Dong Zhuo was born into a powerful local family in Xiliang.
Strictly speaking, he was one of the representatives of the landlord class in Shanxi.
Unlike the aristocratic families in Shandong, Dong Zhuo, hailing from Xiliang, was exposed from a young age to people and events that would shape his life—not through literature and etiquette, but through the Qiang people and martial prowess.
Among the Qiang, who lacked a strong cultural tradition, the belief that "might makes right" was widespread. When conflicts arose, nothing solved problems better than a fight, and if that didn't work, they resorted to knives.
Thus, Dong Zhuo, who was strong, physically imposing, skilled in martial arts, an expert horseman, and capable of shooting arrows with both hands, quickly gained fame among the local Qiang people. He was always ready to lead a group of armed guards into battle, whether in single combat or group fights.
Reputation was a valuable asset in the Han Dynasty. With his growing fame and his family's wealth, Dong Zhuo spared no expense in hosting Qiang chieftains, often slaughtering cattle and sheep to entertain them. Through these interactions, he established mutually beneficial trade relationships with the Qiang.
Small groups of Qiang couldn't defeat Dong Zhuo, as he came from a powerful family with many armed guards, and he himself was a formidable fighter. Larger groups of Qiang, on the other hand, had no desire to attack him. The grasslands were vast, and Dong Zhuo provided them with valuable goods. Killing him would be troublesome, and who would they turn to for salt next time?
Timing and luck played their parts. During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, under Emperor Ling, the imperial court sought to suppress local powerful families while simultaneously relying on them to quell peasant uprisings and minority rebellions. Dong Zhuo became one of the officials the court sought to use and appease.
At the time, Dong Zhuo served as a military officer in charge of patrolling the borders and maintaining local order. For Dong Zhuo, this was like finally being draped in the imperial tiger skin, marking the beginning of his path as a warlord.
Soon, the Eastern Han court, eager to resolve the Qiang problem, began promoting powerful figures from Xiliang. This provided Dong Zhuo with a crucial opportunity for advancement. Not only did he maintain his influence among the local elite, but he also used his wealth and military strength to co-opt and absorb other forces, steadily consolidating and expanding his power.
Later, Dong Zhuo was appointed as a commander of the Imperial Guard, overseeing the armies of several commanderies. He was soon promoted to Military Sima and served under General Zhang Huan in campaigns against the rebellious Qiang in Bingzhou.
It was during this time that Dong Zhuo met someone who would change his life: Li Ru.
For the first time, Dong Zhuo learned that the Qiang's guerrilla tactics weren't always effective. He discovered that 100 well-trained soldiers could easily defeat 200 untrained ones. He no longer had to worry about logistical issues, and he realized that there were more effective ways to defeat enemies than brute force.
Dong Zhuo's perception of scholars changed because of Li Ru. To bind Li Ru to his cause, Dong Zhuo married his daughter to him.
In subsequent campaigns against the rebellious Qiang, with Li Ru's assistance, Dong Zhuo distinguished himself through his bravery and ferocity, earning a fearsome reputation in Xiliang.
Due to his outstanding military achievements, Dong Zhuo was promoted to Langzhong and later to various high-ranking positions, including Governor of Bingzhou and Administrator of Hedong.
When Bian Zhang and Han Sui, along with Beigong Boyu and Li Wenhou, rebelled in the north, their forces quickly spread, killing the Governor of Jincheng and threatening the imperial tombs. In this critical moment, Emperor Ling urgently summoned all available generals and troops to defend against the rebellion. Dong Zhuo was appointed as a general and led a large force to protect the imperial tombs.
At this point, Dong Zhuo had transformed from a border commander into a powerful general with a substantial army. For his achievements in fighting Bian Zhang and Han Sui, Dong Zhuo was enfeoffed as Marquis of Taixiang, with a fief of a thousand households.
Dong Zhuo continued to achieve military success in battles against the Qiang and other nomadic tribes, earning further imperial rewards and promotions. However, the court, sensing that Dong Zhuo's power had grown too great, attempted to transfer him to a central position as a high-ranking official. Li Ru, however, warned Dong Zhuo of the court's intentions, and Dong Zhuo declined the appointment, citing the loyalty of his soldiers and his desire to continue serving on the frontier.
By this time, Dong Zhuo had established himself as a warlord, commanding a mixed army of Xiliang soldiers, Hu people, and Qiang tribesmen. His cavalry, in particular, incorporated the tactics of nomadic tribes and was equipped with the advanced weaponry of the Han Dynasty. Through constant warfare on the frontier, Dong Zhuo's army became a formidable force.
Dong Zhuo's power continued to grow rapidly.
Emperor Ling, realizing that Dong Zhuo had become too powerful, sought to curb his influence. On his deathbed, the emperor summoned Dong Zhuo and appointed him as Governor of Bingzhou, hoping to transfer Dong Zhuo's troops to another general, Huangfu Song, and thus weaken Dong Zhuo's power.
But Dong Zhuo, now unwilling to relinquish his military command, refused and instead led his troops into Hedong, establishing himself as a powerful regional warlord who obeyed orders only when it suited him.
Before Emperor Ling could take further action against Dong Zhuo, the emperor passed away. The subsequent power struggles in the imperial court and the ascension of a new emperor left the matter unresolved.
Then, a decree arrived in Dong Zhuo's hands: General-in-Chief He Jin was summoning him to the capital!
He Jin's original plan was perfect.
The imperial guards in Luoyang, the Eight Commanders of the Western Garden, had long been controlled by the eunuch Jian Shuo. Although Jian Shuo had been killed, the lower-ranking soldiers who had allied with the eunuchs remained. To ensure the He family's influence in the court, He Jin believed it was necessary to control a military force free from eunuch influence.
Thus, He Jin sent messages to all the generals commanding troops outside the capital, asking them to send forces to support the campaign against the eunuchs. However, most of the powerful Liu clan members were either too far away or uninterested. Dong Zhuo, being relatively close to Luoyang, was the first to respond, submitting a memorial calling for the removal of the eunuchs. This made He Jin feel as though he had found a kindred spirit.
Incidentally, another warlord, upon receiving He Jin's secret decree, immediately abandoned his harsh life on the frontier and rushed to join the central army. Unfortunately, he was just a step slower than Dong Zhuo, who seized the opportunity. Had things gone differently, the course of history might have changed.
So, in a way, Dong Zhuo was quite fortunate.
Feeling emboldened by Dong Zhuo's support, He Jin not only publicized Dong Zhuo's memorial but also became increasingly hostile toward the eunuchs. Frightened, the eunuchs issued an imperial decree ordering Dong Zhuo to halt his advance and camp where he was.
Thus, Dong Zhuo set up camp in Mianchi, keeping a close eye on the situation in the capital.
A mere hundred miles couldn't contain Dong Zhuo's ambitions. He deployed scouts in all directions, receiving hourly reports on the situation in Luoyang. Thus, when fires broke out in the capital and most people were still unaware of what was happening, Dong Zhuo was the first to know. He immediately broke camp and led his troops toward Luoyang under cover of night.
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To be honest, Fei Qian hadn't expected to actually find anyone during his search along the riverbank.
But there they were—two shivering figures. Who could have imagined that the two most powerful figures in the Han Dynasty could be reduced to such a pitiful state?
Two boys, one older and one younger, covered in mud, their hair disheveled, their expressions filled with fear. If not for the quality of their clothes and the shoes they wore, Fei Qian might have mistaken them for refugees and overlooked them.
In the Han Dynasty, clothing was not a trivial matter. What one wore reflected their status, and wearing the wrong clothes could lead to severe consequences, from social disgrace to losing one's position or even one's life.
During Emperor Wu's reign, the unfortunate Marquis of Wu'an, Tian Tian, was stripped of his title and official position for the crime of "wearing inappropriate clothing in the palace." While there were other factors at play, the official reason recorded in history was his improper attire.
Thus, in the Han Dynasty, clothing was a serious matter.
Fei Qian examined the two boys by the light of the torches. Their ages matched, and despite the mud, their clothing—deep blue robes and red shoes—indicated their noble status.
Although Fei Qian was certain of their identities, it would have been foolish to immediately bow and acknowledge them. The best approach was to pretend not to know.
Even the imperial family needed to maintain its dignity!
Fei Qian stepped forward and addressed the two boys: "Have you lost your family? I am a newly appointed court official. Not far from here is the estate of the former Minister of Works, Cui Wei. It's cold and late. Why not rest at the estate and make plans in the morning?" Regardless of the situation, he needed to give them an excuse to avoid revealing their identities.
The older boy, still frightened, didn't respond, but the younger one replied calmly, "That would be good."
Fei Qian instructed a couple of servants to lead the way and prepare ginger soup and hot water at the estate. As they began to walk, Fei Qian turned back, removed his outer robe, and draped it over the older boy. "Wet clothes are dangerous in the cold wind. Please forgive my impropriety."
The older boy, indeed freezing, muttered a thanks and wrapped himself in Fei Qian's robe, finally feeling some warmth.
Fei Qian then crouched down and said gently to the younger boy, "It's a bit of a walk, and the night is dark. If you don't mind, I can carry you."
After a moment's hesitation, the younger boy thanked him and lightly placed his cold hands on Fei Qian's shoulders.
Fei Qian stood up easily, carrying the boy on his back, and gestured for the older boy to follow.
Under the starry sky, the three figures—Fei Qian carrying the younger boy, the older boy wrapped in Fei Qian's robe, and the servants holding torches—walked slowly forward. Their shadows stretched long across the ground, flickering in the torchlight.