Chapter 6: Dong Zhuo Burns the Capital; Sun Jian Hides the Imperial Seal

Zhang Fei galloped his horse to the foot of the pass, but arrows and rocks rained down from above like a storm, preventing any advance, so he turned back. The eight allied lords jointly invited Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei to a celebration of their victory, sending a messenger to Yuan Shao’s camp to report the triumph. Yuan Shao then sent orders to Sun Jian, commanding him to advance. Sun Jian, accompanied by Cheng Pu and Huang Gai, went to Yuan Shu’s camp to meet him. Drawing on the ground with his staff, Sun Jian said: “Dong Zhuo and I originally had no personal enmity. Now I risk my life without regard, personally braving arrows and stones, to fight to the death—above, to punish the rebel for the state; below, to avenge your lordship’s family’s private wrong. Yet you, General, heeded slander and withheld supplies, causing my defeat. How can you rest easy?” Yuan Shu, terrified and speechless, ordered the execution of the slanderer and apologized to Sun Jian. Suddenly, someone reported to Sun Jian: “At the pass, a rider has come to the camp seeking an audience with you, General.” Sun Jian took leave of Yuan Shu, returned to his own camp, and summoned the man for questioning. It was Li Jue, Dong Zhuo’s favored general. Sun Jian said: “What brings you here?” Li Jue replied: “The Chancellor respects none but you, General. He has specially sent me to propose a marriage alliance: the Chancellor has a daughter he wishes to betroth to your son.” Sun Jian flew into a rage and shouted: “Dong Zhuo defies Heaven and has no moral principles, overthrowing the royal house. I would exterminate his nine clans to atone to the world. How could I ally myself with a rebel? I will not kill you—leave quickly! Surrender the pass early, and your life will be spared. If you delay, I will grind your bones to powder!”

Li Jue fled with his head tucked, returning to see Dong Zhuo, reporting Sun Jian’s insolence. Dong Zhuo, enraged, consulted Li Ru. Li Ru said: “The Marquis of Wen has just been defeated, and the soldiers have no will to fight. Better to lead the army back to Luoyang, move the Emperor to Chang’an, to fulfill the children’s rhyme. Recently, a street rhyme among the children says: ‘Westward a Han, eastward a Han. The deer enters Chang’an, then the trouble is gone.’ I interpret this: ‘Westward a Han’ refers to the founding of the Western Han at Chang’an under Gaozu, which passed down twelve emperors; ‘Eastward a Han’ refers to the restoration of the Eastern Han at Luoyang under Emperor Guangwu, which has also passed down twelve emperors. The celestial cycle is due to turn. If the Chancellor moves back to Chang’an, there will be no worry.” Dong Zhuo, overjoyed, said: “Had you not spoken, I truly would not have understood.” So he took Lü Bu and rushed back to Luoyang that very night to discuss the relocation of the capital. He assembled all civil and military officials at court. Dong Zhuo said: “The Eastern Capital, Luoyang, has been the seat of the Han for over two hundred years, and its allotted fortune is exhausted. I see that the flourishing qi truly lies in Chang’an. I intend to escort the Emperor west. You should all hasten to pack.”

Minister of the Interior Yang Biao said: “The Guanzhong region is devastated and desolate. To abandon the ancestral temples and imperial tombs without cause will surely alarm the people. It is easy to stir up turmoil in the realm, but difficult to pacify it: I beg the Chancellor to consider carefully.” Dong Zhuo angrily retorted: “Are you obstructing the state’s grand plan?” Grand Commandant Huang Wan said: “Minister Yang’s words are correct. In the past, when Wang Mang usurped the throne and rebelled, and during the Gengshi and Red Eyebrows eras, Chang’an was burned to rubble. Moreover, the people have fled and scattered, with fewer than one or two in a hundred remaining. To abandon the palaces for a wasteland is not fitting.” Dong Zhuo said: “The rebels in Guandong have risen, and the realm is in chaos. Chang’an has the strategic advantages of Mount Xiao and Hangu Pass, and it is close to Longyou. Timber, stone, bricks, and tiles can be quickly assembled; palace construction will not take more than a month. Do not speak nonsense again.” Minister of Works Xun Shuang remonstrated: “If the Chancellor moves the capital, the people will be thrown into turmoil.” Dong Zhuo raged: “I plan for the realm—why would I pity the common folk?” That very day, he dismissed Yang Biao, Huang Wan, and Xun Shuang, demoting them to commoner status.

As Dong Zhuo mounted his carriage to leave, two men bowed to him from the roadside. Upon closer look, they were Minister of the Interior Zhou Bi and Colonel of the City Gates Wu Qiong. Dong Zhuo asked their business. Zhou Bi said: “We have heard that the Chancellor intends to move the capital to Chang’an, so we have come to remonstrate.” Dong Zhuo, furious, said: “Earlier, I heeded you two and recommended Yuan Shao for office. Now Yuan Shao has rebelled—you are his confederates!” He ordered the guards to take them outside the capital gates and behead them. Then he issued the order to move the capital, setting the next day as the deadline. Li Ru said: “Currently, grain and funds are scarce. Luoyang’s wealthy households are numerous; we can confiscate their property. Anyone connected to Yuan Shao and his ilk should have their clans and followers killed and their wealth seized; we will surely gain millions.” Dong Zhuo immediately dispatched five thousand iron cavalry to round up wealthy households throughout Luoyang, several thousand families in all. They stuck flags on their heads, inscribed with “Rebels and traitors,” and beheaded them all outside the city, seizing their gold, silver, and valuables. Li Jue and Guo Si drove millions of Luoyang’s common people toward Chang’an. Each group of people was interspersed with a squad of soldiers, who pushed and dragged them along. Those who fell into ditches and ravines were beyond counting. The soldiers were also allowed to rape the people’s wives and daughters and plunder their food. The wailing shook heaven and earth. Anyone who lagged behind was spurred on by three thousand soldiers from the rear, who wielded bare blades and killed people on the road. Before leaving, Dong Zhuo ordered every gate set on fire, burning the people’s houses, and also set fire to the ancestral temples and government offices. The flames from the southern and northern palaces joined; the entire Luoyang palace complex was reduced to scorched earth. He also sent Lü Bu to dig up the tombs of former emperors and empresses, seizing their gold and treasures. The soldiers took the opportunity to loot nearly every grave of officials and commoners. Dong Zhuo loaded thousands of carts with gold, silver, jewels, and fine silks, seized the Son of Heaven and the empresses and consorts, and headed straight for Chang’an.

Meanwhile, Dong Zhuo’s general Zhao Cen, seeing that Dong Zhuo had abandoned Luoyang, surrendered Sishui Pass. Sun Jian led his troops in first; Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei charged into Hulao Pass, and the various lords each led their forces inside.

Sun Jian galloped toward Luoyang. From afar, he saw flames soaring to the sky and black smoke covering the ground for two or three hundred li, with not a single chicken, dog, or human trace. Sun Jian first sent troops to extinguish the fires and ordered the lords to encamp on the barren ground. Cao Cao came to see Yuan Shao and said: “Now that the traitor Dong has gone west, we can take advantage and pursue him. Why are you, Benchu, holding your troops still?” Yuan Shao said: “The various armies are exhausted and weary. Advancing would likely be futile.” Cao Cao said: “The traitor Dong has burned the palaces, kidnapped and moved the Emperor, shaking the whole realm, which knows not where to turn. This is the moment Heaven intends his destruction—one battle can pacify the realm. Why do the lords hesitate to act?” All the lords said it was not advisable to act rashly. Cao Cao angrily said: “These wretches are unworthy to plan great deeds together!” So he led over ten thousand troops himself, taking Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Li Dian, and Yue Jin, and rushed through the night to pursue Dong Zhuo.

When Dong Zhuo reached Xingyang, Prefect Xu Rong came out of the city to greet him. Li Ru said: “Chancellor, having just abandoned Luoyang, you must guard against pursuers. Order Xu Rong to ambush near the hillock outside Xingyang city. If troops pursue, let them pass; when we defeat them here, then cut them off and slaughter them. This will deter any later pursuers.” Dong Zhuo followed this plan and also ordered Lü Bu to lead elite troops as the rearguard. As Lü Bu was marching, Cao Cao’s army caught up. Lü Bu laughed and said: “Just as Li Ru predicted!” He deployed his troops. Cao Cao rode out and shouted: “Rebel! You have kidnapped and moved the Son of Heaven, driven the people from their homes—where are you going?” Lü Bu cursed: “Turncoat coward, how dare you spout nonsense!” Xiahou Dun leveled his spear, spurred his horse, and charged straight at Lü Bu. They fought for only a few exchanges when Li Jue led a force from the left to attack. Cao Cao hastily ordered Xiahou Yuan to meet him. Shouts arose from the right as Guo Si’s troops arrived, and Cao Cao hurriedly ordered Cao Ren to engage. The three-pronged assault was unstoppable. Xiahou Dun could not withstand Lü Bu and fled back to his lines. Lü Bu led his iron cavalry in a devastating charge, and Cao Cao’s army suffered a great defeat, turning back toward Xingyang. They reached the foot of a barren mountain around the second watch of the night, the moon as bright as day, and only then gathered their shattered remnants.

Just as they were about to light fires to cook, shouts arose on all sides, and Xu Rong’s ambushing troops emerged in full force. Cao Cao hastily spurred his horse, fleeing along the path, and came face to face with Xu Rong. He turned and ran. Xu Rong fitted an arrow to his bow, shot, and struck Cao Cao in the shoulder. Cao Cao fled with the arrow still in him, crossing over a slope. Two soldiers lay hidden in the grass; seeing Cao Cao’s horse approach, they thrust out their spears together. The horse was hit and fell. Cao Cao tumbled from his mount and was seized by the two soldiers. Then a general came galloping up, swung his blade, and killed the two foot soldiers. Dismounting, he rescued Cao Cao. Cao Cao looked and saw it was Cao Hong. Cao Cao said, “I am about to die here, worthy brother. You must flee quickly!” Cao Hong replied, “My lord, mount the horse at once! I am willing to go on foot.” Cao Cao said, “If the rebel troops catch up, what will you do?” Cao Hong answered, “The realm can do without Cao Hong, but it cannot do without my lord.” Cao Cao said, “If I live again, it will be your merit.” Cao Cao mounted the horse; Cao Hong stripped off his armor, dragged his blade, and followed on foot beside the horse. When they had gone roughly past the fourth watch, they saw a great river ahead blocking their path, while the shouts behind drew nearer. Cao Cao said, “My fate has come to this; I can live no longer!” Cao Hong hurriedly helped Cao Cao dismount, removed his robe and armor, and carried him on his back across the water. Just as they reached the opposite bank, the pursuing troops arrived and shot arrows across the river. Cao Cao, drenched, continued on his way. By dawn, they had traveled another thirty li and rested briefly beneath an earthen mound. Suddenly, shouts arose, and a band of horsemen came in pursuit—it was Xu Rong, who had crossed the river upstream to give chase.

As Cao Cao was in panic and desperation, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan arrived at a gallop with a dozen riders, shouting loudly, “Xu Rong, do not harm my lord!” Xu Rong turned to face Xiahou Dun, who leveled his spear and met him. After a few exchanges, Xiahou Dun thrust his spear through Xu Rong, toppling him from his horse, and scattered the remaining troops. Then Cao Ren, Li Dian, and Yue Jin each arrived with their men, having searched for Cao Cao. Seeing him, they mingled grief and joy. They gathered the remnants, some five hundred men, and returned together to Henei. Dong Zhuo’s troops went on to Chang’an.

Now the various lords scattered and encamped in Luoyang. Sun Jian extinguished the remaining fires in the palace, stationed his troops within the city, and set up his camp on the foundations of the Jianzhang Hall. He ordered his soldiers to sweep clear the rubble of the palace. All the tombs that Dong Zhuo had excavated were re-covered and sealed. On the site of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, he hastily built three small rooms, invited all the lords to enshrine the spirit tablets of the successive emperors, and offered sacrifices of the three animals—ox, sheep, and pig. After the rites were completed, everyone dispersed. Sun Jian returned to his own camp. That night, under the brilliant light of stars and moon, he sat in the open air, hand on his sword, gazing up at the heavens. He saw a white vapor spreading within the Purple Forbidden Enclosure. Sun Jian sighed and said, “The emperor’s star is dim and unclear; treacherous ministers disrupt the state; the myriad people suffer hardship; the capital is already empty!” Having spoken, he could not help shedding tears. A soldier nearby pointed and said, “To the south of the palace, a five-colored radiance rises from a well.” Sun Jian ordered soldiers to light torches and descend into the well to search. They brought up a woman’s corpse. Though some time had passed, the body had not decayed; it wore palace-style clothing, and around its neck was tied a brocade pouch. Opening the pouch, they found a small vermilion casket secured with a golden lock. When they opened the casket, there was a jade seal: four inches square, with a knob carved as five intertwined dragons; one corner was chipped and repaired with gold inlay; on it were eight seal-script characters reading: “Received the Mandate from Heaven, May He Long Live and Prosper Forever.”

Sun Jian, having obtained the jade seal, questioned Cheng Pu. Cheng Pu said, “This is the Heirloom State Seal. This jade was originally found by Bian He at the foot of Mount Jing, when he saw a phoenix perching on a stone. He presented it to King Wen of Chu. When the stone was split open, the jade was indeed obtained. In the twenty-sixth year of Qin, the First Emperor ordered a jade worker to carve it into a seal, and Li Si wrote these eight seal characters on it. In the twenty-eighth year, when the First Emperor toured Lake Dongting, a great wind arose and the boat was nearly overturned. He hastily threw the seal into the lake, and the wind ceased. In the thirty-sixth year, when the First Emperor toured Huayin, a man holding the seal blocked the road and said to the attendants, ‘Take this back and give it to the Ancestral Dragon.’ Having spoken, he vanished. Thus the seal returned to Qin. The following year, the First Emperor died. Later, Ziying presented the seal to Emperor Gaozu of Han. Still later, when Wang Mang usurped and rebelled, Empress Dowager Xiaoyuan struck Wang Xun and Su Xian with the seal, breaking one corner, which was repaired with gold. Emperor Guangwu obtained this treasure at Yiyang, and it was passed down to the present. Recently, we heard that during the rebellion of the Ten Regular Attendants, when the young emperor was seized and taken out to Mount Beimang, this seal was lost on the way back to the palace. Now Heaven has bestowed it upon you, my lord. My lord must have the destiny to ascend the throne. This place cannot be lingered in long. You should quickly return to Jiangdong and plan other great undertakings.” Sun Jian said, “Your words match my own thoughts. Tomorrow I will feign illness and take my leave.” Having settled their plan, they secretly instructed the soldiers not to divulge it.

But among these soldiers was one who was a fellow townsman of Yuan Shao. Wishing to use this as a stepping stone to advancement, he stole out of camp that night and went to report to Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao rewarded him and kept him secretly in his army. The next day, Sun Jian came to take leave of Yuan Shao, saying, “I am slightly unwell and wish to return to Changsha. I have come especially to bid you farewell.” Yuan Shao laughed and said, “I know your illness is nothing but the Heirloom State Seal.” Sun Jian’s face changed color. “What do you mean by these words?” he asked. Yuan Shao replied, “Now we have raised troops to punish the rebels, to rid the state of harm. The state seal is a treasure of the court. Since you have obtained it, you ought, in the presence of all, to leave it with the (covenant leader). After we have slain Dong Zhuo, it can be returned to the court. Now you hide it and go—what is your intention?” Sun Jian said, “How could the seal be with me?” Yuan Shao said, “And where is the object from the well at Jianzhang Hall?” Sun Jian said, “I never had it. Why do you press me so?” Yuan Shao said, “Bring it out quickly, lest you bring calamity upon yourself.” Sun Jian raised his hand and swore to Heaven, “If I truly obtained this treasure and concealed it, may I die an evil death, slain by sword or arrow!” The various lords said, “Wentai swears thus—he must not have it.” Yuan Shao called forth the soldier and said, “When the seal was retrieved, was this man there?” Sun Jian was enraged. Drawing his sword, he moved to kill the soldier. Yuan Shao also drew his sword and said, “If you kill this soldier, you bully me.” Behind Yuan Shao, Yan Liang and Wen Chou both bared their swords. Behind Sun Jian, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang also drew their blades. The various lords all stepped in to calm them. Sun Jian then mounted his horse, struck camp, and left Luoyang. Yuan Shao, furious, wrote a letter and sent a trusted agent by night to Jingzhou, to deliver it to the governor Liu Biao, instructing him to intercept Sun Jian on the road and seize the seal.

The next day, someone reported that Cao Cao, in pursuing Dong Zhuo, had fought at Xingyang and been badly defeated. Yuan Shao sent men to bring him to his camp, gathered the various lords, and set out wine to console Cao Cao. During the drinking, Cao Cao sighed and said, “When I first raised the righteous army, it was to rid the state of rebels. Since you all came with righteous intent, my original plan was to trouble Benchu (Yuan Shao) to lead the troops of Henei, press toward Mengjin and Suanzao; for you all to hold Chenggao, occupy Aocang, block the Huanhuan and Dagu passes, and control the strategic points; and for Gonglu (Yuan Shu) to lead the troops of Nanyang, garrison at Danshui and Xixian, enter Wu Pass, and threaten the three regions of the capital; all to dig deep moats, build high walls, avoid battle, set out many decoys, display our might to the realm, and strike the rebels with righteous force—then pacification could be achieved at once. But now you hesitate and advance not, greatly disappointing the hopes of all under Heaven. I feel ashamed for it in private!” Yuan Shao and the others had no answer. Soon the feast ended. Cao Cao, seeing that Yuan Shao and the others each harbored different intentions, knew that nothing could be accomplished. He therefore led his own troops and went to Yangzhou. Gongsun Zan said to Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, “Yuan Shao cannot accomplish great deeds. If we delay long, there will surely be trouble. Let us return for now.” So they struck camp and marched north. When they reached Pingyuan, Gongsun Zan appointed Liu Bei as its chancellor, while he himself returned to his territory to raise troops. Liu Dai, governor of Yanzhou, requested grain from Qiao Mao, governor of Dong Commandery. Qiao Mao refused. Liu Dai led his troops into Qiao Mao’s camp, killed him, and absorbed all his forces. Yuan Shao, seeing the various lords scattering, led his own army, struck camp, left Luoyang, and went east of the Pass.

The Inspector of Jingzhou, Liu Biao, styled Jing Sheng, was a native of Gaoping in Shanyang: he was a member of the Han imperial clan; from youth he was fond of befriending others, and he associated with seven renowned scholars, then known as the "Eight Paragons of Jiangxia." The seven were: Chen Xiang of Runan, styled Zhong Lin; Fan Pang of the same commandery, styled Meng Bo; Kong Yu of Lu, styled Shi Yuan; Fan Kang of Bohai, styled Zhong Zhen; Tan Fu of Shanyang, styled Wen You; Zhang Jian of the same commandery, styled Yuan Jie; and Cen Zhi of Nanyang, styled Gong Xiao. Liu Biao formed friendships with these seven; he also had as his assistants Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue of Yanping, and Cai Mao of Xiangyang. At that time, having read Yuan Shao's letter, he immediately ordered Kuai Yue and Cai Mao to lead ten thousand troops to intercept Sun Jian. As soon as Sun Jian's army arrived, Kuai Yue deployed his formation and rode out first. Sun Jian asked, "Why does Kuai Yidu block my path with his troops?" Kuai Yue replied, "Since you are a minister of Han, why do you secretly conceal the Imperial Seal? Quickly leave it behind, and I will let you go back!" Sun Jian flew into a rage and ordered Huang Gai to engage. Cai Mao brandished his blade and came forward. After several exchanges, Huang Gai struck Cai Mao with his whip, hitting the mirror on his chest protector. Cai Mao turned his horse and fled, while Sun Jian took advantage of the situation to charge through the mountain pass. From behind the hills, drums and gongs sounded in unison—it was Liu Biao himself arriving with his troops. Sun Jian saluted from his horse and said, "Why does Jing Sheng trust Yuan Shao's letter and press so hard against a neighboring prefect?" Liu Biao said, "You have concealed the Imperial Seal—do you intend to rebel?" Sun Jian replied, "If I had such a thing, may I die beneath sword and arrow!" Liu Biao said, "If you want me to believe you, then let me inspect the baggage you carry with the army." Sun Jian said angrily, "What ability do you have, that you dare to look down on me!" As he was about to join battle, Liu Biao withdrew. Sun Jian spurred his horse in pursuit, but from behind both hills, ambush troops sprang out, while Kuai Yue and Cai Mao gave chase from the rear, surrounding Sun Jian in the center. Truly:

The Seal, when gained, proved of no use,

And for its sake, arms were set loose.

The Seal, when gained, proved of no use,

And for its sake, arms were set loose.

How Sun Jian ultimately escaped will be told in the next chapter.