to two lines right and left； while Wang Yun stood humbly at the lower end。 Dong Zhuo bade his people conduct Wang Yun to a place beside himself。
＇e＇ Yi Yin was was helper and prime minister of King Tang； the founder of Shang Dynasty。 After King Tang's death； Yi Yin served his sons and grandson。 Soon after Tai Jia； King Tang's grandson； ascended the throne； he mitted many faults； and Yi Yin； acting as regent； exiled Tai Jia to Tong Palace………the burial place of King Tang。 After three years Yi Yin returned him the throne。 Tai Jia eventually became an enlightened emperor。 Shang Dynasty lasted for 650 years （BC 1700…1050）。 It was this act of Yi Yin rather than his services in building up an empire that has made him immortal。 Whether he did right in temporarily dethroning the king was open to question； until a final verdict was rendered by Mencius who thought that his ends amply justified his means。 This historical event attests the extent of the power exercised by a prime minister in those days。 。。。。。
＇e＇ Duke of Zhou was brother of King Wu； who was the founder of Zhou Dynasty。 After King Wu's death； the Duke of Zhou served his young son as regent。 The Duke of Zhou pletely ended the Shang domination； and he helped establish the Zhou administrative framework； which served as a model for future Chinese dynasties。 Zhou Dynasty lasted for 800 years （BC 1050…221）。 。。。。。
＇e＇ King Yao； King Shun； and King Yu （BC 2400…2200） were the three ideal rulers in ancient China。 They ascended the throne by their virtues and merits； and not by heritage。 King Yu was also the founder of the Xia Dynasty。 。。。。。
Said Wang Yun； 〃The great Prime Minister's abundant virtue is as the high mountains。 Neither the ancient sages………Yi Yin* and the Duke of Zhou*………could attain thereto。〃
Dong Zhuo smiled。 They bore in the dishes and the wine； and the music began。 Wang Yun plied his guest with assiduous flattery and studied deference。 When it grew late and the wine had done its work； Dong Zhuo was invited to the inner chamber。 So he sent away his guards and went。
Here the host raised a goblet and drank to his guest； saying； 〃From my youth up I have understood something of astrology and have been studying the aspect of the heavens。 I read that the days of Han are numbered； and that the great Prime Minister's merits mand the regard of all the world； as when King Shun succeeded King Yao； and King Yu continued the work of King Shun*； all by the strength of their own merits； conforming to the mind of Heaven and the desire of people。〃
〃How dare I expect this？〃 said Dong Zhuo。
〃From the days of old； those who walk in the way have replaced those who deviate therefrom； those who lack virtue have fallen before those who possess it。 Can one escape fate？〃
〃If indeed the decree of Heaven devolves on me； you shall be held the first in merit！〃 said Dong Zhuo。
Wang Yun bowed。 Then lights were brought in and all the attendants were dismissed； save the serving maids to hand the wine。 So the evening went on。
Presently Wang Yun said； 〃The music of these everyday musicians is too monplace for your ear； but there happens to be in the house a little maid that might please you。〃
〃Excellent！〃 said the guest。
Then a curtain was lowered。 The shrill tones of reed instruments rang through the room； and presently some attendants led forward Diao Chan； who then danced on the outside of the curtain。
A poem praises her：
For a palace this maiden was born；
So timid； so graceful； so slender；
Like a tiny bird flitting at morn
Over the dew…laden lily buds tender。
Were this exquisite maid only mine；
For never a mansion I'd pine。
Another poem runs thus：
The music falls； the dancer es； a swallow gliding in；
A dainty little damsel； soft as silk；
Her beauty captivates the guest yet saddens him within；
For he must soon depart and leave her there。
She smiles； no gold could buy that smile； no other smiled so；
No need to deck her form with jewels rare。
But when the dance is over and coy glances e and go；
Then who shall be the chosen of the fair？
The dance ended。 Dong Zhuo bade them lead the maiden in； and she came； bowing low as she approached him。 He was much taken with her beauty and modest grace。
〃Who is she？〃 said Dong Zhuo。
〃A singing girl。 Her name is Diao Chan。〃
〃Then can she sing？〃
The master bade her sing； and she did so to the acpaniment of castanets。 There is a measure describing her youthful beauty：
You stand； a dainty maiden；
Your cherry lips so bright；
Your teeth so pearly white；
Your fragrant breath love…laden；
Yet is your tongue a sword；
Cold death is the reward
Of loving thee； O maiden。
Dong Zhuo was delighted and praised her warmly。 She was told to present a goblet of wine to the guest which he took from her hands and then asked her age。
She replied； 〃Thy unworthy handmaid is twenty…one。〃
〃A perfect little fairy！〃 said Dong Zhuo。
Then Wang Yun rose and said； 〃If the Prime Minister would not mind； I should like to offer him this little maid。〃
〃How could I be grateful enough for such a kindness！〃
〃She would be most fortunate if she could be your servant；〃 said Wang Yun。
Dong Zhuo thanked his host warmly。
Then the orders were given to prepare a closed carriage and convey Diao Chan to the Prime Minister's palace。
Soon after Dong Zhuo took his leave； and Wang Yun acpanied him the whole way。
After he had taken leave； Wang Yun mounted to ride homeward。 Half way he met two lines of guards with red lamps who were escorting Lu Bu who was on horseback and armed with his trident halberd。
Seeing Wang Yun； Lu Bu at once reined in； stopped； seized him by the sleeve； and said angrily； 〃You promised Diao Chan to me； and now you have given her to the Prime Minister： What foolery is this？〃
Wang Yun checked him； saying； 〃This is no place to talk； I pray you e to my house。〃
So they went together； and Wang Yun led Lu Bu into a private room。
After the usual exchange of polite greetings； Wang Yun said； 〃Why do you find fault with me； General？〃
〃Somebody told me that you had sent Diao Chan to the Prime Minister's palace in a covered carriage： What does it mean？〃
〃Of course you do not understand。 Yesterday when I was at court； the Prime Minister told me he had something to talk to me about in my own house。 So naturally I prepared for his ing； and while we were at dinner he said； 'I have heard something of a girl named Diao Chan whom you have promised to my son Lu Bu。 I thought it was mere rumor so I wanted to ask if it was true。 Beside I should like to see her。' I could not say no； so she came in and made her bow to the lord of lords。 Then he said that it was a lucky day and he would take her away with him and betroth her to you。 Just think； Sir： When the Prime Minister had e himself； could I stop him？〃
〃You were not so very wrong；〃 said Lu Bu。 〃But for a time I had misunderstood you。 I owe you an apology。〃
〃The girl has a small trousseau； which I will send as soon as she has gone over to your dwelling。〃
Lu Bu thanked him and went away。 Next day he went into the palace to find out the truth； but could hear nothing。 Then he made his way into the private quarters and questioned the maids。 Presently one told him that the Prime Minister had brought home a