Now Dong Zhuo, whose courtesy name was Zhongying and who came from Lintao in Longxi, was appointed Administrator of Hedong Commandery. He had long been arrogant. One day he slighted Liu Bei. Zhang Fei, whose courtesy name was Yide, flew into a rage and wanted to kill him.

Liu Bei and Guan Yu, whose courtesy name was Yunchang, quickly restrained him. “He is an officer appointed by the Court. How can we take a man’s life on our own?”

Zhang Fei replied, “If I do not kill this fellow, then I would have to serve under him among his troops, and I cannot endure that!”

Liu Bei said, “The three of us have sworn to live and die together. We cannot be separated. Why not all leave for another place at once?”

Zhang Fei said, “If it is so, at least part of my anger will be relieved.”

Thus the three rode through the night and brought their troops to Zhu Jun. Zhu Jun treated them with great respect, gathered all the soldiers in one force, and marched to attack Zhang Bao.

At that time, Cao Cao had accompanied Huangfu Song in the campaign against Zhang Liang, where a fierce battle had already been fought at Quyang.

Here Zhu Jun besieged Zhang Bao. Zhang Bao brought eighty or ninety thousand raiders and posted them behind the hills. Zhu Jun appointed Liu Bei as advanced guard and put them opposite the rebels.

Zhang Bao sent his deputy commander Gao Sheng to engage. Liu Bei ordered Zhang Fei forward. Zhang Fei rode with spear in hand; he clashed with Gao Sheng, and within moments he skewered him and sent him falling from his horse.

Liu Bei drove the army straight on. Zhang Bao, with hair unbound and sword raised, began his incantations. A violent wind and thunder rose. A stream of black smoke came down from the sky. In the blackness it seemed as though endless riders and horses were bearing down.

Liu Bei wheeled his horse and withdrew in haste. The army collapsed into confusion and fell back in defeat. He consulted with Zhu Jun.

Zhu Jun said, “He has used sorcery. Tomorrow I will have the soldiers pour out pig, sheep, and dog blood, along with refuse, and lie in ambush on the hilltops. When the rebels rush up, we will douse them from above. The method should dispel his trick.”

Liu Bei followed the order. He sent Guan Yu and Zhang Fei each with one thousand men to hide behind the ridge on the hill, preparing jars of animal blood and filth.

On the next day, Zhang Bao beat drums and raised his banners to draw troops into battle. Liu Bei rode out to meet them. In the clash, Zhang Bao again began his ritual; wind and thunder roared, sand and stones flew, black fog filled the sky, and masses of riders and infantry seemed to descend from above.

Liu Bei turned his horse and withdrew. Zhang Bao’s troops rushed after him. As they passed the rise, Guan and Zhang’s ambushing force sounded horns and drums and loosed the prepared foulness in one pour.

Paper men and straw horses that had been in the air tumbled down as if collapsing. The storm stilled. Sand and stones stopped flying. Zhang Bao saw that the spell had been broken and tried to retreat at speed.

With Guan on the left and Zhang on the right, both flanking armies surged out. Liu Bei and Zhu Jun closed in from the rear, and the bandit force was routed. Liu Bei saw the banner of the Dìgōng General (地公將軍) and spurred forward. Zhang Bao broke and fled. Liu Bei loosed an arrow into his left arm.

Zhang Bao escaped with the wound, riding toward Yangcheng, and made a hard stand there.

Zhu Jun surrounded Yangcheng and pressed the attack. He also dispatched scouts to seek word of Huangfu Song.

The scouts returned and reported: “Huangfu Song won a major victory. In the imperial court, since Dong Zhuo had repeatedly failed, they replaced him with Huangfu Song. When he arrived, Zhang Jiao had already died; Zhang Liang inherited the rebels and met our army, but Huangfu Song defeated him in seven engagements and beheaded Zhang Liang at Quyang. They opened the coffin of Zhang Jiao, executed the corpse, sent his severed head to the capital, and the rest surrendered.

The court has promoted Huangfu Song as General of Chariots and Cavalry and appointed him Governor of Ji Province. Huangfu Song also petitioned that Lu Zhi had no crime and deserved restoration; the Court has restored Lu Zhi to his former office. Cao Cao was likewise commended and made Administrator of Jinan and ordered to return from campaign at once.”

When Zhu Jun heard this, he urged the horses onward and redoubled his assault on Yangcheng.

The rebels’ situation grew desperate. Their general Yan Zheng killed Zhang Bao and presented his head in surrender.

Zhu Jun then pacified several commanderies and submitted a report of victory.

Again three former followers of the Yellow Turbans—Zhao Hong, Han Zhong, and Sun Zhong—gathered several ten-thousands, and, smelling opportunity, burned and plundered villages. They claimed they were avenging Zhang Jiao.

The Court issued orders for Zhu Jun to take this victorious army and destroy them. Zhu Jun obeyed the edict and advanced.

At that time the rebels occupied Wancheng. Zhu Jun besieged it. Zhao Hong sent Han Zhong to battle. Zhu Jun ordered Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei to attack the southwest corner of the city.

Han Zhong brought all his elite men and came to the southwest to resist. Zhu Jun led two thousand armored horsemen straight for the northeast corner. Fearing the loss of the city, the rebels hurriedly abandoned the southwest and returned.

Liu Bei struck from behind. The rebels were routed and fled back into Wancheng. Zhu Jun divided his troops to encircle the city on four sides. Supplies inside were cut. Han Zhong sent envoys out of the gates to surrender.

Zhu Jun refused.

Liu Bei said, “When Emperor Gaozu first won all under heaven, it was because he could turn enemies into followers and keep them in line. Why then does the prefect forbid Han Zhong’s surrender?”

Zhu Jun answered, “That was one age, this is another. In the days when Qin and Xiang contended, the realm was in chaos and the people had no ruler, so turning foes was useful to coax them. Now the realm is unified; only the Yellow Turban rebels stand against us. If we accept their surrender, we will teach brigands that they may rob and burn, then surrender only when they are cornered. That is the custom of hardened bandits, not the way of statecraft.”

Liu Bei said, “You are right that we should not accept them as such. But with all four sides blocked like an iron cask, they cannot ask for clemency, so they will fight to the last breath. Ten thousand men with one purpose are not easily broken. And inside are many who will rather die than flee. Why not withdraw your southeast line and strike only the northwest. The rebels will abandon the city to escape. They will not stand to die if escape remains open, and we can catch them all.”

Zhu Jun agreed and withdrew two sides to the southeast, then drove all three columns at once toward the northwest.

Han Zhong indeed led his men to abandon the city and run. Zhu Jun, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei pursued in threefold formation and killed Han Zhong with arrows. The rest scattered in all directions.

Just as the pursuit was underway, Zhao Hong and Sun Zhong arrived with their rebels and fought Zhu Jun. He saw their overwhelming force and pulled the army back for a moment.

Zhao Hong used the opening to retake Wancheng.

Zhu Jun moved ten li away to encamp and was just preparing to attack when a band of riders came in from the east. Leading them was a general with a broad forehead and wide face, with a frame like a tiger and waist like a bear.

He was from Fuchun in Wu Commandery: surname Sun, personal name Jian, courtesy name Wentai. He was a descendant of Sun Wuzi. At seventeen he traveled with his father to Qiantang, saw more than ten pirates seize merchants’ goods on the shore, and split the loot there.

Jian told his father, “These men can be taken.” He snatched up a broad sword and leaped ashore, bellowing and waving in all directions, as though he were rallying his men.

The raiders took him for official troops and threw their loot away before they ran.

Jian chased them down and killed one.

Because of this, he gained fame in the counties. He was recommended and made a colonel.

Later, in Kuaiji, a demon-mad uprising rose in Xuchang led by one who claimed to be Emperor Yangming. It drew tens of thousands. Jian and the county clerk recruited over a thousand brave men, joined forces with the commanderies and prefectures, and crushed them, beheading the rebel and the rebel’s son, Xu Shao.

Inspector Zang Min submitted a memorial and he was appointed magistrate of Yandu, then magistrate of Xuyi, then of Xiapi.

Now, when the Yellow Turban raiders rose again, Sun Jian assembled village youths and merchants, plus over fifteen hundred seasoned fighters from the Huai and Si regions, and marched to aid the army.

Zhu Jun rejoiced and commanded Sun Jian to strike the south gate, Liu Bei the north gate, and himself the west gate, leaving the east gate open for the enemies to run toward.

Sun Jian first climbed the wall and beheaded more than twenty rebels. The bandits broke and fled.

Zhao Hong, with lance couched on horse, rushed straight for Sun Jian. Sun Jian sprang from the wall, snatched the lance from him, and stabbed him off the horse. He then mounted Zhao Hong’s horse and leaped through the melee, mowing down rebels.

Sun Zhong brought his men out of the north gate. They collided with Liu Bei and had no wish to stand in battle. They just sought to escape.

Liu Bei drew a bow and shot Sun Zhong with one arrow. The man flipped and fell from his horse.

Zhu Jun’s main force arrived hard behind and mopped up, taking thousands of heads; no count of surrendering men could be kept. From Nanyang through a dozen commanderies, peace returned.

Zhu Jun withdrew to the capital. He received appointments as General of Chariots and Cavalry and Prefect of Henan.

He reported Sun Jian’s and Liu Bei’s merits. Sun Jian, whose reputation had spread, was later appointed to another commandery as its clerk and took up his post; Liu Bei, however, was never appointed despite waiting many days.

The three were uneasy and walked idly through the city streets. By chance, the Court clerk Zhang Jun’s carriage happened by. Liu Bei presented his case.

Zhang Jun was startled and immediately entered the audience chamber.

He said to the Emperor: “The Yellow Turban rebellion began in part from the ten eunuchs selling offices and noble ranks, entrusting only whom they favored, failing to punish the disloyal. That is why the realm has fallen into great disorder. The Court should execute the eunuchs, hang them at the southern suburbs, send envoys to announce this across the empire, reward merit with generous gifts, and in this way the Four Seas will return to peace.”

The ten eunuchs told the emperor, “Zhang Jun is deceiving Your Majesty.” The emperor ordered the guards to eject him.

The ten eunuchs together discussed and said, “He must be one of those who won merits against the Yellow Turbans but still has not yet been appointed; therefore he has such complaints. For now, cut him down a little in household records and defer full punishment.”

Thus Liu Bei was appointed Magistrate of Anxi County in Zhongshan Commandery of Dingzhou. On an appointed day he took up his post.

Liu Bei dispersed his troops and returned home, keeping only twenty or so attendants. He arrived in Anxi with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. He administered the county for a month; neither officials nor soldiers harmed the people in even a hair’s breadth, and the people were deeply moved.

When he took up his post, he and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei ate at the same table and slept on the same bed. As Liu Bei sat among crowds and many people, Guan and Zhang stood in attendance before him, tireless all day.

Before four months had passed, a Court edict arrived: all civil officials promoted for military merit were to be purged. Liu Bei suspected he would be removed.

At that moment the district inspector rode in. Liu Bei went out to meet him and offered formal welcome. The inspector gave him a brief salute from horseback and answered him with a cane and pointing gesture alone.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both grew angry.

At the guesthouse, the inspector sat facing south while Liu Bei stood in attendance below the steps.

After a while, the inspector asked, “Who is the Anxi magistrate by birth and station?”

Liu Bei answered, “I am descended from the King Jing of Zhongshan. From Zhuo Commandery, I helped wipe out the Yellow Turbans in thirty-odd engagements, large and small, and won some minor merit; I obtained this office because of that.”

The inspector shouted, “You claim imperial kinship falsely and exaggerate your exploits! The Court has just decreed that corrupt officials who took office without merit be purged!”

Liu Bei nodded repeatedly and withdrew.

Back in the county, he consulted with the county clerks. They said, “The inspector’s show of authority means only one thing—he is demanding a bribe.”

Liu Bei said, “I have wronged no one in my dealings with the people. How could I produce gifts for him?”

The next day the inspector dragged the clerks away first and forced them to claim that the magistrate had harmed the people.

Liu Bei made repeated appeals to have the matter waived, but he was always stopped by gate guards and not allowed inside.

Zhang Fei had had several cups of wine. He mounted and rode by the guesthouse, passing six or so old men weeping at the gate.

He asked why. They answered, “The inspector has pressured the clerks to accuse Liu Gong; we all came here to complain, but we are refused entry and are beaten back by the gatekeepers!”

Zhang Fei, furious, fixed his eyes like coins, clenched his teeth, leaped from the saddle, and went straight in. No gatekeeper could stop him.

He went at once to the rear hall and found the inspector still seated in the hall, with the county clerks already bound on the floor.

“Traitor who harms the people! Do you know me?” Zhang Fei shouted.

Before the inspector could answer, Zhang Fei seized his hair and dragged him out to the county front.

He tied him to a post and, seizing willow rods, struck the inspector’s two legs hard and repeatedly until more than ten rods snapped.

While Liu Bei was still perplexed at the commotion, he heard the noise outside the county and asked what it meant. He was told, “General Zhang has bound a man and is beating him before the county gate.”

Liu Bei hurried there and saw the bound man was the inspector.

He asked in shock what had happened.

Zhang Fei said, “Such a man who harms the people—how could he be left alive?”

The inspector cried out, “Liu Bei, lord, I would have died without your rescue!”

Though generous by nature, Liu Bei ordered, “Stop!” and Zhang Fei relented.

Guan Yu stepped from one side and said, “You have earned great service, elder brother, yet after all your merit you obtained only this magistracy. Now this inspector insults you. I think thorns and briars are not a place for dragons and phoenixes. It would be better to kill the inspector, cast off office, return home, and pursue greater plans elsewhere.”

Liu Bei took his insignia and put it around the inspector’s neck. He said, “For abusing the people you deserved death; I spare you this time. Keep your insignia and leave!”

The inspector returned to Dingzhou and reported to the commandery chief, Shen Wen. Shen Wen summoned the provincial office and sent men to arrest Liu Bei.

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei went to Dai County and sought out Liu Hui.

When Liu Hui saw Liu Bei and recognized him as a scion of the Han house, he concealed and sheltered him at home.

The ten eunuchs, now in full control, met together. Any official who would not obey was executed. Zhao Zhong and Zhang Ràng sent officers to demand bribes from former Yellow Turban soldiers. Those who refused were dismissed.

Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun both refused to cooperate with them. Zhao Zhong and the others dismissed those two officials. The eunuchs then granted all thirteen of Zhang Ràng’s associates the rank of marquis.

State administration worsened, and the people sighed in complaint.

At once, in Changsha, bandits under Qu Xing rose; and in Yuyang, Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun rebelled. Zhang Ju proclaimed himself Son of Heaven; Zhang Chun called himself General-in-Chief. Their memorials from the hills came down in urgent dispatches.

The ten eunuchs hid everything and did not report.

One day, at a garden banquet with the eunuchs, the Censor Liu Tao strode straight before the emperor and wept loudly.

The emperor asked why.

Liu Tao said, “The realm is in danger before dawn. Your Majesty still shares your cup with eunuchs?”

The emperor replied, “The kingdom is peaceful. What danger can there be?”

Liu Tao said, “Bandit raiders rise in all four directions and plunder states and commanderies. Their troubles all spring from the ten eunuchs selling offices and titles, harming the people, deceiving the throne and misleading the court. The upright officials have gone; ruin is now at the gate.”

The eunuchs themselves removed their caps and knelt before the emperor, saying, “The senior ministers cannot endure one another with Your Majesty, and thus we cannot live. Permit us to return to our villages. We will give all our wealth to help with the campaign.”

Then they wept bitterly.

The emperor, angry, said to Liu Tao, “You yourself are near the inner attendants. Why do you alone oppose me?” He ordered guards to execute him.

As Liu Tao was carried out with the soldiers, one high minister shouted, “Do not lay hands on him yet. Let me offer counsel first.”

All eyes turned; it was the Minister over the Masses, Chen Dan. He entered the hall and remonstrated:

Liu Tao, who obtained what crime, merits execution?”

The emperor said, “He slandered those near Your Majesty and dared to presume before me.”

Chen Dan said, “The people, seeing these eunuchs, want only their blood. You honor them as mother and father, yet they have done nothing for the realm and are only rewarded with peerage titles. Now they conspire with the Yellow Turbans and seek inner turmoil. If Your Majesty does not introspect now, the state will fall apart.”

The emperor replied, “Feng Xu and his associates are in revolt. The facts are not clear. Are there not one or two loyal men among the eunuchs?”

Chen Dan tried to reason and even struck his head against the stair in grief.

The emperor grew angry, ordered him and Liu Tao in chains, and both went to prison.

That same night the eunuchs plotted in the jail to kill them. Using a forged imperial edict, they ordered Sun Jian appointed Governor of Changsha to suppress Quxing.

Not fifty days later news of victory came: Jiangxia had been pacified.

The Court made Sun Jian Marquis of Wucheng, and Liu Yu Governor of Youzhou with command to march to Yuyang and punish Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun.

Liu Hui of Dai County wrote a memorial recommending Liu Bei to Liu Yu.

Liu Yu rejoiced and made Liu Bei a duwei. Liu Bei marched directly to the rebel nest and fought them for several days, shaking their edge and spirit.

Zhang Chun was cruel and arbitrary. His soldiers’ hearts turned from him. One of his captains and lieutenants stabbed him and brought his head as a gift, then led the band together into surrender.

Zhang Ju saw his position fail and hanged himself. Yuyang was fully pacified.

Liu Yu reported Liu Bei’s major merit. The Court pardoned Liu Bei’s beating of the inspector, removed him from office as a lower assistant in Xia-mi, and transferred him to Gaotang Wèi.

Gongsun Zan then submitted a memorial praising Liu Bei’s earlier service and recommending him as a separate unit’s staff officer and later Magistrate of Pingyuan County.

In Pingyuan, Liu Bei had both money and horses, and he gradually restored his old vigor.

Liu Yu’s success against the raiders brought him promotion to Grand Commandant.

In the sixth year of the Zhongping era, in the fourth month, Emperor Ling fell mortally ill and called General-in-Chief He Jin into the palace to discuss succession.

He Jin, being born into a family elevated by office and connected to the palace through his sister, had by then gained heavy authority. The sister entered as an imperial consort, became empress, and bore a son, Liu Bian. Soon after, another beauty from the Wang household gained favor and bore a son, Liu Xie.

She was the empress. Jealousy drove her to poison the Wang beauty. Liu Xie was raised in Empress Dowager Dong’s palace.

Empress Dowager Dong, the mother of the emperor, had been wife of Liu Chang, Marquis of Jiedu Pavilion. In earlier times, when Emperor Huan had no sons, the court brought in Liu Chang’s son and enthroned him as Emperor Ling. When he inherited the great charge, he brought his mother into the inner palace and honored her as empress dowager.

Dowager Dong had urged the emperor to appoint Liu Xie as crown prince, and the emperor also loved him and wished to do so.

While the emperor was still gravely ill, the middle-ranked eunuch Jian Shuo said, “If Your Majesty is to enthrone Liu Xie, He Jin must first be executed, to remove future danger.”

The emperor accepted and summoned He Jin into the palace.

When he arrived at the gate, the Sima officer Pan Yin told him, “Do not enter. Jian Shuo means to kill you.” He Jin was startled, returned home at once, and summoned ministers, intending to execute the eunuchs.

At that table, one man stepped forward and said:

“The eunuchs’ power began under Qiang and Zhi. Their roots now spread through the Court. How can they all be cut away at once? If the operation is clumsy, entire clans may be destroyed. It is best to investigate thoroughly before moving.”

He Jin looked and recognized him as Military Adviser Cao Cao.

He Jin barked, “What does a youth like you know of major affairs of state?”

While he still hesitated, Pan Yin returned and reported, “The emperor has died. Jian Shuo has already confederated with the ten eunuchs and is withholding the news of the mourning. He has forged edicts to summon you, He Jin, into the palace and to eliminate your followers, securing the succession for Liu Xie and making him emperor. A messenger has arrived. He says: enter quickly and settle the succession.”

Cao Cao said, “Before we do anything else, we must first set the ruler right; only then can we deal with the brigands. A wrong throne cannot be corrected later.”

He Jin asked, “Who will stand with me to set the ruler and punish these villains?”

A man stood: “Grant me five thousand picked soldiers; I will cut through the gates, enthrone a new Son of Heaven, execute the eunuchs, clear the Court, and settle the realm.”

He Jin recognized him as Yuan Shao, son of Yuan Feng and nephew of Yuan Wai, serving as Colonel of the Capital. He was pleased and gave him command of the Palace Guards, five thousand men.

He Jin then brought over He Yong, Xun You, Zheng Tai, and more than thirty ministers, and one after another they entered and stood before the emperor’s bier. They raised the crown prince, Liu Bian, to the imperial throne.

After all officials had completed their salutes, Yuan Shao entered the palace and arrested Jian Shuo. Jian Shuo fled in panic into the shadows of the imperial garden and was killed by the inner attendant Guo Sheng. His whole garrison turned to the victor.

Yuan Shao said to He Jin, “The eunuch clique has conspired as one. Today the moment is ripe—execute them all.”

Zhang Ràng and the others learned this and hurriedly informed the empress Dowager.

“Originally, it was only Jian Shuo who plotted against the General-in-Chief; we had no hand in it,” they said. “Now He Jin listens to Yuan Shao and intends to wipe us all out. I beg your mercy.”

Empress Dong answered, “Do not fear. I will protect you.” She sent an order summoning He Jin.

In private she said, “He Jin and I came from poor origins. Without men like Zhang Ràng we could never have had such wealth or power. Jian Shuo was cruel. He has already been executed; why do you now believe slander when people claim you will exterminate the eunuchs?”

He Jin listened and then told the assembly, “Jian Shuo plotted against me. His whole line should be exterminated. As for the rest, do not slay them out of hand.”

Yuan Shao said, “If we do not pull out the roots now, this will become a source of death.”

He Jin answered, “My decision is made. Do not press further.”

All officials withdrew.

The next day, the empress dowager asked He Jin to co-administer the central secretariat and appointed him to other offices.

He told Zhang Ràng and the others to come into the palace to confer:

“He Jin’s sister, when I first entered this court, she raised him. Now his younger brother stands as emperor, and ministers inside and out are his intimates. His authority is too great. What are we to do?”

Zhang Ràng said, “Your Majesty should rule behind a screen and hear affairs from behind the curtain. Appoint Liu Xie as a king; appoint Dong Chong, your brother-in-law, as Piaoqi General, and restore military control to you. If the great officers are employed, we can accomplish much.”

Empress Dowager Dong was delighted.

On the next day, at court, she issued an edict: Liu Xie was made Prince of Chenliu, and Dong Chong was made Piaoqi General. Zhang Ràng and others entered into shared administration of Court affairs.

Dowager He then saw that Empress Dong dominated too openly. She hosted a banquet inside the palace and invited Empress Dong.

At mid-drinking, Dowager He stood, raised her cup, bowed twice, and said:

“We are all women and should not involve ourselves in state governance. Former Empress Lü’s clan was annihilated with a thousand mouths after she wielded great power. We should now remain within the inner chambers. Let ministers and veterans conduct state affairs. That is best for the country. Please grant that.”

Empress Dong was furious: “You killed Lady Wang by poison. Now you dare speak for this realm with your brother’s power behind you! I order your command in the cavalry to sever your brother’s head as easily as clapping hands.”

Dowager He also replied angrily, “I spoke out of concern. Why do you rage?”

Empress Dong spat back, “Your family are but butchers and fishmongers. What knowledge do you claim?”

The two courts fiercely competed for power. Zhang Ràng and the others each urged each other to leave the palace.

He Jin was summoned by his sister through the night and told of the matter. He Jin then convened three fellow officials and planned:

“We should summon an early audience and have the ministers state that Empress Dong, initially just a palace consort from another household, should not stay in the palace indefinitely. She must be moved back to Hejian and ordered to leave the capital within days.”

At the same time he sent men to escort Empress Dong out and ordered troops to surround Piaoqi General Dong Chong’s mansion to seize his seal and insignia.

Dong Chong saw the danger and hanged himself in the back hall.

His household wailed. The soldiers dispersed.

Zhang Ràng and Duan Gui saw that Empress Dong had been formally removed. They cultivated He Qu and his family with gold and jewels, and arranged for regular visits to Empress Dowager He from He Qu and his mother, Lady Wuyang.

Through words they protected their influence, and so the ten eunuchs won favor at court again.

In the sixth month He Jin secretly had Empress Dong poisoned at Hejian station, had her coffin returned to the capital, and buried her at Wenling.

Feigning illness, He Jin did not leave his quarters. Yuan Shao arrived and warned him:

“Zhang Ràng, Duan Gui and others spread stories outside that Your Grace poisoned Empress Dong and is planning great trouble. This is not the time to forgo action against the eunuchs; if we do not act, a catastrophe will follow.

Dou Wu once sought to execute inner palace personnel. The stratagem was careless and he himself suffered for it. Now all your brothers, subordinate commanders, and clerks are people of ability. If they all exert themselves, success is in hand. This is Heaven’s support; we must not miss it.”

He Jin replied, “Let us discuss it first.”

Zhang Ràng and the others quickly informed He Miao and poured gifts.

He Miao entered and reported to the empress dowager:

“The General-in-Chief now, as advisor to the new emperor, uses no leniency and focuses only on killing. He wants also to kill the eunuchs, which is the path to disorder.”

The empress accepted his words.

Soon after, He Jin entered to petition the empress dowager on executing the eunuchs.

She said, “The eunuchs command the inner court. In Han custom they are old retainers. The previous emperor left no peace to the land. You would kill old ministers as if they were enemies of the ancestral temple.”

He Jin, not firm enough by nature, nodded and withdrew.

Yuan Shao asked when he saw him, “What is the state of matters?”

He Jin said, “The empress dowager will not agree. What can we do?”

Yuan Shao said, “Send messengers to the generals and commanders in all corners, summon them to the capital, and execute all eunuchs. The moment is urgent; we cannot wait for the dowager’s consent.”

He Jin said, “This is excellent.” He then sent mobilization edicts to each commandery.

Clerk Chen Lin objected:

“Do not do it. The saying goes, ‘to blindfold oneself and catch a sparrow’—that is self-deception. If you cannot even trick a small thing, how will you manage state destiny? You now hold imperial might and command troops. If you truly wish to execute eunuchs, the work is like burning hair in a kiln’s flame—quick and complete.

But to issue broad commands to ministers while we are still moving so swiftly is dangerous. Outside forces arriving at the capital will gather with weapons, each with his own designs. That is like placing arms in hands already bent against you. Your success will fail, and chaos will follow.”

He Jin laughed, “That is the view of a coward.”

At his side one man clapped and laughed loudly. “This matter is as easy as turning a hand; why deliberate?”

It was Cao Cao.

The chapter closed:

To remove corruption by courtiers beside the Son of Heaven, heed the counsel of the wise ministers in court.

How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.