The events described in today's blogpost can be seen in episodes 4 and 5 of the 1994 edition of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which you can find here:
Last week I outlined Dong Zhuo's rise to power; it may be remembered that the rise of Dong Zhuo caused certain eyebrows to be raised. Among those that opposed Dong Zhuo's usurpation of power in the Imperial Capital of Luoyang was Cao Cao (style name Mengde). He left the Imperial Capital and removed to Chenliu (Southeast of modern day Kaifeng, Henan) and built up his army, joining with other regional warlords to form a coalition against Dong Zhuo in February of 190. Called the Guandong Coalition, the armies of thirteen prominent warlords gathered east of Hangu Pass. Cao Cao's forces served under Yuan Shao, who was elected leader of the coalition.
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| Cao Cao |
The coalition forces blockaded the east of Luoyang, cutting off the eastern part of the Empire from the capital. This caused a massive reduction in tax revenue. To combat this, Dong Zhuo melted statues and other treasures for bronze to mint new coins, causing inflation throughout the empire.
Although the coalition forces arrayed before Dong Zhuo were impressive, they were made up of opportunists and family retainers with little or no battle experience. Yuan Shao too had limited participation in military affairs, whereas Dong Zhuo's forces were battle hardened veterans with experienced commanders.
However, alarmed by the formation of the coalition, Dong Zhuo shifted the capital from Luoyang to Chang'an (modern day Xi'an, Shaanxi Province). On April 9 190, Dong Zhuo implemented his proposal, ordering his soldiers to loot the rich households of Luoyang and to drive the civilian population towards Chang'an. He forced the Emperor, nobles and officials towards Chang'an as well. Those who refused to obey the evacuation orders were executed on the spot. Dong Zhuo also ordered Lu Bu to raid ancient tombs and burial mounds for valuables. After the evacuation, Luoyang was burnt to the ground.
Meanwhile, Cao Cao led his men westward to pursue Dong Zhuo's forces. He was defeated by Dong Zhuo's forces in the Battle of Xingyang, being wounded in the battle.
At the same time, Sun Jian who had joined Yuan Shu (Yuan Shao's brother) with 20,000 to 30,000 was made the vanguard of Yuan Shu's forces. In March of 191 Sun Jian advanced to Liangdong, but was outnumbered and encircled by Dong Zhuo's general Xu Rong. With a few dozen men, Sun Jian fought his way through the encirclement and withdrew.
Gathering his survivors, he advanced to Yangren, where he was met by a force sent by Dong Zhuo led by Hua Xiong, Hu Zhen and Lu Bu. Internal quarrels between Lu Bu and Hu Zhen led to the force being defeated, with Hua Xiong being captured by Sun Jian and executed. As Sun Jian advanced towards the capital of Luoyang, Yuan Shu feared that if he captured the capital he would be uncontrollable. As such, he stopped sending supplies to Sun Jian. Sun rode fifty kilometres in one night to reach Yuan Shu's base of operations, and convinced Yuan Shu to continue forwarding supplies to his troops.
Winning a further battle with Dong Zhuo at the battle of Dagu Pass, Sun Jian broke into Luoyang, where he routed the forces of Lu Bu. Whilst in Luoyang, Sun Jian found the Imperial Jade Seal in a well in the city. After having secured the city and sealing the tombs of the Emperors, he withdrew, fearing counter attacks.
Despite Sun Jian's successes against Dong Zhuo, the coalition was not unified enough to stand together against the warlord, and broke up later in the year.
In Fiction
Cao Cao's Assassination Attempt on Dong Zhuo
Wang Yun, a co-conspirator against Dong Zhuo lent Cao Cao a precious sword to kill Dong Zhuo. Cao Cao went to Dong Zhuo's bedroom, and attempted to stab him in the back as he turned away for a mid day nap. However, the bed had a mirror so that Dong Zhuo could see behind him, and saw Cao Cao's attempt. Cao Cao quickly knelt in front of him and pretended to present the sword as a gift. After this, he fled the city a wanted man.
In Cao Cao's biography in the Record of the Three Kingdoms no mention is made of any assassination attempt.
Cao Cao is Arrested and Released by Chen Gong
Cao Cao fled Luoyang after his failed assassination attempt, and Dong Zhuo had notices for Cao Cao's arrest put up. He was spotted by the local magistrate Chen Gong and was arrested. In a private conversation, Chen Gong was impressed by Cao Cao's sense of righteousness, giving up his post and becoming Cao Cao's travel companion.
There is no mention of Chen Gong in the Record of the Three Kingdoms until 192, although Cao Cao was briefly arrested and released in Zhongmu County.
Cao Cao murders Lu Boshe
After fleeing with Chen Gong, Cao Cao sought refuge with Lu Boshe, who was Cao Cao's father's sworn brother. During their stay, Cao Cao overheard a conversation among the servants about whether to 'kill or to tie up first', and suspecting murder, he and Chen Gong indiscriminately killed everyone in the household. After finding out that the servants were actually talking about slaughtering a pig, they realised that they had killed innocents. Chen Gong and Cao Cao then fled the house. As they left, they ran into Lu Boshe, returning from an errand. When Lu asked them to stay, Cao Cao made an excuse, then killed him.
When Chen Gong asked him why, Cao Cao said 'If he goes home and sees his family dead, do you think he'll let us go?' when Chen Gong said that it is a 'grave sin to kill someone with the intention of doing so', Cao Cao said one of the most famous phrases in Chinese literary history:
宁教我负天下人，休教天下人负我
"I'd rather wrong the world, than let the world wrong me". Chen Gong left him that night.
Although Cao Cao did in fact kill Lu Boshe's family due to a misunderstanding over a feast being prepared for him, Lu Boshe was not the sworn brother of Cao Cao's father, and Chen Gong was not with him - furthermore, he did not say the famous quotation above.
Battle of Sishui Pass
Sun Jian was crippled in front of Sishui Pass, due to Yuan Shu's refusal to send supplies. The general defending Sishui Pass, Hua Xiong, rode to the coalition camp and taunted them to dual him. After several generals were slain, Guan Yu, sworn brother of Liu Bei volunteered to fight Hua Xiong. Although Yuan Shu ridiculed him because of his low rank, Cao Cao intervened and told him to let Guan Yu go. Cao Cao offered him a cup of warm wine to bolster his spirit, but Guan Yu refused, saying that he would be back soon. He returned soon after with Hua Xiong's head while the wine was still warm.
This is a fictional battle invented by Luo Guanzhong.
Battle of Hulao Pass
Dong Zhuo personally led an army to Hulao Pass, Lu Bu accompanying him. Lu Bu challenged the coalition forces to dual him in person. After killing a few generals, he was challenged by Zhang Fei, Liu Bei's sworn brother. As the battle was going poorly, Guan Yu joined in, followed soon after by Liu Bei, causing a three on one dual, which Lu Bu fought to a draw. This forced Dong Zhuo to withdraw to the west.
This is a fictional battle invented by Luo Guanzhong.
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