Geng Wu

Historical Record

Concerning Geng Wu (courtesy name Wenwei), there is at present no clear mention in the official histories such as the Records of the Three Kingdoms. His life and deeds, his official career, and his interactions with other figures of the Three Kingdoms period are therefore all unverifiable. In the great current of history, Geng Wu seems to have left no traces for later generations to trace; whether he existed, and the role he played in real historical events, remain an unsolved riddle.

In the Novel

In Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Geng Wu (courtesy name Wenwei) appears as an adviser to Han Fu, Governor of Jizhou, and is shaped into a loyal and righteous man of frank remonstrance ^c:3006. He first appears when Yuan Shao's troops were stationed at Henei and short of provisions. At that time Han Fu sent men to deliver grain to aid Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shao's adviser Feng Ji took the opportunity to offer a plan, inciting Yuan Shao to scheme for Jizhou. Feng Ji advised Yuan Shao secretly to contact Gongsun Zan, urging him to advance and attack Jizhou, and to agree on a pincer assault, so as to force Han Fu, unable to resist, to invite Yuan Shao to govern Jizhou jointly ^c:3006.

After Yuan Shao adopted this plan, Gongsun Zan indeed raised troops. Alarmed at the news, Han Fu gathered his advisers to discuss countermeasures. At this point Xun Chen put forward the proposal that, since Gongsun Zan was powerful and hard to withstand while Yuan Shao was outstanding in wisdom and valor with many famous generals under him, it would be better to invite Yuan Shao to govern Jizhou jointly so as to oppose Gongsun Zan ^c:3006. Geng Wu, however, voiced strong opposition to this proposal. He plainly pointed out that Yuan Shao was no more than "a lone guest with a destitute army, depending on us for his very breath," like "an infant in the palm of one's hand," and that one need only cut off his provisions to make him "starve to death at once" ^c:3006. Geng Wu held that to entrust the affairs of Jizhou to Yuan Shao was no different from "leading a tiger into a flock of sheep" and would bring immense disaster ^c:3006.

However, Han Fu did not heed Geng Wu's loyal counsel, but insisted on yielding to the worthier man, on the grounds that his own ability was inferior to Yuan Shao's and that Yuan Shao was a former subordinate of the Yuan house. Seeing that Han Fu was resolved not to listen, Geng Wu, deeply grieved, sighed, "Jizhou is finished!" ^c:3006 He then, together with Guan Chun and more than thirty others, indignantly resigned their posts and left. When Yuan Shao led his troops to the walls of Jizhou, Geng Wu and Guan Chun, bearing their loyalty to Han Fu and their hatred of Yuan Shao, lay in wait outside the city and tried to assassinate Yuan Shao. Their action, however, was thwarted by Yuan Shao's great generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou. Yan Liang cut down Geng Wu on the spot, and Wen Chou slew Guan Chun ^c:3006. Geng Wu's end embodies his loyal, righteous, and unyielding character, but also reflects the tragedy of an individual whose strength could not stand against the larger trend in an age of chaos.

Key Relationships

* Han Fu (advises_in): As an adviser to Han Fu, Geng Wu repeatedly offered loyal counsel, especially when Han Fu wished to yield Jizhou to Yuan Shao, when Geng Wu strenuously dissuaded him, pointing out that such a move was no different from "leading a tiger into a flock of sheep" ^c:3006. His advice reflects his loyalty to Han Fu and his deep concern for the safety of Jizhou, but in the end it was not adopted by Han Fu, leading to a tragic outcome.
* Yuan Shao (antagonist): Geng Wu regarded Yuan Shao as a potential threat to Jizhou and was well aware of his designs upon it. He tried to assassinate Yuan Shao to stop him from entering Jizhou, but was finally slain by Yuan Shao's subordinate general Yan Liang ^c:3006 (novel only).
* Yan Liang (killer): In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Yan Liang is the direct executioner who slew Geng Wu. When Geng Wu tried to assassinate Yuan Shao, Yan Liang stepped forward and cut him down ^c:3006 (novel only).

Iconic Scenes

* Frankly Remonstrating with Han Fu, Strenuously Opposing the Cession of the Province: At the crucial moment when Han Fu wished to yield Jizhou to Yuan Shao, Geng Wu stepped forward and strenuously urged Han Fu with the words, "Yuan Shao is a lone guest with a destitute army, depending on us for his very breath; he is like an infant in the palm of one's hand—cut off his nursing and he will starve to death at once. Why then entrust the affairs of the province to him? This is to lead a tiger into a flock of sheep" ^c:3006. This scene fully displays Geng Wu's frank, outspoken, and loyal character, and foreshadows the tragic consequences of Han Fu's refusal to heed loyal counsel (novel only).
* Ambush Outside the City, Going Bravely to His Death: When Han Fu insisted on ceding the province and Yuan Shao led his troops into Jizhou, Geng Wu and Guan Chun, bearing their loyalty to their lord and their hatred of Yuan Shao, lay in wait outside the city and tried to assassinate Yuan Shao. Though the disparity of force was vast, they chose to prove their resolve in death, and in the end were cut down by Yan Liang ^c:3006. This scene is the ultimate embodiment of Geng Wu's loyal and righteous character, and became the iconic moment of his tragic and heroic end (novel only).