Chapter 24: Liu Bei and Li Jue have a falling out, Dong Zhuo's tyranny ultimately meets with retribution!

  Li Yu said, "Now that Zhang Wei's elite troops in Hanzhong have been defeated and Zhang Lu is weak. We should take advantage of this weakness to quickly advance our army, and Hanzhong can be captured with one blow. If we stop the war at this time and allow them to recover their strength, it will become a problem for Yizhou." Liu Bei listened to this and said, "But are all the ministers' words not sincere? How should I choose between you two?" This was the second time Liu Bei rejected Li Yu's suggestion. The first time was when Li Yu proposed abolishing the punishment of exterminating nine clans. This time it was a major military matter! Since Liu Bei was hesitant, Li Yu continued to argue strongly, saying, "Is there anything wrong with taking advantage of this opportunity to capture Hanzhong in one move?" Liu Bei said, "I and all my beloved officials are close friends, and it is not right for me to choose between you two." Seeing that the two sides were deadlocked, Liu Bei said, "Fourth brother has been fighting continuously and traveling to various places. Please return to the commander's headquarters to rest first! We will discuss this matter later." Li Yu saw that Liu Bei had spoken in this way, so he followed Wang Shuang back to the commander's headquarters, agreeing to meet again five days later to study the situation.

  Li Yu was filled with discontent and regret, his heart burning with a desire for revenge against Wang Xue. He thought to himself: "If I were to retreat now, it would be difficult to take Han Zhong again in the future!" Li Yu returned to the commander's headquarters, changed his clothes, and made up his mind. For the first time, without notifying Liu Bei, he issued the first military order, commanding all of Yi Province's troops to enter a state of high alert, ordering Zhang Fei to train soldiers at Xiaomen Pass in preparation for being the vanguard, and ordering a comprehensive recruitment drive throughout Yi Province.

  What is the crime of deceiving the ruler! In ancient China, the problem of false reporting and concealing information by officials was highly valued. The crime of deceiving the ruler in ancient legal systems, although also including the meaning of insulting the monarch, actually mainly punished the behavior of deceiving the ruler, equivalent to listing the crime of false reporting and concealing information by officials separately. At the same time, the punishment for this behavior was also severe, and the crime of deceiving the ruler was punishable by beheading. The reason it was set as a capital offense is that false reporting and concealing information could have extremely serious consequences, and such examples are indeed common in history.

  The crime of deceiving the monarch is a category of crimes, and there is no specific name for it. It's like the crimes we talk about, such as property infringement or endangering public safety. It's composed of a class of criminal acts. As for what constitutes deceiving the monarch, I think even in ancient times, there wasn't a complete penal code to clearly define it. It was just based on the emperor's intuition: "You're deceiving me!" And that's how the crime of deceiving the monarch was committed.

  At this point, if Li Yu is speaking loudly, he's not only committing the crime of deceiving the monarch but also has suspicions of rebellion. If he speaks softly, it's still a crime of using military forces without authorization, which is also a serious offense. Owning and controlling troops has always been the biggest gap between the ruler and his subjects.

  Owning and controlling troops refers to Li Yu having an army, consolidating his power, and being a powerful general who disobeys his superiors or the imperial court, challenging the central government's authority. Li Yu is openly exerting pressure on Liu Bei! This is also Li Yu's last resort.

  Li Yu attaches too much importance to Hanzhong. He had discussed with Liu Bei when they entered Yizhou that they should first take Hanzhong and then take Jingzhou. If there were changes in Xiliang, they would launch a surprise attack and point their swords at Chang'an, shocking the world and stabilizing the situation, making it possible to plot the Central Plains.

  However, Liu Bei's hesitation has greatly surprised Li Yu. The city of Hanzhong is a must-win for Li Yu. Since ancient times, defending Yizhou requires first defending Hanzhong. Hanzhong is a place that military strategists have always fought over. Therefore, Hanzhong is the focus of Li Yu's current battle and also the key to future battles, where they will launch an attack from Yizhou, seize the Central Plains, and revive the Han dynasty.

  But at this time, Dong Zhuo was in Chang'an and heard that Li Yu and Liu Bei had begun to have discord between them. He said to the group of ministers: "I have eliminated one of my heart's troubles!" Dong Zhuo asked: "Can Li Yu not die?" Military strategist Li Ru also burst out laughing, laughing at Li Yu for not knowing the times and bringing harm upon himself! From then on, Dong Zhuo no longer considered Liu Bei to be a concern. He became increasingly arrogant and presumptuous, calling himself "Shang Fu" ( Imperial Father), using imperial carriages and ceremonial instruments when entering and exiting; he appointed his brother Dong Hui as Left General and Duke of Ping, his nephew Dong Min as Attendant Minister, in charge of the palace guards. Dong Zhuo became Grand Marshal, overseeing all military forces under heaven! The entire Dong clan, regardless of age or seniority, were all enfeoffed as marquises. Two hundred fifty li outside Chang'an city, he built a separate stronghold at Mei, using twenty-five million laborers to construct it: the walls and buildings were just like those in Chang'an, with inner palaces, storehouses storing grain for twenty years; eight hundred beautiful young women from among the people were selected to live within, gold, jade, silk, and pearls piled up beyond count; his family members all lived inside. Dong Zhuo would travel back and forth between Chang'an, sometimes returning once every half month, sometimes once a month, with high officials waiting to send him off at the city gate; Dong Zhuo often set up tents along the road, gathering with officials to drink together. In this way, Dong Zhuo was just like an emperor!

  One day, Dong Zhuo went out of the city gate, and all officials saw him off. Dong Zhuo stayed to feast, and at that time, he summoned several hundred surrendered soldiers from the north to come. Dong Zhuo, this demon king, ordered them to be executed on the spot, cutting off their hands and feet, gouging out their eyes, cutting out their tongues, or boiling them in a large pot. The cries of grief shook the sky, but under heaven, all the Buddhas did not bless him, and he had no compassion at all, truly deserving of the title of demon king! At this time, all officials were so frightened that they didn't dare to eat or drink, while Dong Zhuo ate and drank as usual. Another day, Demon King Dong Zhuo held a grand meeting with all officials in the provincial government office, where they sat in two rows. After several rounds of wine, Lü Bu entered and whispered a few words into Dong Zhuo's ear. Dong Zhuo burst out laughing and said: "So that's how it is." He ordered Lü Bu to drag Zhang Wen, the Minister of Works, down from the hall. All officials turned pale. Before long, an attendant brought in a red tray with Zhang Wen's head on it. The officials were so frightened that their souls left their bodies. Dong Zhuo laughed and said: "Gentlemen, don't be alarmed. Zhang Wen colluded with Yuan Shu to plot against me, and someone sent a letter to my son Xian, which was mistakenly delivered to my place. That's why I had him executed. You gentlemen have no reason to fear." The officials dispersed in silence.

  Here is the translation:

  Wang Yun returned to his residence, thinking about what had happened at the banquet earlier. He couldn't sit still and paced back and forth in his room. As night fell and the moon rose high in the sky, he took a stroll in the garden, standing by the trellis of a flowering vine. He looked up at the sky and wept, praying to the Buddha and Heaven: "My great Han dynasty, must it really follow in the footsteps of Qin? The demonic king Dong Zhuo is so cruel and unjust, why hasn't he been punished?"

  Just then, he heard someone sighing by the peony pavilion. Wang Yun crept over quietly and took a peek, seeing that it was Diao Chan, one of his household's singing girls. He felt a sense of relief in his heart.

  Diao Chan had been chosen to enter the household as a child and taught music and dance. She was now 28 years old, with both talent and beauty. Wang Yun treated her like a daughter.

  That night, Wang Yun listened for a long time before suddenly shouting: "You wretched woman, do you have some secret affair?" Diao Chan knelt down in surprise and replied: "I dare not have any secrets!"

  Wang Yun scolded her: "If you have no secrets, why are you sighing so deeply at night?" Diao Chan cried out: "Please let me speak my mind."

  Wang Yun's expression didn't change as he said: "Don't hide anything, tell me the truth." Diao Chan wept and said: "I've received your kindness and training in music and dance. I've been treated with great courtesy. Even if I were to die, I couldn't repay you enough. Recently, I've seen you looking worried and troubled, but I didn't dare ask what was wrong. Tonight, I saw you pacing back and forth, so I sighed deeply. I didn't think I'd be discovered by you."

  Wang Yun struck the ground with his staff and wept: "Who would have thought that the fate of my great Han dynasty rested in your hands? Diao Chan, quickly follow me to the flower pavilion!" Wang Yun said this without turning back and strode towards the pavilion.

  Diao Chan had no choice but to follow him closely. When they arrived at the pavilion, Wang Yun chased out several women who were there and made Diao Chan sit in the middle. He then knelt down on the ground and kowtowed to her.

  Diao Chan was shocked and also knelt down, crying: "Why are you doing this? This is tormenting me!" Wang Yun wept and said: "You should pity my great Han dynasty! It's only right that I bow to you."

  Wang Yun finished speaking and tears streamed down his face. He didn't say anything more.

  Diao Chan saw this and asked him: "Earlier, I said that if you had any orders for me, I would be willing to die for you." Wang Yun knelt down and replied: "Now the fate of my great Han dynasty hangs in the balance. The people are in danger, and the court is in crisis. It's not something you can't save."

  Wang Yun continued: "The treacherous minister Dong Zhuo wants to usurp power and seize the throne. My poor Han dynasty has no strategy to counter him. Dong Zhuo has a son named Lü Bu, who is extremely brave and fierce. He's the only one who can match him. But I've observed that both of them are lustful men. Now I want to use a linked ring plan: first, I'll betroth you to Lü Bu, then I'll present you to Dong Zhuo. You'll take advantage of this and spy on the father and son, making them turn against each other. Then, have Lü Bu kill Dong Zhuo, eliminating the great evil. We can then restore the dynasty and bring peace to the people. It's all up to you."

  Diao Chan listened and knelt down, weeping: "I'm willing to die for you, please present me to them. I have my own plan." Wang Yun helped her up and said: "This matter is known only to Heaven and earth, and us three. If it leaks out, I'll be destroyed."

  Diao Chan replied: "Don't worry, sir. If I don't fulfill this great righteousness, I'll die under a thousand swords!" Wang Yun knelt down and thanked her.

  The next day, Wang Yun sent several bright pearls from his family collection to a skilled craftsman to make a golden crown. He secretly sent someone to deliver it to Lü Bu. Lü Bu was greedy for wealth and beauty, and when he saw the gift, he was overjoyed. He personally went to Wang Yun's mansion to thank him.

  Wang Yun had prepared a sumptuous feast and welcomed Lü Bu warmly. When Lü Bu arrived, Wang Yun went out to greet him and led him into the inner hall. Lü Bu took his seat without hesitation, and then laughed and said, "Lü Bu is just a general under Dong Zhuo, while you, Sir Wang Yun, are a high-ranking official in the imperial court. Why do you show such respect?"

  Wang Yun smiled and replied, "I see that there are no heroes in the world today, except for General Lü Bu. I am not showing respect to your position, but to your talent." Lü Bu loved to hear flattery, and when he heard Wang Yun's words, he was delighted.

  During the feast, Wang Yun repeatedly toasted Lü Bu with wine, praising his virtues without end. Lü Bu laughed heartily and drank freely, following Wang Yun's lead in everything. When the wine had reached its peak, Wang Yun saw that the time was ripe and ordered his attendants to summon Diao Chan.

  The attendants did not dare to delay and immediately went to fetch her. After a short while, two maidservants led Diao Chan out, dressed in elegant attire. Lü Bu was amazed by her beauty and asked Wang Yun who she was. Wang Yun saw that Lü Bu had taken the bait and said, "This is my adopted daughter, Diao Chan. I have treated her like a member of my family, and since you, General Lü Bu, are so fond of me, I wanted to introduce her to you."

  Wang Yun then ordered Diao Chan to offer wine to Lü Bu. As she poured the wine into his cup, their eyes met, and they exchanged flirtatious glances. Wang Yun pretended to be drunk and unaware of what was happening, saying, "My child has asked General Lü Bu to drink a few more cups. Our whole family relies on General Lü Bu's kindness."

  Lü Bu, the great lecher, asked Diao Chan to sit down, but she pretended to want to leave. Wang Yun saw this and sternly rebuked her, saying, "General Lü Bu is my closest friend, so why can't you sit with him? If you leave now, won't that hurt our relationship?" Diao Chan took advantage of the situation and sat down beside Wang Yun.

  Diao Chan was a beauty, one of China's four great beauties. History has described her as having a "closed moon" appearance, meaning that even the moon's light could not compare to her beauty. In ancient times, when men and women were not equal, she was considered a rare treasure.

  Lü Bu was completely enchanted by Diao Chan's beauty, his eyes fixed on her without blinking. He had no desire to drink wine anymore but had to continue drinking to avoid offending Wang Yun. When Wang Yun saw that Lü Bu had taken the bait, he pointed to Diao Chan and asked him if he would accept her as a concubine. Lü Bu was overjoyed and knelt down to thank him, saying, "If I can have her, I will be eternally grateful!"

  Wang Yun laughed heartily and said, "I will choose an auspicious day soon and send her to your mansion." Lü Bu was ecstatic and kept glancing at Diao Chan. Diao Chan also gazed back at him with affectionate eyes.

  After a while, the feast ended, and Wang Yun escorted Lü Bu out of his mansion, saying, "I wanted to keep you here for another night, but I'm afraid Dong Zhuo might become suspicious." Lü Bu repeatedly thanked Wang Yun for offering Diao Chan to him and left.

  Just a few days later, Wang Yun invited Dong Zhuo to his residence for a banquet. When Dong Zhuo arrived, Wang Yun greeted him with great respect and courtesy. After the feast, Wang Yun presented Dong Zhuo with a poem that hinted at his desire to abdicate the throne in favor of Dong Zhuo.

  Dong Zhuo was overjoyed by the suggestion and promised to make Wang Yun a high-ranking official if he were to become emperor. Wang Yun then introduced Dong Zhuo to his adopted daughter, Diao Chan, who was known for her beauty and talent. Dong Zhuo was immediately smitten with Diao Chan and asked Wang Yun about her age.

  Wang Yun told him that she was 18 years old, and Dong Zhuo praised her as a goddess among mortals. Wang Yun then offered to give Diao Chan to Dong Zhuo as a gift, which Dong Zhuo gladly accepted. As they parted ways, Wang Yun escorted Dong Zhuo back to his residence on horseback.

  The next day, Dong Zhuo sent a carriage to fetch Diao Chan and bring her to his residence. From that day on, Diao Chan became one of Dong Zhuo's concubines, and Wang Yun was rewarded with wealth and power for his role in introducing them.

  Lü Bu rode his horse, holding a halberd, and came face to face with Wang Yun. He reined in his horse, grabbed Wang Yun's collar, and asked loudly, "Since the Imperial Tutor has promised Diaochan to me, why did you send her to Dong Zhuo?" Wang Yun hastily stopped Lü Bu and whispered, "This is not a place for conversation; let us go to my humble abode." At home, after exchanging formalities, Wang Yun said, "General, why do you suspect me?" Lü Bu asked, "Someone told me that you sent Diaochan to Dong Zhuo's mansion. What does it mean?" Wang Yun smiled and said, "You didn't know? Yesterday, Dong Zhuo came to my house and said he wanted to see Diaochan. I couldn't refuse him." Lü Bu listened and apologized, saying, "Wang Yun, please forgive me. I was young and foolish, and I misunderstood the situation." Wang Yun smiled again and said, "My daughter is quite talented; when she has finished her makeup, I will personally send her to your mansion." Lü Bu took his leave and rode away on his Red Hare horse. The next day, he inquired about Dong Zhuo sending Diaochan to his mansion but heard nothing. He entered the main hall and asked the maidservants, who replied, "Last night, Dong Zhuo slept with the new bride, and they haven't gotten up yet." Lü Bu was furious and decided to sneak into Dong Zhuo's bedroom. At that moment, Diaochan was combing her hair by the window when she saw a figure outside the window. It was Lü Bu. She pretended to be sad and wiped away tears with a silk handkerchief. Lü Bu watched for a long time before leaving. A little later, he returned, and Dong Zhuo asked him if everything was all right outside. Lü Bu replied that it was fine. Dong Zhuo sat in the main hall, eating food, while Lü Bu secretly glanced at Diaochan, who was behind an embroidered curtain, revealing half of her face and exchanging glances with him. Lü Bu knew it was Diaochan, and his heart was filled with longing. Dong Zhuo noticed Lü Bu's behavior and became suspicious, saying, "Pengcheng, you may leave." Lü Bu had no choice but to withdraw.

  Dong Zhuo, after taking Diao Chan as his own, was infatuated with her and did not attend to official matters for over a month. One day, Dong Zhuo fell ill, and Diao Chan attended to him without removing her clothes, catering to his every need. Dong Zhuo was extremely pleased.

  Lü Bu entered the inner quarters to ask after Dong Zhuo's health, just as he had fallen asleep. Diao Chan peeked out from behind the bed and saw Lü Bu approaching, pointing to her heart with one hand and then to Dong Zhuo with the other, tears streaming down her face. Lü Bu's heart was shattered.

  Dong Zhuo opened his eyes and saw Lü Bu staring at something behind him; he turned around and saw Diao Chan standing there. Dong Zhuo flew into a rage, pointing at Lü Bu and shouting: "You dare to flirt with my beloved concubine?" He ordered his attendants to throw Lü Bu out, forbidding him from entering the hall again.

  Lü Bu left in anger and encountered Li Ru on the way. He told Li Ru what had happened. Li Ru was shocked and hurried into the inner quarters to see Dong Zhuo, advising him: "Father-in-law, you want to take over the world, why do you blame Lü Bu for a minor transgression? If he were to turn against us, our entire army would be in his hands; if we don't appease him now, disaster will strike."

  Dong Zhuo was shocked by Li Ru's words and asked: "What should I do now?" Li Ru replied: "Tomorrow, summon Lü Bu and give him gold and silk to comfort him. He will naturally calm down." In reality, Li Ru did not know about the plot devised by Wang Yun; otherwise, he would have advised Dong Zhuo to return Diao Chan to Lü Bu.

  The next day, Dong Zhuo summoned Lü Bu to the inner quarters and apologized: "I was ill and my mind was cloudy; I misspoke and hurt you. Please don't take it to heart." He then gave Lü Bu ten kilograms of gold and twenty pieces of brocade. Lü Bu thanked him and left, but Dong Zhuo did not know that Lü Bu's body may have been by his side, but his heart was still with Diao Chan.

  Dong Zhuo had just recovered from his illness and was attending court when Lü Bu, carrying a halberd, followed him into the palace. When he saw Dong Zhuo talking with Emperor Xian, he took advantage of the opportunity to slip out of the inner gate, mount his horse, and head straight for Dong Zhuo's residence.

  He tied his Red Hare horse in front of the mansion, carried his halberd into the back hall, and searched for Diao Chan. When he saw her, she said, "You can go to the rear garden by the Phoenix Pavilion and wait for me."

  Lü Bu took his halberd and went straight there, standing under the pavilion's curved railing. After a long time, he saw Diao Chan walking towards him, brushing aside flowers and willows, looking like a goddess from the Moon Palace.

  When she saw Lü Bu, she burst into tears and said, "Although I am not Wang Yun's biological daughter, he treated me as if I were his own. Since I met General Fengxian, I have been willing to serve him with my life. This is the wish of my lifetime! Who would have thought that Taishi would harbor evil intentions and try to defile me? I hate that I didn't die immediately; it's just that I haven't had a chance to bid farewell to the general, so I've endured the shame and lived on.

  Now that I'm lucky enough to see General Fengxian, my wish is fulfilled! This body has been defiled and cannot serve a hero again. I want to die in front of you to show my loyalty!" As soon as she finished speaking, Diao Chan grasped the curved railing and jumped towards the lotus pond.

  Lü Bu saw this and couldn't bear to let her die, so he hastily hugged her, also crying, "I've known your heart for a long time! I'm just sorry we can't talk together!" Diao Chan pulled at Lü Bu's clothes and said, "In this life, I cannot be your wife; I hope to meet you in the next life."

  Lü Bu angrily shouted, "If I don't make you my wife in this life, I'm not a hero!" Diao Chan said, "I've been living in misery for years, hoping you'll take pity on me and save me." Lü Bu said, "I came here empty-handed, fearing that the old thief would suspect something; I must leave quickly."

  Diao Chan grasped his clothes and said, "You're so afraid of the old thief; my body will never see the light of day!" Lü Bu heard this and became enraged, standing up straight and saying, "Let me think of a good plan." After speaking, he raised his halberd to leave.

  Diao Chan grabbed the hem of Lü Bu's clothes and said, "I've been in deep boudoir, hearing your name like thunder in my ears; who would have thought that I'd be controlled by someone else?" As soon as she finished speaking, tears fell like rain. Lü Bu was also a seven-foot-tall man, but Diao Chan's words made him feel ashamed and embarrassed.

  He repeatedly leaned on his halberd, turned around, and hugged Diao Chan, using kind words to comfort her. The two of them were leaning against each other, reluctant to part ways.

  But Dong Zhuo was in the palace, turned his head and didn't see Lü Bu, suspected in his heart, hurriedly bid farewell to Emperor Xian, boarded the carriage and returned to the mansion; saw Lü Bu's Red Hare horse tied in front of the mansion; asked the gate official, the gate official replied to Dong Zhuo: "Wenhou has entered the back hall." Dong Zhuo scolded the attendants to retreat, went straight into the back hall, searched and didn't see; called Diao Chan, Diao Chan also didn't see. Urgently asked the maid, the maid saw Dong Zhuo's great anger and could only kneel down on the ground and said: "Diao Chan is in the backyard looking at flowers." Dong Zhuo went straight to the backyard, just seeing Lü Bu and Diao Chan talking under the Fengyi Pavilion, with a painted halberd leaning against one side. Dong Zhuo was indeed the mighty Demon King, greatly enraged, shouted loudly. Lü Bu saw Dong Zhuo arrive in person, greatly shocked and lost color, turned around and ran away. Dong Zhuo snatched the halberd, held it up and chased after Lü Bu. Lü Bu ran fast, Dong Zhuo was fat and couldn't catch up to Lü Bu, threw the halberd and stabbed at Lü Bu. Lü Bu was a great hero, dodged the halberd and fell to the ground. Dong Zhuo picked up the halberd again and chased after him, but by this time Lü Bu had already run far away. Dong Zhuo chased out of the garden gate, one person rushed forward, collided with Dong Zhuo's chest, and Dong Zhuo fell to the ground. It was: The anger that soared into the sky for a thousand feet, the fat body became a heap on the ground. Unaware of who this person is, listen to the next chapter for explanation.

  If you miss home, please return home with all your heart!