The Bloody Court of Dong Zhuo
The morning court assembly reeked of the blood Dong Zhuo had spilled. It was thanks to executing criminals right there in the hall, splattering blood everywhere.
"The Emperor is unwell and hasn't come. So I'll preside over the meeting."
With the throne empty, the highest-ranking man in the hall was Grand Commandant Dong Zhuo. Flanking the assembly on both sides, his soldiers glared at the civil and military officials with fierce eyes. Under the threat of spears and swords, not a soul dared even breathe too loudly.
"Let's begin the meeting."
Dong Zhuo dropped a bombshell right at the start: abolition.
"The current Emperor is vulgar and weak, lacking any imperial dignity. He has no right to rule the realm. In accordance with the late Emperor's will, I propose we depose him and enthrone the Prince of Chenliu as the new Son of Heaven."
The officials exchanged stunned glances and murmurs after hearing Dong Zhuo out. Shock and terror spread like wildfire among the ministers.
"Have you seen this madman?!"
At that moment, Minister Lu Zhi leaped from his seat. Pointing straight at Dong Zhuo, he bellowed,
"Dong Zhuo! Do you not know that even speaking of dragging down the Emperor—whom the late sovereign placed on the throne—is a crime of high treason?!"
His thunderous roar, belying his advanced age, shook the entire hall.
"That old fool wants to die!"
Dong Zhuo yanked the sword from his belt, and his soldiers surged toward Lu Zhi. But Cai Yong, seated beside Dong Zhuo, urgently held him back.
"Grand Commandant! Please quell your anger for a moment! Minister Lu is known throughout the land for his unyielding integrity. Executing him now would turn every scholar under heaven against you."
Cai Yong had been forcibly summoned—and threatened into compliance—to lend legitimacy to the regime. Dong Zhuo couldn't afford to lose him over Lu Zhi. Snarling, he sheathed his blade.
"You've got nine lives, Minister Lu."
Thanks to Cai Yong's intervention, Lu Zhi kept his head, but the hall's air had turned to ice. Dong Zhuo swept his still-furious gaze over the assembly.
"I'll ask again. Besides that old man, does anyone oppose my will?"
Of course, Lu Zhi wasn't the only one bold enough to defy Dong Zhuo. Yuan Shao stepped forward from among the officials and shouted at him.
"The current Emperor hasn't committed any tyranny, and he's the rightful heir of the previous sovereign. Who are you to prattle on about deposing him?!"
"You bastard!"
Enraged, Dong Zhuo drew his sword again. This time, even Cai Yong couldn't stop him. Instead of retreating, Yuan Shao whipped out his own sword from his belt and aimed it at Dong Zhuo.
Two gleaming blades flashed in the tense standoff.
"The realm has more than one man with power, Grand Commandant Dong!"
Having rebuked Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao stormed out. Dong Zhuo's fists trembled as he scanned the hall. With two open dissenters, further debate on abolition was impossible.
"That's enough for today. Everyone, withdraw!"
The court assembly ended just like that. Terrified officials scattered in all directions. Amid the chaos, Jojo spurred his horse straight for the estate, his face set like stone.
In the original history, Jojo fled Luoyang after Dong Zhuo deposed the Emperor. Did he really need to meddle with a river that would flow its course on its own? If he did intervene, how could he persuade Jojo? He pondered it.
"I heard you're selling your estate, furniture, and goods."
"Not right away, but soon. I'll send word once the date's set."
"In that case, I'll take a look."
I'd summoned the merchant early, thinking of planting apple trees. Since I hadn't promised a date, I could make excuses even if I failed to convince Jojo.
"Somyeng! Did you hear?!"
"What is it, Lord Jojo?"
"That traitor Dong Zhuo spoke of abolition right in the throne room!"
But Jojo burst through the door like a battering ram, making further pondering unnecessary. I led him to the innermost room. From his rambling, it was clear Dong Zhuo had indeed brought up deposition. Jojo had returned to decide his next move and asked what I planned to do.
"I knew from the stars. That's why I've been preparing to leave."
"You knew? ...Well, then leaving is the right call. Liquidate your assets and get out now."
Distancing oneself from a mad traitor who ousted the Emperor was always wise. I immediately ordered a servant to fetch the merchant back.
The shocking agenda had hit at the si hour; we were selling off the estate by the mi hour. The merchant, sensing our desperation, slashed the price mercilessly. I haggled in Jojo's stead but couldn't overturn the disadvantage. After the wrangling, we pocketed barely thirty percent of the value—a pittance.
"I'm sorry, Lord Jojo. My skills were lacking; I only got thirty percent."
"If Dong Zhuo finds out we fled, he'll seize everything. Better a pittance than nothing—don't worry."
I apologized to Jojo, but he brushed it off.
"Understood. Now, hear my escape plan."
"I'm listening."
I outlined how Jojo would slip out the east gate with one guard, while I and the rest of the servants exited boldly through the west gate. It was to sow confusion, making them think we'd returned to the Jo clan lands.
"That puts you at risk."
"Until tonight, they'll be too busy calming the uproar at court to watch you. Dong Zhuo will send men after us once he realizes we've fled, but if we muddle their direction, we can reach the clan without worry."
Hesitate now, miss the moment, and we'd be fleeing with our heads on the line. Jojo knew that too and couldn't dissuade me.
"Then meet at the inn ten li east of Luoyang."
We moved the instant the merchant paid. My group had to loop around Luoyang to the inn, so we hurried. The soldiers hadn't yet sealed the gates under Dong Zhuo's orders and let us pass.
"Where to?"
"To the Western Liang. The Army Marshal is ill, so I'm going in his stead. Now that the Front General has been promoted to Grand Commandant, I'm bringing fine horses as tribute."
I lied calmly as we exited the west gate of Luoyang. If Dong Zhuo hunted for Jojo, he'd assume he was hidden among my trailing servants. Circling north past Beimang Mountain, I swung east of Luoyang. We pushed hard and reached the inn village before sunset.
My group scoured the inns for Jojo.
"Is Zhen Sheng staying here?"
Zhen Sheng was the alias of Jojo's accompanying guard. We found them easily enough.
"Hey, you said noon—why so late?"
Jojo asked nonchalantly, wary of tails. I replied that detouring via Beimang had delayed us.
"We leave at dawn."
"Agreed."
Luoyang to Chohyeon was about 1,200 li. Mounted pursuers could catch us easily. We needed every bit of distance while they still didn't know we'd fled.
Four days after escaping Luoyang, we hadn't even left Sarye Province. Skimping on food and sleep, human legs topped out at 60 li a day. Without our four packhorses, we'd have covered even less. Mixing back roads with the main highway, one servant grumbled to me—too scared of Jojo, or was I the easier mark?
"When do we switch to river transport?"
"Walk till tonight; tomorrow, we take boats."
River was faster than legs if rushing back to Paeguk. But fleeing Dong Zhuo, boarding near Luoyang was suicide. He'd search main roads and nearby ferries. No guarantee we'd go unnoticed at the docks, and if pursuers divined our route, fast ships would nab us before Paeguk.
They wouldn't scour past Sarye Province, though, so once in Yanzhou, we'd use the waterways.
"Where do we stay tonight?"
I asked Jojo. After forced marches, we all needed real rest. Tensing up in dingy inns had its limits.
"Nearby, at Yeobaeksa's place. Reliable friend—I sent him gifts this spring, so no qualms."
"Long time, Mengde."
"You too. Get my spring gift?"
"How could I forget? Thanks to you, all's well."
Jojo and Yeobaeksa grinned broadly on sight. I'd feared a cold welcome—what luck. Midway through their laughter, Yeobaeksa asked his son,
"Yeogang, any liquor left?"
"Guests drank it all last time—two jars at most."
"Aigoo, if I'd known company was coming..."
Yeobaeksa dashed off to the next village for booze, insisting we make ourselves at home.
"Finally, a proper stretch."
Jojo relaxed, saying so to me. Bone-tired myself, I nodded. Servants sprawled shamelessly asleep; I wedged into a spot and conked out.
How long after lying on the floor? Commotion erupted out back. Outside, tool-clattering and muffled talk drifted in.
"...handle it before they wake."
"Tie it tight, keep it quiet..."
Soon, urgent hands shook my shoulder. Blinking awake, I saw Jojo's grim face staring down.
He whispered low,
"Somyeng, hear what they said?"
I nodded silently, straining for more. Hushed voices mixed with a whetstone's rasp.
"Somyeng, what if Yeobaeksa's reporting to the authorities, and the sons are holding us...?"
Jojo gripped his sword, convinced of betrayal—ready to charge out. Better to strike first than wait.
"I'll check."
I pushed his sword hand aside.
He opened his mouth to stop me, but I cut in.
"Even rusty with the blade, I can handle them. If it's real trouble, I'll yell for you loud—wake the guard meantime."
I turned and went, ignoring his gaze. Risky, sure. But I trusted they weren't traitors. When Jojo came alone before, they'd welcomed him. No reason to turn on a dozen now.
Still, who knew? I tucked a dagger in my sleeve—enough to stall till backup.
- Creak
Slipping out quietly, the noises grew louder. I crept toward the sons' spot, footsteps hushed.
"Throat first..."
"...yeah, yeah."
Peering round the corner, Yeobaeksa's two sons wrestled a massive pig. One pinned it writhing; the other poised a knife at its throat.
'Process it,' 'tie it'—that was the pig.
Ahem.
I cleared my throat, stepping into the yard. One son froze, spotting me.
"Slaughtering the pig?"
The other grinned guilelessly.
"Can't skimp on hospitality for honored guests. Sorry for the noise."
"All good," I said, heading back.
Jojo and the now-awake guard stood alert inside.
"The sons were butchering a pig."
Jojo, dubious, went to verify with the guard. On return, sheepishness and relief crossed his face.
"Somyeng, without you, I'd have made a huge blunder."
An hour later, Yeobaeksa returned with liquor casks. That evening, lavish pork dishes and drink filled the table. Everyone savored the feast, melting away the ordeal.
'Dodged a bullet.'
I sighed inwardly—not just saving face with one family.
When I couldn't halt Dong Zhuo's power grab, despair had gripped me: powerless against history's mighty current.
'But today, I proved I can change it.'
Xuzhou's sea of blood, Yuan Shao's ruined ambitions at Guandu, the flames of Chibi.
Keep at it like today, and I could stop them.
That was my thought then.