In the fourth chapter of the main text, Chen Liu, the deposed Emperor of Han, ascended the throne and plotted against Dong. The traitor Meng De presented his sword

 

When it was said that Dong Zhuo intended to kill Yuan Shao, Li Ru stopped him, saying, "The matter is not yet settled. Do not kill him rashly." Yuan Shao, holding a sword in his hand, bid farewell to all the officials and left, hanging the knot at the east gate, heading for Jizhou. Zhuo said to the Grand tutor Yuan 隗, "Your nephew is impolite. I will forgive you by looking at your face." What about the matter of abolishing and establishing?" said, "This is what the grand commandant saw." Zhuo said, "Those who dare to obstruct major discussions shall be dealt with according to military law!" All the ministers were terrified and said that upon hearing this, they would follow the order. After the banquet, Zhuo asked the attendant zhou 毖 and the guard wu qiong, "How is yuan Shao going?" Zhou 毖 said, "Yuan Shao left in anger. If he was in a hurry to purchase, he would surely make a change." Moreover, the Yuan family has been honored for four generations, and their disciples and former officials are scattered all over the land. If heroes are recruited to gather disciples, and thus heroes arise, Shandong will not be public. It would be better to pardon him and appoint him as the governor of a prefecture. Then he will be relieved of his punishment and there will surely be no trouble. Wu Qiong said, "Yuan Shao is good at planning and decisive. There is no need to worry about him." It would be better to add a prefect to win the hearts of the people. Zhuo followed suit and sent someone to appoint Shao as the governor of Bohai on the same day.

• On the first day of the ninth lunar month, the emperor was invited to ascend to the Jia De Hall to hold a grand assembly of both civil and military officials. Zhuo drew his sword in his hand and said to the crowd, "The emperor is weak and not powerful enough to rule the world." Now there is a policy document, which should be read out." He then ordered Li Ru to read the strategy and said, "Emperor Xiaoling, abandon your subjects as soon as possible." When the emperor ascended the throne, the inner side of the sea looked forward. The emperor, however, was frivolous in nature, lacked proper dignity, and was lazy and indolent in his funeral life. His virtue was not yet prominent, and he had the privilege of ascending the throne. The empress dowager had no motherly etiquette and the governance was in chaos. The sudden death of Empress Dowager Yongle left everyone puzzled. Could there be any deficiency in the Three Cardinal Guides and the laws of heaven and earth? Wang Xie of Chenliu, with his noble virtue and profound dignity, stands out with his solemn rules. When in mourning and grief, one should not speak ill of others. Xiu Sheng's reputation, known throughout the world, is worthy of carrying on the great cause and establishing a lasting tradition. The emperor is hereby deposed as the King of Hongnong. The Empress Dowager regains power. Please appoint the King of Chenliu as the emperor. This is in accordance with the will of heaven and the people, and to fulfill the expectations of all living beings. After Li Ru finished reading the plan, he suddenly ordered his left and right attendants to help the emperor down from the hall, removed his seal and sashes, knelt down for a long time in the north, and submitted himself to obey the orders. He then summoned the empress Dowager to await the imperial edict. Both the emperor and empress wailed, and all the ministers were miserable.

• A minister below shouted angrily, "Traitor Minister Dong Zhuo, how dare you devise a scheme to deceive the heavens! I will stab you with the blood of my neck!" With a wave of his hand, Xiang Jian struck directly at Dong Zhuo. Zhuo was furious and ordered the warrior to take him down: "It was Minister Ding who was in charge." Zhuo Ming led him out and beheaded him. No matter how much he scolded, his expression remained unchanged until his death. Later generations wrote a poem lamenting this: "The bandits secretly intended to abolish and establish the plan, and the Han family's clan society was entrusted to the ruins of Qiu." All the officials and ministers in the court were included, but only Ding Gong was the husband.

• Zhuo invited Prince Chenliu to enter the hall. After all the ministers had paid their respects, they ordered Empress Dowager He, Prince Hongnong and Empress Dowager Tang to stay in the Yong 'an Palace and seal off the palace gate to prevent any ministers from entering without permission. Poor young Emperor ascended the throne in April but was deposed in September. Zhuo established the King Xie of Chenliu, whose courtesy name was Bohe. He was the son of Emperor Ling and thus Emperor Xian. He was nine years old at that time. The era name was changed to Chuping. Dong Zhuo, as the prime minister, was not renowned for his praise and worship, nor did he follow him to the court. He ascended the hall with his sword and shoes, and his might and fortune were incomparable.

• Li Ru advised Zhuo to promote and employ famous people in order to gain popularity and recommend CAI Yong's talent. Zhuo ordered an expedition, but Yong did not go. Zhuo was furious and made people say to Yong, "If you do not come, your people will be wiped out." Yong Ju had no choice but to come as ordered. Zhuo Jianyong was overjoyed. In a month, he was promoted three times and appointed as a censor, showing great appreciation for his close relatives.

• It is said that the Young Emperor, Empress Dowager He and Tang Fei were trapped in the Yong 'an Palace, and their clothes and food gradually became scarce. The young emperor's tears never dried. One day, I happened to see two swallows flying in the courtyard and thus composed a poem. The poem goes: "The tender grass is green and wisps of smoke, and the two swallows are gracefully flying." The Luo River flows green, and the people on the road envy it. Looking into the distance, the deep green clouds are my old palace. "Who will rely on loyalty and righteousness to vent the resentment in my heart!" " Dong Zhuo often sent people to inquire. That day I obtained this poem and presented it to Dong Zhuo. Zhuo said, "If one writes poems out of resentment and longing, there is a good name for killing." He then ordered Li Ru to lead ten warriors into the palace to assassinate the emperor. The emperor, empress and concubine were upstairs when a palace maid reported Li Ru's arrival. The emperor was greatly alarmed. A scholar offered poison to the emperor, and the emperor asked why. The Confucian Scholar said, "In the warm and harmonious spring, Prime Minister Dong specially offered longevity wine." The Empress Dowager said, "Since you have the Yunshou wine, you may drink it first." The scholar angrily said, "Don't you drink it?" Hu Left and right held short knives and practiced them in front of him, saying, "If you don't drink the longevity wine, you can get these two things!" Empress Tang knelt down and pleaded, "I am drinking on behalf of the emperor. May you save the lives of your mother and son." The scholar scolded, "Who among you can die in place of the king?" Then he raised the wine and asked Empress Dowager He, "Would you like to drink first?" Later, he harshly criticized He Jin for his lack of strategy in leading the bandits into the capital, which led to the current disaster. The scholar urged the emperor, and the emperor said, "Allow me to bid farewell to the Empress Dowager." He was deeply grieved and composed a song, which went: "The earth changes, the sun and the moon turn; I abandon ten thousand chariots and retreat to my domain." "Your life will not last long. When the great trend fades, my eyes will be filled with empty tears!" " Tang Fei also composed a song that goes: "The heaven is about to collapse, the earth behind collapses. As the imperial concubine, I will not follow my fate." The path of life and death may end from now on, but alas, I am so sad in my heart! After the song ended, they embraced and wept. Li Ru scolded, "The prime minister will repay you immediately. If you delay, who will save you?" The empress Dowager shouted angrily, "The thief Dong is forcing my mother and me. Heaven is not kind to him!" "If you help evil, your entire clan will surely be wiped out!" " The Scholar was furious. He grabbed the empress Dowager with both hands and rushed downstairs. The warrior was ordered to hang Tang Fei. Kill the young emperor with poison wine.

• I also reported to Dong Zhuo that he was ordered to be buried outside the city. From then on, every night he entered the palace, raped the palace maids and spent the night on the dragon bed. Once, he led his troops out of the city. When they reached Yangcheng, it was the second month. Villagers held a community competition, and both men and women gathered. Zhuo ordered his soldiers to surround and kill all of them. He looted the women's belongings, loaded them onto the cart, and hung over a thousand heads under the cart. Even Zhen returned to the capital, threatening to have defeated the bandits and returned victorious. They burned heads outside the city gate and dispersed the troops with women's belongings. Wu Fu, the commander of the Yue Cavalry, styled Deyu, was indignant at Zhuo's cruelty. He once wore a small armor inside his court uniform and hid a short sword, intending to kill Zhuo at any moment. One day, Zhuo entered the capital. Fu came to your side and drew his sword to stab Zhuo directly. Zhuo had great strength and held his hands tightly. Lu Bu then entered and brought down Wu Fu. Zhuo asked, "Who taught you to rebel?" Fu glared and shouted loudly, "You are not my Lord, and I am not your subject. How could there be the opposite?" Your SINS fill the heavens, and everyone wishes to punish you! "I regret not splitting your chariot to thank the world!" " Zhuo was furious and ordered him to be pulled out and cut open. He would never stop cursing until his death. Later generations wrote a poem praising him, saying: "At the end of the Han Dynasty, the loyal minister said of Wu Fu, whose heroic spirit was unparalleled in the world." His reputation for killing bandits in the imperial court still lingers, and he will be regarded as a true man throughout the ages! From then on, Dong Zhuo often went in and out with soldiers to guard him.

• At that time, Yuan Shao was in bohai. When he learned of Dong Zhuo 's abuse of power, he sent a secret letter 赍 to wang yun. The book briefly states: "Zhuo Zhuo deceives Heaven and deposes the Lord; people cannot bear to speak out." And if one does not hear about the tyranny of the public, how could one be a minister who is loyal to the country? Shao gathered troops and trained soldiers today, intending to wipe out the royal family, but did not dare to move lightly. If one has the intention, one should take the opportunity to plan for it. If driven, one must obey." Wang Yun received the book, but after much thought, he found no solution. One day, in the attendant's pavilion, he saw all his old ministers present and said, "Today, I humbly surrender. Tonight, I dare to force all of you to come to my quarters for a drink." All the officials said, "I will surely come to offer my birthday wishes." That night, Wang Yun held a banquet in the back hall, and all the high-ranking officials were present. After several rounds of the wine shop, Wang Yun suddenly covered his face and burst into tears. The officials were astonished and asked, "Why is Situ Guidan so sad?" Yun said, "Today is not a humble visit. I wish to have a chat with all of you, but I'm afraid Dong Zhuo might be suspicious, so I'm asking for your words." Dong Zhuo abused the emperor and seized power, and the country was in great danger. If Emperor Gao were to destroy the Qin and the Chu, the world would be ruled out. Who would have thought that it would be passed down to this day, only to be lost at the hands of Dong Zhuo? This is why I am crying. Then all the officials wept. One of the people sitting in the middle clapped his hands and laughed loudly, saying, "All the court officials, if you cry until dawn at night and until night at dawn, can you still cry Dong Zhuo to death?" It was Cao Cao, the valiant cavalry commander, who looked at him. Yun angrily said, "Your ancestors also received salaries from the Han Dynasty. Now, instead of thinking of serving the country, they are laughing." Cao said, "I am not laughing at anything else. I am laughing at all of you for not having plotted to kill Dong Zhuo." Although Cao is not talented, I wish to immediately cut off Dong Zhuo's head and hang him at the capital gate to thank the world. Yun Bian Bian asked, "Meng De, what are your insightful views?" Cao said, "Recently, Cao has bent down to look at those who are outstanding in their work, actually hoping to take advantage of the moment to draw a picture." Now Zhuo is quite confident in Cao, and Cao is because he is close to Zhuo at the right time. I've heard that the Master has a seven-treasure sword. I'm willing to lend it to him and bring it into the prime minister's residence to assassinate him. Even if he dies, I won't regret it!" Yun said, "If Meng De had such a heart, the world would be very fortunate!" Then he personally drank wine and served him. Cao Li made a vow, vowing to take the precious sword with him at any time. Holding the Tibetan sword, after drinking, he rose to bid farewell to all the officials and left. All the officials sat down again and then dispersed.

• The next day, Cao Cao, armed with a precious sword, came to the prime minister's residence and asked, "Where is the Prime minister?" Some people say, "In a small pavilion." "Cao Jing in." Seeing Dong Zhuo sitting on the bed, Lu Bu was standing by his side. Zhuo said, "When is it too late for Meng De to come?" Cao said, "The horse is slow to move." Zhuo Gu said to Bu, "I have a fine horse from Xiliang. I would like you to personally pick one and present it to Meng De." Bu received the order and left. Cao thought to himself, "This thief must be killed!" " Even when he was about to draw his sword to stab him, he was afraid of Zhuo's great strength and did not dare to move lightly. Zhuo Pangda was not good at sitting for long, so he lay down and turned his face inward. Cao thought again and said, "This thief should be put to rest!" With the precious sword in hand, just as he was about to stab, Dong Zhuo looked up at the mirror and saw Cao Cao drawing his sword from behind. He quickly turned around and asked, "What is Meng De doing?" At that time, Lu Bu had already led his horse outside the pavilion. Cao was in a state of panic and knelt down with a knife in hand, saying, "Cao has a precious sword. I present it with a gesture of kindness." Zhuo Jie looked at it and saw that its knife was over a foot long, inlaid with seven treasures and extremely sharp. It was truly a precious knife. So he handed it over to Lu Bu for collection. Unsheathing the cloth. Zhuo led Cao out of the pavilion to look at the horses. Cao thanked him and said, "I'd like to lend you a try." Zhuo teaches and saddles. Leading his horse out of the prime minister's residence, he spurred on and headed southeast.

• Bu said to Zhuo, "At that time, Cao Cao seemed to be attempting an assassination attempt and was even drunk, so I presented his sword." Zhuo said, "I am also skeptical." Just as they were talking, Li Ru arrived and Zhuo told him about the matter. The Confucian Scholar said, "Cao has no wife or children in the capital and lives alone in his residence." Now when someone is sent to summon them, if there is no doubt about them and they come, it is to present the sword. If they refuse to come, it must be an assassination attempt and they can be captured and questioned. Zhuo Ran said that he would send four prison guards to call Cao. After a long while away, he reported, "Cao never returned to his residence. He rode out of the east gate on horseback." The doorman asked him. Cao said, "I have an urgent matter to attend to," and then rode away on horseback. The Scholar said, "The thief fled with a false heart. There is no doubt that he will carry out an assassination." Zhuo was furious and said, "I have given such an important position, but you still want to harm me!" " The Scholar said, "There must be an accomplice here. Once Cao Cao is captured, it will be clear." Zhuo then ordered to go through all the paperwork, draw pictures and figures, and capture Cao Cao: those who were captured and presented would be rewarded with a thousand pieces of gold and enfeoffed as marquis of ten Thousand households. Harnesses are equally punished.

• Cao Cao fled outside the city and galloped towards Qiao Commandery. Passing through Zhongmu County, it was captured by the soldiers guarding the pass and presented to the county magistrate. Cao Yan said, "I'm a merchant and my surname is Huangfu." The county magistrate looked at Cao Cao with great familiarity, pondered for a while, and then said, "When I was seeking an official position in Luoyang before, I recognized you as Cao Cao. How could I hide it!" "Let him be imprisoned and sent to the capital tomorrow to ask for a reward." " The guard soldiers were given wine and food and left. At night, the county magistrate ordered his relatives and men to secretly take Cao Cao out and interrogate him in the back courtyard. He asked, "I've heard that the prime minister has treated you well. Why did you bring such trouble upon yourself?" Cao said, "How can sparrows understand the ambition of wild geese?" Since you have seized me, you should go and ask for a reward. Why ask so many questions!" The county magistrate dismissed him from both sides and said to Cao, "Don't underestimate me." "I am no ordinary official; I have never met his master." " Cao said, "Our ancestors lived on the Han Dynasty's salary. If they did not think of serving the country, what difference would they be from beasts?" I humble myself to serve the outstanding, hoping to take advantage of the time to eliminate the harm for the country. "Today's failure is the will of heaven!" " The county magistrate said, "Where does Meng De intend to go on this trip?" Cao said, "I will return to my hometown and issue a false edict, summoning all the feudal lords in the world to raise an army and jointly punish Dong Zhuo. This is my wish." Upon hearing this, the county magistrate personally released his restraints, placed him on the throne and bowed again, saying, "You are truly a loyal and righteous man in the world!" " Cao Cao also bowed and asked the name of the county magistrate. The county magistrate said, "My surname is Chen, my given name is Gong, and my courtesy name is Gongtai." Both the old mother and his wife are in the eastern County. Now, moved by public loyalty and righteousness, I am willing to give up one official position and flee from the public domain." Cao was very pleased. That night, Chen Gong cleared his expenses and changed his clothes with Cao Cao. Each carried a sword and rode back to his hometown.

• After walking for three days, we arrived at Chenggao. It was getting late. Pointing at the depths of the forest with a whip, he said to the palace, "There is a man here whose surname is Lu and given name is Boshe. He is my father's sworn brother." How about asking for news at home and spending the night looking for it?" Gong said, "The best." The two men dismounted in front of the manor and went in to see Bo She. She said, "I've heard that the imperial court has issued numerous documents and is in a hurry to capture you. Your father has already fled to Chen Liu." How did you come to this?" Cao reported on the past and said, "If it weren't for County Magistrate Chen, I would have been crushed to pieces." Bo She bowed to Chen Gong and said, "If I had not sent you, the Cao family would have been wiped out." "Let you be broad-minded and sit in peace. You may stay at the thatched cottage tonight." " Having said that, he got up and went inside. After a long while, he came out and said to Chen Gong, "I have no good wine at home. You can go to the west village and buy a bottle to treat me." Having said that, he hurriedly got on the donkey and left.

• After sitting in the palace for a long time, Cao suddenly heard the sound of sharpening knives behind the manor. Cao said, "Lu Boshe is not my closest relative. This visit is suspicious. We should eavesdrop on him." After the two men sneaked into the thatched cottage, they heard someone say, "How about binding and killing them?" Cao said, "That's right!" "If we do not strike first now, we will surely be captured." So he and Gong drew their swords and charged straight in, killing both men and women. They killed eight people in a row. When they searched under the kitchen, they saw a pig bound and about to be killed. The palace said, "Meng De has many hearts and has mistakenly killed a good person!" He rushed out of the village and mounted his horse. Less than two li had passed when Bo She saw two bottles of wine hanging from the saddle of his donkey, carrying fruits and vegetables in his hand, and called out, "Why have you, my nephew and the envoy, left?" Cao said, "Those who have been punished dare not stay for long." Bo She said, "I have already paid my family for slaughtering a pig. Dear nephew, why do you hate one night?" Please change your bike quickly." Without hesitation, he galloped on horseback. After taking only a few steps, he suddenly drew his sword and returned, asking Bo She, "Who is this?" When Bo She looked back, Cao brandished his sword and slashed him under the donkey. Gong Da was startled and said, "I was mistaken just now. What is it now?" Cao said, "When Bo She returns home and sees many people killed, how could he rest?" If you lead your troops in pursuit, you will surely suffer disaster." The palace said, "To kill someone knowing is a great injustice!" Cao said, "It's better to teach me to betray the world than to teach the world to betray me." Chen Gong remained silent.

• That night, after walking for several miles, I knocked on the door of the inn and checked in under the bright moonlight. After feeding the horse well, Cao Cao went to sleep first. Chen Gong thought to himself, "I will consider Cao Cao a good person and give up my position to follow him." It turned out to be a heartless person! If left today, it will surely cause trouble in the future. Then he was about to draw his sword to kill Cao Cao. It is precisely this: A person with a cruel heart is not a virtuous man, but one who is outstanding is actually of the same kind. After all, what happened to Cao Cao's life? Let's listen to the following analysis.