Chapter Twenty-One: Within and Beyond the Banquet

Inside Dong Zhuo’s main hall, brightly lit, servants and maids bustled back and forth, continuously bringing out a variety of dishes in a steady stream.

Dong Zhuo showed none of the dignified bearing expected of a former general and high-ranking court official. He held a small silver knife and boldly grabbed a half-roasted leg of lamb, cutting into it with greasy hands, seemingly unconcerned about the mess. His beard was equally oily, and without hesitation, he wiped his hands on the backside of a passing maid, leaving clear greasy fingerprints.

He skewered a large, jewel-red piece of lamb on his knife and brought it to his mouth, savoring the burst of fresh lamb juices between his teeth with great satisfaction. Raising a cup of wine, he signaled to those on either side before downing it in one gulp—utterly devoid of any scholarly pretension, exuding raw, unrestrained vigor.

Dong Zhuo’s rough demeanor put the two military men seated to his right, Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang, at ease. Both had martial backgrounds and found the elaborate rituals of the literati cumbersome and obligatory. They had expected Dong Zhuo, as a former general and governor of Xiliang, to be ceremonious. Yet here he was, as unrefined as any soldier, naturally evoking a sense of camaraderie.

Sitting to Dong Zhuo’s left was Li Ru, a man of letters. Naturally, he did not grasp the lamb with his hands but had the maid cut it for him. His manner of eating was far more refined, picking at the meat with chopsticks in a leisurely, almost indifferent way. For him, the food mattered little; the company was what counted.

Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang were two officers under the Grand General He Jin. With He Jin’s sudden and unexpected death, the soldiers once under his command were left leaderless and confused. The two officers felt uncertain about the future.

Dong Zhuo’s foundation was solid, commanding a force of a hundred thousand, but he had brought only three thousand cavalry from Xiliang to the capital for this occasion. It was neither practical nor permitted to bring more troops. After all, He Jin’s secret edict had just arrived; to bring a large army would no longer be a “courteous entry” into Luoyang but a violent conquest.

Now, within the capital, those three thousand men were but a drop in the bucket, barely enough to control the southern and northern palaces and city gates. Though reinforcements had been ordered, the period of military weakness was a dangerous gap easily exploited. Hence, Li Ru set his sights on the troops formerly loyal to He Jin.

As the wine flowed, Li Ru gave a slight signal to Dong Min, who nodded in understanding. Dong Min raised his cup in a toast to Dong Zhuo and said, “General, many vacancies remain among the Eight Colonels of the Western Garden, and many posts are filled by those unworthy. For the sake of the court and state, it is urgent to reorganize.”

Dong Zhuo stroked his shining, oily beard and nodded. “When the late emperor reigned, he spoke to me of the Eight Colonels of the Western Garden as new laws and new troops, placing great hopes on them. But now, alas—”

Li Ru put down his chopsticks and said, “Commanding soldiers requires those who understand warfare. The general must select capable men to lead. In my humble opinion, Zi Zhu and Yuan De are adept commanders; you might consider them.”

The meaning was clear. Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang exchanged a glance and immediately understood.

Zhang Zhang quickly stood, bowed deeply to Dong Zhuo, and declared, “I pledge my life in service to the general!”

Wu Kuang rose and followed suit, voicing the same oath.

Dong Zhuo laughed heartily, then rose and strode to them, helping both to their feet. He called for maids to bring fine wine, personally handed them cups, and they drank deeply. Turning to Dong Min, he said, “Shu Ying, tomorrow bring ten oxen, fifty sheep, and a hundred jars of fine wine to reward the soldiers under Zi Zhu and Yuan De.”

Before Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang could respond, Dong Zhuo instructed Li Ru, “Zi Zhu and Yuan De have long been training troops away from home; their families are neglected. Wen You, take ten bolts of silk and a hundred taels of gold to their residences.”

The two officers bowed again, their gratitude deeper and more sincere this time.

“We are family; no thanks necessary!” Dong Zhuo waved his hand with a grand gesture. “Bring on the music and dance! Zi Zhu, Yuan De, there are some fairly attractive dancers tonight. If you wish, select one or two to ease your loneliness. Ha ha ha…”

Li Ru smiled, picking up a piece of lamb, and nodded at the grateful looks exchanged between Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang.

******************

At the same moment, Bao Xin and Yuan Shao were drinking as well, though without Dong Zhuo’s grand spectacle. In Bao Xin’s rear garden pavilion, a few dishes were laid out as the two sat facing each other, quietly drinking.

Bao Xin had originally been commissioned by Grand General He Jin to recruit soldiers loyal to him. He had gathered over a thousand men before He Jin’s assassination.

Thus, Bao Xin commanded not only the original rear army colonel’s troops but also a secret force unknown to others.

Though drinking, both men were preoccupied, eating and drinking intermittently.

Bao Xin was troubled. Having been summoned by He Jin and risen from cavalry captain to rear army colonel, he bore heavily the mark of He Jin’s faction. Now, he found himself ignored and caught in a limbo, uncertain of his future direction.

Yuan Shao was similarly troubled. The Yuan family’s resources were heavily favoring Yuan Shu, leaving him sidelined. The last time, Yuan Wei had involved him in welcoming the emperor’s procession, but Dong Zhuo’s ambush had foiled any advantage. Worse, he had fallen out with Cao Cao, all leaving him deeply frustrated.

After several cups, Bao Xin broke the silence. “Dong Zhuo now commands troops within the palace walls, surely harboring ambitions. If we sit idly by, hardship will surely follow. What is your view, Ben Chu?”

Yuan Shao nodded. “Brother Yun Cheng, you speak truly. Yet Dong Zhuo holds a strong army. What can we do?”

Bao Xin lowered his voice. “To be frank, the grand general once ordered me to recruit soldiers. I have gathered over a thousand, now camped at Chenggao, ready to move at any moment.”

Yuan Shao’s interest was piqued—an unexpected elite force. But Bao Xin’s next words dashed his hope. “Dong Zhuo’s position is not yet secure, and his troops are weary. A surprise strike could succeed, but—our cause lacks legitimacy, making it hard to rally support.”

Yuan Shao drank, hiding his disappointment behind his sleeve. Bao Xin was not seeking his personal alliance but that of the Yuan family behind him.

“Lacking legitimacy makes it hard to gather support,” Bao Xin said. Yet if a respected figure were to call the charge, legitimacy and support might soon follow. But was Yuan Shao such a figure? Clearly not.

Bao Xin’s purpose in confiding in Yuan Shao was clear: to connect with the Yuan clan, with these thousand soldiers as his token of loyalty.

But could Yuan Shao tell Bao Xin that he had been marginalized by the Yuans, that resources favored Yuan Shu, and that beneath his illustrious status he was merely a hollow figure?

Setting down his cup, Yuan Shao said, “This matter is grave; we must not act rashly. Let us discuss it again another time.”

Bao Xin took this as a need for Yuan Shao to report home and did not press further.

With all said, they saw no need to continue drinking and ended the meeting hastily.

Yuan Shao took his leave from Bao Xin’s residence under the high moon. The surroundings were silent, a large lantern bearing the “Yuan” character hanging before his carriage. The wheels creaked as they rolled over the cobblestones.

Inside, Yuan Shao sneered coldly, “The Yuan family, the Yuan family! Reputation, reputation!” He had already resolved that since the Yuan family no longer supported him, he need not involve them in such matters. From now on, his priority was to seize opportunities and build his own prestige. One day, when he amassed enough renown, he would command the allegiance of heroes from all directions, just as the Yuan family once did. That was his true goal, his ultimate aspiration.