Hanzi

Towards the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, supreme power had fallen into the hands of Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo was arrogant and tyrannical, using imperial regalia, appointing his younger brother and nephew to command the imperial guard, and bestowing titles upon all members of his clan, regardless of age. He also conscripted 250,000 laborers to build palaces for himself and brought 800 beautiful women from the populace into his residences.

Situ Wang Yun, seeing Dong Zhuo's outrageous behavior, was deeply concerned for the Han imperial family but found himself unable to eliminate Dong Zhuo, causing him great distress. One night, as he strolled in his backyard garden to clear his mind, he suddenly heard someone sighing mournfully by the Peony Pavilion. Drawing closer, he discovered it was Diao Chan, a singing girl from his household. Wang Yun asked, 'In the dead of night, why are you here sighing?'

Diao Chan replied, 'Thanks to your lordship's kindness in raising me, teaching me song and dance, and treating me with respect, I feel that even if my body were shattered, I could not repay a fraction of your kindness. Recently, I've seen your brows tightly knit, knowing you must be worried about affairs of state, which grieves me, but I dared not ask. Tonight, seeing you restless, I too began to sigh, not expecting to be discovered by you. If there is any way I can be of use to you, my lord, I will certainly serve, and I would not decline even if it meant ten thousand deaths!'

Hearing Diao Chan's words, Wang Yun suddenly had an idea. He immediately knelt before Diao Chan and bowed. Diao Chan hastily helped him up. Wang Yun, weeping, said, 'The court is now in peril, like eggs stacked precariously, and the treacherous minister Dong Zhuo is about to usurp the throne. None of the civil or military officials have a plan. Dong Zhuo has an adopted son, Lu Bu, who is extraordinarily valiant, unmatched in the world. Just now, after hearing your words, I conceived a 'Chain Stratagem': I will first promise you to Lu Bu, and then secretly offer you to Dong Zhuo. You will sow discord between the father and son, making them hate each other for wanting you, and finally instigate Lu Bu to kill Dong Zhuo. Only then can this great menace be removed and loyalty shown to the country. What do you think?'

Diao Chan slowly stood up, her attitude resolute. She said, 'I have already pledged to you, my lord, that I would not decline even if it meant ten thousand deaths. If I fail to follow this plan to kill Dong Zhuo and repay the country's grace, I am willing to die under ten thousand blades!'

Wang Yun and Diao Chan conspired together, successfully executed the 'Chain Stratagem', and ultimately eliminated the treacherous official Dong Zhuo.