conferred upon Zhang Yang the rank of a Grand mander。 Yang Feng moved his army to the northeast of Luoyang and camped at Yewang。
Capital Luoyang was presently entered。 Within the walls all was destruction。 The palaces and halls had been burned； the streets were overgrown with grass and brambles and obstructed by heaps of ruins。 The palaces and courts were represented by broken roofs and toppling walls。 A small 〃palace〃 however was soon built； and therein the officers of court presented their congratulations； standing in the open air among thorn hushes and brambles。 The reign style was changed from Prosperous Stability to Rebuilt Tranquillity； the first year （AD 196）。
The year was grievous with famine。 The Luoyang people； even reduced in numbers as they were to a few hundreds； had not enough to eat and they prowled about stripping the bark off trees and grubbing up the roots of plants to satisfy their starving hunger。 Officers of the government of all but the highest ranks went out into the country to gather fuel。 Many people were crushed by the falling walls of burned houses。 At no time during the decadence of Han did misery press harder than at this period。
A poem written in pity for the sufferings of that time says：
Mortally wounded； the white serpent poured forth its life blood at Mangdang Hills；
Blood…red pennons of war waved then in every quarter；
Chieftain with chieftain strove and raided each other's borders；
Midst the turmoil and strife the Kingship even was threatened。
Wickedness stalks in a country when the King is a weakling；
Brigandage always is rife； when a dynasty's failing；
Had one a heart of iron； wholly devoid of feeling；
Yet would one surely grieve at the sight of such desolation。
Imperial Guardian Yang Biao memorialized the Throne； saying； 〃The decree issued to me some time ago has never been acted upon。 Now Cao Cao is very strong in the east of Huashang Mountains； and it would be well to associate him in the government that he might support the ruling house。〃
The Emperor replied； 〃There was no need to refer to the matter again。 Send a messenger when you will。〃
So the decree went forth and a messenger bore it into the East of Huashang。 Now when Cao Cao had heard that the court had returned to Capital Luoyang； he called together his advisers to consult。
＇e＇ Duke Wen of Jin （reigned 636…628 BC） was ruler of the western state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period。 He and his successors made Jin a dominant state for nearly 200 years。 。。。。。
＇e＇ The Qin Dynasty ended in BC 206。 From BC 206 to BC 202； there was actually no emperor in China； and the principal event in this period of anarchy was what we call the Strife between Chu and Han。 It was a continuous conflict between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang； the former a native of Wu； and the latter of Pei。 Both of them had been lieutenants under King Huai of Chu。 This King； aka Emperor Yi； was a descendant of the old ruling house of the state of Chu； and during the troubles attending the breakup of the Qin empire； he setup a kingdom on the ruins。 Xiang Yu eventually became the leader of Chu army； and he allegedly had King Huai murdered。 Liu Bang； now a leader of Han army； mourned King Huai's death to show his loyal heart。
Xun Yu laid the matter before Cao Cao and the council thus： 〃Eight hundred years ago； Duke Wen of Jin supported Prince Xiang of the declining Zhou Dynasty； and all the feudal lords backed Duke Wen*。 The Founder of the Hans； Liu Bang； won the popular favor by wearing mourning for Emperor Yi of Chu*。 Now Emperor Xian has been a fugitive on the dusty roads。 To take the lead in offering an army to restore him to honor is to have an unrivaled opportunity to win universal regard。 But you must act quickly or someone will get in before you。〃
Cao Cao understood and at once prepared his army to move。 Just at this moment an imperial messenger was announced with the very mand Cao Cao wanted； and Cao Cao immediately set out。
At Luoyang everything was desolate。 The walls had fallen； and there were no means of rebuilding them； while rumors and reports of the ing of Li Jue and Guo Si kept up a state of constant anxiety。
The frightened Emperor spoke with Yang Feng； saying； 〃What can be done？ There is no answer from the East of Huashang； and our enemies are near。〃
Then Yang Feng and Han Xian said； 〃We； your ministers； will fight to the death for you。〃
But Dong Cheng said； 〃The fortifications are weak and our military resources small； so that we cannot hope for victory； and what does defeat mean？ I see nothing better to propose than a move into the east of Huashang Mountains。〃
The Emperor agreed to this； and the journey began without further preparation。 There being few horses； the officers of the court had to march afoot。 Hardly a bowshot outside the gate they saw a thick cloud of dust out of which came all the clash and clamor of an advancing army。 The Emperor and his Consort were dumb with fear。 Then appeared a horseman； he was the messenger returning from the East of Huashang Mountains。
He rode up to the chariot； made an obeisance； and said； 〃General Cao Cao； as manded； is ing with all the military force of the East of Huashang； but hearing that Li Jue and Guo Si had again approached the capital； he has sent Xiahou Dun in advance。 With Xiahou Dun are many capable leaders and fifty thousand of proved soldiers。 They will guard Your Majesty。〃
All fear was swept away。 Soon after Xiahou Dun and his staff arrived。 Xiahou Dun； Xu Chu； and Dian Wei were presented to the Emperor who graciously addressed them。 Then one came to say a large army was approaching from the east； and at the Emperor's mand Xiahou Dun went to ascertain who these were。 He soon returned saying they were Cao Cao's infantry。
In a short time Cao Hong； Li Dian； and Yue Jing came to the imperial chariot and their names having been duly municated。
Cao Hong said； 〃When my brother； Cao Cao； heard of the approach of the rebels； he feared that the advance guard he had sent might be too weak； so he sent me to march quickly for reinforcement。〃
〃General Cao Cao is indeed a trusty servant！〃 said the Emperor。
Orders were given to advance； Cao Hong leading the escort。 By and by scouts came to say that the rebels were ing up very quickly。 The Emperor bade Xiahou Dun divide his force into two parts to oppose them。 Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong's armies threw out two wings with cavalry in front and foot behind。 They attacked with vigor and beat off the Li Jue and Guo Si's rebels with severe loss of ten thousand。 Then Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong begged the Emperor to return to Luoyang； and Xiahou Dun guarded the city。
Next day Cao Cao came with his great army； and having got them duly camped he went into the city to audience。 He knelt at the foot of the steps； but was called up hither to stand beside the Emperor and be thanked。
Cao Cao replied； 〃Having been the recipient of great bounty； thy servant owes the state much gratitude。 The measure of evil of the two rebels is full； I have two hundred thousand of good soldiers to oppose them； and those soldiers are fully equal to securing the safety of Your Majesty and the Throne。 The preservation of the state sacrifice is the matter of real moment。〃
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