The scholar was named Jia Xu, currently serving in the office of the Grand Commandant. In his youth, he was little known, but the renowned scholar Yan Zhong once remarked that he possessed the extraordinary talent of Chen Ping.
After Dong Zhuo rose to the position of Grand Commandant, the two—both natives of Liangzhou—grew close. Dong Zhuo valued Jia Xu greatly, often consulting him on important matters.
Jia Xu accepted the letter, glanced over it, and fell into thought before speaking calmly,"The words of the Marquis of Xuanwei are reasonable."
Dong Zhuo was taken aback."So, Wenhe, you also believe the partisans will eventually turn against me?"
Jia Xu did not answer directly. Instead, he asked,"Would Your Excellency be willing to serve under the Yuan family?"
Dong Zhuo immediately shook his head."Serve under them? Impossible!"
Jia Xu gave a slight nod and said no more, quietly returning to his seat.
After a moment, Dong Zhuo asked again,"Wenhe, do you have a strategy to make the partisans submit?"
Jia Xu replied evenly,"Your Excellency may raise an army and eliminate them all."
Dong Zhuo frowned."That is far too ruthless. I still need their strength to govern. How can they all be killed?"
Jia Xu lowered his gaze."In that case, I have no solution."
Seeing no immediate answer, Dong Zhuo set the matter aside and turned to another concern."What about Zhang Xin? How should I deal with him?"
"Proceed with patience," Jia Xu said. "The emperor is young and the realm unstable. It is only natural for Marquis Xuanwei to harbor doubts and hesitate to enter the court. Show goodwill. When his suspicions fade, he will come of his own accord."
"Very well. We shall follow your advice."
Dong Zhuo wrote a reply and prepared gifts to congratulate Zhang Xin, sending them to Qingzhou through Tian Kai.
After Tian Kai departed, Dong Zhuo pondered briefly before calling out,"Fengxian! Fengxian!"
Lu Bu entered and bowed."Master Dong."
"Come with me to the palace."
Entering the palace, Dong Zhuo used Yuan Shao's supposed merit in eliminating traitors as justification to recommend rewards. The young emperor, Liu Xie, issued an edict appointing Yuan Shao as General of the Right and Marquis of Kangxiang, and Yuan Shu as General of the Rear.
However, their military authority was quietly stripped. Command of their troops was handed to Dong Zhuo's younger brother, Dong Min.
Having learned from He Jin's fate—and warned by Zhang Xin—Dong Zhuo dared not allow the Yuan brothers to retain control of elite forces.
When the edict reached the Yuan residence, the brothers were furious.
Though their ranks had risen, their armies were gone.
What use was an empty title?
They immediately went to confront Dong Zhuo.
Yuan Shu, hot-tempered as ever, demanded,"What is the meaning of this decree?"
Dong Zhuo feigned surprise."You have rendered great service. Should you not be promoted?"
Yuan Shao cast a glance at his brother, then said coldly,"I am willing to continue leading my former troops."
"The Western Garden Army belongs to the late emperor, and the Tiger Guards protect the palace," Dong Zhuo replied. "Such a request is inappropriate. You should raise your own forces instead."
Yuan Shao pressed the matter repeatedly, but Dong Zhuo refused each time with a polite smile.
At last, Yuan Shao's patience snapped."You strip us of power without cause—are you attempting what Wang Mang once did? Are you not afraid of the judgment of the world?"
Dong Zhuo's expression darkened."You are unskilled in warfare. To entrust elite troops to you would be wasteful. You should instead assist His Majesty in governing the state."
Yuan Shao's face turned cold."Among the heroes of the realm, you are not the only one."
With that, he turned and left. Yuan Shu followed.
Dong Zhuo sneered.
Zhang Xin's warning had proven correct.
These men could not be trusted.
Back at his residence, Yuan Shao smashed objects in fury.
For over thirty years, the partisans had struggled—through purges and failures—to seize control of the government. This time, they had finally succeeded.
And yet, the fruits of victory had fallen into the hands of a frontier warlord.
The more Yuan Shao thought about it, the angrier he became—until anger gave way to fear.
Dong Zhuo had stripped them of their power. Had he already seen through their intentions?
No.
He would act first.
Yuan Shao summoned his allies. After intense discussion, they reached a decision:
Raise an army.
Luoyang was lost. Only by gathering forces in the provinces could they oppose Dong Zhuo.
If they succeeded, they would control the empire.
If they failed, they would still carve out their own domains.
That very night, they fled the capital.
Yuan Shao to Ji Province Yuan Shu to Nanyang Cao Cao to Chenliu
Others remained behind as informants.
When Dong Zhuo learned of Yuan Shao's escape, he was enraged and ordered a bounty on his head.
But his advisors warned him:
"The Yuan clan's influence spans the realm. If you press too hard, he will rally the land against you. Better to pardon him and grant him office."
After some thought, Dong Zhuo agreed.
An edict was issued:
Yuan Shao was appointed Governor of Bohai.
A fragile peace was maintained.
But beneath the surface—
war was already inevitable.