Dong Zhuo (army)

Dong Zhuo's army (董卓軍) is a military force that rose during the Later Han Dynasty of China. The men in his army wear violet or white clothing in the Dynasty Warriors series and a light gray in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

After Emperor Ling's death, the insurrection to dispel the Ten Eunuchs began. During this time, the young emperor and the prince fled with a minister and were rescued by Dong Zhuo. Taking advantage of the chaos, he absorbed He Jin, a great deal of other Han loyalists, and Ding Yuan's forces as his own. In the latter case, he famously gained the general Lu Bu to serve under him. Dong Zhuo saw more worth in the younger prince and eventually designated the boy as Emperor Xian in 190. He allegedly did so by poisoning Emperor Shao (Prince of Hongnong) and his mother. Soon after, he declared himself to be the administrator of the young Emperor Xian.

His actions outraged Yuan Shao, who gathered a coalition of warriors against him. He and other generals formed the Guandong Coalition and they clashed with Dong Zhuo several times. Dong Zhuo feared their increasing numbers and often pushed to relocate the emperor and the capital's residents westward. When the coalition's activities died down, his wish was finally granted and the emperor was relocated in Changan. In 192, Wang Yun and Lu Bu revolted, killing Dong Zhuo and his family members and setting their bodies on fire. According to the Yulanyin (御覧引), the people mutually rejoiced Dong Zhuo's death and celebrated so much, the prices for meat and wine had to be raised. The ashes of his body were later collected by soldiers of his subordinates and buried at Feicheng.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms depicted Dong Zhuo's rise to power as rude and disrespectful from the start. Marveling Prince Xian's calm composure to his appearance, Dong Zhuo held a banquet to propose his plan to make the prince be the reigning emperor. It was strongly opposed by Ding Yuan, who had an adopted son, Lu Bu. Musing that the mighty general could be a worthy asset, he bribed Lu Bu with Red Hare to become his own adopted son. Lu Bu accepted after some contemplation and struck Ding Yuan down for him. Dong Zhuo's repeated offenses in the capital lead Wang Yun to give Cao Cao the mythical seven-star sword for an assassination attempt. Cao Cao failed due to Lu Bu's keen observation and the fugitive was on the run. Dong Zhuo continued to order several innocents to be slaughtered as he reigned within the capital, ridding the dethroned imperial family for their subtle display of displeasure.

When the coalition was formed, Dong Zhuo's forces confronted them at Si Shui Pass and Hu Lao Gate. Both battles held particularly famous exploits for Liu Bei and his oath brothers, such as defeating the mighty Hua Xiong and the duel with Lu Bu. Due to civil disputes among the coalition parties, Dong Zhuo rested easy in the court and ruled mercilessly. His downfall would soon be caused by Diao Chan's manipulative flirtations and a jealous Lu Bu. His corpse was first put into display by the insurgents against him and later buried with respects by his loyal supporters. However, moments after his burial, his coffin was exhumed and rejected by the earth. His remains were charred by lightning. Two more unsuccessful burials, the narrative implied that the Heavens were too displeased with Dong Zhuo to accept him.

Other Figures

 * Dong Ya - Dong Zhuo's father.
 * Dong Zhuó (董擢) - Dong Zhuo's older brother, style name was Menggao. Died while he was still young.
 * Dong Min - Dong Zhuo's younger brother, style name was Shuyin. First served He Jin until his master's death. Took a part in killing He Miao with Wu Kuang and other former followers of He Jin. Served under Dong Zhuo and lead troops into Luoyang. Appointed as his brother's Left General and became one of his brother's confidants. Killed with his brother.
 * unnamed child - admired Huangfu Song and spoke in his defense to his father.
 * Dong Huang - Dong Zhuo's nephew, son of Dong Zhuo's older brother. After Dong Zhuo marched into Luoyang, he was appointed as the imperial attendant and captain of the center of the army. Conferred the name of Weiyangjun to Dong Bai, acting as the official messenger. Killed with his uncle.

Ladies

 * Chiyanjun - Dong Zhuo's mother. Was 90 years old when she was murdered with her other relatives.
 * Dong Bai - Dong Zhuo's granddaughter, father unknown. Despite protests from the 50 year old Zhu Jun, she was given the title of Weiyangjun before she reached adulthood. For the grand ceremony, a platform was built to be five to six che -about 116 cm (3'10") or 139 cm (4'7") in modern conversions, and she was given a golden carriage with a blue cover to ride. She was placed in the front as thousands of soldiers marched for her ceremony behind her. Dong Huang was said to have given her the seal personally. She has no other mentions in historical records.

Advisers

 * Cai Yong
 * Chen Ji
 * Ding Gong
 * Humu Ban
 * Jia Xu
 * Li Ru - Dong Zhou's son-in-law only in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
 * Li Su
 * Liu Ai
 * Liu Ao
 * Wang Gui
 * Xun Shuang
 * Xun You
 * Yin Xiu
 * Zhao Qi
 * Zheng Tai

Generals

 * Dong Huang
 * Dong Min
 * Dong Yue
 * Fan Chou
 * Gongsun Du
 * He Xun
 * Hu Feng
 * Hu Zhen
 * Hua Xiong
 * Jia Long
 * Li Meng
 * Lu Bu - Dong Zhuo's adopted son
 * Li Jue
 * Guo Si
 * Ma Midi
 * Niu Fu - also Dong Zhuo's son-in-law
 * Tian Yi
 * Wang Fang
 * Xu Rong
 * Yang Biao
 * Yang Yi
 * Zhang Ji
 * Zhang Liao
 * Zhang Xian
 * Zhang Yang
 * Zhang Zi
 * Zhao Qian
 * Zhou Bi
 * Zhou Zhong

Fictional Followers

 * Diaochan - Prominently appeared in the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, splitting apart Lu Bu and Dong Zhuo.
 * Zhao Cen - Appeared in chapters 5 and 6 in the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Captured at Sishui Pass but is not mentioned from then on.