Volta
PoliticsApril 192

The Death of Dong Zhuo

In 192 the minister Wang Yun won over Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo’s adopted son and bodyguard, who killed Dong Zhuo in Chang’an. But Dong Zhuo’s officers retook the city and killed Wang Yun, and Lü Bu fled.

Dong Zhuo had adopted Lü Bu and kept him always at his side, yet treated him so roughly he once hurled a halberd at him. The official history says Lü Bu had a secret affair with one of Dong Zhuo’s maids and feared discovery. The minister Wang Yun seized the opening and persuaded him, and in April 192 Lü Bu stabbed Dong Zhuo to death at a palace gate; the people are said to have danced in the streets.

But when Wang Yun refused to pardon Dong Zhuo’s former officers, Li Jue and Guo Si marched on Chang’an and took it. Wang Yun was killed and Lü Bu fled east to wander. The emperor fell once more into the hands of warlords.

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States at the time
Han

People

  • Dong ZhuoAD 192

    key figure · Late Han warlord who seized Luoyang in 189, deposed Emperor Shao and enthroned Emperor Xian, and was killed by Lü Bu in 192

  • Lü BuAD 198

    key figure · Late Han general who killed Dong Zhuo with Wang Yun in 192 and was captured and executed by Cao Cao in 198

  • Wang YunAD 137 – AD 192

    key figure · Han minister who won over Lü Bu to kill Dong Zhuo, and was killed when Dong Zhuo’s officers retook Chang’an

1 part of this event

  1. AD 192Diaochan and the Chain StratagemFiction

    A scene from chapters 8–9 of the Romance: Wang Yun promises his adopted daughter Diaochan to both Lü Bu and Dong Zhuo, setting them against each other until the jealous Lü Bu kills Dong Zhuo. Diaochan is the novel’s invention.

Before and after

Earlier
AD 190 The Coalition against Dong Zhuo and the Move to Chang’an
Later
AD 194 Goguryeo’s Jindae Relief Loans

Themes that include this event

  • The Three KingdomsAD 184 – AD 280

    From the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the Jin reunification — a century of Wei, Shu and Wu, the age of Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan