Originally from Liang Province, Dong Zhuo seized control of the imperial capital Luoyang in 189 when it entered a state of turmoil following the death of Emperor Ling of Han and a massacre of the eunuch faction by the court officials led by General-in-Chief He Jin.
38 Facts About Dong Zhuo
2.
Dong Zhuo subsequently deposed Liu Bian and replaced him with his half-brother, the puppet Emperor Xian to make him become the de facto ruler of China in the boy-emperor's name.
3.
Dong Zhuo's rule was brief and characterized by cruelty and tyranny.
4.
Dong Zhuo was assassinated soon after in 192 by his subordinate Lu Bu in a plot orchestrated by Interior Minister Wang Yun.
5.
Dong Zhuo was born in Lintao, Longxi Commandery in the early 140s and was said to be a chivalrous youth who was physically strong and excelled in horseback archery.
6.
Dong Zhuo travelled around the Qiang and Xiongnu regions and befriended many people.
7.
Around 165, Dong Zhuo became a member of the Wulin corps in the capital.
8.
Dong Zhuo eventually became a county magistrate in the Yanmen Commandery, a divisional commandant in the Shu Commandery, the Wu and Ji colonel in the Western Regions, inspector of Bing Province, and administrator of the Hedong Commandery.
9.
At the outbreak of the Yellow Turban Rebellion in the summer of 184, Dong Zhuo was sent to take over command from Lu Zhi in preparation of the offense on Zhang Jue in Julu.
10.
Dong Zhuo was given the title "General Who Smashes the Caitiffs" in 185, and "General of the Vanguard" in 188.
11.
Dong Zhuo was promoted to be the governor of Bing Province, but he refused to take up his new post as he was unwilling to leave his men.
12.
Dong Zhuo then settled in Liang Province and built up his power.
13.
Dong Zhuo's army intercepted the eunuchs and brought the emperor back to the palace.
14.
Dong Zhuo then took command of the leaderless forces of He Jin and He Miao, convinced Lu Bu to join his ranks, and made himself Excellency of Works.
15.
In 189, Dong Zhuo deposed Emperor Shao and replaced him with Liu Xie.
16.
Dong Zhuo declared himself chancellor, and became the head of the imperial court in Luoyang.
17.
Dong Zhuo evacuated everyone in Luoyang and moved them to Chang'an in the west.
18.
Dong Zhuo's ambush failed and he was driven back by Sun Jian.
19.
Dong Zhuo ordered Lu Bu to lead a cavalry force back to the city to halt Sun's progress before he took flight for Mianchi.
20.
Dong Zhuo then sent his generals Li Jue, Guo Si, and Zhang Ji to the frontline against the eastern warlords.
21.
Tao, despite having a general alliance with Dong Zhuo, sent 3,000 elite troops from Danyang to aid Zhu in the battle with Dong Zhuo's forces at Zhongmu.
22.
Dong Zhuo left their heads unbound so he could enjoy their screams and watch their expressions while being tortured.
23.
Two months after he moved the capital, Dong Zhuo revived the title of Grand Master, an antiquated title once reinvigorated by Wang Mang, but scrapped in the Eastern Han.
24.
Dong Zhuo appointed his younger brother Dong Min as General of the Left and gave official posts to several of his kin.
25.
Dong Zhuo threw lavish banquets during which he would torture captured enemies by severing limbs, removing tongues and eyeballs, or burning them alive.
26.
Dong Zhuo's audience was said to have experienced a high degree of discomfort.
27.
For Yuan Shao's role as leader of the coalition against him, Dong Zhuo had the entire Yuan clan in Luoyang wiped out.
28.
Dong Zhuo kept Lu Bu as a personal bodyguard and swore an oath as father and son.
29.
However, after an argument, Dong Zhuo threw a hand-axe at Lu Bu, who dodged the weapon.
30.
Lu Bu's relationship with Dong Zhuo further deteriorated when Lu had an affair with a woman in Dong's harem.
31.
Dong Zhuo cried out for Lu Bu to save him, but Lu merely answered, "This is an imperial order," after which he delivered a fatal blow to Dong Zhuo.
32.
Meanwhile, all affiliates of the Dong Zhuo clan, including Dong Zhuo's 90-year-old mother, were put to death.
33.
Dong Zhuo first appeared as early as late in Chapter 1.
34.
Dong Zhuo was however stopped by his two brothers, who suggested taking their service elsewhere.
35.
Dong Zhuo then brought Diaochan home and made her his concubine.
36.
Right then, Dong Zhuo returned to find the duo in the pavilion.
37.
Dong Zhuo then hurled the halberd at Lu Bu but the latter fended it off and got away.
38.
The overjoyed Dong Zhuo then came to the palace gate, where his troops were barred from entering.