On that day, Cao Cao had said to He Jin, "The plague of eunuchs has existed in every age, ancient and modern. The fault lies with rulers who grant them too much power and favor, allowing the situation to reach this point. If you wish to punish them, you need only remove the chief offenders—a single jailer would suffice. Why summon armies from the provinces in such chaos? If you attempt to exterminate them all, the plan will surely be exposed. I predict this will end in disaster." He Jin replied angrily, "Mengde, are you harboring some private motive?" Cao Cao withdrew and said to himself, "The man who will throw the realm into chaos is none other than He Jin." Despite this warning, He Jin secretly dispatched messengers with forged imperial decrees, sending them galloping through the night to every province.
Now, the Former General, Marquis of Ao Township, and Provincial Inspector of Liang Province, Dong Zhuo, had previously failed in his campaign against the Yellow Turbans. The court had been on the verge of punishing him, but he escaped by bribing the Ten Regular Attendants. Later, he curried favor with powerful court officials and rose to high office, commanding a massive army of 200,000 troops in the western provinces. He had long harbored rebellious ambitions. When he received He Jin's summons, he was overjoyed. He mustered his forces and began marching in stages, appointing his son-in-law, General of the Household Niu Fu, to hold the region west of the Hangu Pass, while he himself led Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou toward Luoyang.
Dong Zhuo's son-in-law and strategist, Li Ru, advised him, "Although we act under imperial decree, there is much that is unclear. Why not send a memorial to the throne first? That way, our actions will be righteous and justified, and we can achieve great things." Dong Zhuo was delighted and submitted a memorial. Its gist was as follows: "I have heard that the reason for the endless rebellions and chaos in the realm is that the eunuchs of the Yellow Gate, Zhang Rang and others, have defied the natural order of Heaven. I have learned that to stop water from boiling by adding cold water is not as effective as removing the firewood beneath the pot. To lance a festering sore is painful, but better than nurturing the poison within. I dare to sound the drums of war and enter Luoyang to request the execution of Zhang Rang and his ilk. This would be a blessing for the altars of the state! A blessing for all under Heaven!"
He Jin presented the memorial to the court. The Attendant Secretary Zheng Tai cautioned him, "Dong Zhuo is a wolf and a jackal. If you bring him into the capital, he will devour everyone." He Jin replied, "You are too suspicious. You are not fit to plan great affairs." Lu Zhi also advised, "I know Dong Zhuo's character well. He wears a kind face but has a cruel heart. Once he enters the palace, he will surely bring disaster. It would be better to stop him and prevent chaos." He Jin refused to listen. Zheng Tai and Lu Zhi both abandoned their offices and left. More than half of the court's high officials followed their example. He Jin sent men to welcome Dong Zhuo at Mianchi, but Dong Zhuo halted his army and advanced no further.
When Zhang Rang and the others learned that outside troops were approaching, they conferred among themselves and said, "This is He Jin's scheme. If we do not strike first, our entire clans will be wiped out." They hid fifty armed assassins inside the Jiade Gate of the Changle Palace. Then they went to He, the Empress Dowager, and said, "The Grand General has forged an imperial decree and summoned outside troops to the capital, intending to destroy us. We beg Your Ladyship to take pity and save us." The Empress Dowager replied, "You should go to the Grand General's residence and apologize." Zhang Rang said, "If we go to his residence, we will be ground to dust. We beg Your Ladyship to summon the Grand General to the palace and order him to stop. If he refuses, we will plead for death before Your Ladyship." The Empress Dowager then issued a decree summoning He Jin.
He Jin received the decree and prepared to go. His Chief Clerk, Chen Lin, warned him, "This decree from the Empress Dowager is surely a trap set by the Ten Regular Attendants. You must not go. If you do, disaster will follow." He Jin said, "The Empress Dowager summons me. What disaster could there be?" Yuan Shao added, "Our plan has already been exposed. The situation is clear. General, do you still intend to enter the palace?" Cao Cao said, "First, summon the Ten Regular Attendants out, and then you may enter." He Jin laughed and said, "That is a child's view. I hold the power of all under Heaven. What dare the Ten Regular Attendants do to me?" Yuan Shao said, "If you insist on going, let us lead armored guards to protect you, in case of unforeseen events." So Yuan Shao and Cao Cao each selected five hundred elite troops, placing them under the command of Yuan Shao's younger brother, Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu, fully armed, arrayed his troops outside the Green Lock Gate. Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, bearing swords, escorted He Jin to the Changle Palace. There, a eunuch of the Yellow Gate delivered the Empress Dowager's order: "The Empress Dowager specifically summons the Grand General. No one else is permitted to enter." Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and the others were all stopped outside the palace gates.
He Jin strode in proudly. As he reached the Jiade Hall, Zhang Rang and Duan Gui came out to meet him, and soldiers immediately surrounded him. He Jin was greatly alarmed. Zhang Rang shouted at him, "What crime did Empress Dong commit that you poisoned her to death? When the mother of the state was buried, you feigned illness and did not attend! You were nothing but a butcher and a peddler. We recommended you to the Son of Heaven, and you rose to honor and wealth. Instead of repaying this kindness, you plot to destroy us. You say we are foul—who among you is pure?" He Jin, panicked, tried to find an escape, but all the palace gates were shut. The hidden assassins rushed out and hacked He Jin to pieces.
A poet of the time lamented: The Han dynasty was crumbling, its fate sealed by Heaven. He Jin, a man without strategy, had risen to the highest office. Time and again, he ignored the counsel of loyal ministers, and thus he could not avoid falling to the sword within the palace.
After Zhang Rang and the others had killed He Jin, Yuan Shao, who had been waiting a long time without seeing He Jin emerge, shouted outside the palace gates, "General, please take your carriage!" Zhang Rang and his men threw He Jin's severed head over the wall and announced, "He Jin plotted rebellion and has been executed! All those who were coerced into following him are pardoned." Yuan Shao roared, "The eunuchs have murdered a great minister! All who wish to slay these traitors, come forward and fight!" He Jin's officer, Wu Kuang, set fire to the Green Lock Gate. Yuan Shu led his troops storming into the palace, slaughtering every eunuch they found, regardless of rank. Yuan Shao and Cao Cao smashed through the gates and entered. Zhao Zhong, Cheng Kuang, Xia Yun, and Guo Sheng were chased to the Cuihua Tower, where they were cut to pieces. The palace was ablaze, flames leaping to the sky. Zhang Rang, Duan Gui, Cao Jie, and Hou Lan seized the Empress Dowager, the Crown Prince, and the Prince of Chenliu, fleeing through the rear passages to the Northern Palace. Lu Zhi, who had not yet left despite abandoning his post, saw the commotion from within the palace. Donning his armor and grasping his halberd, he stood beneath a tower. In the distance, he saw Duan Gui forcing the Empress Dowager along. Lu Zhi shouted, "Duan Gui, you treasonous villain! How dare you kidnap the Empress Dowager!" Duan Gui turned and fled. The Empress Dowager leaped from a window, and Lu Zhi managed to rescue her. Wu Kuang burst into the inner palace and saw He Jin's brother, He Miao, also emerging with a sword. Wu Kuang shouted, "He Miao conspired with the eunuchs to murder his brother! Let us kill him together!" The soldiers all cried out, "We will gladly slay the villain who plotted against his own brother!" He Miao tried to flee, but was surrounded on all sides and cut to pieces. Yuan Shao then ordered his soldiers to hunt down and exterminate the families of the Ten Regular Attendants, sparing no one, young or old. Many men without beards were mistakenly killed in the slaughter. Cao Cao, meanwhile, worked to extinguish the fires in the palace, requested that the Empress Dowager take temporary charge of affairs, and sent troops to pursue Zhang Rang and the others while searching for the young Emperor.
Zhang Rang and Duan Gui, dragging the young Emperor and the Prince of Chenliu with them, fled through smoke and flames through the night until they reached Mount Mang. Around the second watch of the night, the sound of shouting rose behind them as pursuing troops closed in. The leading officer, Min Gong, the Chief Clerk of Henan, cried out, "Treasonous villains, do not flee!" Seeing the situation desperate, Zhang Rang threw himself into the river and drowned. The Emperor and the Prince of Chenliu, uncertain of the situation, dared not speak loudly. They hid among the tangled reeds by the riverbank. The pursuing soldiers scattered in all directions, unaware of the Emperor's whereabouts. The Emperor and the Prince hid until the fourth watch. The dew fell, and they were hungry and cold. Huddled together, they wept, but fearing discovery, they stifled their sobs among the weeds. The Prince of Chenliu said, "We cannot stay here long. We must find another way to survive." So the two tied their garments together and crawled up the bank. The ground was covered with thorns, and in the darkness, they could not see the path. As they despaired, suddenly thousands of fireflies gathered, their light shining brightly, swirling before the Emperor. The Prince of Chenliu said, "Heaven is helping us brothers!" They followed the fireflies and gradually found a path. By the fifth watch, their feet were too sore to continue. They saw a haystack at the foot of a hill and lay down beside it. In front of the haystack was a farmhouse. The farmer had dreamed that night that two red suns had fallen behind his house. Startled awake, he threw on his clothes and went outside. Looking around, he saw a red glow rising from the haystack behind his house. He hurried over and found the two young men lying there. The farmer asked, "Whose sons are you, young masters?" The Emperor dared not answer. The Prince of Chenliu pointed to the Emperor and said, "This is the reigning Emperor, who fled here after the rebellion of the Ten Regular Attendants. I am his younger brother, the Prince of Chenliu." The farmer was astonished and bowed twice, saying, "I am Cui Yi, younger brother of the former Minister of Education, Cui Lie. Seeing the Ten Regular Attendants selling offices and envying the virtuous, I retired into seclusion here." He helped the Emperor into his home and knelt to offer him wine and food.
Meanwhile, Min Gong caught up with Duan Gui and seized him. He demanded, "Where is the Son of Heaven?" Duan Gui replied, "We lost him along the way. I do not know where he went." Min Gong killed Duan Gui on the spot, hung his head from his horse's neck, and sent his soldiers out to search in all directions. He himself rode alone, following the trail until he happened upon Cui Yi's farm. Cui Yi saw the severed head and asked about it. Min Gong explained everything, and Cui Yi led him to see the Emperor. The lord and his minister wept together. Min Gong said, "The state cannot be without a ruler for a single day. I beg Your Majesty to return to the capital." Cui Yi's farm had only a single emaciated horse, which he prepared for the Emperor. Min Gong and the Prince of Chenliu shared another horse. As they left the farm, they had traveled less than three li when they encountered a large procession of several hundred men, including the Minister of Education Wang Yun, the Grand Commandant Yang Biao, Colonel of the Left Army Chunyu Qiong, Colonel of the Right Army Zhao Meng, Colonel of the Rear Army Bao Xin, and Colonel of the Central Army Yuan Shao. They welcomed the imperial carriage. Lord and ministers all wept together. They first sent Duan Gui's head to be displayed in the capital as a warning, then exchanged the horses for better ones for the Emperor and the Prince of Chenliu, and escorted the Emperor back to the capital. Earlier, a children's rhyme in Luoyang had said: "Emperor is not emperor, king is not king, a thousand chariots and ten thousand horsemen flee to Mount Mang." Now this prophecy was fulfilled.
The imperial carriage had traveled only a few li when suddenly a host appeared, their banners blotting out the sun, their dust darkening the sky. The officials all turned pale, and the Emperor himself was greatly alarmed. Yuan Shao spurred his horse forward and demanded, "Who goes there?" From within the embroidered banners, a general flew out and shouted, "Where is the Son of Heaven?" The Emperor trembled and could not speak. The Prince of Chenliu reined in his horse and rode forward, shouting, "Who are you?" Dong Zhuo replied, "I am Dong Zhuo, Provincial Inspector of Liang Province." The Prince of Chenliu asked, "Have you come to protect the Emperor, or to seize him?" Dong Zhuo answered, "I have come specifically to protect him." The Prince of Chenliu said, "If you have come to protect him, the Son of Heaven is here. Why do you not dismount?" Dong Zhuo was shocked. He hastily dismounted and bowed by the roadside. The Prince of Chenliu spoke words of comfort to Dong Zhuo, from beginning to end, without a single misstep. Dong Zhuo secretly marveled at this and already harbored the intention of deposing the Emperor. That day, they returned to the palace. When they saw the Empress Dowager, all wept together. Searching the palace, they found that the Imperial Jade Seal was missing.
Dong Zhuo stationed his army outside the city. Every day, he led his iron-armored cavalry into the city, rampaging through the streets, filling the people with terror. He came and went from the palace with complete disregard for propriety. The Colonel of the Rear Army, Bao Xin, came to see Yuan Shao and said, "Dong Zhuo surely harbors treacherous intentions. We must eliminate him quickly." Yuan Shao replied, "The court has only just been stabilized. We cannot act rashly." Bao Xin then went to see Wang Yun and spoke of the matter. Wang Yun said, "Let us discuss it further." Bao Xin then led his own troops and departed for Mount Tai.
Dong Zhuo lured the troops of He Jin and his brothers to his side, bringing them all under his command. He privately said to Li Ru, "I wish to depose the Emperor and install the Prince of Chenliu. What do you think?" Li Ru replied, "Now that the court has no true leader, if you do not act, a delay will invite change. Tomorrow, at the Wenming Garden, summon all the officials and announce the deposition. If anyone refuses, behead him. Your authority will be established this very day." Dong Zhuo was pleased. The next day, he hosted a grand feast and invited all the high ministers. The ministers all feared Dong Zhuo, so none dared to stay away. When all the officials had arrived, Dong Zhuo slowly made his way to the garden gate, dismounted, and entered the banquet with his sword at his side. After several rounds of wine, Dong Zhuo ordered the wine and music to stop. He then said in a stern voice, "I have something to say. Let all the officials listen in silence." Everyone leaned in to hear. Dong Zhuo declared, "The Son of Heaven is the lord of ten thousand people. Without dignity and authority, he cannot preside over the ancestral temples and the altars of the state. The present Emperor is weak and timid. He is not as worthy as the Prince of Chenliu, who is intelligent and fond of learning, and fit to inherit the great throne. I wish to depose the Emperor and install the Prince of Chenliu. What do all the great ministers think?" When the officials heard this, none dared to speak.
From his seat, one man pushed aside his table and strode forward, standing before the banquet. He shouted, "No! No! Who are you to speak such arrogant words? The Son of Heaven is the legitimate son of the late Emperor. He has committed no fault. How dare you recklessly discuss deposition and elevation? Are you plotting usurpation?" Dong Zhuo looked at him. It was Ding Yuan, the Provincial Inspector of Jing Province. Dong Zhuo angrily roared, "He who follows me shall live; he who opposes me shall die!" He drew his sword and was about to strike Ding Yuan down. But Li Ru noticed a man standing behind Ding Yuan, of imposing stature and awe-inspiring presence, gripping a Sky-Piercing Halberd and glaring with furious eyes. Li Ru quickly stepped forward and said, "This is a place of feasting and drinking. Matters of state should not be discussed here. Tomorrow, we can debate this in the Hall of Government." The others all urged Ding Yuan to mount his horse and leave.
Dong Zhuo asked the assembled officials, "Is what I have said just and reasonable?" Lu Zhi replied, "You are mistaken, my lord. In ancient times, when Tai Jia was unwise, Yi Yin exiled him to the Tong Palace. When the Prince of Changyi had reigned for only twenty-seven days and committed over three thousand crimes, Huo Guang announced it to the ancestral temple and deposed him. The present Emperor, though young, is intelligent, benevolent, and wise. He has committed no fault whatsoever. You are a mere provincial inspector from a distant commandery, who has never before participated in state affairs. You lack the great talents of Yi Yin or Huo Guang. How can you forcibly advocate for deposition? The Sage said: 'If one has the intentions of Yi Yin, it is acceptable; if one lacks the intentions of Yi Yin, it is usurpation.'" Dong Zhuo flew into a rage, drew his sword, and advanced on Lu Zhi, intending to kill him. The Attendant Cai Yong and the Court Gentleman Peng Bo stepped forward to counsel him, saying, "Lu Zhi is a man of great renown within the realm. If you harm him first, you will terrify all under Heaven." Dong Zhuo relented. The Minister of Education Wang Yun said, "Matters of deposition should not be discussed over wine. Let us deliberate another day." So the officials all dispersed.
Dong Zhuo stood at the garden gate, leaning on his sword. Suddenly, he saw a man on horseback, wielding a halberd, galloping back and forth outside the gate. Dong Zhuo asked Li Ru, "Who is that man?" Li Ru replied, "He is Ding Yuan's adopted son. His surname is Lü, his given name Bu, and his style name Fengxian. My lord, you should avoid him for now." Dong Zhuo quickly retreated into the garden to hide. The next day, a report came that Ding Yuan had led his army outside the city and was challenging him to battle. Enraged, Dong Zhuo led his troops out with Li Ru to meet him. The two armies formed up opposite each other. Lü Bu appeared, wearing a gilded headdress, a robe embroidered with a hundred flowers, armor of fine Tangni leather, and a lion-headed belt studded with gems. He sat astride a fine horse, holding his halberd upright, following Ding Yuan to the front of the formation. Ding Yuan pointed at Dong Zhuo and cursed him, saying, "The state is in misfortune because the eunuchs have seized power, causing the people to suffer. You have not the slightest merit, yet you dare to speak wildly of deposing the Emperor and throwing the court into chaos!" Before Dong Zhuo could reply, Lü Bu charged forward on his flying steed. Dong Zhuo fled in panic. Ding Yuan led his army in a general assault. Dong Zhuo's forces suffered a great defeat, retreating over thirty li before making camp. He gathered his men to discuss the situation. Dong Zhuo said, "I see that Lü Bu is no ordinary man. If I could win him over, what need would I have to worry about all under Heaven?" A man stepped forward from before his tent and said, "My lord, do not worry. I am from the same village as Lü Bu. I know him to be brave but lacking in strategy, and one who puts profit before righteousness. With my three inches of glib tongue, I can persuade Lü Bu to surrender to you with folded hands. Is that acceptable?" Dong Zhuo was overjoyed. He looked at the man—it was Li Su, the General of the Household of the Brave Guard. Dong Zhuo asked, "How will you persuade him?" Li Su replied, "I have heard that my lord possesses a famous horse called Red Hare, which can travel a thousand li in a single day. We must have this horse, along with gold and pearls, to bind his heart with profit. Then I will speak to him, and Lü Bu will surely betray Ding Yuan and come to serve you." Dong Zhuo asked Li Ru, "What do you think of this plan?" Li Ru replied, "My lord, if you wish to conquer all under Heaven, why begrudge a single horse?" Dong Zhuo gladly gave him the horse, along with a thousand taels of gold, several dozen bright pearls, and a jade belt.
Li Su took the gifts and went to Lü Bu's camp. The soldiers guarding the road surrounded him. Li Su said, "Quickly report to General Lü that an old friend has come to see him." The soldiers reported this, and Lü Bu ordered him to be brought in. Li Su said to Lü Bu, "My worthy brother, it has been a long time. I trust you are well." Lü Bu returned the greeting and asked, "We have not seen each other for a long time. Where are you now?" Li Su replied, "I hold the post of General of the Household of the Brave Guard. I heard that my worthy brother is supporting the altars of the state, and I was overjoyed. I have a fine horse that can travel a thousand li in a day, crossing rivers and climbing mountains as if it were level ground. Its name is Red Hare. I have come especially to present it to you, to add to your tiger-like might." Lü Bu ordered the horse to be brought forward for him to see. Indeed, the horse was entirely the color of blazing fire, without a single hair of another hue. From head to tail, it measured ten feet; from hoof to withers, eight feet. It neighed and snorted with a vigor that seemed capable of leaping into the sky or diving into the sea.
A poet of the time wrote of the Red Hare: Galloping a thousand li, it stirs up clouds of dust. Crossing rivers and climbing mountains, the purple mist parts. Breaking its silk reins and shaking its jade bit, it flies down from the nine heavens like a fiery dragon.
When Lü Bu saw this horse, he was overjoyed. He thanked Li Su and said, "Brother, you have given me this dragon-like steed. How can I ever repay you?" Li Su replied, "I came for the sake of brotherhood. How could I expect repayment?" Lü Bu ordered wine to be served to entertain him. When the wine had made them both warm and cheerful, Li Su said, "I have rarely had the chance to see you, brother, but I often meet your father." Lü Bu said, "You must be drunk, brother! My father passed away many years ago. How could you meet him?" Li Su laughed loudly and said, "That is not what I meant! I am speaking of Ding Yuan, the Provincial Inspector of Jing Province." Lü Bu looked embarrassed and said, "I serve Ding Yuan only out of necessity." Li Su said, "My worthy brother possesses talents that could support the heavens and overturn the seas. Who in the four seas does not admire and respect you? Fame, fortune, and rank are as easy for you to obtain as taking something from one's own pocket. Why speak of necessity and serve under another?" Lü Bu said, "I only regret that I have not yet found the right lord." Li Su smiled and said, "A fine bird chooses its tree to perch on; a worthy minister chooses his lord to serve. If you do not seize the opportunity early, it will be too late for regrets." Lü Bu asked, "Brother, you are at court. Whom do you consider the hero of the age?" Li Su replied, "I have observed all the ministers, and none of them can compare to Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo treats the worthy with respect and the learned with courtesy. He rewards and punishes with clarity.
He will surely achieve a great enterprise." Lü Bu said, "I would like to serve him, but I have no way to introduce myself." Li Su took out the gold, pearls, and jade belt and laid them before Lü Bu. Lü Bu was startled and asked, "Why do you have these?" Li Su ordered the attendants to withdraw, then said to Lü Bu, "These are gifts from Lord Dong, who has long admired your great name. He specially sent me to present them to you. The Red Hare is also a gift from Lord Dong." Lü Bu said, "Lord Dong holds me in such high regard. How can I ever repay him?" Li Su said, "A man of little talent like myself has already become a General of the Household of the Brave Guard. If you go to him, your honors will be beyond measure." Lü Bu said, "I only regret that I have not the slightest merit to offer as a token of my submission." Li Su said, "Merit can be achieved in the turn of a hand. You are simply unwilling to do it." Lü Bu pondered for a long time, then said, "I wish to kill Ding Yuan, lead his army, and surrender to Dong Zhuo. What do you think?" Li Su replied, "If my worthy brother can do this, it will be a truly great achievement! But the matter must not be delayed. It must be decided quickly." Lü Bu and Li Su agreed that he would surrender the next day, and Li Su departed.
That night, at the second watch, Lü Bu took a sword and went straight into Ding Yuan's tent. Ding Yuan was reading by candlelight. When he saw Lü Bu arrive, he said, "My son, what business brings you here?" Lü Bu said, "I am a man of true stature. How could I be willing to be your son?" Ding Yuan said, "Fengxian, why have your heart changed?" Lü Bu stepped forward and cut off Ding Yuan's head with a single stroke of his sword. He shouted to the attendants, "Ding Yuan was unrighteous, and I have killed him. Those who are willing to follow me, stay. Those who are not, may leave." More than half of the soldiers dispersed. The next day, Lü Bu took Ding Yuan's head and went to see Li Su. Li Su then led Lü Bu to meet Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo was overjoyed and ordered a feast to be prepared to welcome him. Dong Zhuo first knelt and said, "Now that I have gained a general like you, it is like a withered seedling receiving sweet rain." Lü Bu helped Dong Zhuo to his seat and knelt before him, saying, "If my lord does not despise me, I beg to be accepted as your adopted son." Dong Zhuo presented Lü Bu with a suit of golden armor and a brocade robe. They drank freely and then parted. From then on, Dong Zhuo's power grew even greater. He appointed himself to the post of Former General, made his younger brother Dong Min the General of the Left and Marquis of Hu, and appointed Lü Bu as Colonel of Cavalry, General of the Household, and Marquis of Duting.
Li Ru urged Dong Zhuo to decide the matter of deposition quickly. Dong Zhuo then held a banquet in the palace and summoned all the high ministers. He ordered Lü Bu to station a thousand armored soldiers around him as guards. On that day, the Grand Tutor Yuan Wei and all the other officials arrived. After several rounds of wine, Dong Zhuo leaned on his sword and said, "The present Emperor is weak and unenlightened. He is not fit to preside over the ancestral temples. I shall follow the precedent of Yi Yin and Huo Guang. I will depose the Emperor and make him the Prince of Hongnong, and install the Prince of Chenliu as Emperor. Whoever disobeys shall be beheaded!" The ministers were all terrified and dared not respond. Colonel of the Central Army Yuan Shao stepped forward and said, "The present Emperor has only recently ascended the throne and has committed no fault. You wish to depose the legitimate heir in favor of a secondary son. Is this not treason?" Dong Zhuo roared, "The affairs of all under Heaven are in my hands! I do as I please! Who dares to disobey? Do you think my sword is not sharp enough?" Yuan Shao also drew his sword and said, "Your sword may be sharp, but mine is no less so!" The two faced each other across the feast table. Indeed: Ding Yuan, upholding righteousness, was the first to fall. Yuan Shao, contending for power, now faced mortal danger. Whether Yuan Shao would live or die would be told in the next chapter.