Three Heroes Battle Lu Bu: The Classic Peak Duel in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Brief Introduction

"The Battle of the Three Heroes Against Lu Bu" is one of the most widely acclaimed classic scenes in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. This plot depicts the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, when a coalition of eighteen warlords marched against Dong Zhuo. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, the sworn brothers, joined forces to challenge Lu Bu, the invincible general of the realm. This battle not only showcased Lu Bu's martial prowess but also highlighted the loyalty, righteousness, and synergy of the Liu-Guan-Zhang trio. It has become a symbol of "teamwork" and "heroism" in later literary and artistic creations.

Core Knowledge Points

* Participants:
* The Three Heroes: Liu Bei (wielding the Twin-edged Sword), Guan Yu (wielding the Green Dragon Crescent Blade), and Zhang Fei (wielding the Zhangba Snake Spear).
* The Opponent: Lu Bu (wielding the Square Heaven Painted Halberd, riding the Red Hare horse).
* Location: Hulao Pass (present-day Sishui Town, Xingyang, Henan Province).
* Battle Process: Zhang Fei challenged Lu Bu first, fighting for over fifty rounds without a clear winner. Seeing Zhang Fei unable to subdue Lu Bu after a long fight, Guan Yu brandished his blade and joined the attack. Lu Bu still remained unfazed, until Liu Bei subsequently joined the fray with his sword. Surrounded by the three heroes, Lu Bu, outnumbered, eventually turned his horse and retreated into his formation.
History vs. Fiction: This plot is an artistic fiction within Romance of the Three Kingdoms. There is no record of this in the official history, Records of the Three Kingdoms*. Historically, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei did fight against Lu Bu together, but not in a duel at Hulao Pass.

Connection to Book Content

In the original novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, this plot primarily appears in Chapter 5: "Issuing a Fraudulent Edict, Various Towns Respond to Cao Gong; Breaking the Pass Troops, Three Heroes Battle Lu Bu".

1. Background Setup: The story takes place after Dong Zhuo seized power and moved the capital to Chang'an. Yuan Shao convened eighteen warlords to form the "Anti-Dong Zhuo Coalition." However, due to internal conflicts, the coalition forces failed to capture Hulao Pass after a prolonged siege.
2. Plot Progression: Lu Bu challenged the coalition troops before the pass, defeating several generals (such as Fang Yue, Mu Shun, and Wei Xu) and even defeating the renowned general Gongsun Zan. At this critical moment, Zhang Fei stepped forward, followed by Guan Yu and Liu Bei, forming the climax of the "Three Heroes Battle Lu Bu."
3. Aftermath: Although Lu Bu retreated in this battle, the coalition did not completely crush Dong Zhuo because of it. Shortly after, the coalition disbanded as each warlord sought to preserve their own strength. However, the "Three Heroes Battle Lu Bu" successfully established the reputation of Liu Bei's group within the martial world, laying the groundwork for the subsequent development of Liu Bei's power.

Cultural Significance

"The Battle of the Three Heroes Against Lu Bu" transcends the novel itself, becoming a symbol in Chinese culture representing "brotherhood united" and "fearless heroism." It emphasizes the importance of unity and cooperation when facing a powerful enemy. Simultaneously, it shapes Lu Bu's classic image as "invincible in bravery, yet ultimately hard to fight against the crowd." It is a key chapter for understanding the view of heroism in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.