Cao Cao's sharp refusal cut through the hall.
"No!"
His voice rang with urgency. "Is Yuan Shao summoning outside troops to the capital to stage a rebellion?"
All eyes turned as Cao Cao—courtesy name Mengde—stepped forward, his expression stern.
Yuan Shao looked up at him, calm but resolute. "Mengde, you misunderstand."
He straightened, adopting a righteous tone. "The eunuchs have long plagued the state—surely you know this. Now He Jin has been misled by Zhang Xin and persuaded the Empress Dowager to reinstate them. If this continues, the Ten Attendants will once again disrupt the court, seize power, and harm the loyal and virtuous. The Han will be in peril."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"I summon troops not for rebellion, but to let He Jin and the Empress Dowager hear the voices of loyal men across the realm."
It was a convenient justification—politically flawless.
Cao Cao frowned. "If one is truly loyal, one should remonstrate openly. To bring in outside armies and coerce the Son of Heaven—this is not the conduct of a subject."
Before Yuan Shao could reply, He Yong rose to his feet.
"He Jin was once a butcher. Zhang Xin a rebel. And the eunuchs already throw the realm into chaos," he said coldly. "If these forces join together and consolidate power, what then? Would not the world fall into disorder again? And who suffers most? The common people."
He gestured toward Yuan Shao. "Mengde, Yuan Shao acts precisely to prevent that outcome."
Murmurs of agreement spread through the room.
Cao Cao let out a cold laugh.
"He Jin holds high office but lacks ability. Zhang Xin has talent but is constrained by him. Their alliance exists only to oppose us," he said. "Instead of confronting them now, we should bide our time—build strength in secret. When they inevitably turn on each other, we strike. Like the fisherman who profits when the snipe and clam fight."
He clasped his hands and spoke earnestly.
"In a few years, the realm could be restored without chaos. Then even a single jailer would suffice to arrest the eunuchs. There would be no need to summon outside forces."
Yuan Shao shook his head vigorously.
"Wait a few years?" he scoffed. "I am nearly forty—how long must I wait? And what if He Jin and Zhang Xin do not fall out, but instead join forces against us? Shall we sit here and await death?"
Cao Cao hesitated. With the burden of "all under heaven" placed upon him, he found no easy rebuttal.
He changed tactics.
"When armies gather, power decides outcomes," he warned. "Once weapons are drawn, events may spiral beyond control. If we fail, chaos will follow."
He bowed deeply. "Benchu, I urge you—think carefully."
Yuan Shao waved dismissively. "Dong Zhuo was once an official of my family. He comes when summoned and leaves when dismissed. You worry too much."
Seeing Yuan Shao's resolve, Cao Cao's expression darkened. Without another word, he turned and strode out.
At the gate, his anger finally erupted.
"The one who will plunge the world into chaos… will be Yuan Shao!"
Inside, the discussion continued.
After much debate, Xu You spoke cautiously. "Benchu, Cao Cao's words are not without reason. Perhaps we should restrain ourselves for now…"
Yuan Shao cut him off. "Restraint invites ruin. Waiting for He Jin and Zhang Xin to turn on each other is too uncertain."
Xu You nodded slowly—there was logic in that.
"Still," he added, "Dong Zhuo's troops are largely Qin and Hu soldiers—undisciplined and untrustworthy. You must guard against them."
Yuan Shao fell into thought. After a long silence, he looked up.
"Then we summon Wang Kuang, Qiao Mao, and Ding Yuan as well. With them to check Dong Zhuo, he will not dare act recklessly."
The plan was set.
Using He Jin's name, Yuan Shao sent forged orders across the provinces, commanding officials to arrest the families of eunuchs. He directed Wang Kuang to recruit troops in Mount Tai, ordered Qiao Mao to garrison Chenggao to threaten Luoyang, and had Ding Yuan bring his cavalry to Mengjin.
And he summoned Dong Zhuo.
The officials who received the letters knew they were false—but it hardly mattered. The campaign against the eunuchs provided perfect justification.
If Yuan Shao succeeded, they would share the credit.
If he failed, they could claim deception.
Soon, arrests swept across the land. The powerful eunuch clans—once feared—were dragged down, and the common people rejoiced.
When Dong Zhuo received Yuan Shao's letter, he was overjoyed.
At last—the opportunity he had been waiting for.
He immediately submitted a memorial calling for the execution of the eunuchs, securing a righteous pretext. Then he marched toward Luoyang, summoning his former subordinates from Guanzhong.
Though previously stripped of most of his troops, he now began to gather forces again. Qin and Hu soldiers from various tribes answered his call, converging toward the capital.
Huangfu Song was alarmed.
These troops were not under his command. Why were they assembling?
He quickly sent scouts while secretly preparing his own forces. Within days, the truth became clear—Dong Zhuo had summoned them to Luoyang.
Remembering the late emperor's command to monitor Dong Zhuo, Huangfu Song immediately ordered his army to mobilize and dispatched his nephew, Huangfu Li, to intercept him.
Huangfu Li soon caught up with Dong Zhuo's army.
"Why do you refuse your post in Bing Province," he demanded, "and instead march on Luoyang with troops? What is your intent?"
Dong Zhuo calmly produced a letter.
"The Grand General has summoned me to the capital to execute the eunuchs."
Huangfu Li examined it, then scoffed. "There is no official seal. How can its authenticity be verified? Or have you forged it yourself… intending rebellion?"
Dong Zhuo's expression hardened. He waved his hand impatiently.
"Throw him out."
Driven away, Huangfu Li returned in fury.
"Father," he said angrily, "Dong Zhuo has forged orders and marches on Luoyang. This is rebellion. We must strike at once!"