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The peaceful handover of Ji Province (Jizhou) from Han Fu to Yuan Shao in 191 AD is often seen as a masterstroke of political manipulation—a bloodless coup achieved through psychological pressure and strategic deception. However, beneath the surface of this seemingly clever power grab lies a far more urgent and personal motive: survival.
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The Coalition Against Dong Zhuo in 190 AD is one of the most dramatic yet ultimately tragic episodes in the fall of the Eastern Han dynasty.
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Influenced by the famous novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, many people believe that it was Cao Cao who facilitated the military alliance against Dong Zhuo. According to the novel, Cao Cao forged an imperial edict, falsely conveyed the emperor’s order to summon heroes from across the realm to campaign against Dong Zhuo, and…
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In a previous article, we revealed a historical truth often obscured by Romance of the Three Kingdoms: it was Qiao Mao, not Cao Cao, who first forged an imperial edict to rally the feudal lords against Dong Zhuo. When Han Fu, the Governor of Ji Province, received Qiao Mao’s proclamation, he agreed to support…
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Today, let’s explore the truth behind the 18 warlords or vassals who, according to Romance of the Three Kingdoms, united to overthrow the tyrant Dong Zhuo.
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Dong Zhuo’s arrogance, arbitrariness and cruelty ignited widespread fury across the empire. First, he deposed Emperor Shao of Han (Liu Bian), then had him murdered—along with his mother, Empress He and his wife. During the enthronement of the new emperor, Liu Xie, he executed any minister who dared to oppose him.