One minister put his discontent into words, crying,
“the false Dong Zhuo is the author of this insult,
which I will risk my life to wipe away！”
And with this he rushed at Dong Zhuo
threatening with his ivory baton of office.
It was Chair of the Secretariat Ding Guan.
Dong Zhuo had Ding Guan removed and summarily
put to death. Before his death, Ding Guan ceased
not to rail at the oppressor, nor was he frightened at death.
[hip, hip, hip] the rebel Dong Zhuo conceived
the foul design To thrust the King aside and wrong his line.
With folded arms the courtiers stood,
save one Ding Guan, who dared to cry
that wrong was done. [yip, yip, yip]
then the emperor designate, Prince of Chenliu,
went to the upper part of the hall to
receive congratulations. After this the former
Emperor——now Prince of Hongnong——,
his mother, and the Imperial Consort, Lady Tang,
were removed to the Palace of Forever Calm. The
entrance gates were locked against all comers.
It was pitiful！ there was the young emperor,
after reigning less than half a year,
deposed and another put in his place.
The new Emperor was Liu Xian, the second son
of the late Emperor Ling. He was nine years of age, five years younger than his deposed brother. The new reign-style was changed to Inauguration of Tranquillity, the first year （AD 190）。
Becoming the Prime Minister, Dong Zhuo was most powerful and arrogant. When he bowed before the Throne, he did not declare his name. In going to court he did not hasten. Booted and armed he entered the reception halls. He amassed a wealth exceeding any other’s.
His adviser, Li Ru, impressed upon Dong Zhuo constantly to employ people of reputation so that he should gain public esteem. So when they told him Cai Yong was a man of talent, Dong Zhuo summoned him. But Cai Yong would not go. Dong Zhuo sent a message to him that if he did not come, he and his whole clan should be exterminated. Then Cai Yong gave in and appeared. Dong Zhuo was very gracious to him and promoted him thrice in a month. Cai Yong became High Minister. Such was the generosity of the tyrant.
Meanwhile the deposed ruler,
his mother, and his consort were immured in the
Palace of Forever Calm and found their daily
supplies gradually diminishing. The deposed Emperor
wept incessantly. One day a pair of wallows