I’m sharing a series of Romance of the Three Kingdom. When I first learn Faqimen from my late teacher he would always relate stories about how Qi Men Dun Jia was used by Zhuge Liang. From then on I was fascinated with the Romance of the Three Kingdom I read up on how the military strategies, the different characters, etc
This is a story about Lü Bu. At 36 years old, he had 50 years reduced from his life, even though a fortune-teller had predicted he’d live to be 86. Why did he only live to 36?
Legend has it that Lü Bu was the reincarnation of the Sirius star. He was so skilled with his halberd that it was said to be impenetrable, and he rode the mighty Red Hare horse, which could travel a thousand miles in a day. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he was known as the “Red Hare among horses, Lü Bu among men,” and was considered unmatched. However, he was also infamous for betraying and killing his adopted fathers, earning him the nicknames “Traitor Lü” and “three-surnamed servant.”
After the death of Dong Zhuo, Lü Bu became independent, fighting battles all over. In the year 196 CE, after occupying Xuzhou, Lü Bu constantly felt uneasy. He was so anxious that he even felt his beloved Diao Chan was no longer as enchanting. He sought out his wise advisor, Chen Gong, and held his hand, saying, “Gongtai, I’ve heard you’re an expert in the I Ching. Can you tell me how many years I have left?”
Chen Gong closed his eyes and calculated with his fingers. After a long moment, he opened his eyes and said, “I have calculated that you will live to be 86 years old and will enjoy a peaceful old age.” Lü Bu was thrilled, and his usual aggressive look softened. He praised Chen Gong for his accurate prediction.
Six months later, Lü Bu was strolling through the streets of Xiaopei when he saw a fortune-teller’s stall with a banner that read:
Top line: Good or bad fortune, a single prediction.
Bottom line: Life, death, and years, all clear.
Horizontal line: Absolutely accurate.
The old Taoist priest even boasted, “If my prediction is wrong, you can kick over my stall, and I’ll pay you!” Lü Bu smirked, thinking, “This old priest sure can talk a big game.” He sat down at the stall and said, “Old man, tell my fortune.”
The priest asked for his birth date and time, quickly performed a calculation with his fingers, and said slowly, “Your life is extraordinary. At seven, you could open thirty palace doors; at nine, you dared to fight a tiger; at twelve, you followed Ding Yuan and fought in all directions; at fifteen, you were peerlessly brave and famous in Bingzhou; at twenty-five, you killed the Xiong Nu king; at thirty-four, you killed Ding Yuan and joined Dong Zhuo, fighting the three heroes at Hulao Pass; at thirty-five, you killed Dong Zhuo with a halberd in Yi Pavilion; at thirty-six, you took Xuzhou.”
“You are now exactly 36, and you’ve been a hero for over two decades.”
Lü Bu was amazed. The priest was a truly divine oracle, having recounted his life in perfect detail. He quickly asked, “Master, please tell me, how long will I live?”
The priest stroked his beard and said, “Someone must have told you six months ago that you would live to be 86. But my calculation today shows that your life will likely end this year.”
Lü Bu was furious and reached to overturn the stall. The priest quickly held him back. “General, don’t be angry. I also calculated that you should have 86 years of life, but because of five unrighteous deeds, you have lost 50 years. Now you only have 36 left.”
Lü Bu roared, “Which five deeds? Explain yourself!”
The priest held up five fingers and counted them off one by one.
“First, in your early years, you became a student of Li Yan to learn his halberd techniques. Your master taught you all twelve moves he had learned in his life, even the secret to breaking formations. But what did you do? After learning your master’s skills, you secretly hid the ultimate move you had developed. When your master asked, you lied and said you hadn’t mastered it yet. Hiding secrets from your master—this is unfilial. Ten years off your life.”
“Second, you first joined Ding Yuan and recognized him as your adopted father. Later, when Dong Zhuo gave you the Red Hare and offered you money and a high position, you were tempted. At night, you took Ding Yuan’s head and went to join Dong Zhuo, recognizing him as your new father. A couple of years later, because of Diao Chan, you took your halberd and killed Dong Zhuo. You killed two adopted fathers for your own gain. This is disloyalty and unfilial behavior, a sin punished by heaven. Ten years off your life.”
“Third, when you were in a desperate situation, Liu Bei kindly allowed you to stay in Xiaopei and even called you ‘brother.’ But as soon as Liu Bei went off to battle, you took advantage and seized his city of Xuzhou, stealing his possessions. Liu Bei showed you kindness, and you repaid him with evil. This is unrighteous. Another ten years off.”
“Fourth, Chen Gong gave you his heart and soul. He advised you not to believe rumors and to hold your ground at Xiapi without going out to fight. But you listened to your wives instead and went out to meet the enemy, which led to a devastating defeat. You were gullible, believed small-minded people, and did not accept loyal advice. You destroyed your own support. Another ten years off.”
“Fifth, during the battle against Mount Tai, the commander Zang Ba, seeing your troops, couldn’t bear to see the city’s residents suffer, so he opened the city gates and surrendered early. But you harbored a grudge against him for blocking your formation a few days earlier, and you ordered that no one should be spared. Soldiers who were unarmed and even had letters from home were beheaded. Killing is already an act against heaven, but you did not even spare the elderly, women, or children. You massacred and burned the city. This is an act of inhumanity, a heinous crime already recorded in the ledgers of the King of Hell. Heaven is enraged. Another ten years off.”
“Five deeds, each costing ten years. Fifty years of your life are gone just like that. This is not heaven trying to kill you; it is you who have brought yourself to this end. Your time is now near, and it is entirely your own fault. You have no one to blame but yourself.”
Lü Bu’s face went pale. He fell to his knees, taking out all his money and pushing it toward the priest. “Please, wise master, show me a way out. I’ll give up all my wealth for a few more years of life.”
The priest pushed the money back. “Your fate is sealed. Even a god cannot change it. I do not earn money from the dead. You should keep these belongings; they will be useful on the road to the underworld.”
Lü Bu looked up again, but the stall and the priest had vanished. That winter, the city of Xiapi fell. Lü Bu was tied up and brought before Cao Cao. The once-mighty flying general was covered in mud and a complete mess. He was eventually beheaded at the White Gate Tower, just as the old priest had predicted.
Dr. Wilson Yong. Copyright 2025.
