Niu Fu 牛輔 was a military general who served Dong Zhuo. He was married to Dong Zhuo's daughter. He was known for believing in superstitions. After Dong Zhuo's death, he inherited the majority of Dong Zhuo's troops but failed to act aggressively. He was soon killed by his own men after he fled his camp out of paranoia.
Biography[]
Niu Fu probably knew Dong Zhuo for some good time, as he was married to Dong Zhuo's daughter.
In 190, Dong Zhuo sent Niu Fu to attack the White Wave Bandits that threatened him, but Niu Fu failed to push them back.[1] Later on, Dong Zhuo sent him to garrison Shan as he trusted him. Niu Fu commanded his colonels, Li Jue, Guo Si, and Zhang Ji, and they soon attacked Zhongmou and defeated the Intendant of Henan; Zhu Jun there. After this victory, Niu Fu allowed his troops to plunder Chenliu and Yingchuan commanderies, kidnapping every one they could find for themselves. Later on, Dong Zhuo was killed in Chang'an, and so the majority of the Dong Zhuo army was with Niu Fu. Li Su was sent by the Chang'an revolt to try and destroy Niu Fu, but failed.[2][3]
Superstitions[]
Although Niu Fu commanded a strong force, he, however, was paranoid as well as cowardly. He believed himself to be weak, so he often showed off his military tally to exert his power as well as using a “axe-guillotine” on people to project strength. When guests requested to meet with him, he had a physiognomer judge them for their character and if it was not to his liking, he refused to meet them. In addition, he also divined his guests to see if they brought fortune or misfortune to him. If they passed both, only then would Niu Fu meet them. When the General of the Household; Dong Yue 董越 came to Niu Fu, possibly to help him, Niu Fu had a diviner divine him. When Niu Fu saw the results, the diviner claimed that it meant, "Fire overcomes Metal. This divines that those outside will plot against those inside." Niu Fu got the 'message' and killed Dong Yue.[4] Such was Niu Fu’s trust of diviners, even though that particular diviner gave a false interpretation because he hated Dong Yue.[5] Some of the camp soldiers were dissatisfied with Niu Fu's leadership so they revolted and deserted during the night. Niu Fu believed they all betrayed him so he, along with just five or six people that he considered close and old friends, among them Hu Chi'er, made to escape the city. Niu Fu also took some precious treasures and some gold, which Hu Chi'er desired more than his friendship. While they escaped the camp and made a break for out to the north, Hu Chi'er seized Niu Fu and beheaded him, sending the head to Chang'an, and presumably seizing Niu Fu’s valuables.[2][3]
After Niu Fu's death, the camp troops came under the command of Li Jue, Guo Si, and Zhang Ji. Said people used those troops to breach Chang'an and seize power.
Notes[]
Fact vs. Fiction[]
References[]
- ↑ HHS: Biography of Dong Zhuo 『初，靈帝末，黃巾餘黨郭太等復起西河白波谷，轉寇太原，遂破河東，百姓流轉三輔，號為「白波賊」，眾十餘萬。卓遣中郎將牛輔擊之，不能卻。』
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 HHS: Biography of Dong Zhuo 『初，卓以牛輔子婿，素所親信，使以兵屯陝。輔分遣其校尉李傕、郭汜、張濟將步騎數萬，擊破河南尹朱雋於中牟。因掠陳留、潁川諸縣，殺略男女，所過無復遺類。呂布乃使李肅以詔命至陝討輔等，輔等逆與肅戰，肅敗走弘農，布誅殺之。其後牛輔營中無故大驚，輔懼，乃齎金寶踰城走。左右利其貨，斬輔，送首長安。』
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 SGZ: Biography of Dong Zhuo 『初，卓女壻中郎將牛輔典兵別屯陝，分遣校尉李傕、郭汜、張濟略陳留、潁川諸縣。卓死，呂布使李肅至陝，欲以詔命誅輔。輔等逆與肅戰，肅敗走弘農，布誅肅。其後輔營兵有夜叛出者，營中驚，輔以為皆叛，乃取金寶，獨與素所厚友胡赤兒等五六人相隨，踰城北渡河，赤兒等利其金寶，斬首送長安。』
- ↑ 《魏書》 『輔恇怯失守，不能自安。常把辟兵符，以鈇鑕致其旁，欲以自彊。見客，先使相者相之，知有反氣與不，又筮知吉凶，然後乃見之。中郎將董越來就輔，輔使筮之，得兌下離上，筮者曰：「火勝金，外謀內之卦也。」即時殺越。』
- ↑ 《獻帝紀》 『筮人常為越所鞭，故因此以報之。』