Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Kuai Liang said, "Now that Sun Jian is dead and his sons are all young, this is a moment of weakness. If we march swiftly, the whole of Jiangdong can be taken in a single stroke. If we return the corpse and withdraw our forces, allowing them to grow strong, they will become a scourge to Jingzhou." Liu Biao replied, "But Huang Zu is still in their camp. How could I bear to abandon him?" Liang said, "To sacrifice a man of no strategy like Huang Zu in exchange for Jiangdong—what is there against it?" Liu Biao said, "Huang Zu and I are bound by the closest ties of trust. To abandon him would be unjust." He therefore sent Huan Kai back to the camp and arranged an exchange: Sun Jian's corpse for Huang Zu.

Liu Biao ransomed Huang Zu, while Sun Qi received his father's coffin and withdrew his forces back to Jiangdong. He buried his father on the plains of Qu'a. When the funeral was concluded, he led his army to Jiangdu, where he summoned men of talent and worth, humbling himself to treat others with courtesy. Heroes and brave men from all quarters gradually flocked to his side—but of this, no more for now.

Dong Zhuo was in Chang'an when he heard that Sun Jian had died. "I have removed a thorn from my heart!" he declared. He asked how old Sun Jian's sons were. Someone replied, "The eldest is seventeen." Dong Zhuo paid no further heed. From that day on, he grew ever more arrogant. He styled himself "Shangfu," a title reserved for the most revered of ancient sages, and used imperial insignia whenever he entered or left his residence. He appointed his younger brother Dong Min as General of the Left and Marquis of Hu, and his nephew Dong Huang as Palace Attendant, in command of the imperial guard. Every member of the Dong clan, regardless of age, was enfeoffed as a marquis.

Twenty-five hundred li from Chang'an, he built a new fortress at Mei. A quarter of a million laborers were conscripted for the task. The walls were built to the same height and thickness as those of Chang'an, and within were constructed palaces and storehouses filled with grain sufficient for twenty years. He selected eight hundred beautiful young women from among the common people and installed within the fortress. Gold, jade, silks, and pearls were piled up beyond counting. His entire household took up residence there. Dong Zhuo would travel to Chang'an once every fortnight or month, and the officials and nobles would all gather outside the Heng Gate to see him off.

Dong Zhuo often set up a tent by the roadside to feast with the assembled officials. One day, as he was leaving the Heng Gate, the officials all came to bid him farewell. He invited them to stay for a banquet. It so happened that several hundred surrendered soldiers from Beidi, recently pacified, had just arrived. Dong Zhuo ordered them brought before the company. Then, right there in their presence, he had some of them have their hands and feet cut off, their eyes gouged out, or their tongues severed; others were thrown into great cauldrons and boiled. The screams of agony shook the heavens. The officials trembled and dropped their chopsticks, but Dong Zhuo ate and drank and chatted as calmly as ever.

On another occasion, Dong Zhuo held a grand assembly at the provincial offices, with the officials seated in two rows. After several rounds of wine, Lü Bu strode in directly and whispered a few words into Dong Zhuo's ear. Dong Zhuo smiled and said, "So that is how it stands." He ordered Lü Bu to seize Grand Marshal Zhang Wen from the banquet table and drag him below. The officials turned pale. Before long, an attendant entered carrying a red tray, on which rested Zhang Wen's head, and presented it to Dong Zhuo. The officials nearly died of fright. Dong Zhuo laughed and said, "Do not be alarmed, my lords. Zhang Wen had been conspiring with Yuan Shu against me. He sent a letter, which by mistake ended up with my son Fengxian here, and so I had him executed. You others have nothing to fear." The officials murmured assent and dispersed.

When Minister over the Masses Wang Yun returned to his mansion, he brooded over what had happened at the feast and could find no peace, sitting restlessly on his mat. Late that night, under the bright moon, he took his staff and walked into the garden, standing beside the trellis of roses and looking up at the heavens with tears streaming down his face. Suddenly he heard someone sighing deeply beside the Peony Pavilion. Wang Yun crept closer to look and discovered that it was Diaochan, a singing girl in his household. She had been chosen for the mansion while still a child and trained in song and dance. Now sixteen years of age, she was beautiful and accomplished in every art, and Wang Yun treated her as his own daughter.

Wang Yun had listened long enough. "Do you have some secret love affair?" he demanded sharply.

Diaochan knelt in alarm. "How would I dare?"

"If you have nothing to hide, why do you sigh in the depths of night?" said Wang Yun.

"Allow me to speak from the heart," she said.

"Hide nothing from me. Tell me the truth," he said.

"I have received your lordship's kindness. You trained me in song and dance and treated me with the highest regard. Even if I were ground to powder, I could not repay a fraction of your grace. Lately I have noticed that your brow is furrowed with worry—surely there is some great matter of state—but I did not dare to ask. Tonight I saw you pacing restlessly, and so I sighed. I did not realize you had seen me. If there is any way I may be of use, I would not shrink from ten thousand deaths."

Wang Yun struck his staff against the ground. "Who would have thought that the fate of the Han empire would rest in your hands! Come with me to the painted pavilion."

Diaochan followed Wang Yun into the pavilion. He dismissed all the servant girls and seated Diaochan, then knelt before her and bowed his head to the ground.

Diaochan threw herself down in alarm. "Why does your lordship do this?"

"Can you not pity the people of the Han empire?" he said, and his tears poured forth like a spring.

Diaochan said, "Just now I said that if there is any way I may be of use, I would not shrink from ten thousand deaths."

Wang Yun knelt and said, "The people hang suspended in peril; the emperor and his ministers stand on the brink of ruin. Only you can save them. The traitor Dong Zhuo is on the verge of seizing the throne. The officials of court and government are powerless to stop him. Dong Zhuo has an adopted son, surnamed Lü, given name Bu, who is exceptionally fierce and brave. I have observed that both men are slaves to lust. I intend to employ the Interlocking Stratagem: first I shall betroth you to Lü Bu, then present you to Dong Zhuo. You will seize every opportunity to drive a wedge between father and son, turning them against each other, and induce Lü Bu to kill Dong Zhuo, thus destroying this great evil. To restore the altars of state and re-establish the dynasty—all this would be your doing. What do you say?"

Diaochan said, "I have already promised your lordship that I would not shrink from ten thousand deaths. I only ask that you give me to them at once. I have my own plan."

Wang Yun said, "If this matter is leaked, my whole family will be exterminated."

Diaochan said, "Have no fear, my lord. If I fail to repay this great trust, I will die beneath ten thousand blades."

Wang Yun bowed in thanks. The next day, he took several pearls from his family's collection and had a skilled craftsman set them into a golden cap, which he sent secretly to Lü Bu. Lü Bu was overjoyed and went in person to Wang Yun's residence to express his gratitude. Wang Yun prepared an excellent feast and fine wine. When Lü Bu arrived, Wang Yun came out to greet him at the gate, led him into the inner hall, and invited him to take the seat of honor. Lü Bu said, "Lü Bu is merely a general in the Chancellor's household, while you, Minister over the Masses, are a great officer of the court. Why do you show me such excessive respect?" Wang Yun replied, "Today there is no other hero in the world—there is only you, General. I do not respect your office; I respect your talent." Lü Bu was greatly pleased. Wang Yun earnestly plied him with wine, praising without cease the virtues of Grand Marshal Dong and of Lü Bu himself. Lü Bu laughed and drank freely. Wang Yun dismissed all attendants, leaving only a few serving maids to pour the wine. When the wine had flowed freely, Wang Yun said, "Bring my child." Shortly afterward, two maidservants in blue led out Diaochan in dazzling attire. Lü Bu, startled, asked who she was. Wang Yun said, "My daughter Diaochan. I have received your undeserved favor, General, and regard you as one of my own family, so I have asked her to meet you." He then ordered Diaochan to serve Lü Bu a cup of wine. Diaochan offered the wine to Lü Bu, and the two exchanged glances. Wang Yun pretended to be drunk and said, "Child, I beg you to drink deeply with the General. Our whole family depends on him." Lü Bu invited Diaochan to sit, and she made as if to withdraw. Wang Yun said, "The General is my dearest friend. Why should my daughter not sit?" So Diaochan sat beside Wang Yun. Lü Bu could not take his eyes from her. After several more cups, Wang Yun pointed to Diaochan and said to Lü Bu, "I wish to give this girl to you as a concubine. Would you accept her?" Lü Bu rose from his seat and thanked him, saying, "If I could have this, I would repay you with the service of a dog or a horse." Wang Yun said, "I will choose an auspicious day soon and send her to your household." Lü Bu was overjoyed and kept gazing at Diaochan. Diaochan, for her part, returned his glances with tender eyes. Soon the feast ended, and Wang Yun said, "I would have liked to ask you to stay the night, but I fear the Grand Marshal might suspect." Lü Bu bowed again and again in thanks and departed.

Several days later, Wang Yun was at court and saw Dong Zhuo. Taking advantage of the moment when Lü Bu was not at his side, he knelt and said, "Wang Yun ventures to invite Your Excellency's carriage to a humble banquet at my cottage. I wonder if you would deign to accept?" Dong Zhuo said, "Since the Minister over the Masses invites me, I shall hasten to attend." Wang Yun thanked him and returned home. He prepared a feast of land and water delicacies, set a seat in the center of the front hall, spread brocade on the ground, and hung curtains both inside and outside. The next day at noon, Dong Zhuo arrived. Wang Yun came out in full court dress to greet him, bowing twice and inquiring after his health. Dong Zhuo descended from his carriage, and over a hundred armored halberdiers surrounded him as he entered the hall, lining both sides. Wang Yun bowed again below the hall. Dong Zhuo ordered him helped up and given a seat at his side. Wang Yun said, "Your Excellency's towering virtue surpasses even that of Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou." Dong Zhuo was greatly pleased. Wine was served and music played, and Wang Yun showed him the utmost reverence. As evening fell and the wine flowed freely, Wang Yun invited Dong Zhuo into the inner hall. Dong Zhuo dismissed his armored guards. Wang Yun raised a cup in congratulation and said, "From my youth I have studied astronomy. Last night I observed the heavens—the fortunes of the House of Han are exhausted. Your Excellency's merit shakes all under heaven. As Shun received the throne from Yao, and Yu succeeded Shun, so this accords perfectly with the will of Heaven and the desires of men." Dong Zhuo said, "How dare I aspire to such a thing!" Wang Yun said, "Since ancient times, 'the virtuous have attacked the vicious, and the worthy have yielded to the worthy'—is this going too far?" Dong Zhuo laughed and said, "If indeed the Mandate of Heaven is upon me, the Minister over the Masses shall be my foremost meritorious minister." Wang Yun bowed in thanks. Painted candles were lit in the hall, and only maidservants were left to serve wine and food. Wang Yun said, "The music of the Imperial Conservatory is not worthy of offering to you. I happen to have some household performers—may I presume to have them entertain you?" Dong Zhuo said, "Excellent." Wang Yun had the curtains lowered. Through the curling strains of pipes and lutes, Diaochan was ushered forth to dance beyond the curtain. There is a verse in praise of her:

She was once a lady of the Zhaoyang Palace,

A startling swan, graceful in the palm,

Scarce believing she had flown over the spring at Dongting.

Her lotus steps steady through the Liangzhou air,

A fresh flower swaying in the breeze,

The painted hall warm, more than equal to spring.

And another poem says:

Red clappers urge the swallows in busy flight,

A drift of roving clouds reaches the painted hall.

Her brows stir the wanderer's grief,

Her face first breaks the old friend's heart.

The elm-coin could not buy a laugh worth a thousand gold,

The willow sash needs no hundred-gemmed adornment.

The dance ended, she stole a glance from behind the curtain—

Who knows who was the King of Chu?

When the dance was done, Dong Zhuo ordered her to approach. Diaochan passed inside the curtain and bowed deeply. Dong Zhuo saw that her beauty was exquisite and asked, "Who is this girl?" Wang Yun said, "The singing girl Diaochan." Dong Zhuo said, "Can she sing?" Wang Yun ordered Diaochan to take the sandalwood clappers and sing softly a single song. Truly:

A cherry lip opens upon crimson gates,

Two rows of jade notes spray the spring of Yang.

Her clove tongue speaks a horizontal sword of steel—

She would strike down the traitor who brings chaos to the realm.

Dong Zhuo praised her without end. Wang Yun ordered Diaochan to pour wine for him. Dong Zhuo raised his cup and asked, "How many springs have you seen?" Diaochan said, "Your humble concubine is sixteen." Dong Zhuo laughed and said, "Truly one of the immortals!" Wang Yun rose and said, "I wish to present this girl to Your Excellency. I wonder if you would accept her?" Dong Zhuo said, "To receive such kindness, how could I repay your virtue?" Wang Yun said, "For this girl to serve Your Excellency would be too great a fortune." Dong Zhuo thanked him again and again. Wang Yun immediately ordered a felt-covered carriage prepared and sent Diaochan ahead to the Chancellor's residence. Dong Zhuo also rose to take his leave. Wang Yun personally escorted Dong Zhuo all the way to the Chancellor's residence, then took his leave and returned. He rode his horse, but before he had gone halfway, he saw two lines of red lamps lighting the road, and Lü Bu came riding on horseback with a halberd. He ran straight into Wang Yun, reined in his horse, seized him by the lapel, and demanded fiercely, "The Minister over the Masses promised Diaochan to me, yet now you have given her to the Grand Marshal. Are you making a mockery of me?" Wang Yun urgently stopped him and said, "This is not the place to talk. Please come to my cottage."

Lü Bu returned with Wang Yun to his home and dismounted, entering the inner hall. After the customary greetings, Wang Yun said, "Why does my lord take offense at this old man?"

Lü Bu replied, "Someone reported to me that you sent a felt-covered carriage to deliver Diaochan to the Prime Minister's residence. What is the reason for this?"

Wang Yun said, "My lord, you do not know the full story! Yesterday the Grand Tutor said to me at court, 'I have a matter to discuss at your house.' I therefore made preparations and waited for the Grand Tutor. In the course of drinking, he said, 'I hear you have a daughter named Diaochan, who has been betrothed to my son Lü Bu. I fear your word may not be binding, so I have come in person to request her hand and to see her.' I dared not refuse, and so I brought Diaochan out to pay respects to her future father-in-law. The Grand Tutor said, 'Today is an auspicious day. I shall take this daughter back at once to be wed to Lü Bu.' My lord, consider: when the Grand Tutor himself came in person, how could this old man presume to refuse?"

Lü Bu said, "Forgive me, Minister. I was mistaken in my judgment. Tomorrow I shall come bearing thorns on my back to ask your pardon." Wang Yun said, "My daughter has some trousseau preparations. Once they are ready to be sent to your residence, they shall be delivered."

Lü Bu thanked him and departed. The next day, Lü Bu made inquiries at his residence but heard nothing at all. He went straight into the hall and asked the various concubines. A concubine answered, "Last night the Grand Tutor slept with his new bride, and they have not yet risen." Lü Bu flew with rage and crept into Dong Zhuo's bedchamber to spy from behind. At that moment Diaochan was combing her hair by the window. Suddenly she saw a figure reflected in the pond outside the window—a man of great stature wearing a head-binding crown. She stole a glance and recognized Lü Bu. Diaochan then furrowed her brows deliberately, putting on a countenance of sorrow and distress, and repeatedly wiped her tears with a fragrant silk kerchief. Lü Bu watched for a long time, then withdrew. A short while later, he returned. Dong Zhuo was now seated in the central hall. Seeing Lü Bu arrive, he asked, "Is all well outside?" Lü Bu said, "All is well." He stood in attendance at Dong Zhuo's side. As Dong Zhuo ate, Lü Bu stole glances and saw a woman within the embroidered curtain, moving about and peeping out, revealing half her face and conveying meaning with her eyes. Lü Bu knew it was Diaochan, and his soul seemed to float away. Dong Zhuo, observing Lü Bu's demeanor, grew suspicious in his heart. "Lü Bu, if you have nothing to attend to, you may withdraw," he said. Lü Bu left in sullen disappointment.

After Dong Zhuo took Diaochan to wife, he was so bewitched by her beauty that for over a month he did not leave his residence to attend to affairs. When Dong Zhuo happened to fall slightly ill, Diaochan attended him without removing her garments and humored him in every way, which only increased his delight. Lü Bu entered to inquire after his health and found Dong Zhuo asleep. Diaochan leaned out from behind the bed and looked toward Lü Bu, pointing to her heart, then pointing to Dong Zhuo, and shedding tears without ceasing. Lü Bu's heart was shattered. Dong Zhuo opened his eyes drowsily and saw Lü Bu gazing fixedly at the place behind the bed. He turned and saw Diaochan standing there. Dong Zhuo flew into a rage and shouted at Lü Bu, "How dare you dally with my beloved! Summon my attendants and throw him out—he is never again to enter this hall!" Lü Bu returned in fury and resentment. On the way he happened upon Li Ru and told him what had happened. Li Ru hastened in to see Dong Zhuo and said, "The Grand Tutor seeks to win the empire—why then rebuke the Marquis of Wen over a small offense? Should his heart turn against you, all is lost!" Dong Zhuo said, "What shall I do?" Li Ru said, "Summon him tomorrow morning, bestow gold and silk upon him, and comfort him with kind words. All will be well." Dong Zhuo followed this advice. The next day he sent for Lü Bu to come to the hall and consoled him, saying, "The other day I was ill and my mind was clouded; I spoke in error and wounded you. Do not take it to heart." He then gave Lü Bu ten catties of gold and twenty bolts of brocade. Lü Bu thanked him and withdrew. Yet though his body remained at Dong Zhuo's side, his heart was ever bound to Diaochan.

When Dong Zhuo had recovered from his illness, he went to court to discuss affairs. Lü Bu attended him with his halberd. Seeing Dong Zhuo in conversation with Emperor Xian, Lü Bu seized the opportunity to take his halberd and slip out through the inner gate, mounted his horse, and rode straight to the Prime Minister's residence. He tied his horse before the residence, took up his halberd, and went into the inner hall to find Diaochan. Diaochan said, "Go to the Phoenix Pavilion in the rear garden and wait for me there." Lü Bu took his halberd and went directly to the pavilion, standing beside the winding railing. After a long while, Diaochan came through the flowers and willows, indeed like a fairy from the Moon Palace. She wept and said to Lü Bu, "Though I am not Minister Wang's own daughter, he has treated me as his very own. Since I first beheld you, I vowed to serve you, and my lifelong wish was fulfilled. Who could have imagined that the Grand Tutor would conceive an evil desire and defile me? I wished I could die at once, but because I had not yet had a final parting with you, I have endured this humiliation and lived on. Now that I have seen you, my wish is fulfilled. My body is sullied; I can no longer serve a hero. I wish to die before you to prove my resolve!" So saying, she grasped the railing and threw herself toward the lotus pond. Lü Bu hastily caught her in his arms and wept, saying, "I have long known your heart! I only regret that we could not speak!" Diaochan seized his robe and said, "In this life I cannot be your wife; I shall hope to meet you in the next." Lü Bu said, "If I cannot make you my wife in this life, I am no hero!" Diaochan said, "I count the days as years. I beg you to take pity and save me." Lü Bu said, "I have stolen this moment to come here. I fear the old villain will grow suspicious—I must go quickly." Diaochan clutched his garment and said, "If you fear the old villain so deeply, I shall never see the light of day again!" Lü Bu stopped and said, "Allow me to devise a proper plan." With that, he took up his halberd and was about to leave. Diaochan said, "I have been in the deep inner chambers and have heard your name, as loud as thunder—I thought you were the one man of the age. Who would have expected that you would be subject to another's control!" So saying, her tears fell like rain. Lü Bu's face burned with shame. He leaned again on his halberd, turned, and embraced Diaochan, comforting her with gentle words. The two clung to each other, unwilling to part.

Now, back in the palace hall, Dong Zhuo turned his head and saw that Lü Bu was no longer there. Suspicious, he hastily took his leave of Emperor Xian, boarded his carriage, and returned to his residence. He found Lü Bu's horse tied up in front of the gate. When he asked the gate officer, the man replied, "The Marquis of Wen has gone into the inner chambers." Dong Zhuo dismissed his attendants and strode straight into the inner hall, but he could not find Lü Bu. He called for Diaochan, but she, too, was nowhere to be seen. He pressed the serving maids, and one of them said, "Diaochan is admiring the flowers in the rear garden." Dong Zhuo went searching through the rear garden and came upon Lü Bu and Diaochan deep in conversation beneath the Phoenix Pavilion, the halberd leaning to one side. Dong Zhuo flew into a rage and bellowed at them. Lü Bu, seeing Dong Zhuo approaching, was greatly startled and turned to flee. Dong Zhuo snatched up the halberd and lunged after him. Lü Bu was swift on his feet; Dong Zhoo, being corpulent, could not keep pace. He hurled the halberd at Lü Bu. Lü Bu knocked it to the ground. Dong Zhuo picked it up and gave chase once more, but Lü Bu was already far away. Dong Zhuo rushed out of the garden gate, when a man came sprinting toward him and crashed squarely into his chest, sending Dong Zhuo toppling to the ground. Indeed:

A fury that soared a thousand feet high,

A bloated body collapsed in a heap.

Who this man was, you will learn in the chapter that follows.