Li Ru

Chinese
t=李儒
s=李儒
p=lǐ rú

Lǐ Rú was an advisor during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of China. He was the son-in-law of the warlord, Dong Zhuo. He served as an advisor to his father-in-law on various campaigns against Ma Teng, the Ten Attendants, and later his attempts to keep Emperor Xian under his little finger. When Dong Zhuo was sent to the capital to deal with the Ten Attendants, Lǐ Rú advised him to replace the current Emperor Shao with his younger brother Xian.

When Dong Zhuo announced his plans to the court, Ding Yuan and his adopted son Lü Bu objected to Dong Zhuo's plans. Dong Zhuo attempted to attack Ding Yuan, but after seeing his monstrous son Lü Bu, Lǐ Rú would put off Dong Zhuo, probably saving his life. The next day Ding Yuan challenged Dong Zhuo to a battle outside the capital with a small force. However Dong Zhuo's force was no match for Lü Bu. Li Su, a friend of Lü Bu, offered to bring Lü to Dong Zhuo's side by offering him the horse, Red Hare. Dong Zhuo was reluctant but on the advice of Lǐ Rú, he gave up the horse to Lü Bu, who killed Ding Yuan, and joined Dong Zhuo along with Zhang Liao and Gao Shun.

In 190, Dong Zhuo deposed Emperor Shao, and sent Lǐ Rú to assassinate him and his mother Empress He with poisoned wine. Lǐ Rú offered Emperor Shao the wine by saying "“The prime minister wishes you your health by offering this cup of wine,”", and the Empress challenged Lǐ Rú to drink it. Lǐ Rú refused and the Emperor's consort wept and requested that Lǐ Rú let her drink the wine and leave the Emperor and Dowager Empress. Lǐ Rú refused, and the Empress told him "You will be doomed for aiding the traitor Dong!”". Lǐ Rú became angry at this and threw the Empress out of the nearest window before forcing wine down the Emperor's throat and ordering his consort strangled.

After the eighteen regional lords, led by Yuan Shao attacked Dong Zhuo at Hulao Pass, Lǐ Rú advised that they move the capital from Luoyang to Chang'an and leave Lü Bu to ambush any Lords who attempted to pursue. Thanks to Lǐ Rú's plan Cao Cao was ambushed and almost killed before being saved by Cao Hong leaving Dong Zhuo to make a clean getaway.

Lǐ Rú helped Dong Zhuo to set up his capital at Chang'an and their power grew immensely after the eighteen regional lords went their separate ways after many disagreements. After hearing that Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan were fighting at the River Pan, Lǐ Rú suggested that Dong Zhuo send an imperial command for the two to make peace to gain the support of both lords. The plan worked and both lords withdrew after some reasoning from Ma Midi and Zhao Qi.

Lǐ Rú, after finding out a rift had developed between Dong Zhuo and his adopted son Lü Bu over the handmaiden Diaochan, attempted to repair the rift between the father and son, by telling Dong Zhuo to reward Lü Bu. Dong Zhuo apologized to his son, and offered him 300 ounces of gold. However, a few days later Dong Zhuo had argued with Lü Bu again over Diaochan. Lǐ Rú proposed that Dong Zhuo offer Diaochan to Lü Bu, however Dong Zhuo refused but promised to pardon Lü Bu. After learning this Lǐ Rú sighed to the heavens "“We are dead men, slain by the hand of this girl!”".

A few days after this incident Lǐ Rú was arrested in his own home by one of his house servants. He was taken to the palace where Dong Zhuo had been assassinated by Lü Bu and Wang Yun, Diaochan's father and the master architect of the whole plan which had ended with Dong Zhuo's death. Lü Bu and Wang Yun ordered the execution of Lǐ Rú as an accomplice to Dong Zhuo.

ee also

*Three Kingdoms
*Personages of the Three Kingdoms
*"Records of Three Kingdoms"
*"Romance of the Three Kingdoms"