Prince of Hongnong
Li Ru was from Heyang County (), Zuopingyi (), which is in present-day Heyang County, Shaanxi. He served as Prefect of the Gentlemen of the Palace of Hongnong Kingdom () when Dong Zhuo controlled the Han central government and the figurehead Emperor Xian between 189 and 192. After Dong Zhuo's death in 192, he served under Li Jue, a former subordinate of Dong Zhuo. In 190, Dong Zhuo sent Li Ru to poison the Liu Bian (the deposed Emperor Shao). In the winter of 192, Li Jue recommended Li Ru to be a Palace Attendant (), but Emperor Xian refused to endorse the recommendation and said: "(Li) Ru was formerly a Prefect of the Gentlemen of the Palace under the Prince of Hongnong (Liu Bian). He killed my elder brother and ought to be punished." In defence of Li Ru, Li Jue said, "It was not Li Ru's intention to follow Dong Zhuo's order. We should not punish the innocent."