Chapter 2: Zhang Fei Beats the Inspector in a Rage; He Jin Plots Against the Eunuchs

CHAPTER 2: Zhang Yide Thrashes the Inspector in a Rage; He Guozhou Plots to Slay the Eunuchs

Now Dong Zhuo, whose style name was Zhongying, was a native of Lintao in Longxi. He held the office of Grand Administrator of Hedong and had always been arrogant. On that day he treated Liu Bei with contempt, and Zhang Fei's temper flared up, so that he wanted to kill him. Liu Bei and Guan Yu hastily stopped him, saying, "He is an imperial official; how can we kill him without authorization?" Zhang Fei said, "If I do not kill this wretch, I will have to serve under his command—I simply cannot bear it! If you two elder brothers wish to stay here, I will go elsewhere on my own!" Liu Bei said, "We three are bound by righteousness in life and death; how can we be separated? Let us all go elsewhere instead." Zhang Fei said, "If that is so, it will somewhat soothe the anger in my heart." So that night the three of them led their troops and went to join Zhu Jun. Zhu Jun treated them generously, combined their forces, and advanced to attack Zhang Bao.

At this time, Cao Cao was following Huangfu Song in attacking Zhang Liang, and they were engaged in a great battle at Quyang. Here, Zhu Jun attacked Zhang Bao. Zhang Bao led a force of eighty or ninety thousand rebels and encamped behind the mountains. Zhu Jun ordered Liu Bei to be the vanguard and confront the enemy. Zhang Bao sent his deputy commander Gao Sheng out to challenge. Liu Bei ordered Zhang Fei to meet him. Zhang Fei rode out with his spear, engaged Gao Sheng, and within a few exchanges, stabbed him from his horse. Liu Bei then led his troops in a direct charge. Zhang Bao, on horseback, let down his hair, brandished a sword, and performed his black arts. Suddenly a great wind and thunder arose, and a mass of black vapor descended from the sky; within the black vapor, countless men and horses seemed to come charging. Liu Bei hastily withdrew his army, which fell into great disorder and was defeated, returning to consult with Zhu Jun. Zhu Jun said, "He uses sorcery. Tomorrow we can slaughter pigs, sheep, and dogs for their blood, and have our soldiers lie in ambush on the hilltops. When the rebels pursue, we will pour the blood down from the heights, and his magic will be broken."

Liu Bei accepted the order and dispatched Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, each leading a thousand troops, to lie in ambush on the high ridge behind the hills, fully prepared with the blood of pigs, sheep, and dogs, as well as other filth. The next day, Zhang Bao waved his banners and beat his drums, leading his forces in a challenge, and Liu Bei went out to meet him. As they engaged in battle, Zhang Bao performed his sorcery, and a great wind and thunder arose, sand and stones flew, black vapor filled the sky, and rolling masses of men and horses descended from heaven. Liu Bei turned his horse and fled, and Zhang Bao drove his troops in pursuit. As they were about to pass over the hill, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's ambush force set off a signal cannon and poured down all the filth at once. In mid-air, the paper men and straw horses fell to the ground in a flurry; the wind and thunder immediately ceased, and the sand and stones stopped flying. Seeing his magic broken, Zhang Bao hastily tried to retreat. On the left was Guan Yu, on the right Zhang Fei—both forces emerged—and from behind, Liu Bei and Zhu Jun pressed forward together, and the rebel army was utterly defeated. Liu Bei spotted the banner of the "Earth General" and galloped after him; Zhang Bao fled in panic across the wilderness. Liu Bei shot an arrow, striking him in the left arm. Carrying the arrow, Zhang Bao escaped and fled into Yangcheng, where he held out and refused to come out. Zhu Jun led his troops to besiege Yangcheng and attack it, while sending men to inquire about Huangfu Song's situation. The scouts returned and reported in detail: "Huangfu Song has won a great victory. The court, because Dong Zhuo had suffered repeated defeats, ordered Huangfu Song to replace him. When Huangfu Song arrived, Zhang Jiao had already died; Zhang Liang commanded his followers and resisted our army, but Huangfu Song defeated him in seven consecutive battles and cut him down at Quyang. They opened Zhang Jiao's coffin, mutilated his corpse and exposed his head, sending it to the capital. The rest of his followers all surrendered. The court has promoted Huangfu Song to General of Chariots and Cavalry, concurrently serving as Governor of Jizhou. Huangfu Song also submitted a memorial stating that Lu Zhi had merit and was innocent, so the court restored Lu Zhi to his former office. Cao Cao, too, for his merits, has been appointed Chancellor of Jinan and will soon set out for his post." Upon hearing this, Zhu Jun urged his troops to attack Yangcheng with full force. The rebels' situation became desperate, and the rebel commander Yan Zheng assassinated Zhang Bao, offering his head in surrender. Thus Zhu Jun pacified several commanderies and submitted a report of victory.

At this time, there were three remnants of the Yellow Turbans—Zhao Hong, Han Zhong, and Sun Zhong—who gathered tens of thousands of men, burned and plundered wherever they went, and declared they would avenge Zhang Jiao. The court ordered Zhu Jun to lead his victorious army at once to suppress them. Zhu Jun accepted the edict and advanced with his forces. The rebels had occupied Wancheng, and Zhu Jun led his troops to attack it. Zhao Hong sent Han Zhong out to fight. Zhu Jun ordered Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei to attack the southwest corner of the city. Han Zhong led all his elite troops to defend the southwest corner. Zhu Jun personally led two thousand ironclad cavalry and struck directly at the northeast corner. Fearing the loss of the city, the rebels hastily abandoned the southwest and turned back. Liu Bei attacked them from the rear, and the rebels suffered a great defeat, fleeing back into Wancheng. Zhu Jun divided his forces and surrounded the city on all sides. The city ran out of food, and Han Zhong sent someone out to surrender. Zhu Jun would not allow it. Liu Bei said, "In former times, the Supreme Ancestor gained the empire largely because he could accept surrender and submit. Why do you refuse Han Zhong?" Zhu Jun said, "That time was then; this time is now. In the past, at the end of the Qin dynasty, when Xiang Yu was active, the realm was in chaos, and the people had no fixed ruler. So it was right to accept surrenders and reward submissions, to encourage those who came later. Now the seas within the four borders are unified; only the Yellow Turbans have rebelled. If we allow them to surrender, we cannot encourage people to do good. If the rebels profit, they plunder at will; if they lose, they surrender: this only encourages the bandits' spirit—it is not a good policy." Liu Bei said, "It is right not to allow the rebels to surrender. But now we have them surrounded like an iron bucket; if they beg to surrender and are denied, they will surely fight to the death. Ten thousand men united in heart are still unstoppable, let alone tens of thousands in the city who are determined to die. It would be better to withdraw from the southeast side and attack only the northwest. The rebels will surely abandon the city and flee, with no heart for battle, and then we can capture them immediately." Zhu Jun thought this reasonable, so he withdrew his forces from the southeast side and attacked the northwest with all his strength. Han Zhong indeed led his troops to abandon the city and flee. Zhu Jun, along with Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, led the three armies in pursuit, shooting Han Zhong dead, while the rest scattered in all directions.

Just as they were pursuing, Zhao Hong and Sun Zhong arrived with their rebel forces and engaged Zhu Jun in battle. Zhu Jun, seeing that Zhao Hong's force was strong, led his army in a temporary retreat. Zhao Hong took advantage of this to recapture Wancheng. Zhu Jun set up camp ten li from the city and was about to attack when suddenly a troop of soldiers appeared from the due east. At their head was a general, broad of forehead and wide of face, with a tiger's frame and a bear's waist; he was a native of Fuchun in Wu Commandery: his surname was Sun, his given name Jian, his style name Wentai, a descendant of Sun Wu. At the age of seventeen, he went with his father to Qiantang and saw more than ten pirates on the sea robbing merchants of their goods and dividing the spoils on the shore. Sun Jian said to his father, "These bandits can be captured." Then he exerted himself, took his sword, went ashore, raised his voice in a great shout, and pointed east and west as if summoning men. The pirates, thinking government troops had arrived, abandoned their goods and fled. Sun Jian caught up and killed one of them. From then on, he became known throughout the commandery and was recommended as a captain. Later, the sorcerous rebel Xu Chang in Kuaiji rose in revolt, calling himself the Bright Yang Emperor, and gathered tens of thousands of men. Sun Jian, together with the commandery's military commander, recruited over a thousand brave men, joined forces with the prefecture and commandery troops, defeated them, and killed Xu Chang and his son Xu Shao. The inspector Zang Min submitted a memorial reporting his merits, and Sun Jian was appointed Salt Inspector of Yandu, then Magistrate of Xuyi, then Magistrate of Xiapi. Now, seeing the Yellow Turban rebellion arise, he gathered the young men of his village, along with various merchants and travelers, and fifteen hundred elite troops from the Huai and Si rivers, and came to lend support.

Zhu Jun was overjoyed and ordered Sun Jian to attack the south gate, Liu Bei the north gate, and Zhu Jun himself the west gate, leaving the east gate open for the rebels to flee. Sun Jian was the first to scale the wall, killing over twenty rebels, and the rebel host scattered in panic. Zhao Hong galloped forward, thrusting his lance, and made straight for Sun Jian. Sun Jian leaped from the wall, snatched Zhao Hong's lance, and stabbed Zhao Hong from his horse; then he mounted Zhao Hong's horse and raced back and forth, killing rebels. Sun Zhong led his men out through the north gate, where he met Liu Bei. With no heart for battle, he only wanted to flee. Liu Bei drew his bow and shot an arrow, hitting Sun Zhong, who tumbled from his horse. Zhu Jun's main army then pressed forward in pursuit, cutting down tens of thousands of heads, and those who surrendered were beyond count. The whole region of Nanyang, with a dozen commanderies, was pacified. Zhu Jun led his army back to the capital and was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry and Governor of Henan by imperial decree. Zhu Jun submitted a memorial reporting the merits of Sun Jian, Liu Bei, and others. Sun Jian, through his connections, was appointed as a commander in another commandery and went to his post; only Liu Bei waited for a long time without receiving any appointment.

The three of them were dejected and walked idly along the street, when they happened to run into the carriage of the court physician Zhang Jun. When Liu Bei saw him, he recounted his own achievements. Zhang Jun was greatly startled, and immediately went to court to see the Emperor, saying: "In the past, the Yellow Turban revolt arose because the Ten Regular Attendants sold offices and ranks, employing none but their own confidants and killing none but their own enemies, thus throwing the realm into chaos. Now, the Ten Regular Attendants should be executed, their heads hung as a warning in the southern suburbs, and envoys should be sent to proclaim this throughout the realm, generously rewarding those with merit—then the four seas will naturally be at peace." The Ten Regular Attendants reported to the Emperor, saying: "Zhang Jun is deceiving Your Majesty." The Emperor ordered the imperial guards to drive Zhang Jun out of court. The Ten Regular Attendants consulted together: "This must be someone who rendered meritorious service in suppressing the Yellow Turbans but failed to receive an appointment, and thus speaks out of resentment. For now, let the selection board assign him a minor post, and we can deal with it later." Therefore, Liu Bei was appointed as the district magistrate of Anxi County, Zhongshan Prefecture, Dingzhou, and ordered to assume office within a set time. Liu Bei dismissed his soldiers back to their villages, keeping only about twenty close followers, and went with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to Anxi County to take up his post. Acting as magistrate for a month, he did not harm the people in the slightest, and the common folk were all won over. After assuming office, he ate at the same table and slept on the same bed as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. When Liu Bei was among a crowd, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei would stand in attendance, never tiring all day long.

He had been in the county less than four months when an imperial edict arrived, stating that all those who held local offices by virtue of military merit were to be weeded out. Liu Bei suspected that he might be among those to be dismissed. Just then, the inspector arrived to tour the counties under his jurisdiction and came to the county. Liu Bei went out of the city to greet him and bowed when he saw the inspector. The inspector, remaining on his horse, merely flicked his whip slightly in acknowledgment. Both Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were enraged. When they reached the post station, the inspector sat facing south on a high seat, while Liu Bei stood below the steps. After a long while, the inspector asked: "What is your background, Magistrate Liu?" Liu Bei replied: "I am a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan; from the beginning of the campaign to suppress the Yellow Turbans in Zhuo Commandery, I fought over thirty battles, great and small, and achieved some merit, thus obtaining this position." The inspector shouted harshly: "You falsely claim imperial lineage and fabricate your achievements! Now the imperial court has issued an edict precisely to weed out corrupt officials like you!" Liu Bei repeatedly acknowledged this and withdrew. Returning to the county office, he consulted with the county clerk. The clerk said: "The inspector is throwing his weight around only because he wants a bribe." Liu Bei said: "I have not harmed the people in the slightest—where would I get property to give him?" The next day, the inspector first arrested the county clerk and forced him to testify that the magistrate was oppressing the people. Liu Bei went several times in person to plead for him, but the gatekeepers always blocked him and refused to let him in for an audience.

As it happened, Zhang Fei had drunk several cups of wine to drown his gloom and was riding past the post station on horseback when he saw fifty or sixty old men all weeping bitterly at the gate. Zhang Fei asked them the reason. The old men replied: "The inspector is pressuring the county clerk, trying to frame Lord Liu; we all came to beg most earnestly, but not only were we denied entry, the gatekeepers beat us and drove us away!" Zhang Fei flew into a rage, his round eyes glaring wide, his steel teeth grinding, and dismounting from his horse in a single bound, he charged straight into the post station—the gatekeepers could not stop him. He went directly to the rear hall and saw the inspector sitting in the main hall, with the county clerk bound on the ground. Zhang Fei roared: "You villain who harms the people! Do you recognize me?" Before the inspector could speak, Zhang Fei had seized him by the hair, dragged him out of the station, all the way to the hitching post in front of the county office, and tied him up; breaking off willow branches, he struck the inspector's legs with all his might, snapping more than ten branches.

While Liu Bei was wondering what was happening, he heard a commotion in front of the county office. He asked those around him, and they replied: "General Zhang has tied someone up in front of the county office and is beating him severely." Liu Bei hurried out to look and saw that the bound man was the inspector. Startled, Liu Bei asked the reason. Zhang Fei said: "This pest who harms the people—if we don't beat him to death, what are we waiting for!" The inspector pleaded: "Lord Xuande, save my life!" Liu Bei, after all a compassionate man, hastily ordered Zhang Fei to stop. Then Guan Yu stepped forward and said: "Elder Brother, you rendered great merit but received only a magistrate's post, and now you are insulted by this inspector. I think that among thorns and brambles is no place for a phoenix to perch; better to kill the inspector, abandon the office, return home, and plan for a greater future." Liu Bei then took out his official seal and ribbon, hung them around the inspector's neck, and rebuked him, saying: "For your conduct that harms the people, you deserve death; for now, I spare your life. I return my seal and ribbon and leave!" The inspector went back and reported to the governor of Dingzhou, who submitted a report to the provincial authorities and sent men to arrest them. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei went to Dai Prefecture to seek refuge with Liu Hui. When Liu Hui saw that Liu Bei was of the imperial clan, he kept them hidden in his home without further word.

Now, the Ten Regular Attendants, having seized great power, consulted together: whoever did not submit to them was to be killed. Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang sent men to demand gold and valuables from the generals and soldiers who had defeated the Yellow Turbans; those who refused to give were to be impeached and dismissed. Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun both refused, and Zhao Zhong and the others jointly impeached and removed them from office. The Emperor then enfeoffed Zhao Zhong and the others as Chariot and Cavalry Generals, and all thirteen of Zhang Rang's faction were made marquises. Court governance deteriorated further, and the people's complaints filled the air. Then the Changsha rebel Qu Xing rose in revolt; Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun of Yuyang rebelled: Zhang Ju proclaimed himself Son of Heaven, and Zhang Chun proclaimed himself General-in-Chief. Reports of emergency came thick as snowflakes, but the Ten Regular Attendants all concealed them and did not present them to the throne.

One day, the Emperor was drinking in the rear garden with the Ten Regular Attendants when Remonstrance Grand Master Liu Tao came directly before the Emperor and wept aloud. The Emperor asked him the reason. Liu Tao said: "The realm is in imminent peril, and Your Majesty is still drinking with eunuchs!" The Emperor said: "The state is at peace—what peril is there?" Liu Tao said: "Rebels rise from all four quarters, invading and plundering the prefectures and commanderies. All these calamities arise because the Ten Regular Attendants sell offices and harm the people, deceiving Your Majesty and affronting Heaven. Upright men at court have all left, and disaster is at hand!" The Ten Regular Attendants all removed their caps, knelt before the Emperor, and said: "The high ministers cannot tolerate us—we cannot survive! We beg you to spare our lives and let us return to our villages, donating all our family wealth to fund the military." After saying this, they wept bitterly. The Emperor said angrily to Liu Tao: "You also have attendants around you—why can you not tolerate My attendants?" He ordered the imperial guards to drag Liu Tao out and behead him. Liu Tao shouted: "I do not regret dying! But pity the Han dynasty, which after more than four hundred years, will end today!"

The guards were hustling Liu Tao out and were about to carry out the execution when a high minister shouted: "Hold! Let me go and remonstrate." Everyone looked and saw it was Minister over the Masses Chen Dan. He went straight into the palace to remonstrate with the Emperor, saying: "What crime has Remonstrance Grand Master Liu committed that he should be executed?" The Emperor said: "He slandered my attendants and offended My person." Chen Dan said: "The people of the realm long to eat the flesh of the Ten Regular Attendants, yet Your Majesty honors them as if they were your parents—they have no merit at all, yet all have been enfeoffed as marquises; moreover, Feng Xu and others colluded with the Yellow Turbans and plotted rebellion: if Your Majesty does not reflect now, the state will collapse immediately!" The Emperor said: "Feng Xu's rebellion is not yet clear. Among the Ten Regular Attendants, is there not even one or two loyal ministers?" Chen Dan knocked his head against the steps in remonstrance. The Emperor grew angry and ordered him dragged out and imprisoned together with Liu Tao. That very night, the Ten Regular Attendants murdered them both in prison; they issued a false imperial edict appointing Sun Jian as Grand Administrator of Changsha to suppress Qu Xing.

In less than fifty days, news of victory arrived: Jiangxia was pacified. The Emperor issued an edict enfeoffing Sun Jian as Marquis of Wucheng; he appointed Liu Yu as Shepherd of Youzhou, ordering him to lead troops to Yuyang to campaign against Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun. Liu Hui of Dai Prefecture wrote a letter recommending Liu Bei to Liu Yu. Liu Yu was overjoyed and appointed Liu Bei as Commandant, ordering him to lead troops straight into the rebel lair. He fought fiercely with the rebels for several days, breaking their spirit. Zhang Chun had always been brutal, and his soldiers turned against him; a subordinate officer assassinated Zhang Chun, brought his head to surrender, and led his troops to submit. Zhang Ju, seeing that the situation was hopeless, also hanged himself. Yuyang was completely pacified. Liu Yu submitted a memorial reporting Liu Bei's great merit, and the court pardoned his crime of flogging the inspector, appointing him as Assistant Magistrate of Xiami, then promoting him to Magistrate of Gaotang. Gongsun Zan also submitted a memorial detailing Liu Bei's former merits, recommending him as a Major of a Separate Command and acting Magistrate of Pingyuan County. In Pingyuan, Liu Bei acquired considerable funds, grain, troops, and horses, restoring his former situation. Liu Yu, having pacified the rebels with merit, was enfeoffed as Grand Commandant.

In the sixth year of Zhongping, during the fourth month of summer, Emperor Ling fell gravely ill. He summoned General-in-Chief He Jin into the palace to discuss matters of succession. He Jin was originally a butcher by trade; because his younger sister had entered the palace as a Noble Lady and given birth to the Prince Bian, she was later established as Empress, and He Jin thereby obtained an important post. The Emperor also favored Consort Wang, who bore Prince Xie. Empress He, jealous, poisoned Consort Wang with drugged wine. Prince Xie was raised in the palace of Dowager Empress Dong. Dowager Empress Dong was Emperor Ling’s mother, the wife of Liu Chang, Marquis of Jieduting. Originally, because Emperor Huan had no sons, the son of the Marquis of Jieduting was welcomed to the throne—this was Emperor Ling. After Emperor Ling succeeded to the great inheritance, he brought his mother to the palace to be cared for, honoring her as Dowager Empress. Dowager Empress Dong had once urged the Emperor to establish Prince Xie as heir apparent. The Emperor also favored Prince Xie and wished to make him heir. At this time, being gravely ill, the Regular Attendant Jian Shuo memorialized: “If you wish to establish Prince Xie, you must first kill He Jin to eliminate future trouble.” The Emperor deemed this correct, so he summoned He Jin into the palace. When He Jin reached the palace gate, Commandant Pan Yin said to him, “You must not enter: Jian Shuo intends to harm you.” He Jin, greatly alarmed, hurried back to his private residence, gathered all the high officials, and wished to slaughter all the eunuchs. Someone in the assembly stepped forward and said: “The rise of eunuch power began from the reigns of Emperors Chong and Zhi; their influence has spread widely throughout the court—how can they all be killed? If the plan leaks out, it will surely bring destruction upon your entire clan: I beg you to consider carefully.” He Jin looked—it was Colonel of the Imperial Guard, Cao Cao. He Jin rebuked him, saying: “You, a junior, how can you understand matters of state!” While he was hesitating, Pan Yin arrived and said: “The Emperor has already passed away. Now Jian Shuo and the Ten Regular Attendants are plotting, keeping the death secret and not announcing mourning. They have issued a false edict summoning the National Uncle He Jin into the palace, wishing to eliminate the future threat and establish Prince Xie as Emperor.” Before he finished speaking, an envoy arrived, summoning He Jin to enter the palace quickly to settle the succession. Cao Cao said: “Today’s plan should first establish the ruler’s position, then plot against the traitors.” He Jin said: “Who dares to go with me to rectify the ruler and punish the traitors?” One person stepped forward and said: “I wish to borrow five thousand elite troops, charge through the passes, establish the new ruler, kill all the eunuchs, sweep the court clean, and pacify the realm!” He Jin looked—it was the son of Situ Yuan Feng and the nephew of Yuan Wei: named Yuan Shao, styled Benchu, currently serving as Colonel Director of Retainers. He Jin, greatly pleased, then mustered five thousand troops of the Imperial Guard. Yuan Shao was fully armed. He Jin led He Yong, Xun You, Zheng Tai, and over thirty other high officials, entering in succession. Before the coffin of Emperor Ling, they supported the Heir Apparent Bian to ascend the imperial throne.

After all the officials had performed the kowtow, Yuan Shao entered the palace to arrest Jian Shuo. Jian Shuo, in panic, fled into the shaded flower groves of the imperial garden, where he was killed by the Regular Attendant Guo Sheng. All the imperial guard troops under Jian Shuo’s command surrendered and submitted. Yuan Shao said to He Jin: “The eunuchs form factions for private gain. Today, we can take advantage of the situation to execute them all.” Zhang Rang and others, knowing the urgency, hurried into the palace and reported to Empress He, saying: “The one who originally plotted against the General-in-Chief was only Jian Shuo; it has nothing to do with us. Now the General-in-Chief, heeding Yuan Shao’s words, wishes to kill all of us. We beseech Your Ladyship to show mercy!” Empress Dowager He said: “Do not worry; I will protect you.” She then issued an edict summoning He Jin into the palace. The Empress Dowager said to him privately: “You and I were born of humble and lowly origins. Without Zhang Rang and the others, how could we have enjoyed such wealth and honor? Now that Jian Shuo has been executed for his unrighteousness, why must you heed others’ words and wish to kill all the eunuchs?” After hearing this, He Jin came out and said to all the officials: “Jian Shuo plotted to harm me; his entire clan may be exterminated. The rest must not be wrongfully harmed.” Yuan Shao said: “If you do not root out the weeds and cut the grass, it will surely become the root of disaster that costs you your life.” He Jin said: “My mind is made up; do not speak further.” All the officials then withdrew.

The next day, the Empress Dowager ordered He Jin to participate in and oversee the affairs of the Secretariat; the rest all received official posts. Dowager Empress Dong summoned Zhang Rang and others into the palace to discuss, saying: “He Jin’s sister—I was the one who originally promoted her. Now that her son has ascended the throne, all the court officials, inside and outside, are her confidants: her power and influence are too great. What should I do?” Zhang Rang memorialized: “Your Ladyship can hold court from behind a screen, administering affairs through the curtain; enfeoff Prince Xie as a prince; further enfeoff the National Uncle Dong Zhong as a high official to control military power; and heavily employ us—then the great plan can be pursued.” Dowager Empress Dong was greatly pleased. The next day, court was held. Dowager Empress Dong issued an edict, enfeoffing Prince Xie as the Prince of Chenliu, Dong Zhong as General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Zhang Rang and others to participate jointly in court affairs. Empress Dowager He, seeing Dowager Empress Dong monopolizing power, held a banquet in the palace and invited Dowager Empress Dong to attend. When the wine was half finished, Empress Dowager He rose, raised her cup, bowed again, and said: “We are both women of the inner chambers; participating in court affairs is not appropriate. In former times, Empress Lü, because she held heavy power, had her entire clan of a thousand mouths slaughtered. Now we should remain deep in the palace; let the high ministers and elders discuss court affairs among themselves—this is the good fortune of the state. I hope you will heed this.” Dowager Empress Dong, enraged, said: “You poisoned Consort Wang out of jealousy. Now, relying on your son being emperor and your brother He Jin’s power, you dare to speak recklessly! I will order the General of Chariots and Cavalry to cut off your brother’s head—it will be as easy as turning over my hand!” Empress Dowager He also grew angry and said: “I spoke good advice—why do you instead become angry?” Dowager Empress Dong said: “Your family are but butchers and wine sellers of lowly birth—what knowledge do you have!”

The two palaces quarreled with each other. Zhang Rang and others each urged them to return to their palaces. Empress Dowager He that night summoned He Jin into the palace and told him of the earlier events. He Jin came out and summoned the Three Excellencies to discuss together: at the next morning’s court, let the court officials memorialize that Dowager Empress Dong was originally the consort of a feudal prince, and it was unsuitable for her to remain long in the palace; she should be moved back to Hejian and settled there, with orders to leave the capital that very day. On one side, people were dispatched to escort the Dowager Empress on her journey; on the other, imperial troops were deployed to surround the residence of General of Chariots and Cavalry Dong Zhong, demanding his seal and ribbon of office. Dong Zhong, knowing the urgency, committed suicide by cutting his throat in the rear hall. His household raised a lament, and the soldiers then dispersed. Zhang Rang and Duan Gui, seeing that Dowager Empress Dong’s faction had been eliminated, all used gold, silver, jewels, and rare objects to bribe He Jin’s younger brother He Qu and their mother, the Lady Wuyang Jun, getting them to go morning and evening to Empress Dowager He and cover things with fine words. Thus, the Ten Regular Attendants again gained favor and trust.

In the sixth month, He Jin secretly sent men to the post station courtyard in Hejian to poison Dowager Empress Dong to death. Her coffin was transported back to the capital and buried in Wenling. He Jin feigned illness and did not go out. Colonel Director of Retainers Yuan Shao came to see He Jin and said: “Zhang Rang, Duan Gui, and others are spreading rumors outside, saying that you poisoned Dowager Empress Dong and wish to plot great affairs. If you do not execute the eunuchs now, it will surely become a great disaster later. In former times, Dou Wu wished to kill the eunuchs, but because his plan was not thorough, he instead suffered calamity. Now, your brother’s subordinate generals and officials are all outstanding talents; if you set them to work, the matter will be in hand. This is Heaven’s opportune moment—do not miss it.” He Jin said: “Let me consider it for a while.” Those close to him secretly reported this to Zhang Rang; Zhang Rang and others informed He Miao and also sent many bribes. He Miao entered the palace and memorialized to Empress Dowager He, saying: “The General-in-Chief assists the new ruler but does not practice benevolence; he devotes himself solely to killing. Now, without any auspicious sign, he again wishes to kill the Ten Regular Attendants—this is a course that invites chaos.” Empress Dowager He heeded his words.

A little later, He Jin entered the palace to inform the Empress Dowager of his wish to execute the eunuchs. Empress Dowager He said: “The eunuchs overseeing the palace and forbidden inner quarters is the established rule of the Han dynasty. The late Emperor has only just passed away, and you wish to kill the old ministers—this is not the way to honor the ancestral temple.” He Jin was by nature an indecisive man. Hearing the Empress Dowager speak thus, he assented vaguely and withdrew. Yuan Shao met him and asked: “How stands the great matter?” He Jin said: “The Empress Dowager will not consent—what is to be done?” Yuan Shao said: “You can summon the heroes and bold men from all four quarters, ordering them to lead troops into the capital to kill all the eunuchs. At this point, the matter is urgent; the Empress Dowager cannot but comply.” He Jin said: “This plan is excellent!” He then issued a proclamation to the various garrisons, summoning them to the capital.

Chief Clerk Chen Lin said: “That will not do! As the saying goes, ‘Covering one’s eyes to catch swallows and sparrows’ is self-deception. Even tiny creatures cannot be obtained by deceit, much less matters of state. Now, General, relying on the imperial majesty and holding military power, you stride like a dragon and tread like a tiger, able to act high or low as you wish: if you desire to slay the eunuchs, it is as easy as fanning a blazing furnace to singe a hair. You need only act swiftly, exercise your authority and decide promptly, and both Heaven’s will and men’s hearts will be with you. Instead, you summon outside ministers and let them invade the capital, where heroes gather, each with their own intentions—this is what is meant by ‘handing over the handle of the weapon while holding the blade,’ giving the power to others. The affair will surely fail, and calamity will arise instead.” He Jin laughed and said: “This is the view of a coward!” A man beside him clapped his hands and laughed loudly, saying: “This matter is as easy as turning over one’s hand—why all this debate!” On looking, it was Cao Cao. Indeed:

To remove the treacherous troubles by the sovereign’s side,

One must heed the counsels of wise men within the court.

To remove the treacherous troubles by the sovereign’s side,

One must heed the counsels of wise men within the court.

Let us hear what Cao Cao said, and the next chapter will explain.