Character Profile: Dong Zhuo 董卓
| Pinyin Name: | Dǒng Zhuō / Dong3 Zhuo2 |  |
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| Wade-Giles Name: | Tung Cho | |
| Pronunciation (Yale): | Dung Jwo | |
| Hanzi/Kanji Name: |  |
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| Japanese Name: | Toutaku | |
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| A.K.A: | none | |
| Lifespan: | ?-192 A.D. | |
| Allegiance: | Dong Zhuo | |
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| First appeared in: | Dynasty Warriors 2 |
Biography based on the novel
Dong Zhuo was a fat but physically strong man from Lin Tao in Long Xi, and he was raised among the Qiang tribes.
Before the eunuchs
Due to his heritage, Dong Zhuo rose to fame as a leader who could keep the Qiang in order. When Lu Zhi was arrested during the Yellow Turban Rebellion Dong Zhuo became commander of Lu Zhi's army, but he proved to be an ineffective general. He lost so many battles, in fact, he had to bribe the palace eunuchs to escape punishment.
Dong Zhuo seizes power
Around the year 190 A.D, He Jin sent out a call to provincial officers to enter the capital and help exterminate the conniving palace eunuchs. Dong Zhuo answered the summons and entered Luo Yang; the eunuchs were slain, but Dong Zhuo took control of the city. He desired to depose the present emperor, Liu Shao, and put his brother Liu Xian on the throne instead. Ding Yuan, Lu Bu's adopted father, was against the hasty succession, and here Dong Zhuo first met Lu Bu. Impressed by Lu Bu's presence, Dong Zhuo sent Li Su to tempt Lu Bu to his side, using the legendary horse Red Hare as a bribe. Lu Bu agreed, slew Ding Yuan, and became Dong Zhuo's new adopted son. With Ding Yuan out of the way, and the awesome Lu Bu on his side, Dong Zhuo forced Xian onto the throne, had the previous emperor killed, and ruled the empire as imperial preceptor and prime minister. His rule was harsh and selfish; he mistreated the emperor, amassed great wealth, and pillaged towns near the capital.
The alliance against Dong Zhuo
Cao Cao, on Wang Yun's orders, attempted to assassinate Dong Zhuo, but was caught. He cleverly pretended his knife was a present to Dong Zhuo, then fled the capital. He forged an imperial decree calling for the death of Dong Zhuo, and eighteen lords rallied together to kill Dong Zhuo. Among them were Sun Jian, Yuan Shao, Ma Teng, and Gongsun Zan, who brought along Liu Bei. The anti-Dong alliance headed to Luo Yang to kill the usurper. Shortly before they arrived, however, Dong Zhuo ordered the emperor moved to Chang An, and had Luo Yang burned to the ground. He successfully evaded the anti-Dong force until it disbanded due to internal strife, deserters, and defeats.
Diao Chan
The situation seemed hopeless, until Wang Yun devised a more subtle plan to defeat Dong Zhuo. He introduced a singing girl from his household, Diao Chan, to Lu Bu and promised to marry her to him, then abruptly offered her to Dong Zhuo instead. Both men fell wildly in love with her, and grew jealous of each other. Finally, Lu Bu plotted with Wang Yun to kill Dong Zhuo, and they lured Dong Zhuo to court, purportedly to have him ascend to the throne as emperor. Despite many omens, Zhuo fell for the trick, and was slain by Lu Bu in May of 192. His family was exterminated, and his remains desecrated repeatedly.
Novel Chapters
- First appearance; Yellow Turban Rebellion
- Eunuchs exterminated; Lu Bu joins Dong Zhuo
- The new Emperor, Xian; Cao Cao's assassination attempt
- Alliance against Dong Zhuo
- Luo Yang is burned
- Diao Chan sows discord
- Lu Bu kills Dong Zhuo
- Dong Zhuo's funeral
Last updated: 17 April 2008.