Wei Xu

Historical Record

As for the historical materials on Wei Xu, the official histories contain no clear record of his life or specific posts. In the Records of the Three Kingdoms and other sources, Wei Xu's name occasionally appears alongside other figures, but it lacks an independent biography or detailed description. We therefore cannot obtain from the sources any information about Wei Xu's personal background, military ability, political stance, or final fate. He seems to have played a relatively minor role on the historical stage, so much so that his true historical character is now hard to verify. His existence is more that of a member of Lü Bu's faction than of an individual acting independently or wielding notable influence.

In the Novel

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Wei Xu, as a general under Lü Bu, is given a far fuller portrayal than in history, but his loyalty is much in question. He first appears in Chapter 16, where, together with Song Xian, he is ordered by Lü Bu to escort Lü Bu's daughter to Shouchun to be married into Yuan Shu's family ^c:6837. This indicates a certain status and trust within Lü Bu's faction. Thereafter, in Lü Bu's repeated clashes with Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and other lords, Wei Xu likewise campaigned with the army many times. For example, in Chapter 17, when Lü Bu split his forces into five divisions to oppose Yuan Shu, Wei Xu was sent together with Song Xian to Jieshi to resist Chen Lan ^c:6838. In Chapter 18, to relieve the siege of Xuzhou, Lü Bu again dispatched Wei Xu and Song Xian to take Ru and Ying in the west, in order to pin down Cao Cao ^c:6839. These episodes all depict Wei Xu as an indispensable military force in Lü Bu's camp.

Wei Xu's ultimate fate in the novel, however, ends in betrayal of Lü Bu. When Lü Bu was besieged by Cao Cao at Xiapi, Wei Xu, Song Xian, and Hou Cheng, dissatisfied with Lü Bu's cruelty and suspicion, finally chose to betray him. Hou Cheng, reproached over pursuing a horse, set off the three men's resentment of Lü Bu. Song Xian said outright that Lü Bu "only dotes on his wife and children and regards us as so much grass," and Wei Xu chimed in, "The army surrounds the city, water rings the moat—our day of death is at hand!" ^c:15685. In the end the three conspired: Hou Cheng stole Lü Bu's Red Hare horse, while Wei Xu and Song Xian seized Lü Bu in his sleep and presented him to Cao Cao ^c:4353. This act of betrayal directly brought about Lü Bu's downfall. After Lü Bu was captured, Wei Xu, Song Xian, and the others thus surrendered to Cao Cao. Wei Xu's end after surrendering to Cao Cao was likewise tragic and stirring. In Chapter 25, when Cao Cao fought Yuan Shao and Yan Liang cut down Song Xian before the lines, Wei Xu, to avenge his comrade, asked to go out and fight, but was cleaved from his horse by a single stroke of Yan Liang's blade ^c:6841. Through these episodes the novel shapes the image of a general at first loyal, later treacherous, and at last fallen in battle, greatly enriching the arc of Wei Xu's character so that he is no longer the blurry name of the histories.

Key Relationships

* Lü Bu's faction (serves): Wei Xu was a general under Lü Bu who campaigned with him many times and took part in the military actions of Lü Bu's faction, such as escorting Lü Bu's daughter and resisting Yuan Shu's army ^c:6837.
* Lü Bu (betrayed_by): In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Wei Xu ultimately betrayed Lü Bu, joining Song Xian and Hou Cheng to seize Lü Bu alive and present him to Cao Cao, directly causing Lü Bu's destruction ^c:4353 (novel-only).
* Cao Wei (serves): After betraying Lü Bu, Wei Xu surrendered to Cao Cao and became a general under his command, but was finally cut down in battle with Yan Liang ^c:6841 (novel-only).
* Song Xian, Hou Cheng (allies): Wei Xu, Song Xian, and Hou Cheng were colleagues in Lü Bu's faction and co-conspirators in betraying Lü Bu. Out of dissatisfaction with Lü Bu, the three allied and together carried out the plan to capture him ^c:15685 (novel-only).
* Yan Liang (killed_by): After surrendering to Cao Cao, Wei Xu, to avenge Song Xian whom Yan Liang had cut down, went out to fight Yan Liang, only to be cleaved to death by him with a single stroke ^c:6841 (novel-only).

Iconic Scenes

* Escorting Lü Bu's daughter: Wei Xu, together with Song Xian, was ordered by Lü Bu to escort his daughter to Shouchun to be married into Yuan Shu's family, displaying his status and degree of trust within Lü Bu's faction ^c:6837 (novel-only).
* The betrayal at Xiapi: With Xiapi under siege, Wei Xu conspired with Song Xian and Hou Cheng to seize Lü Bu in his sleep and present him to Cao Cao. This event directly caused Lü Bu's downfall and is Wei Xu's most decisive action in the novel ^c:4353 (novel-only).
* Slain beneath Yan Liang's blade: After surrendering to Cao Cao, Wei Xu, at the Battle of Boma, went out to fight Yan Liang to avenge Song Xian whom Yan Liang had cut down, but was cleaved from his horse by a single stroke of Yan Liang's blade, ending his life in the novel. This scene displays both his "loyalty to a comrade" and Yan Liang's valor ^c:6841 (novel-only).