««« Chapter 8 »»» Wang Yun Prepares The Chaining Scheme; Dong Zhuo Rages At Phoenix Pavilion.

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1 This is what Kuai Liang said, "Sun Jian is now gone, and his children are but youths. Seize this moment of weakness to break into the South Land, and it is yours in one beat of the drum. If you return the corpse and make peace, you give them time to grow powerful, and evil will ensue to Jingzhou."	» JiaGai -- Just think -- If Liu Biao had the ambition to seize such an opportunity, how different would things have turned out? Sun Ce was just as able as his father, but morale was low and he was in dire straits at the moment. » Melchiot -- Reply -- Kuai Liang has good advice here; Sun Ce's army wouldn't except the attack, and Huang Zu could have been rescued in the process. If you don't listen to your advisors, there is no point in having them. » Shokyo -- There's no point in having them if you don't agree with them either. -- You listen to their advice and you either accept it or you don't. » LuBoyan -- There's also no point in having advisors if you ALWAYS agree with them -- Then he's basically no more than a yes man, or you are and you should hand over the kingdom. » Shokyo -- I swear there's someone like that in the book... -- Some looser who'll take his advisor's advice, blind to his beliefs or even how bad it is... Or I may be thinking of the complete opposite: Yuan Shao.
2 "How can I leave Huang Zu in their hands?" said Liu Biao.
3 "Why not sacrifice this blundering warrior for a region?"	» guanping -- good advice -- I'm sorry but Huang Zu guy was awful in all respects and Sun Ce's forces had just lost its leader. Now they should strike and get Jiang Dong and what little the Suns warrior as well, the general could die but he wasn't very good anyway. Mind you, Sun Ce's forces might not be easy to defeat even now
4 "But he is my dear friend, and to abandon him is wrong."	» Shokyo -- Liu Biao was very nice, wan't he? -- The other one was meany (I've forgotten his name already ^-^;;) » darkknight -- shokyo -- u dont have to be nice in war » Shokyo -- You can be if you want :p » LuBusSword -- true -- but you tend not to get very far » LiaoHua -- Liu Biao and Liu Bei -- Liu Bei was also very much like Liu Biao by the way he wouldn't wage war because Huang Zu was captured. I wonder if all of Liu Bei's relatives were like this? » Shokyo -- Historically, I wouldn't count on it... -- With the multiple wives and children, the people back then had huge families, and to have all of the Liu's this unflinchingly honourable is a tad silly. Any major relative of Liu Bei is protrayed as highly principled, to emphasise the fact Liu Bei comes from a good family. This doesn't seem to go for Liu Zhang; at the time he was Liu Bei's opponent. » DongDal -- Would any of the other lords done the same? -- Sacrificed a friend in order to get a major tactical advantage? » Seraph -- Depends on the Lord -- some of them are conniving and evil (Yuan Shu) and some are noble and righteous (Liu Bei & co.). I doubt Bei's family is so universally principled, it is probably as Shoke said a plot device to make Bei seem all the better for it.
5 So Huan Ji was allowed to return to his own side with the understanding that Sun Jian's dead body should be given in exchange. Sun Ce freed his prisoner, brought away his father's coffin, and the fighting ceased. Sun Jian was interred in the plains of Que. When the ceremonies were over, Sun Ce led his army home again.
6 In Changsha, one of the territories south of the Great River, Sun Ce set himself to the task of ruling well. Being humble and generous, he invited to his side humans of wisdom and valor and so bore himself that all the best and bravest of the country gathered about him.	» Explainer -- The Great River -- The Yangtze or Yangzi river, which flows from west to east to the Pacific at Shanghai.
7 Meanwhile, Dong Zhuo at Capital Changan, when he heard of the death of the turbulent Sun Jian, said, "An evil that pressed hard upon my heart has been removed!"	» guanping -- why be so worried? -- Sun Jian was miles away and never could really attack him apart from with a coalition force, his forces where also small. I would have used Li Ru to think of a plan to kill Sun Jian but even without Li Ru, sheer force would be enough.
8 He asked what children Sun Jian had left, and when they told him the eldest was but seventeen, he dismissed all anxiety from his thoughts.	» _Sam B. -- Age -- Sun Ce was only 17? Wow, no wonder he was called the little conquerer. » Zhou Yu of Wu -- Yes, it is impressive. -- Being so young, becoming a leader of an army would be an incredibly daunting task. Imagine Huang Gai, having served Sun Jian until now, thinking his new leader is probably half his age. » _anonymous -- dude, more like a third his age... » dgr81 -- post -- sun jian was but 19 when he came to fame, killing those pirates. » Shokyo -- Wow! Talk about adolescent pangs! » drunkmastrZhangFei -- Reminder -- To be considered adults in those time was like 15 or 16, though he was young he did have respect of being called a man so it's not like following a child, mabe like a 24 year old. Kind of a bad description, perhaps someone better with words that understands what im saying summerize this a bit? » Super Dian Wei -- Basically, what the weird guy is trying to say is... -- that at 15 or 16, you would have the responsibilities and privileges of a 24 year old in today's culture. » MaChaChao -- post -- It's okay. We'll all get over the age thing. » atomicwillie -- but what about the others -- now i know for a fact that the order of ages goes: sun jian, sun ce, sun quan, sun shang xiang. but if sun ce is only 17, how old are the other two (they are probably still in diappers lol) » jolteony -- Sun Shang Xiang -- Sun Ren would be... 9 years old I think.
9 From this time forward his arrogance and domineering spirit waxed worse and worse. He styled himself "Imperial Rector", a name full of honor, and in all his behavior aped imperial state. He created his younger brother, Dong Min, Lord of Huazhou and made him Commander of the Left Army. A nephew, Dong Huang, was made Court Counselor and placed in command of the Palace Guard, and everyone of his clan, young or old, was ennobled. Eighty miles from the capital Dong Zhuo laid out a city called Meiwo, an exact replica of Changan, with its palaces, granaries, treasuries, and magazines, and employed a quarter of a million people to build it. Here he accumulated supplies sufficient for twenty years. He selected eight hundred of the most beautiful maidens and sent them to dwell in his new city. The stores of wealth in every form were incalculable. All his family and retainers found quarters in this city.	» Shokyo -- And I thought Cao Cao was a sensualist... -- OK, I still do but Dong Zhuo has issues. Was he bullied at school? » JiaGai -- Dong Zhuo -- For all the things you can say about Dong Zhuo (and just about every one of them negative), you gotta admit, when it comes to luxury, Dong Zhuo's got style. Modern day playboys got nothing on him. » darkknight -- imperial rector -- more like imperial rectum » Solace -- well, at least we know -- he put all the treasure he plundered from the graves to use. » atomicwillie -- lmao so true! -- every time they mention dong zhuo, he's "using" palace maidens and concubines and basically, being a pimp...
10 Dong Zhuo visited his city at intervals of a month or so, and every visit was like an imperial progress, with booths by the roadside to refresh the officials and courtiers who attended him to the northwest Royal Gate and saw him start.
11 On one occasion Dong Zhuo spread a great feast for all those assembled to witness his departure; and while it was in progress, there arrived a large number of rebels from the north who had voluntarily surrendered. Dong Zhuo had them brought before him as he sat at table and meted out to them wanton cruelties. The hands of this one were lopped off, the feet of that; one had his eyes gouged out; another lost his tongue. Some were boiled to death. Shrieks of agony arose to the very heavens, and the courtiers were faint with terror. But the author of the misery ate and drank, chatted and smiled as if nothing was going on.	» Manji -- Et tu Dinner Theater? -- Owch! Dong Zhuo must have been a beast of a man to do something like that and still be able to have idle chit-chat while rebels were disembered repeatedly. Maybe he was bored with just sitting with people and eating... I think Dong Zhuo may have been the man to invent Dinner Theater! » Gan Ning Fan -- be right back... gotta go kill a special person on DW4. » Shokyo -- Maybe he's just stupid. -- But I think I'd notice if people were being boiled when I was eating. Are you gonna boil Dong Zhuo when he's at a picnic Gan Ning Fan? Coz that sounds like a good punishment ^-^ » JiaGai -- sadism -- For a man to inflict such cruelty on others and be so non-chalant about it as to dismiss it while eating, he's gotta be one hell of a bastard. Death was too good for him. Torture was too good for him. How do you even punish a man as wicked as Dong Zhuo? » AkiraJiao -- sadism -- just give him to me. i'm sorry to say it is torture, but i can think of things so devious and my friends... well that's another story. » Shokyo -- To quote "Friends"... -- Just make him jump off the Empire State Building and land on a bicycle with no seat. It might be enough punishment but I'm willing to bet everything I own that it might just hurt » Melchiot -- Well.... -- A kick in the 'goolies' would have been a short-term solution. Having Lu Bu chop them off would have been a long-term solution. » Rahonavis -- Torture & Cruelty -- Dong Zhou's cruelty and savagery was probably unmatched in history with exception of Vlad Tsepesh (AKA Count of Dracul or Dracula). Vlad would impale his victims as he sat drinking and eating. He would impale the Boyers in such a way that it would take a very long time to die prolonging the victims agony and misery. » Solace -- You people must be forgetting a little thing called the Roman Amphitheater -- Dong Zhuo was by no stretch of the imagination the only person in history who enjoyed watching pain, suffering and gruesome spectacles of death. The entire Roman Empire revolved around such past times. The one true symbol that any city was indeed Roman, was the inclusion of a gladiatorial arena. Not all that went on inside those was as glorious as Hollywood would have us believe. » Shokyo -- Good point -- But do you think any of the guests want to hear people being boiled? The Colluseum (I can't remember if it's Greek or Roman or even if I've spelt it right) was a form of entertainment; gruesome fun for all the family. He does it partly coz he enjoys it, partly to control people. » LiaoHua -- Responce to Melchiot -- Um... thats really evil but i guess thats probably the best punishment for a bastard like him considering that he got a kick out of raping women. » XiahouDunis God -- Holy crap do you know nothing of Tepes? -- His name was Vladimir Dracul, Tepes was a nickname. Vlad never impaled a single person, he ordered the impalings to create terror unto his enemies, which was a good strategy seeing as he got over 50 000 enemy troops to just stand there in amazement, at the "forest of spikes." So plz, if you are going to even bother mentioning Vlad into the novel, have your facts straight, there are too many misconceptions about him already, and last but not least he wasn't evil he was a "general from God." » guanping -- Evil -- No one is completely evil. Look at the time and conditions the person was in (anyone not just the 2 mentioned) before you condem. Most of the atrocties happend all the time in the age of the person (Vlad, Dong Zhou). If your fighting to keep power you aren't going to be very nice to enemies. Also remember something in the person's past can affect them (Hitler). » Shokyo -- I doubt that Luo Guanzhong wanted to protray anyone as evil -- There is no such thing as completely evil or completely good, especially in Chinese beliefs. They believe in balance, that is where the yin yang symbol came from. » IloveNDfootball -- guanping, Eh? -- Are you defending Hitler? » WUuuu -- In some case, he is rather easy to defend if you want to be subjective (which I'm not). -- He believed in anything for the overall good of society and making the Jews the enemy and giving the people a common goal was an effective form of leadership. To Hitler sacraficing the fringe groups for the benefit of his more important majority was fully acceptable. It set Germany on their road to conquest and got them out of the economic hole they were in. If he was more careful about Russia in winter it might even have worked. By the way; 1. I'm objectivist, not subjective. I don't give this view any validity. He was wrong, but his intentions were not, to him evil. 2. I'm half Jewish, so I obviously don't agree with him on the simple logic that I like being alive more than I like majority opinion. » Shokyo -- Half Jewish? I swear everyone comes from a more interesting family than me... -- But I thought a jewish person could only marry another jew? » JiaGai -- Lenny Kravitz is half-Jewish, so that's obviously not true. » WUuuu -- Its a cultural thing... -- Like my grandmother really wants me to marry another Jew but that won't be happening (my girlfried is Puerto Rican), and I'm not remotely religious, nor do I indentify particularly with any groups so this isn't even on my list of things to look for in a woman. But yeah, the family will try and pressure you into it, but there is no rule for it. » Shokyo -- To argue against me sticking up for Hitler... -- This novel is written by Luo Guanzhong. Note: the use of the word NOVEL. That's exactly what this is; a novel. Not historical records, a story based on history. As the author of this novel, good ol' Luo controls our thoughts about the characters that he has spun from events (unless you look very deeply.) It is much easier to look through this book while thinking in a very yin-yang fashion; there is no defined good and evil, so we do not look at Cao Cao and say "Baddie." Cao Cao and Liu Bei were given characters behind them, whereas all I have seen of Hitler is facts and figures. » WUuuu -- You're gettin really good at this. » Yunsung -- Dong Zhou... -- Personally, I think that Dong Zhou was set up as a precedent to judge all the other characters that opposed Shu. He can't have been inherently evil, and as Shokyo says, we have nothing besides Luo's words and a few court records. » DragonAtma -- Dong Zhuo's fate... -- ...tie him to a chair, tape his eyelids open, and force him to watch teletubbies 24/7! MWAHAHAHAHA!
12 Another day Dong Zhuo was presiding at a great gathering of officials who were seated in two long rows. After the wine had gone up and down several times, Lu Bu entered and whispered a few words in his master's ear.	» CamRon -- drunk? -- Why does every one have to be tipsy. Before some thing important happins. » guanping -- that is rather unfair -- it is easier to kill/capture someone who is drunk or whose guard is down. Also banquets where a good way of ambushing and killing someone who serves you.
13 Dong Zhuo smiled and said, "He was always so. Take Minister of Works Zhang Wan outside!"
14 The others all turned pale. In a little time a serving man brought the head of their fellow guest on a red dish and showed it to their host. They nearly died with fright.	» Melchiot -- Hmmm... -- 'Head a la decapitated' is what I'm thinking. Anyone for starters? » Shokyo -- You don't want to know what the soup is. » LuBusSword -- hmmm... -- probably brain fluid and blood as a colourant » darkknight -- with a hint of bone marrow » LiaoHua -- Heroes and Villians -- In DW4 if u play Dong Zhuo's mussou they make it sound like he's the hero. I know its so to make u want to fight for his side but how can u make him look like a hero. Just something I had to say. » Shokyo -- post -- The noble Dong Zhuo unites the scattered and corrupt empire and leads China through a time of prosperity and utter refinement, with a hint of glossing over the cruelty and stuff. Just read the description of Meiwo; he knows his stuff. » ZhugeWong -- Rises and Falls, mother nature of all -- so are the three kingdoms ... » atomicwillie -- liao hua, did you ever think that it might be glorifying him? -- i mean common! "the rebels have penetrated this far" does not mean that the allied forces were animals or peasants armed with pitchforks, it just says that to justify Dong's cause » MrLuBu -- historians -- the little story bit on DW4 i think sounds a little like somthing a historian mighht write. And since your side always wins on musou, the historians would be biased since all the other ones are dead, so they would have to make you out like a god or something. I probably would if the alternative was for my cranium to be made into his starter.
15 "Do not fear," said Dong Zhuo smiling. "Minister Zhang Wan was in league with Yuan Shu to assassinate me. A letter he wrote fell by mistake into the hands of my son, so I have had him put to death. You gentlemen, who have no reason, need have no fear."	» Rahonavis -- Intimidate -- It's a great way to sow fear and intimidate those underlings if they ever step out of line. Unfortunately history also proves that the harder one intimidates, the greater the resistence. At this point who wouldn't want to kill Dong Zhuo... well with the exception of those who wants to really kiss butt.
16 The officials hastened to disperse. One of them, Minister of the Interior Wang Yun, who had witnessed all this, returned to his palace very pensive and much distressed. The same evening, a bright moonlight night, he took his staff and went strolling in his private garden. Standing near one of the creeper trellises, he gazed up at the sky and the tears rolled down his cheeks. Suddenly he heard a rustle in the Peony Pavilion and someone sighing deeply. Stealthily creeping near, he saw there one of the household singing girls named Diao Chan.	» _Sam B. -- Enter Diao Chan into the fray. » MaChaChao -- Finally. Let the action begin! » darkknight -- diao chan -- is she fictional? » ItalianLion -- Diao Chan -- Yes, sadly, she falls under the 'fiction' category. There is no mention of her in history. :( Too bad, she's cool. » Shokyo -- I feel VERY sorry for her... -- Having to sleep with Dong Zhuo. Bleh >.< » Reboot -- fiction or no -- Diao Chan is mentioned as one of the "Four Great Beauties" of China. The other three are real, so we may assume Diao Chan is, too? » WUuuu -- No, She's fictional. » Shokyo -- So who are the other three? » WUuuu -- Just a guess but....the Qiao's and Zhen Ji » Shokyo -- I would've guessed that as well... -- But a being a Qiao fan, I'd like confirmation. » WUuuu -- I'll ask on the board then. » ClarenceK -- The other three... -- Xi Shi, Wang Zhao Jun, Yang Yu Huan. Whether they are really the most beautiful was not important in the judgement, though their beauties were great according to those who saw them (especially the emperors). What was important were their epic stories. Xi shi was a beautiful lady responsible of seducing the King of Wu (spring & autumn period), and led to Wu's ultimate defeat by Yue. Wang Zhao Jun was sent to marry the King of Hun as a gesture of peace between the two kingdoms, which greatly promoted the development of the Inner Mongolian tribes. Yang Yu Huan was a mistress of Emperor of Xuan (Tang Dynasty) and her story was one of the greatest love tragedy in China.
17 This maiden had been brought up in his palace, where she had been taught to sing and dance. At twenty-one, she was a pretty and clever girl whom Wang Yun regarded more as a daughter than a dependant.	» farrington -- Age -- I think the translation is wrong concerning Diao Chan's age at this point. The Moss Roberts translation gives her age as 16, and my Chinese version states: 年方二八 (pinyin: nian2 fang1 er4 ba1) which means she "just turned 16" (2 * 8 = 16). » zhenluo -- age -- Yeah, the age here is definitely wrong. Her age is supposed to be sixteen as written in the original text.
18 After listening for some time, Wang Yun suddenly called out, "What mischief are you up to there, you naughty girl?"
19 The maiden dropped on her knees in terror, saying, "Would thy unworthy handmaid dare to do anything wrong?"	» guanping -- she was stood up -- this lady is perhaps the most noble and intresting one in the whole book, at least for me. Would be annoying to date though.
20 "Then what are you sighing about out here in the darkness?"
21 "May thy handmaid speak from the bottom of her heart?"
22 "Tell me the whole truth. Do not conceal anything."
23 And the girl said, "Thy handmaid has been the recipient of bountiful kindness. She has been taught to sing and dance and been treated so kindly that were she torn in pieces for her lord's sake, it would not repay a thousandth part. She has noticed lately that her lord's brows have been knit in distress and knows it is on account of the state troubles. But she has not dared to ask. This evening he seemed sadder than ever, and she was miserable on her lord's account. But she did not know she would be seen. Could she be of any use, she would not shrink from a myriad deaths."	» Solace -- Brave, beautiful, intelligent, talented, eloquent, gracious, considerate and humble -- yep she's fiction alright. » Shokyo -- It's as if you're implying something. » LuBoyan -- Diao Chan is an interesting character -- She's one of the few characters that we get a real insight into that isn't and general or ruler. Another is Xu Shu's mother. » Shokyo -- I think that's coz we kinda need an insight on her character -- She's a commoner, and they don't seem to do much but hse is coming between Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu (an important... thing), making her unique. She's also supposedly made up by Luo Guanzhong, so it's probably only natural him going into detail about her; he's probably made her in the image of his ideal woman. » zhenluo -- 0 -- Can't exactly credit Luo Guanzhong with "making her up". She is a legendary figure as much as any other character from ROTK. There were theater pieces recounting her story and Lu Bu's way before the publishing of ROTK. There have also been historical texts hinting at a romantic liason between Lu Bu and a maid in Dong Zhuo's household. » guanping -- There was some handmaid which Lu Bu fancied, Dong threw a spear and it made Lu Bu feel guilty -- combined with other things, it was possibly a factor in what Lu Bu did later. I don't think LGZ ever made things up unless to link things up, he combined legends, poems, theater pieces and many other things to make a great story
24 A sudden idea came to Wang Yun, and he stuck the ground with his staff. And he said, "Who would think that the fate of Han lay in your palm? Come with me!"
25 The girl followed him into the house. There he dismissed all the waiting attendants, placed Diao Chan on a chair, and bowed before her. She was frightened and threw herself on the ground, asking in terror what it all meant.
26 Said Wang Yun, "You can sympathize with the people of Han!"
27 And the fount of his tears opened afresh.
28 "My lord, as thy handmaid said just now, use her in any way: Thy handmaid will never shrink," said the girl.
29 Wang Yun knelt, saying, "The people are on the brink of destruction, the prince and his officers are in jeopardy, and you, you are the only savior. That wretch Dong Zhuo wants to depose the Emperor, and not a person among us can find means to stop him. Now he has a son, a bold warrior it is true, but both father and son have a weakness for beauty, and I am going to use what I may call the 'chaining plan'. I shall first propose you in marriage to Lu Bu and then, after you are betrothed, I shall present you to Dong Zhuo, and you will take every opportunity to force them asunder and turn sway their countenances from each other, cause the son to kill his adopted father and so put an end to the great evil. Thus you may restore the altars of the land that it may live again. All this lies within your power: Will you do it?"	» MaChaChao -- OOOOH -- Let the fun begin!! » Rahonavis -- Seduction -- Diao Chan by all accounts is extremely beautiful and very talented both in singing and musical instruments. Seducing Lu Bu and Dong Zhuo would not be too difficult. Playing them against each other is the best way to go about it. » JiaGai -- Seducing them both is easy for two reasons. -- First, they're both men of sensual tastes and second, neither shows much restraint about indulging in such pleasures. It didn't have to be Diao Chan, any woman of comparable attractiveness could have gotten the job done. » nlink -- True. -- Seduction would have been easy. Manipulation (especially as well as Diao Chan's), though, would have been a different story. » jolteony -- JiaGai you also need Charisma and Persuasion not just a regular Handmaid... » LiaoHua -- Diao Chan -- Your mission, should u choose to accept it, will be to seduce Lu Bu and Dong Zhuo, sleep with both most likely, and therefore drive a wedge between them and therefore make Lu Bu kill Dong Zhuo. » iamnick -- Then she says -- ok » Tiamatty -- Bang Dong Zhuo -- Mission: Impossible, indeed.
30 "Thy handmaid has promised not to recoil from death itself. You may use my poor self in any way, and I must do my best."
31 "But if this gets abroad then we are all lost!"
32 "Fear not," said she. "If thy handmaid does not show gratitude, may she perish beneath a myriad swords!"	» TomMurch -- Careful, Diao Chan. -- Sun Jian said something similar and it didn't do him any good... » guanping -- Sun Jian was lieing, Diao Chan was risking everything by agreeing to this plot
33 "Thank you, thank you!" said Wang Yun.
34 Then Wang Yun took from the family treasury many pearls and bade a cunning jeweler make therewith a fine golden headdress, which was sent as a present to Lu Bu. He was delighted and came to thank the donor. When Lu Bu arrived, he was met at the gate by Wang Yun himself and within found a table full of dainties for his delectation. He was conducted into a private apartment and placed in the seat of honor.
35 Lu Bu said, "I am but a simple officer in the palace of a minister. You are an exalted officer of state. Why am I treated thus?"	» LuBusSword -- lol -- Lu Bu a SIMPLE officer? wtf? lol » JiaGai -- He is technically just an officer. -- He is required, by ettiquete and decorum to present himself in humble fashion. » RedHare -- Manners -- At least it goes to show he had manners. » MrLuBu -- For the right price. » guanping -- I like Lu Bu, just a personal thing -- He was a bit of a brute but to those he liked and cared about, he was a great friend
36 "Because in the whole land there is no hero your equal. Poor I bow not to an officer's rank; poor I bow to his ability."
37 This gratified Lu Bu mightily, and his host continued to praise and flatter and ply him with wine and to talk of the virtues of the Prime Minister and his henchman.
38 Lu Bu laughed and drank huge goblets.	» SrLordofAnderbond -- drink -- take that zhang fei
39 Presently most of the attendants were sent away, only a few kept to press the guest to drink.	» MaxBrains -- Hah! Part of his plan was to get Lu Bu drunk first, huh? » roflcopter -- yeah. but i'm not sure i'd have to be drunk to want to sleep with diao chan... » guanping -- Well he is going for a threefold plan -- In case the woman doesn't work, flatter him and get him drunk, one of those should get him to accept the woman and then he can't back out of the deal. Or it was being a good host and making Lu Bu more agreeable to Diao Chan
40 When the guest was very mellow, Wang Yun suddenly said, "Let her come in!"
41 Soon appeared two attendants, dressed in white, leading between them the exquisite and fascinating Diao Chan.
42 "Who is this?" said Lu Bu startled into sobriety.	» Shokyo -- Um... sobriety means soberly right? » JiaGai -- Yes -- Sobriety is the state of being sober, so the words pretty much mean the same thing.
43 "This is my little girl, Diao Chan. You will not be annoyed at my familiarity, will you? But you have been so very friendly, I thought you would like to see her."
44 Wang Yun bade Diao Chan present a goblet of wine, and her eyes met those of the warrior.	» roflcopter -- lu bu says, "wow, she's hot!"
45 Wang Yun feigning intoxication said, "My child begs you, General, to take a cup or two. We all depend upon you, all our house."
46 Lu Bu begged Diao Chan to sit down. She pretended to wish to retire.
47 Her master pressed her to remain, saying, "The General is a dear friend. You may stay."
48 So she took a seat modestly near her master.
49 Lu Bu kept his gaze fixed upon the maid, while he swallowed cup after cup of wine.	» ZhangDun -- Lu Bu, a Ladies Man! -- Who'd have thought such a thing? » JiaGai -- Eh... -- Draining multiple wine glasses while oogling a woman does not a ladies man make. It does, however, make him a horny bastard. » ItalianLion -- JiaGai -- LOL, you make a good point! » Super Dian Wei -- I THINK HE'S DRINKING TO MAKE HER LOOK BETTER! LOL » wwkake -- LOL » Shokyo -- Keeping your eye on someone while drinking and while being drunk has to be quite hard. -- Maybe it was a stunt he was using to impress her. » YellowSquirrel -- reply -- y'all have too much fun it's getting pretty amusing reading your letters » drunkmastrZhangFei -- cave man theory -- Me man, you woman me drink wine drag you by hair to my cave where we make little warriors. » Shokyo -- That's just wrong... -- You have just given me a huge mental image of Lu Bu and Diao Chan walking into a cave, suspicious noises (>.<) and... little chibis running out 0.o;; My imagination's didgusting as it is, then posting stuff like that. Honestly! » MaChaChao -- Hmmm -- I'm kind of enjoying those images. » ScottieTheNerd -- Lu Bu Jr. -- "Son, let us play catch in the garden", said the great warrior Lu Bu. Lu Bu Jr. smirked. "Sure Dad..." *backstab backstab* » Solace -- lol -- that's the best laugh I've had on this site Scottie » ManicManchu -- who drank more? -- was Zhang Fei more of an alchololic than Lu Bu? » WUuuu -- At this point Lu Bu -- as Zhang Fei never lets it cripple him to the point it does Lu Bu.
50 "I should like to present her to you as a handmaid: Would you accept?" said Wang Yun.	» Rahonavis -- Accepting Diao Chan -- From my understanding of the original Chinese text, Wang Yun was offering or proposing marriage to Lu Bu. Whether that meant as wife or concubine that's really up to each individual's interpretation. It it was marriage that was proposed.
51 The guest started up.
52 "If that is so, you may rely upon my abject gratitude," said Lu Bu.
53 "We will choose a propitious day ere long and send her to the palace."
54 Lu Bu was overjoyed. He could not keep his eyes off Diao Chan, and loving glances flashed from her liquid eyes.	» MaChaChao -- wink -- Awww. Isn't that cute? » ItalianLion -- What must she be thinking? -- Now all she has do to is drop a wine glass.... "Oh! Forgive me Master Lu Bu! Allow me to bend over infront of you very, very slowly and pick it up!" » Melchiot -- Reply -- If that happened, Lu Bu might actually have done the whole cave thing. » Elemental -- Please don't remind us of that. » atomicwillie -- what cave thing?!?!
55 However the time came for the guest to leave, and Wang Yun said, "I would ask you to remain the night, but the Prime Minister might suspect something."
56 Lu Bu thanked him again and again and departed.
57 Some few days later when Wang Yun was at court and Lu Bu was absent, Wang Yun bowed low before Dong Zhuo and said, "I wish that you would deign to come to dine at my lowly cottage: Could your noble thought bend that way?"
58 "Should you invite me, I would certainly hasten," was the reply.	» guanping -- Dong Zhuo nice to someone -- To those he trusted and liked he seemed a good friend to have » Shokyo -- Think his taste of power really changed him -- Cai Yang said Dong Zhuo had saved him from something. He intended to hold onto his power, definately, coz it meant he could have anything he wanted.
59 Wang Yun thanked him. Then Wang Yun went home and prepared in the reception hall a feast in which figured every delicacy from land and sea. Beautiful embroideries surrounded the chief seat in the center, and elegant curtains were hung within and without. At noon next day, when Dong Zhuo arrived, Wang Yun met him at the gate in full court costume. Wang Yun stood by while Dong Zhuo stepped out of his chariot, and Dong Zhuo and a host of one hundred armed guards crowded into the hall. Dong Zhuo took his seat at the top, his suite fell into two lines right and left, while Wang Yun stood humbly at the lower end. Dong Zhuo bade his people conduct Wang Yun to a place beside himself.	» TiangFu -- Wang Yun this, Wang Yun that -- Is it me, or does 'Wang Yun' appear quite often in this paragraph? It makes me want to ask the following: Did Luo Guanzhong know what pronouns are? The way he writes it makes me think he doesn't. » Pluvius -- Too confusing -- If he had used "he" a lot, it would've been hard to tell whether he was talking about Dong Zhuo, Lu Bu, or Wang Yun.
60 Said Wang Yun, "The great Prime Minister's abundant virtue is as the high mountains. Neither the ancient sages---Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou---could attain thereto."	» Explainer -- Yi Yin -- Yi Yin was was helper and prime minister of King Tang, the founder of Shang Dynasty. After King Tang's death, Yi Yin served his sons and grandson. Soon after Tai Jia, King Tang's grandson, ascended the throne, he committed many faults, and Yi Yin, acting as regent, exiled Tai Jia to Tong Palace---the burial place of King Tang. After three years Yi Yin returned him the throne. Tai Jia eventually became an enlightened emperor. Shang Dynasty lasted for 650 years (BC 1700-1050). It was this act of Yi Yin rather than his services in building up an empire that has made him immortal. Whether he did right in temporarily dethroning the king was open to question, until a final verdict was rendered by Mencius who thought that his ends amply justified his means. This historical event attests the extent of the power exercised by a prime minister in those days. » Explainer -- Duke of Zhou -- Duke of Zhou was brother of King Wu, who was the founder of Zhou Dynasty. After King Wu's death, the Duke of Zhou served his young son as regent. The Duke of Zhou completely ended the Shang domination, and he helped establish the Zhou administrative framework, which served as a model for future Chinese dynasties. Zhou Dynasty lasted for 800 years (BC 1050-221).
61 Dong Zhuo smiled. They bore in the dishes and the wine, and the music began. Wang Yun plied his guest with assiduous flattery and studied deference. When it grew late and the wine had done its work, Dong Zhuo was invited to the inner chamber. So he sent away his guards and went.	» darkknight -- dong zhuo sent away his guards... -- they could have killed him here » Pluvius -- And Lu Bu or someone else would've killed Wang Yun. -- That would not have accomplished the goal, which was to get rid of all of the rebels, not just Dong Zhuo. » LiaoHua -- good point
62 Here the host raised a goblet and drank to his guest, saying, "From my youth up I have understood something of astrology and have been studying the aspect of the heavens. I read that the days of Han are numbered, and that the great Prime Minister's merits command the regard of all the world, as when King Shun succeeded King Yao, and King Yu continued the work of King Shun, all by the strength of their own merits, conforming to the mind of Heaven and the desire of people."	» Explainer -- Yao, Shun, and Yu -- King Yao, King Shun, and King Yu (BC 2400-2200) were the three ideal rulers in ancient China. They ascended the throne by their virtues and merits, and not by heritage. King Yu was also the founder of the Xia Dynasty.
63 "How dare I expect this?" said Dong Zhuo.
64 "From the days of old, those who walk in the way have replaced those who deviate therefrom; those who lack virtue have fallen before those who possess it. Can one escape fate?"
65 "If indeed the decree of Heaven devolves on me, you shall be held the first in merit!" said Dong Zhuo.
66 Wang Yun bowed. Then lights were brought in and all the attendants were dismissed, save the serving maids to hand the wine. So the evening went on.
67 Presently Wang Yun said, "The music of these everyday musicians is too commonplace for your ear, but there happens to be in the house a little maid that might please you."
68 "Excellent!" said the guest.
69 Then a curtain was lowered. The shrill tones of reed instruments rang through the room, and presently some attendants led forward Diao Chan, who then danced on the outside of the curtain.	» MrLuBu -- Kinda like a trumpet roll?
70 A poem praises her:
71 For a palace this maiden was born, So timid, so graceful, so slender, Like a tiny bird flitting at morn Over the dew-laden lily buds tender. Were this exquisite maid only mine, For never a mansion I'd pine.	» ManicManchu -- from this description, it sounds like Diao Chan was more of a stripper! » guanping -- Thanks for that thought ManicManchu -- a sweet poem though
72 Another poem runs thus:
73 The music falls, the dancer comes, a swallow gliding in, A dainty little damsel, soft as silk; Her beauty captivates the guest yet saddens him within, For he must soon depart and leave her there. She smiles; no gold could buy that smile, no other smiled so, No need to deck her form with jewels rare. But when the dance is over and coy glances come and go, Then who shall be the chosen of the fair?
74 The dance ended. Dong Zhuo bade them lead the maiden in, and she came, bowing low as she approached him. He was much taken with her beauty and modest grace.
75 "Who is she?" said Dong Zhuo.
76 "A singing girl. Her name is Diao Chan."
77 "Then can she sing?"
78 The master bade her sing, and she did so to the accompaniment of castanets. There is a measure describing her youthful beauty:	» LuBusSword -- oooh!! castanets!! -- does this mean Diao Chan invented flamenco?
79 You stand, a dainty maiden, Your cherry lips so bright, Your teeth so pearly white, Your fragrant breath love-laden; Yet is your tongue a sword; Cold death is the reward Of loving thee, O maiden!	» Kelpie -- Diao Chan -- Ooo, I like this! It was true, too. » WUuuu -- Why is she so perfect? -- All we get of her personality is that she is obedient. That hardly makes her the "ideal" woman. » JiaGai -- Diao Chan was beautiful, humble and subservient. -- In the culture of China of that era, she would have very likely been the perfect model of a wife. The only reason she got involved with Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu was out of honor and respect for her "father." » WUuuu -- I understand that, but I wasn't asking about the era -- I was asking about the people on the board who keep talking about how perfect she is. I dunno about them but it takes a bit more than "beautiful and obedient" to make the perfect woman for me. » Laguna Cottage -- I don't know. When a girl takes on a battle where 18 lords failed, she is pretty perfect to me... -- regardless if she succeeds or not, and regardless of her strategy as well. Some critics say Wang Yun is short-sighted when employing this trick, for if it accomplishes what he wants, history will write "Han was rescued by a Chaining Scheme", and it is depressing for a new dynasty to have a founding moment like this. But what can we do? 18 armies have failed. » TheYellowDwarf -- The Chain Plot -- I find Wang Yun's plot dispicable. The 18 armies fell apart because of the greed and selfishness of the leaders. Wang Yun was selfish to sacrifice a woman (his "daughter") to save his own hide (paragraph 16). » lordlijue -- Desperate times call for desperate measures -- Okay, you think up a plot to overthrow Dong Zhuo, get Lu Bu on your side and retake the emperor. » cFodder -- I have to agree with WUuuu... -- She doesn't seem all that great - to me Lady Sun (Sun Jian's wife, Ce and Quan's mother) was probably the most impressive female persona in the novel - even though her contributions are mentioned only in passing. I do give Diao Chan credit for this plot however - it takes some degree of courage to play the fool with Lu Bu and Dong Zhuo; a terrible fate would await anyone who failed - and there was a reasonable chance of failure in this plot I must say. » guanping -- just one slip by anyone was all it took for her and Wang Yun to die in the most painful manner -- I'm just wondering though if Diao Chan would just have been strangeled » SNDiablos -- are you kidding -- Maybe that's how Cao Cao would have killed her, but this is Dong Zhuo we are talking about here. If he was to kill her, it would be a terrible and quite painful death. » guanping -- Perhaps Li Ru would chuck her out of the window -- I do agree with WUuuu though
80 Dong Zhuo was delighted and praised her warmly. She was told to present a goblet of wine to the guest which he took from her hands and then asked her age.
81 She replied, "Thy unworthy handmaid is twenty-one."	» _Wen Choung -- post -- I thought that back then, it was not acceptable to be unmarried by 21...or especially 28, as mentioned below. » Keeruu-Hiroshi -- Actually, at this time the woman were often married a lot younger, like around 16. » Kytross -- post -- Nobility and commoners often had different standards. Diao Chan, remember, is a commoner. » _Wu Han Tian -- post -- Note that Diao Chan is a handmaiden of a statesman after all, which is probably the next best thing to being to someone of nobility. » TheYellowDwarf -- Age -- The original Chinese has the character "two" and "eight" side by side, which may seem to the modern reader to mean twenty-eight. But that is not the case. Instead, the correct intepretation is "twice eight"(2 times 8), which makes 16. Diao Chan is sixteen. During those times, twenty-one and still unmarried woman is considered an old maid.
82 "A perfect fairy!" said Dong Zhuo.	» _watermelon -- age -- In chinese text she was 28 » RedHare -- Age -- In Moss Roberts's version, she is 16. » CapTamZai -- er... -- assume its 28 or 16, i guess... until i find a way to make sure, that is... » HeroOfChaos -- Diao Chan -- She's 16. For her to be 28 and not be married is impossible. » guanping -- It was possible, but she wouldn't be used for this plot at that age... » zhenluo -- 0 -- She's 16. In the Chinese text, when they say 2-8, they mean it as multiplied, so 2x8=16. Just a fancier way of saying 16.
83 Then Wang Yun rose and said, "If the Prime Minister would not mind, I should like to offer him this little maid."
84 "How could I be grateful enough for such a kindness!"	» drunkmastrZhangFei -- Did I miss something? -- I thought that the plan was that Diao Chan would marry Lu Bu before she was introduced to Dong Zhou? » JiaGai -- The plan -- Marriage was not part of the plan. The plan was for Diao Chan to make both Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu so infatuated with her that they would fight with and destroy each other. » Super Dian Wei -- Basically, her job was to be a Playboy model... -- and make Lu Bu and Dong Zhuo compete over who got to be her "biggest fan." » MaChaChao -- Who cares??? -- She did her job, and very nicely I might add. » Shokyo -- That's a er... blunt way of putting it, Super Dian Wei » LuBusSword -- the plan -- she was to be BETROTHED to Lu Bu » wusuck -- no match -- how could dong zhou an lu bu destroy each other? i mean come on dong zhou kickin lu bus ass, i cant see that happenin. » IloveNDfootball -- Uh.. -- Lu Bu is the greatest warrior of that time. Dong Zhou is a jerk. Hmmm.... » darkknight -- lu bu would be all right without dong as a leader » Shokyo -- Chaining Scheme -- Dong Zhuo is the root of this rebellion; Lu Bu is kind of along for the ride. If you're weeding your garden, you don't tear a bit off the top of the weed, you rip it right out from the root. You kill Dong Zhuo (as far as I can tell he hasn't named an heir, and I don't blame him - he doesn't exactly need to) and the entire thing just caves in. Dong Zhuo in the seat of power is more threatening than Lu Bu the Henchman. » Pluvius -- You also manage to turn Lu Bu against the rebels in the process. » guanping -- But you would have to kill the other Dong's like Dong Min and relatives like Li Ru -- also don't forget loyal men like Li Jue. Killing Dong Zhuo was not going to be enough. Gaining a well known general on your side would help though a fight between Lu Bu and Dong Zhou isn't as one sided as some people might think
85 "She would be most fortunate if she could be your servant," said Wang Yun.
86 Dong Zhuo thanked his host warmly.
87 Then the orders were given to prepare a closed carriage and convey Diao Chan to the Prime Minister's palace.
88 Soon after Dong Zhuo took his leave, and Wang Yun accompanied him the whole way.
89 After he had taken leave, Wang Yun mounted to ride homeward. Half way he met two lines of guards with red lamps who were escorting Lu Bu who was on horseback and armed with his trident halberd.
90 Seeing Wang Yun, Lu Bu at once reined in, stopped, seized him by the sleeve, and said angrily, "You promised Diao Chan to me, and now you have given her to the Prime Minister: What foolery is this?"
91 Wang Yun checked him, saying, "This is no place to talk. I pray you come to my house."
92 So they went together, and Wang Yun led Lu Bu into a private room.
93 After the usual exchange of polite greetings, Wang Yun said, "Why do you find fault with me, General?"	» Bastardman -- post -- What exactly does this exchange of polite greetings imply? Is it some sort of mini ceremony or just a simple "how are you?". » _TheNovak -- post -- Probably the same spiel from before: "You are a great hero," "you are a worthy host," etc.
94 "Somebody told me that you had sent Diao Chan to the Prime Minister's palace in a covered carriage: What does it mean?"
95 "Of course you do not understand. Yesterday when I was at court, the Prime Minister told me he had something to talk to me about in my own house. So naturally I prepared for his coming, and while we were at dinner he said, 'I have heard something of a girl named Diao Chan whom you have promised to my son Lu Bu. I thought it was mere rumor so I wanted to ask if it was true. Beside I should like to see her.' I could not say no, so she came in and made her bow to the lord of lords. Then he said that it was a lucky day and he would take her away with him and betroth her to you. Just think, Sir: When the Prime Minister had come himself, could I stop him?"	» lordlijue -- And the Oscar goes to......... -- Wang Yun
96 "You were not so very wrong," said Lu Bu. "But for a time I had misunderstood you. I owe you an apology."
97 "The girl has a small trousseau, which I will send as soon as she has gone over to your dwelling."
98 Lu Bu thanked him and went away. Next day he went into the palace to find out the truth, but could hear nothing. Then he made his way into the private quarters and questioned the maids. Presently one told him that the Imperial Rector had brought home a new bedfellow the night before and was not up yet. Lu Bu was very angry. Next he crept round behind his master's sleeping apartment.	» _Sam B. -- post -- The plot thickens as doesthe gelatin.
99 By this time Diao Chan had risen and was dressing her hair at the window. Looking out she saw a long shadow fall across the little lake. She recognized the headdress, and peeping around she saw it was indeed no other than Lu Bu. Thereupon she contracted her eyebrows, simulating the deepest grief, and with her dainty handkerchief she wiped her eyes again and again. Lu Bu stood watching her a long time.	» ChuckMung -- Bad Camo -- If he felt like hiding, perhaps he shouldn't be walking around with a bunch of 3-foot feathers sticking out of his hat. » TaDun -- Camo -- . Diao Chan: "Lu Bu, is that you?" Lu Bu: (caws like a bird). » yuanthedestroyer -- rolfmao
100 Soon after he went in to give morning greeting. Dong Zhuo was sitting in the reception room.
101 Seeing his henchman, Dong Zhuo asked, "Is there anything new?"
102 "Nothing," was the reply.	» _uriahman1 -- nothing? -- obviously mr. bu is the quiet type! » _TheNovak -- I think Lu Bu subscribes to the philosophy, "I don't get mad, I get even." » Super Dian Wei -- post -- If I knew my dad was on the job with my Girl, I would run away from home and let him keep the two timin bitch. Of course if Lu Bu did things this way, the Diao Chan plan would have worked better, because she would still be splitting the two up, so they would both be easier to pick off. » drunkmastrZhangFei -- Lu Bu's pissed that his dad slept with his woman... -- What would you do in his shoes? Myself I would stick a stick of dynamite in his ass and watch him explode.... » atomicwillie -- but -- you are all ignoring the fact that, although it seems like it, DONG ZHUO IS NOT LU BU'S DAD!!!!! he adopted lu bu as his son. lu bu might just be thinking "this asshole's screwin my bitch." he is not related to lu bu at all, except for the lone fact that he adopted him
103 Lu Bu waited while Dong Zhuo took his morning meal. As he stood beside his master, he glanced over at the curtain and saw a woman there behind the screen showing a half face from time to time and throwing amorous glances at him. He felt it was his beloved, and his thoughts flew to her. Presently Dong Zhuo noticed his expression and began to feel suspicious.
104 "If there is nothing, you may go," said Dong Zhuo.
105 Lu Bu sulkily withdrew.	» _Morter -- Aww.. -- Don't feel bad, Lu Bu. You're the one with the Trident Halberd ^_^ » Junts -- Uhh.. -- Are you saying that Lu Bu should take comfort in having a greater polearm than Dong Zhuo? » Shokyo -- Well, yeh. Why not? » drunkmastrZhangFei -- haha -- Yep! having a greater polearm makes your ego bigger knowing he can cut Dong Zhou in half anytime he wants to, wouldn't you want that power in your hands? » Super Dian Wei -- post -- Haha! That reminds me of "And you know what they say about a man with big feet..." except with a polearm. » darkknight -- you know what they say about men with big feet... -- ... big shoes... i know... cheesy. » Yorak -- Freudian -- Good Lord, this thread is Freudian as all hell. Dong Zhuo takes Lu Bu's woman - a direct challenge to his manhood. But Lu Bu can take comfort in the fact that he knows that he has the bigger "polearm," giving him more "power?" Lu Bu: "See this, baby?" Diao Chan: *gasp* "It's soooo BIG! Oohh! Please let me polish it!" Lu Bu: "All right, but be careful with it. It's been known to hurt people." » jolteony -- LOL -- rofl
106 Dong Zhuo now thought of nothing but his new mistress and for more than a month neglected all affairs, devoting himself entirely to pleasure. Once he was a little indisposed, and Diao Chan was constantly at his side, never even undressing to show her solicitude. She gratified his every whim. Dong Zhuo grew more and more fond of her.	» Yorak -- ugh -- Can you imagine what "every whim" of an evil bastard like Dong Zhuo would be when you're talking about a beautiful girl "gratifying" them? Actually, it's probably a better idea if you -don't- imagine. *shudder* » MrLuBu -- Dong Zhuo -- Everyone is thinking of DW. Has it actually been said that he is a fat ugly bastard with bad breath? He might have been quite handsome. Maybe Diao Chan enjoyed gratifying "his every whim." But i doubt it. » ChuckMung -- Fat Bastard -- We hear many times of him enjoying massive meals with his officers. I have no doubt that all that feasting led to quite a tubby Dong Zhuo. But, in many cultures, being protly is attractive in a ruler. Was it that way back then also? » Seraph -- Symbolic quality -- Since this was a time of hardship, it would be a sign of a greedy ruler to be fat. However, it is a sign of prosperity, which makes it an attractive quality in many cultures with histories of hunger. In fact, almost every culture that suffered from hunger see fat as a sign of safety because if he's prosperous enough to be fat, he can provide for a family. » Drackor -- Dong Zhuo -- Besides, earlier in the book, a description was given of Dong Zhuo that if I'm not mistaken, said he was a massive man. » HeroOfChaos -- Dong Zhuo -- Remember the assassination attempt by Cao Cao, they said Dong Zhuo was so fat that he could not bear sitting for very long. So yeah, except if he lost a lot of weight since then (and I doubt it with all the feasts), he was fat. » guanping -- He must have eaten a lot in that one year to become so fat » VGuyver -- he was always fat -- always fat, had a round waist and all. DW's interpritation of Xu Chu is stupid though, he's not some happy retarded fatso, no he may of had a round wasit, but he was large and somewhat husky, not the blob... Dong Zhou's look is very accurate. look at the RotK 4 games image of him, it's pretty accurate, damn was he ugly... » guanping -- he was rough, rude and cunning -- also strong and the tribes feared him. Had hot temper. Nothing about fat till said attempt » VGuyver -- but was he not considered a massive man? -- if I recall, it was said that we was feared and I recalli n the book fairlyearly on him being desribed to something that would be fat. » guanping -- he was feared certainly -- massive? No considered very strong but not fat or massive, werll nothing I have seen. » MaTseng -- to be truthful -- the fatter you are the more physical strength you may have, at least more then a skinner man would have although i'm sure he had trouble riding horses ^_^; » guanping -- Perhaps his build and strength did make him slightly fat but not enough for it to have mentioned yet -- He certinly does grow really fat when he has control of Xian. With such good food after a life on the front lines, who could blame him for that?
107 One day Lu Bu went to inquire after his father's health. Dong Zhuo was asleep, and Diao Chan was sitting at the head of his couch. Leaning forward she gazed at the visitor, with one hand pointed to her heart, the other at Dong Zhuo asleep, and her tears fell. Lu Bu felt heartbroken. Dong Zhuo drowsily opened his eyes; and seeing his son's gaze fixed on something behind him, he turned over and saw who it was.
108 He angrily rebuked his son, saying, "Dare you make love to my beauty?"	» CapTamZai -- uh... you sure this is right? -- i mean, what he SAW was a mere stare... and he said Lu Bu made love to someone who was sitting near him, not even close to Lu Bu? sounds strange... maybe you worded it wrong... the chinese characters are very strange... it could be: "You dare love my beauty?" » Pluvius -- Dong Zhuo is a very jealous man -- chances are he was paranoid that Lu Bu's stare signified that something much greater was going on between Lu Bu and Diao Chan behind his back. » LiaoHua -- jealousy -- Im not suprised. I mean I don't know if Lu Bu was attractive or not, but he was obviously better looking then Dong Zhuo, so it's not completely unreasonable » miwasatoshi -- on the whole lovemaking thing -- "make love" here is probably not the modern euphemism for sexual intercourse, more likely it is the original connotation of "to woo" or "to court". So, essentially, "Dare you woo Diao Chan?" Makes sense to me. » Burnx -- The precise translation is irrelevant here -- Lu Bu is sneaking around his new chick's pad. Zhuo is afraid of being cuckolded.
109 He told the servants to turn Lu Bu out, shouting, "Never let him enter here again!"	» MrLuBu -- What servant is really going to stand up to Lu Bu if he wants to get in. » ChuckMung -- Halt! *dies* » cFodder -- hehe -- Servant: Dong Zhuo said you can't come in anymore! *runs away*
110 Lu Bu went off home very wrath. Meeting Li Ru, he told Li Ru the cause of his anger.
111 The adviser hastened to see his master and said, "Sir, you aspire to be ruler of the empire. Why then for a small fault do you blame the General? If he turns against you, it is all over."	» ScottieTheNerd -- Smart Man, Li Ru -- At least he knows the value of Lu Bu...
112 "Then what can I do?" said Dong Zhuo.
113 "Recall him tomorrow; treat him well; overwhelm him with gifts and fair words; and all will be well."	» _Sam B. -- Line -- Overwhelm with gifts and fair words? For the love of the gods, He's LU BU, not some common lesser general. I would execute someone for trying to insult me in my face. Why would anyone try to bribe him like that? » Michael M. Pettit -- post -- Probably because he (at leat the portrayal of him in the ROTK games) is a big, dumb powerhouse who would turn on his own family for money or some oter good reason. In Destiny of an Emperor, he just plainly betrayed Lui Bei's Army just because Yuan Shao had a superior force, and he sold out Dong Zhuo to join Lui Bei in the first place just for the Gemsword that Wang Yun kept. Lu Bu may not be a common lesser general, but with a silver tongue and a lot of gold (and earlier, Red Hare), you can get him to betray his family, which he ... does. (Okay, so an adopted father is not exactly family) » Keeruu-Hiroshi -- Lu Bu -- Well, lots of things were portrayed wrong in the games. In this book, I see Lu Bu as, not overly intelligent, but not a moron. He would probably have studied somewhat to be in the positions that hes in. Even if he was stupid, hes his high general, and surely he would not pass an innsult such as this. » Kytross -- The key word is "overwhelm". » _Uuuuuuuuuu -- Lest you forget -- the reason that Lu Bu is on Dong Zhuo's side in the first place is because he was overwhelmed with gifts... red hare. » drunkmastrZhangFei -- Money -- Money turns everyones head, don't tell me if someone offered you a million dollars you would not take it and feel gratitude for the person.
114 So Dong Zhuo did so. He sent for Lu Bu and was very gracious and said, "I was irritable and hasty yesterday owing to my illness and I wronged you, I know. Forgive me."
115 He gave Lu Bu three hundred ounces of gold and twenty rolls of brocade. And so the quarrel was made up. But though Lu Bu's body was with his adopted father Dong Zhuo, his heart was with his promised bride Diao Chan.	» _Cao Cao -- post -- Three hundred ounces of gold, hm. It would be about US $100,000. A big money for me, but not big enough to buy off guys like Michael Jordan. I think that Lu Bu with his talent was rather like MJ than me. » _anonymous -- You have to factor in inflation though. -- 300 ounces of gold today may be 100,000 dollars, but if you factor in deflation, that 100,000 today is worth less then a cent back then. In fact, I did the quick calculations, and factoring in reverse inflation of 3%, 100,000 1800 years ago is worth 1.54569*10^-19 dollars. To give a quick example of how little that is worth, a trillionth of a dollar is 1*10^-12. You are going into quintilionths of a dollar to describe how little that is worth. A more accurate comparison is to look at Dong Zhou's current wealth. Let us assume that he is worth about 10 trillion dollars at this time, that being the current wealth of China. Now, 300 ounces of gold is not cheap to come by. Let us assume that is .00001% of his wealth. That is still 1 million dollars which he is basically giving to Lu Bu as an apology. I don't care who you are, if you get $1 million as an apology, you accept it. Also, since he is not buying Lu Bu from anyone, he does not need an exorbinate amount of money. Besides, you are disoriented by salaries in sports today. 15 to 20 years ago, Ozzie Smith signing at I believe 2.4 million was the highest salary in baseball. Today, A-Rod makes 10 times more then that a year. While Lu Bu may have been the Michael Jordon of his time in fighting, he was in a time when warlords got very little, so the 300 ounces of gold would be astronomical today. » _praetorianstalker -- post -- Another thing to think about is the rarity of gold at the time. Most likely gold was even more rare than it is today, because they wouldn't have the mining tools to obtain it. » _anonymous -- post -- Actually, gold was disgustingly common in CHina compared to Europe, and wasn't nearly as valuable to them. But it was good enough that 300 ounces (which was also probably in the form of jewelry and/or decoration) was still good. Plus the brocade, which I believe is a gem of some sort, was probably much more valuable. And it was basically just reparations for a small tiff. Lu Bu and Dong Zhuo did know each other for a long time, and Lu Bu knows he is nothing without a master anyway, so he might as well accept it. » _... -- post -- What is brocade?????? » _Shige -- Brocade -- Brocade...a type of jewel?!?! Sorry, but I don't think some of you people live on this planet. It's most commonly embroidered silk.
116 Dong Zhuo having quite recovered went to court again, and Lu Bu followed him as usual. One day, seeing Dong Zhuo deep in conversation with the Emperor, Lu Bu, armed as he was, went out of the Palace and rode off to his chief's residence. He tied up his steed at the entrance and, halberd in hand, went to the private apartment to seek his love. He found Diao Chan, and she told him to go out into the garden where she would join him soon. He went, taking his halberd with him, and he leaned against the rail of the Phoenix Pavilion to wait for Diao Chan.
117 After a long time she appeared, swaying gracefully as she made her way under the drooping willows and parting the flowers as she passed. She was exquisite, a perfect fairy from the Palace of the Moon.
118 Tears were in her eyes as she came up and said, "Though I am not the Minister's real daughter, yet he treated me as his own child. The desire of my life was fulfilled when he plighted me to you. But oh! to think of the wickedness of the Prime Minister, stealing my poor self as he did. I suffered so much. I longed to die, only that I had not told you the real truth. So I lived on, bearing my shame as best as I could. Now that I have seen you, I can end it all. My poor sullied body is no longer fit to serve a hero. I can die before your eyes and so prove how true I am!"	» guanping -- wow shes good at this » DragonAtma -- yah! Lu Bu and Dong Zhuo can't compare to her... -- Give her a few more months, and she can basically order them to do pretty much anything. :Þ
119 Thus speaking she seized the curving rail and started into the lily pond. Lu Bu caught her in his strong arms and wept as he held her close.	» Shokyo -- Awwww! This bit SO cute! ^-^ » SleepingDragon -- Ugh -- Gimme a break!! Cute?!?! WHORE WHORE!!! SLUT!!!! SKANK! Sorry...sorry.... » Super Dian Wei -- I suppose that holds true, since she isn't doing this out of love anyway... » JiaGai -- slut? -- A slut does it indiscrimiately for the pleasure and nothing but. I don't think she enjoys letting Dong Zhuo look at her, much less touch her. And Lu Bu is kinda like Mike Tyson... a killer in battle but lost outside of a fight. » ZhaoZilongfan -- She does it for her 'father' -- Out of loyaltly for her 'father,' she tries to make both men lust for her to the point that they would kill each other for her. Read the story man! » Super Dian Wei -- Yeah, calling her a slut IS a bit of a stretch... -- but it is slightly, distantly relevant to the situation... » LadySun -- Its so cute i agree. but really smart of her. -- Men will do crazy things for a woman's love. » Super Dian Wei -- It's all because men tend to think with their smaller head... I would know. » darkknight -- small head -- very small head for you Dian Wei... lol » Super Dian Wei -- Small head or not, I can still gag you to death with it.
120 "I knew it: I always knew your heart!" he sobbed. "Only we never had a chance to speak."	» _Sam B. -- God, how pathetic can one person be? » Gan Ning -- She is so faking it. -- Man I used to like Lu Bu, but now I know he's a complete moron. » _anonymous -- Even the strongest hero cannot fight his heart. » Keeruu-Hiroshi -- Love makes people stupid. -- I like Lu Bu even more now. It shows him to be Human. » _uriahman1 -- i agree with hiroshi. -- Lu Bu showing his love does make him a better character. It shows he has a heart and not just a cold-blooded warrior. » _Praetorianstalker -- No, it just shows that he is a victim of his hormones like all us poor men are. -- He doesn't even know Diao Chan, he is just hot for her. Sucka!!!! » Gan Ning Fan -- i think more of him now that i see hes human » DJArky -- Praetorianstalker: -- Actually in my opinion, sobbing your eyes out and soothing someone with kind words doesn't exactly constitute as a problem with hormones. » LuBusSword -- i always thought of Lu Bu as an angel of death, destroying all that crossed his path
121 She threw her arms about Lu Bu.
122 "If I cannot be your wife in this life, I will in the ages to come," she whispered.
123 "If I do not marry you in this life, I am no hero," said he.	» zhenluo -- awww -- Can you all feel the romance yet? » MaTseng -- hey.. -- this is why it's called "romance of the three kingdoms" ;)
124 "Every day is a year long. O pity me! Rescue me! My lord!"	» SrLordofAnderbond -- god damn love lines -- doesn't that seem a little too damsel in distress-y to you » guanping -- Slightly yes -- Juding by everyone's reactions to crying and being romantic to someone, I'm rather worried about this society. Back to the point, yes she is overdoing it with that line. » zhenluo -- 0 -- Whatever, the point is that Lu Bu's BUYING it though, so kudos to her. » VGuyver -- Got to admit it, she knows how to pull his strings. -- lol, I can actualy imagine Lu Bu somwhat "whipped" by her.
125 "I have only stolen away for a brief moment, and I am afraid that old rebel will suspect something, so I must not stay too long," said Lu Bu.
126 Diao Chan clung to his robe, saying, "If you fear the old thief so much, I shall never see another sunrise!"	» Explainer -- a post by Shokyo -- I think the "chick" did a real good job ^-^ Go girl! » Explainer -- a post by drunkmastrZhangFei -- So romantic - What other way to show your love for a girl than to kill another guy b'cause she asked you too.... woohoo! » guanping -- killing guys for a girl -- Why can't girls be impressed by that anymore *sob sob* » Shokyo -- Believe me, I would be -- Hee hee... my post ^-^
127 Lu Bu stopped.
128 "Give me a little time to think," said he.	» Kytross -- This right here shows Lu Bu's wisdom. -- He wants time to think, he knows he can be a rash man and is trying to temper himself. » capgun -- Do you think -- maybe he's just stupid
129 And he picked up his halberd to go.
130 "In the deep seclusion of the harem, I heard the stories of your prowess. You were the one man who excelled all others. Little did I think that you of all heroes would rest content under the dominion of another."	» _Morter -- To better explain what Diao Chan said -- "I thought you were a man, but you ain't nuthin, FOO'!!"...Just in the whole "I'm so fragile, carry me" type of manner.. » Yorak -- more Freud -- She heard about his prowess in the the harem? How he "excelled all others?" But now he's going to be "under the dominion of another?" All she has to do now is insult the size of his "polearm" and he'll fly into a killing rage against Dong Zhuo... » Shokyo -- Proud people are so easy to manipulate... -- Just hit 'em where it hurts the most. But I think that's the general idea with most people.
131 And tears rained again!	» _Raiden Renalkae -- tears -- It seems everyone has faucets for eyes in this story. everyone's crying up a storm. » Shokyo -- crying -- If I cried this much I think I'd be a medical miracle. » Reboot -- Tears -- Its very dusty in Ancient China, what with all the horses galloping to battle... :)
132 A wave of shame flooded his face. Leaning his halberd against the railing, he turned and clasped the girl to his breast, soothing her with fond words. The lovers held each other close, swaying to and fro with emotion. They could not bring themselves to say farewell.	» guanping -- Now that is romantic » DongDal -- Altogether now -- Awwwwwwwwww
133 In the meantime Dong Zhuo missed his henchman, and doubt filled his heart. Hastily taking leave of the Emperor, he mounted his chariot and returned to his palace. There at the gate stood Lu Bu's well known steed Red Hare, riderless. Dong Zhuo questioned the doorkeepers, and they told him the general was within. He sent away his attendants and went alone to the private apartments. Lu Bu was not there. He called Diao Chan, but there was no reply. He asked where she was, and the waiting maids told him she was in the garden among the flowers.
134 So Dong Zhuo went into the garden, and there he saw the lovers in the pavilion in most tender talk. Lu Bu's trident halberd was leaning on the railing beside him.	» guanping -- wow this looks so innocent » jolteony -- Oops?
135 A howl of rage escaped Dong Zhuo and startled the lovers. Lu Bu turned, saw who it was, and ran away. Dong Zhuo caught up the halberd and ran in pursuit. But Lu Bu was fleet of foot while his master was very stout. Seeing no hope of catching the runaway, Dong Zhuo hurled the halberd. Lu Bu fended it off and it fell to the ground. Dong Zhuo picked it up and ran on. But by this time Lu Bu was far ahead. Just as Dong Zhuo was running out at the garden gate, he dashed full tilt against another man running in, and down he went.	» _uriahman1 -- Lu Bu RAN away!?! -- I cant believe it, my respect for this warrior has now been halved. » Brother Dun -- Please, don't thrash him. -- Lu Bu was trying to keep his love secret, in case you didn't notice. Think about it, you have a girl friend and her father hates you and doesn't want you going out with her, yet you see each other secretly all the time. Well, one day he catches you together, what do you do? You run. Or you're having an affair and the man who is wed to the woman catches you, you run. Plain and simple. Also, Dong Zhou was no push over, he was very strong as it was noted earlier in the story. And now, Dong Zhou has a reason to have Lu Bu marked a traitor and put to death. » _Deruki -- Also, if you payed a little closer attention, Lu Bu has no weapon, and Dong Zhuo does. » _TheNovak -- post -- Not to mention, as was implied earlier with Cao Cao's attempted assassination, Dong Zhou is one hell of a swordsman. He may not have been as good with Lu Bu's halberd, but I doubt Bu was gonna stand around without weapon or armor and find out. Maybe in a movie version, Bu will fight Dong unarmed, take back his spear, and impale the fat man through the head before flinging him into the sunset, but realistically, there was no way Lu Bu was winning that fight. » _Deruki -- post -- its easier to imagine if you think of Lu Bu as the guy with all his clothes under his arm trying to cover himself as he flees the scene. » _fengxiao -- LuBu has no father -- he was adopted by someone but his real father abandoned him then he was adopted by someone then he killed them remember in the earlier chapters » Shokyo -- FLEE! -- Er... I like to think he'd have a bit more dignity than that >.< huge mental picture. I think the movie idea was better. » ScottieTheNerd -- When you have been discovered... -- ...it is never a good idea to stay at the scene. Did Cao Cao rush at Dong Zhuo when he was about to assassinate him? No. Did Cao Cao come back when Dong Zhuo invited him to test his faith? No. Did Sun Jian stick around with Yuan Shao after finding the Imperial Seal? No. Staying with Diao Chan and fighting your step-father is not the way to go. » Michael M. Pettit -- Yup. -- Especially when you consider that that's exactly what their enemies want (though they don't know that). Them to fight, one of them gets killed, causing major disarray, and then they get slaughtered. Even if they just get seperated, at the very least Dong Zhuo loses a leader and probably gains an opponent. Staying with Diao Chan is definitely a no-no. Let cooler heads prevail or all is lost. I think Li Ru or any good advisor would probably think something along those lines if he knew the situation. » BraveZuMao -- I would have run -- If I was Lu Bu (standing buttnaked with my arms wrapped around an angry fat man's girl who happened to be my stepfather) I'd get the hell out of there before he cut anything off. >.< Then I'd gain popular support by going on the ancient Chinese version of Jerry Springer » WuMing -- Plus -- It also says that he essentially blocked a giant trident halberd that was flying at him with his bare hands.
136 Surged up his wrath within him as the billows heavenward leap. Crashed his unwieldy body to earth in a shapeless heap.
137 We shall presently see who the other runner was.	» Shokyo -- Ooh! The suspense! I can't handle it! » MrLuBu -- And the runner was..... -- While his cardboard cut-out decoy dashed off into the sunset ready to be captured and tortured by the allies, Lu Bu was really hiding behind the gate ready for Dong Zhuo to run into him, thus giving him the element of suprise and maybe shocking Dong Zhuo into a heart attack if he was lucky.

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