Chapter 1: Three Brave Men Swear Brotherhood at a Peach Garden; A Victory at Yellow Turban Marks Their First Deed
The mighty Yangtze River flows eastward, washing away countless heroes with its waves. Right and wrong, success and failure, all turn to emptiness in the blink of an eye: the green hills remain as ever, while the sunset glows crimson many a time. White-haired fishermen and woodcutters on the river’s sandbars, accustomed to the autumn moon and spring breeze, share a jug of unrefined wine in joyful reunion: so many events of ancient and modern times are all consigned to their talk and laughter.
The mighty Yangtze River flows eastward, washing away countless heroes with its waves.
Right and wrong, success and failure, all turn to emptiness in the blink of an eye: the green hills remain as ever, while the sunset glows crimson many a time.
White-haired fishermen and woodcutters on the river’s sandbars, accustomed to the autumn moon and spring breeze, share a jug of unrefined wine in joyful reunion: so many events of ancient and modern times are all consigned to their talk and laughter.
It is said that the general trend of the world is such that prolonged division must lead to unity, and prolonged unity must lead to division. At the end of the Zhou dynasty, the seven states contended, and were swallowed up by Qin. After the fall of Qin, Chu and Han fought once more, and were then swallowed up by Han. From the time when Han’s founder, Gaozu, rose in rebellion by slaying the white serpent, he unified the world. Later, Emperor Guangwu restored the dynasty, and the throne passed down to Emperor Xian, when the realm split into three kingdoms. Tracing the origins of the chaos, it likely began with Emperors Huan and Ling. Emperor Huan suppressed virtuous men and exalted and trusted eunuchs. When Emperor Huan died, Emperor Ling ascended the throne, with Grand General Dou Wu and Grand Tutor Chen Fan jointly assisting in governance. At that time, eunuchs such as Cao Jie manipulated power; Dou Wu and Chen Fan plotted to execute them, but their plans were not kept secret, and they were instead framed and killed. The eunuchs became even more arrogant from then on.
In the second year of the Jianning era, on the fifteenth day of the fourth month, the emperor arrived at the Hall of Warm Virtue. As he had just taken his seat, a violent wind suddenly arose at the corner of the hall, and a large green snake descended from the rafters, coiling around the throne. The emperor, startled, fell over; the attendants nearby hastily carried him into the palace, while the hundred officials fled in panic. In a moment, the snake vanished. Suddenly, a great thunderstorm with hail began, lasting until midnight, destroying countless houses. In the second year of the Jianning era, in the second month, an earthquake struck Luoyang; moreover, the sea flooded, and coastal residents were all swept into the waves by the great tide. In the first year of the Guanghe era, a hen turned into a rooster. On the first day of the sixth month, a black vapor over ten zhang long flew into the Hall of Warm Virtue. In the autumn of the seventh month, a rainbow appeared in the Hall of Jade Hall, and the cliffs of Mount Wuyuan all collapsed. Various inauspicious omens were numerous. The emperor issued an edict asking the officials about the causes of these disasters. Court Gentleman Cai Yong submitted a memorial, stating that the falling rainbow and the hen turning into a rooster were caused by women and eunuchs interfering in state affairs; his words were extremely earnest and straightforward. After reading the memorial, the emperor sighed and rose to change his clothes. Cao Jie, spying from behind, told all this to those around him, and then used other matters to frame Cai Yong, sentencing him to exile back to his hometown. Later, ten men—Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, Feng Xu, Duan Gui, Cao Jie, Hou Lan, Jian Shuo, Cheng Kuang, Xia Yun, and Guo Sheng—formed a clique to do evil, calling themselves the “Ten Regular Attendants.” The emperor honored and trusted Zhang Rang, calling him “Father Zhang.” The court’s governance deteriorated day by day, causing the people’s hearts to grow restless, and bandits arose everywhere.
At that time, in Julu Commandery, there were three brothers: one named Zhang Jiao, one named Zhang Bao, and one named Zhang Liang. Zhang Jiao was originally a scholar who had failed the imperial examinations. Because he went into the mountains to gather herbs, he met an old man with emerald eyes and a childlike face, holding a staff of thornwood. The old man called Zhang Jiao into a cave and gave him three volumes of a celestial book, saying, “This book is called the ‘Essential Art of Peace.’ If you obtain it, you should act as Heaven’s agent to spread its teachings and save the people of the world. If you conceive a different intention, you will surely receive evil retribution.” Zhang Jiao knelt and asked the old man’s name. The old man said, “I am the Ancient Immortal of South Hua.” Having said this, he transformed into a clear breeze and departed. Zhang Jiao, having obtained this book, studied it day and night, learning to summon wind and rain, and called himself the “Master of Peace.” In the first month of the first year of the Zhongping era, an epidemic was widespread. Zhang Jiao distributed charm water to cure people, styling himself the “Great Virtuous Master.” Zhang Jiao had over five hundred disciples who traveled far and wide, all able to draw charms and recite incantations. Later, as his disciples increased day by day, Zhang Jiao established thirty-six divisions, with large divisions having over ten thousand men and small ones six to seven thousand; each set up its own leader, called a general. They spread a rumor: “The Azure Heaven is dead; the Yellow Heaven shall stand. The year is Jiazi; the world will be greatly blessed.” They sent people to write the characters “Jiazi” on the gates of their homes with white earth. The people of the eight provinces—Qingzhou, Youzhou, Xuzhou, Jizhou, Jingzhou, Yangzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou—every household worshipped the name of the Great Virtuous Master Zhang Jiao. Zhang Jiao sent his follower Ma Yuanyi to secretly carry gold and silk to bribe the eunuch Feng Xu as an inside agent. Zhang Jiao discussed with his two brothers, saying, “What is hardest to obtain is the people’s hearts. Now the people’s hearts have already turned to us; if we do not seize this opportunity to take the realm, it would be a great pity.” Thus, on one hand, he secretly made yellow banners and set a date for the uprising; on the other, he sent his disciple Tang Zhou with a letter to report to Feng Xu. However, Tang Zhou went directly to the palace to report the rebellion. The emperor summoned Grand General He Jin to mobilize troops to capture Ma Yuanyi and execute him; then he arrested Feng Xu and others and threw them into prison. When Zhang Jiao learned that the plot had leaked, he raised his troops that very night, calling himself the “General of Heaven,” Zhang Bao the “General of Earth,” and Zhang Liang the “General of Man.” He declared to the crowd, “Now the fate of the Han dynasty is about to end; a great sage has appeared. You should all follow Heaven’s will and obey the true path, to enjoy peace.” The people of the four quarters, with yellow scarves tied around their heads, followed Zhang Jiao in rebellion, numbering four to five hundred thousand. The rebels’ forces were vast, and the imperial troops fled at the sight of them. He Jin memorialized the emperor to urgently issue an edict, ordering all regions to prepare for defense and to attack the rebels for merit; meanwhile, he sent General of the Interior Lu Zhi, and Imperial Corps Commanders Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, each leading elite troops, to attack them in three separate forces.
Now, one of Zhang Jiao’s armies advanced to invade Youzhou territory. The governor of Youzhou, Liu Yan, a native of Jiangxia Jingling, was a descendant of the Han dynasty’s Prince Gong of Lu. Hearing that the rebels were about to arrive, he summoned Colonel Zou Jing for consultation. Zou Jing said, “The rebels are many, and our forces are few. Your excellency should urgently recruit troops to meet the enemy.” Liu Yan agreed and immediately posted a notice to recruit volunteers. The notice reached Zhuo County, where it drew out a hero of the county. This man was not overly fond of reading; his nature was generous and gentle, taciturn, with emotions not showing on his face. He had always harbored great ambitions and was particularly fond of befriending heroes from all over the land. He was born seven feet five inches tall, with ears reaching his shoulders, arms extending past his knees, eyes that could see his own ears, a complexion like jade, and lips like vermilion. He was a descendant of Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, and a great-great-grandson of Emperor Jing of Han: his surname was Liu, his given name Bei, his style name Xuande. In former times, Liu Sheng’s son Liu Zhen was enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhuolu Ting during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han. Later, due to an incident involving the tribute of gold for ancestral sacrifices, he lost his marquisate, and thus this branch remained in Zhuo County. Xuande’s grandfather was Liu Xiong, and his father was Liu Hong. Liu Hong had been recommended as Filial and Incorrupt, and had also served as an official, but he died young. Xuande, orphaned in his youth, served his mother with utmost filial piety; his family was poor, and he made a living selling sandals and weaving mats. He lived in Lou Sang Village in the county. To the southeast of his home stood a large mulberry tree, over five zhang tall, which from a distance looked luxuriant and spreading like a carriage canopy. Fortune-tellers said, “This family will surely produce a nobleman.” When Xuande was young, he played under the tree with the village children, saying, “When I become the Son of Heaven, I should ride in a carriage with this canopy.” His uncle, Liu Yuanqi, found his words remarkable and said, “This child is no ordinary person!” Because he saw that Xuande’s family was poor, he often assisted him. At age fifteen, his mother sent him to study abroad; he had studied under Zheng Xuan and Lu Zhi, and was friends with Gongsun Zan and others. By the time Liu Yan posted the notice to recruit troops, Xuande was already twenty-eight years old.
That day, seeing the proclamation, he sighed deeply in emotion. Then a man said sternly, "A great man does not serve his country—why do you sigh?" Xuande turned to look: the man was eight feet tall, with a leopard’s head, round eyes, a swallow’s jaw, and a tiger’s beard. His voice was like a thunderclap, his bearing like a galloping horse. Xuande, seeing his unusual appearance, asked his name. The man said, "My surname is Zhang, my given name Fei, my style Yide. For generations my family has lived in Zhuo Commandery, with considerable lands and property; I sell wine and slaughter pigs, and I am devoted to befriending bold heroes from all across the land. Just now I saw you looking at the proclamation and sighing, so I asked." Xuande said, "I am originally a clansman of the Han imperial house, surnamed Liu, given name Bei. Now I hear that the Yellow Turbans have raised rebellion, and I have the ambition to destroy the bandits and pacify the people; but I regret my strength is insufficient—that is why I sighed." Zhang Fei said, "I have considerable wealth; I should recruit local braves, and together with you, undertake a great enterprise—what do you think?" Xuande was delighted, and so they went together to a village inn to drink. As they were drinking, they saw a great man pushing a cart, who stopped at the inn door; he entered, sat down, and called to the waiter, "Pour wine quickly, I must drink; I am in haste to enter the city to enlist." Xuande looked at the man: he was nine feet tall, with a beard two feet long; his face was like a heavy date, his lips like smeared rouge; his eyes were like a phoenix’s, his eyebrows like a reclining silkworm; his appearance was imposing, his manner awe-inspiring. Xuande invited him to sit with them and asked his name. The man said, "My surname is Guan, my given name Yu, my style Changsheng, later changed to Yunchang. I am from Xieliang in Hedong. Because a local bully, relying on his power, oppressed others, I killed him; I have been fleeing as an outlaw for five or six years. Now I hear that troops are being recruited here to destroy the bandits, so I have come specifically to answer the call." Xuande then told him of his own ambition. Yunchang was greatly pleased. Together they went to Zhang Fei’s estate to discuss their great plan.
Zhang Fei said, "Behind my estate there is a peach orchard; now the blossoms are in full bloom. Tomorrow we shall make a sacrifice to Heaven and Earth in the orchard, and we three will swear brotherhood, unite our hearts and strength, and only then can we plan our great enterprise." Liu Bei and Guan Yu both answered, "This is best." The next day, in the peach orchard, they prepared a black ox, a white horse, and other sacrificial offerings. The three burned incense, knelt, and swore an oath, saying: "We, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, though of different surnames, having sworn brotherhood, will unite our hearts and strength to aid the distressed and rescue the endangered. Above, we will serve the state; below, we will comfort the people. We do not seek to be born on the same day, the same month, the same year, but only wish to die on the same day, the same month, the same year. May Heaven and Earth, the sovereign powers, truly witness this heart. If any of us should betray kindness and righteousness, may Heaven and men together destroy him!" After the oath was sworn, they honored Liu Bei as the elder brother, Guan Yu next, and Zhang Fei as the younger brother. After worshipping Heaven and Earth, they slaughtered an ox and set out wine, gathered the bold men of the countryside, and obtained over three hundred men. They drank to their hearts’ content in the peach orchard. The next day they prepared their weapons, but regretted that they had no horses to ride. While they were considering this, someone reported that two merchants, with a party of attendants, were driving a herd of horses to the estate. Liu Bei said, "This is Heaven’s blessing for me!" The three went out of the estate to welcome them. It turned out that the two merchants were great traders from Zhongshan: one named Zhang Shiping, the other Su Shuang. Every year they went north to trade horses, but recently because of the bandit uprising they had turned back. Liu Bei invited the two into the estate, set out wine to entertain them, and told them of his desire to punish the bandits and pacify the people. The two merchants were greatly pleased and willingly presented fifty fine horses. They also gave five hundred taels of gold and silver and a thousand catties of wrought iron, to help with weapons and equipment. Liu Bei thanked them and bid them farewell, then ordered skilled smiths to forge a pair of double-edged swords. Guan Yu forged the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, also called "Cold-Beauty Saw," weighing eighty-two catties. Zhang Fei forged an eighteen-foot steel-tipped spear. Each equipped himself with a full suit of armor. In all they gathered over five hundred country braves, and went to see Zou Jing. Zou Jing led them to see Governor Liu Yan. The three presented themselves and each announced his name. Liu Bei spoke of his clan lineage, and Liu Yan was greatly pleased, so he acknowledged Liu Bei as a nephew.
Within a few days, someone reported that the Yellow Turban general Cheng Yuanzhi was leading fifty thousand troops to invade Zhuo Commandery. Liu Yan ordered Zou Jing to lead Liu Bei and the other two, commanding five hundred troops, to go and destroy the enemy. Liu Bei and his men gladly advanced with their troops, straight to the foot of Mount Daxing, where they met the bandit army. The bandit troops all had their hair loose and wore yellow kerchiefs on their foreheads. At that moment the two armies faced each other. Liu Bei rode out in front, with Guan Yu on his left and Zhang Fei on his right. He raised his whip and shouted, "Rebels who betray the state, why do you not surrender early!" Cheng Yuanzhi was enraged and sent his lieutenant Deng Mao into battle. Zhang Fei thrust forward his eighteen-foot serpent spear, and with a single blow, pierced Deng Mao through the heart, who fell from his horse. Cheng Yuanzhi, seeing Deng Mao killed, spurred his horse and brandished his great sword, charging straight at Zhang Fei. Guan Yu whirled his great sword and galloped his horse to meet him. Cheng Yuanzhi, seeing this, was already startled, and before he could react, Guan Yu’s sword came down and cut him in two. Later generations composed a poem praising the two:
The heroes showed their prowess on this day,
One tried his spear, one tried his sword in fray.
Their might they first displayed as forth they went,
And thus in future tripartite their names were blent.
The heroes showed their prowess on this day,
One tried his spear, one tried his sword in fray.
Their might they first displayed as forth they went,
And thus in future tripartite their names were blent.
The bandit troops, seeing Cheng Yuanzhi killed, all threw down their weapons and fled. Liu Bei urged his troops in pursuit; those who surrendered were beyond count, and they returned with a great victory. Liu Yan personally welcomed them and rewarded and feasted the soldiers. The next day, a dispatch arrived from Gong Jing, the Grand Administrator of Qingzhou, saying that the Yellow Turbans had besieged the city and it was about to fall, and requesting aid. Liu Yan discussed it with Liu Bei. Liu Bei said, "I am willing to go and rescue them." Liu Yan ordered Zou Jing to lead five thousand troops, together with Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, to proceed to Qingzhou. The bandit troops, seeing the relief force arrive, divided their forces and joined battle in confusion. Liu Bei’s troops were few and could not prevail; they withdrew thirty li and set up camp. Liu Bei said to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, "The bandits are many, we are few; we must use a stratagem to win." So he ordered Guan Yu to lead a thousand troops and lie in ambush to the left of the mountain, and Zhang Fei to lead a thousand troops and lie in ambush to the right, with the signal to be the sound of gongs, at which both would attack together. The next day, Liu Bei and Zou Jing led their troops forward, beating drums and shouting. The bandits came to meet them, and Liu Bei’s troops immediately retreated. The bandits took advantage and pursued; just as they passed the mountain ridge, Liu Bei’s troops sounded the gongs all together. The left and right troops both attacked at once, and Liu Bei led his troops back to re-engage. Attacked from three sides, the bandits suffered a great defeat. They were pursued all the way to the walls of Qingzhou. Grand Administrator Gong Jing also led his militia out of the city to help. The bandit force was utterly defeated, and very many were killed. Thus the siege of Qingzhou was lifted. Later generations composed a poem praising Liu Bei:
In planning and strategy he had divine skill,
Two tigers still must yield to one dragon’s will.
His first deeds showed such great achievements bright,
He rightly should divide the tripod in his plight.
In planning and strategy he had divine skill,
Two tigers still must yield to one dragon’s will.
His first deeds showed such great achievements bright,
He rightly should divide the tripod in his plight.
After Gong Jing had feasted the troops, Zou Jing wished to return. Liu Bei said, "Recently I heard that the General of the Household Lu Zhi is fighting the rebel chief Zhang Jiao at Guangzong. I was once a student of Lu Zhi, and I wish to go and help him." So Zou Jing led his troops back, while Liu Bei, with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, led their five hundred men toward Guangzong. When they reached Lu Zhi’s camp, they entered his tent, paid their respects, and explained fully why they had come. Lu Zhi was greatly pleased and kept them at his headquarters to await orders.
At that time Zhang Jiao’s rebel army numbered one hundred fifty thousand, while Lu Zhi’s troops were fifty thousand. They faced each other at Guangzong, with no victory or defeat yet decided. Lu Zhi said to Liu Bei, "I now have the rebel army surrounded here. The rebel’s younger brothers Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao are at Yingchuan, facing off against Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun. You can lead your own troops, and I will also give you an additional thousand government troops, to go to Yingchuan and gather intelligence, so that we can set a date to destroy and capture them." Liu Bei accepted the order and led his troops, marching day and night to Yingchuan. At that time Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun were leading their troops to resist the rebels. The rebels, after an unsuccessful battle, withdrew into Changshe and camped, relying on the grasslands. Huangfu Song said to Zhu Jun, "The rebels rely on the grasslands for their camp; we should use fire." So they ordered the soldiers to each bind a bundle of grass and lie in ambush. That night a great wind suddenly arose. After the second watch, they set fires all together. Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun each led their troops to attack the rebel camp. Flames shot up to the sky, and the rebels were panic-stricken; horses were not saddled, men not armed, and they scattered in all directions.
The fighting lasted until dawn. Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao led their defeated and wounded troops, fleeing for their lives. Suddenly they saw an army, all bearing red banners, coming straight toward them, blocking their escape route. At the head of this force appeared a commander: seven feet tall, with narrow eyes and a long beard; his official rank was Cavalry Commandant; he was a man of Qiao Commandery in the State of Pei, surnamed Cao, given name Cao, styled Mengde. Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, was originally of the Xiahou clan; because he was the adopted son of the eunuch Cao Teng, he took the Cao surname. Cao Song fathered Cao Cao, whose childhood name was Aman, also known as Jili. As a youth, Cao Cao loved hunting and roaming, and delighted in music and dancing; he was full of schemes and quick to adapt. Cao Cao had an uncle who, seeing his dissolute behavior without restraint, often grew angry and reported it to Cao Song. Cao Song would scold Cao Cao. Suddenly Cao Cao conceived a plan: when he saw his uncle coming, he pretended to fall to the ground, feigning a stroke. The uncle, alarmed, told Cao Song, who hurried to see. Cao Cao deliberately acted as if nothing were wrong. Cao Song said, “Your uncle says you had a stroke. Are you better now?” Cao Cao replied, “I have never had such an illness; because my uncle dislikes me, he has slandered me.” Cao Song believed him. Thereafter, whenever the uncle spoke of Cao Cao’s faults, Cao Song paid no heed. Thus Cao Cao was able to indulge himself without restraint. At that time, a man named Qiao Xuan said to Cao Cao, “The empire is about to fall into chaos; none but a man of renown can save it. The one who can bring peace to the realm—is it not you?” He Yong of Nanyang, upon seeing Cao Cao, said, “The Han dynasty is about to perish; the one who will stabilize the empire is surely this man.” Xu Shao of Runan had a reputation for keen judgment of character. Cao Cao went to see him and asked, “What sort of man am I?” Xu Shao did not answer. Pressed again, he said, “You are a capable minister in times of peace, and a treacherous hero in times of chaos.” Cao Cao was greatly delighted. At twenty, he was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt, served as a Gentleman, and was appointed Commandant of the Northern District of Luoyang. Upon taking office, he placed several dozen five-colored clubs at the four gates of the district office; anyone who violated the law, whether from a powerful or noble family, was beaten. The uncle of the eunuch Jian Shuo, carrying a sword, walked abroad at night. Cao Cao, making his rounds, seized him and beat him with the club. From then on, no one within or without the city dared to break the law, and his reputation for authority spread far and wide. Later he served as Prefect of Dunqiu. When the Yellow Turban rebellion arose, he was appointed Cavalry Commandant and led five thousand infantry and cavalry to Yingchuan to assist. It happened that Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao were fleeing in defeat. Cao Cao blocked their way, fought a great battle, beheaded over ten thousand men, and captured countless banners, drums, and horses. Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao, fighting desperately, barely managed to escape. Cao Cao paid his respects to Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, then immediately led his troops in pursuit of Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao.
Meanwhile, Xuande led Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to Yingchuan. Hearing the clamor of battle and seeing flames rising to the sky, they hurried their troops forward, only to find the bandit forces already scattered. Xuande met with Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun and explained in detail Lu Zhi’s intentions. Huangfu Song said, “Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao, their strength exhausted and their position desperate, will surely flee to Guangzong to join Zhang Jiao. Xuande can go there immediately to assist.” Xuande accepted the order and led his troops back. Halfway along the road, they saw a column of troops escorting a prison cart; within the cart was none other than Lu Zhi. Xuande, greatly alarmed, dismounted in haste and asked the reason. Lu Zhi said, “I had Zhang Jiao surrounded and was on the verge of breaking through; but because he used sorcery, I could not achieve a quick victory. The court sent the eunuch Zuo Feng to inspect my camp, and he demanded a bribe from me. I replied, ‘I lack even military provisions—how can I spare money to flatter an imperial envoy?’ Zuo Feng bore a grudge, returned to court, and reported that I had built high fortifications and refused to fight, demoralizing the army. The court, angered, sent General-in-Chief Dong Zhuo to take command of my troops and ordered me sent back to the capital for trial.” Zhang Fei, upon hearing this, flew into a rage and wanted to kill the escorting soldiers to rescue Lu Zhi. Xuande hastily stopped him, saying, “The court will have its own judgment. How can you act so rashly?” The soldiers escorted Lu Zhi away.
Lord Guan said, “Since Lu Zhonglang has been arrested and someone else commands the army, we have no one to rely on if we go forward. It would be better to return to Zhuo Commandery for now.” Xuande agreed, and so led his troops northward. Before they had traveled two days, they suddenly heard a great clamor from behind the hills. Xuande, with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, rode to a high ridge to observe. They saw the Han army suffering a heavy defeat, and behind them, covering the mountains and plains, the Yellow Turban forces came surging like a tidal wave, their banners inscribed with the words “General of Heaven.” Xuande said, “That is Zhang Jiao! We must attack at once.” The three men spurred their horses and led their troops charging forward. Zhang Jiao had just routed Dong Zhuo and was pressing his pursuit when he suddenly encountered the three men’s assault. Zhang Jiao’s army fell into chaos and fled for over fifty li. The three rescued Dong Zhuo and returned to his camp. Dong Zhuo asked them what official positions they currently held. Xuande replied, “We are commoners.” Dong Zhuo treated them with great contempt and showed them no courtesy. After Xuande left, Zhang Fei fumed, “We risked our lives in bloody battle to save that wretch, yet he treats us with such insolence! If I do not kill him, my anger will not be assuaged!” He was about to draw his sword and enter the tent to slay Dong Zhuo. Indeed:
The ways of the world, ancient and modern, are ruled by power and gain—
Who recognizes a hero when he wears the garb of a common man?
O for a forthright man like Yide,
To slay all the ungrateful in the land!
The ways of the world, ancient and modern, are ruled by power and gain—
Who recognizes a hero when he wears the garb of a common man?
O for a forthright man like Yide,
To slay all the ungrateful in the land!
Whether Dong Zhuo’s life would be spared, let the next chapter reveal.