Chapter Eight: The Emperor's Edict

In the imperial capital Luoyang, within the grand court, a corpulent figure sat beside the Emperor, eyes ablaze with fury as he swept his gaze over the assembled ministers.

Dong Zhuo rose to his feet, his expression heavy and shadowed. His broad palm rested upon his sword’s hilt, and the Han officials on either side trembled inwardly, not daring to utter a word. “I hold the rank of Chancellor, personally appointed by His Majesty, and yet this band of traitors accuses me... accuses me of treason!”

“These brats dare to raise an army under the pretense of punishing a traitor, conspiring together against me—who, then, is the true villain here?” Dong Zhuo roared, hurling the bamboo slip in his hand to the ground with a resounding crash.

The Emperor’s heart skipped a beat; he shrank back involuntarily. The officials fell to their knees, bowing in terror. “We beg the Chancellor’s mercy!”

Dong Zhuo’s fleshy face contorted with a savage, violent glare as he looked down at the prostrate ministers. “You old fools—your loyalty is questionable indeed!”

“Bring them in!” he ordered. A few soldiers from Xiliang carried in chests. Dong Zhuo’s lips curled into a chilling smile. “Here are the secret letters you old men exchanged with the traitor Yuan Shao!”

Several officials shuddered, cold sweat soaking their bodies.

“Kill them all.”

“Have mercy, Chancellor! Have mercy!”

Screams pierced the hall as blood splattered across the stone. The surviving ministers knelt in grief and fury, gritting their teeth, while the Emperor behind them turned pale as death.

Dong Zhuo kicked aside a corpse at his feet. “Take them outside and hang them above the city gate. Let all see the fate of those who collude with traitors.”

“Enough. You may all rise. Come now, get up—don’t kneel there, the floor is cold.” Dong Zhuo sprawled grandly upon his seat once more. “Now, the enemy rebels have reached Hulao Gate. Which of you, my loyal subjects, is willing to lead the army and drive them back?”

Lü Bu stepped forward from the ranks, his bearing extraordinary and his stature towering above seven feet. Bowing with fists clasped, he said, “Father, your son is willing to lead the troops and repel the enemy!”

“Hahaha! It’s said among men, none compare to Lü Bu, and among horses, none to Red Hare. Why use a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken?” From the crowd stepped another, broad-shouldered and imposing, with a leopard’s head and ape-like arms—a truly formidable presence. “Let the Young General remain at the rear for now. I, Hua Xiong, await your command!”

“Excellent! You are indeed my tigers of war. As General Hua Xiong said, my son Lü Bu is the mightiest warrior of this age—why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? This time, remain at the rear. Now, Sun Jian leads thirty thousand men and approaches Hulao Gate. I give you fifty thousand troops—can you drive the enemy back?”

“If within three months I fail to defeat them, I will accept punishment according to military law!”

Hulao Gate is flanked to the south by Mount Song, with the Yellow River to the north, guarding Luoyang to the west and controlling Kaifeng to the east—a natural fortress where a single man could bar an army of ten thousand.

Thirty thousand troops, eight thousand elite cavalry—soldiers donned in sturdy armor, morale high. Jiang Wen followed the army to escort the baggage train, and in a single day, they reached Hulao Gate, facing the defenders across the field.

The thirty thousand pitched camp before the gate.

In his tent, Jiang Wen was dining with Tao’er when Lü Meng lifted the curtain and entered. Jiang Wen greeted him with a gentle smile. “Brother Ziming, have you come to discuss something important, leaving your own tent at dinner?”

“Nothing urgent, really. It’s just your page’s cooking is delicious—I’m here to scrounge a meal. Is there any left?”

“Tao’er, fetch a bowl and chopsticks for Brother Ziming.”

“At once.”

Lü Meng eagerly accepted the utensils and immediately snatched a piece of fatty meat. Ignoring Tao’er’s displeased look, he chewed contentedly. “News from Luoyang today—Hua Xiong, one of Dong Zhuo’s old generals, is leading fifty thousand troops toward Hulao Gate. They’ll be here in five days, I reckon.”

“But with the might of our army—once the supplies Yuan Shao promised arrive—not to mention fifty thousand, even a hundred thousand men we can defeat!” Lü Meng laughed heartily.

Jiang Wen did not respond. In reality, Sun Jian’s forces would clash with Hua Xiong at Hulao Gate several times. Though they would win the first battles, they would later suffer a crushing defeat, reduced to only ten thousand men. All for want of supplies. To hope for Yuan Shu to send provisions obediently was pure fantasy.

“Ziming, Changsu, having dinner without inviting me?” Sun Ce entered the tent with a broad smile. The three put down their bowls and rose to salute. “Greetings, Young General.”

“Enough, come eat together. It’s a good chance to discuss our plans.” Sun Ce glanced at Tao’er, then asked Jiang Wen, “Brother Changsu, you still dine with your servant?”

“Tao’er has followed me through life and death. In my heart, there is no distinction between us.”

“Very well,” Sun Ce squeezed Lü Meng aside, “move over a bit.”

Lü Meng looked plaintively at Jiang Wen—the space was barely enough as it was. Where could he go?

Jiang Wen ignored him and turned his head away. Tao’er kept her head down, eating quietly—after all, the table was filled with high officials, and she alone was a servant, so she dared not look up.

Lü Meng had no choice but to stand off to the side, occasionally darting in to snatch a bit of meat.

“As Ziming just told Changsu, Hua Xiong is bringing fifty thousand men. Brother Changsu, do you believe we can win this battle?” Sun Ce, though holding his rice, had yet to eat. Jiang Wen and Tao’er paused as well; only Lü Meng’s chewing could be heard behind them.

Jiang Wen spoke. “Though Luoyang is not far from Hulao Gate, it is no short journey. After days of forced marching, the enemy will be exhausted in body and spirit. General Sun is brave in command—when it comes to strategy and deployment, there are few in the world today who can match you. In this first engagement, our army will surely win a great victory!”

Sun Ce’s face lit up with reassurance. He and the others delightedly resumed their meal.

Hua Xiong’s army camped at Hulao Gate, fifty thousand tents stretching into the distance in a formidable display.

That night, Jiang Wen stood atop the city wall, gazing down at the camps below, lost in thought.

“Master, take an extra coat.” Tao’er brought him a cotton robe and stood by his side. “What are you looking at, Master?”

“Nothing.” Jiang Wen replied with a faint smile, though his eyes betrayed a hint of uncertainty.

Tao’er’s eyes sparkled, her teeth flashing in her smile. “Are you thinking of the day when the world will be at peace?”

Jiang Wen said nothing, continuing to gaze at the scene before him.

Hulao Gate was a natural fortress—impossible to bypass, it could only be taken by force, and so the two armies faced off in stalemate.

In Sun Jian’s command tent, Jiang Wen, by virtue of his office and Sun Ce’s influence, was allowed to attend the council of war.

“General, an imperial envoy has arrived outside!” came the report.

“Oh?” Sun Jian gave a soft exclamation, then smiled. “Show him in.”

“I am Li Su, sent by the Son of Heaven to deliver an imperial decree to Governor Sun Jian. Please receive the edict!” Jiang Wen, standing at the back of the assembly, stole a few glances at Li Su—a sly, shifty-looking man.

The generals all regarded Li Su with grim faces; none knelt, and Sun Jian remained seated in his place of honor.

Li Su was undeterred and read aloud: “By imperial decree, Governor Sun Jian is appointed Inspector of Yang Province, entrusted with supreme command over all military affairs. His Majesty has heard of the valor of Sun Jian’s troops and, to honor this reputation, Chancellor Dong’s granddaughter, a girl of rare beauty and virtue, is offered in marriage to a son of Sun Jian, with His Majesty’s blessing to unite the two families.”

“I congratulate General Sun! Dong Bai is the Chancellor’s most cherished granddaughter—beautiful and talented. Such a match proves the Chancellor’s high regard. General, please accept the decree.”