e enough time to run away if we fail。〃
The plan was adopted； and they spread abroad the story that Wang Yun intended to massacre the county。
Having thus thrown the people into a state of terror； they went a step farther and said； 〃There is no advantage in dying for nothing。 Revolt and join us！〃
So they cajoled the people into joining them and gathered a host equal to one hundred thousand。 This horde was divided into four parts； and they all set out to raid Capital Changan。 On the way they fell in with a son…in…law of their late chief； Imperial mander Niu Fu； who marched five thousand troop from Xiliang。 Niu Fu had set out to avenge his father…in…law； and he became the Van Leader of the horde。
As they advanced； the news came to Wang Yun； and he consulted Lu Bu。
〃They are a lot of rats；〃 said Lu Bu。 〃Never mind how many there are of them。 Be not in the least anxious。〃
So Lu Bu and Li Su went to oppose them。 The latter was in advance and met Niu Fu。 They fought； Niu Fu was outmatched and retired after suffering a slaughter。 But unexpectedly Niu Fu returned in a night attack； found Li Su quite unprepared and drove Li Su's force some ten miles； slaying many。
Li Su reported the defeat； and Lu Bu raged at him； saying； 〃You have sullied my reputation as a warrior and destroyed our fighting spirit！〃
And Lu Bu put Li Su to death； exposing his head at the camp gate。
Next day Lu Bu advanced his own force and engaged Niu Fu。 He overwhelmed Niu Fu and drove him off。 That night Niu Fu called in his most trusted man； Hu Chier； to advise him。
Hu Chier said； 〃Lu Bu is too doughty a fighter for us to hope to overe him。 Our case is hopeless。 Our best course is to desert these four generals； secrete their valuables； and leave the army with just a few of our followers。〃
The plan of Hu Chier was adopted； and the two traitors and some others that very night packed up and made their way out of camp。 They were only half a dozen。 They came to a river and； while crossing； Hu Chier； tempted by the lust of wealth； slew his panion。 Then he went to offer the head of Niu Fu to Lu Bu。 Lu Bu inquired into the matter； and when a follower told him the truth； he put the double traitor Hu Chier to death。
Then Lu Bu advanced against the rebels and fell in with Li Jue's force。 Without giving them time to form in battle； Lu Bu attacked。 Horses curvetting and spears set； the army dashed in irresistibly； and Li Jue； making no stand； fell back a long way。 Li Jue took up a position under a hill fifteen miles away and thence sent to call his fellows to council。
＇e＇ Peng Yue （BC ？…196） a general of Liu Bang。 He and Liu Bang had been close friends in their native Pei； where Liu Bang later held a minor office。 Ennobled as King of Liang。 。。。。。
Li Jue said； 〃Lu Bu though brave in battle is no strategist and so not really formidable。 I will lead my troops to hold the mouth of the gorge； and every day I will incite him to attack； and when he es toward me； General Guo Si can smite his rear； after the manner of Peng Yue* when he fought against Chu。 While thus I am alternating attack and retreat； Generals Fan Chou and Zhang Ji will march off in different directions toward Changan。 Such an attack at two points must end both Wang Yun and Lu Bu。〃
They set themselves to carry out this scheme。 As soon as Lu Bu reached the hills； a force of Li Jue came out to attack him。 Lu Bu made an angry dash toward the enemy who retired up the hills； whence they shot arrows and hurled stones like rain。 Lu Bu's troops halted。 At this moment the report came that the rear was being attacked and there appeared Guo Si。 At once Lu Bu wheeled toward the new enemy； but immediately the rolling drums gave the signal to retire； and Lu Bu could not e to blows with them。 As he called in his army； the gongs clanged on the other side and his former opponent Li Jue came to attack his front。 But before Lu Bu could join battle； his rear was again assaulted by Guo Si； who in his turn drew off immediately。
Thus Lu Bu was baited till his bosom was near bursting with rage。 The same tactics continued for several days。 He could neither strike his enemies nor escape them。 His troops had no rest。
In the midst of these distracting maneuver； a messenger rode up in hot haste to report： 〃The capital is in imminent danger from a double attack of Fan Chou and Zhang Ji。〃
Lu Bu at once ordered a march to save the capital； which became a rout when both his opponents Li Jue and Guo Si came in pursuit。 His loss was heavy。
He soon reached Changan and found the rebels there in enormous numbers and the city quite surrounded。 Lu Bu's attack had but little effect； and as his temper became more savage under defeat； many of his soldiers went over to the rebels。
He fell into deep melancholy。 Then a remnant of Dong Zhuo's adherents still in the city； led by Li Meng and Wang Fang； began to lend aid to the attackers； and by and by they secretly opened the city gate and the besiegers poured in。 Lu Bu exerted himself to the utmost but could not stem the tide。 At the head of some hundred horse； he dashed over to the Black Lock Gate and called out to Wang Yun； who was on the other side。
〃The case is desperate now。 Ride with me to a place of safety！〃
Wang Yun replied； 〃If I am gifted with the holy spirit of the state； I shall succeed in restoring the tranquillity which I desire。 But if I have it not； then I offer my body a sacrifice。 I will not quail before dangers。 Send my thanks to the noble supporters beyond the Pass for their efforts； and bid them remember their country！〃
Lu Bu urged Wang Yun again and again； but Wang Yun would not leave。 Soon flames started up all over the city； and Lu Bu had to leave； abandoning his family to their fate。 He fled to seek refuge with Yuan Shu。
Li Jue； Guo Si； and his fellow leaders gave full license to their ruffians； who robbed and murdered their fill。 Many high officers perished。 Ministers Chong Fu； Lu Kui； and Zhou Huan； Imperial manders Cui Lie and Wang Qin all died in the fighting。
In time the rebels penetrated to the inner part of the Palace； and the courtiers begged the Emperor to proceed to the Gate of Pervading Peace to try to quell the rioting。
At sight of the yellow umbrella； Li Jue and Fan Chou checked their armies； and they all shouted； 〃Wan shui！ Long life！ O Emperor！〃
The Emperor stood by the tower and addressed them； 〃Nobles； what means it that you enter the capital in this unruly manner and without my summons？〃
The two leaders looked up and said； 〃Dong Zhuo； Your Majesty's Prime Minister； has been slain by Wang Yun； and we are here to avenge him。 We are no rebels； Sire。 Let us only have Wang Yun； and we draw off our troops。〃
Wang Yun was actually among the courtiers and at the Emperor's side。
Hearing this demand； Wang Yun said； 〃The plan was made for the benefit of the Throne。 But as this evil has grown therefrom； Your Majesty will not grudge losing me。 I have brought about evil； and I will go down to these rebels。〃
The Emperor was torn with sorrow and wavered。 But the faithful minister leaped from the wall； crying； 〃Wang Yun is here！〃
The two leaders drew their swords； crying； 〃For what crime was our master slain？〃
〃His crimes filled the heavens and covered the earth；