Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The man who had knocked Dong Zhuo down turned out to be Li Ru at once. Li Ru helped Dong Zhuo up and the two went to sit in the study. Dong Zhuo said, "Why did you come here?" Li Ru said, "I had just reached the gate of the residence when I learned that the Grand Tutor was angry and had gone into the rear garden in search of Lü Bu. I hurried there and met Lü Bu running out, saying, 'The Grand Tutor means to kill me!' I rushed into the garden in alarm to mediate, and in my haste I accidentally collided with your esteemed self. I deserve death! I deserve death!" Dong Zhuo said, "That insufferable rebel! He dared sport with my beloved concubine. I swear I will slay him!" Li Ru said, "Your Excellency is mistaken. In the past, at the 'Tassel-Snapping' banquet, King Zhuang of Chu did not pursue the matter of General Jiang Xiong, who had flirted with his favorite lady. Later, when Chu was besieged by the Qin army, Jiang Xiong gave his life in saving the king. Now Diao Chan is merely a woman, whereas Lü Bu is the Grand Tutor's trusted fierce general. If your Excellency were to take this opportunity and bestow Diao Chan upon Lü Bu, Lü Bu would be deeply grateful and would surely repay your Excellency with his life. Your Excellency, please think this over carefully." Dong Zhuo pondered for a long time and then said, "What you say has merit. I shall think on it."

Li Ru thanked him and withdrew. Dong Zhuo entered the rear hall and summoned Diao Chan, asking her, "Why did you have an illicit liaison with Lü Bu?" Diao Chan wept and said, "This slave was viewing the flowers in the rear garden when Lü Bu suddenly appeared. This slave was about to flee in alarm when he said, 'I am the Grand Tutor's son—why should you avoid me?' He chased this slave with his halberd all the way to Fengyi Pavilion. This slave saw that his intentions were wicked and feared he would force himself upon me. I was about to throw myself into the lotus pond to end my life, but that fellow seized me. I was caught between life and death when your Excellency arrived and saved me." Dong Zhuo said, "What if I were to give you to Lü Bu?" Diao Chan was greatly alarmed and wept, "This slave body has already served an honorable man. Now to be bestowed as a gift to a household slave—this slave would rather die than suffer such disgrace!" She seized a precious sword from the wall and was about to cut her own throat. Dong Zhuo hastily snatched the sword away and embraced her, saying, "I was only jesting with you!" Diao Chan fell into his arms, covering her face and weeping loudly, "This must be Li Ru's scheme! Li Ru is on close terms with Lü Bu and so devised this plot, caring nothing for your Excellency's dignity or this slave's life! I would tear his flesh and devour it alive!" Dong Zhuo said, "How could I bear to part with you?" Diao Chan said, "Though your Excellency has shown me kindness and love, I fear this is no place for me to stay for long—I will surely be harmed by Lü Bu." Dong Zhuo said, "Tomorrow I shall take you back to Mei Fortress. We shall enjoy ourselves together. Do not worry or doubt." Only then did Diao Chan wipe away her tears and bow in thanks.

The next day, Li Ru came in for an audience and said, "Today is an auspicious day. You may present Diao Chan to Lü Bu." Dong Zhuo said, "Lü Bu and I have the relationship of father and son—it would not be fitting to bestow her on him. I will simply not pursue his offense. Convey my wishes and console him with kind words." Li Ru said, "The Grand Tutor must not be deluded by a woman." Dong Zhuo changed color and said, "Would you give your own wife to Lü Bu? Say no more about the matter of Diao Chan. If you speak of it again, I will have you beheaded!" Li Ru departed, looked up to heaven, and sighed, "We shall all die at the hands of a woman!" Later readers who come to this passage have a poem lamenting the matter:

The Minister of Works devised a clever scheme, entrusting it to a lady's crimson skirt—

No need for spears, no need for swords.

Three battles at Hulao Pass were fought in vain,

Yet the song of triumph was sung at Fengyi Pavilion.

That very day, Dong Zhuo issued orders to return to Mei Fortress. All the officials came to see him off. From her carriage, Diao Chan saw Lü Bu in the crowd, gazing toward the vehicle. She covered her face as though weeping bitterly. When the carriage had gone far away, Lü Bu reined in his horse on a hillock, staring at the dust of the carriage, sighing with bitter regret. Suddenly someone behind him asked, "Why does the Marquis of Wen not accompany the Grand Tutor? Why stand here gazing and sighing?" Lü Bu turned and saw that it was Minister of Works Wang Yun. After they had greeted each other, Wang Yun said, "This old man has been confined to his home these past days with a minor illness and has not been able to meet with you. Today the Grand Tutor's carriage returns to Mei Fortress, so I could only come out despite my illness to see him off, and I am glad to have met you. May I ask, General, why are you sighing here?" Lü Bu said, "It is on account of your daughter." Wang Yun feigned surprise and said, "Has she still not been given to you after all this time?" Lü Bu said, "That old villain has favored her for a long while now!" Wang Yun acted greatly shocked and said, "I cannot believe such a thing!" Lü Bu recounted everything that had happened to Wang Yun. Wang Yun stamped his ground, looking upward, and was speechless for a long while. At last he said, "I never imagined the Grand Tutor would commit such beastly acts!" He took Lü Bu's hand and said, "Come to my humble abode to discuss the matter."

Lü Bu followed Wang Yun home. Wang Yun led him into a private chamber, set out wine, and entertained him. Lü Bu recounted in detail what had happened at Fengyi Pavilion. Wang Yun said, "The Grand Tutor has violated my daughter and seized your wife—a disgrace that all under Heaven will mock. They will not be mocking the Grand Tutor; they will be mocking me and you, General! But I am a useless old man, not worth mentioning. What a pity that you, a hero of unparalleled prowess, should suffer such humiliation!" Lü Bu's wrath rose to the heavens, and he slammed the table, shouting loudly. Wang Yun said hastily, "This old man has misspoken. General, calm your anger." Lü Bu said, "I swear I will kill that old villain to wash away my shame!" Wang Yun quickly covered his mouth and said, "General, say no more—you will bring trouble upon this old man!" Lü Bu said, "A great man born between heaven and earth—how can he live in dejection, forever beneath another man's heel?" Wang Yun said, "With the General's talents, you are certainly not one whom the Grand Tutor of Dong can restrain." Lü Bu said, "I wish to kill that old villain, but considering our bond as father and son, I fear later generations will censure me." Wang Yun smiled and said, "The General's surname is Lü; the Grand Tutor's surname is Dong. When he hurled his halberd, was there any bond of father and son between you?" Lü Bu said with fierce resolve, "Had it not for your words, Minister, I would have nearly misled myself!" Seeing that his mind was made up, Wang Yun spoke to him: "If the General supports the House of Han, you will be a loyal minister, your name recorded in the annals of history, your fame flowing down a hundred generations. If you aid Dong Zhuo, you will be a rebel, your name inscribed in the records of history, your stench lingering ten thousand years." Lü Bu rose from his seat and bowed deeply, saying, "My mind is made up. Minister, have no doubts." Wang Yun said, "I only fear the plot may fail and bring great calamity instead." Lü Bu drew a belt knife and cut his arm, swearing an oath in blood. Wang Yun knelt and thanked him, saying, "That the sacrifices of the Han have not been cut off is all due to the General's gift. Do not let this leak! When the time comes, I will send word with a plan." Lü Bu gave his solemn promise and departed.

Wang Yun immediately invited the Palace Attendant Sun Rui and the Colonel of the Capital Region Huang Wan to discuss the matter. Sun Rui said, "Now that His Majesty has recently recovered from illness, we can send an eloquent man to Mei Fort to invite Zhuo to discuss affairs. At the same time, we will give the Emperor's secret edict to Lü Bu, ordering him to station armed soldiers inside the palace gates, lure Zhuo inside, and execute him: this is the best plan." Huang Wan said, "Who would dare go?" Sun Rui said, "Li Su, a Commandant of Cavalry from the same commandery as Lü Bu, harbors deep resentment because Dong Zhuo never promoted him. If we send this man, Zhuo will certainly not be suspicious." Wang Yun said, "Excellent." He then invited Lü Bu to join the discussion. Lü Bu said, "The one who persuaded me to kill Ding Jianyang and join Dong Zhuo was this very man. If he does not go now, I will behead him first." He sent someone to secretly summon Li Su. Lü Bu said, "In the past, you persuaded me to kill Ding Jianyang and join Dong Zhuo. Now Zhuo deceives the Emperor above and oppresses the people below; his crimes are so great that both men and gods detest him. You may carry the Emperor's edict to Mei Fort, announce to Zhuo that he is summoned to court, and have soldiers lying in wait to execute him, thus lending your strength to support the Han dynasty and become a loyal minister together with us. What do you think?" Li Su said, "I have long wished to eliminate this villain, only regretting that I had no one of like mind. Since the General acts thus, this is Heaven's gift—how dare I harbor any second thoughts?" Thereupon they snapped an arrow as a pledge. Wang Yun said, "If you can accomplish this matter, why worry about not obtaining high office?"

The next day, Li Su led a score or so of cavalrymen to Mei Fort. Word was brought that the Emperor had an edict, and Zhuo summoned him inside. Li Su entered and paid his respects. Zhuo said, "What edict does the Emperor have?" Li Su said, "The Emperor has just recovered from his illness and wishes to assemble the civil and martial officials at the Weiyang Hall, where he intends to discuss yielding the throne to the Grand Tutor. Hence this edict." Zhuo said, "What does Wang Yun think of this?" Li Su said, "Minister Wang has already ordered the construction of a 'Throne-Reception Terrace,' only waiting for Your Lordship to arrive." Zhuo was overjoyed and said, "Last night I dreamed of a dragon enveloping my body, and now indeed I receive this joyful news. The moment must not be lost!" He then ordered his trusted generals Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou, with the three thousand Flying Bear troops, to guard Mei Fort, while he himself set out that very day to return to the capital. Turning to Li Su, he said, "When I become Emperor, you shall be the Bearer of the Golden Mace." Li Su bowed, thanked him, and acknowledged himself as a subject. Zhuo went to take leave of his mother. She was over ninety at the time and asked, "Where are you going, my son?" Zhuo said, "Your son is about to receive the Han abdication; Mother will be Empress Dowager before long!" His mother said, "Lately my flesh has trembled and my heart has been filled with dread—I fear this is no auspicious omen." Zhuo said, "You are to become the mother of the nation—surely some alarming portent was to be expected!" And so he took leave of his mother and set forth. Before departing, he said to Diao Chan, "When I become Emperor, I will install you as Noble Consort." Diao Chan already knew full well what was happening, but pretended joy and bowed her thanks.

Zhuo left the fort and mounted his carriage, with escorts before and behind, heading toward Chang'an. Before they had traveled thirty li, one of the wheels of his carriage suddenly broke, and Zhuo descended and rode a horse instead. After traveling no more than ten li, the horse neighed furiously and tore off its bridle. Zhuo asked Li Su, "The carriage broke a wheel, and the horse tore its bridle—what do these portends mean?" Li Su said, "These are omens that the Grand Tutor is to receive the Han abdication, casting off the old and donning the new—signs that you will ride in a jade carriage with golden saddle." Zhuo was pleased and believed his words. The next day, as they were traveling, a sudden violent wind arose and dark fog blotted out the sky. Zhuo asked Li Su, "What augury is this?" Li Su said, "When Your Lordship ascends the dragon throne, there must be red light and purple mist to augment the majesty of Heaven." Zhuo was again pleased and harbored no suspicion. Upon reaching the city, all the officials came out to welcome him. Only Li Ru, confined to his home by illness, was unable to come. Zhuo proceeded to his residence, and Lü Bu entered to offer congratulations. Zhuo said, "When I ascend the throne, you shall command all the armed forces of the empire." Lü Bu bowed his thanks and rested in a tent before the headquarters. That night, a score or so of small children sang a song outside the city, and the wind carried the sound into the tent. The song went: "A thousand-li grass, how green it is! The tenth day rises—he shall not live!" The song was mournful. Zhuo asked Li Su, "What fortune or misfortune do the children's rhymes portend?" Li Su said, "They merely speak of the Liu family's destruction and the Dong family's rise."

The next day at dawn, Dong Zhuo arranged his retinue and entered the court. Suddenly he saw a Taoist priest in a blue robe and white turban, holding a long pole to which was tied a length of cloth a zhang long, with the character "mouth" written on each end. Zhuo asked Li Su, "What does this Taoist mean?" Li Su said, "He is a madman." He ordered the soldiers to drive him away. Zhuo advanced into court, and the officials, all in court dress, lined the road to greet him. Li Su, holding a precious sword, escorted the carriage. Upon reaching the Northern Wing Gate, the soldiers were all stopped outside, and only some twenty members of the imperial escort entered with the carriage. Dong Zhuo saw from afar Wang Yun and others standing at the palace gate, each holding a sword, and asked Li Su in alarm, "What is the meaning of the swords?" Li Su gave no answer but pushed the carriage straight in. Wang Yun cried out loudly, "The rebel is here! Where are the warriors?" From both sides rushed out over a hundred men, striking with halberds and spears. Zhuo's armor deflected the blows, but his arm was wounded and he fell from the carriage, shouting, "Where is my son Lü Fengxian?" Lü Bu emerged fiercely from behind the carriage and cried, "I have an edict to punish the villain!" With one thrust of his halberd he pierced Zhuo's throat, and Li Su had already severed the head in his hand. Lü Bu held the halberd in his left hand and took the edict from his breast with his right, shouting loudly, "By imperial edict I punish the rebel minister Dong Zhuo—all others are not to be questioned!" The officers and officials all cried "Long live the Emperor!" A later poet composed these lines mourning Dong Zhuo:

When Bo ye's work was done, would he be emperor?

If not, at least a wealthy man!

Who knew Heaven's will bends not for any man—

No sooner was Mei Fort completed than he perished.

Now at this moment, Lü Bu cried out loudly, "Those who aided Zhuo in his cruelty are none other than Li Ru! Who will capture him?" Li Su volunteered at once. Suddenly a clamor was heard outside the palace gates, and word was brought that Li Ru's household servants had already bound Li Ru and brought him in as an offering. Wang Yun ordered him bound and taken to the marketplace for execution. Dong Zhuo's corpse was then displayed at the main thoroughfare. Zhuo's body was fat, and the soldiers guarding the corpse set fire to his navel to make a lamp; grease and oil covered the ground. The common people who passed by all pelted his head with their hands and trampled his body under their feet. Wang Yun further ordered Lü Bu, together with Huangfu Song and Li Su, to lead fifty thousand troops to Mei Fort to confiscate Dong Zhuo's property and household.

Now Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou, hearing that Dong Zhuo was dead and that Lü Bu was approaching, led the Flying Bear Army and fled by night to Liangzhou. Lü Bu arrived at Mei Fort and first took possession of Diaochan. Huangfu Song ordered that all the women and girls of good family who had been kept in the fort be released. But all of Dong Zhuo's relatives, young and old without distinction, were put to death. Even Dong Zhuo's mother was killed. His younger brother Dong Min and his nephew Dong Huang were beheaded and their heads displayed. The fort's stores were inventoried: several hundred thousand catties of gold, and silks, jewels, vessels, and grain beyond counting. All was reported to Wang Yun. Wang Yun then feasted the soldiers generously and held a banquet at the assembly hall, where he gathered the officials and drank to celebrate their good fortune.

In the midst of the banquet, suddenly a messenger reported, "Dong Zhuo's corpse lies exposed in the marketplace, and a man has thrown himself upon it and is weeping." Wang Yun angrily said, "Dong Zhuo the rebel has been executed; not a soul among the officers and people does not rejoice. Who is this man who dares to weep?" He then summoned his guards: "Seize him and bring him here!"

In a short while the man was brought in. When the officials saw him, none were not filled with alarm. The man was none other than Cai Yong, a Palace Attendant. Wang Yun rebuked him, saying, "Dong Zhuo was a traitor. His execution today is the greatest fortune for the state. You are a minister of Han—why do you not celebrate the nation's good fortune but instead weep for the traitor?" Cai Yong confessed his fault, saying, "Though I am untalented, I am not ignorant of what is right. How could I turn against the nation and favor Dong Zhuo? It is only that I felt a debt of gratitude for his having recognized my abilities, and I could not help shedding a tear. I know my offense is grave. I beg your mercy: if you would brand my face and cut off my feet, allowing me to finish compiling the history of Han and thus redeem my fault, that would be my greatest fortune." The officials, who valued Cai Yong's talents, all strove to save him. Grand Tutor Ma Rizu also spoke to Wang Yun privately, saying, "Bojie is a talent rarely seen in this world. If he were allowed to complete the history of Han, it would truly be a great undertaking. Moreover, his filial devotion has long been well known. If you execute him suddenly, I fear you will lose the people's hearts." Wang Yun replied, "In the past, Emperor Wu of Han did not kill Sima Qian, and later had him write history, resulting in a defamatory book that has been handed down to later ages. Now the fortunes of the state are in decline and the court is in chaos. We cannot allow a flattering minister to wield the brush beside the young sovereign, causing us all to be subjected to his slander." Ma Rizu had no reply and withdrew. He said privately to the officials, "Has Wang Yun no thought for his descendants? A good man is the warp of the state; the writing of laws and records is its fundamental code. To destroy the warp and abolish the code—how can such a man endure?" At that time Wang Yun would not heed Ma Rizu's words and ordered Cai Yong thrown into prison and strangled. Among the gentlemen and officials of that time, all who heard of it shed tears. Later generations have debated that Cai Yong's weeping for Dong Zhuo was certainly wrong, but that Wang Yun's killing of him was also excessive. A poem laments:

Dong Zhuo, who wielded power with ruthless cruelty,

Why must the Palace Attendant himself perish?

Had Zhuge Liang been reclining in Longzhong then,

Would he have lightly offered his service to a minister of chaos?

Now Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou had fled to Shaanxi and sent envoys to Chang'an seeking amnesty. Wang Yun said, "Dong Zhuo's tyranny was aided by these four men alone. Though I proclaim a general pardon throughout the land, these four alone shall not be pardoned." The envoy returned and reported this to Li Jue. Li Jue said, "Since amnesty cannot be obtained, each of us must save himself as best he can." The strategist Jia Xu said, "If you gentlemen abandon your troops and travel alone, even a village constable could bind you. It would be better to rally the people of Shaanxi along with your own soldiers and march on Chang'an to avenge Dong Zhuo. If we succeed, we can uphold the court and set the realm aright. If we fail, it will not be too late to flee." Li Jue and the others approved his counsel and spread word throughout Xiliang Province, saying, "Wang Yun intends to purge all the people of this region!" The people were all terrified. They then proclaimed further, "To die in vain profits nothing. Will you follow me in revolt?" The people all agreed. Thus they assembled a force of more than a hundred thousand, divided it into four columns, and marched on Chang'an. Along the way they encountered Niu Fu, son-in-law of Dong Zhuo and a General of the Palace Guard, who led five thousand troops seeking to avenge his father-in-law. Li Jue joined forces with him and placed him in the vanguard, while the four others advanced in succession.

When Wang Yun learned that the Xiliang troops were coming, he conferred with Lü Bu. Lü Bu said, "Rest assured, my lord. These rats are hardly worth counting!" He then led Li Su with troops to meet the enemy. Li Su took the vanguard and encountered Niu Fu, and a fierce battle ensued. Niu Fu could not withstand him and fled. But that night, at the second watch, Niu Fu took Li Su by surprise and raided his camp. Li Su's troops scattered in confusion. He retreated more than thirty li, having lost more than half his force, and came to report to Lü Bu. Lü Bu was furious and said, "How could you have blunted my army's sharp edge?" He then executed Li Su and hung his head at the camp gate.

The next day, Lü Bu advanced to engage Niu Fu. How could Niu Fu stand against Lü Bu? He was once again utterly defeated and fled. That night Niu Fu summoned his trusted man Hu Chi'er and said, "Lü Bu is too fierce and brave; we cannot possibly defeat him. It would be better to deceive the four others, secretly hide gold and pearls, and abandon the camp with three or five trusted followers." Hu Chi'er agreed. That night they gathered the gold and pearls and fled the camp, accompanied by three or four men. As they were crossing a river, Hu Chi'er coveted the treasure and killed Niu Fu, then brought his head to present to Lü Bu. When Lü Bu asked what had happened, the attendants revealed that Hu Chi'er had murdered Niu Fu and seized his gold and jewels. Lü Bu was enraged and immediately put Hu Chi'er to death. He led his army forward and straight into Li Jue's forces. Before Li Jue could even form ranks, Lü Bu leveled his halberd, spurred his horse, and charged straight into the enemy with his army behind him. Li Jue's troops could not withstand him and retreated more than fifty li, where they made camp at the foot of a mountain. Li Jue summoned Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou to discuss the situation, saying, "Lü Bu is brave, but he has no strategy and is no cause for concern. I will lead troops to hold the mouth of the valley and engage him in battle each day. General Guo can lead an army to strike his rear, employing the tactic of Peng Yue harassing Chu—advancing at the sound of gongs and withdrawing at the beat of drums. Lord Zhang and Lord Fan can divide your forces into two columns and march directly on Chang'an. When he can neither aid his head nor his tail, he will certainly suffer a great defeat." All adopted his plan.

Lü Bu led his troops to the base of the mountain, where Li Jue came forward with his army to challenge him. Filled with rage, Lü Bu charged forward to attack, and Li Jue retreated up the mountain. Arrows and stones rained down from above like rain, and Lü Bu's troops could not advance. Suddenly word arrived that Guo Si was attacking from behind the formation. Lü Bu hurried back to engage him. Then the sound of drums thundered forth, and Guo Si's army had already withdrawn. Lü Bu was just about to pull his troops back when the sound of gongs rang out, and Li Jue's army came again. Before he could face them, Guo Si once more led his forces in from behind. By the time Lü Bu turned to confront them, they beat their drums and withdrew their troops once more. This enraged Lü Bu beyond measure, filling his chest with fury. For several days in a row, it was thus—he could neither fight nor rest. Just as his frustration was at its peak, a rider came at full gallop with the news that the armies of Zhang Ji and Fan Chou had marched on Chang'an, and the capital was in grave danger. Lü Bu hastened to lead his army back, but Li Jue and Guo Si pursued him from behind. Lü Bu had no heart for battle and fled headlong, losing many of his men and horses along the way. By the time he reached the walls of Chang'an, the rebel forces swarmed like clouds and gathered like rain, surrounding the city completely. Lü Bu's troops fought without success. His soldiers, fearing Lü Bu's fierce temper, deserted in large numbers and surrendered to the rebels. Lü Bu was deeply troubled.

Several days later, Dong Zhuo's remaining followers Li Meng and Wang Fang acted as inside collaborators within the city, secretly opening the city gates. The four columns of rebel troops poured in all at once. Lü Bu charged left and right but could not stem the tide. He led several hundred riders to the gate of the Green Lock Gate and called up to Wang Yun: "The situation is desperate! I beg you, Minister over the Masses, to mount a horse and leave the pass with me. We can then devise another plan." Wang Yun replied: "If the spirits of the altars of soil and grain look favorably upon us and the state is preserved, that is my wish. If it cannot be helped, then I will give my life. I will not flee and preserve myself in the face of calamity. Tell the lords east of the passes for me: strive on, and keep the state in your hearts!" Lü Bu urged him again and again, but Wang Yun simply would not go. Before long, flames from each gate reached the sky. Lü Bu had no choice but to abandon his family, leading over a hundred riders in a desperate flight out of the pass, and fled to offer his services to Yuan Shu.

Li Jue and Guo Si gave their troops free rein to plunder. Minister of Ceremonies Zhong Fu, Minister Coachman Lu Kiu, Herald of the State Zhou Huan, Colonel of the City Gate Cui Lie, and Colonel of the Rapid Cavalry Wang Qi all perished in the catastrophe of the state. The rebel forces surrounded the inner court so urgently that the attending officials begged the Emperor to ascend the Xuanping Gate to quell the disorder. Li Jue and Guo Si saw the imperial yellow canopy, halted their soldiers, and cried out, "Long live the Emperor!" The Emperor Xian leaned upon the tower and asked: "You have entered Chang'an without waiting for a petition or permission. What is your intention?" Li Jue and Guo Si looked up and replied: "Imperial Preceptor Dong Zhuo was Your Majesty's loyal minister of state. He was murdered without cause by Wang Yun. We have come specifically to avenge him—we would not dare rebel. Once we see Wang Yun, we will withdraw our troops." Wang Yun was at the Emperor's side and, hearing these words, addressed the Emperor: "I acted for the sake of the state. Since matters have come to this, Your Majesty must not spare me at the expense of the state. I beg leave to go down and face these two rebels." The Emperor hesitated, unwilling to let him go. Wang Yun leaped from the top of the Xuanping Gate tower, shouting, "Wang Yun is here!" Li Jue and Guo Si drew their swords and demanded, "What crime had Imperial Preceptor Dong Zhuo that he should be put to death?" Wang Yun replied: "The crimes of the traitor Dong Zhuo stretched across the heavens and spanned the earth—they cannot be counted. On the day he was executed, the people of the capital all rejoiced and celebrated together. Did you alone not hear it?" Li Jue and Guo Si said: "If the Imperial Preceptor had crimes, what crimes have we committed that you will not pardon us?" Wang Yun cursed them loudly: "Rebel traitors, why waste more words? I, Wang Yun, shall simply die today!" The two rebels raised their hands and struck Wang Yun down beneath the tower. The historian has a poem praising him:

Wang Yun wielded his cunning schemes,

And the wicked minister Dong Zhuo was destroyed.

His heart bore hatred for the nation's wrongs,

His brows were locked with sorrow for the court.

His heroic spirit reached the very Milky Way,

His loyal heart pierced through the stars of the Dipper.

Even now his soul and spirit

Still linger about the Phoenix Tower.

The rebels killed Wang Yun, and at the same time sent men to slaughter every member of Wang Yun's clan, old and young alike. There was not a scholar or commoner who did not shed tears. Li Jue and Guo Si then conferred: "Since we have come this far, if we do not kill the Emperor and pursue our great enterprise, when shall we do it?" They raised their swords, shouted, and charged into the inner palace. Indeed:

The chief villain had been punished and the calamity seemed at an end,

But the rebel followers ran amok and disaster came once more.

What became of Emperor Xian's fate will be told in the next chapter.