Cao Cao, whose courtesy name was Mengde, told He Jin that day, “The catastrophe caused by the eunuchs has happened in all ages. The ruler should not have given them such power and favor, for that is how this came to pass. If they are to be punished, remove the original evil, but one jailer would suffice. Why summon troops from outside in such a clamorous way? If you aim to execute everyone, the matter will certainly be exposed. I think they are doomed.”

He Jin grew angry. “Mengde also harbors private intent?”

Cao Cao withdrew. “The one to bring disorder to the realm is you, He Jin.”

He Jin sent secret envoys with a secret edict through the night.

Dong Zhuo, Former General and Marquis of Lixiang, was Inspector of Liang Province. He had once won no merit in suppressing the Yellow Turbans. The court intended to punish him, but he bribed the Ten Eunuchs and was spared. Later he attached himself to court magnates and rose to high office, commanding two hundred thousand troops in the western provinces and always harboring disloyal thoughts. At this point, when he received the edict, he rejoiced, raised his forces, and prepared to depart. He left his son-in-law, General of the Household Niu Fu, to hold Shaanxi, while he himself led Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, Fan Chou, and others toward Luoyang.

His strategist Li Ru said, “Though we now obey the edict, there is much uncertainty. Why not send someone to court with a memorial, giving us the appearance of righteousness? A larger matter is available.”

Dong Zhuo rejoiced, then submitted a memorial. It read:

I have learned that the repeated rebellions and turmoil of the realm stem from Zhang Rang and the other eunuchs of the inner court. If one wants to stop boiling water, one should remove the firewood, not just remove the boiling surface. A spreading abscess, though painful, is better to lance than to nurse poison. I dare to beat bell and drum and ride into Luoyang to request their removal. May the state be fortunate! May the world be fortunate!

When He Jin presented the memorial to the ministers, Attendant Censor Zheng Tai remonstrated, “Dong Zhuo is a jackal and a wolf. If he is admitted into the capital, he will certainly devour men.”

He Jin said, “You are too suspicious and not fit to plan great affairs.”

Lu Zhi also remonstrated, “I have long known Dong Zhuo’s nature. He has a kind face and a hard heart. Once he enters the inner court, calamities will surely arise. We should stop him from entering to avoid fresh disorder.”

He Jin ignored them, and Zheng Tai and Lu Zhi both left office. Most of the ministers at court also left. He Jin sent men to receive Dong Zhuo at Mianchi Pool, where Dong Zhuo held his troops in place.

When Zhang Rang and the others learned that outside troops were arriving, they held counsel together. “It is He Jin’s plot. If we do not strike first, our clans will be exterminated.”

They first stationed fifty men with knives and axes inside Jia-de Gate of Changle Palace. They burst into the inner palace and petitioned the Empress Dowager: “The Grand General has falsified an edict and called outside troops to the capital, intending to destroy us. Please have pity and save us.”

The Empress Dowager said, “You may go to the Grand General’s residence and make your amends.”

Zhang Rang said, “If we go before the Prime Minister, our bones will be ground to paste. Command His Majesty to summon him, tell him to stop here, and keep him from proceeding. If he refuses, we and our men will come here to die before you.”

The Empress Dowager issued an edict and summoned He Jin. He Jin acted on it.

Chief Clerk Chen Lin remonstrated, “This edict from the Empress Dowager must be the Ten Eunuchs’ scheme. You must not go. If you go, disaster follows.”

He Jin replied, “The Empress Dowager has commanded me. What danger can there be?”

Yuan Shao said, “The plan is already exposed and the plot known. Do you still intend to enter the palace?”

Cao Cao said, “First summon out the Ten Eunuchs, and then enter.”

He Jin laughed. “That is a child’s view. I hold power over the realm. How can the Ten Eunuchs dare to do anything?”

Yuan Shao said, “If you must go in, we will have armored troops to protect you in case of contingencies.”

So Yuan Shao and Cao Cao each selected 500 elite soldiers. He placed Yuan Shao’s brother Yuan Shu in command. Yuan Shu armoured himself fully and deployed his men outside Qingsuo Gate. Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, both with unsheathed swords, escorted He Jin to the forecourt of Changle Palace.

A palace attendant of the Yellow Gates brought an order from the Empress Dowager: “The Empress Dowager specifically summoned the Grand General; the others are not to enter.”

Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and those with them were halted outside the gate.

He Jin strode in directly.

At the gate of Jia-de Hall, Zhang Rang and Duan Gui came out to welcome him, and their men surrounded him. He Jin was struck with alarm. “What are you doing?” Zhang Rang cried sharply.

“What crime did Empress Dong commit that you dare to speak of poisoning her? You claim she is only sick and absent from mourning, yet you treat this as cause enough to act? You began as a petty butcher, and it was through our recommendation that you rose to honor and wealth. Yet now you mean to destroy us! You call us corrupt—but who among us is clean?”

He Jin panicked and searched for an escape. The palace gates were fully closed. Armored men came out all at once and cut He Jin in two.

Someone later lamented in verse:

The Han realm tottered, heaven’s signs ending, and He Jin, without counsel, made three lords his own. Again and again the loyal ministers advised, yet he could not avoid the sword’s edge in the palace.

When Zhang Rang and the others had killed He Jin, Yuan Shao remained long without seeing him emerge. He then shouted from outside the gate, “Bring the general out in a carriage!”

Zhang Rang and the others threw He Jin’s severed head over the wall and announced: “He Jin plotted rebellion and has already been executed. All others coerced with him are all pardoned.”

Yuan Shao shouted, “The eunuchs killed a major minister! All who punish evil are summoned to rise and aid in battle!”

Wu Kuang, one of He Jin’s captains, set fire at Qingsuo Gate. Yuan Shu led his men in sudden assault into the palace. Where there were eunuchs, whether high or low, he killed them all.

Yuan Shao and Cao Cao cut through the gates and entered. Zhao Zhong, Cheng Kuang, Xia Yun, and Guo Sheng were driven to Cuihua Tower and chopped to paste.

Fire rose to the sky from the palace. Zhang Rang, Duan Gui, Cao Jie, and Hou Lan seized the Empress Dowager and the crown prince and Prince of Chenliu, carrying them into the inner court by the northern passage.

At that time Lu Zhi had not yet left office, and seeing the confusion in the palace, he donned armour and took up his halberd, standing beneath the pavilion. At a distance he saw Duan Gui dragging the Empress Dowager forward, and he shouted, “Duan Gui, traitor, how dare you seize the Empress Dowager?” Duan Gui turned and fled.

The Empress Dowager leapt from a window; Lu Zhi quickly rescued and saved her. Wu Kuang burst into the inner courtyard and saw He Miao coming out with drawn sword.

Wu Kuang shouted, “He Miao conspired to kill his brother. He must die!”

All replied, “We are willing to execute the one who conspired against his brother!”

He Miao tried to flee; surrounded on all sides, he was chopped to paste.

Yuan Shao again ordered his soldiers in different directions to kill the Ten Eunuchs’ household, without distinguishing rank or age. Many, including beardless men by mistake, were also killed.

At the same time, Cao Cao extinguished the palace fire, and begged the Empress Dowager to take authority over state affairs. He sent troops to pursue Zhang Rang and his men and to continue searching for the young emperor.

As for Zhang Rang and Duan Gui, who had taken the young emperor and Prince of Chenliu, they fled through smoke and flame northward in desperation. Around the third watch, shouts rose behind them, and mounted men closed in.

Ahead, the middle clerk of the commandery Min Gong shouted, “Treachous ones, do not run!”

Seeing the urgency, Zhang Rang threw himself into the river and died. The emperor and Prince of Chenliu, uncertain whether they were in danger, did not cry out. They crouched among thicket by the riverbank, while riders dispersed in pursuit and failed to know where the emperor had gone.

At the fourth watch, the two remained hidden there. Dampness was falling, and hunger gnawed at their bellies. They clung together and wept in whispers, afraid to raise their voices in the weeds.

The Prince of Chenliu said, “We cannot stay here. We must separate and find some way to survive.”

So the two tied their clothing together and climbed to the bank. The ground was all thorny with no visible path. As they despaired, hundreds of fireflies gathered in a cluster, and only their light moved in front of the emperor. The prince said, “Heaven aids us, brothers.”

They followed the fireflies and gradually found a way.

By dawn, their feet ached so much they could not continue. They lay down by a heap of grass at the side of a knoll. Before it stood a farmhouse. The householder had dreamed that night of two red suns falling behind his home, awoke startled, dressed, and came out to look around. He saw a red light rising to the sky above the grass heap behind the house and hurried over to see the two youths lying there.

The householder asked, “Which house are these two boys from?”

The emperor did not answer. The Prince of Chenliu pointed and said, “This is the present emperor, who has escaped the Ten Eunuchs’ chaos. I am Prince of Chenliu, brother of the emperor.”

The man was shocked and knelt again: “I am Cui Yi, younger brother to Cui Lie, former Minister over the Masses of the old court. I have hidden here because I saw the eunuchs selling offices and excluding worthy men.”

He carried them in, helped the emperor inside, and knelt to present food and wine.

Min Gong soon caught Duan Gui and seized him, then asked where the Son of Heaven was.

Duan Gui answered that he had lost contact midway and did not know where the emperor had gone.

Min Gong killed Duan Gui and hung the head under the horse’s collar, then sent soldiers in four directions to search. Alone, he mounted and kept riding.

By chance he reached Cui Yi’s estate. Cui Yi saw the head and asked. Min Gong explained everything.

Cui Yi brought Min Gong before the emperor and the Prince. Both lord and minister wept.

Min Gong said, “The state cannot be without a ruler for even a single day. Please, Your Majesty, return to the capital.”

In Cui Yi’s house there was only one thin horse for the emperor to ride. Min Gong and Prince of Chenliu shared one horse.

After they left, less than three li away came out Minister over the Masses Wang Yun, Grand Commandant Yang Biao, Left Army Colonel Chunyu Qiong, Right Army Colonel Zhao Meng, Rear Army Colonel Bao Xin, and Central Army Colonel Yuan Shao, along with hundreds of men and horses. They followed the imperial carriage; all wept as they traveled.

Before anything else they sent Duan Gui’s head to the capital and gave orders.

Then they exchanged mounts and gave fresh horses for the emperor and Prince of Chenliu, and began escorting them back to the capital.

A children’s saying in Luoyang was already known: “The emperor is no emperor, the king is no king. A thousand chariots and ten thousand riders run toward Bei Mang.” Its fulfillment came in full.

When the procession had not gone far when banners covered the sky and dust blocked heaven, a unit of horsemen appeared at once. Officials turned pale, and even the emperor trembled.

Yuan Shao rode forward and asked aloud who was coming.

Behind embroidered banners, a general jumped from horseback and shouted, “Where is the Son of Heaven?”

The emperor trembled and could not answer. The Prince of Chenliu scolded, “Who are you, who comes here?”

It was Dong Zhuo, Inspector of Xiliang: “I am Dong Zhuo of Xiliang.”

The prince said, “You came to escort the carriage, did you? Yet you came to seize it, did you not?”

Dong Zhuo answered, “I came to protect the carriage.”

The prince said, “If you have come for that, and the Son of Heaven is here, why do you not dismount?”

Dong Zhuo was astonished. He hastily dismounted and knelt on the left side of the road.

The Prince of Chenliu spoke in controlled tones all the way, calming Dong Zhuo with words and never missing a phrase.

Dong Zhuo admired him in secret, and already held thoughts of enthronement.

That day they returned to the palace. Dong Zhuo and the Empress Dowager both wept together. He checked the palace and found the Heirloom Imperial Seal missing.

Dong Zhuo stationed his troops outside the city. Each day he brought iron-armoured cavalry into Luoyang and roamed the streets. The people were terrified and uneasy. He moved through the palace as if he feared no one.

The Right Army Colonel Bao Xin went to Yuan Shao and warned that Dong Zhuo surely had ulterior motives and should be removed at once.

Yuan Shao replied, “The court has only just been restored; we should not act rashly.”

Bao Xin also spoke to Wang Yun. Wang Yun said, “Let us discuss this first.”

Then Bao Xin took his own troops and withdrew toward Mount Tai.

Dong Zhuo attracted soldiers from He Jin’s men and drew them under his control.

Dong Zhuo asked Li Ru privately, “I intend to depose the emperor and enthrone the Prince of Chenliu. What do you think?”

Li Ru said, “The court has no master now. We should act now; if we delay, changes will come. Tomorrow in Wenming Garden we should summon all ministers and announce deposition and enthronement. Those who refuse should be executed. Then your authority will be established today.”

Dong Zhuo was glad.

The next day he arranged a grand banquet and invited all the ministers. Since Dong Zhuo was frightening, no one dared not appear. When the ministers had assembled, Dong Zhuo dismounted at the garden gate and entered slowly before all, sword at his side.

After several rounds of serving wine, he ordered the music to stop and said, “I have one matter to state. Let all officials keep still.”

The ministers hushed.

Dong Zhuo said, “The Son of Heaven is lord over the ten thousand families, but without dignity one cannot serve at ancestral and state temples. The present Son of Heaven is feeble; the Prince of Chenliu is clever and studious and can bear the Great Seat. I intend to depose the emperor and enthrone the Prince of Chenliu. What do you think all this?”

No one among the ministers dared to speak.

One man pushed the table aside and stood in front of the feast.

He shouted, “Impossible! Impossible! Who are you to speak so? The Son of Heaven is the elder son of the late emperor and has no fault. By what ground do you dare to speak of deposing and enthroning? Do you seek to usurp?”

Dong Zhuo saw him and knew him as Ding Yuan, Inspector of Jing Province.

Dong Zhuo shouted, “Those who follow me shall live; those who oppose me shall die!” He drew his waist sword to behead Ding Yuan.

Li Ru said, “This is no place at a banquet to discuss state affairs. Let this be handled tomorrow in the hall for full deliberation.”

After others urged, Ding Yuan mounted and left.

Dong Zhuo asked the ministers, “Was what I said in accord with public truth?”

Lu Zhi replied, “Illustrious lord is mistaken. In former times, when King Taijia was unclear, Yi Yin exiled him to the Hall of Tong. When King of Changyi ascended and ruled for twenty-seven days only, he amassed more than three thousand offenses. Huo Guang presented a memorial in the ancestral hall and deposed him. Though the present Son of Heaven is young, he is intelligent and benevolent and bears no fault. You are a provincial inspector from far away and have long never entered state affairs; yet you do not have the capacity of Yi Yin or Huo Guang. How can you force this deposition and enthronement? The sages said, “He who has Yi Yin’s will may do this; he who lacks it is a usurper.””

Dong Zhuo grew angry and drew his sword to kill Lu Zhi.

Shangshu Lu Zhi was consulted by Councillor Peng Bo: “Shangshu Lu Zhi is widely esteemed across the realm. If you first harm him, the whole empire will be shaken by terror.”

Dong Zhuo stopped.

The Minister over the Masses Wang Yun said, “Matters of deposition and enthronement should not be settled after drinking. On another day we should discuss them.”

The ministers all dispersed.

Dong Zhuo kept his sword at the gate and then saw a man riding in and out of view beyond the gate, carrying a halberd.

He asked Li Ru, “Who is that man?”

Li Ru replied, “It is the one called Ding Yuan’s sworn companion: a man surnamed Lü, named Lü Bu, courtesy name Fengxian. My lord must avoid him.”

Dong Zhuo moved quietly into the garden to avoid him.

The next day they heard that Ding Yuan had brought out his army and challenged battle. Dong Zhuo grew angry and rode with his troops, Li Ru at his side.

The two formations arrayed opposite each other. Lü Bu rode in with his hair tied up under a cap, a hundred-flower war robe, tiger-leopard armour, and a lion-marten-jeweled belt. He rode hard and came forward with Ding Jianyang.

Ding Jianyang pointed at Dong Zhuo and shouted, “The state has not been blessed; eunuchs have usurped authority, and all under heaven burns in distress. You have no merit of even an inch. How dare you speak of deposition and enthronement and seek to disrupt the court?”

Dong Zhuo had not yet answered when Lü Bu charged at him on horseback.

Dong Zhuo hurriedly fled. Ding Jianyang’s units covered and killed the enemy. Dong Zhuo’s army was routed, falling back more than thirty li before setting a camp, then gathering the men for consultation.

Dong Zhuo said, “I have seen that Lü Bu is no ordinary man. If I gain him, what has the world to fear?”

A man came before the tent and said, “My lord, do not worry. I am from the same homeland as Lü Bu. He is brave but without stratagem; he sees profit and forgets righteousness. By my long and smooth tongue I can make him lay down his arms and surrender to us. Can that be done?”

Dong Zhuo looked at him, and it was Li Su of the Tiger Guards. Dong Zhuo asked, “How will you do it?”

Li Su said, “I have heard my lord has a famous horse called Chitu, a thousand li a day. If one first obtains this horse and then gives gold and pearls, Lü Bu’s heart can be won. I can speak more to him. He will surely turn from Ding Yuan and come to my lord.”

Dong Zhuo asked Li Ru, “Is this feasible?”

Li Ru answered, “If my lord wishes to take the world, why should one horse matter?”

Dong Zhuo gladly gave him one thousand taels of gold, several bright pearls, and a jade belt.

Li Su took the gifts and came to Lü Bu’s camp. Soldiers ringed the road.

Li Su said, “Take this to General Lü quickly: a familiar man has come.”

The soldiers informed him. Lü Bu asked to receive him.

Li Su told him, “Respected younger brother, is all well with you, since we have not met?”

Lü Bu bowed and asked, “It has been long. Where have you been?”

Li Su said, “I have accepted office as Tiger Guard Commander. I heard of your loyalty in guarding the realm and am happiest than words can say. There is a splendid horse, able to run a thousand li a day, cross rivers and climb mountains as though on level ground. Its name is Chitu. I present it to you, to help your martial grandeur.”

Lü Bu had it brought. Truly, the horse was red like hot embers, with not one strand of odd hair. Its length was a full ten chi and it was eight chi from hoof to withers. Its neigh and roar seemed as if it could leap into the sea.

Later people recited a poem:

It rushes a thousand li, flinging up dust. Through water and over mountains, violet mist parts. It snaps loose the silk reins and sways the jade bit; A fire-dragon descends from the ninth heaven.

Lü Bu rejoiced to see it and said, “Brother, you have gifted this good horse. How shall I repay?”

Li Su replied, “I came from brotherly loyalty, not for repayment.”

Lü Bu set wine before him.

When the wine had taken effect, Li Su said, “You and I have rarely had a chance to meet, worthy brother, but I often see your honored father.”

Lü Bu said, “Brother, you are drunk! My father died many years ago. How could you meet him?”

Li Su laughed. “No, no. I meant Inspector Ding, whom you serve today.”

Lü Bu said uneasily, “I remain with Ding Jianyang only because I have no alternative.”

Li Su said, “You have talent to hold heaven and steer the seas; who among the four seas does not revere you? Fame and rank can be as easy as reaching into a sleeve. Why call yourself one without remedy?”

Lü Bu said, “I regret not meeting one’s lord.”

Li Su said, “A worthy bird chooses its tree. A worthy minister chooses his lord. To see the moment too late leads to regret.”

Lü Bu asked, “In the court, who among these is the age’s true hero?”

Li Su said, “I have reviewed all officials. None compare with Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo honors the worthy and punishes the guilty clearly. He will become one of the great achievers.”

Lü Bu said, “I want to follow him, but have no route.”

Li Su laid out the gold, pearls, and jade belt before him.

Lü Bu was astonished. “How did these come here?”

Li Su sent everyone away and said to Lü Bu, “This is Dong Gong’s long-coveted gift, sent by my lord to present to you. The horse Chitu is also given by Dong Gong.”

Lü Bu said, “If my lord Dong honors me so much, how should I report gratitude?”

Li Su said, “Though I lack talent, I am still a Tiger Guard Commander. If you come to my lord, your status will be beyond words.”

Lü Bu said, “I regret having no trace of merit by which I could make proper presentation.”

Li Su said, “The deed lies within a turn of your hand; the only question is whether you are willing.”

After long thought Lü Bu said, “I wish to kill Ding Yuan and return with my troops to Dong Zhuo. What of this?”

Li Su said, “If you can do this, it is a great achievement indeed. Do it at once; do not delay.”

They agreed to surrender the next day, and Li Su departed.

At the second watch of the night, Lü Bu entered Ding Yuan’s tent with his blade drawn. Ding Yuan was reading by lamplight when he saw him arrive.

Ding Yuan asked, “My son, what brings you here?”

Lü Bu answered, “I am a man of honor and stature. How could I consent to be your son?”

Ding Yuan asked, “Why has your heart changed?”

Lü Bu stepped forward and in one stroke cut off Ding Yuan’s head. He shouted, “Guards! Ding Yuan was not loyal. I have killed him. Those who follow me, stay; those who do not, go their own way.”

Most soldiers scattered.

The next day Lü Bu rode with Ding Yuan’s head to Li Su. Li Su then brought him before Dong Zhuo.

Dong Zhuo rejoiced and set out wine in welcome. He bowed first and said, “Now that I have gained you, General, I am like a parched seedling receiving sweet rain.”

Lü Bu did not take his own seat and, kneeling, said, “If my lord does not reject me, I request to call you my father by righteousness.”

Dong Zhuo gave him golden armour and embroidered robes and bestowed on him honours, appointing him Commander of the Cavalry and Gentleman Attendant of the Palace, and granting him the marquisate of Tuting.

From then Dong Zhuo’s authority grew; he took charge of the former general command. He made his brother Dong Min Left General and Marquis of Hu, and made Lü Bu Commander of Cavalry and an Internal Cavalry Gentleman, Marquis of Tuting.

Li Ru urged Dong Zhuo to settle deposition and enthronement at once. Dong Zhuo again held a banquet in the court and gathered all ministers, placing more than a thousand armed soldiers in guard around him. That day Grand Tutor Yuan Kui and all officials came.

After several rounds of wine, Dong Zhuo drew his sword and said, “The present Son of Heaven is feeble and cannot serve the ancestral temple and state altars. I will follow Yi Yin and Huo Guang, depose the emperor and make him King of Hongnong, and enthrone the Prince of Chenliu as emperor. Those who do not obey will be beheaded.”

The ministers were terrified and did not dare to speak.

Yuan Shao, Central Army Colonel, stepped out: “His Majesty ascended not long ago and has shown no wrongdoing. You seek to depose the legitimate son and enthrone a collateral line. Is that not treason?”

Dong Zhuo shouted, “State affairs are in my hands. If I do this, who dares not follow? Do you think my sword is not sharp?”

Yuan Shao drew his sword too: “Your sword is sharp; mine has never been dull.”

The two faced each other on the feast, ready for clash.

Ding Yuan stood for justice and was first to lose his life; How will Yuan Shao’s life end?

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