| “ | I beg Your Excellency to assume the imperial throne, and to declare yourself the Son of Heaven. | „ |
| ~ Li Ru to Dong Zhuo. |
Li Ru is Dong Zhuo's adviser and son-in-law as well a major antagonist in the early parts of the 14th-century Chinese classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by the late Luo Guanzhong, and its multiple adaptations.
Biography[]
Li Ru was Dong Zhuo's most trusted officer and his right-hand man as well his son-in-law when marrying one of Dong Zhuo's daughters. He was with him since he came to power in 189 AD. Li Ru was the mastermind of many of Dong Zhuo's crimes. He was the one who came up with the idea to dethrone the current emperor and replace him with his brother Liu Xie. He later was behind the assasination of the previous emperor despite him being a child, as well as his mother as Li Ru had them both poisoned. Li Ru was also the man who convinced the mighty general Lu Bu to betray and kill his lord and adoptive father Ding Yuan who opposed Dong Zhuo, by giving him the famous horse Red Hare.
Li Ru later aided his lord Dong Zhuo during the wars against the coalition led by Yuan Shao as his main strategist. When the coalition armies aproached the capital Luoyang, Li Ru advised his lord to burn the city and move the capital to Chang'an. As the coalition slowly dissolved, Li Ru went even further by advising Dong Zhuo to declare himself an Emperor, although Dong Zhuo didn't do it. When the love triangle between Dong Zhuo, Diao Chan and Lu Bu started, Li Ru tried to mediate in order to avoid a conflict between his lord and Lu Bu.
He advised Dong Zhuo to leave Diao Chan and marry her to Lu Bu in order to please him and avoid his wrath. Eventually, his plans weren't successful as Lu Bu, aided by Diao Chan's adoptive father Wang Yun, killed Dong Zhuo. Li Ru was also killed by them shortly after.
Other Media[]
Li Ru appears as a boss in the video-game series Dynasty Warriors. He also appears in the 2010 TV Series Three Kingdoms where he is a major antagonist in the first 10 episodes. He is portrayed by Song Chongdong.
Li Ru also appears as a supporting antagonist in the 1991 Sangokushi and 2009 Sōten Kōro manga-anime series, as well as the 2015 God of War Zhao Yun/Chinese Hero Zhao Zilong TV Series portrayed by Wu Diwen.
Li Ru is a minor antagonist in the 2021 film Dynasty Warriors based on video games of the same name. He is portrayed by Zhang Yiqian.
Relationships[]
Allies[]
Enemies[]
- Wang Yun
- Yuan Shao
- Lu Bu
- Diao Chan
- Cao Cao
- Sun Jian
Gallery[]
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 Villains
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Wei Empire Wu Empire Shu Empire Jin Empire Other Villains Lu Bu's Army Nanman Tribe Yellow Turbans Yuan Shao's Army Zhong Dynasty Others | ||
 Villains
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Wei Empire Wu Empire Shu Empire Jin Empire Other Villains Lu Bu's Army Nanman Tribe Yellow Turbans Yuan Shao's Army Zhong Dynasty Others Guest Characters | ||