，丁原受朝廷任命为执金吾。何进被杀、董卓入京后，诱吕布杀丁原，并任命他为骑都尉，非常信任和喜爱他，甚至誓为父子，吕布善长骑射，力气过人，获誉为「飞将」，不久再任他为中郎将，封都亭侯。

汉献帝初平元年（190年），董卓派吕布遍掘东汉帝陵与公卿陵墓，取其金银珠宝。

奉旨杀贼

董卓讨伐战时，关东军起兵讨伐董卓，吕布亦曾参战，却与将领胡轸不和而被孙坚所败。最后董卓挟天子迁都长安。董卓自知自己凶暴，为人所恶，所以时常要吕布作自己的侍卫及守中阁；不过，董卓性格多疑，失意时曾向吕布掷出手戟，并曾言吕布乱其私室，另一方面吕布又与董卓的婢女有染，恐怕事情被董卓发觉，所以心中十分不安。

当时，王允、士孙瑞、杨瓒等密谋暗杀董卓，于是拉拢吕布。吕布答应并成功刺杀董卓，任职奋威、奋武将军，假节，仪比三司，进封温侯，与王允同掌朝政。

投靠各方

董卓死后两月，其旧部属李傕和郭汜等本想解散部队逃亡，途中遇贾诩献计，李傕召集董卓旧部，攻入京城，吕布战败后仓皇出逃。

《英雄记》曰：「郭汜领兵到城北，吕布打开城门，与郭汜兵戎相见，说『把士兵退下，但我们决胜负。』郭汜、吕布便单挑，吕布以矛刺中郭汜，郭汜的后骑然后上前救了郭汜，郭汜、吕布二人便作罢退兵。」

吕布被李傕击败后，先投靠袁术，但因自恃有诛董卓之功而十分骄恣，袁术不满吕布反覆无常，于是吕布改投张杨，张杨手下建议擒拿吕布，交给李傕，吕布得悉后便转投袁绍。在袁绍处，吕布助其击溃黑山军，但吕布恃著功劳向袁绍请兵，袁绍不应许，吕布又放任将士到处抢劫、掠夺百姓，吕布自觉不宜再留，于是向袁绍告辞，袁绍假意派三十壮士送行，实则是刺杀吕布，吕布识破其诡计，让人在帐中弹琴，自己则趁机离开。袁绍下令关闭城门，吕布与张杨会合后，袁绍因畏惧吕布而不敢追击，吕布因而逃脱。

争夺兖徐

张邈接受陈宫之言，决定请吕布入驻本为曹操所据的兖州。当时曹操正东征徐州陶谦，听到消息后立即回师，在袁绍帮助下与吕布数次征战。吕布派军屯兵在濮阳之西四六十里，曹操实行夜袭，杀至隔天早上，吕布率军解救，三面围攻曹操。吕布亲率大军从早到午交战数十次，战斗激烈，曹操招募壮士冲阵，典韦抢先响应，并募集数十人，穿上两重铠甲，放弃大楯，手持长撩矛戟出战。正直西面战况又急，典韦冲前挡著敌兵，敌军弓弩乱发，箭如雨下，典韦合上眼，叫士卒：「敌人来到我面前十步才叫我。」士卒大叫：「十步了。」之后典韦又大叫：「到五步外再叫我！」众人皆惧，大叫：「敌人到了！」典韦手执十多枝长戟，大喊而起，攻击典韦的敌人无不应手倒地。最后吕布撤退。吕布因不敌而东投刘备，吕布一入徐州就先作书给袁术约定共同进攻刘备，刘备让他屯兵小沛。吕布称刘备为弟（可见吕布年长于刘备，即出生不迟于161年）。刘备与袁术相争，吕布乘机夺取徐州，自称徐州牧。使刘备只好投靠吕布，而吕布让刘备屯兵小沛。

不久袁术攻打刘备，吕布为免袁术北连泰山寇，围堵自己，透过辕门射戟化解了此次战事，使袁术麾下纪灵慑服赞道「将军天威也」。其后在陈圭挑拨下，吕布与袁术终断盟约，改与曹操短暂议和。不料陈圭之子陈登成功与曹操联络，作为曹操内应以讨伐吕布。而因吕布与袁术终断盟好，袁术发兵攻打徐州，陈圭以反间计令吕布大败袁术军。虽然如此，刘备在小沛再次聚集了万人兵力，后来又抢走吕布的马，吕布很是恼怒，于是要求袁涣写书辱骂刘备，袁涣拒绝，吕布因而大怒，甚至威胁要杀死袁涣；但袁涣始终面色不变，坚决不肯写，更笑著说：「我只曾听说过唯有德才可以羞辱人，未听闻过骂也可以。刘备若是君子，就不会在乎这些辱骂；若刘备是小人，则会回应，那到时被辱的就是这边了。而且将来若我为刘备效命，就像今天我为你效命般，一旦去了，我又受命辱骂你，这又可不可以？」吕布感到惭愧，不再强逼。于是再联合袁术，出兵攻打刘备。

汉献帝流亡河东时，曾写信让吕布迎驾，吕布因无粮没有响应，只是派使者上书。朝廷以吕布为平东将军，封平陶侯。曹操掌握朝廷后，又手书对吕布厚加慰劳，要吕布协助讨伐逆臣公孙瓒、袁术、韩暹、杨奉等。吕布大喜，又派使者上书献帝，称自己有意迎驾，但自己身为外将曾与曹操交战，为避嫌疑不便率军随驾，只能待罪徐州；又回答曹操感激其不念旧恶的慰劳褒奖，对讨伐袁术等事愿意效劳。曹操又派奉车都尉王则为使者带著诏书和平东将军印绶来拜见吕布，又手书称朝廷没有印绶，所授印绶是自家上等材料所制，褒奖吕布反对袁术称帝并绝交的态度。吕布遣陈登奉表章谢恩，并给曹操一份好绶带作为答谢。

郝萌叛变

建安元年（196年）六月，郝萌受袁术的怂恿起兵造反，攻打下邳，下邳防守坚固无法攻入，吕布不知道是谁造反，惊慌中全身赤裸裸带著女人从粪坑中逃命，吕布逃到高顺营中，高顺询问吕布有没有什么可以依靠用来判断敌人的线索，吕布只回答听到河内人的话，高顺迅速分析当时情况，判断郝萌叛变，并立即带兵进入下邳府。郝萌部将曹性倒戈，与郝萌对战，郝萌刺伤曹性，曹性斩断郝萌一臂。最后高顺斩杀郝萌。事件结束后，吕布问曹性事情起源，曹性答：「郝萌受袁术的鼓动而造反」吕布又问：「有谁同谋吗？」曹性回答说陈宫同谋，当时陈宫坐在吕布旁，紧张到面红耳赤，但吕布惜陈宫之才并不追究，后让曹性统领郝萌馀部。

兵败下邳

东汉建安二年（197年）夏天，依附吕布的袁术叛将韩暹跟杨奉因军粮不足，打算到其他地方就食，于是向吕布告辞，吕布不允，命令杨奉取刘备地麦。韩暹、杨奉于是联合小沛的刘备攻打吕布，刘备表面答应，杨奉进城出席刘备所设的酒席时，刘备派人把他困绑杀死，率领二十骑兵逃走的韩暹亦被县令张宣杀死，刘备收降韩暹、杨奉的兵马后兵力大为增加。东汉建安三年（198年）春天，吕布派人前往河内买马，中途被刘备军劫掠。吕布得知消息后大怒，转而与袁术结盟，应袁术要求派高顺、张辽攻打刘备，九月小沛城被攻下，刘备只身逃走投靠曹操，妻儿被吕布所俘虏，曹操于是联合刘备的军队共同攻打吕布的根据地下邳，曹操与先前答应做内应的广陵太守陈登联合，陈登为其先锋，曹操率大军在后，吕布多次出战皆大败，再也不敢出城应战。曹操围攻三个月，决水围城，吕布军中上下离心，其部下侯成、宋宪、魏续反叛，缚了高顺及陈宫投降，吕布在白门楼见敌军攻急，大势已去，于是命令左右杀死自己并将其首级交给曹操，左右不忍下手弑主，便下城投降。

先前吕布实践禁酒令，正好侯成亲自夺回被手下朝往刘备处的十五只马匹，当时众将都祝贺侯成，侯成为了庆功宴亲自酿酒猎猪，开餐之前跪下来送给吕布半只猪五斗酒作为谢礼，吕布大怒：「我下令禁酒但你却造酒，你们想共饮共食勾结为同夥，一起密谋将我吕布杀了吧！」因此侯成害怕，也为这背叛埋下了伏笔。

吕布被捆到曹操面前时，吕布不明白地说：「平时我很厚待手下，想不到大难临头他们全都忘恩负义背叛我！」曹操笑道：「你把自己的妻妾丢在家，跑去玩下属们的女人，这样叫厚待他们？」吕布哑口无言。吕布要求松绑，曹操笑说：「绑老虎不得不紧。」吕布又说：「曹公所顾忌的是我，现在我已降服于你，天下的忧患已经大大减少。只要指派我率领骑兵，曹公率领步兵，就可以统一天下。」爱才的曹操欣赏吕布的武勇而考虑收留，刘备劝说：「君不见丁原、董卓之事乎？（您不记得丁原和董卓的前车之鉴吗？）」主簿王必也上前劝曹操处死吕布，曹操听后点头后说：「本想给你条活路，但没办法有人荐死，只能这么办了。」吕布死前大骂：「刘备你最不可信！」

最后吕布同陈宫、高顺被缢杀，张辽则领兵向曹操投降。三人吊首身亡后被枭首，随后送至许昌埋葬。后来清朝人赵翼《陔馀丛考·成语》将刘备当时所说的「君不见丁原、董卓之事乎？」拿来做个成语「不识丁董」，意思是不懂事，缺乏知识。

性格特徵

吕布出身汉朝边疆九原郡，或有游牧民族血统或民俗习性，故善习胡骑战法与骑射技艺而勇猛善战，被认为堪比西汉名将李广，同样有「飞将」的美誉。该时民间有「人中吕布，马中赤兔」一说，并流传至今。

不过也因为吕布出身所养成的习性，被认知是个为人势利多变，忘恩负义又多番弑主或变盟行为，有勇无谋且生性贪色，强占部下妻妾为己有，故其性格品行并不为人所喜，人缘极差。

虽先后获得丁原、董卓、王允、陈宫等人青睐赏识，但大多是看重吕布本身骁勇能力来为图谋追求自身政治利益或目标而利用之，吕布又出于确保与他从并州离乡流离的军户弟兄的流户族群利益，从投靠群雄势力麾下谋生到脱颖而出自成诸侯雄踞一方，但这样谋生方式也易招到群雄忌惮视为威胁，最终兵败于曹操与刘备等联手围攻而败亡。

历史评价

• 时人语曰：「人中有吕布，马中有赤兔。」（《曹瞒传》）

• 皇甫郦：「吕布受恩而反图之，斯须之间，头县竿端，此有勇而无谋也。」（《献帝起居注》）

• 陈宫：「吕布壮士，善战无前。」（《三国志·魏书七·吕布（张邈）臧洪传第七》）

• 陈登：「待将军譬如养虎，当饱其肉，不饱则将噬人。」（《三国志·魏书·吕布张邈臧洪传第七》）

• 高顺：「凡破家亡国，非无忠臣明智者也，但患不见用耳。将军举动，不肯详思，辄喜言误，误不可数也。」（王粲等撰《英雄记》）「将军躬杀董卓，威震夷狄。」（《三国志·魏书七·吕布（张邈）臧洪传第七》）

• 纪灵等人：「将军天威也。」（《三国志·魏书七·吕布（张邈）臧洪传第七》）

• 曹性：「吕将军大将有神，不可击也。」（《三国志·魏书七·吕布（张邈）臧洪传第七》）

• 曹操：「布，狼子野心，诚难久养，非卿莫能究其情也。」（《三国志·魏书·吕布张邈臧洪传第七》）

• 郭嘉：「布之威力不及项籍，而困败过之，若乘胜攻之，此成禽也。」（《三国志·魏书十四·程郭董刘蒋刘传第十四》）

• 孙权：「老贼欲废汉自立久矣，徒忌二袁、吕布、刘表与孤耳。」（《三国志·吴书九·周瑜鲁肃吕蒙传第九》）

• 荀攸：「吕布勇而无谋。」「布骁猛，又恃袁术，若纵横淮、泗间，豪杰必应之。」（《三国志・荀攸传》）

• 程昱：「夫布，粗中少亲，刚而无礼，匹夫之雄耳。」（《三国志・程昱传》）

• 陈琳：「其间豪桀纵横，熊据虎跱，强如二袁，勇如吕布，跨州连郡，有威有名。」（《檄吴将校部曲文》）

• 陈寿：「吕布有虓虎之勇，而无英奇之略，轻狡反复，唯利是视。自古及今，未有若此不夷灭也。」（《三国志·魏书·吕布臧洪传第七》）

• 张茂：「曜可方吕布、关羽，而云孟德不及，岂不过哉。」（《十六国春秋》）

• 常璩：「汉末大乱，雄桀并起。若董卓、吕布、二袁、韩、马、张杨、刘表之徒，兼州连郡，众逾万计，叱吒之间，皆自谓汉祖可踵，桓、文易迈。」（《华阳国志·刘先主志》）

• 徐众：「吕布反覆无义，志在逆乱。」（《三国志·魏书七·吕布（张邈）臧洪传第七》）

• 范晔：「焉作庸牧，以希后福。曷云负荷？地堕身逐。术既叨贪，布亦翻覆。」（《后汉书·刘焉袁术吕布列传第六十五》）

• 萧介：「臣闻凶人之性不移，天下之恶一也。昔吕布杀丁原以事董卓，终诛董而为贼；刘牢反王恭以归晋，还背晋以构妖。何者？狼子野心，终无驯狎之性；养虎之喻，必见饥噬之祸。侯景兽心之种，鸣镝之类。」（《梁书·萧介传》）

• 萧道成：「攸之反善图全，用得自免。既杀从父，又虐良朋，虽吕布贩君，郦寄卖友，方之斯人，未足为酷。泰始开辟，网漏吞舟，略其凶险，取其搏噬，故阶乱获全，因祸兴福。」（《全齐文卷十七》）

• 李克用：「吾于罕之，岂惜一镇；吾有罕之，亦如董卓之有吕布，雄则雄矣，鹰鸟之性，饱则扬去，实惧翻覆毒余也。」（《旧五代史》）

• 赵蕤：「袁本初虎视河朔；刘景升鹊起荆州；马超、韩遂，雄据于关西；吕布、陈宫，窃命于东夏；辽河海岱，王公十数，皆阻兵百万、铁骑千群，合纵缔交，为一时之杰也。」「当是时，虽诸葛之智、陈宫之谋、吕布之勇、关张之功，无所用矣。此谓勇怯势也、强弱形也。救兵有三势，善战者恒求之于势。」（《长短经卷六·霸纪下》）

• 薛居正：「昔武皇之起并、汾也，会鹿走于中原，期龙战于大泽，蓄骁果之士，以备鹰犬之用。故自存信而下，皆锡姓以结其心，授任以责其效。与夫董卓之畜吕布，亦何殊哉！惟存孝之勇，足以冠三军而长万夫，苟不为叛臣，则可谓良将矣。」（《旧五代史》）

• 崔致远：「纪昌若见，必想韬弦；吕布相逢，固惭捻筈。既抱非常之伎，伫成可久之功，换滑台之旧资，陟隋苑之高级。」（《郝定补衙前兵马使》）

• 司马光：「布者反覆乱人，非能辅佐汉室，而又强暴无谋，败亡有证。」（《传家集》）

• 苏轼：「犹胜白门穷吕布，欲将鞍马事曹瞒。」（《答范祖禹》）「吕布、曹爽，何人也？而为之用，尚何言知！」（《论桓范陈宫》）「使不幸而贼有过人之才，如吕布、刘备之徒，得徐而逞其志，则京东之安危未可知也。」（《苏东坡全集·卷五十二·奏议六首》）

• 苏辙：「犬彘之所不为，而惠卿为之。昔吕布事丁原则杀丁原，事董卓则杀董卓；刘牢之事王恭则反王恭，事司马元显则反元显，故曹操、桓玄终畏而诛之。如惠卿之恶，纵未正典刑，犹当投畀四裔，以御魑魅。」（《宋史·卷四百七十一》）「背逆人理，世所共疑。故吕布见诛于曹公，而牢之见杀于桓氏，皆以其平生反复，势不可存。」（《栾城集卷三十八》）

• 秦观：「夫以（吕）布不忠于丁、董也，其肯忠于曹氏乎？」（《白敏中论》）

• 何去非：「昔者东汉之微，豪杰并起而争天下，人各操其所争之资。盖二袁以势，吕布以勇，曹公以智，刘备、孙权各挟其智勇之微而不全者也。」「方二袁之起，借其世资以撼天下。绍举四州之众，南向而逼官渡；术据南阳，以扰江淮，遂窃大号；吕布骁勇，转斗无前而争衮州。方是之时，天下之窥曹公，疑不复振。而人之所以争附而乐赴者，袁、吕而已。」（《何博士备论》）

• 郝经：「吕布翻覆，虓猛而不知义。至于禽戮，乞解缚自效，岂天也哉。」（《续后汉书》）

• 张溥：「汉末名人，文有孔融，武有吕布，孟德实兼其长。此两人不死，杀孟德有馀。」

• 罗贯中：「夜读三分传，堪嗟吕奉先。背恩诛董卓，忘义杀丁原。倚仗英雄气，不从忠直言。白门身死日，犹自望哀怜！」

• 杨维桢：「伟哉刘公论，吕布真难容。」（《览古诗之五》）

• 于慎行曰：「吕布，剑客之雄耳，非大豪也。然使得为操用，夏侯敦、许褚之流，远出其下，何至如丁原、董卓哉。而玄德不肯言，非忌布也，乃忌操也。先主此等识见又操所不能参耳。」

• 丁耀亢：「吕布善戟法，骁勇绝技。」「布以枭将，两刺其主，白门之诛，有天道焉。」（《天史》）

• 王夫之：「而有骁劲之力以助其恶，嗾之斯前矣，激之斯起矣，触之斯閧矣，蹂躏于中夏而靡所底止，天下未宁而布先殪，其自取之必然也。吕布殪，而天下之乱始有乍息之时，乱人不亡，乱靡有定，必矣。」「吕布不死，天下无可定乱之机。」（《读通鉴论》）

• 柳从辰：「卓虽受诛，豪杰并起，跨州连郡如刘虞、公孙瓒、陶谦、袁绍、刘表、刘焉、袁术、吕布者，皆尝雄视一时，其权力犹足匡正帝室。」

• 蔡东藩：「一箭能销两造兵，温侯也善解纷争；辕门射戟传佳话，如听当年嚆矢声。」「若吕布为反覆小人，始依备，继袭备，后复和备，始终误一贫字，安望有成。但观其保护备家，不屑淫掠，至射戟一事，更为刘备排难，此亦未始非豪侠所为。后之朝亲暮仇者，且不布若，可胜慨哉！」「吕布之勇，足以敌曹操，而智谋之不逮操也远甚！操之图布也久矣！督师东来，目无吕布；但布若能用陈宫之计，内外呼应，犄角相援，则操亦未必有成；就使挫失，布在城外，亦可远走，何至为操所擒乎？乃始则被惑于妇人，继则见嫌于部将，虎为人缚，摇尾乞怜，嗟何及哉！」

• 方诗铭：「以吕布为中心的并州军事集团，是一支具有特殊战斗力的军事力量，在东汉末年的战争年代，他们曾成为拥有强劲武装的割据势力，扮演过重要角色。但是，以他们本身所具有的弱点，加以一贯被人利用，又必然成为昙花一现的人物，终于为曹操所消灭。」

• 柏杨：「一则吕布先生本质是一个忘恩负义之徒，朋友算老几？二则吕布先生显然企图独霸「杀董」之功。吕布先生于六年后，为他的行为付出代价。」（《柏杨全集23/史学卷》）

家庭

妻

吕布有一妻子，但姓名未载于史书，或为魏续的姐妹魏氏。

'以下是在三国演义中提及的吕布妻妾

1.正妻：严氏

2.次妻：曹氏（曹豹女）

3.妾：貂蝉

女

• 吕氏（在正史中，吕布原打算将女儿嫁给袁术的儿子，但在陈圭的劝说下，阻止了吕袁的同盟，吕布将女儿夺回后，转而接受许昌朝廷册封的左将军之职。后来198年，曹操包围下邳城时，吕布为求袁术发兵援救，答应袁术索吕布之女为媳妇一事。吕布将女儿背在背上想突围，却因曹操军防线的箭雨逼退了回去。此后再无记载）。

传说逸事

《三国志平话》描述他：「身长九尺二寸，骑赤兔马、身披金铠、头带獬豸冠、使丈二方天戟、上面挂黄幡豹尾、步奔过骑、为左将军。」

《三国志平话》：「次日，吕布下关，叫曰：『大眼汉出马！』张飞大怒，出马，手持丈八神矛，睁双圆眼，直取吕布。二马相交，三十合，不分胜败。张飞平生好厮杀，撞著对手，又战三十合，杀吕布絣旗掩面。张飞如神，吕布心怯，拔马上关，坚闭不出。吕布使四盗寇紧守其关。四人者，李傕，郭汜，张济，樊稠四人。」

《三国演义》描写他身高一丈，腰大（黄本为「阔」）十围，眉清目秀。持方天画戟（嘉靖本为画杆方天戟），骑赤兔马，头戴三叉束发紫金冠 、体挂西川红锦百花袍、身披兽面吞头连环铠、腰系勒甲玲珑狮蛮带，弓箭随身。吕布被描写为汉末三国时代武艺最强之武将，「三英战吕布」时刘备、关羽、张飞三人围攻吕布，亦未能将其战倒；又直接写他成为丁原、董卓的义子，加上自己姓吕，所以张飞骂他是「三姓家奴」；加插了王允使计，以美女貂蝉离间他与董卓的「连环计」。

《水浒传》有小温侯吕方，便是依照吕布形象创造的人物，吕方自称：「小人姓吕名方，祖贯潭州人氏。平昔爱学吕布为人，因此习学这枝方天画戟，人都唤小人做小温侯吕方。」

《荡寇志·第八十八回·演武厅夫妻宵宴-猿臂寨兄弟归心》中则有这种描述：（陈）丽卿见那旗竿顶上锡打的平安吉庆，忽然想起，问（祝）永清道：「兄弟那技方天戟有多少斤重？」永清道：「四十斤。姐姐的梨花枪多少？」丽卿道：「比你的轻四斤，三十六斤。」永清道：「姐姐这般神力，何不再用得重些？」丽卿笑道：「兵器又不在斤两上分高低。古人说得好：四两能拨千斤重。当年吕布何等了得！有句老话：三国英雄算马超，马超还是吕布高。他那枝方天戟，只得二十四斤。关王八十二斤的大刀，他也敌得过。何在轻重！」永清点头。

《天豹图》有曹天吉，混名叫做小吕布赛温侯。

《斩鬼传》有一人，唤死大汉，被钟馗杀死后，钟馗去阎王殿查生死簿，阎君道：「尊神有所不知，那死大汉是吕布所转，因他虽然勇猛，却少刚骨，所以罚他转了这等个人，以待尊神诛之，报他杀丁建原之罪也。」

并州定襄县（今山西省太原市以北、忻州市东南部）东南的中霍村据传是吕布故里，有「霍清泉」、「智擒赤兔马」、「歪脖子树」等民间传说，都与吕布有关。

武器

正史记载

根据裴注《三国志·吕布传》引《英雄记》记载，

英雄记曰：郭汜在城北。布开城门，将兵就汜，言「且却兵，但身决胜负」。汜、布乃独共对战，布以矛刺中汜，汜后骑遂前救汜，汜、布遂各两罢。根据这记载显示吕布使用之武器为「矛」。

小说描写

根据《三国演义·第五回·发矫诏诸镇应曹公破关兵三英战吕布》描写，见吕布出阵：头戴三叉束发紫金冠，体挂西川红锦百花袍，身披兽面吞头连环铠，腰系勒甲玲珑狮蛮带；弓箭随身，手持画戟；坐下嘶风赤兔马；果然是「人中吕布，马中赤兔！」。根据这描写显示吕布使用之武器为「方天画戟」。

历史考证

然而根据历史学家和武器学者考证，「方天画戟」是隋唐以后才出现的武器，在魏晋以前并无此武器的出现。与偃月刀一样都是宋元以后才渐为兵士使用。

关系

部下

• 陈宫，兖州名士。个性刚直烈壮，初为曹操麾下，后与张邈等叛迎吕布，为其出谋献策。吕布死后，拒绝向曹操投降，为曹操挥泪斩首。

• 张邈、张超兄弟，张邈为东汉名士，以侠气闻名，位列「八厨」，与曹操为知交。张超有知人之明，发掘名士臧洪。兄弟二人与陈宫共谋迎吕布背叛曹操。

• 高顺，吕布手下名将。麾下将士作战勇猛，严守军纪，高顺常能快速攻陷敌方阵营，号「陷阵营」。

• 张辽，勇力过人，董卓死后迁任吕布骑都尉。随吕布东奔徐州，任北地太守、鲁相。曹操击败吕布后，张辽率吕布军馀众投降。

• 成廉、魏越，吕布亲近骁将。曾随吕布大破张燕的黑山军。

• 郝萌，吕布部将。为袁术暗中联络背叛吕布，进行夜袭使吕布狼狈出逃。

　• 部将曹性，郝萌反叛后对其展开追捕，斩萌一臂，并供出陈宫亦是同谋。

• 魏续、侯成、宋宪，吕布部将，曹操围下邳，三人将陈宫、高顺绑起，投降曹操。

• 许汜、王楷，原曹操从事中郎，与陈宫等叛曹操迎吕布。吕布被曹操围在下邳时，派遣许汜，王楷向袁术求救。

• 李肃，董卓骑都尉。参与暗杀董卓，以戟刺伤董卓手臂，吕布随即用矛刺死董卓。后李肃又被吕布派往攻击牛辅，败退弘农，因战败被吕布诛杀。

• 陈卫、李黑参与暗杀董卓，伪装成宫门卫士。

• 庞舒，于吕布逃出长安时曾保护吕布妻小，并私下送还吕布。

• 秦宜禄，吕布部将，魏将秦朗生父。妻杜氏有美色，被曹操纳为妻妾。吕布兵败后降曹，在张飞教唆下叛归刘备，中途却又反悔，因此被张飞杀死。

• 薛兰、李封吕布部将，屯兵抵御曹操，战死。

• 许耽、章诳、曹豹，一同背叛刘备暗迎吕布。

• 戚奇（戚寄)，吕布部将。闻汉臣陈悝之妻吴氏有美色且擅长论史、能弹琴，派人暗杀陈悝，强抢吴氏。吴氏怒骂戚奇后自刎而死，戚奇惭愧，将之埋葬才离开。

• 高雅，吕布部将，被于禁击破。

• 刘何，吕布部将，兵败被曹仁生擒。

• 泛嶷，吕布部将，成功攻取范。

• 赵庶、李邹吕布部将，徐晃征吕布时二人向徐晃投降。

• 吴资，济阴太守，曹操袭济阴治所定陶，吴资守著南城，曹操未能攻克。

• 侯谐，彭城相。曹操屠彭城，生擒侯谐。

• 陈圭、陈登父子，徐州望族陈姓士族子弟。在吕布占领徐州期间，父子二人合力离间吕布与袁术的合作关系。

• 张弘，吕布部下。曹操征吕布，陈登率兵作先锋，吕布以陈登三位弟弟作人质求和，为陈登所拒绝，反而将下邳城围得更紧迫。吕布的手下张弘害怕被连累，趁夜将陈登诸弟放出回到陈登身边。

• 毕谌，原曹操别驾，因母弟妻子被张邈劫去，因此迫为吕布效命。

• 袁涣，刘备领豫州牧时，举袁涣为茂才。后避乱江淮，被袁术徵命。袁涣和袁术议论，袁术都不能反驳，袁术对他十分恭敬和守礼。后来吕布攻击袁术，袁涣跟随吕布，吕布要求袁涣写书辱骂刘备，袁涣以大义拒绝，吕布惭愧。

盟友

• 泰山寇臧霸

　• 孙观、兄长孙康

　• 吴敦、尹礼、昌豨

• 白波贼馀党

　• 杨奉、韩暹

• 曹操叛将

　• 徐翕、毛晖

艺术文化形象

在许多以三国题材为背景的作品中，都可以见到吕布做为一名角色在其中现身。

漫画

• 《苍天航路》（王欣太）、火凤燎原外传小说《奉先》（王贻兴）

• 《火凤燎原》（陈某）

• 《》（池上辽一）

• 《吞食天地》（本宫宏志）

• 《横山光辉三国志》（横山光辉）

• 《终末的女武神》

动画

• 三国志

• 三国演义

• 苍天航路

戏剧与影视

• 香港邵氏电影《貂蝉》（1958年）：由赵雷饰演。

• 香港丽的电视电视剧《三国春秋》（1976年）：由潘志文饰演。

• 香港亚洲电视电视剧《貂蝉》（1987年）：由汤镇宗饰演。

• 台湾中国电视公司电视剧《貂蝉》（1988年）：由顾冠忠饰演。

• 中国太原电视台电视剧《关公》（1993年）：由孟玉宝饰演。

• 中国中央电视台电视剧《三国演义》（1994年）：由张光北饰演。

• 台湾中华电视公司电视剧《三国英雄传之关公》（1996年）：由宋达民饰演。

• 电视剧《曹操》（1999年）：由张亚坤饰演。

• 电视剧《貂蝉》（2002年）：由吕良伟饰演。

• 中国中央电视台电视剧《吕布与貂蝉》又名（《蝶舞天涯》）（2003年）：由释小龙、黄磊饰演。

• 中国中央电视台电视剧《武圣关公》（2004年）：由一真饰演。

• 台湾民视电视剧《终极三国》（2009年）：由谢坤达饰演。

• 中国中央电视台电视剧《三国》（2010年）：由何润东饰演。

• 电影《铜雀台》（2012年）：由保剑锋饰演。

• 电视剧《曹操》（2013年）：由营峰饰演。

• 中国湖南卫视电视剧《武神赵子龙》（2016年）：由高以翔饰演。

• 香港舞台剧《火凤燎原》（2016年）：由邵仲衡饰演。

• 中国网路剧《终极三国》（2017年）：由卢冰铉饰演。

• 中国偶像剧《小戏骨：三国之反董卓联盟》（2018年），由葛奕德饰演。

• 中国网路电影《三国之战神无双》（2019年）：由黄海冰饰演。

• 日本电影《新解释·三国志》（2020年）：由城田优饰演。

• 香港电影《真·三国无双》（2021年）：由古天乐饰演。

游戏

• 在电子游戏里，以三国为题材的《真·三国无双》系列的历代作品中，吕布皆作为一名可玩角色，他在游戏中手持方天画戟，和赵云、周瑜、貂蝉、夏侯敦、司马懿为游戏中的主角。

• 在街机《吞食天地II 赤壁之战》中，吕布担任其中一个关卡的头目。

• 新加坡游戏《传说对决》（2016年）：由谢一帆配音。

• 先后在型月作品的extra系列和Fate/Grand Order中登场，职阶为berserker。

• 吕布在中国手游《王者荣耀》中作为可玩角色。

• 在Riot Games所开发的的线上游戏《英雄联盟》中，于2013年新春为角色嘉文四世所推出名为战神吕布的造型。其长枪亦变换成方天画戟。

• 在圣三国蜀汉传/三国蜀汉霸业中的正篇"虎牢关会战"首次出现，接著在"小沛突围战壹"，"小沛突围战贰"，"下邳攻坚战"和"白门楼之战"中出现。此外这个游戏也有吕布专属的外传。

以上介绍摘自维基百科；若有错漏，敬请在维基百科上修改来源条目。

Lü Bu (died 7 February 199), courtesy name Fengxian, was a Chinese military general and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of Imperial China. Originally a subordinate of a minor warlord Ding Yuan, he betrayed and murdered Ding Yuan and defected to Dong Zhuo, the warlord who controlled the Han central government in the early 190s. In 192, he turned against Dong Zhuo and killed him after being instigated by Wang Yun and Shisun Rui, but was later defeated and driven away by Dong Zhuo's followers.

From 192 to mid-195, Lü Bu wandered around central and northern China, consecutively seeking shelter under warlords such as Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao and Zhang Yang. In 194, he managed to take control of Yan Province from the warlord Cao Cao with help from defectors from Cao's side, but Cao took back his territories within two years. In 196, Lü Bu turned against Liu Bei, who had offered him refuge in Xu Province, and seized control of the province from his host. Although he had agreed to an alliance with Yuan Shu earlier, he severed ties with him after Yuan declared himself emperor – treason against Emperor Xian of Han – and joined Cao and others in attacking the pretender. However, in 198, he sided with Yuan Shu again and came under attack by the combined forces of Cao and Liu, resulting in his defeat at the Battle of Xiapi in 199. He was captured and executed on Cao's order.

Although Lü Bu is described in historical and fictional sources as an exceptionally mighty warrior, he was also notorious for his temperamental behaviour. He switched allegiances erratically and freely betrayed his allies, and was noted for his poor planning and management skills. He was always suspicious of others and could not control his subordinates. All these factors ultimately led to his downfall. In the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the details of his life are dramatised and some fictitious elements – including his romance with the fictional maiden Diaochan – are added to portray him as a nearly unchallenged warrior who was also a ruthless and impulsive brute bereft of morals.

Historical sources on Lü Bus life

There are two official biographies of Lü Bu. The first one is in the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), which was written by Chen Shou in the third century.

In the fifth century, Pei Songzhi annotated the Sanguozhi by incorporating information from other sources to Chen Shou's original work and adding his personal commentary. Some alternative texts used in the annotations to Lü Bu's biography include: Yingxiong Ji (Chronicles of Heroes and Champions), by Wang Can; Xiandi Chunqiu (Chronicles of Emperor Xian), by Yuan Wei; Wei Shi Chunqiu (Chronicles of the Ruling Family of Wei), by Sun Sheng; Cao Man Zhuan (Biography of Cao Man), by an unknown writer.

The second biography of Lü Bu is in the Book of the Later Han (Houhanshu), which was compiled by Fan Ye in the fifth century.

Physical appearance

No descriptions of Lü Bu's physical appearance exist in historical records. It was noted that he specialised in archery and horse-riding, and possessed great physical strength. He was nicknamed "Flying General" (飞将) for his martial prowess. He also owned a powerful steed known as the "Red Hare". The Cao Man Zhuan recorded that there was a saying at the time to describe Lü Bu and the Red Hare: "Among men, Lü Bu; Among steeds, Chì Tù (the Red Hare)".

Lü Bu is described as follows in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms:

Service under Ding Yuan and defection to Dong Zhuo

Lü Bu was from Jiuyuan County (九原县), Wuyuan Commandery (五原郡), which is near present-day Baotou, Inner Mongolia. He was known for his martial valour in Bing Province. When Ding Yuan, the Inspector (刺史) of Bing Province, was appointed as a Cavalry Commandant (骑都尉) by the Han central government and ordered to garrison at Henei Commandery, he recruited Lü Bu as a Registrar (主簿) and treated him kindly.

After the death of Emperor Ling in 189, Ding Yuan led his troops to the capital Luoyang to assist the general He Jin in eliminating the eunuch faction. He Jin ended up being assassinated by the eunuchs instead, after which the warlord Dong Zhuo led his forces into Luoyang and occupied the capital. Dong Zhuo wanted to kill Ding Yuan and take control of Ding's troops, so he induced Lü Bu into betraying Ding and defecting to his side. Lü Bu killed Ding Yuan, cut off his head, and presented it to Dong Zhuo, who had by then seized control of the Han central government. Dong Zhuo appointed Lü Bu as a Cavalry Commandant (骑都尉) and placed much faith and trust in him. He also accepted Lü Bu as a foster son. Lü Bu was later promoted from the position of a Cavalry Commandant to a General of the Household (中郎将). He was also made a Marquis of a Chief Village (都亭侯).

Service under Dong Zhuo

In 190, a coalition of warlords led by Yuan Shao initiated a punitive campaign against Dong Zhuo in response to Dong's tyranny and monopoly of the central government. Dong Zhuo had deposed Emperor Ling's successor, Emperor Shao, earlier that year and replaced him with Emperor Xian, who was actually a puppet ruler under his control. Lü Bu defended Dong Zhuo and fought in battles against the coalition. In one battle at Yangren (阳人; believed to be near present-day Wenquan, Ruzhou, Henan), Dong Zhuo ordered Lü Bu and Hu Zhen to attack Sun Jian (one of the coalition members), but Lü Bu and Hu Zhen could not get along with each other, resulting in disorder in their army. Sun Jian used the opportunity to attack them and forced them to retreat. Within months, the coalition forces had reached the capital Luoyang. Dong Zhuo personally led an army to engage the coalition vanguard, led by Sun Jian, in the area where the tombs of the Han emperors were located, but was defeated and forced to retreat. Sun Jian then passed through Luoyang's Xuanyang Gate (宣阳城门), where he attacked Lü Bu and drove him back. Dong Zhuo was alarmed, so he decided to evacuate Luoyang and move the capital to Chang'an in the west. He sent his troops to pillage Luoyang and force its residents to move to Chang'an as well, and then had Luoyang destroyed by fire. The coalition did not pursue Dong Zhuo to Chang'an and eventually dissolved by itself in the following year.

As Dong Zhuo usually behaved rudely in front of other people, he was afraid of being assassinated, hence he often kept Lü Bu by his side as a bodyguard. Dong Zhuo also had a bad temper and was easily agitated. During his outbursts, he threw short jis at Lü Bu, but Lü Bu reacted fast and dodged the weapons. Dong Zhuo's anger subsided after that. Lü Bu was very unhappy and he bore a grudge against his foster father. At the same time, Lü Bu was tasked with guarding Dong Zhuo's central living quarters, and he had a secret affair with one of Dong's maids. He feared that Dong Zhuo would find out and felt very uneasy about it.

Earlier on, Lü Bu had been warmly received by Wang Yun, the Minister over the Masses (司徒), so he went to see Wang and complained about how Dong Zhuo almost killed him. At the time, Wang Yun and another official, Shisun Rui (士孙瑞), were plotting to get rid of Dong Zhuo so they told Lü Bu about their plan and sought his help. Lü Bu said, "But we are father and son!" Wang Yun replied, "Your family name is Lü so you have no blood relations with him. He was not concerned about you at all when you almost died, so where was the father-son bond?" Lü Bu agreed to join them and personally killed Dong Zhuo later. After Dong Zhuo's death, Wang Yun and Lü Bu took charge of the central government. Lü Bu was appointed General of Vehement Might (奋威将军) and received the honours equivalent to those received by the Three Ducal Ministers – three high-ranking officials in the Han administration. Emperor Xian also enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Wen (温侯).

Expulsion from Changan

After Dong Zhuo's death, his followers in Liang Province, led by Li Jue, Guo Si and others, formed an army to attack Chang'an when Wang Yun refused to grant them amnesty for their past activities under Dong Zhuo. Guo Si led his men to attack the city's north gate, where he met Lü Bu, who told him, "Let's not send our soldiers into battle. Instead, let's have a man-on-man fight." Lü Bu then engaged Guo Si in a duel and injured him. Guo Si's men saved their superior. Both sides withdrew their forces. Lü Bu was unable to resist the enemy so he eventually abandoned Chang'an and fled. His defeat and subsequent flight took place 60 days after Dong Zhuo's death.

Pei Songzhi commented that the "60 days" claim in the original text of the Sanguozhi was erroneous. According to other sources, Lü Bu killed Dong Zhuo on the 23rd day of the fourth month in the third year of the Chuping era (190–193) in Emperor Xian's reign, and he fled from Chang'an on the first day of the sixth month. There were no interpolated dates in between, so Lü Bu could not have spent 60 days in Chang'an after Dong Zhuo's death.

Seeking shelter under Yuan Shu

After leaving Chang'an, Lü Bu, accompanied by a few hundred horsemen and with Dong Zhuo's head tied to his saddle, passed through Wu Pass and went to join Yuan Shu in Nanyang Commandery. The Sanguozhi and the Houhanshu give differing accounts of how Yuan Shu treated Lü Bu. The former claimed that Lü Bu expected to be received warmly because he felt that he had helped Yuan Shu take revenge by slaying Dong Zhuo. However, Yuan Shu detested Lü Bu because of his duplicity so he refused to accept him. The latter stated that Yuan Shu treated Lü Bu generously, but Lü behaved arrogantly as he felt that he deserved better treatment because he had done Yuan a favour by killing Dong Zhuo. Lü Bu also allowed his men to plunder the area. Yuan Shu became worried that Lü Bu would pose a threat to him, and Lü also felt uneasy after he heard that Yuan was suspicious of him, so he left.

Joining Yuan Shao and Zhang Yang

After leaving Yuan Shu, Lü Bu then headed to northern China to join Yuan Shu's relative, Yuan Shao. He assisted Yuan Shao in attacking Zhang Yan at Changshan. Zhang Yan had thousands of elite soldiers and cavalry. Lü Bu led his subordinates Cheng Lian (成廉) and Wei Yue (魏越) and dozens of riders to raid Zhang Yan's camp, killing several enemies and then fighting their way out. They did this three to four times every day continuously for a period of over ten days and eventually defeated Zhang Yan's forces.

Lü Bu behaved arrogantly in front of Yuan Shao because he perceived that he had done the Yuans a favour by slaying Dong Zhuo. He belittled Yuan's followers and treated them with contempt. He once asked for more soldiers from Yuan Shao but was refused, after which he sent his men to plunder Yuan's territories. Yuan Shao was greatly displeased and felt that Lü Bu posed a threat to him. Lü Bu sensed that Yuan Shao was suspicious of him so he wanted to leave northern China and return to Luoyang. Yuan Shao pretended to agree and recommended Lü Bu to take up the appointment of Colonel-Director of Retainers (司隷校尉) while secretly plotting to kill him.

On the day of Lü Bu's departure, Yuan Shao sent 30 armoured soldiers to escort him and personally saw him off. Along the journey, Lü Bu stopped and rested inside his tent. That night, Yuan Shao's soldiers crept into the tent and killed the person inside, who had covered himself with a blanket, after which they reported that Lü Bu was dead. The following day, Yuan Shao received news that Lü Bu was still alive so he immediately had the gates in his city closed. In fact, Lü Bu had secretly left his tent the previous night without Yuan Shao's soldiers knowing, and had ordered one of his men to remain inside as a decoy.

Lü Bu fled to Henei Commandery to join Zhang Yang after his escape. Yuan Shao sent his men to pursue Lü Bu but they were afraid of Lü and did not dare to approach him. Zhang Yang and his subordinates were bribed by Li Jue and Guo Si to kill Lü Bu. When Lü Bu heard about it, he told Zhang Yang, "I'm from the same province as you. If you kill me, you'll become weaker. If you recruit me, you can obtain the same honours and titles as Li Jue and Guo Si." Zhang Yang pretended to agree to help Li Jue and Guo Si kill Lü Bu but he secretly offered refuge to Lü instead. When Li Jue and Guo Si learnt that Zhang Yang had accepted Lü Bu, they became worried so they sent an imperial decree to Henei in Emperor Xian's name, appointing Lü Bu as the Administrator (太守) of Yingchuan Commandery.

The account of Lü Bu's association with Zhang Yang in the Sanguozhi differed slightly from that recorded in the Houhanshu. The former mentioned that Lü Bu joined Yuan Shao after he was rejected by Yuan Shu, and then he sought shelter under Zhang Yang after Yuan Shao sent assassins to kill him. In the Houhanshu, however, it was stated that Lü Bu went to join Zhang Yang after leaving Yuan Shu, and he managed to persuade Zhang to ignore Li Jue and Guo Si's urgings to kill him and instead provide him refuge. He left Zhang Yang later and went to join Yuan Shao, but returned to Zhang again after surviving the assassination attempt. On his way to Henei, Lü Bu passed by Chenliu (陈留; around present-day Kaifeng, Henan), where its Administrator, Zhang Miao, received him warmly. Zhang Miao made a pledge of friendship with Lü Bu when he saw him off from Chenliu.

Battle of Yan Province

Yuan Shao was furious when he heard that Zhang Miao – whom he had a feud with – had become Lü Bu's friend. Around the time, Yuan Shao was still an ally of Cao Cao, so Zhang Miao feared that Cao would combine forces with Yuan to attack him. Besides, Zhang Miao's jurisdiction, Chenliu, was in Yan Province, which was under Cao Cao's control.

In 194, when Cao Cao left Yan Province to attack Xu Province, Zhang Miao's younger brother Zhang Chao (张超), along with Cao's subordinates Chen Gong, Xu Si (许汜) and Wang Kai (王楷), started a rebellion. Chen Gong persuaded Zhang Miao to join them in welcoming Lü Bu into Yan Province. With help from the defectors, Lü Bu seized control of Puyang and declared himself the Governor (牧) of Yan Province. The various commanderies and counties in Yan Province responded to Lü Bu's call and defected to his side, except for Juancheng, Dong'e and Fan counties, which still remained under Cao Cao's control.

Upon receiving news of the rebellion and Lü Bu's intrusion, Cao Cao aborted the Xu Province campaign and led his forces back to Yan Province. The armies of Lü Bu and Cao Cao clashed at Puyang, where Cao was unable to overcome Lü, so both sides were locked in a stalemate for over 100 days. At the time, Yan Province was plagued by locusts and droughts so the people suffered from famine and many had resorted to cannibalism to survive. Lü Bu moved his base from Puyang further east to Shanyang. Within two years, Cao Cao managed to retake all his territories in Yan Province and he later defeated Lü Bu in a battle at Juye County. Lü Bu fled east to Xu Province and took shelter under Liu Bei.

Seizing Xu Province from Liu Bei

Lü Bu treated Liu Bei very respectfully when he first met him, and he said, "You and I are both from the northern borders. When I saw the Guandong Coalition rising up against Dong Zhuo, I already wanted to help them eliminate him. However, after I slew Dong Zhuo and left Chang'an, none of the former coalition members were willing to accept me. They even tried to kill me." He then brought Liu Bei to his camp, asked Liu to sit on his wife's bed, and instructed his wife to pay respect to Liu. He then threw a feast for Liu Bei and called Liu his "younger brother". Liu Bei knew that Lü Bu was unpredictable and untrustworthy, but he kept quiet and pretended to be friendly towards Lü Bu.

When Liu Bei was governing Xu Province, he was stationed in the provincial capital Xiapi and he drew boundaries with Yuan Shu in the areas around the Huai River. When Yuan Shu learnt that Lü Bu was in Xu Province, he wanted to instigate Lü Bu to help him deal with Liu Bei, so he wrote to Lü Bu: "In the past, Dong Zhuo monopolised state power, harmed the imperial family, and murdered my family. I participated in the campaign against Dong Zhuo but did not manage to kill him. You slew Dong Zhuo and sent me his head. In doing so, you helped me take revenge and salvage my reputation. This was the first favour you did me. When Jin Yuanxiu (金元休) was heading to Yan Province to assume office, Cao Cao defeated and nearly drove him to the point of destruction. Later, you attacked Cao Cao in Yan Province and helped me regain my reputation. This was the second favour you did me. Throughout my life, I have never heard of the existence of Liu Bei, but he started a war with me. With your mighty spirit, you are capable of defeating Liu Bei, and this will be the third favour you do me. With these three favours you did me, I am willing to entrust matters of life and death to you even though I may not be worthy. You have been fighting battles for a long time and you lack food supplies. I hereby send you 200,000 hu (斛) of grain and open my doors to you. If they are insufficient, I will continue to provide you a steady flow of supplies. If you need weapons and military equipment, just ask." Lü Bu was delighted and he agreed to help Yuan Shu attack Xiapi. The contents of Yuan Shu's letter, as recorded in the Houhanshu, were slightly different and briefer as compared to that recorded in the Sanguozhi.

Lü Bu led his forces to some 40 li west of Xiapi. Xu Dan (许耽), who was from Danyang (丹杨) and was serving as a General of the Household (中郎将) under Liu Bei, sent Zhang Kuang (章诳) to meet Lü Bu at night. Zhang Kuang told Lü Bu, "Zhang Yide quarrelled with Cao Bao and killed him. The city is now in a state of chaos. There are 1,000 soldiers from Danyang stationed at the west white gate. When they heard of your arrival, they jumped for joy as if they have been revitalised. The Danyang soldiers will open the west gate for you when you reach there." Lü Bu mobilised his troops that night and reached Xiapi at dawn, where the Danyang soldiers opened the west gate for him. Lü Bu sat on the viewing platform above the gate and instructed his troops to set fire in the city. They defeated Zhang Fei and his men in battle and captured Liu Bei's family, the families of Liu's subordinates, and Liu's supplies.

Liu Bei was away with his army resisting Yuan Shu's invading forces at Xuyi County and Huaiyin County when Lü Bu attacked and seized Xiapi from him. He also lost to Yuan Shu and was forced to retreat to Haixi (海西; in present-day Jiangsu), where, in hunger and desperation, he surrendered to Lü Bu. This took place in around early 196. Lü Bu was displeased that Yuan Shu's supplies had not reached him yet, so he led his men to welcome Liu Bei. He appointed Liu Bei as the Inspector (刺史) of Yu Province and ordered him to garrison at Xiaopei, while he declared himself the Governor of Xu Province and remained in Xiapi.

In July or August 196, Lü Bu's subordinate Hao Meng rebelled against him and attacked his office in Xiapi. Lü Bu's general Gao Shun suppressed the rebellion with help from Cao Xing – Hao Meng's subordinate, who refused to betray Lü Bu – and killed Hao Meng. Later that year, Lü Bu used his archery skill to prevent a battle between Liu Bei and Yuan Shu's general Ji Ling from taking place. He had a ji erected at the gate of the camp, and proposed, "Gentlemen, watch me fire an arrow at the lower part of the curved blade on the ji. If I hit it in one shot, all of you must withdraw your forces and leave. If I don't, you can remain here and prepare for battle." He then raised his bow and fired an arrow at the ji, hitting exactly the lower part of the curved blade. Everyone present at the scene was shocked. They said, "General, you possess Heaven's might!" The following day, they threw another party and then withdrew their forces.

Allying with Cao Cao against Yuan Shu

In early 197, Yuan Shu declared himself emperor in Shouchun, the administrative centre of his territories, and founded a Zhong (仲) dynasty. This was deemed an act of treason against the reigning Emperor Xian of the Han dynasty, so Yuan Shu soon found himself the target of attacks by Cao Cao and other warlords who had received orders from the Han imperial court to eliminate the pretender.

Earlier on, Yuan Shu wanted to form an alliance with Lü Bu so he proposed a marriage between his son and Lü Bu's daughter. Lü Bu initially agreed. After proclaiming himself emperor, Yuan Shu sent his subordinate Han Yin (韩胤) to meet Lü Bu and escort Lü Bu's daughter back to his territory for the marriage. However, Lü Bu changed his mind after Chen Gui convinced him to do so, and after he recalled how Yuan Shu rejected him when he first sought shelter under him. He then sent his men to chase Han Yin's convoy, which was on its way back to Shouchun, and retrieve his daughter. He also captured Han Yin and sent him as a prisoner to Xu, where Han Yin was executed.

The Yingxiong Ji recorded:

The main text of the Sanguozhi, however, mentioned that the Han imperial court appointed Lü Bu as General of the Left (左将军) instead of General Who Pacifies the East (as stated in the Yingxiong Ji). Nevertheless, Lü Bu did allow Chen Deng to go to Xu as his representative to thank the imperial court. In Xu, Chen Deng urged Cao Cao to get rid of Lü Bu and agreed to serve as a mole in Xu Province to help Cao Cao eliminate Lü Bu. Chen Deng also received a promotion while his father Chen Gui got a salary increase.

When Chen Deng returned to Xu Province, an angry Lü Bu confronted him, brandished his ji at him and said, "Your father advised me to side with Cao Cao and reject Yuan Shu's offer. Now, (after following his advice,) I have gained nothing, while you and your father got promoted and rewarded. You must have tricked me! What do you have to say?" Chen Deng maintained his composure and calmly replied, "When I met Cao Cao, I told him, 'You should treat the General (Lü Bu) in the same way you raise a tiger. Feed it well with meat. If it is not well-fed, it will attack people.' Cao Cao replied, 'You're wrong. He's like a hawk. If it is hungry, it will hunt for you. If it is well-fed, it will fly away.' That was what we talked about." Lü Bu's anger subsided.

War against Yuan Shu

Yuan Shu was furious that Lü Bu reneged on his word, so he allied with Han Xian and Yang Feng, and sent his general Zhang Xun (张勋) to attack Lü Bu. Lü Bu asked Chen Gui, "Yuan Shu sends his forces to attack me because I followed your suggestion. What should I do now?" Chen Gui replied, "The alliance between Han Xian, Yang Feng and Yuan Shu is formed by a loose assembly of their forces. They have not decided on a common plan so they will not last long. They are like chickens tied up together and they cannot move in tandem. My son, Deng, has a plan to separate them."

Lü Bu heeded Chen Gui's advice and sent a letter to Han Xian and Yang Feng, "You two generals escorted the Emperor in Luoyang, while I personally killed Dong Zhuo. We have all accomplished deeds worthy of praise. Yuan Shu has committed treason, so everyone should attack him. Why do you side with the traitor instead and join him in attacking me? We should combine forces to defeat Yuan Shu, help the Emperor eliminate this traitor, and achieve glory. We should not lose this opportunity now." He also promised to share the spoils of war with them. Han Xian and Yang Feng were pleased and they agreed to help Lü Bu. They defeated Zhang Xun at Xiapi and captured Qiao Rui (桥蕤), one of Yuan Shu's officers. Yuan Shu's forces suffered heavy casualties and many of his soldiers fell into the river and drowned.

Lü Bu, Han Xian and Yang Feng later led their forces to attack Shouchun, the capital of Yuan Shu's territories, travelling on both land and water. They plundered the lands along their journey. By the time they reached Zhongli (锺离; around present-day Chuzhou, Anhui), they had made much gains so they retreated. Before crossing the Huai River back to the north, Lü Bu left Yuan Shu a letter: "You think that your army is powerful and you always boast of having mighty warriors under your command. You wanted to destroy me, but why did you change your decision every time? I may not be courageous, but I have dominated the Huainan region. Within a short period of time, you have become like a rat scurrying for shelter in Shouchun and you cannot emerge again. Where are your mighty warriors? You enjoy telling lies to everyone, but you cannot make everyone believe you. Since ancient times, people have employed the technique of sowing discontent between their enemies to overcome them. I am not the first person to use this strategy. I am still nearby so I can wait for your response." After Lü Bu crossed the Huai River, Yuan Shu personally led 5,000 soldiers to the riverbank. Lü Bu's forces, which were on the opposite end, laughed at their enemy and retreated.

Conflict with Zang Ba

Around the time, Xiao Jian (萧建) served as the Chancellor (相) of Langya State and was stationed in Ju County. Xiao Jian, a conservative man, did not have any contact with Lü Bu. Lü Bu wrote to Xiao Jian: "Initially, everyone throughout the Empire took up arms for the purpose of eliminating Dong Zhuo. I killed Dong Zhuo and headed east, where I hoped to be able to borrow troops and return west to defend the Emperor and restore the capital Luoyang. However, the warlords were fighting among themselves and none of them were concerned about the state. I am from Wuyuan (五原), which is located more than 5,000 li away from Xu Province and is somewhere in the northwestern border. As of now, I came here not to fight for the southeastern lands. Ju and Xiapi are not far from each other so it is easy to maintain communication between them. You behave like you are an emperor in a commandery and a king in a county! In the past, when Yue Yi attacked the Qi state, he conquered over 70 cities in Qi, except for Ju and Jimo because of Tian Dan. I am not Yue Yi, and neither are you Tian Dan. You can seek the counsel of wise men on this letter." After receiving Lü Bu's letter, Xiao Jian ordered Ji Jian (赍笺) to present five fine steeds as gifts to Lü Bu.

Zang Ba defeated Xiao Jian later and seized possession of his resources. When Lü Bu heard that, he wanted to lead his forces to attack Zang Ba in Ju County, but Gao Shun advised him against it, "General, you've earned yourself widespread fame for killing Dong Zhuo. Even if you remain in your current position, those near and far will still be afraid of you. You shouldn't be so reckless as to personally lead your men into battle. If you lose, the damage to your reputation won't be minimal." Lü Bu ignored him. Zang Ba heard of Lü Bu's violent and plundering ways, so he remained inside Ju County and put up a firm defence against Lü Bu. Lü Bu was unable to conquer Ju County so he withdrew his forces and returned to Xiapi. Zang Ba later made peace with Lü Bu.

Battle of Xiapi

Around late 197 or early 198, Lü Bu sided with Yuan Shu again and he sent Gao Shun to attack Liu Bei in Xiaopei. Gao Shun defeated Liu Bei, as well as the reinforcements Cao Cao had sent to assist Liu Bei. Later, Cao Cao personally led a campaign against Lü Bu and besieged Xiapi. He wrote a letter to Lü Bu, explaining the benefits of submitting and the consequences of putting up resistance. Lü Bu wanted to surrender, but Chen Gong and the others knew that they had already offended Cao Cao (when they betrayed him earlier), so they urged Lü Bu to change his decision.

When Cao Cao's army reached Pengcheng, Chen Gong told Lü Bu, "We should attack the enemy now, since our troops have rested well while the enemy is weary. We're sure to win." Lü Bu replied, "Why don't we wait for them to attack first? After that we'll destroy them in the Si River." When Cao Cao's attacks increased in intensity, Lü Bu went up the White Gate Tower (白门楼; the viewing platform above the main gate in the south of Xiapi) and told his men, "Cao Cao has no intention of finding trouble with you. I should surrender to the wise lord." Chen Gong said, "The treacherous Cao Cao is no wise lord! Surrendering to him is like hitting a rock with an egg! How can you expect to live (after you surrender)?"

Lü Bu sent Xu Si (许汜) and Wang Kai (王楷) to request urgent aid from Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu said, "Lü Bu refused to send his daughter here, so it's expected that he'll meet his doom. Why does he seek help from me again?" Xu Si and Wang Kai replied, "If Your Highness doesn't save Lü Bu, you'll be courting your own doom. If Lü Bu is destroyed, Your Highness will be next." Yuan Shu then prepared his troops and claimed that he would be sending reinforcements to Lü Bu. In the meantime, Lü Bu thought that Yuan Shu was reluctant to help him because he did not send his daughter to Yuan Shu, so, one night, he tied his daughter to himself and attempted to break out of the siege. However, they encountered Cao Cao's soldiers, who fired arrows at them, so they had no choice but to return to Xiapi. Lü Bu led some 1,000 riders out of the city to engage the enemy, but lost the battle so he retreated back to Xiapi and did not dare to venture out.

Lü Bu ordered Chen Gong and Gao Shun to defend Xiapi, while he personally led some horsemen to attack Cao Cao's supply routes. However, before he left, his wife told him, "General, I know you want to attack Cao Cao's supply lines, but Chen Gong and Gao Shun can't get along with each other. If you leave, they may not work well together in defending the city. If a mishap occurs, what will become of you, General? I hope you'll consider this carefully and not be misled by Chen Gong and the others. When I was in Chang'an, you already abandoned me, but I managed to return to you because Pang Shu (庞舒) secretly protected me and kept me with him. You don't need to worry about me now." Lü Bu felt gloomy after listening to his wife and could not decide on what to do.

Chen Gong told Lü Bu, "Cao Cao has come a long way and he won't be able to last long. General, you can bring some troops with you and set up a camp outside the city, while the others and I will remain behind to defend the city. If the enemy attacks you, I'll lead the city's soldiers to attack them from behind. If they attack the city, you can reinforce the city from outside. Within ten days, the enemy's supplies will be depleted and we can defeat them easily." Lü Bu agreed with Chen Gong's idea. However, Lü Bu's wife said, "In the past, the Caos treated Gongtai (Chen Gong) like a newborn child, but he still turned against them and joined you. Now, the way you treat Gongtai is no lesser than how Cao Cao treated him, and you intend to entrust the entire city to him, along with your family, while you venture out alone? If something happens, I won't be your wife anymore!" Lü Bu then changed his mind.

Yuan Shu was unable to come to Lü Bu's aid. Cao Cao could not conquer Xiapi despite pressing attacks on the city and his men were growing weary. He wanted to abort the campaign and return to Xu, but his advisors Guo Jia and Xun You urged him to press on. He then ordered his troops to direct the waters of the Yi (沂) and Si (泗) rivers to flood Xiapi. After a siege lasting three months, the morale of Lü Bu's forces fell drastically and his men gradually alienated him. On 7 February 199, Lü Bu's subordinates Hou Cheng, Song Xian (宋宪) and Wei Xu (魏续) captured Chen Gong and Gao Shun, and then led their troops to surrender to Cao Cao.

Lü Bu and his remaining subordinates went up the White Gate Tower and surrendered when they saw they had been surrounded. The Houhanshu recorded that before he chose to surrender, Lü Bu asked his men to kill him and bring his head to Cao Cao but they refused.

Downfall and death

Lü Bu was tied up and brought before Cao Cao. He said, "I'm being tied up too tightly. Can you loosen the bonds?" Cao Cao replied, "A tiger must be tightly restrained." Lü Bu then said, "My lord, you dread only me, but now, since I've already submitted to you, you shouldn't have any more worries. My lord, why don't you spare me and let me help you lead your troops? In this way, you won't need to worry about not being able to pacify the Empire." When Cao Cao showed signs of reconsideration, Liu Bei interjected, "My lord, haven't you seen what Lü Bu did to Ding Jianyang and Grand Preceptor Dong?" Cao Cao rubbed his chin. Lü Bu shouted at Liu Bei, "You're the most untrustworthy person!"

Additional details about the conversation between Lü Bu and Cao Cao were recorded in other texts and they were later added by Pei Songzhi as annotations to the Sanguozhi.

The Yingxiong Ji recorded:

The Xiandi Chunqiu recorded:

Cao Cao had Lü Bu executed by hanging, along with Chen Gong, Gao Shun and others. Their dead bodies were later decapitated and their heads sent to the capital Xu and then buried.

Lü Bu's final moments recorded in the Houhanshu are slightly different from that recorded in the Sanguozhi, as the Houhanshu combined parts of the main text in the Sanguozhi with the Xiandi Chunqiu annotation, but the two accounts are generally similar.

Appraisal

Chen Shou, who wrote Lü Bu's biography in the Sanguozhi, commented:

In the main text of Lü Bu's biography, while describing the events of the Battle of Xiapi, Chen Shou also wrote:

Fan Ye, who wrote Lü Bu's biography in the Houhanshu, commented:

Family

Not much about Lü Bu's family was documented in historical texts, but it is known that he had a wife and a daughter, whose names were not recorded in history. Lü Bu abandoned his wife when he was fleeing from Chang'an, but his subordinate Pang Shu (庞舒) secretly protected her and kept her with him, and returned her to her husband later. She was most prominently mentioned during the Battle of Xiapi when she cautioned Lü Bu against overly trusting Chen Gong. Lü Bu's daughter was initially arranged to be married to Yuan Shu's son as part of an alliance between Lü and Yuan, but Lü reneged on his word and took her back when she was on her way for the marriage. When Xiapi was under siege by Cao Cao's forces, Lü Bu attempted to bring his daughter out of the city so that she could be delivered to Yuan Shu, as he hoped that Yuan would send reinforcements to him after receiving his daughter. However, Lü Bu failed to break out of the siege so he returned to Xiapi with her. The eventual fates of Lü Bu's wife and daughter are not known.

In the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Lü Bu had two wives, a concubine, and a daughter. His concubine was Diaochan, a fictional character and Wang Yun's foster daughter. She accompanied him after he killed Dong Zhuo and was mentioned to be with him during the Battle of Xiapi. Lü Bu's first wife was Lady Yan (严氏), who was based on Lü Bu's real-life wife (the one mentioned in historical sources). Lü Bu's second wife, who was only mentioned by name in the novel, was a fictional daughter of Cao Bao. The role played by Lü Bu's daughter in the novel was similar to that of her counterpart in actual history. She was also unnamed in the novel, but she is called "Lü Lingqi" (吕玲绮 Lǚ Língqǐ) in video games and popular culture.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms

In the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which dramatises the events before and during the Three Kingdoms period, Lü Bu is portrayed as a nearly invincible warrior but an incapable leader who is further marred by character flaws. While adhering to historical records in the general course of events, Luo exaggerated and sentimentalised many stories about Lü Bu, drawing inspirations from traditional operas and folklore.

See the following for some fictitious stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms involving Lü Bu:

• Battle of Hulao Pass

• List of fictitious stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms#Lü Bu and Diaochan

• Battle of Xiapi#In fiction

In popular culture

Because of his image as an unmatched warrior in traditional folklore and in the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Lü Bu is often held in high regard in works based on the Three Kingdoms and even in unrelated works.

Notable actors who have portrayed Lü Bu on screen include: Zhang Guangbei in Romance of the Three Kingdoms (1994); Huang Lei in Lü Bu and Diaochan (2001); Peter Ho in Three Kingdoms (2010); Godfrey Gao in God of War, Zhao Yun (2016); Louis Koo in Dynasty Warriors (2019).

Lü Bu appears as a playable character in Koei's video games based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms, including the strategy game series of the same title as the novel, the action game series Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi, and others. In the games, his name is spelled as "Lu Bu" without the diaeresis in the "u" in "Lu". Other non-Koei titles in which Lü Bu appear include the Creative Assembly's Total War: Three Kingdoms, Capcom's Destiny of an Emperor, Neo Geo's World Heroes 2 Jet, Fate/Extra, Puzzle & Dragons, and Arena of Valor. Additionally, Lü Bu is referenced as character skins in the games Overwatch (Reaper) and League of Legends (Jarvan IV).

Lü Bu appears in the video game Fate/EXTRA as a Berserker-class Servant possessed by Rani VIII. He later appears in the same class as a Servant able to be summoned by the protagonist in the mobile game Fate/Grand Order. He reappears in Fate/Extella and Fate/Extella Link as a playable Servant.

Lü Bu appears as a girl in the manga-anime Ikki Tousen, Ryofuko-chan, and Koihime Musō. In these media, Lü Bu is usually known by the Japanese name Ryofu Hōsen.

In the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering, there is a card named "Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms", in the Portal Three Kingdoms set.

Lü Bu appears as a character in the manga Shūmatsu no Valkyrie: Record of Ragnarok, regarded as "The Strongest Hero in the History of Mankind."

In The God of Highschool, Lü Bu appeared as a source of borrowed power for Yu Mira. Mira's borrowed power is of the general, which is loosely based on the historical figure of the same name. This power gives her several abilities such as enhanced strength and the ability to summon a red horse (based on Red Hare, the legendary steed of Lü Bu).