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In previous articles, we discussed why Yuan Shu launched an attack on Xuzhou and how he managed to turn Lü Bu against his ally, Liu Bei. Yuan Shu won this war, but after exhausting his efforts and paying a heavy price, he gained nothing. Liu Bei lost—utterly and completely. The only beneficiary was Lü…
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In Chapter 8 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Wang Yun, the loyal Han minister, devises a cunning plan to destroy the tyrant Dong Zhuo. At the heart of this scheme is Diao Chan, a beautiful courtesan in Wang Yun’s household.
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When driving out venal officials and flattering courtiers, it is vital to allow them some way of escape.