Chapter 2

Zhang Fei Furiously Flogs the Imperial Inspector; He Jin Plots to Destroy the Eunuchs

Now Dong Zhuo, courtesy name Zhongying, was a native of Lintao in Longxi. He had been appointed Administrator of Hedong and was arrogant by nature. That day, when he treated Xuande with contempt, Zhang Fei’s temper flared, and he was ready to kill him. Xuande and Lord Guan hurriedly restrained him, saying, “He is an official commissioned by the court. How can we kill him on our own authority?”

“If we do not kill this wretch,” said Zhang Fei, “we must instead serve under him and obey his orders. I cannot stomach that! If you two brothers mean to stay here, I shall go elsewhere by myself.”

“The three of us are bound in brotherhood to share life and death,” said Xuande. “How can we part? Better that we all go elsewhere.”

“If so,” said Zhang Fei, “that will ease my hatred a little.”

That very night, the three led their troops away and went to join Zhu Jun. Zhu Jun treated them most generously, combined their forces with his own, and advanced against Zhang Bao. At that time, Cao Cao was accompanying Huangfu Song in a campaign against Zhang Liang, and they fought a great battle at Quyang. Here, Zhu Jun advanced against Zhang Bao. Zhang Bao led a rebel host of eighty or ninety thousand and encamped behind a mountain. Zhu Jun appointed Xuande his vanguard and sent him against the rebels.

Zhang Bao dispatched his deputy general Gao Sheng to ride out and challenge them. Xuande sent Zhang Fei to meet him. Zhang Fei spurred forward with leveled spear and engaged Gao Sheng. In fewer than several bouts, he stabbed him from the saddle. Xuande waved his army straight into the attack.

On horseback, Zhang Bao loosened his hair, brandished his sword, and worked his sorcery. At once the wind howled and thunder crashed, while a mass of black vapor descended from the sky; within it seemed to be an innumerable host of horsemen and foot soldiers charging down upon them. Xuande hastily withdrew his army. His ranks fell into disorder, and he returned in defeat to consult with Zhu Jun.

“He uses sorcery,” said Zhu Jun. “Tomorrow we can slaughter pigs, sheep, and dogs, and have the soldiers lie in ambush on the heights. When the rebels pursue us, they are to pour the blood down from the slope. That will break his spell.”

Xuande obeyed. He assigned Lord Guan and Zhang Fei one thousand men apiece and stationed them in ambush upon a high ridge behind the mountain, with vessels of pigs’, sheep’s, and dogs’ blood, together with other filth, all prepared.

The next day, Zhang Bao waved his banners and beat his drums, leading out his army to challenge them. Xuande went forth to meet him. As the armies clashed, Zhang Bao worked his spell. Wind and thunder burst forth; sand flew and stones hurtled through the air; black vapor filled the heavens; and seething masses of horsemen and foot soldiers came down from the sky.

Xuande wheeled his horse and fled, and Zhang Bao drove his troops after him. Just as they were passing the ridge, the hidden forces of Guan and Zhang fired the signal blast and poured down all the filth together. At once the paper men and straw horses in the air came fluttering to the ground. The wind and thunder abruptly ceased, and the sand and stones flew no more.

When Zhang Bao saw that his spell had been broken, he hurried to retreat. Lord Guan came from the left and Zhang Fei from the right, each with his force; behind them Xuande and Zhu Jun pressed on together. The rebel army suffered a crushing defeat. Xuande caught sight of the banner of the General of the Earth and galloped in pursuit. Zhang Bao fled in panic. Xuande loosed an arrow and struck him in the left arm. With the arrow still lodged there, Zhang Bao escaped into Yangcheng and defended it stubbornly, refusing to come out.

Zhu Jun led his troops in surrounding and attacking Yangcheng, while also sending men to seek news of Huangfu Song. The scouts returned and reported in full:

“Huangfu Song has won a great victory. Because Dong Zhuo had suffered repeated defeats, the court ordered Huangfu Song to replace him. By the time Huangfu Song arrived, Zhang Jue was already dead. Zhang Liang had assumed command of his followers and opposed our army, but Huangfu Song defeated him in seven successive engagements and beheaded him at Quyang. Zhang Jue’s coffin was opened, his corpse mutilated and his head exposed, then sent to the capital. All the remaining rebels surrendered. The court has promoted Huangfu Song to General of Chariots and Cavalry and appointed him Governor of Jizhou. Huangfu Song also submitted a memorial declaring that Lu Zhi had rendered meritorious service and committed no crime, and the court restored Lu Zhi to his former office. Cao Cao, too, has been rewarded for his service and appointed Chancellor of Jinan. He will disband his army this very day and proceed to his post.”

When Zhu Jun heard this, he urged on his troops and attacked Yangcheng with all his strength. The rebels’ position became desperate. Their general Yan Zheng stabbed Zhang Bao to death, presented his head, and surrendered. Zhu Jun then pacified several commanderies and submitted a memorial announcing his victory.

At that time, three surviving Yellow Turban leaders—Zhao Hong, Han Zhong, and Sun Zhong—gathered tens of thousands of followers, burning and plundering wherever they went, and declared that they would avenge Zhang Jue. The court commanded Zhu Jun to take his victorious army and suppress them.

Obeying the edict, Zhu Jun led his army forward. The rebels then occupied Wancheng. Zhu Jun brought his troops against it, and Zhao Hong sent Han Zhong out to give battle. Zhu Jun ordered Xuande, Guan, and Zhang to attack the southwestern corner of the city. Han Zhong led all his finest troops there to resist them. Zhu Jun himself released two thousand armored cavalry and made straight for the northeastern corner.

Fearing that the city would be lost, the rebels hurriedly abandoned the southwest and turned back. Xuande fell upon them from the rear, inflicting a crushing defeat. The rebel host fled into Wancheng. Zhu Jun divided his army and enclosed the city on all four sides. When provisions ran out within, Han Zhong sent a man from the city to offer surrender. Zhu Jun refused.

“In former times,” said Xuande, “Gaozu won the empire chiefly because he could summon the surrender of his enemies and receive those who submitted. Why, sir, do you reject Han Zhong?”

“That was one time; this is another,” said Zhu Jun. “In the age of Qin and Xiang, the empire was in utter turmoil, and the people had no settled ruler. Surrenders were therefore invited and those who submitted were rewarded, to encourage others to come over. Now all within the seas is united, and only the Yellow Turbans are in rebellion. If we accept their surrender, we shall have no means of encouraging good conduct. The rebels will be free to plunder as they please when fortune favors them and surrender whenever it turns against them. That would only swell the bandits’ ambition. It is no sound policy.”

“You are right not to accept the rebels’ surrender,” said Xuande. “But now they are enclosed on all four sides as if within an iron barrel. Their plea to surrender has been denied, so they are certain to fight to the death. Ten thousand men united in one purpose cannot easily be withstood; how much less the several tens of thousands within the city who now have no hope but death? Better to withdraw from the southeast and attack only from the northwest. The rebels will surely abandon the city and flee. With no heart left for battle, they can then be captured.”

Zhu Jun approved his counsel. He withdrew the troops from the eastern and southern sides, and all together they attacked the northwest. As expected, Han Zhong led his army from the city and fled. Zhu Jun, Xuande, Guan, and Zhang led their three forces in pursuit. Han Zhong was shot dead, and all the rest scattered and fled.

While the pursuit was under way, Zhao Hong and Sun Zhong arrived with their rebel host and engaged Zhu Jun. Seeing the strength of Zhao Hong’s forces, Zhu Jun temporarily withdrew. Pressing his advantage, Zhao Hong recaptured Wancheng.

Zhu Jun made camp ten li away and was preparing to attack when suddenly a formidable body of troops appeared from due east. At its head rode a general with a broad brow and wide face, the body of a tiger and the waist of a bear. He was a native of Fuchun in Wu Commandery: his family name was Sun, his personal name Jian, and his courtesy name Wentai. He was a descendant of Sun Wu.

When he was seventeen, he traveled with his father to Qiantang and saw more than ten pirates on the riverbank, dividing among themselves goods they had taken from merchants.

“These bandits can be captured,” Sun Jian told his father.

Grasping his sword, he boldly strode ashore. Shouting at the top of his voice, he pointed and gave orders to east and west, as though summoning men to the attack. The pirates thought government troops had arrived. They abandoned all their plunder and fled. Sun Jian overtook them and killed one. From that time, his name became known throughout the commandery and its counties, and he was recommended for appointment as a colonel.

Later, the sorcerous rebel Xu Chang rose in revolt in Kuaiji, proclaimed himself the Yangming Emperor, and gathered tens of thousands of followers. Sun Jian and the commandery major recruited more than a thousand brave men, joined forces with the provincial and commandery troops, and defeated him, beheading Xu Chang and his son Xu Shao. Inspector Zang Min submitted a memorial reporting Sun Jian’s service, and Sun Jian was appointed Assistant Magistrate of Yandu, then successively Assistant Magistrate of Xuyi and Assistant Magistrate of Xiapi.

Now, seeing the Yellow Turban rebellion arise, he had assembled young men from his native district, traveling merchants, and picked troops from the Huai and Si regions, more than fifteen hundred men in all, and had come to lend his aid.

Zhu Jun was overjoyed. He ordered Sun Jian to attack the southern gate, Xuande the northern gate, while he himself attacked the western gate, leaving the eastern gate open for the rebels to flee.

Sun Jian was first upon the wall. He killed more than twenty rebels, and the rebel host broke and fled. Zhao Hong galloped forward, thrusting with his lance, and charged straight at Sun Jian. Sun Jian leaped down from the wall, wrested away Zhao Hong’s lance, and stabbed him from the saddle. Then he mounted Zhao Hong’s horse and galloped back and forth, slaughtering the rebels.

Sun Zhong led his men in a sudden rush through the northern gate and came directly upon Xuande. Having no heart for battle, he thought only of escape. Xuande drew his bow and loosed an arrow that struck Sun Zhong squarely, pitching him from his horse. Zhu Jun’s main army followed close behind and fell upon the fugitives. Tens of thousands of heads were taken, while the number who surrendered was beyond counting. Throughout the region of Nanyang, more than ten commanderies were pacified.

Zhu Jun disbanded his army and returned to the capital. By imperial edict, he was made General of Chariots and Cavalry and Intendant of Henan. Zhu Jun submitted a memorial setting forth the achievements of Sun Jian, Liu Bei, and the others. Sun Jian had influential connections and was appointed a commandery major elsewhere, then left to assume his post. Xuande alone waited a long while and received no appointment.

The three men, gloomy and discontented, were strolling idly through the streets when the carriage of Court Gentleman Zhang Jun happened to arrive. Xuande went before him and recounted his achievements.

Greatly startled, Zhang Jun proceeded into court and addressed the emperor:

“When the Yellow Turbans rose in rebellion, the root of it all lay in the Ten Regular Attendants’ sale of offices and ranks. They employed none who were not their intimates and executed none who were not their enemies, thereby plunging the empire into great disorder. The proper course now is to behead the Ten Regular Attendants, hang their heads at the southern outskirts, and send envoys to proclaim the matter throughout the empire. Those who have rendered service should be richly rewarded. Then all within the four seas will naturally return to peace.”

The Ten Regular Attendants memorialized the emperor, saying, “Zhang Jun has deceived his sovereign.”

The emperor ordered armed guards to drive Zhang Jun from the court. The Ten Regular Attendants then consulted among themselves.

“This must have arisen because men who earned merit in defeating the Yellow Turbans have received no appointments, and so have begun to speak resentfully. For the present, let us have the ministry enter their humble names upon the registers. It will not be too late to deal with them afterward.”

Thus Xuande was appointed Commandant of Anxi County in Zhongshan Prefecture, Dingzhou, and ordered to assume office on a fixed date. He disbanded his soldiers and sent them back to their villages, keeping only a little more than twenty personal attendants. With Guan and Zhang, he came to Anxi County and entered upon his duties.

After administering the county for a month, he had taken not so much as a hair’s breadth from the people, and all were won by his virtue. After taking office, he and Guan and Zhang ate at the same table and slept in the same bed. Whenever Xuande sat among a crowded public gathering, Guan and Zhang stood in attendance beside him all day without weariness.

Before they had been in the county four months, the court issued an edict ordering the dismissal of all senior local officials who held office by virtue of military service. Xuande suspected that he was among those to be removed.

Just then, an inspecting officer made his circuit and came to the county. Xuande went beyond the outer walls to receive him and saluted him upon their meeting. The inspector remained seated on his horse and merely pointed faintly with his whip in acknowledgment. Lord Guan and Zhang Fei were both enraged.

When they reached the posthouse, the inspector took the high seat facing south, while Xuande stood in attendance below the steps. After a long while, the inspector asked, “By what background did Commandant Liu enter office?”

“I am a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan,” said Xuande. “From the suppression of the Yellow Turbans in Zhuo Commandery onward, I fought in more than thirty engagements, great and small, and rendered some slight service. For that reason, I received my present appointment.”

The inspector shouted, “You falsely claim kinship with the imperial house and lie about your achievements! The court has issued its present edict precisely to dismiss corrupt and superfluous officials of your kind!”

Murmuring assent again and again, Xuande withdrew. On returning to the county offices, he consulted the local clerks.

“The inspector’s display of authority means nothing more than that he wants a bribe,” one clerk said.

“I have not taken so much as a hair’s breadth from the people,” said Xuande. “Where am I to find gifts for him?”

The next day, the inspector first had the county clerks brought before him and tried to force them to accuse the commandant of harming the people. Xuande went several times in person to plead that they be released, but on every occasion the gate attendants barred his way and refused to admit him.

Meanwhile, Zhang Fei drank several cups of bitter wine and rode past the posthouse. There he saw fifty or sixty elderly men, all weeping bitterly before the gate.

Zhang Fei asked the reason.

“The inspector is coercing the county clerks because he means to ruin Lord Liu,” the elders answered. “We all came to plead earnestly with him, but they would not admit us. Instead, the gatekeepers drove us off and beat us!”

Zhang Fei flew into a rage. His round eyes opened wide, and he ground his steel-hard teeth. Tumbling from the saddle, he strode straight into the posthouse. How could the gatekeepers have stopped him? He rushed directly into the rear hall and saw the inspector seated there, with the county clerks bound and thrown upon the floor.

“Villain who preys upon the people!” Zhang Fei roared. “Do you know me?”

Before the inspector could speak, Zhang Fei seized him by the hair, dragged him from the posthouse, and hauled him all the way to the hitching post before the county offices, where he bound him fast. Then he tore down willow switches and laid into the inspector’s legs with all his strength, breaking more than ten switches in succession.

Xuande was in the midst of his distress when he heard a clamor before the county offices. He questioned those around him.

“General Zhang has bound a man before the offices and is beating him savagely,” they replied.

Xuande hurried out to see and discovered that the man bound there was the inspector. In alarm, he asked what had happened.

“Why wait to beat a villain like this, who preys upon the people, to death?” cried Zhang Fei.

“Lord Xuande, save my life!” the inspector pleaded.

Xuande was, after all, a merciful man, and he hastily shouted for Zhang Fei to stop. Lord Guan came around from the side and said:

“Elder brother has rendered so many great services, yet received only the post of county commandant. Now you have instead been humiliated by this inspector. As I see it, a thicket of thorns is no roost for phoenixes. Better to kill the inspector, cast away your office, and return home, there to form some greater design.”

Xuande took his seal and cord, hung them around the inspector’s neck, and rebuked him:

“For the harm you have done the people, you deserve to be killed. For now, I spare your life. I return my seal and cord, and from this moment I am gone!”

The inspector returned and reported the matter to the Administrator of Dingzhou. The administrator sent an official dispatch to the provincial government, which dispatched men to arrest them. Xuande, Guan, and Zhang went to Liu Hui in Daizhou. When Liu Hui learned that Xuande was a kinsman of the imperial house of Han, he sheltered him secretly in his home, and nothing more need be said of it here.

Now that the Ten Regular Attendants held great power, they consulted among themselves and resolved that anyone who refused to obey them should be destroyed.

Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang sent men to demand gold and silks from the officers who had defeated the Yellow Turbans. Those who refused were denounced and dismissed from office. Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun both refused to give anything, and Zhao Zhong and the others memorialized the throne and had them removed from their posts.

The emperor then appointed Zhao Zhong and others Generals of Chariots and Cavalry, while Zhang Rang and thirteen others were all enfeoffed as marquises. The government grew ever more corrupt, and the people groaned with resentment.

Then Ou Xing, a bandit of Changsha, rose in rebellion. Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun rebelled in Yuyang: Zhang Ju styled himself Son of Heaven, while Zhang Chun styled himself General-in-Chief. Memorials reporting emergencies came in thick as snowflakes, but the Ten Regular Attendants concealed them all and did not report them.

One day, the emperor was drinking at a banquet with the Ten Regular Attendants in the rear garden when Liu Tao, Grandee Remonstrant and Consultant, came straight before him and began to weep aloud.

The emperor asked him why.

“The empire is in mortal danger,” said Liu Tao, “yet Your Majesty still drinks with eunuchs!”

“The realm is at peace,” said the emperor. “What danger can there be?”

“Bandits are rising on every side,” said Liu Tao, “invading and plundering provinces and commanderies. The entire calamity has been caused by the Ten Regular Attendants, who sell offices, oppress the people, deceive their sovereign, and defraud their superiors. All upright men have left the court. Disaster stands before our eyes!”

The Ten Regular Attendants removed their caps and knelt prostrate before the emperor.

“The great ministers will not tolerate us,” they said. “We can no longer live! We beg only that our lives be spared so that we may return to our fields and villages. We will give all our family property to support the army.”

When they had spoken, they wept bitterly.

The emperor turned angrily upon Liu Tao.

“You, too, have attendants close to your person. Why do you alone deny them to us?”

He summoned armed guards and ordered Liu Tao taken out and beheaded.

“I do not begrudge my death!” Liu Tao cried. “But pity the empire of Han! After more than four hundred years, it will end in a single day!”

The armed guards crowded Liu Tao outside and were about to execute him when a great minister shouted for them to stop.

“Do not lay hands on him! Wait until I have remonstrated.”

Everyone looked and saw that it was Chen Dan, Minister over the Masses. He went straight into the chamber and remonstrated with the emperor.

“What crime has Grandee Remonstrant Liu committed, that he should be put to death?”

“He slandered our close attendants and insulted our person,” said the emperor.

“The people of the empire long to eat the flesh of the Ten Regular Attendants,” said Chen Dan, “yet Your Majesty honors them like father and mother. They have not rendered an inch of service, yet all have been enfeoffed as marquises. Moreover, Feng Xu and others conspired with the Yellow Turbans and sought to create rebellion within the court. If Your Majesty will not examine himself even now, the altars of soil and grain will be seen collapsing before you!”

“Feng Xu’s rebellion has never been clearly proved,” said the emperor. “Can it be that among the Ten Regular Attendants there are not one or two loyal ministers?”

Chen Dan struck his head against the steps as he continued to remonstrate. The emperor grew angry and ordered him dragged away. Both he and Liu Tao were thrown into prison.

That night, the Ten Regular Attendants had them murdered in the prison. Then, under cover of a false imperial edict, they appointed Sun Jian Administrator of Changsha and sent him to suppress Ou Xing.

In fewer than fifty days, victory was reported and Jiangxia was pacified. By imperial edict, Sun Jian was enfeoffed as Marquis of Wucheng.

Liu Yu was appointed Governor of Youzhou and ordered to lead troops to Yuyang against Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun. Liu Hui of Daizhou wrote a letter recommending Xuande to Liu Yu. Liu Yu was delighted and appointed Xuande a commandant. Xuande led troops straight to the rebels’ stronghold and fought them in fierce battles for several days, breaking the edge of their ardor.

Zhang Chun was wholly savage and violent, and the hearts of his soldiers turned against him. A leader within his own command assassinated Zhang Chun, presented his head, and led the host in surrender. Seeing that the cause was lost, Zhang Ju hanged himself. Yuyang was entirely pacified.

Liu Yu submitted a memorial reporting Liu Bei’s great service. The court pardoned him for the crime of having flogged the inspector, appointed him Assistant Magistrate of Xiami, and then transferred him to be Commandant of Gaotang. Gongsun Zan also memorialized the throne concerning Xuande’s former achievements and recommended him as Major of a Separate Command, acting as Magistrate of Pingyuan County.

At Pingyuan, Xuande acquired a considerable store of money and grain, troops and horses, and restored the proud bearing of former days. For his service in pacifying the rebels, Liu Yu was appointed Grand Commandant.

In the sixth year of Zhongping, in the fourth month of summer, Emperor Ling fell gravely ill. He summoned General-in-Chief He Jin into the palace to discuss what should follow his death.

He Jin had been born into a butcher’s household. His younger sister entered the palace as an Honored Lady and gave birth to the imperial prince Bian. She was thereafter established as empress, and through her He Jin came to hold power and high office.

The emperor also favored the Beautiful Lady Wang, who gave birth to the imperial prince Xie. Empress He grew jealous and poisoned the Beautiful Lady Wang. Prince Xie was raised in the palace of Empress Dowager Dong.

Empress Dowager Dong was Emperor Ling’s mother and the wife of Liu Chang, Marquis of Jiedu Village. Because Emperor Huan had no son, the son of the Marquis of Jiedu Village was brought in and established as emperor; this was Emperor Ling. When Emperor Ling entered the palace to inherit the great succession, he brought his mother there to support her and honored her as empress dowager.

Empress Dowager Dong had often urged the emperor to establish Prince Xie as heir apparent. The emperor, too, showed partiality toward Xie and wished to name him heir. Now, when the emperor was gravely ill, Regular Palace Attendant Jian Shuo submitted this counsel:

“If Your Majesty wishes to establish Xie, you must first execute He Jin and so eliminate future danger.”

The emperor approved his words and therefore summoned He Jin into the palace.

When He Jin reached the palace gate, Major Pan Yin told him, “You must not enter the palace. Jian Shuo means to murder you.”

Greatly alarmed, He Jin hurried back to his private residence. He summoned the chief ministers and proposed exterminating all the eunuchs.

One man in the gathering stepped boldly forward.

“The eunuchs’ power first arose in the reigns of Emperors Chong and Zhi. Their roots and tendrils have spread everywhere throughout the court. How can they all be exterminated? If the plan is not kept secret, calamity will surely befall your entire clan. I beg you to consider it carefully.”

He Jin looked and saw Cao Cao, Colonel Who Regulates the Army.

“You are a mere junior,” He Jin rebuked him. “What can you know of the great affairs of the court?”

While He Jin still hesitated, Pan Yin arrived and said:

“The emperor is dead. Jian Shuo and the Ten Regular Attendants are now in conference. They are concealing the death and withholding the mourning announcement. They mean to forge an edict summoning Imperial Uncle He into the palace, remove the danger he presents, and enthrone Prince Xie as emperor.”

Before he had finished, a messenger arrived summoning He Jin to enter at once and settle the arrangements following the emperor’s death.

“The first measure today,” said Cao Cao, “must be to establish the rightful sovereign. Only then should the villains be dealt with.”

“Who dares join me in establishing the sovereign and suppressing the villains?” asked He Jin.

One man stepped boldly forward.

“Grant me five thousand picked troops. I will cut through the gates and enter, enthrone the new sovereign, exterminate the eunuch slaves, sweep the court clean, and bring peace to the empire!”

He Jin looked and saw the son of Yuan Feng, Minister over the Masses, and the nephew of Yuan Wei. His name was Yuan Shao, his courtesy name Benchu, and he was then serving as Colonel Director of Retainers.

He Jin was overjoyed and at once called out five thousand Imperial Forest Guards. Yuan Shao armed himself from head to foot. He Jin led He Yong, Xun You, Zheng Tai, and more than thirty other great ministers into the palace in succession. Before Emperor Ling’s coffin, they supported the heir apparent Bian and established him upon the imperial throne.

When all the officials had finished acclaiming the new emperor and making obeisance, Yuan Shao entered the palace to arrest Jian Shuo. Jian Shuo fled in panic into the imperial garden and hid beneath the flowering shade, where Regular Palace Attendant Guo Sheng killed him. All the imperial guards under Jian Shuo’s command submitted.

“The palace attendants have formed a faction,” Yuan Shao told He Jin. “Today we can seize the advantage and exterminate them all.”

When Zhang Rang and the others learned how desperate matters had become, they hurried in to report to Empress Dowager He.

“The original plot to entrap and murder the General-in-Chief was Jian Shuo’s alone. None of us had any part in it. Now the General-in-Chief has listened to Yuan Shao and means to exterminate us all. We beg Your Majesty to show mercy!”

“Do not be afraid,” said Empress Dowager He. “I will protect you.”

She issued an order summoning He Jin and spoke to him in private.

“You and I were born to humble circumstances. Without Zhang Rang and the others, how could we ever have enjoyed our present wealth and honor? Jian Shuo was cruel, and he has already been put to death. Why do you now heed the words of others and seek to exterminate all the eunuchs?”

After hearing her, He Jin came out and addressed the assembled officials.

“Jian Shuo plotted to murder me, so his entire clan may be exterminated. The others need not be subjected to indiscriminate slaughter.”

“If you do not cut down the grass and tear out the roots,” said Yuan Shao, “they will surely become the cause of your death.”

“My mind is settled,” said He Jin. “Say no more.”

The officials all withdrew.

The next day, the empress dowager ordered He Jin to participate in the supervision of the affairs of the Imperial Secretariat. The others were all awarded official posts.

Empress Dowager Dong summoned Zhang Rang and his companions into the palace and consulted with them.

“In the beginning, it was I who raised up He Jin’s sister. Today her child has succeeded to the imperial throne, and the officials within and outside the court are all her trusted partisans. Her power and authority are too great. What am I to do?”

Zhang Rang answered:

“Your Majesty may preside over the court from behind a hanging curtain. Enfeoff Prince Xie as a king; grant Imperial Uncle Dong Zhong a high office and place military power in his hands; and make full use of us. Then great affairs may be accomplished.”

Empress Dowager Dong was overjoyed.

At court the next day, Empress Dowager Dong issued her commands. Prince Xie was enfeoffed as Prince of Chenliu, Dong Zhong was appointed General of Agile Cavalry, and Zhang Rang and the others were admitted to a share in the government.

When Empress Dowager He saw Empress Dowager Dong arrogating power to herself, she arranged a banquet within the palace and invited her to attend. When the wine had brought them to half-drunkenness, Empress Dowager He rose, held up a cup, bowed twice, and said:

“We are both women. It is not fitting for us to take part in the government. In former times, because Empress Lü seized great power, a thousand members of her clan were slaughtered. We should now remain deep within the ninefold palace and leave the great affairs of the court to the chief ministers and senior statesmen to deliberate among themselves. This would be a blessing to the realm. I beg Your Majesty to heed me.”

Empress Dowager Dong flew into a rage.

“You poisoned the Beautiful Lady Wang out of calculated jealousy. Now you rely upon your son’s being emperor and upon the power of your brother He Jin, and so dare to speak such reckless words! I need only command the General of Agile Cavalry to cut off your brother’s head. It would be as easy as turning my hand!”

Empress Dowager He also grew angry.

“I offered you good counsel. Why answer me with anger?”

“Your family are petty butchers and wine sellers,” said Empress Dowager Dong. “What understanding can you possess?”

The two palaces contended bitterly with each other until Zhang Rang and his companions persuaded each empress dowager to return to her own apartments.

That very night, Empress Dowager He summoned He Jin into the palace and told him what had happened. He Jin came out and summoned the Three Excellencies to deliberate. At court the next morning, they had the assembled ministers memorialize that Empress Dowager Dong had originally been the consort of a feudatory prince and should not remain long within the palace. She should therefore be removed to Hejian and lodged there, and was to leave the gates of the capital by a fixed date.

On one hand, men were sent to escort Empress Dowager Dong away; on the other, imperial guards were called out to surround the residence of Dong Zhong, General of Agile Cavalry, and demand his seal and cord. Seeing that the situation was desperate, Dong Zhong cut his own throat in the rear hall. Only when his family raised the wail of mourning did the soldiers disperse.

When Zhang Rang and Duan Gui saw that Empress Dowager Dong’s branch had been broken, they used gold, pearls, curios, and precious objects to win over He Jin’s younger brother He Qu and their mother, the Lady of Wuyang. They had them visit Empress Dowager He morning and evening, speaking favorably on their behalf and shielding them. Thus the Ten Regular Attendants regained their position of intimacy and favor.

In the sixth month, He Jin secretly sent men to poison Empress Dowager Dong at the posthouse in Hejian. Her coffin was borne back to the capital, and she was buried at Wenling.

He Jin pleaded illness and did not appear at court. Yuan Shao, Colonel Director of Retainers, went to see him and said:

“Zhang Rang, Duan Gui, and the others are spreading rumors outside that you poisoned Empress Dowager Dong and intend some great undertaking. If you do not use this moment to destroy the eunuchs, they will surely bring great calamity upon you later. In former times, Dou Wu sought to destroy the palace eunuchs, but because his plans were not kept secret, the disaster recoiled upon him. Now the officers and men serving under you and your brother are all outstanding men. If you allow them to exert their full strength, success lies in the palm of your hand. Heaven itself favors you with this opportunity. It must not be lost.”

“Allow me time to consider,” said He Jin.

Men close to him secretly reported the conversation to Zhang Rang. Zhang Rang and the others informed He Miao in turn and sent him many bribes.

He Miao entered the palace and told Empress Dowager He:

“The General-in-Chief, in assisting the new sovereign, shows no benevolence but devotes himself solely to killing. Now, without any auspicious sign, he again wishes to kill the Ten Regular Attendants. This is the way to bring disorder upon us.”

The empress dowager accepted his words.

A short while later, He Jin entered and told the empress dowager that he wished to exterminate the palace eunuchs.

“For palace attendants to control the imperial precincts is an established custom of the Han house,” said Empress Dowager He. “The late emperor has only just abandoned the empire, yet you wish to slaughter his old ministers. That is not the way to honor the ancestral temples.”

He Jin was by nature a man without resolution. Hearing the empress dowager’s words, he murmured agreement and withdrew.

Yuan Shao met him and asked, “What of the great affair?”

“The empress dowager will not consent,” said He Jin. “What can be done?”

“Summon heroes and men of ability from every quarter,” said Yuan Shao. “Have them bring troops to the capital and exterminate the eunuch slaves. Matters will then be so urgent that the empress dowager cannot refuse.”

“An excellent plan!” said He Jin.

He immediately sent proclamations to every regional command, summoning their leaders to the capital.

Chen Lin, his chief secretary, said:

“You must not! The common saying speaks of ‘covering one’s eyes while catching swallows and sparrows’: that is merely deceiving oneself. If even the smallest creatures cannot be deceived to gain one’s purpose, how much less can the great affairs of the state?

“Now, General, you rely upon imperial authority and control the key military forces. You soar like a dragon and stride like a tiger; the fate of high and low lies within your will. If you wish to exterminate the eunuchs, it would be no harder than casting a hair into the roaring furnace. You need only act swiftly, exercise your authority, and decide the matter on the spot; then Heaven and mankind alike will follow you.

“Instead, you send proclamations to ministers outside, calling them to advance upon the imperial capital. When heroes gather, each will harbor a purpose of his own. This is what is called holding a weapon by the blade and offering another man the hilt. The enterprise is certain to fail and will breed disorder instead.”

He Jin laughed.

“That is the opinion of a coward!”

One man nearby clapped his hands and laughed aloud.

“This matter is as easy as turning the palm. Why waste so many words discussing it?”

They looked and saw that it was Cao Cao.

And so it was said:

To purge the sovereign’s side of midnight men who breed disorder,One must heed the wise within the court and follow their designs.

What Cao Cao had to say will be revealed in the chapter that follows.

Zhang Fei Furiously Flogs the Imperial Inspector; He Jin Plots to Destroy the Eunuchs

Now Dong Zhuo, whose courtesy name was Zhongying, was a native of Lintao in Longxi. He had been appointed Administrator of Hedong and had always been arrogant. That day he treated Xuande with contempt, and Zhang Fei’s temper flared up, so he wanted to kill him. Xuande and Lord Guan hurriedly stopped him, saying, “He is an official appointed by the imperial court. How can we kill him on our own authority?” Fei said, “If we do not kill this wretch, we must instead serve under him and obey his orders. I truly cannot bear it! If you two brothers wish to remain here, I will go elsewhere by myself!” Xuande said, “The three of us are bound in brotherhood to share life and death. How can we separate? We had better all go elsewhere.” Fei said, “If so, that will somewhat ease my hatred.” The three therefore led their troops through the night to join Zhu Jun. Jun treated them very generously, combined their forces with his, and advanced against Zhang Bao. At this time Cao Cao was following Huangfu Song in the campaign against Zhang Liang, and they fought a great battle at Quyang. Here Zhu Jun advanced against Zhang Bao. Zhang Bao led eighty or ninety thousand rebels and camped behind a mountain. Jun ordered Xuande to serve as his vanguard and face the rebels. Zhang Bao sent his deputy commander Gao Sheng out on horseback to challenge them. Xuande sent Zhang Fei against him. Fei spurred his horse forward with his spear leveled and fought Sheng. In fewer than several exchanges, he stabbed Sheng and knocked him from his horse. Xuande signaled his troops to charge straight ahead. On horseback, Zhang Bao let down his hair, raised his sword, and worked sorcery. Suddenly wind and thunder rose violently, and a mass of black vapor descended from the sky. Within the black vapor, what seemed to be an endless host of soldiers and horses came charging down. Xuande hastily withdrew his army. His troops fell into great disorder and returned in defeat. He consulted Zhu Jun, who said, “He uses sorcery. Tomorrow we can slaughter pigs and sheep and prepare the blood of pigs, sheep, and dogs. Have the soldiers lie in ambush on the mountaintop. When the rebels pursue us, pour it down from the high slope, and his magic can be broken.”

Xuande obeyed the order and assigned Lord Guan and Zhang Fei one thousand troops each. They hid on the high ridge behind the mountain, ready with containers of pigs’ blood, sheep’s blood, dogs’ blood, and other filth. The next day Zhang Bao waved his banners and beat his drums, leading his army out to challenge them. Xuande went out to meet him. As the armies engaged, Zhang Bao worked his magic. Wind and thunder rose violently, sand flew and stones rolled, black vapor filled the sky, and surging masses of soldiers and horses descended from heaven. Xuande turned his horse and fled, and Zhang Bao drove his troops after him. Just as they were about to pass the mountaintop, the hidden troops of Guan and Zhang fired the signal cannon and poured down all the filth together. They saw paper men and straw horses falling one after another from the sky. The wind and thunder stopped at once, and the sand and stones no longer flew. Seeing that his magic had been broken, Zhang Bao hastily tried to withdraw. Lord Guan came from the left and Zhang Fei from the right, both forces emerging at once, while Xuande and Zhu Jun pursued together from behind. The rebel troops suffered a crushing defeat. Xuande saw the banner of the General of the Earth and galloped after it. Zhang Bao fled wildly. Xuande shot an arrow and struck his left arm. Zhang Bao escaped with the arrow still in him, fled into Yangcheng, and defended it firmly without coming out. Zhu Jun led his troops in surrounding and attacking Yangcheng, while also sending men to learn news of Huangfu Song. The scouts returned and reported the full account: “Huangfu Song has won a great victory. Because Dong Zhuo was repeatedly defeated, the court ordered Song to replace him. By the time Song arrived, Zhang Jue was already dead. Zhang Liang commanded his followers and resisted our army, but Huangfu Song defeated him in seven battles in succession and beheaded Zhang Liang at Quyang. He opened Zhang Jue’s coffin, mutilated the corpse, displayed the severed head, and sent it to the capital. All the remaining rebels surrendered. The court promoted Huangfu Song to General of Chariots and Cavalry and appointed him Governor of Jizhou. Huangfu Song also submitted a memorial stating that Lu Zhi had rendered meritorious service and committed no crime, so the court restored Lu Zhi to his former office. Cao Cao was also rewarded for his service and appointed Chancellor of Jinan. He will withdraw the army and leave for his post at once.” When Zhu Jun heard this, he urged on his troops and attacked Yangcheng with all his strength. The rebels’ position became desperate, and the rebel commander Yan Zheng stabbed Zhang Bao to death, offered up his head, and surrendered. Zhu Jun then pacified several commanderies and submitted a memorial reporting his victory.

At that time three remaining Yellow Turban leaders—Zhao Hong, Han Zhong, and Sun Zhong—gathered tens of thousands of followers, burned and plundered wherever they went, and declared that they were avenging Zhang Jue. The court ordered Zhu Jun to take the army with which he had just won victory and campaign against them. Jun received the edict and led his army forward. The rebels then occupied Wancheng. Jun led his troops against it, and Zhao Hong sent Han Zhong out to fight. Jun ordered Xuande, Guan, and Zhang to attack the southwestern corner of the city. Han Zhong led all his elite troops to the southwestern corner to resist them. Zhu Jun personally released two thousand armored cavalry and headed straight for the northeastern corner. Fearing that the city would be lost, the rebels hurriedly abandoned the southwest and turned back. Xuande fell upon them from behind, and the rebels were badly defeated and fled into Wancheng. Zhu Jun divided his forces and surrounded the city on all four sides. Food ran out inside the city, and Han Zhong sent a man out to surrender. Jun refused to accept it. Xuande said, “In the past, Gaozu won the empire because he knew how to invite surrender and accept submission. Why do you reject Han Zhong’s surrender?” Jun said, “That was one time, and this is another. During the struggle between Qin and Xiang, the whole empire was in chaos and the people had no settled ruler. Surrenders were therefore invited and those who submitted were rewarded, to encourage others to come over. Now all within the seas is united, and only the Yellow Turbans are in rebellion. If we allow them to surrender, there will be no way to encourage good conduct. The rebels would plunder as they pleased when they had the advantage and surrender whenever they lost. That would strengthen the bandits’ ambitions and is not a sound policy.” Xuande said, “It is right not to accept the bandits’ surrender. But now they are surrounded on all four sides as tightly as if they were inside an iron barrel. If they beg to surrender and are refused, they will certainly fight to the death. Ten thousand men united in purpose cannot easily be resisted, much less the tens of thousands inside the city who are ready to risk their lives. It would be better to withdraw from the southeast and attack only the northwest. The rebels will certainly abandon the city and flee. With no desire to remain and fight, they can then be captured.” Jun agreed. He therefore withdrew the troops from the two sides in the southeast and had all his forces attack the northwest. As expected, Han Zhong led his army out of the city and fled. Jun, Xuande, Guan, and Zhang led their three forces in a pursuing attack. Han Zhong was shot dead, and all the others scattered and fled.

While they were pursuing them, Zhao Hong and Sun Zhong arrived with the rebel host and fought Zhu Jun. Seeing the strength of Hong’s forces, Jun temporarily withdrew his army. Taking advantage of the situation, Hong recaptured Wancheng. Jun set up camp ten li away and was just about to attack when he suddenly saw a strong body of soldiers and horses arriving from the east. Their leading commander had a broad forehead and wide face, a tiger’s body, and a bear’s waist. He was a native of Fuchun in Wu Commandery. His surname was Sun, his given name Jian, and his courtesy name Wentai. He was a descendant of Sun Wuzi. When he was seventeen, he went with his father to Qiantang and saw more than ten pirates who had seized merchants’ property and were dividing their loot on the riverbank. Jian said to his father, “These bandits can be captured.” He then gripped his sword, boldly went ashore, shouted loudly, and pointed commands east and west as though summoning men. The bandits thought government troops had arrived, abandoned all the property, and fled. Jian overtook them and killed one bandit. From then on he became known throughout the commanderies and counties and was recommended for appointment as a commandant. Later, the sorcerous rebel Xu Chang rose in revolt in Kuaiji, called himself the Radiant Emperor, and gathered tens of thousands of followers. Jian and the commandery’s military officer recruited more than one thousand brave men, joined with the provincial and commandery forces, defeated him, and beheaded Xu Chang and his son Xu Shao. Inspector Zang Min submitted a memorial reporting Jian’s merit. Jian was appointed Assistant Magistrate of Yandu and later Assistant Magistrate of Xuyi and Assistant Magistrate of Xiapi. Now, seeing the Yellow Turban rebels rise, he had gathered young men from his home district, traveling merchants, and elite troops from the Huai and Si regions, more than fifteen hundred men in all, and had come to assist.

Zhu Jun was delighted. He ordered Jian to attack the southern gate, Xuande the northern gate, and himself the western gate, leaving the eastern gate open for the rebels to flee. Sun Jian was the first to scale the wall. He killed more than twenty rebels, and the rebel host collapsed and fled. Zhao Hong galloped forward with his lance thrust out and charged straight at Sun Jian. Jian leaped down from the wall, seized Hong’s lance, and stabbed Hong from his horse. He then mounted Hong’s horse and galloped back and forth, killing rebels. Sun Zhong led the rebels in a charge out through the northern gate and came directly upon Xuande. Having no desire to fight, he thought only of escape. Xuande drew his bow and loosed an arrow that struck Sun Zhong squarely, making him tumble from his horse. Zhu Jun’s great army followed with a sweeping attack, taking tens of thousands of heads, while those who surrendered were beyond counting. Along the whole route through Nanyang, more than ten commanderies were pacified. Jun withdrew his army and returned to the capital. By imperial edict he was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry and Intendant of Henan. Jun submitted a memorial reporting the achievements of Sun Jian, Liu Bei, and the others. Because Jian had influential connections, he was appointed military officer in another commandery and left to take up his post. Xuande alone waited a long time without receiving any appointment.

The three men were gloomy and unhappy and went walking idly through the streets. Just then the carriage of Gentleman of the Household Zhang Jun arrived. Xuande went to see him and personally described his achievements. Jun was greatly astonished and followed him into court, where he appeared before the Emperor and said, “When the Yellow Turbans rebelled, the root cause was that the Ten Regular Attendants sold offices and ranks, employed no one who was not close to them, and executed no one who was not their enemy. This brought the whole empire into great disorder. The Ten Regular Attendants should now be beheaded, their heads hung in the southern suburbs, and envoys sent to announce it throughout the empire. Those who have rendered service should be heavily rewarded. Then all within the four seas will naturally become peaceful.” The Ten Regular Attendants reported to the Emperor, “Zhang Jun has deceived his sovereign.” The Emperor ordered armed guards to drive Zhang Jun out. The Ten Regular Attendants discussed the matter together: “This man must be one of those who earned merit in defeating the Yellow Turbans but received no appointment, and so he spoke resentfully. For now, have the ministries register such men for minor posts. It will not be too late to deal with them again afterward.” Xuande was therefore appointed County Commandant of Anxi County in the Zhongshan Prefecture of Dingzhou and ordered to take up his post by a fixed date. Xuande dismissed his soldiers and sent them back to their home districts. Taking only a little more than twenty personal attendants, he went with Guan and Zhang to assume office in Anxi County. During his first month in charge of county affairs, he did not take so much as the tip of an autumn hair from the people, and they were all won over by his virtue. After taking office, he shared a table with Guan and Zhang whenever they ate and shared a bed with them whenever they slept. When Xuande sat among a large public gathering, Guan and Zhang stood in attendance all day without tiring.

Before he had been in the county four months, the court issued an edict ordering the removal of all senior local officials who had gained their posts through military service. Xuande suspected that he was among those to be dismissed. Just then an inspecting officer arrived in the county while making his circuit. Xuande went outside the outer wall to welcome him and offered the proper salute. The inspecting officer remained seated on his horse and merely pointed slightly with his whip in acknowledgment. Lords Guan and Zhang were both angered. When they reached the posthouse, the inspecting officer sat high in the seat facing south while Xuande stood in attendance below the steps. After a long while, the inspecting officer asked, “Through what background did County Commandant Liu obtain office?” Xuande said, “I, Bei, am a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan. Beginning in Zhuo Commandery, I fought more than thirty battles, great and small, to suppress and destroy the Yellow Turbans. I earned some slight merit and was therefore appointed to my present office.” The inspecting officer shouted, “You falsely claim kinship with the imperial house and make false reports of your achievements! The court has just issued an edict specifically to remove corrupt and incompetent officials of your kind!” Xuande repeatedly murmured agreement and withdrew. After returning to the county office, he discussed the matter with the county clerks. A clerk said, “By putting on this display of authority, the inspecting officer wants nothing but a bribe.” Xuande said, “I have not taken so much as the tip of an autumn hair from the people. Where could I get property to give him?” The next day the inspecting officer first had the county clerks brought before him and tried to force them to accuse the county commandant of harming the people. Xuande went several times in person to plead for their release, but every time the gate attendants blocked him and refused to let him enter for an audience.

Meanwhile Zhang Fei drank several cups of wine to ease his frustration and rode past the posthouse. He saw fifty or sixty old men, all weeping bitterly before the gate. Fei asked them the reason. The old men answered, “The inspecting officer is coercing the county clerks because he wants to destroy Lord Liu. We all came to plead bitterly with him, but we were not allowed inside. Instead, the gatekeepers drove us away and beat us!” Zhang Fei was furious. His round eyes opened wide, and he ground his steel-hard teeth. He rolled from the saddle, dismounted, and went straight into the posthouse. How could the gatekeepers possibly stop him? He rushed directly into the rear hall and saw the inspecting officer seated in the hall, with the county clerks bound and forced to the ground. Fei shouted, “You villain who harms the people! Do you recognize me?” Before the inspecting officer could speak, Zhang Fei seized him by the hair, dragged him out of the posthouse, hauled him to the horse-post in front of the county office, and tied him there. He broke branches from a willow tree and fiercely whipped the inspecting officer’s legs, breaking more than ten willow switches one after another.

While Xuande was still troubled and uncertain, he heard an uproar in front of the county office. He asked those beside him what was happening, and they answered, “General Zhang has tied up a man in front of the county office and is beating him severely.” Xuande hurried out to look and saw that the man bound there was the inspecting officer. Shocked, Xuande asked the reason. Fei said, “Why wait for anything before beating such a villain who harms the people to death?” The inspecting officer cried, “Lord Xuande, save my life!” Xuande was, after all, a benevolent man, and he quickly shouted for Zhang Fei to stop. Lord Guan came around from the side and said, “Elder brother, you have rendered so much great service but received only the post of county commandant, and now you are insulted by an inspecting officer. In my view, a thicket of bitter orange and thorns is no place for phoenixes to roost. We would do better to kill the inspecting officer, abandon office, return home, and make other plans for great achievements.” Xuande then took his official seal and cord, hung them around the inspecting officer’s neck, and rebuked him: “For harming the people, you ought to be killed. For now, I spare your life. I return my seal and cord, and from this moment I am leaving!” The inspecting officer returned and reported the matter to the Administrator of Dingzhou. The Administrator sent an official document to the provincial authorities, who dispatched men to arrest them. Xuande, Guan, and Zhang went to Daizhou and sought refuge with Liu Hui. When Hui learned that Xuande was a kinsman of the imperial house of Han, he kept him hidden in his home. Nothing more need be said of this for now.

Meanwhile, after the Ten Regular Attendants seized great power, they discussed matters among themselves and agreed to kill anyone who refused to obey them. Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang sent men to demand gold and silk from the officers and soldiers who had defeated the Yellow Turbans. Those who refused were accused in memorials and dismissed from office. Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun both refused to give them anything, so Zhao Zhong and the others submitted accusations that removed them from office. The Emperor further appointed Zhao Zhong and the others Generals of Chariots and Cavalry, while Zhang Rang and twelve others were all made ranked marquises. The imperial government grew ever worse, and the people sighed and complained. Then the bandit Ou Xing rebelled in Changsha, while Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun rebelled in Yuyang. Ju called himself Son of Heaven, and Chun called himself General-in-Chief. Memorials reporting emergencies came like swirling snowflakes, but the Ten Regular Attendants hid them all and did not report them.

One day the Emperor was drinking and feasting with the Ten Regular Attendants in the rear garden when Liu Tao, Grand Master of Remonstrance, came straight before him and wailed bitterly. The Emperor asked the reason. Tao said, “The empire is in danger of destruction at any moment, yet Your Majesty still drinks with eunuchs!” The Emperor said, “The state is peaceful. What danger is there?” Tao said, “Bandits are rising in every direction and invading and plundering provinces and commanderies. This disaster has been caused entirely by the Ten Regular Attendants, who sell offices, harm the people, deceive the sovereign, and impose upon those above them. All upright men have left the court, and disaster is directly before us!” The Ten Regular Attendants all removed their caps, knelt before the Emperor, and said, “The great ministers will not tolerate us, so we can no longer live! We beg only that our lives be spared and that we be allowed to return to our fields and villages. We will give all our family property to support the army.” When they had finished speaking, they wept bitterly. The Emperor angrily said to Tao, “You also have people attending you closely. Why do you alone refuse to tolerate mine?” He called armed guards and ordered them to drag Tao out and behead him. Liu Tao cried aloud, “I do not regret my death! How pitiful that the empire of the Han house, after more than four hundred years, should now be ended in a single day!”

The armed guards crowded around Tao and led him out. Just as they were about to carry out the execution, a great minister shouted for them to stop: “Do not lay hands on him! Wait while I go and remonstrate.” Everyone looked and saw that it was Chen Dan, Minister over the Masses. He went straight inside and remonstrated with the Emperor, saying, “What crime has Grand Master Liu committed that he should be executed?” The Emperor said, “He slandered my close ministers and insulted me personally.” Dan said, “The people of the empire want to eat the flesh of the Ten Regular Attendants, yet Your Majesty honors them like father and mother. Though they have not a single inch of merit, they have all been made ranked marquises. Moreover, Feng Xu and the others conspired with the Yellow Turbans and intended to cause rebellion within the capital. If Your Majesty does not now examine your own conduct, you will immediately see the altars of state collapse!” The Emperor said, “The facts about Feng Xu’s rebellion are unclear. Can there not be even one or two loyal ministers among the Ten Regular Attendants?” Chen Dan struck his head against the steps as he continued to remonstrate. The Emperor grew angry and ordered him dragged out and imprisoned together with Liu Tao. That night the Ten Regular Attendants had both men murdered in prison. They then forged an imperial edict appointing Sun Jian Administrator of Changsha and ordering him to campaign against Ou Xing.

In fewer than fifty days, a report of victory arrived, and Jiangxia was pacified. An edict made Jian Marquis of Wucheng. Liu Yu was appointed Governor of Youzhou and sent with troops to Yuyang to campaign against Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun. Liu Hui of Daizhou sent a letter recommending Xuande to Yu. Yu was delighted and appointed Xuande Commandant. Xuande led troops directly to the rebels’ stronghold and fought them fiercely for several days, breaking the edge of their courage. Zhang Chun was especially brutal and violent, and the feelings of his soldiers changed. An officer under his command stabbed Zhang Chun to death, offered up his head, and led the troops in surrender. Seeing that his cause was lost, Zhang Ju also hanged himself. All of Yuyang was pacified. Liu Yu submitted a memorial reporting Liu Bei’s great service. The court pardoned his crime of whipping the inspecting officer, appointed him Assistant Magistrate of Xiami, and then transferred him to be Commandant of Gaotang. Gongsun Zan also submitted a memorial setting out Xuande’s former services and recommended him for appointment as Major of a Separate Command, with the additional duty of Magistrate of Pingyuan County. At Pingyuan, Xuande had a considerable supply of money, grain, troops, and horses, and restored the vigor of former days. Liu Yu was rewarded for his success in pacifying the rebels and appointed Grand Commandant.

In the fourth month of summer in the sixth year of Zhongping, Emperor Ling became gravely ill and summoned General-in-Chief He Jin into the palace to discuss arrangements for what would follow his death. He Jin had been born into a family of butchers. Because his younger sister entered the palace as an Honored Lady and gave birth to the imperial son Bian, she was made Empress, and through this Jin gained authority and an important position. The Emperor also favored the Beautiful Lady Wang, who gave birth to the imperial son Xie. Empress He was jealous and poisoned the Beautiful Lady Wang to death. The imperial son Xie was raised in the palace of Empress Dowager Dong. Empress Dowager Dong was Emperor Ling’s mother and the wife of Liu Chang, Marquis of Jiedu Village. At first, because Emperor Huan had no son, the son of the Marquis of Jiedu Village was welcomed and placed on the throne. This was Emperor Ling. When Emperor Ling entered the imperial succession, he brought his mother into the palace, supported her there, and honored her as Empress Dowager. Empress Dowager Dong often urged the Emperor to make the imperial son Xie Crown Prince. The Emperor also especially loved Xie and wanted to appoint him. When his illness became grave, Regular Palace Attendant Jian Shuo submitted a proposal: “If you wish to establish Xie, you must first kill He Jin and remove any future danger.” The Emperor agreed and therefore summoned Jin into the palace. When Jin reached the palace gate, Military Officer Pan Yin said to him, “You must not enter the palace. Jian Shuo intends to murder you.” Jin was greatly alarmed and hurried back to his private residence. He summoned the great ministers and proposed killing all the eunuchs. One man at the gathering stepped forward and said, “The power of the eunuchs began in the reigns of Emperors Chong and Zhi. Their growth throughout the court is now extremely extensive. How can they all be killed? If the plan is not kept secret, the disaster of an exterminated clan will certainly follow. Please consider it carefully.” Jin looked and saw that it was Cao Cao, Commandant of Military Standards. Jin rebuked him: “How could a junior like you understand the great affairs of the court?” While he was still hesitating, Pan Yin arrived and said, “The Emperor has died. Jian Shuo and the Ten Regular Attendants are now discussing how to keep the death secret and not announce the mourning. They intend to forge an edict summoning Imperial Uncle He into the palace, eliminate future danger, and enthrone the imperial son Xie as Emperor.” Before he had finished speaking, an imperial messenger arrived, summoning Jin to enter quickly and settle the arrangements for what would follow. Cao said, “The best plan today is first to establish the rightful sovereign and then deal with the traitors.” Jin said, “Who dares join me in establishing the rightful sovereign and attacking the traitors?” One man stepped forward and said, “I ask to borrow five thousand elite troops. I will cut my way through the gates, enter the palace, enthrone the new sovereign, kill every eunuch, sweep the court clean, and bring peace to the empire!” Jin looked and saw that it was the son of Yuan Feng, Minister over the Masses, and the nephew of Yuan Wei. His name was Yuan Shao, his courtesy name Benchu, and he then held the post of Colonel Director of Retainers. He Jin was delighted and selected five thousand soldiers of the Imperial Forest Guard. Shao put on his full armor and equipment. He Jin led He Yong, Xun You, Zheng Tai, and more than thirty other great ministers into the palace one after another. Before Emperor Ling’s coffin, they supported Crown Prince Bian and enthroned him as Emperor.

When all the officials had finished acclaiming the new Emperor and bowing before him, Yuan Shao entered the palace to arrest Jian Shuo. In a panic, Shuo fled into the imperial garden and hid in the shade beneath the flowers, where Regular Palace Attendant Guo Sheng killed him. All the imperial guards commanded by Shuo submitted. Shao said to He Jin, “The palace eunuchs have formed a faction. Today we can take advantage of our strength and kill them all.” When Zhang Rang and the others learned how desperate the situation was, they hurried to Empress Dowager He and said, “The original plot to harm the General-in-Chief was made by Jian Shuo alone. We ministers had no part in it. Now the General-in-Chief has listened to Yuan Shao and wishes to kill us all. We beg Your Majesty to take pity on us!” Empress Dowager He said, “Do not worry. I will protect you.” She issued an order summoning He Jin. In private, the Empress Dowager said to him, “You and I came from humble origins. Without Zhang Rang and the others, how could we have enjoyed this wealth and honor? Jian Shuo was wicked and has already been executed. Why do you believe the words of others and seek to kill all the eunuchs?” After hearing her, He Jin came out and said to the assembled officials, “Jian Shuo plotted to harm me, so his whole clan may be exterminated. There is no need to inflict reckless slaughter on the others.” Yuan Shao said, “Unless you cut down the grass and dig out the roots, this will certainly become the cause of your death.” Jin said, “My mind is made up. Say no more.” All the officials withdrew.

The next day the Empress Dowager ordered He Jin to participate in and supervise the affairs of the Imperial Secretariat, while all the others received official appointments. Empress Dowager Dong summoned Zhang Rang and the others into the palace and consulted them, saying, “At first, it was I who raised up He Jin’s younger sister. Today her child has taken the imperial throne, and all the officials inside and outside the palace are her devoted followers. Her authority is too great. What am I to do?” Rang replied, “Your Majesty can attend court and hear the government from behind a hanging screen. Make the imperial son Xie a prince. Give your kinsman Dong Zhong a high office and control of the military. Put us ministers to important use. Then great plans can be carried out.” Empress Dowager Dong was delighted. At court the next day, she issued an order making the imperial son Xie Prince of Chenliu, Dong Zhong General of Swift Cavalry, and Zhang Rang and the others joint participants in court government. Seeing Empress Dowager Dong monopolize power, Empress Dowager He arranged a banquet in the palace and invited her to attend. When they were half drunk, Empress Dowager He rose, held up a cup, bowed twice, and said, “We are both women. It is not proper for us to take part in the government of the court. In the past Empress Lü seized great power, and a thousand members of her clan were slaughtered. We should now remain deep within the ninefold palace. The great affairs of the court should be left to the senior ministers and elder statesmen to discuss among themselves. This would be fortunate for the state. I hope you will listen.” Empress Dowager Dong was furious and said, “You poisoned the Beautiful Lady Wang to death because your heart was full of jealousy. Now you rely on your son being sovereign and on the power of your brother He Jin, and you dare speak such wild words! I need only order the General of Swift Cavalry to cut off your brother’s head, and it will be as easy as turning over my hand!” Empress Dowager He also grew angry and said, “I offered you good advice. Why do you become angry instead?” Empress Dowager Dong said, “Your family are lowborn butchers and wine sellers. What understanding could you have?”

The two palaces argued with each other, and Zhang Rang and the others persuaded each Empress Dowager to return to her own palace. That very night Empress Dowager He summoned He Jin into the palace and told him what had happened. He Jin came out and summoned the Three Excellencies for consultation. They arranged that when court was held early the next morning, the court officials would memorialize that Empress Dowager Dong had originally been the consort of a prince from a regional domain and should not remain long in the palace. She should therefore be moved back to Hejian and settled there, and must leave the capital by a fixed date. On the one hand, men were sent to escort Empress Dowager Dong away. On the other, imperial guards were ordered to surround the residence of Dong Zhong, General of Swift Cavalry, and demand his seal and cord. Realizing that the situation was desperate, Dong Zhong cut his own throat in the rear hall. Only after his family began mourning did the soldiers disperse. Seeing that Empress Dowager Dong’s branch had been destroyed, Zhang Rang and Duan Gui used gold, pearls, curios, and fine objects to win over He Jin’s younger brother He Qu and their mother, the Lady of Wuyang. They had them visit Empress Dowager He morning and evening and speak persuasively in their defense. Because of this, the Ten Regular Attendants again gained close favor.

In the sixth month, He Jin secretly sent men to poison Empress Dowager Dong at the posthouse in Hejian. Her coffin was brought back to the capital, and she was buried at Wenling. Jin claimed illness and did not appear in public. Yuan Shao, Colonel Director of Retainers, went to see him and said, “Zhang Rang, Duan Gui, and the others are spreading rumors outside, saying that you poisoned Empress Dowager Dong and intend to undertake some great scheme. If you do not use this opportunity to kill the eunuchs, they will certainly become a great disaster later. In the past Dou Wu wished to kill the palace eunuchs, but his plan was not kept secret, and he suffered disaster instead. The commanders and officers serving you and your brother are all outstanding men. If you let them use their full strength, success lies in the palm of your hand. Heaven is now lending you its aid. You must not lose this opportunity.” Jin said, “Allow me time to discuss it.” Those close to him secretly reported this to Zhang Rang. Rang and the others then told He Miao and gave him many bribes. Miao entered the palace and reported to Empress Dowager He, “The General-in-Chief assists the new sovereign, yet he does not practice benevolence and devotes himself entirely to killing. Now, without any good cause, he again wishes to kill the Ten Regular Attendants. This is the way to bring about disorder.” The Empress Dowager accepted his words.

A short while later, He Jin entered and informed the Empress Dowager that he wished to kill the palace eunuchs. Empress Dowager He said, “That palace officials command the forbidden inner precincts is an established custom of the Han house. The late Emperor has only just abandoned the empire, yet you wish to kill his old ministers. This does not show proper respect for the imperial ancestral temple.” Jin was by nature a man without resolution. After hearing the Empress Dowager’s words, he repeatedly agreed and came out. Yuan Shao met him and asked, “How goes the great affair?” Jin said, “The Empress Dowager will not permit it. What can be done?” Shao said, “Summon heroes and men of ability from every region and have them bring troops to the capital to kill all the eunuchs. With matters so urgent, the Empress Dowager will have no choice but to consent.” Jin said, “This is an excellent plan!” He immediately sent proclamations to all the regional commands, summoning them to the capital.

Chief Clerk Chen Lin said, “You must not! A common saying goes, ‘Covering your eyes while catching swallows and sparrows’—that is merely deceiving yourself. Even tiny creatures cannot be deceived so that you may obtain your wish, much less in a great affair of state. You, General, rely on imperial authority and control the key military forces. You advance like a soaring dragon and stride like a tiger, and the fate of those above and below lies within your will. If you wish to kill the eunuchs, it would be as easy as firing a great furnace to burn a strand of hair. You need only act swiftly, exercise your authority, and decide at once; then Heaven and mankind will support you. Instead, you issue proclamations to outside commanders and call them to descend upon the imperial capital. When heroes gather, each will harbor purposes of his own. This is what is called holding a weapon backward and handing its grip to another. Your undertaking will certainly fail and will instead create disorder.” He Jin laughed and said, “That is the view of a coward!” One man nearby clapped his hands and laughed loudly, saying, “This affair is as easy as turning over one’s hand. Why discuss it so much?” They looked and saw that it was Cao Cao. Truly:

To remove the petty men who spread disorder beside the sovereign,One must heed the plans of wise men within the court.

What Cao Cao then said is not yet known. Listen to the explanation in the next chapter.