Chapter Seventeen: The Death of Ding Yuan

Late at night, Luo Ang lay awake on his bed, unable to sleep because Dong Yuan was beside him. Luo Ang thought to himself, "Wenji, it’s not that your husband has wronged you, but the circumstances leave me no choice. Now, Dong Zhuo’s third daughter clings to me. I cannot abandon her, especially since she has severed ties with her father."

Dong Yuan opened her eyes and saw Luo Ang was still awake. She asked, “Lord Yan, what’s troubling you?”

Luo Ang looked at Dong Yuan and replied, “Nothing much.”

“But I see you can’t sleep,” Dong Yuan said softly.

Noticing that Dong Yuan had guessed his thoughts, Luo Ang sighed and said, “Actually, you are the first woman to lie beside me since I left my wife.”

Dong Yuan blushed deeply and shyly asked, “Really?”

Luo Ang nodded. “Yes, truly.”

Receiving his affirmation, Dong Yuan became even more bashful.

Seeing her embarrassment, Luo Ang guessed her thoughts and said, “Don’t overthink it. Whether I marry you is uncertain.”

Dong Yuan pouted, turned away, and ignored him.

Luo Ang sighed and shook his head as he watched her turn her back.

The next morning, Dong Zhuo hosted a banquet for the officials, and everyone headed to the venue immediately.

Luo Ang received the invitation from Dong Zhuo and began to feel conflicted.

Tian Feng noticed Luo Ang’s hesitation and said, “My lord, I think you should go.”

“Why?” Luo Ang asked.

“Because Dong Zhuo is inviting you specifically on account of his third daughter,” Tian Feng explained.

Luo Ang suddenly understood.

Tian Feng continued, “You can observe Dong Zhuo’s intentions, and also find an opportunity to return Dong Zhuo’s third daughter to him.”

“I’ll certainly watch Dong Zhuo closely, but returning her will be difficult,” Luo Ang said.

“Why so?” Tian Feng inquired.

“She told me last night that she has broken relations with her father,” Luo Ang replied.

Tian Feng was stunned. “What? They are estranged?”

Luo Ang nodded.

At the banquet hall, everyone entered holding the invitations Dong Zhuo had sent. They noticed Dong Zhuo hadn’t yet arrived, which puzzled them.

Luo Ang saw Cao Cao there and said, “Mengde, Dong Zhuo has invited you too!”

Cao Cao nodded. “Indeed.”

“I suspect Dong Zhuo wants to hold a major meeting under the guise of this banquet,” Luo Ang speculated.

Cao Cao seemed to understand. “That makes sense.”

Just then, Dong Zhuo and his strategist, Li Ru, entered, pleased to see everyone had arrived.

“Apologies for being late,” Dong Zhuo said, taking his seat with Li Ru.

Everyone sat and watched Dong Zhuo cautiously, mindful of the warnings from Lu Zhi and Zheng Tai, who had described Dong Zhuo as ruthless and ambitious.

Seeing their wary eyes, Dong Zhuo knew his arrival was new and set the banquet to welcome them. “Gentlemen, please drink.”

Knowing the tension wouldn’t ease otherwise, the officials began to drink.

After several rounds, Dong Zhuo spoke solemnly, “I have a word to say. The emperor is the ruler of all under heaven, and without dignity, he cannot serve the ancestral temples and the state. Yet our current emperor is weak. The King of Chenliu is intelligent and studious, fit to inherit the throne. I intend to depose the emperor and enthrone the King of Chenliu. What say you, ministers?”

The officials fell silent, all aware of Dong Zhuo’s true intent.

Suddenly, one man slammed his hand on the table, stood, and shouted, “Who are you to speak such nonsense? The emperor is the rightful son of the late sovereign, without fault. It is treason to speak of deposition!”

Dong Zhuo glared—it was Ding Yuan, Inspector of Bing Province—and shouted, “Today, those who obey me prosper; those who oppose me perish!”

Drawing his sword, Dong Zhuo lunged to strike Ding Yuan.

At that moment, Li Ru noticed a man standing behind Ding Yuan, imposing and fierce, wielding a halberd and glaring angrily. He said, “This is a banquet, not a place for political debate. Let us discuss state affairs another day.”

Everyone urged Ding Yuan to calm down.

Ding Yuan mounted his horse and left.

Dong Zhuo asked the officials, “Was what I said unjust?”

Lu Zhi stood and replied, “You are mistaken. In ancient times, when King Tai Jia was unfit, Yi Yin exiled him and enthroned the Prince of Changyi, who ruled for only twenty-seven days, committing over three thousand offenses, leading to his deposition. Our current emperor, though young, is wise and virtuous without fault. You are an outer province inspector, uninvolved in state affairs, lacking the greatness of Yi Yin or Huo Guang. How can you force the issue of deposition? The sages say: ‘With the ambition of Yi Yin, it is acceptable; without it, it is usurpation.’”

Dong Zhuo was furious, drew his sword, and advanced to kill Lu Zhi.

Counselor Peng Bo warned, “Lord Dong, Lu Shangshu commands respect throughout the realm. Killing him now would terrify the world.”

Dong Zhuo immediately stopped.

Minister Wang Yun said, “Such matters should not be discussed over wine. Let us defer to another day.”

Thus, the officials dispersed.

Dong Zhuo stood by the garden gate, sword in hand, when he saw a rider galloping back and forth outside.

“Who is that?” he asked.

Li Ru replied, “That is Ding Yuan’s sworn son, Lu Bu, styled Fengxian. My lord, you should avoid him.”

Hearing this, Dong Zhuo retreated quietly into the garden.

The next day, news came that Ding Yuan had brought troops outside the city to challenge Dong Zhuo.

Furious, Dong Zhuo led his army with Li Ru to meet them.

The two forces faced each other.

Lu Bu, with his hair tied up and golden crown, clad in a flowered battle robe and Tang Ni armor, with a lion-patterned belt, rode at the front wielding a halberd, following Ding Yuan.

Ding Yuan pointed at Dong Zhuo and cursed, “The country suffers misfortune as eunuchs wield power, bringing disaster to the people. You, with no merit, dare to talk of deposition and wreak chaos!”

Before Dong Zhuo could reply, Lu Bu charged at him.

Seeing Lu Bu’s attack, Dong Zhuo fled.

Ding Yuan pursued, but Dong Zhuo’s forces were routed and retreated thirty miles to their camp.

There, Dong Zhuo gathered his officers.

He sighed, “I see Lu Bu is extraordinary. If I can win him over, I need not fear the world.”

Li Ru suggested, “My lord, Lu Bu is unprincipled and self-serving. Offer him gold and jewels, and he will surely defect.”

Dong Zhuo approved and sent envoys with treasures to Ding Yuan’s camp to approach Lu Bu.

An hour later, the envoys returned sheepishly.

Dong Zhuo asked, “What happened? Where is Lu Bu?”

The envoy replied, “I reached Ding Yuan’s camp and expressed your desire to recruit Lu Bu, but he refused. I tried bribery, but he still rejected us.”

Enraged, Dong Zhuo spat, “How dare he look down on me!”

Li Ru advised, “My lord, I have another plan to kill Ding Yuan.”

“What plan?” Dong Zhuo asked.

“Feign weakness and propose peace to lure Ding Yuan to Luoyang.”

Dong Zhuo agreed and arranged for Ding Yuan to come for peace talks.

Ding Yuan fell for the trap. Bringing Lu Bu and a few confidants to Luoyang, they were ambushed.

Lu Bu and company fought fiercely and escaped, but Ding Yuan was struck by an arrow.

“Foster father,” Lu Bu knelt weeping by his side, “I failed to protect you.”

“Fengxian, don’t blame yourself. I was careless,” Ding Yuan gasped. The arrow was coated with poison, and the toxin spread rapidly. His speech faltered.

“Foster father,” Lu Bu’s eyes reddened with tears.

“Listen!” Ding Yuan’s lips blackened; his eyes bloodshot. “After I die, you must… lead the troops back to Bing Province. Do not… seek revenge for me. Then… find Luo Ang!”

His body stiffened suddenly, and he passed away.

“Foster father!”

In a courier inn in Luoyang, Luo Ang learned of the conflict between Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo and discussed it with Tian Feng.

“Yuanhao, should we intervene?” Luo Ang asked.

Tian Feng shook his head. “No need. Let Generals Dian Wei and Zhang He guard the camp and avoid engaging. We must not get entangled in their fight.”

“Agreed,” Luo Ang said, instructing Tian Feng to ensure the camps were secure.

Dong Yuan asked anxiously, “Lord Yan, is my father in danger?”

Luo Ang looked at her and said, “If you worry for your father, you should leave me and not follow me to Youzhou.”

Dong Yuan spoke softly, “I won’t leave you. Without you, I don’t know how I’d survive. Besides, I am no longer chaste since being with you.”

Luo Ang sighed, hating how such customs degraded women across eras.

“Alright, I agree. But we must leave Luoyang quietly, without others knowing.”

Dong Yuan nodded. “No problem. Once in Youzhou, I will marry you, whether as wife or concubine.”

“Good,” Luo Ang said.

Soon, Tian Feng returned.

“Is everything arranged?” Luo Ang asked.

Tian Feng nodded. “All is done.”

“Thank you, Yuanhao. We must always be prepared.”

Tian Feng said urgently, “My lord, I have news!”

“What is it?”

“Ting Yuan was killed by Dong Zhuo!”

Luo Ang was shocked. “What? When?”

“Just now.”

“Plans have changed. We must leave the city. Order Dian Wei and Zhang He to storm into Luoyang, cover Lu Bu and the others, and escape with them.”

“Yes,” Tian Feng replied, and departed.

Dong Yuan insisted, “I will go with you!”

Luo Ang looked at her. “Is that wise? You are Dong Zhuo’s daughter.”

“It doesn’t matter; I am estranged from him,” Dong Yuan said.

Luo Ang sighed. “Very well, we leave together. But you must stay by my side and not wander off. Understand?”

Dong Yuan smiled happily. “I understand.”

Luo Ang and Dong Yuan mounted their horses and fled Luoyang’s west gate, heading toward the camps of Dian Wei and Zhang He outside the city.

At the camp, Dian Wei and Zhang He guarded carefully, preventing any intrusion.

Luo Ang, Tian Feng, and Dong Yuan arrived and dismounted.

“Lord,” Dian Wei and Zhang He greeted.

“Quickly lead your soldiers into Luoyang to rescue Lu Bu,” Luo Ang ordered.

“Why help Lu Bu?” Zhang He asked.

“Ding Yuan was killed by Dong Zhuo, and Lu Bu is now in dire straits. To reclaim Bing Province without bloodshed, we must save Lu Bu,” Luo Ang explained.

Dian Wei and Zhang He understood immediately. “Yes.”

They mounted and rode toward Luoyang.

Dong Yuan was shocked to hear Dong Zhuo killed Inspector Ding. “My father killed Inspector Ding?”

Luo Ang looked at her surprise. “I cannot confirm that yet. When Lu Bu and the others arrive, we will know. Seeing is believing; we cannot rely on hearsay.”

Dong Yuan worried, “I hope my father has not done such a thing. If he has, I will sever ties forever.”

Luo Ang saw her concern and knew she feared her father’s actions.

Inside Luoyang, Lu Bu and Bing Province’s troops were trapped in fierce combat, unable to break out, while the citizens stayed indoors.

Watching his men fall to Dong Zhuo’s soldiers, Lu Bu despaired, “Are we truly doomed here?”

Just then, two cavalry units charged into Luoyang.

“It’s Dian Wei and Zhang He from Youzhou, Lord Yan’s generals!” Lu Bu recognized them and shouted, “Reinforcements have arrived!”

Bing Province soldiers saw the cavalry and their morale soared.

With Dong Zhuo’s forces focused on Lu Bu, Dian Wei and Zhang He easily broke into the city and opened the gates.

“General Lu Bu, are you alright?” Dian Wei asked, surprised by the severe situation.

Lu Bu bore numerous wounds, as did many troops. Out of 30,000 Bing Province soldiers, fewer than 10,000 survived, most injured.

“Generals, please avenge my foster father,” Lu Bu knelt before them, pleading.

He knew he couldn’t defeat Dong Zhuo’s powerful court faction alone and needed Luo Ang’s strength. His dying foster father had instructed him to seek Luo Ang’s aid.

“General Lu Bu, stand up and tell us everything,” Zhang He helped him up.

Hearing Dong Zhuo’s treachery in luring Ding Yuan into the city and ambushing Bing Province’s troops, Dian Wei and Zhang He were enraged.

“General Lu Bu, rest assured, we will avenge Inspector Ding,” Zhang He vowed.

“Thank you, generals,” Lu Bu and the officials were deeply grateful.

“Let’s fight our way out first, then tend to the wounded back at our camp,” Dian Wei said.

“Shall we depart now?” Lu Bu urged, eager to slay Dong Zhuo and claim vengeance.

“Can you still fight?” Zhang He asked.

Lu Bu was covered in blood, his wounds grievous. An ordinary man would have collapsed.

“I’m fine,” Lu Bu insisted.

“General, you are brave, but what of the others? They are exhausted and need rest,” Zhang He advised, pointing to the weary soldiers.

Many Bing Province men were spent, sitting and gasping, pale-faced.

Seeing Lu Bu’s eagerness, Zhang He continued, “Secure the others. Leave their care to Dian Wei and me.”

Lu Bu called to the rear, “Wenyuan, Gao Shun!”

“Here,” Gao Shun and Zhang Liao stepped forward.

“Stay behind to handle the aftermath. The two of us will go avenge my foster father,” Lu Bu commanded.

“Yes, sir,” they replied.

Zhang He said, “General Lu Bu, my lord commands that no matter what, you must be rescued.”

“But what about my foster father’s revenge?” Lu Bu asked.

“Once you escape, you will have your chance,” Zhang He assured.

Lu Bu sighed. “Very well, let’s go.”

They led the remaining troops out of Luoyang.

Dong Zhuo saw Lu Bu and the others retreating and chose not to pursue, fearing Luo Ang outside the city and considering that his daughter was with Luo Ang.

“Let them go,” Dong Zhuo ordered.

His soldiers obeyed.

Li Ru asked, “My lord, why not pursue?”

“Yuan Yuan is with Luo Ang. Plus, our troops are exhausted and cannot fight further,” Dong Zhuo replied.

Li Ru was shocked. “Yuan Yuan is with Luo Ang?”

Dong Zhuo nodded. “Yes. She favors Luo Ang over Niu Fu. Youzhou is well governed under Luo Ang, so she will be well cared for.”

Li Ru worried, “But Lu Bu has pledged allegiance to Luo Ang. He might harm Miss Yuan Yuan!”

“Rest assured, Luo Ang will protect her. Yuan Yuan is devoted to him. If Lu Bu harms her, he acts against Luo Ang,” Dong Zhuo said.

At Luo Ang’s camp, Lu Bu and the survivors arrived, weary.

Lu Bu dismounted and knelt before Luo Ang. “Lord Yan, please help me avenge my foster father!”

Luo Ang helped him up. “Fengxian, I will avenge your foster father, but not now. Dong Zhuo is powerful, and our forces are exhausted. We cannot confront him yet.”

“I understand. Thank you, Lord Yan. Before he died, my foster father told me to entrust Bing Province to you. We will follow you,” Lu Bu said.

“Whether you join me or not is not the priority now. We must leave Luoyang and secure Bing Province before Dong Zhuo takes it,” Luo Ang said.

“Understood,” Lu Bu and his men agreed.

The soldiers dismantled their tents and set off toward Bing Province.

With Ding Yuan dead, Luo Ang gained Bing Province without bloodshed.