It was then that the man who had knocked down Dong Zhuo was Li Ru. He helped Dong Zhuo up and brought him to sit in the study hall.

Dong Zhuo said, “Why did you come here?”

Li Ru said, “I have only just reached the gatehouse. I heard the Grand Tutor was angry in the rear garden and was asking for Lü Bu. I ran here in haste. I happened to meet Lü Bu running out, crying, ‘The Grand Tutor is about to kill me!’ I rushed into the garden to intervene, and by bad luck I struck your favorite minister. I beg your pardon! I beg your pardon!”

Dong Zhuo said, “How can a rebel behave so shamefully? After I have joked with my favorite concubine, I swear I will kill him!”

Li Ru said, “Your Honor is mistaken. In the old meeting of King Zhuang of Chu, when the knotted ties were cut, he did not pursue punishment for joking with his cherished beauty; later, when he was trapped by Qin troops, the very same man’s strength saved him. Diaochan is only one woman, but Lü Bu is your Grand Tutor’s trusted and ferocious general. If Your Grace seizes this moment and gives her to Lü Bu, he will be moved by your great kindness and repay you with his life. Grand Tutor, think again.”

Dong Zhuo stood silent for a long while. “What you say is reasonable; I will think it over.”

Li Ru thanked him and withdrew.

Dong Zhuo entered the back hall and called Diaochan: “Have you been secretly close with Lü Bu?”

Diaochan wept. “My lord, I was in the rear garden watching the flowers when Lü Bu suddenly rushed in. I tried to step away in alarm. He said, ‘I am your lord’s son. Why should I avoid you?’ and grabbed me with a halberd in hand, dragging me to the Fengyi Pavilion. When I saw his intent was not right, I feared he would force me and tried to cast myself into the lotus pool to die, but this fellow held me. At the very edge of life and death, your Grace arrived and saved me.”

Dong Zhuo said, “I will give you to Lü Bu now. What say you?”

Diaochan cried out in dismay, “I have already served a noble lord. If I am suddenly to be granted as household slave, I will die rather than dishonor myself!” She drew the jewel-hilted sword from the wall and tried to cut her own throat.

Dong Zhuo hurriedly snatched the sword away and held her in his arms. “I was only playing with you.”

Diaochan collapsed into Dong Zhuo’s chest and covered her face, crying greatly. “This must be Li Ru’s scheme. Li Ru and Lü Bu are close to each other; therefore he laid this trap, without regard for your Grace’s dignity or this lowly concubine’s life. I should have borne his flesh in my teeth and bitten him to death!”

Dong Zhuo said, “How can I bear to send you away?”

Diaochan said, “Though your Grace has been merciful and affectionate, I fear this place is no longer safe for me; I will surely be harmed by Lü Bu.”

Dong Zhuo said, “Tomorrow I will return with you to Meiwu, and we will share our pleasures. Do not harbor fear.”

At last Diaochan wiped her tears and knelt in thanks.

The next day, Li Ru came to report, “The hour is auspicious today; your concubine may be sent to Lü Bu.”

Dong Zhuo said, “Lü Bu and I share a father-and-son bond. I cannot give him what he is not mine to give. I will not judge his fault for now. You carry my mind to him and comfort him with gentle words.”

Li Ru said, “My lord must not be led astray by a woman.”

Dong Zhuo's face darkened. “Will your wife go with Lü Bu? About Diaochan, say no more. If you speak, I will execute you.”

Li Ru left and lifted his face to heaven in a sigh: “We will all die at the hand of a woman.”

A reader later wrote, with a poem:

By the Chancellor’s red-sleeved stratagem, no spears were raised and no blades were drawn; Though Hulao was fought three times at great cost, the victory cry sounded at Fengyi Pavilion.

That same day Dong Zhuo ordered a return to Meiwu and all officials came out to escort him. In her carriage Diaochan saw Lü Bu standing in a dense crowd and looked at him from inside the curtains. She half-closed her face to look hidden, as if she were weeping in grief.

The cart moved far away. Lü Bu drew in the reins on a rise of earth and watched the cloud of dust behind, sighing in regret and rage. Suddenly someone behind him asked, “Why does Lord Wen Hou not go with the Grand Tutor, but stand here staring from afar in sorrow?”

Lü Bu turned and saw it was Wang Yun, the Chancellor.

When they met, Wang Yun said, “I have been slightly ill and stayed indoors these past days, so we have gone long without meeting. As I could only venture out despite my malaise to see the Grand Tutor return to Meiwu, I was glad to meet you. Tell me, why are you sighing so long?”

Lü Bu said, “It is all for your daughter.”

Wang Yun feigned surprise. “How, when we have not met for so long?”

Lü Bu said, “The old villain has long shown me his favor.”

Wang Yun feigned surprise again. “I do not believe such a thing.”

Lü Bu told Wang Yun, piece by piece, what had happened before.

Wang Yun raised his face, stamped his feet, and stayed silent for a while. After some time he said, “I never thought the Grand Tutor could do this beastly thing.” He grasped Lü Bu’s arm and said, “Come to my humble house so we may confer.”

Lü Bu followed him home. Wang Yun brought him into the inner chamber and set wine in waiting. Lü Bu once again recounted in full the affair at Fengyi Pavilion.

Wang Yun said, “The Grand Tutor touched my daughter, then took your wife. It is a disgrace before all under heaven—none laughs at Dong, all at you and at me. But I am old and powerless, too feeble to be a matter for record; yet it is a pity that you, a hero for the ages, should be shamed.”

Lü Bu was livid with rage and struck the table.

Wang Yun said quickly, “Forgive my rash words. Calm yourself, General.”

Lü Bu said, “I swear I will kill this old villain and wash away my disgrace.”

Wang Yun quickly covered his mouth. “General, do not say it. I fear it will implicate my poor old life.”

Lü Bu said, “A true man cannot live long beneath another. Should he keep silence while he is buried in resentment?”

Wang Yun said, “With your ability, the Grand Tutor Dong can never truly limit you.”

Lü Bu said, “I want to kill this old villain, but because of father-and-son sentiment, I fear later generations will criticize me.”

Wang Yun smiled faintly. “Your family name is Lü, and his is Dong. When the halberd was first cast, was there any father-and-son feeling then?”

Lü Bu cried out, “Without your words, General, I might have erred.”

Wang Yun saw his mind was fixed and said, “If General aids the Han house, he is a loyal minister, his name will endure across a hundred ages. If he aids Dong Zhuo, he is a traitor, and history will leave him a stench forever.”

Lü Bu bowed from his seat. “My intention is firm, Chancellor. Do not doubt.”

Wang Yun said, “I only fear this may fail and bring calamity.”

Lü Bu drew a belt knife, sliced his arm, and let the blood flow as an oath.

Wang Yun knelt in thanks. “The Han sacrifice must not be cut off; all this comes through your generosity. Keep this secret. At the appointed moment we will respond in kind.”

Lü Bu promised and departed.

Wang Yun then asked Palace Attendant Shisun Rui and Inspector Huang Wan to consult.

Rui said, “The Son of Heaven has only just recovered from illness. We can send someone eloquent to Meiwu to discuss matters with Dong Zhuo. At the same time, send a sealed imperial edict to Lü Bu so that armored troops wait within the palace gate and draw Dong Zhuo in for execution. This is the best stratagem.”

Huang Wan said, “Who would dare to go?”

Rui said, “Lü Bu and Li Su, the cavalry commander of their commandery, was deeply resentful because Dong Zhuo kept him from his post. If that man goes, Dong Zhuo will not suspect.”

Wang Yun said, “Good.” They sent for Lü Bu to discuss.

Lü Bu said, “It was this man who once urged me to kill Ding Jianyang. If he does not go, I will first execute him.”

He had a man quietly summon Li Su.

Lü Bu said, “That day you told me to kill Ding Jianyang and then cast me before Dong Zhuo. Dong now mocks the Son of Heaven and torments life itself; his crimes are full and complete, and men and spirits alike resent him. You can convey an imperial order to Meiwu, summoning Dong Zhuo to court. Let hidden troops be ready there and kill him, preserving the Han and acting as loyal ministers together. What is your view?”

Li Su said, “I have long wished to remove this villain, but there are no like-minded men. Now that your intent is this, Heaven has granted it. How could Li Su harbor divided intention?”

He then broke an arrow to swear. Wang Yun said, “If you can carry this through, why should you not rise to rank and honors?”

The next day Li Su led ten riders and arrived at Meiwu. A report announced that an edict of the Son of Heaven had come; Dong Zhuo summoned him in.

Li Su entered and paid respects.

Dong Zhuo said, “What is the emperor’s order?”

Li Su said, “The Son of Heaven has just recovered from illness and wishes to gather officials and soldiers in Weiyang Hall to discuss transferring the Mandate to the Grand Tutor. That is the purpose of this edict.”

Dong Zhuo said, “What does Chancellor Wang Yun intend?”

Li Su said, “Chancellor Wang has already ordered the platform for receiving abdication to be built. He waits only for the emperor to arrive.”

Dong Zhuo rejoiced. “I dreamt a dragon draped over my body this very night; now I have received this joyful command. The time is ripe and must not be missed!”

He then ordered his inner men to take Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou, each commanding three thousand of the Flying-Bear troops, to guard Meiwu. He himself left for the capital that very day. He told Li Su, “When I am emperor, you shall be the Chief Commander of the Golden Guards.”

Li Su bowed and declared himself a subordinate.

Dong Zhuo went to bid his mother farewell. She was past ninety. She asked, “Where is my son going?”

Dong Zhuo said, “I go to receive the transfer of the Han mandate. Mother will soon become the empress dowager!”

His mother said, “These days my flesh trembles and my heart is frightened. I fear it is not an omen of good.”

Dong Zhuo said, “Soon to be the mother of the state is not without terrifying signs.” Then he said farewell and departed.

He told Diaochan, as he left, “I will be emperor. I will raise you as noble consort.”

Diaochan already understood what was coming and feigned joy, then bowed in thanks.

Dong Zhuo left the encampment in his carriage. Men pressed at the front and guarded him at the rear as he headed toward Chang’an. After they had not gone even thirty li, the carriage wheel broke. He dismounted and mounted a horse. After another ten li, the horse screamed and snapped its rein.

Dong Zhuo asked Li Su, “A broken wheel, a broken rein—what omen is this?”

Li Su said, “It means the Grand Tutor will receive the Han abdication and cast aside the old for the new; a sign of advancing in jade sedan and golden saddle.”

Dong Zhuo rejoiced and believed him.

The next day, while traveling, a wild wind rose suddenly and dense fog covered the sky.

Dong Zhuo asked Li Su, “What blessing or warning is this?”

Li Su said, “When the lord ascends the dragon throne there must be red light and purple mist to amplify heavenly majesty.”

Dong Zhuo, again delighted, set this aside.

When they reached the outskirts, all officials came out to receive him. Only Li Ru was ill at home and could not go out. Dong Zhuo arrived at the Chancellor’s residence and Lü Bu came to congratulate.

Dong Zhuo said, “I have reached the Nine-Five. You shall oversee military affairs across the realm.”

Lü Bu bowed his thanks and rested in the front tent for the night.

That same night some dozen children sang beyond the outskirts. The wind carried their song into the tent.

They sang: “The grass runs a thousand li, how vivid it is! For ten days it never yields life!”

The song was sharp with sorrow. Dong Zhuo asked Li Su, “What fortune or misfortune does this children’s rhyme hold?”

Li Su said, “It is only saying that the Liu house will perish and the Dong house will rise.”

The next morning before dawn Dong Zhuo assembled his ceremonial attendants and entered court. He suddenly saw a lone Daoist, blue robe and white headcloth, carrying a long staff, on which a strip of cloth was tied a full zhang long with the character kou written on each end.

Dong Zhuo asked Li Su, “What does this man mean?”

Li Su said, “A man of troubled heart.” He ordered soldiers to drive him off.

When Dong entered court, the ministers in ritual robes lined the way and prostrated to him. Li Su walked with a sword in hand by the carriage.

At the Beiye Gate, all the troops halted outside, only two dozen imperial guards entered with the carriage. Dong Zhuo saw Wang Yun and others standing at the hall doors, each with a sword in hand. He cried out sharply, “The rebel has arrived here! Where are the guards?” Two hundred or more men emerged on both sides, halberds raised, spears out, charging.

Dong Zhuo, armored, did not move into the hall. He was struck and thrown from the carriage with an arm wound. He shouted, “Where is my son Fengxian?”

Lü Bu stepped out from behind the carriage and in a loud voice cried, “There is an edict to punish the rebels!”

With one strike he drove a halberd straight at Dong Zhuo’s throat. Li Su, already behind him, had decapitated him and held the head in his hand.

Lü Bu held a halberd in his left hand and drew the imperial edict from his robe with the right, crying, “By decree, punish the traitorous minister Dong Zhuo. Ask nothing else!”

The officials all shouted, “Ten thousand years!”

A poet later sighed for Dong Zhuo:

When success is near, why did he not become emperor? Lacking it, he is merely a wealthy householder. Who could know Heaven’s will is never partial? The moment Meiwu was complete, his ruin had already begun.

Lü Bu now roared, “The one who enabled the Grand Tutor’s cruelty is Li Ru! Who can capture him?”

Li Su answered at once that he would go.

Just then a call came from outside the gate: Li Ru had been bound by his household slave and brought in as tribute.

Wang Yun ordered him taken bound to the city office and executed. He then ordered that Dong Zhuo’s head be displayed through the streets.

Dong Zhuo’s corpse was fat and massive. The soldiers took tallow and set it in oil at his navel to burn it like a lamp; melted fat spread across the ground. Those who passed by trampled it with their feet and kicked at the body. Wang Yun also ordered Lü Bu, together with Huangfu Song and Li Su, to take fifty thousand soldiers and sweep Meiwu for Dong Zhuo’s property and households.

Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou heard that Dong Zhuo had died and that Lü Bu would be coming. They fled overnight with the Flying-Bear army to Liang Province.

When Lü Bu reached Meiwu, he first recovered Diaochan.

Huangfu Song ordered all the respectable sons and daughters kept in the camp to be released.

But all of Dong Zhuo’s own kin, not distinguishing old and young, were all executed. Dong Zhuo’s mother was killed as well. Dong Ming and nephew Dong Huo were both beheaded.

They collected from the encampment tens of thousands of taels of gold, silk bolts, brocades, jewels, vessels, and grain beyond count and reported them to Wang Yun.

Wang Yun then gave generous rewards to the troops and set a feast in the Great Hall, summoning all officials and raising cups in celebration.

In the midst of the banquet, a report came in: “Dong Zhuo’s exposed corpse lies in the city, and a man has thrown himself at it and wept loudly.”

Wang Yun was angry. “Dong Zhuo has been beheaded. The common people all rejoice. Who is this who dares to wail?” He ordered, “Seize him.”

Soon the man was brought.

All the officials were stunned to see it was not another, but Court Attendant Cai Yong.

Wang Yun shouted, “Dong Zhuo was a traitor and today he has fallen. It is this realm’s great good fortune. You are a minister of Han—yet you do not rejoice for the state and instead weep for the traitor. Why?”

Cai Yong knelt and confessed his guilt. “Though I am untalented, I also know what is righteous. Would I ever turn my back on the state and side with Dong Zhuo? I was moved by a moment of personal gratitude and, without thought, wept once. I know my fault is great. Let this be my plea for mercy: if the penalty is to have my nose branded and my feet cut, so I may continue the Han history and redeem my crime, that is my good fortune.”

All the officials, moved by his talent, pleaded strongly for him.

Grand Tutor Ma Ridi said privately to Wang Yun, “Bó Jié is a brilliant talent beyond this age; if he is allowed to continue writing the Han history, that would be an honor indeed. His filial conduct is well known. If he is put to immediate death, we may lose public esteem.”

Wang Yun said, “When Emperor Wu spared Sima Qian and then had him write history, later abuse and slander filled later ages. Now state fortune has declined and court governance is in chaos. We cannot let a flattering courtier hold the brush beside a young ruler and make this court subject to his malicious judgment.”

Ma Ridi had no argument and withdrew.

Privately he said to the assembled officials, “Could Wang Yun have no descendants? A good man is the thread of a state; rite and record are its rules. If thread is broken and rite discarded, can it endure?”

At that moment, Wang Yun did not follow Ma Ridi and ordered Cai Yong to prison, where he was strangled.

All scholars who heard this wept. Later people judged that Cai Yong’s lament for Dong Zhuo had not been beyond blame, but Wang Yun’s killing of Cai Yong was also excessive.

They sang:

Dong Zhuo hoarded power and gave himself to cruelty, How came the Court Attendant to lose his life so? If that noble Zhuge in Longzhong still lay at his mat, Would he ever have traded his life for a traitor of disorder?

Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou, fleeing to Shaanxi, sent envoys to Chang’an petitioning clemency. Wang Yun said, “Dong Zhuo’s arrogance was enabled by these four. Even if I grant a general amnesty, I will not pardon these four.”

The envoy returned with this reply to Li Jue. Li Jue said, “If clemency is denied, we can only save ourselves one by one.”

His strategist Jia Xu said, “If each of you abandons your troops and goes alone, a single village chief can bind you all. Better draw in the people of Shaanxi and your core forces, then march into Chang’an and strike in vengeance for Dong Zhuo. If fortune favors us, we will restore right under the court. If not, we may still withdraw later.”

Li Jue and the rest accepted his counsel. They spread word in Xiliang: “Wang Yun intends to purge the people of this land.” All were thrown into fear. Then they proclaimed: “To die idly is no gain. Will you not rise with us against him?” All were willing to follow.

They gathered tens of thousands, divided into four routes, and hurried toward Chang’an.

On the way they met Dong Zhuo’s son-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Niu Fu, commanding five thousand, also intent on avenging his father-in-law. Li Jue joined hands with him for the vanguard and the four men set out in stages.

Wang Yun heard from the west of Liang that Li Jue’s troops were coming. He conferred with Lü Bu.

Lü Bu said, “Chancellor, be at ease. What are these rats compared to us?”

He then led Li Su out with troops.

Li Su took the first encounter and met Niu Fu, slashing through one battle at once. Niu Fu could not hold and turned and fled.

Unluckily at the second watch of that same night, Niu Fu slipped through Li Su’s unprepared lines and raided the camp. Li Su’s army scattered in confusion and fled more than thirty li, half the formation lost. He came to Lü Bu.

Lü Bu raged: “Why did you blunt my edge?” He decapitated Li Su and hung his head on the city gate.

The next day Lü Bu marched out again against Niu Fu.

How could Niu Fu resist Lü Bu? He was routed once more.

That night Niu Fu and his intimate Hú Chier (Hu Chi’er) discussed: “Lü Bu is fierce and brave; he is impossible to match. Better deceive Li Jue and the three others, hide our gold and pearls, and with three to five close men abandon the army and flee.”

Hu Chi’er agreed.

That night they packed jewels and pearls and left camp by the night with three or four companions.

When they reached a river crossing, Hu Chi’er sought to seize all the jewels by killing Niu Fu. He severed Niu Fu’s head and brought it to Lü Bu.

When Lü Bu asked about the matter and heard it, he burned with anger and immediately executed Hu Chi’er.

He then took command to march, just as he came in contact with Li Jue’s cavalry.

Lü Bu did not wait for formation. He raised his halberd, leapt to horseback, and drove his army forward in direct charge.

Li Jue’s forces could not withstand him and withdrew over fifty li, then camped below a mountain. They called Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou for council and said, “Though Lü Bu is brave, he has no strategy and is nothing to fear. I will hold the army at Rengukou each day, baiting him into close fight. General Guo should lead troops striking at his rear, using the old method of Peng Yue to trouble Chu, sounding brass and then beating the drums to recall our men. Zhang and Fan, you two should split forces on two routes and take Chang’an directly. If he tries to defend both front and rear, he will be unable to respond and will be completely defeated.”

The men accepted the plan.

Back at the mountain foot, Lü Bu pressed Li Jue’s men in a close battle. Li Jue withdrew and climbed the heights. Arrows and stones fell like rain overhead; Lü Bu’s men could not advance.

Just then word came: Guo Si had turned from the rear to charge.

Lü Bu hurried back to fight. Loud drumbeats sounded and Guo Si’s troops withdrew.

As Lü Bu moved to reform, the sound of gongs rang out and Li Jue’s army came again. Before he could engage them, Guo Si once again led troops and crashed against him from the rear. By the time Lü Bu arrived, Guo Si also sounded drums and withdrew, leaving Lü Bu’s fury surging in his chest.

The pattern repeated for several days: he could not fight; he could not rest. While he burned with anger, a mounted messenger arrived. He reported that Zhang Ji and Fan Chou, from both wings, had already broken into Chang’an; the capital was in grave danger.

Lü Bu led troops back at once. Behind him, Li Jue and Guo Si attacked as he fled.

He had no mind to continue battle and only focused on running, breaking through many men and horses.

By the time he reached the foot of Chang’an’s walls, rebel troops filled the hills and valleys and surrounded the city. Lü Bu’s army met them in skirmish and was at a disadvantage.

Several soldiers, fearing Lü Bu’s ferocity, defected. Lü Bu’s concern grew great.

After several days, Dong Zhuo’s remaining accomplices Li Meng and Wang Fang opened the city gates as inside agents, and the four columns of rebels surged in together.

Lü Bu surged left and right to block, but could not hold them back. He led several hundred riders out of the gate called Qingsuo and cried to Wang Yun: “The situation is urgent! Please, Chancellor, mount and ride out with me. We must leave the pass and seek another plan.”

Wang Yun said, “If Heaven and the state altar allow the kingdom to be stabilized, this is my wish. If it cannot be, then I, Wang Yun, will offer my life in death. I will not survive by cowardly escape in calamity. Go and inform the gentlemen east of the river. Think always of the state.”

Lü Bu pleaded repeatedly, but Wang Yun would not leave.

Not long after, flames rose from many gates, climbing to the sky. Lü Bu was forced to abandon his household, lead out barely a hundred riders, and flee through the pass to Yuan Shu.

Li Jue and Guo Si loosed their soldiers to plunder. Grand Master of Ceremonies Zhong Fu, Great Equerry Lu Kui, Grand Envoy Zhou Huan, gate magistrate Cui Lie, and cavalry colonel Wang Qi all died in the national disaster.

Rebel troops ringed the inner court so tightly that the attendants prayed the Son of Heaven should issue a command from Xuanping Gate to quiet the turmoil.

When Li Jue and Guo Si saw Huang Gai, they restrained the soldiers and cried, “Long live the lord!”

The Emperor, leaning from the tower, asked, “Without waiting to submit a petition, you entered Chang’an. What do you intend?”

Li Jue and Guo Si looked up and replied, “Dong Taishi was the Son of Heaven’s Grand Tutor and was beheaded without cause by Wang Yun. We have come only to avenge him, not to rebel. If we can see Wang Yun, we will withdraw our armies.”

Wang Yun was at the emperor’s side when he heard this and said, “I have only acted for the realm. Now that matters are this far, Your Majesty should not spare your servant if the state is endangered. I ask permission to meet the two rebels.”

The emperor hesitated and could not bring himself to answer.

From the Xuanping gate tower, Wang Yun jumped down and shouted, “Wang Yun is here!”

Li Jue and Guo Si drew swords and shouted, “What crime did Dong Taishi commit to deserve death?”

Wang Yun said, “Dong the traitor’s crimes fill the sky and earth. To recount them would be endless. On the day he was executed, the people of Chang’an all celebrated. Did you not hear?”

Li Jue and Guo Si said, “Dong Taishi had guilt. What guilt did we have, that we should not be pardoned?”

Wang Yun yelled, “Traitor rebels, no more words. I, Wang Yun, am to die today.”

The two traitors moved their hands at once and killed Wang Yun below the tower.

A court historian later praised in verse:

Wang Yun laid the scheme in motion, and Dong Zhuo, the evil minister, was removed. His heart held the state in grief, His brows were furrowed with sorrow. His righteous spirit rose to the Milky Way, His loyalty ran through the stars of the Northern Dipper, Even now, his spirit and body still circle the Phoenix Tower.

The rebels killed Wang Yun and then sent men in every direction to kill the whole of his clan, old and young. The people of the realm all wept. Li Jue and Guo Si then thought, “Now that we have reached this far, if we do not kill the Son of Heaven and make great plans, when else?”

They raised their swords and shouted, then rushed inside.

It was as if to say:

Our crime confessed, we have only just eased one disaster; Yet again evil from the rebels spreads through the land. Who knows what fate awaits the Son of Heaven? How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.