The Three Kingdoms Volume 1 by Luo Guanzhong Read Free Book Online Page B

are all valiant fighters. If you can make them exert themselves, you are sure to succeed. This is a heaven-sent opportunity. Don’t miss it.”
    But He Jin only replied, “Let me think it over.”
    His servants secretly told this to the eunuchs, who went to see his brother and gave him more gifts. Corrupted by these offerings, He Miao went to the palace to speak to his sister. He said, “Our brother is responsible for assisting the new emperor in ruling the country, yet he does not exercise mercy and benevolence, but thinks only of slaughter. Now he intends to kill The Ten without cause. I think this will only lead to trouble.” His sister agreed.
    After a while, He Jin also went in to see his sister and tell her about his plan to put the eunuchs to death. She objected: “It’s the practice of the Hans for the eunuchs to look after palace affairs. The late Emperor had died only recently and yet you want to kill his old servants. This is not the way to show respect for the crown.” Being a man of indecision, He Jin murmured assent and withdrew.
    “What about it?” Yuan Shao came forward to ask.
    “Her Highness will not consent,” He replied. “What can we do then?”
    “Call in warriors from all sides and ask them to lead their forces to the capital to slay the eunuchs. This is imperative. She cannot but consent.”
    “Excellent!” said He Jin.
    And he was about to send out orders all around when Chen Lin, an important adviser objected: “No, this won’t do. As the saying goes, ‘Cover the eyes while trying to capture the swallows.’ It is only cheating oneself. A small thing like a swallow cannot be fooled, let alone the machinery of state. Backed by the imperial house and the army, you had enormous power—to put the eunuchs to death would be as easy as lighting up a furnace to burn a hair. But you should act promptly and decisively. Then all the people will be on your side. If you summon forces from outside to enter the capital and gather many ambitious men together, each with his own schemes, you will be putting your weapons in the hands of others and placing yourself in their power. Nothing but failure can come of it, nothing but confusion.”
    “The view of a coward!” said He Jin with a sneer.
    Then one of those beside him suddenly clapped his hands and laughed. “It is as easy as turning over one’s hand. Why so much talk?”
    The speaker was Cao Cao.
To get rid of wicked men from your king’s side,
Then seek counsel from the wise men of the state.
    What Cao Cao said to them will be told in the next chapter.
Footnotes
    * Superstition has it that the blood of animals and filth can render black magic ineffective.
    * 776–476 B.C.
    † A river in Hangzhou in East China.
    * Consort of Liu Bang, first emperor of West Han.

CHAPTER THREE

    Dong Zhuo Silences Ding Yuan at Wenming Gardens
    Li Shu Bribes Lu Bu with Lavish Gifts

    C ao Cao said to He Jin: “The evil of the eunuchs has a long history. It arises because the ruler has given them improper power and favor. To deal with it, we need only execute the prime culprits. And a jailer would be enough to do the job. So why busy yourself summoning troops from the provinces? But if you want to kill them all, you would not be able to maintain the secret and the plan will fail.”
    “Are you also harboring some scheme of your own, Meng-de?” asked the angry He Jin.
    Cao Cao withdrew and said to himself, “He Jin will be the man to throw the empire into confusion.”
    Then He Jin immediately sent envoys bearing secret letters to various provinces.
    One of the men who received this secret message was our old acquaintance Dong Zhuo. He had at first failed in his attempt to destroy the Yellow Turbans and would have been punished if not for the protection of The Ten, whom he had bribed. Later he had also managed to associate with high-ranking officials in court and was promoted to become commander of some 200,000 men in the west. But he was treacherous and