In the sixth year of Zhongping, Emperor Ling died and a new emperor took the throne. The Ten Attendants rebelled, Grand General He Jin was killed, and Dong Zhuo of Liangzhou marched into the capital and deposed the emperor. Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and the other generals fled and raised troops in the east. Zhang Zhaohu, who seemed carefree and boorish, became Zhang Liao and plunged headfirst into the wolves' den, making his way under Dong Zhuo. With such a low birth and terrible reputation, how could he attract strategists and fierce generals? Five words: trick them, swindle them, cheat them, and capture them. “I'd rather be the one who strikes the world than let the world strike me.” He drove Yuan Shu into a fury, made Yuan Shao fly into a rage, sent Cao Cao fleeing in terror, and united the scattered eastern warlords against him... He pacified the Qiang, reopened the Hexi Corridor, swept away the Xiongnu, struck deep into Xianbei territory, crushed the Wuhuan, and expanded the borders and built cities. Zhang Liao couldn't help sighing, “Enemies all over the world, and not a single beautiful wife.” Jia Xu replied impassively, “The beautiful wife Dong Gong gave you is right there!” Wang Yun thundered, “The generals of Bingzhou may be spared, but Zhang Liao must not be!”
