In the turbulent twilight of the Eastern Han dynasty, power was not won by virtue, but by cunning, force, and betrayal. Chapter 8 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms unveils one of the most iconic political intrigues in Chinese history: Wang Yun’s Chain Strategy—a meticulously crafted plot that exploited the volatile relationship between the tyrant Dong Zhuo and his adopted son, the peerless warrior Lü Bu.
While historical records like Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms confirm the core events, Luo Guanzhong’s dramatization elevates this chapter into a timeless tale of seduction, deception, and the downfall of a despot. At its heart lies a woman of unmatched beauty—Diaochan—whose role, though likely fictionalized, symbolizes the dangerous interplay of emotion and ambition in the game of power.
Dong Zhuo’s descent into madness
By this point in history, Dong Zhuo had solidified his control over the imperial court after relocating it to Chang’an. No longer merely a regent, he styled himself as “Shangfu” (Imperial Father), a title bordering on sacrilege, and constructed the Meiwu Fortress, a vast stronghold stocked with enough grain and treasure to sustain ten years of siege. His actions made clear his intent: to replace the Han dynasty with his own rule.
His brutality knew no bounds. As depicted in Chapter 8, he once hosted a banquet where he ordered hundreds of surrendered soldiers executed before the horrified eyes of the imperial officials. Their blood flowed through the palace halls, yet Dong Zhuo feasted and laughed, unmoved by the carnage. This unchecked cruelty sowed fear among the court, but also planted the seeds of rebellion.
Wang Yun’s midnight epiphany
Among the few who dared to resist in spirit was Wang Yun, the Minister of Works (Situ). Powerless against Dong Zhuo’s military might, he could only watch as the empire crumbled. One night, overwhelmed by sorrow for the fallen Han, he wandered into his garden, weeping aloud.
There, he encountered Diaochan, a young songstress of extraordinary beauty and intelligence, serving in his household. Moved by her master’s anguish, she asked:
“Why does my lord weep so bitterly? If there is a matter troubling you, allow me to share your burden—even at the cost of my life.”
— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 8
Her words sparked a plan in Wang Yun’s mind—a daring scheme to pit Lü Bu against Dong Zhuo using Diaochan as the instrument of division.
The first link: Winning Lü Bu’s heart
Wang Yun first turned his attention to Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo’s adopted son and greatest general. Though fiercely loyal in battle, Lü Bu was ambitious, vain, and emotionally volatile—a perfect target for manipulation.
Wang Yun hosted a private banquet for Lü Bu, lavishing him with gifts, including a pearl-encrusted cap and golden armor. He praised Lü Bu as the most heroic warrior under heaven, feeding his ego. Then, he introduced Diaochan.
The moment Lü Bu saw her, he was enchanted. Her grace, beauty, and melancholy captivated him. Sensing his infatuation, Wang Yun whispered:
“She is but a humble maiden, yet if General Lü Bu would have her, I would gladly offer her hand in marriage.”
Lü Bu, thrilled, accepted the promise, believing he had found both love and honor.
The second link: Offering Diaochan to the Tyrant
Soon after, Wang Yun invited Dong Zhuo to another grand feast. This time, he presented Diaochan as a gift to the warlord. Dong Zhuo, already known for his lust and arrogance, accepted her without hesitation, taking her into his mansion as a favored concubine.
When Lü Bu learned of this, he stormed into Wang Yun’s home, demanding an explanation. Wang Yun, feigning shock, replied:
“I heard that the Chancellor (Dong Zhuo) sought a wife for his beloved son (you, Lü Bu). I thought it was a match made in heaven! How could I have known he intended to keep her for himself?”
This lie was crucial. It allowed Lü Bu to believe he had been wronged by Dong Zhuo, not by Wang Yun. Humiliated and enraged, but still bound by filial duty, Lü Bu reluctantly withdrew—for now.
The final spark: Love, Jealousy, and Betrayal
Tensions escalated when Lü Bu secretly visited Dong Zhuo’s chamber and found Diaochan weeping. She whispered of her longing for him and her despair at being trapped in the tyrant’s house. Later, from behind a curtain, she flashed Lü Bu a sorrowful glance, deepening his desire and fury.
At that moment, Dong Zhuo returned. Seeing Lü Bu standing too close to Diaochan, and perhaps sensing the silent exchange, he flew into a rage. Grabbing a ji (halberd), he hurled it at Lü Bu, shouting:
“You dare to covet my concubine?!”
Lü Bu barely dodged the weapon and fled, realizing that father and son were now enemies.
This confrontation, dramatically rendered in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, marked the complete success of Wang Yun’s Chain Strategy. By exploiting Lü Bu’s pride and passion, and Dong Zhuo’s greed and jealousy, Wang Yun had shattered the bond between the two most powerful men in Chang’an.
The seeds of regicide: A plot unfolds
Though Chapter 8 ends with the rift exposed, the full consequences are yet to come. Wang Yun has successfully driven a wedge between master and servant. Now, all that remains is to guide Lü Bu toward regicide—a deed that will unfold in the following chapters.
Historically, while Diaochan may be a fictional character, the core conflict between Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu over a maid is recorded in the Sanguozhi. Sima Guang’s Zizhi Tongjian notes that Lü Bu resented Dong Zhuo for both physical abuse and romantic rivalry, making the psychological foundation of the plot historically plausible.
Legacy of the Chain Strategy: Power, Passion, and Propaganda
Wang Yun’s scheme stands as a masterpiece of psychological warfare. It did not rely on armies or assassins, but on manipulating human emotions—love, pride, jealousy, and ambition. In doing so, it achieved what years of resistance could not: the moral and emotional isolation of a tyrant.
Yet, the victory would be short-lived. The removal of Dong Zhuo did not restore the Han; it unleashed new waves of chaos.
After the assassination of Dong Zhuo, he made a series of critical mistakes. His purge of Dong Zhuo’s former followers was excessively harsh—he refused to pardon Dong Zhuo’s former subordinates, while secretly conspiring with Lü Bu to exterminate the Liangzhou army. This duplicitous approach escalated tensions, prompting Li Jue and Guo Si to launch a counterattack. Additionally, his wrongful execution of Cai Yong alienated the scholar-gentry class, causing intellectuals to turn against him and further isolating him politically.
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