Lu Su (172–217),[a] courtesy name Zijing, was a Chinese military general and politician serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Eastern Han dynasty.

Fourthly, in 215, he represented Sun Quan at the negotiations with Liu Bei's general Guan Yu during the Sun–Liu territorial dispute over Jing Province.

[Sanguozhi zhu 1] Towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, when chaos broke out throughout China due to the Yellow Turban Rebellion and Dong Zhuo's tyranny, Lu Su sold his family's lands and properties and used the money to help the poor.

The third-century historian Chen Shou compared their friendship to that of Gongsun Qiao and Ji Zha (季札) during the Spring and Autumn period.

[Sanguozhi 4] The Chinese idiom "pointing at a granary and presenting it" (指囷相贈; 指囷相赠; zhǐ qūn xiāng zèng), which means to generously provide aid to someone,[2] originated from this anecdote.

[Sanguozhi zhu 3] Lu Su led his followers and some civilians southward to Juchao County to join Zhou Yu.

I heard that recently there is one Zheng Bao (鄭寶) who has rallied thousands of followers in Chaohu and gained control over some very fertile lands.

After his grandmother's funeral, Lu Su returned to Qu'e County and planned to leave Jiangdong and head north to join Zheng Bao.

Upon receiving news of Liu Biao's death, Lu Su told Sun Quan, "Jing Province is our neighbour.

Pei Songzhi commented that the historians in Eastern Wu and Shu Han gave conflicting accounts on who was the first person who conceived the idea of the Sun–Liu alliance because they wanted their respective states to claim that credit.

Sun Quan agreed with Lu Su's idea, so he ordered Zhou Yu to lead his forces to help Liu Bei.

When Lu Su returned after the battle, Sun Quan hosted a grand reception for him and said: "Zijing, I dismounted from my horse and received you on foot.

After taking his seat, Lu Su raised his horsewhip and said: "I hope that our lord will spread his might and virtues throughout the Four Seas, expand his territories to cover the Nine Provinces, and successfully build an empire.

[Sanguozhi 21] At the time, Lü Fan urged Sun Quan to hold Liu Bei hostage in Jiangdong and prevent him from returning to Jing Province.

"[Sanguozhi 23] The Jiang Biao Zhuan (江表傳) provided a longer, but generally similar, account of Zhou Yu's message to Sun Quan before his death.

Cheng Pu succeeded Zhou Yu as the Grand Administrator (太守) of Nan Commandery (南郡; around present-day Jingzhou, Hubei).

[Sanguozhi 25] Before Zhou Yu died, he, along with Gan Ning and others, had constantly urged Sun Quan to seize Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing) from its governor, Liu Zhang.

When Sun Quan heard about Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province, he angrily remarked: "This cunning barbarian dares to trick me!

When Liu Bei found out, he returned to Gong'an County and sent Guan Yu to lead an army to stop Lü Meng.

During the negotiations, both sides stationed their soldiers more than 100 paces away from the meeting area and the officers present at the talks were each armed with only a blade weapon.

When we ask for only three commanderies, you still refuse..."[Sanguozhi 29] Before Lu Su could finish what he was saying, an unnamed person interrupted him and said: "Whoever has the ability to govern the land shall have control over it.

Lu Su then met Guan Yu, who told him: "My lord was actively involved in the Battle of Red Cliffs and he didn't rest well during that time.

You hold an important appointment, but lack good sense in handling issues, should rely on moral education, but instead depend on using strength.

[Sanguozhi zhu 13] Liu Bei eventually agreed to divide Jing Province between his and Sun Quan's domains along the Xiang River.

Between 258 and 264, during the reign of Sun Xiu, Lu Shu served as General of Illustrious Martial Might (昭武將軍) and Area Commander (督) of Wuchang, and was named as a Marquis of a Chief Village (都亭侯).

Zibu and Wenbiao suggested I surrender, but Zijing argued that I shouldn't, and he urged me to recall Gongjin and put him in command (of the army) to engage the enemy.

"[d][Sanguozhi 35]In May 229, when Sun Quan was attending a ceremony to declare himself emperor and establish the state of Eastern Wu, he told his subjects: "In the past, Lu Zijing often spoke about what is happening now.

In the novel, Lu Su's role is significantly downplayed as compared to his historical counterpart, such that he is mainly used as a foil between Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu to highlight their intelligence, especially for the former.

He is also used to add minor comic relief to the rivalry between Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu, particularly in the events leading to the Battle of Red Cliffs.

Besides, he is also portrayed as an honest and sententious man who is often easily cheated and taken advantage of, resulting in his maladroit handling of the territorial dispute over Jing Province between Liu Bei and Sun Quan.