Niu Fu


Niu Fu was a Chinese military general and politician serving under the warlord Dong Zhuo during the late Eastern Han dynasty.

Life

Niu Fu served under the warlord Dong Zhuo when Dong was still serving as a military general in Liang Province during the reign of Emperor Ling. Dong Zhuo deeply trusted Niu and arranged for him to marry his daughter. Niu Fu thus became a son-in-law of Dong Zhuo.
In 189, after Dong Zhuo occupied the imperial capital Luoyang and seized control of the Han central government, he appointed Niu Fu as a General of the Household. Later that year, Dong Zhuo ordered Niu Fu to lead troops to attack the White Wave Bandits, who were causing trouble around Hedong Commandery, but Niu Fu failed to defeat them.
Between 190 and 191, when Dong Zhuo was at war with a coalition of warlords from the east of Hangu Pass, Niu Fu deployed troops to defend the strategic mountain passes leading into Luoyang. At the same time, he also sent Dong Zhuo's other subordinates, such as Li Jue, Guo Si and Zhang Ji, to lead soldiers to raid and pillage Chenliu and Yingchuan commanderies, as well as attack the general Zhu Jun at Zhongmu County.
In May 192, Dong Zhuo was assassinated by his subordinate Lü Bu in Chang'an, after which Lü Bu ordered his subordinate Li Su to lead his troops to attack and kill Niu Fu. Niu Fu defeated Li Su and forced him to retreat to Hongnong Commandery. Later, chaos broke out in Niu Fu's camp and many of his soldiers deserted. Niu Fu, left with only five or six men, ordered them to quickly grab all the valuables and flee with him. During the escape, Youhu Chier, one of Niu Fu's subordinates, betrayed him and killed him, and then cut off his head and sent it to Chang'an.

Personality

As Niu was cowardly and superstitious, he always used his tally to assert his authority, and carried weapons for self-protection. He frequently asked diviners to make prophesies about his visitors, to determine their intentions before accepting their visit.
Dong Yue, one of his visitors, was divined as Polarising. The diviners were caned by Dong Yue frequently, so they slandered Dong, claiming that he was plotting a revolt. Dong was then killed by Niu Fu.