| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 吕方, 呂方, Lǚ Fāng |
| Nickname | 54 - Earthly Assisting Star - 地佐星 (Dìzuǒ Xīng) - Địa Tá Tinh; Little Marquis of Wen (小溫侯, Xiǎowēnhóu, Tiểu Ôn Hầu) |
| Other name | Lữ Phương |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Lanzhou (兰州; Lan Châu) |
| Death Reason | Fell down a cliff along with his horse and died at Wulong Ridge (乌龙岭, Wūlónglǐng, Ô Long Lĩnh) during the Fang La (方腊, Fāng Là, Phương Lạp) campaign |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Liangshan Marsh |
| Battles | Battle of Mt. Yinghuo, Siege of Daming Prefecture, Campaign against the Liao, Campaign against Tian Hu, Campaign against Wang Qing, Campaign against Fang La |
Lu Fang: Origins and Literary Portrayal
Lu Fang, renowned by his moniker “Little Marquis of Wen” (Xiao Wen Hou), is a prominent fictional warrior in the classical Chinese epic Water Margin. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Northern Song Dynasty, he ranks 54th among the 108 Liangshan heroes, corresponding to the Earth Subordinate Star.
Originally a merchant trading in medicinal herbs, he took up arms on Mount Yinghuo after suffering devastating business losses. Later, Lu Fang styled his entire martial identity in homage to the legendary Three Kingdoms warlord Lu Bu. Emulating the celebrated general, he rode a reddish-brown steed, donned ornate crimson armor, and masterfully wielded a single Crescent-Moon Halberd in combat.
Homage to the Flying General
Although he does not belong to the Three Kingdoms era, his artistic creation directly mirrors the aesthetic and martial spirit of Lu Bu. The warrior’s signature weapon, tactical discipline, and distinctive red regalia were intentional literary tributes to the ancient paragon of cavalry might, earning him widespread admiration among his fellow outlaw chieftains.
Key Narrative Milestones
The Interrupted Halberd Clash
He clashed repeatedly against Guo Sheng, a rival warrior wielding paired silver halberds. When the tassels of their polearms became hopelessly entangled, master archer Hua Rong intervened with an exquisite arrow shot that severed the cords, persuading both combatants to end their rivalry and join Liangshan.
The Fatal Pass at Muzhou
During the expedition to suppress Fang La, Lu Fang served faithfully as a vanguard commander and trusted bodyguard. At the rugged mountain pass near Muzhou, he perished bravely in the line of duty during an intense cliffside skirmish against southern rebel forces.
Alliances and Martial Bonds
- Guo Sheng: His inseparable counterpart on the battlefield; together they guarded the central headquarters with matching ceremonial halberds.
- Hua Rong: The celebrated marksman whose decisive intervention defused their initial territorial conflict and guided them to Liangshan.
- Song Jiang: The grand leader of the Liangshan brotherhood, whom he protected vigilantly across numerous military expeditions.
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