Chapter 6

Dong Zhuo Burns the Imperial Palaces; Sun Jian Conceals the Jade Seal and Breaks Faith

Now Zhang Fei spurred his horse in pursuit as far as the pass, but arrows and stones rained down from its walls, and he could advance no farther, so he returned. The lords of the eight contingents together invited Xuande, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei to receive their congratulations, and sent a man to Yuan Shao’s camp to report the victory. Yuan Shao then issued an order to Sun Jian, commanding him to advance. Sun Jian took Cheng Pu and Huang Gai with him to Yuan Shu’s camp. There Sun Jian drew upon the ground with his staff and said, “Dong Zhuo and I had no feud or grievance between us. Yet now I risk my life without thought for myself, braving arrows and stones in person and coming here resolved to fight to the death—above, to punish a traitor for the sake of the state; below, to avenge your family’s private wrong. Yet you, General, listened to slander and withheld provisions, bringing about my defeat. How can your conscience be at peace?” Yuan Shu was terrified and had no answer. He ordered the man who had made the slanderous report to be beheaded, as an apology to Sun Jian. Suddenly someone came to report to Sun Jian: “A general has ridden down from the pass and come to the camp. He asks to see you.” Sun Jian took leave of Yuan Shu and returned to his own camp. When the visitor was summoned and questioned, he proved to be Li Jue, one of Dong Zhuo’s favored generals. Sun Jian said, “Why have you come?” Li Jue replied, “Of all men, the Chancellor esteems only you, General. He has therefore sent me expressly to propose a marriage alliance: the Chancellor has a daughter whom he wishes to wed to your son.” Sun Jian flew into a rage and shouted, “Dong Zhuo defies Heaven and follows no rightful way. He has laid waste the imperial house. I mean to exterminate his entire clan and thereby answer to the world—how could I consent to ally myself in marriage with a traitor? I will not behead you. Leave at once, and surrender the pass without delay; then your life will be spared. If you tarry, your bones will be ground and your body smashed to pieces!”

Li Jue fled in abject panic and returned to Dong Zhuo, telling him how insolently Sun Jian had behaved. Dong Zhuo was enraged and asked Li Ru for counsel. Li Ru said, “The Marquis of Wen has only just been defeated, and the troops have no heart for battle. Better to withdraw to Luoyang, move the Emperor to Chang’an, and fulfill the children’s rhyme. A rhyme lately heard in the streets and markets runs:

A Han in the west, a Han in the east;The deer must enter Chang’an before these troubles cease.

“As I understand it, ‘a Han in the west’ answers to Gaozu, whose power flourished in the western capital of Chang’an and whose line passed through twelve emperors. ‘A Han in the east’ answers to Guangwu, whose power flourished in the eastern capital of Luoyang, where the line has now likewise passed through twelve emperors. Heaven’s cycle has come full round. Only if you, Chancellor, move back to Chang’an can there be no further danger.” Dong Zhuo was delighted. “Had you not spoken,” he said, “I would never have understood.” He at once took Lü Bu and hurried back to Luoyang through the night to deliberate on moving the capital. He assembled the civil and military officials in the court hall and said, “Luoyang has been the Han’s eastern capital for more than two hundred years, but its allotted vitality is now exhausted. I have observed that the ascendant aura truly lies over Chang’an. I intend to escort His Majesty westward. Each of you must make ready without delay.”

Grand Minister of the Masses Yang Biao said, “The region within the passes lies shattered and desolate. If, without cause, we now abandon the ancestral temples and forsake the imperial tombs, I fear the people will be thrown into turmoil. Nothing is easier than to set the realm in motion; nothing is harder than to restore it to peace. I beg the Chancellor to examine the matter closely.” Dong Zhuo angrily replied, “Would you obstruct a great policy of state?” Grand Commandant Huang Wan said, “Grand Minister Yang’s words are right. In former times, during Wang Mang’s usurpation and rebellion, and in the days of the Gengshi Emperor and the Red Eyebrows, Chang’an was burned and reduced entirely to rubble. Moreover, its people scattered and fled, until scarcely one or two in a hundred remained. It is not fitting now to abandon the palaces and go to a wasteland.” Dong Zhuo said, “The rebels east of the passes have risen and spread disorder throughout the realm. Chang’an is protected by the strategic barriers of Mount Xiao and Hangu Pass; it is also near the regions west of Long. Timber, stone, bricks, and tiles can be procured by a fixed date, and the construction of palaces need not take more than a month. Say no more of this nonsense.” Grand Minister of the Masses Xun Shuang remonstrated, “If the Chancellor moves the capital, the people will be agitated and know no peace.” Dong Zhuo flew into a rage. “I am planning for the whole realm! Why should I spare the petty commoners?” That very day, he dismissed Yang Biao, Huang Wan, and Xun Shuang and reduced them to commoners.

Dong Zhuo left the court and mounted his carriage. He saw two men facing the carriage and bowing. Looking more closely, he recognized Director of the Imperial Secretariat Zhou Bi and Colonel of the City Gates Wu Qiong. Dong Zhuo asked what business they had. Zhou Bi said, “We have just heard that the Chancellor intends to move the capital to Chang’an, and so have come to remonstrate.” Dong Zhuo was furious. “At the beginning, I listened to the two of you and accepted your recommendation of Yuan Shao. Now Yuan Shao has rebelled. You must belong to the same faction!” He shouted for warriors to drag them beyond the capital gate and behead them. He then issued an order to move the capital, setting the very next day for departure. Li Ru said, “We are now short of money and provisions, while Luoyang contains a great many wealthy households. Their property can be registered and confiscated by the government. Any who belong to the circles of Yuan Shao and the others should have their clansmen and partisans put to death and their family wealth seized. This will certainly yield untold millions.” Dong Zhuo immediately dispatched five thousand armored cavalry to seize wealthy households throughout Luoyang, several thousand families in all. Flags were planted upon their heads, bearing in large characters the words “Rebel Ministers and Treasonous Partisans,” and they were all beheaded outside the city, their gold and property being confiscated.

Li Jue and Guo Si drove the several million inhabitants of Luoyang ahead toward Chang’an. Columns of civilians alternated with columns of soldiers, who dragged and herded them onward; those who died in ditches and ravines were beyond counting. The soldiers were also let loose to violate men’s wives and daughters and steal their food. The sound of weeping shook Heaven and earth. Behind any who traveled too slowly came three thousand troops to drive them on, white blades in hand, killing people along the road. Before Dong Zhuo departed, he ordered fires set at every gate, burning the people’s homes, and had the ancestral temples, palaces, and government offices put to the torch as well. The flames of the northern and southern palaces met, and the imperial courts of Luoyang were reduced entirely to scorched earth. He further sent Lü Bu to open the tombs of former emperors and empresses and strip them of gold and treasure. Taking advantage of the occasion, the soldiers dug up nearly every official and commoner’s grave. Dong Zhuo loaded gold, pearls, bolts of silk, and other valuables onto more than a thousand carts, abducted the Son of Heaven together with the empresses and consorts, and departed straight for Chang’an.

Meanwhile, Dong Zhuo’s general Zhao Cen, seeing that Dong Zhuo had abandoned Luoyang and gone, surrendered Sishui Pass. Sun Jian drove his army in first; Xuande, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei fought their way into Hulao Pass; and the various lords each led in their armies.

Sun Jian now raced toward Luoyang. From afar he saw flames soaring into the sky and black smoke spreading across the land. For two or three hundred li there was neither the sound of cock or dog nor any trace of human habitation. Sun Jian first sent troops to extinguish the fires, then had the various lords encamp with their men and horses upon the wasteland. Cao Cao came to Yuan Shao and said, “Now that the traitor Dong has gone west, this is the moment to pursue and strike him. Why, Benchu, do you hold your troops motionless?” Yuan Shao said, “The armies are exhausted. I fear an advance would gain us nothing.” Cao Cao said, “The traitor Dong has burned the palaces, abducted the Emperor, and forced him to move. All within the seas are shaken and know not where to turn. This is the hour when Heaven will destroy him. One battle, and the realm can be settled. Why do the lords hesitate instead of advancing?” All the assembled lords said that they must not move rashly. Cao Cao was furious. “These wretches are unworthy of sharing counsel!” He then led out his own force of more than ten thousand men and, with Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Li Dian, and Yue Jin, hurried through the night in pursuit of Dong Zhuo.

When Dong Zhuo reached the region of Xingyang, its Administrator, Xu Rong, came out to receive him. Li Ru said, “The Chancellor has only just abandoned Luoyang; we must guard against pursuing troops. Order Xu Rong to conceal an army beside the mountain hollows outside Xingyang. If pursuers arrive, he should let them pass unhindered. Once we have defeated them here, he can cut off their retreat and fall upon them. Then those behind will not dare pursue us again.” Dong Zhuo followed this plan and also ordered Lü Bu to lead an elite force as the rearguard.

As Lü Bu marched, Cao Cao’s army caught up with him. Lü Bu laughed loudly. “It is exactly as Li Ru foresaw!” He drew up his men and horses. Cao Cao rode forward and shouted, “Traitor! You have abducted the Emperor and driven the people from their homes. Where do you think you are going?” Lü Bu cursed him: “Coward who betrayed his lord! How dare you utter such wild words?” Xiahou Dun leveled his spear, spurred his horse, and charged straight at Lü Bu. They had fought only a few bouts when Li Jue led a force charging in from the left. Cao Cao hurriedly ordered Xiahou Yuan to meet him. Then battle cries rose on the right as Guo Si led another army into the attack, and Cao Cao urgently ordered Cao Ren to oppose him. The force of the three armies was irresistible. Xiahou Dun could not hold Lü Bu and wheeled his horse back toward his own lines. Lü Bu led his armored cavalry in a sweeping assault. Cao Cao’s army was utterly defeated and fled back toward Xingyang. At the foot of a barren mountain, around the second watch of the night, with the moon as bright as day, Cao Cao at last gathered the remnants of his force.

They were just about to set up their cooking pots and prepare a meal when cries rose on every side, and Xu Rong’s entire ambush burst forth. Cao Cao hurriedly whipped his horse and fought for a road of escape. He ran directly into Xu Rong, turned, and fled. Xu Rong fitted an arrow to his bow and shot Cao Cao in the shoulder. With the arrow still in him, Cao Cao fled for his life and rounded a mountain slope. Two soldiers concealed in the grass saw his horse approaching and thrust with both spears at once. Cao Cao’s horse was struck and fell. Cao Cao tumbled from the saddle and was seized by the two soldiers. Just then, a general came galloping up, swung his saber, and cut down both infantrymen. He dismounted and helped Cao Cao to his feet. Cao Cao looked and saw that it was Cao Hong.

“I am doomed to die here,” Cao Cao said. “Worthy brother, leave at once!”

“Quickly, my lord—mount my horse!” Cao Hong said. “I am willing to go on foot.”

“If the enemy catches up, what will you do?”

“The world can do without Cao Hong, but it cannot do without you.”

“If I live again,” said Cao Cao, “it will be through your strength.”

Cao Cao mounted the horse. Cao Hong stripped off his robe and armor, dragged his saber, and followed on foot. They traveled until after the fourth watch, when a broad river appeared ahead and blocked their way, while the shouts behind them drew steadily nearer. Cao Cao said, “My life has reached its end. I cannot survive this!” Cao Hong quickly helped him from the horse, removed his robe and armor, took Cao Cao on his back, and carried him across the water. They had only just reached the farther bank when the pursuers arrived and shot arrows at them across the river. Cao Cao fled onward, still streaming with water. By daybreak they had gone more than thirty li and stopped for a brief rest below an earthen ridge. Suddenly battle cries rose, and a troop of horsemen came racing toward them. It was Xu Rong, who had crossed farther upstream and come in pursuit.

As Cao Cao stood there in alarm and desperation, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan came galloping up with a dozen horsemen, shouting, “Xu Rong, do not harm our lord!” Xu Rong charged at Xiahou Dun, who leveled his spear and met him. After they had crossed horses for several bouts, Xiahou Dun speared Xu Rong from the saddle and scattered the remaining troops. Soon afterward Cao Ren, Li Dian, and Yue Jin each arrived with their forces, searching for Cao Cao. When they saw him, grief and joy mingled in their hearts. They gathered more than five hundred surviving soldiers and returned together to Henei. Dong Zhuo’s army continued on to Chang’an.

The assembled lords divided their forces among encampments at Luoyang. Sun Jian extinguished the fires still burning within the palace and stationed his troops inside the city, pitching his command tent upon the foundations of Jianzhang Hall. He ordered his soldiers to clear away the rubble from the palaces. Every imperial tomb opened by Dong Zhuo was covered over and sealed. On the foundations of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, Sun Jian hastily erected a three-bay hall, invited the assembled lords to set up the spirit tablets of the sacred emperors, and sacrificed the full offering of ox, sheep, and pig before them. When the rites were complete, they all dispersed.

Sun Jian returned to his camp. That night the stars and sun mingled their radiance. Sword in hand, he sat beneath the open sky and looked up to observe the signs of Heaven. Within the Purple Forbidden Enclosure he saw a vast expanse of white vapor. Sun Jian sighed. “The imperial star is dim. Treacherous ministers have thrown the state into disorder, the countless people are sunk in misery, and the capital stands empty!” When he had spoken, tears fell from his eyes without his knowing it. A soldier nearby pointed and said, “South of the hall, five-colored rays are rising from a well.” Sun Jian had his soldiers light torches and descend into the well to search. They brought up the body of a woman. Though she had been dead a long time, her corpse had not decayed. She was dressed in palace fashion, and around her neck hung a brocade pouch. When they opened it, they found a small vermilion casket secured by a golden lock. They opened the casket and saw a jade seal, four inches square. Five entwined dragons formed its knob. One corner had been broken away and inlaid with gold. Upon it were eight characters in seal script:

By Heaven’s mandate received,May the sovereign live long and the realm forever prosper.

Having obtained the seal, Sun Jian asked Cheng Pu about it. Cheng Pu said, “This is the Imperial Seal of State. The jade was first found in ancient times by Bian He beneath Mount Jing, when he saw a phoenix alight upon the stone. He carried it and presented it to King Wen of Chu. When the stone was cut open, jade was indeed found within. In the twenty-sixth year of Qin, craftsmen were ordered to carve the jade into a seal, and Li Si inscribed these eight characters upon it. In the twenty-eighth year, the First Emperor made an imperial progress to Dongting Lake. A great wind arose and the waves raged, and his vessel was about to capsize. The jade seal was hurriedly cast into the lake, and the storm ceased. In the thirty-sixth year, when the First Emperor’s progress reached Huayin, a man carrying the seal blocked the road and gave it to one of the imperial attendants, saying, ‘Take this back to the Ancestral Dragon.’ When he had spoken, he vanished. Thus the seal returned to Qin. The next year, the First Emperor died.

“Later, Ziying presented the jade seal to Gaozu of Han. In time, when Wang Mang usurped the throne and rebelled, Empress Dowager Xiaoyuan struck Wang Xun and Su Xian with the seal, chipping off one corner, which was then inlaid with gold. Emperor Guangwu obtained this treasure at Yiyang, and it has passed with the imperial succession down to the present day. We recently heard that when the Ten Regular Attendants raised their rebellion and abducted the Young Emperor to the Northern Mang Hills, this treasure was lost on the return to the palace. Now Heaven has bestowed it upon you, my lord. You must be destined to ascend the supreme imperial place. We must not remain here long. You should return quickly to Jiangdong and make other plans for a great enterprise.”

“Your words accord exactly with my own thoughts,” Sun Jian said. “Tomorrow I shall plead illness, take my leave, and return.”

Their plans settled, he secretly ordered the soldiers to let nothing leak out.

Who could have expected that among the soldiers was a man from Yuan Shao’s home district who hoped to use this as a means of advancement? During the night he slipped out of camp and went to report to Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao rewarded him and secretly kept him within his army.

The next day, Sun Jian came to take leave of Yuan Shao. “I have contracted a slight illness and wish to return to Changsha. I have come expressly to bid you farewell.”

Yuan Shao smiled. “I know that your illness, my lord, is caused by the Imperial Seal of State.”

Sun Jian’s face changed. “Where does this claim come from?”

Yuan Shao said, “We have now raised an army of righteous men to punish the traitor and rid the state of its scourge. The jade seal is a treasure of the imperial court. Since you have obtained it, you should leave it openly with the leader of the alliance until Dong Zhuo has been destroyed, and then restore it to the court. Yet now you conceal it and depart. What do you intend?”

“How could the jade seal be in my possession?” Sun Jian said.

“Where is the object taken from the well by Jianzhang Hall?”

“I have no such thing. Why press me by force?”

“Bring it out at once, and spare yourself disaster.”

Sun Jian pointed to Heaven and swore, “If I have indeed obtained this treasure and secretly hidden it for myself, then on some future day may I meet no good end, but die beneath blades and arrows!”

The assembled lords said, “Since Wentai has sworn such an oath, surely he cannot possess it.”

Yuan Shao summoned a soldier and said, “Was this man present when the well was searched?”

Sun Jian flew into a rage, drew the sword at his waist, and moved to behead the soldier. Yuan Shao also drew his sword. “If you kill this soldier, you are deceiving me.” Behind Yuan Shao, Yan Liang and Wen Chou both drew their swords from their scabbards. Behind Sun Jian, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang also whipped out their sabers. The assembled lords rushed together and restrained them. Sun Jian immediately mounted his horse, struck camp, and left Luoyang. Yuan Shao was furious. He wrote a letter and sent a trusted man through the night to Jingzhou to deliver it to Inspector Liu Biao, instructing him to intercept Sun Jian on the road and seize the seal.

The next day, a report came that Cao Cao had pursued Dong Zhuo, fought at Xingyang, and returned after a crushing defeat. Yuan Shao sent men to escort him into camp, assembled the lords, and laid out wine to ease Cao Cao’s dejection. During the banquet, Cao Cao sighed and said, “When I first raised the cause of righteousness, it was to rid the state of a traitor. Since you, my lords, came in support of that righteous cause, my original intention was to trouble Benchu to lead the forces of Henei down upon Mengjin and Suanzao; for you gentlemen to hold Chenggao, occupy the granaries at Ao, block the passes of Huanyuan and Dagu, and control those strategic defiles; and for Gonglu to lead the army of Nanyang, station it at Dan and Xi, and enter Wuguan Pass to overawe the Three Capital Districts. All were to dig deep moats and raise high ramparts, avoiding battle while multiplying feints, so that the disposition of our forces might be displayed to the whole realm. By following the rightful cause and destroying the rebellious, the realm could have been settled at once. But now you hesitate and refuse to advance, bitterly disappointing the hopes of all under Heaven. I am ashamed on your behalf!”

Yuan Shao and the others had no words to answer him. When the banquet ended, Cao Cao saw that Yuan Shao and the others each harbored separate ambitions and judged that they could accomplish nothing. He therefore led his army away toward Yangzhou.

Gongsun Zan said to Xuande, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, “Yuan Shao is incapable of achievement. If we remain long, there will surely be upheaval. Let us return for the present.” He struck camp and traveled north. On reaching Pingyuan, he appointed Xuande Chancellor of Pingyuan, then went himself to guard his territory and train his army.

Liu Dai, Administrator of Yanzhou, asked Qiao Mao, Administrator of Dong Commandery, to lend him grain. Qiao Mao made excuses and refused. Liu Dai led his army in a sudden assault upon Qiao Mao’s camp, killed him, and forced all his troops to surrender.

When Yuan Shao saw that the others had each dispersed, he too led his army in striking camp, left Luoyang, and went east of the passes.

Now Liu Biao, Inspector of Jingzhou, styled Jingsheng, was a native of Gaoping in Shanyang and a kinsman of the imperial house of Han. From his youth he delighted in forming friendships and was close to seven renowned scholars; together they were known at the time as the Eight Eminent Men of Jiangxia. The seven were Chen Xiang of Runan, styled Zhonglin; Fan Pang of the same commandery, styled Mengbo; Kong Yu of Lu, styled Shiyuan; Fan Kang of Bohai, styled Zhongzhen; Tan Fu of Shanyang, styled Wenyou; Zhang Jian of the same commandery, styled Yuanjie; and Cen Zhi of Nanyang, styled Gongxiao. Liu Biao was the friend of these seven, and had as his assistants Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue of Yanping, and Cai Mao of Xiangyang.

After reading Yuan Shao’s letter, Liu Biao immediately ordered Kuai Yue and Cai Mao to lead ten thousand troops to intercept Sun Jian. Just as Sun Jian’s army arrived, Kuai Yue drew up his battle lines and rode out before them. Sun Jian asked, “Kuai Yidu, why have you led troops to block my road?” Kuai Yue replied, “You are a minister of Han. How can you secretly conceal the Imperial Seal of State? Leave it here at once, and you will be allowed to return!”

Sun Jian was enraged and ordered Huang Gai to give battle. Cai Mao brandished his saber and came forward to meet him. After several bouts, Huang Gai swung his iron whip at Cai Mao and struck him squarely on the heart-guarding mirror over his chest. Cai Mao wheeled his horse and fled. Taking advantage of the moment, Sun Jian fought his way through the frontier pass. Then gongs and drums sounded together behind the hills: Liu Biao himself had arrived at the head of an army.

From horseback Sun Jian saluted him and said, “Jingsheng, why have you believed Yuan Shao’s letter and come to oppress a neighboring commandery?”

Liu Biao said, “You have concealed the Imperial Seal of State. Do you intend to rebel?”

“If I possess such a thing,” Sun Jian said, “may I die beneath blades and arrows!”

“If you wish me to believe you, allow me to search the baggage traveling with your army.”

Sun Jian angrily replied, “What strength have you that you dare look down upon me?”

He was about to engage when Liu Biao began to retreat. Sun Jian urged his horse after him, but hidden troops rose together from behind the two hills, while Kuai Yue and Cai Mao came pressing from the rear, trapping Sun Jian in the heart of the encirclement. Truly:

The jade seal, once obtained, brought nothing of worth;Because of this treasure, blades were drawn forth.

How Sun Jian escaped with his life will be revealed in the next chapter.

Dong Zhuo Burns the Imperial Palaces; Sun Jian Conceals the Jade Seal and Breaks Faith

Meanwhile, Zhang Fei spurred his horse and pursued as far as the pass. Arrows and stones rained down from above, so he could advance no farther and returned. The lords of the eight routes together invited Xuande, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei to receive congratulations for their achievement, and sent a man to Yuan Shao’s camp to report the victory. Yuan Shao then sent an official order to Sun Jian, commanding him to advance. Sun Jian took Cheng Pu and Huang Gai with him to Yuan Shu’s camp. Drawing on the ground with his staff, Sun Jian said, “Dong Zhuo and I originally had no grudge or quarrel. Now I have fought without regard for my own life, personally braving arrows and stones to wage a battle to the death: above, to punish the traitor for the sake of the state; below, to avenge your family’s private grievance. Yet you, General, listened to slander and refused to send provisions and fodder, causing my defeat. How can your conscience be at peace?”

Yuan Shu was terrified and had nothing to say. He ordered the man who had made the slanderous accusation beheaded, as an apology to Sun Jian. Suddenly, someone reported to Sun Jian, “A general has come on horseback from the pass to the camp and asks to see you.”

Sun Jian took leave of Yuan Shu and returned to his own camp. When he summoned the man and questioned him, it proved to be Li Jue, one of Dong Zhuo’s favored generals. Sun Jian said, “Why have you come?”

Li Jue said, “Of all men, the Chancellor respects only you, General. He has now specially sent me to arrange a marriage alliance. The Chancellor has a daughter whom he wishes to marry to your son.”

Sun Jian flew into a rage and rebuked him: “Dong Zhuo defies Heaven, has no regard for the Way, and has ruined and overthrown the imperial house. I wish to exterminate all nine branches of his clan as an answer to the people of the world. How could I consent to a marriage alliance with a rebel and traitor? I will not behead you! You must leave at once and quickly surrender the pass, and then your life will be spared! If there is any delay, your bones will be ground and your body smashed to pieces!”

Li Jue covered his head and fled like a rat. He returned to Dong Zhuo and told him how rudely Sun Jian had behaved. Dong Zhuo was furious and asked Li Ru for advice. Li Ru said, “The Marquis of Wen has just been defeated, and the troops have no will to fight. It would be better to withdraw to Luoyang and move the Emperor to Chang’an, in fulfillment of the children’s rhyme. Recently, the children in the streets and markets have been singing:

“At the western end, there is one Han;At the eastern end, there is one Han.When the deer runs into Chang’an,Only then can this disaster end.”

“I believe that ‘at the western end, there is one Han’ refers to Gaozu’s rise in the western capital of Chang’an, where the throne passed through twelve emperors. ‘At the eastern end, there is one Han’ refers to Guangwu’s rise in the eastern capital of Luoyang, where the throne has now also passed through twelve emperors. The cycle ordained by Heaven has come full circle. Only if you, Chancellor, move back to Chang’an can there be no danger.”

Dong Zhuo was delighted. “If you had not spoken,” he said, “I truly would not have understood.”

He then took Lü Bu and returned to Luoyang through the night to discuss moving the capital. He assembled the civil and military officials in the court hall and said, “Luoyang has been the eastern capital of the Han for more than two hundred years, but its allotted strength is now exhausted. I have observed that the vital energy of prosperity truly lies in Chang’an. I intend to escort His Majesty westward. All of you should make ready without delay.”

Minister over the Masses Yang Biao said, “The region within the passes is ruined and desolate. If we now abandon the ancestral temples and imperial tombs without cause, I fear the common people will be alarmed and thrown into turmoil. Nothing is easier than disturbing the world, and nothing harder than restoring it to peace. I hope the Chancellor will examine the matter carefully.”

Dong Zhuo said angrily, “Are you obstructing a great plan of state?”

Grand Commandant Huang Wan said, “Minister Yang’s words are correct. In the past, during Wang Mang’s usurpation and rebellion, and in the time of the Gengshi Emperor and the Red Eyebrows, Chang’an was burned and reduced entirely to rubble. Furthermore, the people scattered and migrated, until not even one or two out of every hundred remained. It is not proper now to abandon the palaces and go to a wasteland.”

Dong Zhuo said, “The rebels east of the passes have risen and thrown the whole realm into disorder. Chang’an is protected by the natural defenses of Mount Xiao and Hangu Pass. It is also close to the lands west of Long. Timber, stone, bricks, and tiles can all be prepared by a fixed date, and the construction of the palaces need not take more than a month. You must say no more wild words.”

Minister over the Masses Xun Shuang remonstrated, “If the Chancellor wishes to move the capital, the common people will be agitated and unable to live in peace.”

Dong Zhuo flew into a rage. “I am planning for the whole realm! Why should I begrudge the sacrifice of insignificant commoners?”

That same day, he dismissed Yang Biao, Huang Wan, and Xun Shuang and reduced them to commoners.

Dong Zhuo went out and mounted his carriage. He saw two men facing the carriage and bowing with clasped hands. Looking at them, he saw that they were Imperial Secretary Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong, Commandant of the City Gates. Dong Zhuo asked what business they had. Zhou Bi said, “We have now heard that the Chancellor intends to move the capital to Chang’an, and so we have come to remonstrate.”

Dong Zhuo flew into a rage. “At the beginning, I listened to you two when you recommended Yuan Shao for office. Now Yuan Shao has rebelled, so you must belong to his faction!”

He shouted to the armed guards to drag them beyond the capital gates and behead them. He then issued an order to move the capital, setting the very next day as the deadline for departure.

Li Ru said, “We are now short of money and provisions, while Luoyang contains a great many wealthy households. Their property can be registered and confiscated by the government. As for the households and followers of Yuan Shao and the others, if we kill their clansmen and associates and seize their family wealth, we are certain to obtain immense riches.”

Dong Zhuo immediately dispatched five thousand armored cavalrymen throughout Luoyang to arrest its wealthy inhabitants, amounting to several thousand households. Flags were stuck on their heads, bearing in large characters the words “Rebellious Ministers and Treasonous Faction.” All were beheaded outside the city, and their money and property were seized.

Li Jue and Guo Si drove the several million people of Luoyang ahead toward Chang’an. Each group of common people was separated by a unit of soldiers, and they were dragged and driven along together. Those who died in ditches and ravines were beyond counting. The soldiers were also allowed to violate the people’s wives and daughters and seize their food. The sound of weeping shook Heaven and Earth. If anyone traveled too slowly, three thousand soldiers behind the column drove them onward. The soldiers carried bare blades and killed people along the road.

Before Dong Zhuo left, he ordered fires set at all the gates, burning the people’s homes, and also ordered the ancestral temples, palaces, and government offices set on fire. The flames from the southern and northern palaces joined together, and all the palace courts of Luoyang became scorched earth. He also sent Lü Bu to dig open the tombs of former emperors, empresses, and imperial consorts and take their gold and treasures. Taking advantage of the occasion, the soldiers dug up nearly all the graves of officials and commoners.

Dong Zhuo loaded gold, pearls, silks, and other fine goods onto more than several thousand carts, abducted the Son of Heaven together with the empresses, consorts, and others, and went straight toward Chang’an.

Meanwhile, Dong Zhuo’s general Zhao Cen, seeing that Dong Zhuo had abandoned Luoyang and departed, surrendered Sishui Pass. Sun Jian drove his troops forward and entered first. Xuande, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei fought their way into Hulao Pass, and all the lords led their armies through.

Sun Jian hurried toward Luoyang. From far away he saw flames surging into the sky and black smoke covering the ground. For two or three hundred li, there were neither chickens nor dogs, nor any sign of human habitation. Sun Jian first sent troops to extinguish the fires, then ordered the various lords to encamp with their soldiers and horses on the wasteland.

Cao Cao went to see Yuan Shao and said, “Now the traitor Dong has gone west. This is exactly the moment to pursue and attack him. Why does Benchu hold his troops still?”

Yuan Shao said, “All the troops are weary and exhausted. I fear that advancing would bring no benefit.”

Cao Cao said, “The traitor Dong has burned the palaces, abducted and moved the Son of Heaven, and shaken all within the seas, who do not know where to turn. This is the moment when Heaven will destroy him. One battle could settle the whole realm. Why do the lords hesitate and refuse to advance?”

The assembled lords all said that they must not act rashly. Cao Cao flew into a rage and said, “These worthless men are not fit to take part in planning!”

He then personally led more than ten thousand soldiers, taking Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Li Dian, and Yue Jin, and pursued Dong Zhuo through the night.

Meanwhile, Dong Zhuo reached the area of Xingyang, where Governor Xu Rong came out to receive him. Li Ru said, “The Chancellor has just abandoned Luoyang, and we must guard against pursuing troops. Order Xu Rong to conceal his forces beside the mountain hollows outside Xingyang. If pursuing troops arrive, he should let them pass. After we defeat them here, he can cut off their retreat and fall upon them. This will make those who come later afraid to pursue again.”

Dong Zhuo followed his plan and also ordered Lü Bu to lead elite troops as the rear guard.

As Lü Bu was marching, Cao Cao’s army caught up with him. Lü Bu laughed loudly and said, “It is just as Li Ru predicted!”

He drew up his soldiers and horses. Cao Cao rode out and shouted, “Rebel and traitor! You abducted and moved the Son of Heaven and drove the common people from their homes. Where do you intend to go?”

Lü Bu cursed him. “Coward who betrayed your lord! How dare you speak so recklessly?”

Xiahou Dun leveled his spear, spurred his horse, and charged straight at Lü Bu. Before they had fought more than a few bouts, Li Jue led a force against them from the left. Cao Cao hurriedly ordered Xiahou Yuan to meet him. Battle cries then rose on the right as Guo Si led his troops into the attack, and Cao Cao hurriedly ordered Cao Ren to meet him.

The forces attacking on three sides could not be resisted. Xiahou Dun was unable to hold off Lü Bu and galloped back to his formation. Lü Bu led his armored cavalry in a fierce pursuit. Cao Cao’s army was badly defeated and fled back toward Xingyang. They reached the foot of a barren mountain at about the second watch of the night, when the moon was as bright as day. Only then did Cao Cao gather the remnants of his troops.

Just as they were about to set up cooking pots and prepare food, battle cries rose all around them, and Xu Rong’s entire ambush force emerged. Cao Cao hurriedly spurred his horse and fought for a road of escape. He ran directly into Xu Rong, turned around, and fled.

Xu Rong fitted an arrow to his bow and shot Cao Cao in the shoulder. Cao Cao fled for his life with the arrow still in him and rounded the slope of the mountain. Two soldiers were hiding in the grass. When they saw Cao Cao’s horse approach, they thrust their spears together. The horse was struck and fell. Cao Cao was thrown from the saddle and seized by the two soldiers.

Just then, a general came galloping up, swung his saber, and cut down both foot soldiers. He dismounted and rescued Cao Cao. Cao Cao looked at him and saw that it was Cao Hong.

Cao Cao said, “I am going to die here. Worthy younger brother, leave quickly!”

Cao Hong said, “My lord, mount at once! I am willing to go on foot.”

Cao Cao said, “When the enemy soldiers catch up, what will you do?”

Cao Hong said, “The world can do without Cao Hong, but it cannot do without you, my lord.”

Cao Cao said, “If I live again, it will be through your strength.”

Cao Cao mounted the horse. Cao Hong took off his clothes and armor, dragged his saber, and followed the horse on foot. They traveled until after the fourth watch, when they saw a great river ahead blocking their way, while the shouts behind them drew steadily closer.

Cao Cao said, “My allotted life has reached its end. I cannot survive!”

Cao Hong hurriedly helped Cao Cao down from the horse, stripped off his robe and armor, took Cao Cao on his back, and crossed the river. They had only just reached the opposite bank when the pursuing troops arrived and shot arrows at them from across the water. Cao Cao fled onward, still dripping wet.

By daybreak, they had traveled another thirty or more li and rested briefly beneath an earthen ridge. Suddenly battle cries arose, and a body of cavalry came rushing after them. It was Xu Rong, who had crossed the river upstream to continue the pursuit.

Just as Cao Cao was in desperate alarm, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan came galloping up with more than ten riders and shouted, “Xu Rong, do not harm our lord!”

Xu Rong charged at Xiahou Dun, who leveled his spear and met him. After their horses had crossed for several bouts, Xiahou Dun stabbed Xu Rong and knocked him from his horse, then scattered the remaining troops.

Afterward, Cao Ren, Li Dian, and Yue Jin each arrived with troops after searching for them. When they saw Cao Cao, sorrow and joy mingled in their hearts. They gathered more than five hundred surviving soldiers and returned together to Henei. Dong Zhuo’s troops continued on to Chang’an.

Meanwhile, the assembled lords made separate camps around Luoyang. Sun Jian extinguished the remaining fires in the palace and stationed his troops within the city, setting up his command tent on the foundations of Jianzhang Hall. He ordered his soldiers to clear away the rubble from the palaces. All the tombs that Dong Zhuo had dug open were covered and sealed again.

On the foundations of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, he hastily built a hall of three rooms. He invited the various lords to set up the spirit tablets of the sacred emperors in their proper order, slaughtered the full sacrificial offering of an ox, a sheep, and a pig, and performed the rites. When the sacrifice was finished, they all dispersed.

Sun Jian returned to his camp. That night, the stars and sun shone together. He sat outside with his hand on his sword and looked up to observe the signs in the heavens. He saw a vast expanse of white vapor within the Purple Forbidden Enclosure and sighed.

“The Emperor’s Star is dim. Treacherous ministers have thrown the state into disorder. The countless people have been plunged into misery, and the capital has been emptied!”

When he finished speaking, tears fell before he knew it. A soldier nearby pointed and said, “South of the hall, a brilliant five-colored light is rising from a well.”

Sun Jian ordered the soldiers to light torches and descend into the well to search it. They brought up the corpse of a woman. Though she had been dead a long time, her body had not decayed. She was dressed in palace fashion, and around her neck hung a brocade pouch.

They opened it and found inside a small vermilion box secured with a golden lock. When they opened the box and examined its contents, they found a jade seal, four cun square. Five intertwined dragons were carved on top as its handle. One corner had been broken away and inlaid with gold. Eight characters in seal script were engraved upon it:

“Having received the Mandate from Heaven,May the sovereign live long and the realm prosper forever.”

After obtaining the seal, Sun Jian asked Cheng Pu about it. Cheng Pu said, “This is the Hereditary Seal of the Realm. This jade was discovered in ancient times by Bian He beneath Mount Jing, when he saw a phoenix perched upon the stone. He carried it and presented it to King Wen of Chu. When the stone was cut open, jade was indeed found inside.

“In the twenty-sixth year of Qin, the ruler ordered a jade craftsman to carve it into a seal, and Li Si inscribed these eight characters upon it in seal script. In the twenty-eighth year, the First Emperor went on an imperial tour and reached Dongting Lake. A great storm arose, and the boat was about to overturn. The jade seal was quickly thrown into the lake, and the storm ceased.

“In the thirty-sixth year, the First Emperor went on an imperial tour and reached Huayin. A man holding the seal blocked the road and said to one of the attendants, ‘Take this back to the Ancestral Dragon.’ When he had finished speaking, he disappeared. Thus the seal returned to Qin. The following year, the First Emperor died.

“Later, Ziying presented the jade seal to Gaozu of Han. Afterward, when Wang Mang usurped the throne and rebelled, Empress Dowager Xiaoyuan struck Wang Xun and Su Xian with the seal and broke off one corner, which was then inlaid with gold. Guangwu obtained this treasure at Yiyang, and it has been passed down with the imperial throne to the present day.

“Recently, I heard that when the Ten Regular Attendants caused disorder and abducted the Young Emperor to Beimang, this treasure was lost on the return to the palace. Now Heaven has given it to you, my lord. You must possess the destiny to ascend the imperial throne. We must not remain here long. You should return quickly to Jiangdong and make other plans for great undertakings.”

Sun Jian said, “Your words agree exactly with my intentions. Tomorrow I will claim illness, take my leave, and return home.”

When the plan was settled, he secretly ordered the soldiers not to reveal it.

Who would have expected that among the soldiers was a man from Yuan Shao’s home district, who wished to use this as a means of advancing himself? That very night he slipped out of the camp and went to report to Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao rewarded him and secretly kept him in his army.

The next day, Sun Jian came to take leave of Yuan Shao and said, “I have contracted a slight illness and wish to return to Changsha. I have come especially to bid you farewell.”

Yuan Shao smiled. “I know that your illness is caused by the Hereditary Seal of the Realm.”

Sun Jian’s expression changed. “Where did these words come from?”

Yuan Shao said, “We have now raised a righteous army to punish the traitor and remove a danger to the state. The jade seal is a treasure of the imperial court. Since you have found it, you should leave it publicly with the leader of the alliance. Once Dong Zhuo has been executed, it can be returned to the imperial court. Why are you now hiding it and leaving? What do you intend?”

Sun Jian said, “How could the jade seal be in my possession?”

Yuan Shao said, “Where is the object from the well beside Jianzhang Hall?”

Sun Jian said, “I never had it. Why are you trying to force me?”

Yuan Shao said, “Bring it out at once, and avoid bringing disaster upon yourself.”

Pointing to Heaven, Sun Jian swore, “If I truly obtained this treasure and secretly concealed it for myself, then on some future day may I meet no good end, but die beneath swords and arrows!”

The assembled lords said, “Since Wentai has sworn such an oath, he probably does not have it.”

Yuan Shao summoned a soldier and said, “Was this man present when the well was searched?”

Sun Jian flew into a rage, drew the sword at his side, and tried to kill the soldier. Yuan Shao also drew his sword and said, “If you kill the soldier, you are deceiving me!”

Behind Yuan Shao, Yan Liang and Wen Chou both drew their swords from their sheaths. Behind Sun Jian, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang also pulled out their sabers and held them ready. The assembled lords all intervened and restrained them.

Sun Jian at once mounted his horse, struck camp, and left Luoyang. Yuan Shao was furious. He wrote a letter and sent a trusted man through the night to Jingzhou to deliver it to Inspector Liu Biao, instructing him to intercept Sun Jian on the road and seize the seal.

The next day, a man reported that Cao Cao had pursued Dong Zhuo, fought at Xingyang, suffered a great defeat, and returned. Yuan Shao sent men to escort Cao Cao to the camp, assembled the lords, and arranged a banquet to relieve his distress.

During the drinking, Cao Cao sighed and said, “When I first raised this righteous cause, it was to remove the traitor for the sake of the state. Since all you gentlemen came in support of righteousness, my original plan was to ask Benchu to lead the forces of Henei to Mengjin and Suanzao. You gentlemen should firmly hold Chenggao, occupy the imperial granaries, block Huanyuan and Dagu, and control those strategic passes. Gonglu should lead the army of Nanyang, station it at Dan and Xi, then enter Wuguan Pass and shake the Three Capital Regions. All should dig deep ditches and raise high ramparts, without giving battle, while increasing the number of decoy troops and displaying our strength to the whole realm. By acting in obedience to punish rebellion, we could settle everything immediately. But now you hesitate and refuse to advance, greatly disappointing the hopes of the world. I am privately ashamed of it!”

Yuan Shao and the others had no words to answer him. After the banquet ended, Cao Cao saw that Yuan Shao and the others each harbored different intentions and judged that they could accomplish nothing. He therefore led his own army away toward Yangzhou.

Gongsun Zan said to Xuande, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, “Yuan Shao is incapable of accomplishing anything. If we remain long, there will certainly be some upheaval. Let us return for now.”

He struck camp and marched north. When they reached Pingyuan, he appointed Xuande Chancellor of Pingyuan, then returned to guard his own territory and train his army.

Liu Dai, Governor of Yanzhou, asked Qiao Mao, Governor of Dong Commandery, to lend him provisions. Qiao Mao made excuses and refused. Liu Dai led his troops in a sudden attack on Qiao Mao’s camp, killed Qiao Mao, and forced all his soldiers to surrender.

When Yuan Shao saw that everyone had gone their separate ways, he too led his troops in striking camp, left Luoyang, and headed east of the passes.

Now Liu Biao, Inspector of Jingzhou, had the courtesy name Jingsheng and was a native of Gaoping in Shanyang. He was a kinsman of the imperial house of Han. From his youth, he took pleasure in forming friendships. He became friends with seven famous scholars, and together they were known at the time as the “Eight Eminent Men of Jiangxia.”

The seven were Chen Xiang of Runan, courtesy name Zhonglin; Fan Pang of the same commandery, courtesy name Mengbo; Kong Yu of the state of Lu, courtesy name Shiyuan; Fan Kang of Bohai, courtesy name Zhongzhen; Tan Fu of Shanyang, courtesy name Wenyou; Zhang Jian of the same commandery, courtesy name Yuanjie; and Cen Zhi of Nanyang, courtesy name Gongxiao.

Liu Biao was a friend of these seven men. He was assisted by Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue of Yanping, and by Cai Mao of Xiangyang.

After reading Yuan Shao’s letter, Liu Biao immediately ordered Kuai Yue and Cai Mao to lead ten thousand soldiers to intercept Sun Jian. Just as Sun Jian’s army arrived, Kuai Yue drew up his battle formation and rode out in front.

Sun Jian asked, “Kuai Yidu, why have you brought soldiers to block my road?”

Kuai Yue said, “Since you are a minister of Han, how can you privately conceal the hereditary treasure of the realm? Leave it here at once, and you will be allowed to return!”

Sun Jian flew into a rage and ordered Huang Gai to fight. Cai Mao brandished his saber and rode out to meet him. After they had fought several bouts, Huang Gai swung his iron whip at Cai Mao and struck him squarely on the breastplate protecting his heart. Cai Mao turned his horse and fled. Taking advantage of the moment, Sun Jian fought his way through the boundary pass.

Gongs and drums suddenly sounded together behind the mountain. Liu Biao himself had arrived at the head of an army.

Sun Jian saluted him from horseback and said, “Jingsheng, why do you believe Yuan Shao’s letter and oppress a neighboring commandery?”

Liu Biao said, “You have concealed the Hereditary Seal of the Realm. Do you intend to rebel?”

Sun Jian said, “If I possess that object, may I die beneath swords and arrows!”

Liu Biao said, “If you want me to believe you, allow me to search the baggage traveling with your army.”

Sun Jian said angrily, “What power do you possess that you dare look down on me?”

Just as he was about to give battle, Liu Biao withdrew. Sun Jian spurred his horse in pursuit. Ambush forces rose together from behind both mountains, while Kuai Yue and Cai Mao came in pursuit from the rear, trapping Sun Jian in the very center.

Indeed:

The jade seal gained is of no use;Instead, this treasure brings armed strife.

How Sun Jian escaped will be explained in the next chapter.