As previously discussed, after Dong Zhuo led his troops into the capital and seized control of the court. To eliminate dissenting forces and consolidate his power, he decided to depose the reigning emperor and install a puppet ruler.
Ding Yuan’s Rebuke
However, this process did not unfold as smoothly as anticipated. Many officials opposed his plans, including Ding Yuan, the Governor of Jing Province. While other Han court officials feared Dong Zhuo’s tyranny and remained silent, Ding Yuan was the first to openly condemn him. As a result, Dong Zhuo viewed Ding Yuan as a thorn in his side and immediately plotted to eliminate him by sending his advisor Li Su to persuade Ding Yuan’s top general, Lü Bu, to defect.
Lu Zhi’s Remonstrance
Meanwhile, Dong Zhuo did not abandon his plan to install a new emperor. Unexpectedly, another official voiced opposition: Lu Zhi, a key general who had previously suppressed the Yellow Turban Uprising. Lu Zhi had also strongly advised He Jin against summoning Dong Zhuo to the capital, as he knew Dong Zhuo’s true nature—outwardly kind but inwardly ruthless—and foresaw that his entry into the court would bring disaster. Unfortunately, He Jin ignored this advice. Helpless, Lu Zhi and many other generals resigned and left. However, he later returned to assist when the eunuch faction and scholar-officials class clashed within the palace. Lu Zhi cited rare historical precedents, such as Yi Yin exiling Tai Jia to Tong Palace and Huo Guang deposing Prince Changyi, to argue against Dong Zhuo’s plan to depose the emperor. Unsurprisingly, Dong Zhuo, eager to usurp power, ignored Lu Zhi’s arguments. Enraged, Dong Zhuo even drew his sword to kill Lu Zhi, but was stopped by officials like Cai Yong, Peng Bo, and Wang Yun.
Yuan Shao’s Rebellion
After Lü Bu killed his former master Ding Yuan and pledged allegiance to Dong Zhuo, Dong Zhuo’s power grew significantly. He once again proposed deposing the emperor, thinking no one would dare oppose him this time. However, Yuan Shao stepped forward to object.
The officials were too astounded to respond. But Yuan Shao, commandant of the Central Army, rose to his feet and declared, “The present sovereign has held the throne but briefly. There are no defects in his character, no lapses in his conduct. Removing the Empress’s son and enthroning a concubine’s—what do you call that if not treason?” “This matter of state is mine to decide,” Dong Zhuo said angrily. “Who dares defy me? Do you think this sword not sharp enough?” Yuan Shao, too, bared his sword. “This one may prove as sharp,” he retorted. The two warriors confronted each other before the guests.
— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 3
Dong Zhuo intended to kill Yuan Shao but Li Ru intervened. Unlike Ding Yuan and Lu Zhi, Yuan Shao came from a prominent family, wielded significant military and political power, and enjoyed high personal political prestige. Both Dong Zhuo and Li Ru were aware of this. Arguably, Yuan Shao was the opponent Dong Zhuo feared most at the time. Knowing that Dong Zhuo wanted to kill him but just not the right time, Yuan Shao fled immediately after the confrontation. He escaped to Ji Province to plan his next move.
Dong Zhuo temporarily forgave Yuan Shao and used this as leverage to pressure Yuan Wei (Yuan Shao’s uncle and Imperial Guardian) into supporting the deposition of the emperor. Perhaps because of this, Yuan Wei agreed.
The opinions of two other officials, Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong, also played a key role at this critical juncture. Let us examine these two figures and why they risked helping Yuan Shao in such a dangerous situation.
After the banquet Dong Zhuo asked Privy Counselor Zhou Bi and Commandant Wu Qiong how to deal with Yuan Shao. “He left in a terrible rage,” said Zhou Bi. “But if you try to arrest him, the situation could turn against you. Don’t forget, the Yuan clan has held high office for four generations. The empire abounds with their followers and former subordinates, powerful men who would gather their forces at his call. And then if other gallant heroes rally to his cause, the whole region east of Huashan Mountain will no longer be yours. Pardon Yuan Shao and give him an imperial district. He will be glad to be exonerated, and you will buy security.” “Yuan Shao,” added Wu Qiong, “loves to contemplate action but lacks resolution. He’s not a threat. Do give him a governorship, if only to keep people’s confidence.” Dong Zhuo agreed and that same day had Shao appointed governor of Bohai.
— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 4
Dong Zhuo’s Dilemma: Kill Yuan Shao or Pacify Him?
Yuan Shao’s escape and opposition placed Dong Zhuo in a difficult position: if he pursued Yuan Shao, it would make an enemy of the Yuan family (whose disciples and former subordinates were everywhere, forming the core of the Eastern Han scholar-officials class), potentially triggering a joint rebellion by scholars and warlords. If he left Yuan Shao alone, he feared Yuan Shao would raise an army and become a greater threat.
Dong Zhuo’s control over local officials was weak, so he hesitated to fully sever ties with the Yuan family. Instead, he considered reconciliation.
The betrayal of Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong
Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong, Dong Zhuo’s trusted advisors, secretly supported Yuan Shao. They advised Dong Zhuo to appoint Yuan Shao as Governor of Bohai Sea, ostensibly to placate him but actually to empower the future leader of the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition.
This move granted Yuan Shao:
- Recruitment rights: As a governor, he could legally raise a provincial army, transforming from a fugitive into a warlord with military forces.
- Legitimacy: An official title allowed him to frame his rebellion as a righteous campaign to restore the Han dynasty—key to his later leadership of the 18-strong alliance against Dong Zhuo.
Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong understood that Yuan Shao was the ideal banner for scholars and warlords to unite against Dong Zhuo. Appointing him was not appeasement but arming the opposition.
Deceive and pacify Dong Zhuo
Zhou Bi downplayed Yuan Shao’s threat, claiming he was ignorant of grand strategy and would not rebel. Wu Qiong further discredited him, calling him indecisive and harmless—exploiting Dong Zhuo’s disdain for scholar-officials as weak. They framed the appointment as a political masterstroke to win public support.
Unbeknownst to Dong Zhuo, Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong were double agents. Their advice lulled Dong Zhuo into a false sense of security.
The Anti-Dong Zhuo Alliance
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dong Zhuo’s strategy initially worked. After Yuan Shao was appointed Governor of Bohai Sea in September 189, he delayed launching a rebellion until February 190, merely exchanging letters with Wang Yun and urging him to act first when the opportunity arose.
The alliance’s formation was ultimately driven by Cao Cao, who forged imperial edicts summoning warlords to overthrow Dong Zhuo and restore the Han. This rallied the 18-strong coalition, with Yuan Shao’s official title ensuring his status as their leader.
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