Early life

Lü Meng was from Fupo County (富陂縣), Runan Commandery (汝南郡), which is located southeast of present-day Funan County, Anhui. His family migrated to the south of the Yangtze River when Lü Meng was young. Lü Meng lived with his brother-in-law, Deng Dang (鄧當), who served as a military officer under Sun Ce. When he was 14 or 15, he secretly followed Deng Dang to the battles against the Shanyue tribes. Deng Dang was shocked to see his teenage brother-in-law in battle, so he scolded Lü Meng and warned him to stop. Lü Meng refused to listen so Deng Dang told Lü Meng's mother about this. When she wanted to punish him, Lü Meng said: "It is difficult to survive in poverty. If we can prove ourselves through hard work, then wealth will come eventually. How can we catch the tiger cub if we don't enter the tiger's den?" Lü Meng's mother sighed and let him have his way.

At the time, an official scorned Lü Meng because of his young age and often insulted him by saying things like: "What can he do? His behaviour will only result in him feeding himself to the tigers." Lü Meng killed the official one day when he lost control of his anger. Initially, he took shelter under Zheng Chang (鄭長) but later turned himself in to Yuan Xiong (袁雄), a colonel under Sun Ce. Yuan Xiong pleaded with his lord to spare Lü Meng's life. Sun Ce interviewed Lü Meng and was so impressed with him that he pardoned Lü Meng and appointed him as a close aide.

A few years later, after Deng Dang died, Zhang Zhao recommended Lü Meng to replace Deng Dang, so Lü Meng was appointed as a Major of a Separate Command (別部司馬). In the year 200, after Sun Ce was assassinated, his younger brother Sun Quan succeeded him as the warlord ruling the territories in the Jiangdong region. Sun Quan planned to reorganise his army by merging small units into larger garrisons. When Lü Meng heard about it, he collected funds to purchase elaborately designed armour for his troops. When Sun Quan came to inspect Lü Meng's unit, he was so impressed that he placed more soldiers under Lü Meng's command, thus saving Lü Meng's troops from being merged into another unit.

Lü Meng participated in Sun Quan's conquest of Danyang Commandery (丹楊郡; around present-day Xuancheng, Anhui) and made many contributions in battle. He was promoted to Commandant Who Pacifies the North (平北都尉) and appointed as the Chief (長) of Guangde County.

Battle of Jiangxia

In the spring of 208, Lü Meng was assigned to be the navy commandant when Sun Quan launched a campaign against Huang Zu, the Administrator (太守) of Jiangxia Commandery (present-day eastern Hubei). During the battle, Ling Tong and Dong Xi destroyed Huang Zu's two large mengchongs while Lü Meng's unit defeated Huang Zu's navy. Lü Meng killed Huang Zu's subordinate Chen Jiu (陳就) in the midst of battle. Huang Zu attempted to flee after learning of Chen Jiu's death, but was captured by Sun Quan's soldiers. After the battle, Sun Quan deemed Lü Meng's contributions to be the most significant because Chen Jiu's death secured their victory. Lü Meng was promoted to General of the Household Who Sweeps Across the Wilderness (橫野中郎將) and awarded 10 million coins.

Red Cliffs campaign

In the winter of 208, Lü Meng participated in the Battle of Red Cliffs, in which the allied forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei defeated the forces of the northern warlord Cao Cao at Wulin (烏林; in present-day Honghu, Hubei). Cao Cao perfunctorily retreated to northern China, leaving behind his general Cao Ren to defend Nan Commandery (南郡; around present-day Jingzhou, Hubei). Sun Quan's forces, led by Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu, pressed on their attack and besieged Cao Ren in Nan Commandery.

Around the time, Xi Su (襲肅), a military officer from Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing), brought along his men to defect to Sun Quan's side. Zhou Yu proposed to Sun Quan to let Lü Meng take charge of Xi Su's troops. However, Lü Meng praised Xi Su as a courageous person and declined to take over command of Xi Su's men. He believed it was disrespectful to do so because Xi Su had come a long way to join them. Sun Quan agreed with Lü Meng and returned Xi Su's troops to him.

During the siege of Nan Commandery, Zhou Yu ordered Gan Ning to lead a detachment to take control of Yiling (夷陵; present-day Yichang, Hubei), but Gan Ning came under attack by a separate enemy force led by Cao Ren's subordinates. When Gan Ning sent a messenger to Zhou Yu's camp to request for relief forces, most of Sun Quan's officers saw that they did not have enough men to spare, so they refused to help Gan Ning. Lü Meng, however, insisted on saving Gan Ning. He told Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu: "I suggest we leave Ling Tong behind while I follow you to help Gan Ning. It is imperative that we lift the siege (on Gan Ning) because he may not be able to hold out for long. I assure you that Ling Tong can defend our current position for at least ten days."

Lü Meng also suggested to Zhou Yu to send 300 men to block the enemy's retreat route with huge logs. When the reinforcements arrived at Yiling, they killed over half of the total number of enemy troops and forced the surviving ones to retreat at night. However, the enemy encountered the huge logs and were unable to cross over on horseback, so they had to dismount and proceed on foot. Sun Quan's pursuing forces arrived at the blockade and seized about 300 horses left behind by the enemy, which they transported back to their camp on boats. The morale of Zhou Yu's army improved greatly, so they crossed the Yangtze River, set up a garrison near the enemy base, and then engaged Cao Ren's forces in battle. Cao Ren lost the battle and eventually ordered his troops to abandon their position and retreat. Sun Quan's forces captured Nan Commandery and gained control over central Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan). Upon his return, Lü Meng was promoted to Lieutenant-General (偏將軍) and appointed as the Prefect (令) of Xunyang County (尋陽縣; southwest of present-day Huangmei County, Hubei).

Scholarly pursuits

The Jiang Biao Zhuan (江表傳) recorded that Sun Quan once told Lü Meng and Jiang Qin: "Both of you are commanders now so you should enrich yourself with knowledge." Lü Meng replied: "I have many things to attend to in the army, so I am afraid I won't have time to read." Sun Quan then said: Lü Meng was so inspired by Sun Quan's words that he began to study diligently and acquire more knowledge. He eventually surpassed some Confucian scholars in terms of the number of texts he read.

Meeting with Lu Su

In 210, after Lu Su succeeded Zhou Yu (who died of illness earlier that year) as the frontline commander of Sun Quan's forces, he passed by Lü Meng's garrison on his way to Lukou (陸口; at Lushui Lake near present-day Chibi, Hubei). Lu Su had all along regarded Lü Meng with contempt, but someone told him: "General Lü's fame and glory are increasing day by day. You shouldn't view him in the same light now as you did in the past. You should visit him soon." Lu Su then headed to Lü Meng's camp. After some drinks, Lü Meng asked Lu Su, "You have received an important appointment and you are going to be stationed near Guan Yu. Have you made any contingency plans to deal with unforeseen circumstances?" Lu Su lackadaisically replied, "I will adapt to the situation when the time comes." Lü Meng then said: "The east and the west may be one family now, but Guan Yu is a person with the might of bears and tigers. How can you not make preparations beforehand?" Lü Meng then proposed five strategies to Lu Su on how to deal with Guan Yu. Lu Su left his seat, came closer to Lü Meng, placed his hand on his shoulder and said, "Lü Ziming, I never knew you had such insights until I came here." He also visited Lü Meng's mother and became friends with Lü Meng.

Jiang Biao Zhuan account

The Jiang Biao Zhuan recorded a slightly different account of the meeting between Lu Su and Lü Meng. Lu Su placed his hand on Lü Meng's shoulder and said: "I heard you were previously a mere warrior. But now, you have taken up scholarly pursuits and you are no longer that Meng under Wu." Lü Meng replied: He then presented three strategies to Lu Su on how to counter Guan Yu. Lu Su respected Lü Meng so he kept the strategies to himself and did not reveal them.

The Chinese idioms "Ah Meng from Wu" (first=t|t=吳下阿蒙|s=吴下阿蒙|p=wú xià ā méng|labels=no) and "rub one's eyes and look" (c=刮目相看|p=guā mù xiāng kàn|labels=no) originated from this conversation. The former is used to describe an unlearned person who achieves improvement through diligent study while the latter means to see a person in a different light, especially after the person has made remarkable improvement.

Battles of Wan County and Ruxu

Cao Cao appointed Xie Qi (謝奇) as the Agricultural Officer (典農) of Qichun County and ordered him to station at Wan County (皖縣; present-day Qianshan County, Anhui) to harass the border of Sun Quan's ___domain. Lü Meng tried to induce Xie Qi into surrendering but failed, so he attacked Xie Qi. Xie Qi lost the battle and retreated. His subordinates, Sun Zicai (孫子才) and Song Hao (宋豪), brought along several civilians and surrendered to Lü Meng.

In 213, Lü Meng followed Sun Quan to Ruxu (濡須; north of present-day Wuwei County, Anhui) to guard against Cao Cao's advances. Sun Quan wanted to construct a dock at Ruxu, but his subordinates said, "We should land on the other side of the river and attack the enemy, then return to our ships. Why build a dock?" However, Lü Meng supported the idea of building a dock and he said: "Battles are unpredictable and we might not always win. If we lose and the enemy closes in, and we don't have time to retreat to the riverbank, how can we even board our ships?" Sun Quan agreed with Lü Meng and had the dock constructed to make boardings and landings more convenient. With this, Sun Quan's army defended their positions against Cao Cao's approaching forces, who retreated after several failed attempts to overcome the enemy.

Battle of Lujiang

Around 214, Cao Cao retreated from Ruxu, he appointed Zhu Guang (朱光) as the Administrator (太守) of Lujiang Commandery (廬江郡; around present-day Lujiang County, Anhui) and ordered him to station at Wan County (皖縣; present-day Qianshan County, Anhui). Zhu Guang developed the area for agricultural use, while bribing bandits from Poyang County to cause trouble in Sun Quan's territories. Lü Meng warned Sun Quan: "The lands in Wan County are very fertile so the enemy's numbers will rise after they gain a bountiful harvest. Within a few years time, Cao Cao's military prowess would have increased significantly, so we should eliminate them soon." Sun Quan heeded Lü Meng's advice and personally led a campaign to attack Lujiang Commandery. Before the battle, Sun Quan summoned all his officers and asked them for their opinions.

The officers suggested to pile up earth to form small hills and replenish their equipment. However, Lü Meng disagreed: "It will take several days to build the hills and replenish our equipment. By then, the enemy would have reinforced their defences and their relief forces would have arrived, and we can't defeat them. The rainwater has flowed in, and the water level will subside if we linger on for days. By then, it will be very difficult for our ships to retreat and we may be in danger. As of now, I observe that the fortress's defences are weak, so we can achieve victory if we attack it from all directions when our army's morale is still high. We can retreat via the water route after that. That's the way to secure total victory." Sun Quan heeded Lü Meng's suggestion.

Lü Meng recommended Gan Ning to lead the assault on Wan County while he followed behind with the elite troops. When they attacked at dawn, Lü Meng himself beat a war drum to boost the soldiers' morale. They captured the fortress by noon. Around the same time, Cao Cao's general Zhang Liao was leading reinforcements from Hefei to help Zhu Guang. When he reached Jiashi (夾石), he heard that Wan County had fallen to the enemy so he withdrew his troops. Sun Quan praised Lü Meng for his bravery and appointed him as the Administrator of Lujiang Commandery. Lü Meng gained 600 households from Xunyang County (尋陽縣; southwest of present-day Huangmei County, Hubei) for his tuntian system and had 30 more subordinates placed under his command.

When Lü Meng returned to Xunyang County, he heard that some bandits were causing trouble in Luling Commandery (廬陵郡; southwest of present-day Ji'an, Jiangxi), and that many of Sun Quan's officers had been unsuccessful in defeating the bandits. Sun Quan remarked: "A hundred birds of prey are not comparable to one osprey." He then ordered Lü Meng to attack the bandits. Lü Meng achieved success and killed the bandit chiefs but released the others and allowed them to revert to normal civilian life.

Sun–Liu territorial dispute

Around 212, Sun Quan's ally Liu Bei embarked on a campaign to seize control of Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing) from its governor, Liu Zhang. He left Guan Yu behind to defend his territories in southern Jing Province during his absence. After Liu Bei completely took over Yi Province in 214, Sun Quan perceived that he was "lending" territories in Jing Province to Liu Bei per an earlier agreement in 210 so he wanted the territories back because Liu Bei already had a new base in Yi Province. When Liu Bei refused, Sun Quan ordered Lü Meng to lead troops to seize three commanderies – Changsha (長沙), Lingling (零陵; around present-day Yongzhou, Hunan) and Guiyang (桂陽; around present-day Chenzhou, Hunan).

Lü Meng wrote to the administrators of the three commanderies to ask them to submit to Sun Quan. They all agreed except Lingling's administrator, Hao Pu (郝普). Liu Bei returned to Jing Province when he heard of Lü Meng's advances and garrisoned troops at Gong'an County while ordering Guan Yu to lead an army to take back the three commanderies. At the time, Sun Quan was at Lukou (陸口; at Lushui Lake near present-day Chibi, Hubei) and he sent Lu Su to lead 10,000 troops to Yiyang to block Guan Yu. Sun Quan also sent an urgent order to Lü Meng, ordering him to give up on Lingling and lead his troops to Yiyang to assist Lu Su.

When Lü Meng pacified Changsha, he passed by Ling County (酃縣; east of present-day Hengyang, Hunan) and met Deng Xuanzhi (鄧玄之), an old friend of Hao Pu. He planned to use Deng Xuanzhi to trick Hao Pu into surrendering. That night, Lü Meng summoned all his officers and gave them instructions on how to attack Lingling the following morning, without telling them that Sun Quan had given orders for them to give up on Lingling and move to Yiyang. He lied to Deng Xuanzhi that Liu Bei was besieged in Hanzhong by Cao Cao's general Xiahou Yuan and that Guan Yu was occupied in a battle at Nan Commandery. He then asked Deng Xuanzhi to help him persuade Hao Pu to give up on Lingling. Deng Xuanzhi went to see Hao Pu later and conveyed Lü Meng's message. Hao Pu became afraid when he heard that he had been isolated, so he agreed to surrender and asked Deng Xuanzhi to lead him to Lü Meng. When Lü Meng met Hao Pu, he revealed the truth, clapped his hands and laughed. Hao Pu became wrecked with guilt when he learnt that both Liu Bei and Guan Yu were actually free to reinforce Lingling but it was too late. Lü Meng left Sun He (孫河) behind to guard the three commanderies while he headed towards Yiyang per Sun Quan's order.

The territorial dispute between Sun Quan and Liu Bei was eventually resolved when both sides agreed to divide Jing Province between their respective domains along the Xiang River. Sun Quan released Hao Pu and returned Lingling Commandery to Liu Bei. Lü Meng received Xunyang (尋陽) and Yangxin (陽新) counties as his personal estate.

Battles of Xiaoyao Ford and Ruxu

In 214, after returning from Jing Province, Lü Meng joined Sun Quan in a campaign to conquer Hefei, which was defended by Cao Cao's general Zhang Liao. By 215, Sun Quan's forces had failed to breach Hefei's walls and had also sustained heavy casualties in the earlier engagements with the enemy. When a plague broke out in his army, Sun Quan decided to withdraw. While retreating, Sun Quan was caught up in a fierce counterattack by Zhang Liao, but managed to break out of the encirclement and reach safety when his officers, including Lü Meng, fought with their lives to protect their lord at all costs.

Later, in 217, Cao Cao personally led a large army to invade Sun Quan's garrison at Ruxu (濡須; north of present-day Wuwei County, Anhui). Sun Quan led his forces to resist the enemy and placed Lü Meng in charge of the army. Lü Meng arrived at the dock, which was constructed earlier in 213, and stationed thousands of archers there to rain arrows on the enemy when they approached. He also attacked the camp of Cao Cao's vanguard force before the enemy established a foothold and succeeding in destroying the camp. Cao Cao saw that he could not overcome Sun Quan and eventually retreated. Lü Meng was promoted to General of Tiger's Might (虎威將軍) and appointed as Left Protector of the Army (左護軍).

Succeeding Lu Su

In 217, when Lu Su died, Lü Meng took over command of the former's troops, numbering over 10,000, and moved west to the garrison at Lukou (陸口; at Lushui Lake near present-day Chibi, Hubei). Lü Meng was also appointed as the Administrator (太守) of Hanchang Commandery (漢昌郡; southeast of present-day Pingjiang County, Hunan) and received Xiajun (下雋), Liuyang (劉陽), Hanchang and Zhouling (州陵) counties as his personal marquisate. He was stationed near the Sun-Liu border, which was guarded by Liu Bei's general Guan Yu on the other side. Lü Meng was aware of Guan Yu's military prowess and his intention of seizing Sun Quan's territories in Jing Province. He also knew that Guan Yu was in a strategic position on the upstream of the Yangtze River. He recognised that the temporary stability and truce between Sun Quan and Liu Bei would not last long.

Previously, Lu Su had advocated the maintenance of friendly relations between Sun Quan and Liu Bei to sustain their alliance against Cao Cao. Lü Meng wrote a secret letter to Sun Quan:

Sun Quan agreed with Lü Meng and wanted to accept his suggestion. Later, he sought Lü Meng's advice on attacking Cao Cao in Xu Province, to which Lü Meng replied: Sun Quan thought that Lü Meng's advice was appropriate so he heeded it.

When Lü Meng was at Lukou, he treated his neighbours generously and maintained friendly ties with Guan Yu.

Invasion of Jing Province

In 219, Guan Yu led an army to attack Cao Cao's fortress at Fancheng (樊城; present-day Fancheng District, Xiangyang, Hubei), which was defended by Cao Ren. He left behind his subordinates Shi Ren and Mi Fang to defend Gong'an County and Nan Commandery (南郡; around present-day Jingzhou, Hubei) respectively. When Lü Meng heard about that, he wrote to Sun Quan: Sun Quan agreed to Lü Meng's plan and played along by openly approving his request to return to Jianye for medical treatment.

Guan Yu fell for the ruse and withdrew the backup forces and advanced towards Fancheng. When Cao Cao heard of the attack at Fancheng, he sent Yu Jin to lead an army to relief Cao Ren, but Yu Jin lost the battle and surrendered to Guan Yu. Guan Yu's troops increased in numbers after his victory so he lacked food supplies. He sent his men to seize grain from one of Sun Quan's depots along the Xiang River. When Sun Quan heard about it, he sent Lü Meng ahead to invade Jing Province while he followed up behind. Lü Meng arrived at Xunyang County (尋陽縣; southwest of present-day Huangmei County, Hubei), where he ordered his elite soldiers to disguise themselves as merchants and sail towards Nan Commandery. On the journey, they captured the watchtowers set up by Guan Yu along the river to prevent the defenders from learning of their approach. Guan Yu was totally unaware of this. Shi Ren, who was defending Gong'an County, surrendered to Lü Meng after Yu Fan, an official under Sun Quan, persuaded him to do so. Earlier on, Guan Yu had punished Mi Fang for negligently causing some weapons to be destroyed in a fire. Although the incident was over, Mi Fang still feared Guan Yu. Lü Meng showed understanding towards Mi Fang and convinced him to surrender as well.

After entering Nan Commandery, Lü Meng treated the civilian population well, among whom included family members of Guan Yu's troops. He also gave strict orders to his men, forbidding them from disturbing the people. In one incident, Lü Meng executed one of his soldiers for stealing from a civilian household, even though that soldier was an old acquaintance of his. He shed tears after that. This incident shocked the other soldiers in Lü Meng's unit and they did not dare to defy his orders. Lü Meng won the hearts of the people by showing kindness towards them – he provided necessities such as food and clothing to the elderly and the poor, and distributed medicine to the sick. He also ordered the treasury in the commandery office to be sealed up while they awaited Sun Quan's arrival.

Guan Yu was returning to Nan Commandery when he heard that his territories in Jing Province had fallen to Lü Meng. He sent messengers to meet Lü Meng, who brought them on a tour of the city. When the messengers returned to Guan Yu, they spread the word that their families were well. Guan Yu's troops lost their fighting spirit after hearing that Lü Meng treated their families better than how Guan Yu treated them in the past. Guan Yu knew that he had lost and was isolated, so he withdrew to Maicheng (麥城; around present-day Maicheng Village, Lianghe Town, Dangyang, Hubei). When they reached Zhang District (漳鄉) in the west, Guan Yu's men deserted and surrendered to Sun Quan's forces. Sun Quan sent Zhu Ran and Pan Zhang to block Guan Yu's retreat route. Guan Yu and his son Guan Ping were captured by Sun Quan's forces in an ambush and subsequently executed. Liu Bei lost all his territories in Jing Province to Sun Quan.

Death

For his achievements in the conquest of Jing Province, Lü Meng was appointed as the Administrator (太守) of Nan Commandery. He was also enfeoffed as the Marquis of Chanling (孱陵侯) and awarded 100 million coins and 500 jin of gold. Earlier on, Sun Quan threw a feast at Gong'an County to celebrate the victory, but Lü Meng did not want to attend because he was ill. Sun Quan laughed and said: "Ziming, you deserve the honour of capturing Guan Yu. You have achieved victory but haven't received any reward yet, so how can you leave now?" He ordered the soldiers to play music, and personally selected subordinates for Lü Meng and the equipment required for the ceremony. After the ceremony, all the soldiers lined up along the path when Lü Meng took his leave, with music playing in the background. That was Lü Meng's finest hour.

Lü Meng rejected the coins and gold, but Sun Quan insisted that he accept. He became ill again before he was enfeoffed as a marquis. Sun Quan was at Gong'an County then, so he had Lü Meng brought to his personal residence to stay with him. He also offered 1,000 jin of gold as a reward to any person who could cure Lü Meng.

Sun Quan became more worried as Lü Meng's condition deteriorated over time. He wanted to see Lü Meng but felt that it was too troublesome to keep moving around, so he had a hole drilled in the wall to observe Lü Meng's room. He was happy when he saw Lü Meng having his meals, but could not sleep at night when he saw that Lü Meng did not eat anything. When Lü Meng's condition improved slightly, he was so happy that he ordered his subjects to visit Lü Meng and wish him well. He even invited Taoist priests to perform rituals to increase Lü Meng's lifespan. Despite Sun Quan's efforts, Lü Meng eventually died in Gong'an County at the age of 42 (by East Asian age reckoning). Sun Quan was extremely grieved by Lü Meng's death.

Before Lü Meng died, he had instructed his family to store all their prized possessions – including gifts from Sun Quan – in a vault and return them to his lord after his death. He had also asked for a simple funeral. Sun Quan felt even more sad when found out that Lü Meng had made such arrangements before his death.

Family

Lü Meng's marquis title was inherited by his son, Lü Ba (呂霸). Lü Ba received 50 qing of land and 300 households to help him keep watch over his father's tomb. After Lü Ba died, his elder brother Lü Cong (呂琮) succeeded him and inherited the marquis title. Lü Cong, in turn, passed on the marquis title to his younger brother, Lü Mu (呂睦), after his death.

Anecdotes

Incident with Cai Yi

In his younger days, Lü Meng was not competent in reading and writing. Whenever he issued orders, he had to verbally instruct his subordinates or ask someone to help him write. Cai Yi (蔡遺), the Administrator of Jiangxia Commandery, scorned him because of that. However, Lü Meng never hated Cai Yi for treating him with contempt. When Gu Shao (顧邵), the Administrator of Yuzhang Commandery, died, Lü Meng recommended Cai Yi to Sun Quan to replace Gu Shao. Sun Quan laughed and asked Lü Meng, "Are you trying to be like Qi Xi?" He heeded Lü Meng's suggestion.

Tolerating Gan Ning

Lü Meng was unhappy with Gan Ning, a general under Sun Quan, because of his violent and murderous ways. There was one incident where Lü Meng was so furious with Gan Ning that he wanted to kill him. Gan Ning also infuriated Sun Quan on a number of occasions when he defied his lord's orders. When Lü Meng heard about it, he told Sun Quan: "The Empire has yet to be pacified. Fierce generals like Gan Ning are hard to come by. You should tolerate him." Sun Quan heeded Lü Meng's advice and treated Gan Ning generously. In return, Gan Ning served Sun Quan faithfully until his death.

Appraisal

Sun Quan once said: "A person improves as he grows older. Lü Meng and Jiang Qin are two excellent examples. They have obtained wealth and glory, yet they are willing to pick up reading and scholarly pursuits. They view material wealth lightly and value righteousness." On another occasion, he said: "When Ziming was young, I said he was someone who didn't give in to adversity, he was indeed courageous but only so. When he grew older, he became more knowledgeable and resourceful, and was second to Gongjin, but less capable in debate and literary arts as compared to Gongjin. When he defeated and captured Guan Yu, he did better than Lu Zijing."

Chen Shou, who wrote Lü Meng's biography in the Sanguozhi, commented on him as follows: "Lü Meng was courageous and witty, decisive and well-versed in military strategy. Deceiving Hao Pu and capturing Guan Yu – those were his finest moments. Initially, he was rash and reckless, but eventually he managed to exercise self-restraint. He possessed the magnanimity of a great statesman and was not a mere warrior! Sun Quan's comments on Lü Meng, both positive and negative, were befitting, hence I included them in this record."

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Lü Meng appears as a character in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which romanticises the historical events before and during the Three Kingdoms period. His death is dramatised in chapter 77 of the novel.

Sun Quan and his subjects are celebrating their conquest of Jing Province, with Lü Meng receiving the highest honour. During the banquet, Guan Yu's spirit suddenly possesses Lü Meng, grabs Sun Quan and shouts, "Green-eyed brat! Purple-bearded coward, do you still recognise me?" Sun Quan's subordinates immediately rush forth to save their lord. The possessed Lü Meng shoves Sun Quan away and sits on his seat. With a furious expression on his face, he booms, "Since defeating the Yellow Turban rebels, I have fought in wars for over 30 years. But I lost my life because you used an evil scheme against me. I can't feast on your flesh when I was still alive, but I can still seize Lü Meng's soul after death! I am Guan Yunchang, the Marquis of Hanshou Village." Sun Quan and the others are so terrified that they sink to their knees. Lü Meng collapses and dies, bleeding from seven body orifices. Everyone is traumatised by the scene they witnessed.

In popular culture

Lü Meng is featured as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi video game series. In the games, his name is spelled as "Lu Meng" without the diaeresis in the "U" in "Lu". He also appears in all instalments of Koei's strategy game series Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

The fictional character Ryomou Shimei of the anime and manga series Ikki Tousen is based on Lü Meng.

Lü Meng appears in Total War: Three Kingdoms as a playable character within Sun Ce's faction.

生平

輕果妄斷

興平二年（195年），呂蒙少年從家鄉南渡，往江南依附姊夫鄧當。鄧當是孫策部下，曾數次討伐山越。呂蒙時年十六歲，常偷偷跟隨鄧當出征討伐賊眾。鄧當發現時吃了一驚，但無論鄧當如何苛責，也阻止不了呂蒙。鄧當將此事告訴呂蒙母親，蒙母大怒，要將呂蒙處罰，呂蒙表示自己只是希望上進脫貧，才敢於冒險，蒙母被其言所感動，因而不忍處罰呂蒙。其時鄧當手下一名吏員認為呂蒙年紀幼小，因而十分輕視他，後來又出言羞辱他。呂蒙大怒，拔刀殺了這名吏員，避罪出走，潛逃到同縣的鄭長家裡。後來呂蒙往校尉袁雄處自首，袁雄代其向上級求情；孫策便召見呂蒙，對其稱奇不已，於是赦免其罪，並將呂蒙安排為左右隨從。幾年後，鄧當逝世，張昭舉薦呂蒙代領鄧當職務，於是呂蒙被拜為別部司馬。

建安五年（200年），孫策遇刺身亡，得年26歲。其弟孫權接掌大權，想要重新編排軍隊，將小部隊裁併到其他部隊之中，矛頭指向那些統兵較少、地位低微的年輕將領。呂蒙自知如果自己的部隊遭到兼併的話，自己將來更難取得成就，於是想辦法賒貸籌集物資，讓士兵穿上深紅色制服與綁腿布，並加緊操練士兵。孫權檢閱時，呂蒙兵馬「陳列赫然，兵人練習」，孫權見後，認為他治軍有方，不但沒有削減其部隊，反而為呂蒙增加兵員。

嶄露頭角

建安八年（203年），孫權討伐江夏太守黃祖，擊破黃祖水軍，但因中途獲悉丹陽、豫章、廬陵三郡的山越少數民族作亂，因此收兵班師，呂蒙亦隨軍中。到達豫章（今江西南昌 ） ，孫權命征虜將軍呂範平定鄱陽（今江西鄱陽東北），蕩寇將軍程普進擊樂安（今江西德興東北），建昌都尉太史慈撫治海昏（今江西永修東），同時，令呂蒙與別部司馬黃蓋、韓當、周泰等率兵鎮守險要，擔任山越最為活躍地區的縣令或縣長。呂蒙與諸將遵照孫權的部署，各自以武力平定了於各地起事的山越族人。呂蒙因功被任命為平北都尉，兼任廣德長。

建安十三年（208年），孫權採納將軍甘寧建議，再次發兵進攻夏口（今湖北武漢境），呂蒙隨軍出征。黃祖下令用艨艟戰艦封鎖沔口（漢水入長江口），用大繩繫著巨石為錐以固定艦隻，艦上更有千餘人用弓弩射向孫權軍，封鎖孫軍的前進路線，令孫權軍進攻受阻。孫權命偏將軍董襲、司馬凌統各率百人敢死隊，身穿重鎧，乘大船突進到艨艟艦旁，董襲揮刀砍斷大繩，黃祖軍戰艦順水飄流，孫權軍便溯流進兵。黃祖見孫權兵來，急派水軍都督陳就率兵反擊，呂蒙統率前鋒部隊，身先戰陣，親自斬殺陳就。孫軍乘勝水陸並進，包圍夏口城。孫權督軍猛攻，攻克其城。黃祖隻身逃竄，被孫權軍中的騎兵馮則所斬殺。此戰，孫權大獲全勝，一舉殲滅宿敵黃祖，佔領江夏地區。戰後論功，孫權認為戰事能取得勝利，關鍵是因為呂蒙能斬殺敵軍都督陳就，因此任命呂蒙為橫野中郎將，並賜錢千萬。

心思長益

建安十三年（208年），呂蒙還跟隨周瑜、程普等人在赤壁大破曹操，曹操引軍北歸，留曹仁等駐守南郡（今湖北江陵）。孫權命周瑜、程普統兵數萬，與曹仁隔江相持。時益州將領襲肅率軍投誠，周瑜上表，請孫權把襲肅所部撥給呂蒙管轄。呂蒙卻有不同的見解。他從全域考慮，認為周瑜的意見欠妥。他極力稱揚襲肅有膽識，有才能，並說襲肅嚮慕教化遠道前來投誠，只該增加他的兵力，而不該褫奪他的兵權。孫權覺得呂蒙說得有理，便依照他的意思，歸還了襲肅的部隊。不久，周瑜欲奪取南郡，先派甘寧襲取上游的夷陵城（今湖北宜昌），對南郡形成側背威脅。曹仁便分兵圍攻甘寧，欲奪回夷陵，甘寧被圍攻，唯有向周瑜求援。諸將擔心目前軍中兵少，如救援夷陵，則造成江陵空虛。呂蒙向周瑜舉薦以凌統暫攝主軍，防守本營，自己陪同周瑜前往解救甘寧。接著跟在周瑜身邊又獻策，勸周瑜派三百人用木柴把本來險峻的山路截斷，當敵人逃跑時，遇障難行只能棄馬逃命，我方就可獲得他們的馬匹。周瑜採納了他的建議，親率主力馳援夷陵，大破曹軍於夷陵城下，所殺過半。曹軍乘夜逃走，途經木柴堵塞的險路，無奈之下騎馬者皆棄馬步行。周瑜、呂蒙驅兵追趕截擊，獲得戰馬300匹，軍威大振。隨即回師渡江，進軍北岸，構築營壘，向江陵發起進攻。此時，孫權為策應周瑜攻勢，派兵包圍合肥（今安徽合肥）。曹仁由於孤軍無援，在近一年的交戰中屢戰失利，損失嚴重，遂被迫放棄南郡城，退往荊州（今湖北襄樊）。周瑜佔領南郡，被孫權任命為南郡太守，控制了長江中游地帶。呂蒙因功被任命為偏將軍，兼任尋陽令。

士別三日

建安十六年（211年），魯肅繼承周瑜軍督之職，在到陸口去的時候，經過呂蒙所在的駐地。當時魯肅對呂蒙還比較輕視。有人對魯肅說：「呂將軍的功名一天比一天顯著，不可以用之前眼光來看待他，您應當進去拜訪他。」於是魯肅聽從，便進去拜訪呂蒙。酒過三巡，呂蒙問魯肅：「您肩負重任，與蜀漢荊州的關羽作為鄰居，您將用什麼辦法來防止出乎意料的事發生？」魯肅輕率的回答：「就隨機應變吧。」呂蒙說：「現在長江東西雙方（西邊的劉備與東邊的孫權），雖然表面上好像很和睦，像一家人一樣，但實際上關羽是像熊虎一樣有野心的人，怎麼能不事先預定好應急方案呢？」呂蒙于是為魯肅籌劃了五套應急方案對策，魯肅就站起來離開自己的坐席走近呂蒙拍他的背說：「子明啊，我不知道你的才幹、謀略竟然已經達到這種程度了。」魯肅就拜見了呂蒙的母親，與呂蒙結交為好友後分別。

後發制人

後來曹操派廬江人謝奇任蔪春典農，駐扎在皖城的田鄉，屢次侵擾邊境。呂蒙派人誘使投降，謝奇不從，呂蒙就尋其破綻發動襲擊，謝奇退縮，部下扶老攜幼，紛紛投降。

建安十八年（213年），曹操親率10萬大軍進攻孫權，進至濡須口（今安徽無為東南），攻破孫權軍江西營寨，俘虜都督公孫陽。呂蒙隨孫權統領7萬部眾抗禦曹操，期間呂蒙多次獻奇計，均有效驗，還勸孫權在夾水口建立船塢。此役中，呂蒙致力於防範敵兵，精到細密。後來曹操遙望孫權的軍隊，見其陣容威嚴，布防嚴密，於是不敢輕易冒進。適值長江春汛將至，孫權寫信勸曹操儘速撤兵，曹操也審時度勢，主動撤軍而回。

能謀識斷

建安十九年（214年），曹操臨退軍時，任命朱光為廬江太守，屯軍皖城，大開稻田，又令人招誘鄱陽地方的賊帥，讓他們充當內應。呂蒙認為：「皖城的田地肥沃，如若敵人收割，附和他們的人必定會增加，這樣重複數年，就會看到曹操的勢頭壯大，亦當及早消除。」孫權採納呂蒙意見。於是孫權親征皖城，並在引見諸將求問計策。諸將皆勸孫權堆造土山，添製攻城械具，呂蒙則認為：「如果製造攻城器具及堆起土山，必然需要數日時間才能建成；這樣的話敵人的城池就會有時間充分修補，敵人的外援也會必然來到，等到那時候就不能圖取了。而且我們是趁著雨水漲水而來到這裡，如果我們在這裡多留，水漲必然下降，到時候我們歸途就險難起來，我認為這樣會很危險。今日觀察此城，無法防守，我們以三軍氣勢的銳氣，四面一起齊攻，不用多時就可以拔城；到時候我會也可能趁著漲水回歸，這樣就是全勝之道。」孫權決定採用，呂蒙舉薦甘寧為升城督，在前線督軍進攻，呂蒙則以精銳軍隊為後繼。吳軍在黎明時分進攻，呂蒙手執鼓槌擂鼓，士兵都乘著鼓聲雀躍奮進，於早飯的時段便攻破敵城。從合肥出發的張遼援軍兵至夾石，知道皖城陷落，唯有退軍返還。孫權嘉獎呂蒙的功勳，並認為此戰中呂蒙的功勞最大，甘寧為其次，於是拜呂蒙為廬江太守，將此戰所得的人馬盡分與呂蒙，又另賜尋陽屯田軍六百人，官屬三十人。

呂蒙獲賞賜後，返回尋陽。此時廬陵一帶有賊兵作亂，留守諸將數次進擊都不能擒賊。孫權便說：「兇猛的鷙鳥縱使有百隻，也不如一隻大鵰。」（同語亦見於孔融〈薦禰衡表〉：『鷙鳥累百，不如一鶚，使衡立朝，必有可觀。』）於是命令呂蒙討伐賊兵。呂蒙兵至廬陵，擒殺首惡，餘下的全部釋放，讓他們當平民。

智屈奇謀

建安二十年（215年），劉備任命關羽鎮守荊州全土，孫權便派遣呂蒙都督鮮于丹、徐忠、孫規等二萬兵西取長沙、零陵、桂陽三郡。呂蒙向三郡致書勸降，長沙、桂陽二郡望風歸服，惟獨零陵太守郝普守城不肯降。呂蒙安頓好長沙的防務後前往零陵，經過酃縣時遇到南陽人鄧玄之。鄧玄之是郝普的舊識，呂蒙便打算透過鄧玄之勸誘郝普。

此時，劉備得知孫權有意奪取南郡以南的荊州地盤，便親自來到公安，命關羽帶領三萬兵至益陽爭奪三郡。孫權當時正在陸口，節度眾軍，他一方面使魯肅帶領萬人屯於巴丘，以拒關羽；另一方面發書傳召呂蒙，令呂蒙捨棄收取零陵，迅速回軍協助魯肅對付關羽。

呂蒙收到孫權要他勒兵回益陽的指示時，刻意將信件藏起，隱瞞此事，並於當夜召集諸將，教授他們方法。翌晨，呂蒙一方面指示軍隊直接攻城，另一方面著鄧玄之進城游說郝普，並向他傳送虛假軍情，指劉備受困、關羽戰敗，外無援軍，零陵孤城難守。鄧玄之將呂蒙的說話具體告訴郝普，郝普果然被呂蒙所誤導，答應投降。鄧玄之先出城向呂蒙報訊，呂蒙預先敕令四個將軍，各選百人，待郝普出城，便進城守住城門。不久，郝普出城，呂蒙親自迎接他，並握著他的手，和他一起下船。寒暄幾句後，呂蒙拿出孫權的書信給郝普看，更拊手大笑起來；郝普細閱書信內容，方知劉備已在公安，而關羽則近在益陽，對自己受呂蒙用心計所騙不戰而投降感到羞慚怨恨，無地自容。

呂蒙盡得三郡後，便留孫河守城（一說是留守者孫皎，但《吳主傳》中孫皎卻跟隨呂蒙兵援魯肅，故留守者應為孫河，但孫河早已在204年與孫翊遭殺害）。自己即引軍開赴益陽，與孫皎、潘璋及魯肅兵並進，對付關羽。劉備因為曹操征服漢中了，感受到對自己的領地巴蜀有危機，劉備遣使向孫權重新劃分荊州，孫權遣歸郝普等人，以湘水為界割還零陵，另一方面賜尋陽、陽新為呂蒙之食邑。

遒敏勇略

建安二十年（215年），益陽戰後，孫權軍隊還師，出征合肥。但是孫軍進攻不利，撤兵時更為曹軍將領張遼等所追襲。吳軍勢急，呂蒙與凌統以死護住孫權，力保不失。

建安二十二年（217年），曹操治兵完畢，再次興師伐吳，進軍至居巢（今安徽巢縣東北）。濡須口築城中的孫權開始被曹操逼攻後退，後來孫權便以呂蒙為都督，據守早前建成的城塢，並設置萬張強弓硬弩，以拒曹操。結果曹軍所有先鋒尚未安然立屯，便被呂蒙攻破，曹操迫不得已只好撤軍。呂蒙累計大功，封為左護軍、虎威將軍。

賢俊匿智

建安二十二年（217年），魯肅病故，呂蒙繼其任，西屯陸口，接收魯肅軍萬餘人馬，又拜為漢昌太守。先前諸葛瑾代孫權向劉備討還荊州遭到拒絕，於是派魯肅在益陽抵擋關羽，並在單刀會談中怒斥劉備不守信以及關羽沒有信義，結果劉備因為曹操來襲才被逼歸還其中兩郡。後來孫曹交戰，關羽乘機與長沙郡的吳碭、袁龍起兵造反，最終被魯肅平定。呂蒙與關羽分土接境，心知關羽驍雄難敵，又常有兼併之心，而且位居長江上流，恐怕目前互相拒守的形勢難以久持。呂蒙則向孫權密陳計策，對孫權提出鞏固國防戰略奪還荊州的建議，如果不趁敵強大的時候圖取，日後就再也沒有機會了。孫權聽過分析，覺得呂蒙之策有道理，然而又向呂蒙表示有取徐州之意，呂蒙分析徐州雖然易攻取但卻不易守禦，應該先取荊州，完全佔領長江南岸，才能爭取與曹操對峙的最大優勢。孫權聽罷，亦覺呂蒙的說話恰當。呂蒙正式代替魯肅時，一到陸口，便對關羽加倍殷勤，廣施恩義，和關羽結下友好關係，為將來的軍事行動作出準備。

白衣渡江

建安二十四年（219年），關羽攻討樊城的曹仁，留兵將守備公安、南郡。呂蒙向孫權獻策，對外宣稱自己病危，在孫權的允許下還都休養，再以「意思深長，才堪負重」、「未有遠名」的偏將軍右部督陸遜代替呂蒙的位置，讓關羽的後防鬆懈。呂蒙回建業後，關羽果然相信呂蒙病重，撤去後方的守兵，專心攻打樊城。當時，魏國任命左將軍于禁引軍救援曹仁，于禁軍隊卻投降關羽，立刻將俘虜的萬數人送回南郡，關羽仍然假借缺糧為名，擅自拿取湘關的米糧為軍用。孫權聞此消息，便令呂蒙為大督，征虜將軍孫皎為後繼，進軍南郡。

呂蒙軍隊前赴尋陽，將精兵埋伏於小船中，令將士喬裝成商人，日夜趕路來到江邊停泊，烽火台守兵認為是商隊而沒有防備。夜暗時分，呂蒙發動奇襲，爬上大量的烽火台將關羽所設置的守兵完全生擒制伏，因此身在樊城戰線的關羽對呂蒙的行動毫不知情。呂蒙成功襲取烽火台後，繼而進發南郡，遣虞翻說降公安的傅士仁後，再利用士仁說服江陵的麋芳，最後出城歸降。

心戰攻心

呂蒙入據城中，安頓關羽及其軍隊將士的家屬，撫慰各軍家屬，又嚴令約束孫軍士卒不得幹犯城中百姓，更不能豪取強奪。其時呂蒙麾下一位軍吏，是汝南人（與呂蒙同鄉），因天雨牽連而擅取鄉民的一個斗笠來保護官家鎧甲。當時官鎧是屬於配給物資，士卒有責任保護獲分配的物件不被損壞，呂蒙明白此人是為了維護鎧甲，但卻因此竊盜冒犯新訂立的軍令，亦自覺不能因為同鄉的緣故便徇私枉法，於是垂淚下令處決此人。自此軍中綱紀嚴謹，士卒都能做到路不拾遺。

呂蒙每天令人存恤老人，問他們有何不足，患病者贈給醫藥，飢寒者賜予衣糧。關羽家中府藏的財寶，呂蒙皆令先行保存，待孫權到再講。關羽引軍欲回後方期間，在道路上數次派人與呂蒙相通消息，呂蒙每次都厚待使者，讓他週遊於城中，向前線士卒的家屬致問或投送家書。使者回到關羽軍隊後，士卒紛紛向使者詢問家中狀況，當他們得知家門無恙，所受的招待良好的時候，變得全無鬥心。孫權在南郡，關羽見南郡已失，於是退走麥城。孫權派人勸降關羽，關羽假裝答應，設旗立於城上，然後靜靜轉進至漳鄉。孫權知道便命朱然、潘璋再追擊，結果關羽軍隊一路上出現解散脫逃情況，有的投降孫權軍，最後軍隊盡散。最終被馬忠擒獲關羽父子，孫權打算再次招降關羽，其左右文臣對孫權說狼子不可養，曹操當年收留關羽今天換來遷都的惡果，孫權聽後唯有下令把關羽父子斬首。

臣死君憂

呂蒙成功奪得荊州後，孫權於公安大會上宣告呂蒙為南郡太守，封孱陵侯，賜錢一億，黃金五百斤。呂蒙以身體虛弱多病請辭，孫權不許，更笑曰：「擒捉關羽成功，全賴子明設謀，如今大功已經成就，未受賞賜，何必多慮？」於是特別派遣軍隊鼓吹慶賀，為呂蒙挑選虎威將軍轄下的官屬，與及作為南郡、廬江二郡太守的威儀器物。拜封完畢呂蒙返回軍營，兵馬前後相從，軍樂沿路鼓吹，光耀萬分。東吳史學家韋昭作鼓吹曲《關背德》，大讚孫權英明任用呂蒙，一舉奪取荊州剷除關羽、蠻族來朝的盛景。

可惜的是，還未正式封爵位，呂蒙卻突然病發，孫權當時仍在公安，特地將呂蒙置於內殿，千方百計為他醫治，又以千金懸賞，招募能治癒呂蒙疾病的人。孫權為此情緒低落，想隨時留意呂蒙的病況，但又恐怕阻礙他歇息，於是在別室的牆壁上鑿了個小洞，以便觀察呂蒙。每當看見呂蒙稍能進食，孫權便為之大喜，言笑歡暢；當呂蒙病況轉重，孫權便會心煩失眠。某次，呂蒙之病曾有相當程度的改善，孫權更為此下達赦令，聚集群臣一起慶賀。

然而不久後呂蒙病況急轉直下，孫權親自探望，命道士為呂蒙求命祈福。呂蒙臨終前向孫權交代後事，將重任交予朱然、陸遜，便於內殿病卒，得年四十二歲。孫權極其哀痛，因而憔悴。呂蒙未死之時，其畢生所得的金寶享賜盡付於府藏，令家人在他命絕之日皆上還，喪事務要簡約。孫權聞知此事，悲痛更甚。

呂蒙兒子呂霸承襲其爵位，又得守墓者三百家，復田五十頃。呂霸死後，其兄呂琮承襲侯位。呂琮死後，其弟呂睦嗣任。《三國志》記載孫權與呂蒙親厚的君臣關係，如《朱然傳》中有「權意之所鍾，呂蒙、凌統最重」之語；《朱據傳》又有「權咨嗟將卒，發憤歎息，追思呂蒙、張溫，以為朱據才兼文武，可以繼之」之語。

家庭

兄弟姊妹

• 呂氏，呂蒙的姊姊，鄧當的妻子。

• 鄧當，呂蒙的姊夫，孫策的部將。

子

• 呂琮，呂霸之兄，在呂霸死亡後繼承了孱陵侯的爵位。

• 呂霸，呂蒙之子，在呂蒙死亡後繼承了孱陵侯的爵位。

• 呂睦，呂琮之弟，在呂琮死亡後繼承了孱陵侯的爵位。

後人

• 呂僧珍，南朝梁開國將領。

• 呂珂，唐朝末年楊行密部黑雲都指揮使。

• 呂師周，唐朝末年楊行密部將，後投馬殷，官至宰相。

• 呂師造，唐朝末年楊行密部將。

評價

時人評價

• 呂蒙的軍事才能備受三國時人的認同。陳壽在《三國志·周瑜魯肅呂蒙傳》末評曰：「呂蒙勇而有謀斷，識軍計，譎郝普，擒關羽，最其妙者。初雖輕果妄殺，終於克己，有國士之量，豈徒武將而已乎！」

• 魯肅曾讚揚呂蒙勤學有進境：「呂子明，吾不知卿才略所及乃至於此也。」裴注引《江表傳》亦載魯肅語：「吾謂大弟（呂蒙）但有武略耳，至於今者，學識英博，非復吳下阿蒙。」

• 孫權鼓勵呂蒙讀書，事後亦欣賞其成果，他曾說：「人長而進益，如呂蒙、蔣欽，蓋不可及也。富貴榮顯，更能折節好學，耽悅書傳，輕財尚義，所行可跡，並作國士，不亦休乎！」

• 當廬陵賊寇肆虐，諸將討伐不果時，孫權認為呂蒙有足夠的才能處理此事，因此他說：「鷙鳥累百，不如一鶚。」以表示他對呂蒙能力有充份信心。

• 孫權某次跟陸遜談論到周瑜、魯肅及呂蒙時，形容呂蒙：「子明（呂蒙）少時，孤謂不辭劇易，果敢有膽而已；及身長大，學問開益，籌略奇至，可以次於公瑾（周瑜），但言議英發不及之耳。圖取關羽，勝於子敬（魯肅）。」

後世評價

• 後世文獻中，亦十分欣賞呂蒙能靠自身努力而在軍事上有所表現，與及他跟孫權所秉持的那份君臣情誼。《晉書》載陸機語：「周瑜、陸公、魯肅、呂蒙之儔，入為腹心，出為股肱。」

• 《晉書》載鄧騫向甘卓語：「武昌既定，據其軍實，鎮撫二州，施惠士卒，使還者如歸，此呂蒙所以克敵也。」

• 《晉書》載張駿遣參軍麴護上疏時提到：「且韓信之舉，非舊名也；穰苴之信，非舊將也；呂蒙之進，非舊勳也；魏延之用，非舊德也。蓋明王之舉，舉無常人，才之所能，則授以大事。」

• 《晉書》載慕容廆致書陶侃時提到：「不知今之江表為賢俊匿智，藏其勇略邪？將呂蒙、淩統高蹤曠世哉？」

• 王嘉：「呂蒙讀書，開西館以延傑髦，共相扢揚，識見日進。」（《拾遺記·卷七》）

• 《舊唐書》載魏元忠語：「若陳湯、呂蒙、馬隆、孟觀，並出自貧賤，勳濟甚高，未聞其家代為將帥。」

• 孫元晏：「幼小家貧實可哀，願征行去志難回。不探虎穴求身達，爭得人間富貴來。」（吳十七首）

• 《宋史·列傳第九十三》論曰：「昔孫權勸呂蒙學，文武豈二致哉！」

• 洪邁：「孫吳奄有江左，亢衡中州，固本于策、權之雄略，然一時英傑，如周瑜、魯肅、呂蒙、陸遜四人者，真所謂社稷心膂，與國為存亡之臣也。自古將帥，未嘗不矜能自賢，疾勝己者，此諸賢則不然。孫權初掌事，肅欲北還，瑜止之，而薦之于權曰：『肅才宜佐時，當廣求其比，以成功業。』後瑜臨終與權箋曰：『魯肅忠烈，臨事不苟，若以代瑜，死不朽矣！』肅遂代瑜典兵。呂蒙為尋陽令，肅見之曰：『卿今者才略非複吳下阿蒙。』遂拜蒙母，結友而別。蒙遂亦代肅。蒙在陸口，稱疾還，權問：『誰可代者？』蒙曰：『陸遜意思深長，才堪負重，觀其規慮，終可大任，無複是過也。』遜遂代蒙。四人相繼，居西邊三四十年，為威名將，曹操、劉備、關羽皆為所挫，雖更相汲引，而孫權委心聽之，吳之所以為吳，非偶然也。」（《容齋隨筆》）

• 程公許：「蜀將如關、張、龐統，吳將如周瑜、魯肅，志長命短，天下重惜之。而馬超、黃忠、趙雲、費禕、呂蒙、程普、步騭、甘寧輩皆智勇絕倫，足以當一面。」（《滄洲塵缶編·卷十四》）

• 《宋史·陳亮傳》：「又二百餘年，遂為三國交據之地，諸葛亮由此起輔先主，荊楚之士從之如雲，而漢氏賴以復存於蜀；周瑜、魯肅、呂蒙、陸遜、陸抗、鄧艾、羊祜皆以其地顯名。」「彼亦知呂蒙之徒止足以保據一方，而天下之奇才必也公瑾乎。」

• 南宋陳元靚《事林廣記·後集·卷四》有贊語頌呂蒙：「烈烈子明，乘時奮武。志在取鱗，心期探虎。智屈曹人，力擒關羽。遂使孫吳，鼎分中土。」

• 郝經：「雲長萬人之敵而呂蒙襲取，昭烈一世之雄而陸遜摧破，漢之義師不複東征。祗保梁益，吳遂蹈跨荊揚，操不可圖，丕乃禪代，曹氏遂有中國，而天下三分殆。非人謀亦天意也。蒙好謀能斷軍旅之間，折節問學，終于文武備，足有國士之風。遜一旦為大帥，能昭果毅使諸將聽服，獨當一面遂成雋功。非有過人之材能若是乎？」「子明識斷，駸駸遒敏。學問略竒，足繼公瑾。伯言靜鷙，卻敵安疆，虎臥國門，威深大江。」（《續後漢書》）

• 胡三省：「呂蒙所以禽關羽者，摧之而已。」（《三國志集解》）

• 高啟：「何處吹愁角一聲，大江東岸呂蒙營。天隨流水茫茫去，月共長庚耿耿明。敵意有圖秋暫息，客魂無定夜還驚。欲陪釃酒樓船座，借問風潮早晚平。」

• 羅貫中：「養子當如孫仲謀，呂蒙談笑便封侯。 白衣搖擼真奇計，一舉荊襄取次休。」「一笠覆官鎧，猶然遭重刑。荊州萬民心，從此俱安寧。」「勢去人離奈若何？休言百萬甲兵多。呂蒙預定招降計，絕勝張良散楚歌。」（《三國演義》）

• 李贄：「呂蒙、陸遜妖魔耳！縱然奸計得行，亦一時勝負，何足誇戰？汝不見蒙與遜與當年草木同朽腐矣！」（《三國演義》）

• 李安溪：「人之識見意計不同如此，若專為割據竊號謀者，則蒙為忠矣。」（《三國志集解》）

• 曾國藩：「呂蒙誅取鎧之人，魏絳戮亂行之僕。古人處此，豈以為名，非是無以警眾耳。」（《曾胡治兵語錄》）

• 蔡東藩：「關公之敗，失之過剛，呂蒙雖勝，不能無罪；親漢賊而仇漢裔，蒙亦何心？此後人之所以深嫉呂，而不能忘懷于魯子敬也。」（《後漢演義》）

• 1958年9月，毛澤東到安徽視察工作，同張治中和羅瑞卿說：「呂蒙從小參軍，雖然驍勇有膽略，但沒有文化，當了帶兵官後稟報軍情時只能心記口述，很感不便。孫權勸他讀書，他說軍務倥傯沒時間。孫權便以自己為例，說明只要有決心，時間不是主要的問題。呂蒙聽從了孫權的勸告，刻苦自學，數年之後，判若兩人。後來，呂蒙當了東吳的統帥，打了許多勝仗，還使關羽敗走麥城。我們現在的高級軍官中，百分之八九十都是行伍出身，以後才受到教育的，他們不可不看《呂蒙傳》。關羽攻曹軍手上的樊城，呂蒙用計騙關羽把全軍開到前方，然後輕騎疾趨南郡（江陵），南郡太守麋芳投降。關羽將士家眷留在南郡，呂蒙進城辦法很好，對他們不但不加損害，還特加照顧，對年老的慰問，對患有疾病的給醫藥，對饑寒的給衣服糧食，對關羽的財產絲毫不動。對關羽派來的人很優待，使他和將士家屬相會，結果起了很大的作用。關羽的將士知道了，軍心渙散，士無鬥志，使得關羽不得不敗走麥城。」毛澤東要求羅瑞卿和公安戰線上的幹部讀《呂蒙傳》說：「公安幹警應成為有文有武的人，才能適應社會主義建設新時期的要求。」

• 20世紀50年代末60年代初，毛澤東在關于讀蘇聯《政治經濟學》教科書的一次談話中說：「三國時吳國的張昭，是一個經學家，在吳國是一個讀書多、有學問的人，可是在曹操打到面前的時候，就動搖，就主和，周瑜讀書比他少，呂蒙是老粗，這些人就主戰。魯肅是個讀書人，當時也主戰。可見，光是從讀書不讀書、有沒有文化來判斷問題，是不行的。」他又曾讚揚：「呂蒙如不折節讀書，善用兵，能攻心，怎能充當東吳統帥？我們解放軍許多將士都是行伍出身的，不可不讀《呂蒙傳》。」

逸聞

中年勤學

呂蒙一開始知識程度低，少時不讀書，不通文墨，每要上陳大事，都要靠別人代寫或用口述去交代。一天，孫權對呂蒙說：「你現在當權管事了，不能不學習！」呂蒙用軍務繁忙來推辭。孫權說：「我難道是要你研究儒家經學，學著當博士官嗎？只是粗略閱讀，瞭解歷史罷了。你說你事務繁忙，能比得上我事情多嗎？我常讀書，自以為大有益處。」呂蒙於是開始讀書學習，天份極好，豁然開通，讀的書越來越多，甚至超越資深的儒者，自此今非昔比。

210年，魯肅代周瑜之職，前往陸口鎮守。魯肅是一名儒將，認為呂蒙是武夫出身，而輕視他。在他前往陸口期間，經過呂蒙屯軍處，有人向魯肅說：「呂將軍功名日顯，不能以昔日眼光看待，先生應與他洽談一下。」魯肅聽從其建議，決定造訪呂蒙。呂蒙置酒接待，酒酣之時，呂蒙問魯肅：「先生受主公重任，現要與關羽鄰接，你將有甚麼計略，以備不測？」魯肅隨意應說：「隨機應變。」呂蒙便說：「如今東西雖共為一家，但關羽終歸乃熊虎之士，計略又豈能不事先預定？」又說：「兄長如今代公瑾之任，既有相當難度，又與關羽此等人物為鄰。關羽此人長而好學，讀左傳略時，皆琅琅上口，朗讀時聲線梗亮而有雄氣；可是其性格頗為自負，喜歡凌駕於人上。如今與其為對手，實該有方略去應付他。」然後，呂蒙便向魯肅籌畫五條祕策（或說呂蒙只陳三策），魯肅大為驚佩，秘受呂蒙所贊畫的策略，更越席走到呂蒙身邊，以手拊其背說：「我昔日以為大弟只懂得武略，但以今日的情況而言，大弟學識英博，已非當日的吳下阿蒙了。」呂蒙便回答：「士別三日，即更刮目相待。」後世遂有成語「非復吳下阿蒙」和「士別三日，刮目相看」。二人一時知心，魯肅拜候過呂蒙母親後，兩人互結友誼。

善處人事

呂蒙年輕時曾經因為姐夫鄧當一名部屬的侮辱而拔刀將其殺害，而他與吳將甘寧之間也曾經發生衝突。甘寧為人「麤暴好殺，不如人意」，他的廚下兒（負責烹食的僕役）曾犯下過失，為了避罪而投靠呂蒙。呂蒙恐怕甘寧會殺掉他，所以不願立即將廚下兒交還。後來甘寧帶著禮物拜候呂蒙母親，呂蒙便交出廚下兒還給甘寧，甘寧亦向呂蒙許諾不會殺掉他。但甘寧回船後不久，就將廚下兒縛在桑樹上，親自挽弓將他射殺。事後，甘寧命人縛穩船纜，便在船中解衣躺臥。呂蒙知道此事，大怒不已，便擊鼓集兵，想上船攻擊甘寧。甘寧聽說，竟仍臥著不起來。當時呂蒙母親尚未穿好鞋子，便匆匆趕出來勸諫呂蒙：「至尊（指孫權）待你如骨肉，將大事託付於你，怎可因為私怨就想攻殺甘寧？甘寧死了的話，就算至尊不追究此事，你身為臣下卻已違犯臣下之道了。」呂蒙素來至孝，聽到母親此言，便放下殺心，親自上甘寧的船，笑道：「興霸，家母正要招待你一起用膳，快些上來吧！」甘寧十分慚愧，泣說：「是我有負於你啊。」於是與呂蒙一起歡宴全日。然而甘寧除了曾與呂蒙有過衝突外，又時常有違孫權將令。孫權曾經因而大怒，全賴呂蒙每次陳情道：「如今天下未定，如甘寧這般的鬥將實在難得，應宜加以容忍。」孫權於是厚待甘寧，終於得其所用。

呂蒙關心同僚，能急人難，會存恤孤苦。有一段時期，呂蒙與吳將成當、宋定、徐顧的屯所為鄰近，三將死後，他們的子弟年紀尚幼，孫權便以三將之兵盡數撥給呂蒙。呂蒙不肯接受，向孫權說徐顧等三人生前皆為國事辛勞，他們的子弟雖小，但不可就此廢了他們的掌兵權。呂蒙為表達這訊息，連連上書三次，孫權才聽取他的意見。呂蒙大喜，又為三將子弟擇聘老師，輔導他們。他經常為同僚操心，很多時候都會做到這種程度。虞翻曾因向孫權犯顏強諫而被徙至丹楊涇縣，後來呂蒙為暗襲荊州稱病回到建業時，特意向孫權要求讓頗知醫術的虞翻跟隨自己，亦是為了讓虞翻獲釋。吳將凌統常怨甘寧殺害其父凌操，二人關係相當惡劣，據韋昭《吳書》記載，某次呂蒙在家中設宴，酒酣之間，凌統忽然于筵前作劍舞，甘寧知道他不懷好意，于是也以雙戟起舞。呂蒙見狀情知不妙，便舞起刀盾，將二人分在兩邊，才避免了一場衝突。可見呂蒙此人善于處理同僚之間的矛盾。

呂蒙少時不讀書傳，每要向上級陳述軍務，往往不用筆墨起草，就隨便以口述方式取代書信。所以在領部曲事時，常被江夏太守蔡遺所輕蔑。但呂蒙始終沒有怨恨過蔡遺。及至豫章太守顧邵身故，孫權問呂蒙該用誰人替任，呂蒙便推薦蔡遺，指他是一名盡忠職守的良吏，可以接任。孫權笑道：「你想做祁奚（春秋時晉國大夫，在他告老還家時，晉侯問誰可繼任其職，祁奚不以私仇為忌，推舉其仇家解狐出任）嗎？」於是便從其言任用蔡遺。

樊城之戰時，魏國任命左將軍于禁引軍救援曹仁，于禁軍隊卻敗於關羽之手，被俘人馬達數萬之多。關羽託名糧米不足，竟然擅自拿取湘關的米糧為軍用。孫權聞此消息，便令征虜將軍孫皎與呂蒙為左右部大督，先行進軍南郡。呂蒙認為不妥，向孫權說道：「若然至尊（指孫權）認為征虜（指孫皎）有能力，便應該專用他為大督；若認為我有能力，便應該專用我。當年周瑜、程普共為左右部督，一起攻打江陵，大事雖然決於周瑜，但程普自恃是舊將，而大家又同是部督身分，一直不願聽命於周瑜，幾乎誤了國家大事。此事實在是前車可鑒啊。」孫權方才大悟，向呂蒙道：「那麼便以你為大督，任命孫皎為後繼就可以了。」

後世地位

呂蒙與周瑜、魯肅、陸遜，被後世三國迷視為「東吳四大都督」。事實上，陸遜在史書上有擔任過大都督的職銜，而呂蒙與周瑜僅當過「大督」，雖然是軍隊指揮的領導職位，不過只屬於臨時部督性質，而不是恆常職級。

另外，三國以後歷朝中均視呂蒙為三國時代名將之一。宋代歐陽修、宋祁等撰寫的《新唐書·禮樂志》中提到，唐代禮儀使顏真卿曾經向皇室建議，追封古代名將六十四人，並為他們設廟享奠，當中包括「吳武威將軍南郡太守孱陵侯呂蒙」，同時代被列入廟享名單的只有張遼、鄧艾、關羽、張飛、周瑜、陸遜、陸抗而已；元代脫脫等撰寫的《宋史·禮志》提及宋代宣和五年時，皇室依照唐代慣例，為古代名將設廟，七十二位名將中亦包括呂蒙。

其他記載

《全唐詩·卷七百六十七》中載孫元晏有一首寫呂蒙的詩：「幼小家貧實可哀，願征行去志難回。不探虎穴求身達，爭得人間富貴來。」敘寫呂蒙少年時的凌雲大志。《太平廣記》中記載了一宗關於呂蒙的玄幻故事。孫權勸呂蒙多學習經典，於是呂蒙便潛心博覽群書，而以《易經》為主要學習對象。呂蒙經常因酒醉而坐在已逝世的孫策的舊座位上，有時更沉沉睡去。一次在他沉睡中，竟然將《易經》誦讀了一遍，然後驚醒。眾人問他驚醒的原因，他便說：「我剛才夢見伏羲、周文王、周公，與我談論世代治亂興衰之事，與及日月宇宙變化之理，無一不是精妙之極；他們不是只談空話，純粹誦讀文章而已。」於是大家都知道呂蒙曾經在睡夢中誦讀《易經》之事。據元代俞希魯纂修之《至順鎮江誌》提到丹陽縣有「呂城」，是呂蒙所築的。中國成語「吳下阿蒙」及「士別三日，刮目相看」均與呂蒙有關，典出於晉代虞溥所著《江表傳》。

後世創作

《三國演義》

小說三國演義中呂蒙初登場於第三十八回《戰長江孫氏報讎》，因孫權招賢而與陸遜、徐盛等人相繼投至其麾下，並於第七十七回《玉泉山關公顯聖》死亡。呂蒙在小說中的形象只是稍微與史實相近，但《演義》因為尊崇關羽的關係而將呂蒙的一部分軍事才能抹煞。呂蒙於第三十八回時擔任平北都尉，為孫權引見來投的甘寧，並隨孫權攻打江夏黃祖，於陣前親斬敵軍前鋒陳就。後來呂蒙亦參與赤壁之戰，與太史慈同屬前線第四隊部隊，又奉命引三千兵去烏林接應甘寧部隊，然後追擊曹操，逼得曹操要留下張遼斷後。在周瑜攻打曹仁，與及孫權戰濡須、合肥之時，都有呂蒙獻計的情節。不過，小說中未有提及呂蒙年青時奮進與及其由武轉文的學習經歷。

當呂蒙接任周瑜、魯肅之位後，開始與蜀國等人為敵。後來呂蒙打算攻取荊州，更向孫權誇下海口能夠奪下荊州，但他看到烽火台之後並沒有任何良策，只有裝病躲避孫權。陸遜知道呂蒙為什麼裝病，所以到呂蒙處提出白衣渡江的計劃，呂蒙同意他的計劃，便復出作戰，整個行動都是陸遜策劃，而呂蒙只是實行者而已；但卻因為成為了謀殺蜀漢大將關羽的元兇，而在小說作者「擁劉抑曹」的思想籠罩下被編造了一個「因關羽追魂索命，七孔流血而死」的下場。不過呂蒙征服荊州，以懷柔手段令關羽攻魏前線部隊士氣崩潰的策略，受到後世軍事家的認同，並視為典範。小說後期，魏軍都督司馬懿在對蜀戰爭時以懷柔手段軟化蜀軍的仇愾心，表示是師法於呂蒙襲荊州之故事。毌丘儉於淮南據壽春反魏，司馬師準備討伐他時，太尉王肅曾獻計先行安撫淮南將士留在中原的家屬，以釋其戰意，同樣提到呂蒙襲荊州一事。京劇劇目《走麥城》中有呂蒙一角，其臉譜勾藍花三塊瓦臉。

動漫遊戲作品

在日本和中國的三國主題動漫作品中，都有以呂蒙為創作原型的角色。

• 《BB戰士三國傳 英雄激突篇》中，呂蒙的機體設計為「迪謝」（輕裝：RMS-099 Ricky Dias／提督裝備：MSK-008 Dijeh），造型以綠色為主要色系，武器為「碧斬斧」，絕技為「碧衝烈破」。

• 日本動漫《一騎當千》其中一名主要女性角色名為「呂蒙子明」（聲優為甲斐田裕子）是作品中南陽學院四天王之一，擅長使用關節技。

• 動漫作品《鋼鐵三國志》中有「呂蒙子明」一角，屬於「六駿」之一，武器為雙刀，作品設定中的煌星之光為綠色。

• 動作遊戲《真·三國無雙系列》和《無雙OROCHI系列》中，呂蒙（聲優為堀之紀）由該系列的第1代開始登場，是一名以戟為武器的將領。電腦遊戲《三國志》系列中的呂蒙，歷代均以全副戎裝為主要造型。

• 三國志

• 三國演義

• 《橫山光輝三國志》（橫山光輝）

• 《蒼天航路》（王欣太）中的呂蒙額頭上有三條疤痕。情緒激動時會流鼻血。後來發奮努力學習謀略，造就日後成為孫吳的司令官。

• 《火鳳燎原》（陳某）中的呂蒙言辭粗鄙，本不通文墨，卻懷有絕世奇才。後在孫策勸說下勤讀詩書，練就後來的文武雙全。於劉勳攻上繚時登場，於壽春偷襲戰後對孫策立誓取關羽人頭，中期有一支特別部隊名為「白衣」，使司馬懿及日後的關羽吃盡苦頭。

• 三國殺

影視形象

• 香港亞洲電視電視劇《諸葛亮》（1985年）：由甘山飾演呂蒙。

• 中國太原電視台電視劇《關公》（1992年）：由樊志起飾演呂蒙。

• 中國大陸中國中央電視台電視劇集《三國演義》（1992年）：由初國良、郭沫浪、張京海飾演呂蒙。

• 台灣民視/台灣華視電視劇《關公》（1996年）：由高衝霄飾演呂蒙。

• 中國中央電視台電視劇《武聖關公》（2004年）：由王國強飾演呂蒙。

• 八大電視劇《終極三國》（2009年）：由邵崇柏（強辯樂團,鼓手,小猴）飾演呂蒙。

• 中國大陸電視劇《三國》（2010年）：由常鋮飾演呂蒙。