Later Kuai Liang said, “Sun Jian has fallen, and all his sons are still young. Seize this hour of weakness, and advance the army at once. In one drumbeat, Jiangdong can be taken. If we return after receiving the body and then dismiss our soldiers, they will gather their strength, and that will be a threat to Jing Province.”

Huan Kai replied, “I have Huang Zu with me in camp. How could I endure to abandon him?”

Kuai Liang said, “What is there wrong in letting Huang Zu go and taking Jiangdong?”

Huan Kai said, “You and Huang Zu are intimate close friends. To abandon him is unjust.”

He sent Huan Kai back to camp, and the two agreed to exchange Sun Jian’s body for Huang Zu. Liu Biao got Huang Zu returned, while Sun Ce received the body, halted the war, returned to Jiangdong, and buried his father on the plain of Quya. The mourning rites completed, he moved his troops to Jiangdu, where he recruited able men and received scholars and heroes with humility. Men of renown from all four directions gradually came to him.

Later, Dong Zhuo in Chang’an heard that Sun Jian was dead, and said, “A heart’s-most-troublesome enemy has been removed.”

He asked, “How old is the son?”

Someone answered, “Seventeen.”

Dong Zhuo gave it no further thought. From then on he grew more arrogant and rampant. He began to style himself “Shangfu” and moved in and out as if he were sharing the emperor’s ceremonial train. He made his brother Dong Min a Left General and marquis of Hu; his nephew Dong Huang a chamberlain, in charge of the imperial guards. The Dong clan, without regard to age, were all made marquises.

Two hundred and fifty li from Chang’an, a separate stronghold, Meiwu, was built. Two hundred and fifty thousand laborers were conscripted for its construction; its walls and buildings were raised to heights and thicknesses like those of Chang’an. Inside stood palace rooms and storehouses, with twenty years’ grain stockpiled. They installed eight hundred handsome young maidens from the villages, and heaps of gold, silk, and pearls beyond count. His family all lived within.

Dong Zhuo traveled back to Chang’an, sometimes every two weeks, sometimes monthly. All the ministers waited to receive him outside Heng Gate.

Dong Zhuo often pitched a pavilion on the road and drank with the ministers. One day, when he came out through Heng Gate, all officers escorted him. After he kept the banquet running, several hundred surrendered soldiers from Beidi who had submitted were brought in. Dong Zhuo ordered them to the front of the seat, and then had some have hands and feet cut off, some have their eyes gouged out, some have their tongues severed, and some boiled in great cauldrons. Their cries shook the heavens; the ministers trembled and dropped their chopsticks, while Dong drank and joked as if nothing had happened.

Another day, Dong Zhuo assembled the ministers in the audience hall and lined them in two rows. After wine had gone back and forth several times, Lü Bu entered directly and whispered a few words into Dong Zhuo’s ear. Dong Zhuo laughed and said, “Aha, I understand.” He ordered Lü Bu on the spot to seize Zhang Wen, Minister of Works, and drag him from the hall. The ministers’ faces drained of color.

Not long after, an attendant stepped forward carrying a red tray bearing Zhang Wen’s head and presented it. The ministers were stunned.

Dong Zhuo laughed. “Do not be alarmed, gentlemen. Zhang Wen had secretly linked with Yuan Shu and plotted to harm me. A letter was sent and came misdelivered to my son Fengxian’s quarters, so I executed him. You have no reason to fear.”

The officials agreed politely and dispersed.

Grand Chancellor Wang Yun returned home and kept thinking about the events of the hall, unable to sit still. Late at night under bright moonlight, he took a cane and walked into the rear garden. He stood beside the peony trellis and looked up at the sky, tears falling. Suddenly he heard someone at the side of the peony pavilion sighing in long, bitter gasps. Wang Yun stepped softly to peer inside. It was Diaochan, a singer-dancer of the house.

She had been selected from childhood for the household, taught song and dance, and at eighteen, with all the graces of an accomplished beauty. Wang Yun treated her as if she were his own daughter. That night he listened for a long while before calling out, “Girl, do you have feelings of your own?”

Diaochan started and knelt. “How could I, your slave, have any private feeling?”

Wang Yun said, “If not, why long sighing and crying in the deep of night?”

She said, “Permit me, Master, to lay bare my heart.

“Do not hide anything from me; tell me truly.”

“Greatly honored by your kindness, trained in song and dance, and treated with every courtesy, I could tear my body to powder and still fail to repay you even once.”

“Recently I saw the furrow above your brows; there must be a great matter of the state, and I dared not ask. Tonight I found you unable to remain seated, and so I sighed. It was no intention of disloyalty, only to be caught by you by chance. If there is any use for me, I will die ten thousand times without complaint.”

Wang Yun struck the ground with his cane and cried, “Who would have thought Han’s realm now rests in your hands? Come with me into the Painted Pavilion.”

Diaochan followed Wang Yun to the pavilion, and he ordered all maidservants out and had her seated. She knelt and prostrated herself. Diaochan said from the floor, “Why this, Great Minister?”

Wang Yun said, “Have pity on the lives of the people of the Great Han.” His voice broke with tears.

Diaochan said, “Just now I said this: if there is an order, I dare not refuse, even to the end of my life.”

Wang Yun knelt and said, “The common people stand in peril as if hanging in midair; the throne and ministers have an emergency as precarious as eggs stacked together. No one can save this but you.”

“The traitorous courtier Dong Zhuo will seize the throne. The ministers and military men of the court have no plan left.”

“Dong Zhuo has a man of loyal heart, surname Lü, name Bu. He is extraordinary in valour. I see that both men are lovers of desire. We will use a linked stratagem: first promise you to Lü Bu, and then present you to Dong Zhuo. In the middle, set father and son at odds, have Bu slay Zhuo, and cut off the great evil. Then the realm will rise again and the state be restored. It will all be through your strength.”

“What do you say?”

Diaochan replied, “I give my word to you, my life will be spent in no hesitation. I will be offered to him at once. I have my own way to do it.”

Wang Yun said, “If word of this leaks, my whole house will be wiped out.”

Diaochan answered, “Do not worry. If I fail the great cause, let me die under ten thousand blades.”

Wang Yun gratefully accepted her loyalty.

The next day he took several radiant pearls from his hidden stores and had a master goldsmith set one gold crown. He sent it secretly to Lü Bu.

Lü Bu rejoiced, and came in person to Wang Yun’s residence to offer thanks. Wang Yun prepared refined food and wine and, when he saw Lü Bu arrive, went out to welcome him and brought him into the rear hall, seating him above. Lü Bu said, “Lü Bu is a general of the Chief Minister’s office, and you, Wang, are a high minister of court. Why do you show this much respect?”

Wang Yun said, “Today there is no hero under heaven besides the General.”

“Wang does not honor the general’s rank but the general’s worth.”

Lü Bu smiled broadly. Wang Yun made him drink carefully and praised Dong Tai-shi and Lü Bu’s virtues as one stream without end. Lü Bu laughed and drank freely. Wang Yun dismissed the attendants, leaving only a few servants to urge him on with wine.

When he was half drunk, Wang Yun said, “Call the girl.”

A short while later, two blue-clad attendants brought out Diaochan in vivid beauty. Lü Bu asked, surprised, who she was.

Wang Yun said, “She is my daughter, Diaochan. I care for the general like a dear elder brother, so I let her meet the general.”

He then ordered Diaochan and Lü Bu to raise their cups together. Diaochan offered wine to him, and eyes met across it.

Wang Yun feigned drunkenness. “My girl begs you, General, to drink a few more cups. My household now depends on you.”

Lü Bu invited Diaochan to sit. She made as though she wished to leave.

Wang Yun said, “You are my truest friend, why should my daughter not sit here?”

Diaochan then sat at Wang’s side. Lü Bu’s gaze never moved.

After several more cups, Wang Yun said, “My wish is to give this girl to you as a concubine. Will you still accept?”

Lü Bu said with ceremony, “If this is granted, Bu will repay with the loyalty of a hound and horse.”

Wang Yun said, “Choose a fine day soon, and I will send her to your household.”

Lü Bu was boundless with delight and kept looking at Diaochan. Diaochan too returned glances with her eyes.

After a while the banquet ended. Wang Yun said, “I had wanted to keep you here for the night, but the Grand Master might grow suspicious.”

Lü Bu thanked him again and left.

A few days later, Wang Yun saw Dong Zhuo in court and, while Lü Bu stood not at his side, he knelt to the ground and requested, “I ask of the Chief Minister permission to host the Grand Master in my thatched residence and present this banquet. I do not know whether this pleases him.”

Dong Zhuo said, “If Chancellor Wang invites, of course I will come.”

Wang Yun thanked him and returned home. He gathered troops and vessels by land and water, and arranged a central seat in the front hall, with brocade spread on the floor and curtains inside and out. The next midday Dong Zhuo arrived.

Wang Yun came out in court robes and received him with a second bow. Dong Zhuo stepped down from the chariot; two dozen halberd-bearers in armor accompanied him into the hall and lined up to either side. Wang Yun bowed in the hall again; Dong Zhuo ordered him raised and gave him a place at his side.

Wang Yun said, “Great Master, your virtue is lofty beyond comparison, beyond even Yi and Zhou.”

Dong Zhuo was greatly pleased.

They moved from wine to music. Wang Yun honored him to the fullest. Late into the evening he invited Dong Zhuo into the back hall and ordered his guards dismissed.

Wang Yun raised the cup and said, “Since youth I have read some astronomy. Nightly I have watched the Milky Way stars, and the fate of the Han house is nearly spent. Great Master, your merit and virtue resound across the realm, like Yao receiving Shun, like Yu succeeding Yao. It matches heaven’s will and the people’s mind.”

Dong Zhuo said, “How could I dare to expect such a thing?”

Wang Yun said, “Since old times, one who has the Way may punish one without it, and one with virtue should yield to one with greater virtue. Is that excessive?”

Dong Zhuo laughed. “If heaven’s mandate truly returns to me, the Chancellor will become a primary contributor of this age.”

Wang Yun bowed. In the hall they lit painted candles and left only women to bring wine and food. Wang Yun said, “Music from the court academy is not enough for proper reception; I have a household performer who can respond to your wishes.”

Dong Zhuo said, “Very fine.”

He ordered the curtains lowered, and music of reed pipes coiled through the hall as attendants presented Diaochan through the draped screen to dance.

The words praising her were sung:

Once she had been a woman of Zhaoyang Palace,
A startled swan-like beauty turned within the palm,
As though she had flown over spring at Dongting.
In rhythm she moved with a steady lotus-step,
A fresh flower swaying in the wind, a new blossom,
The painted hall was warm with fragrance, overwhelmed by spring.

Another poem:

Red-toothed hands beat the rhythm, and swallows fly in haste, A streak of drifting cloud reaches the painted hall. Dark brows and eyeliner sharpen the homesick ache of a traveler; Her face first cuts the old companion’s heart. A pair of willow-wreath charms mocks money worth a thousand gold; Why spend rich ornaments on this beauty. After the dance, she watched from behind the screen as if stealing glances, Not knowing which is king of Chu and lord Xiang.

When the dance ended, Dong Zhuo ordered her nearer. Diaochan returned through the curtain and knelt deeply. He saw her and asked, “Who is this woman?”

Wang Yun replied, “She is the singing and dancing slave Diaochan.”

Dong Zhuo asked, “Can she sing?”

Wang Yun told Diaochan to strike the clappers softly and sing a single piece.

It was this:

A single cherry point opens vermilion lips, Two lines of broken jade fling out the spring sun. A lilac tongue looses a cross-guarded sword, Wanting to cut down treacherous ministers and restore order in the realm.

Dong Zhuo praised her without end.

Wang Yun ordered Diaochan to pass the cup, and Dong Zhuo raised his and asked, “How old are you?”

Diaochan answered, “The slave is only eighteen, still young.”

Dong Zhuo laughed, “Truly, you are a spirit from paradise.”

Wang Yun spoke, “I wish to present this girl to Great Master, if he can accept.”

Dong Zhuo said, “For such kindness, how should I ever repay your favor?”

Wang Yun replied, “The fortune she has in serving Great Master will be slight.”

Dong Zhuo thanked him repeatedly.

Wang Yun ordered a felt carriage prepared and first sent Diaochan to Dong Zhuo’s residence. Dong Zhuo rose and took leave. Wang Yun personally escorted him to his residence and then returned.

Riding onward, he had not yet gone halfway when two lines of red lanterns lit the way and Lü Bu rode up with an uplifted halberd. He met Wang Yun face to face and jerked him to a stop, grabbing his robe collar and crying out in a rough voice,

“First Wang promised her to me as a wife; now you have sent her to Great Master. Is this some mockery?”

Wang Yun hurriedly said, “This is no place to talk. Let us go to the thatched pavilion.”

Lü Bu accompanied him home and entered the rear hall. After the formal courtesy, Wang Yun asked, “General, why do you accuse this old man?”

Lü Bu said, “Someone reported to me that you sent a felt carriage with Diaochan to Dong Zhuo’s residence. Why was this done?”

Wang Yun said, “General, you do not know. Yesterday Great Master said in court: ‘I have a matter to deal with at your house.’ So I prepared and waited for Great Master. Over wine I said, ‘I have heard you have a girl named Diaochan already promised to my son Fengxian. I fear what you hear may be uncertain, so I came to ask for one audience with her.’ The old man had no choice. I brought Diaochan out and had her bow to the great lord. Great Master said, ‘Today is an auspicious day. I shall take this woman and return her to be matched with Fengxian.’

“General, think this over. When Great Master came in person, how dare I resist?”

Lü Bu said, “Wang, forgive the error. By forceful wrong, I have erred once and will shoulder the guilt tomorrow.”

Wang Yun said, “My girl has only some preparation. After she passes your home gate, I will send her on.”

Lü Bu thanked him and left.

The next day, Lü Bu inquired all over the household, but he heard nothing of her. He strode into the hall and directly questioned the maidservants.

A waiting maid said, “Last night Great Master slept with the new bride in the same chamber. She has not yet risen.”

Lü Bu raged, and sneaked into Dong Zhuo’s bedchamber and looked from behind. At that moment Diaochan had risen and was combing her hair at the window. She suddenly saw his figure reflected from the pool outside, tall and shadowed, wearing a bundled-hair crown. She feigned a frown and an air of sorrow, then with thin silk repeatedly dabbed tears from her eyes.

Lü Bu watched for a long while and then withdrew. After a short while he entered again.

Dong Zhuo had already sat in the central hall. Seeing Lü Bu come in, he asked, “No trouble outside, I think?”

Lü Bu replied, “No trouble.”

He stood beside Dong Zhuo. As Dong was eating, Lü Bu stole glances into the embroidered screen and saw a woman going in and out, half her face exposed, sending eye signals of attachment. Lü Bu knew it was Diaochan and his spirit wandered.

Dong Zhuo saw Lü Bu in this state and felt suspicion in his heart. He said, “Fengxian, if you have no business, then leave.”

Lü Bu left unwillingly.

From the time Dong Zhuo took Diaochan as his own, he fell into lust and ignored affairs for the whole of a month. One day he fell mildly ill. Diaochan did not unfasten her girdle and continued to turn him with softness and favour; his pleasure only increased.

Lü Bu went into the inner chamber just as Dong Zhuo slept. Diaochan leaned half her body behind the bed; she put her fingers to her heart and then to Dong Zhuo, weeping without ceasing.

Lü Bu’s heart broke apart.

Dong Zhuo, half clouded with sleep, saw Lü Bu staring at the back of the bed, his eyes unblinking. He turned and saw Diaochan standing there. Dong Zhuo, furious, shouted at Lü Bu, “How dare you make sport with my cherished concubine! Call the guards and drive him out. From now on he is no longer to enter the main hall.”

Lü Bu left in anger and met Li Ru on the road, telling him what had happened.

Li Ru rushed in to see Dong Zhuo and said, “Great Master wants the realm, why punish Wenhou for a minor fault? If his heart should turn, a great matter will be lost.”

Dong Zhuo said, “What should I do?”

Li Ru said, “Summon him again, give him gold and silk, and soothe him with good words. Naturally there will be no trouble.”

Dong Zhuo complied. The next day he ordered men to summon Lü Bu to the hall and say, “I was still sick and dazed when I spoke, my spirit dim and words mistaken; do not hold it in your heart.” He at once gave ten catties of gold and twenty bolts of brocade. Lü Bu thanked him and left, but although he remained beside Dong Zhuo in appearance, his heart was still bound to Diaochan.

When Dong Zhuo recovered, he entered court for matters of state. Lü Bu carried his halberd at his side. Seeing Dong Zhuo in talk with the Son of Heaven, he found a moment to leave through the inner gate, mounted his horse, and rode straight to Dong Zhuo’s residence. He tied his horse before the gate and entered the rear hall with halberd drawn, then found Diaochan.

Diaochan said, “Wait for me at the Fengyi Pavilion by the rear garden.”

Lü Bu went straight there and stood under the arched rail by the pavilion.

Some time later, Diaochan came along the flower-laden path, like an immortal from the moon palace. Looking up and weeping, she said to Lü Bu,

“I may not be Grand Chancellor Wang’s own daughter, but I was raised as if I were his child. Since I first saw the General, I have been willing to serve him even in the most humble tasks, and this has been my wish all my life. Who could have imagined the Great Master would take such evil intent and defile me? I should have died at once, but because I had not yet once met the General, I endured this hidden shame.”

“Now that you have come at last, I can die fulfilled. This body is already tainted and cannot again serve a hero. Let me die before you and clear my resolve.”

When she finished, she gripped the pavilion rail and turned toward the lotus pool as if to leap.

Lü Bu hurriedly caught her and cried, “I have known your heart long ago! I only regret that we could not even truly speak together.”

Diaochan pulled at his sleeve and said, “In this life I cannot be your wife; let us meet in a future life.”

Lü Bu replied, “In this life I am unable to take you as wife; then I am not worthy to be called a hero.”

She said, “Day by day I count each as a year. I beg you, be pitiful and rescue me.”

Lü Bu said, “I have come in stolen moments. I fear the old villain may grow suspicious, so I must go at once.”

Diaochan held his garment and said, “If General is this afraid of the old villain, there will be no day to see the sky.”

Lü Bu stopped. “Let me devise a better plan first.”

Then he said these words and, spear in hand, he turned to leave.

Diaochan said, “In the deep inner chambers I heard your name like thunder in my ear, thinking you alone among this age. Who could have imagined you would become subject to another man’s control?”

Her words done, tears poured like rain. Shamed and ashamed, Lü Bu stood with full face and, leaning again on his halberd, turned and embraced Diaochan, comforting her with soft words. The two clung close, reluctant to part.

Dong Zhuo, in the audience hall, looked back and could not see Lü Bu. Suspicious, he took leave of the Son of Heaven in haste, climbed into his cart, and returned home. He saw Lü Bu’s horse tied before the gate and asked the gate guard. The guard said, “Wenhou has gone into the rear hall.”

Dong Zhuo dismissed his guards and went straight into the rear hall, searching and not finding her. He called Diaochan, but she was absent as well. He asked the maidservants in haste. One said, “Diaochan is in the rear garden, looking at flowers.”

Dong Zhuo entered the garden and saw, exactly there, Lü Bu and Diaochan talking together under the Fengyi Pavilion while a painted halberd leaned at one side. He roared with fury.

Lü Bu, seeing Dong Zhuo arrive, startled, turned and bolted. Dong Zhuo snatched the painted halberd and gave chase. Lü Bu ran fast; Dong, too broad and fat, could not keep up. He threw the halberd at Lü Bu. Lü Bu’s spear-tip struck the ground. Dong picked it up and chased on, but Lü Bu had gone far.

Dong pursued out through the garden gate. A man came running and collided with him in the chest. Dong fell to the ground.

Upward flew rage a thousand cubits high, then collapsed into a mounded mass of heavy flesh upon the earth.

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