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{{Short description|2nd-century Chinese military general and warlord}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=February 2019}}
{{story|date=February 2019}}
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{{family name hatnote|[[Dong (Chinese surname)|Dong]]|lang=Chinese}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Dong Zhuo
| native_name         = 董卓
| image               = Dong Zhuo Qing Dynasty Illustration.jpg
| image_size          = 200px
| caption             = A [[Qing dynasty]] illustration of Dong Zhuo
| alt                 = 
| office              = [[Grand Preceptor]] (太師)
| term_start          = {{Start date|189}}
| term_end            = {{End date|192}}
| monarch             = [[Emperor Xian of Han]]
| office1             = [[Chancellor (China)|Chancellor of State]] (相國)
| term1               = 189
| monarch1            = [[Emperor Xian of Han]]
| office2             = General of the Vanguard (前將軍)
| term2               = 188–189
| monarch2            = [[Emperor Ling of Han]] /<br> [[Liu Bian|Emperor Shao of Han]]
| birth_date          = 140s
| birth_place         = [[Min County]], [[Gansu]]
| death_date          = {{death date|192|5|22|df=y}}{{sfnp|de Crespigny|2007|pp=157–158}}
| death_place         = [[Xi'an]], [[Shaanxi]]
| father              = Dong Junya
| mother              = ''Lady of Chiyang''
| relatives           = {{unbulleted list|Dong Zhuó (brother)|Dong Min (brother)|[[Lü Bu]] (foster son)|Dong Huang (nephew)|[[Dong Bai (Han dynasty)|Dong Bai]] (granddaughter)|''at least one grandson''}}
| children            = {{unbulleted list|[[Niu Fu]]'s wife|''at least two sons''}}
| occupation          = Military general, politician, warlord
| blank1              = [[Courtesy name]]
| data1               = Zhongying (仲穎)
| blank2              = Peerage
| data2               = Marquis of Mei (郿侯)
| allegiance          = [[Han dynasty|Han Empire]]<br>[[End of the Han dynasty#Imperial power struggle (189)|Dong Zhuo's regime]]
| unit                = [[End of the Han dynasty#Yellow Turban Rebellion and decentralisation (184–189)|Dong Zhuo's forces]]<br>[[Military of the Han dynasty|Han Imperial Forces]]
| battles             = [[Liang Province Rebellion]]<br>[[Ten Attendants#Downfall of the eunuch faction|Massacre of the Eunuchs]]<br>[[Campaign against Dong Zhuo]]
}}
{{infobox Chinese
| c = 董卓
| p = Dǒng Zhuó
| w = Tung<sup>3</sup> Cho<sup>2</sup>
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|d|ong|3|-|zh|uo|2}}
| gr = Doong Jwo
| j = Dung<sup>2</sup> Coek<sup>3</sup>
| y = Dúng Cheuk
| ci = {{IPAc-yue|d|ung|2|-|c|oek|3}}
| tl = Táng Toh
| mc = {{IPA|túwng ʈæwk}}
}}

'''Dong Zhuo''' ({{audio|Dong Zhuo.ogg|pronunciation}}) (c. 140s – 22 May 192),{{sfnp|de Crespigny|2007|pp=157–158}} [[courtesy name]] '''Zhongying''',{{efn|The 14th-century historical novel ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' uses Zhongjiong (仲顈) as his [[courtesy name]].<ref>(且說董卓字仲顈，隴西臨洮人也，官拜河東太守，自來驕傲。l) ''Sanguo Yanyi'' ch. 2.</ref>}} was a Chinese military general, politician, and warlord who lived in the late [[Eastern Han dynasty]]. At the end of the reign of the Eastern Han, Dong Zhuo was a general and powerful minister of the imperial government. Originally from [[Liang Province]], Dong Zhuo seized control of the imperial capital [[Luoyang]] in 189 when it entered a state of turmoil following the death of [[Emperor Ling of Han]] and a massacre of the [[Ten Attendants|eunuch faction]] by the court officials.

Dong Zhuo subsequently deposed [[Liu Bian]] (Emperor Shao) and replaced him with his half-brother, the puppet [[Emperor Xian of Han|Emperor Xian]] to make him become the de facto ruler of China in the boy-emperor's name. The Eastern Han dynasty regime survived in name only.<ref>de Crespigny. ''A Biographical Dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms, biography of Liu Xie'', pp. 555–556</ref> Dong Zhuo's rule was brief and characterized by cruelty and tyranny. In the following year, a coalition of regional officials ({{lang|zh|刺史}}; ''cishi'') and warlords launched a [[Campaign against Dong Zhuo|campaign against him]]. Failing to stop the coalition forces, Dong Zhuo sacked Luoyang and relocated further west to the former [[Western Han]] capital at [[Chang'an]] (modern [[Xi'an]], [[Shaanxi province]]). He was assassinated soon after in May 192 by his subordinate [[Lü Bu]] in a plot orchestrated by Interior Minister [[Wang Yun (Han dynasty)|Wang Yun]].<ref name="Rafe">{{cite book|last1=de Crespigny|first1=Rafe|title=Fire over Luoyang: A History of the Later Han Dynasty 23–220 AD|date=2017|publisher=Brill|isbn=9789004324916|location=Leiden|page=419}}</ref>

==Early life==
Dong Zhuo was born in [[Min County|Lintao]], Longxi [[Commandery (China)|Commandery]] in the early 140s and was said to be a chivalrous youth who was physically strong and excelled in [[Mounted archery|horseback archery.]] He travelled around the [[Qiang (historical people)|Qiang]] and [[Xiongnu]] regions and befriended many people.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crespigny |first=Rafe de |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&dq=%22Dong+Zhuo%22+youth&pg=PA157 |title=A Biographical Dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms (23–220 AD) |date=2006|publisher=Brill |isbn=978-90-474-1184-0 |language=en}}</ref>

Around 165, Dong Zhuo became a member of the Yulin corps ({{lang|zh|羽林郎}}, branch of the Imperial Guard) in the capital. Dong served under Zhang Huan's ({{lang|zh|张奂}}) northern campaign to suppress an uprising of the [[Qiang (historical people)|Qiang]].<ref>Zhang Huan's biography in ''[[Book of the Later Han]]'' (''Houhanshu'') recorded that he sent Dong on an expedition in or shortly after the winter of the 1st year of the ''Yongkang'' era of the reign of [[Emperor Huan of Han]]; the 10th to 12th months of that year correspond to 31 Oct 167 to 27 Jan 168 in the Julian calendar. (永康元年....冬，羌岸尾、摩蟞等胁同种复钞三辅。奂遣司马尹端、董卓并击，....) ''Houhanshu'', vol.65. Emperor Huan himself died in Jan 168.</ref> He eventually became a [[county magistrate]] in the [[Yanmen Commandery]], a divisional commandant in the Shu Commandery, the Wu and Ji colonel in the [[Western Regions]], inspector of [[Bingzhou|Bing Province]],{{efn|Per vol.57 of ''Zizhi Tongjian'' and [[Cai Yong]]'s biography in Houhanshu, in 178, Cai Yong was exiled to Shuofang, then part of Bingzhou. Cai's enemy Yang Qiu first hired assassins to kill Cai; when the assassins refused to do so, Yang bribed the ''buzhu'' of the area to poison Cai. Instead, this ''buzhu'' warned Cai and so Cai survived (...与家属髡钳徙朔方，不得以赦令除。”阳球使客追路刺邕，客感其义，皆莫为用。球又赂其部主，使加毒害，所赂者反以其情戒邕，由是得免。). It is possible that this ''buzhu'' was Dong Zhuo.}} and administrator of the [[Hedong Commandery]].<ref name="Rafe" />

At some point in the 170s, he was employed as a minor official in an unnamed commandery, supervising captured thieves and robbers. Due to the many raids by non-Han minorities, the then-Inspector of Liangzhou, Cheng Jiu (成就), promoted Dong to serve under him. Under Cheng, Dong led troops to repel these raids and achieved much success. As such, the then-Inspector of Bingzhou, Duan Jiong (段颎), recommended Dong to the Three Excellencies of the time; then-[[Situ (office)|''Situ'']] Yuan Wei (袁隗) hired Dong to serve under him.<ref>(〈《吴书》曰：郡召卓为吏，使监领盗贼。胡尝出钞，多虏民人，凉州刺史成就辟卓为从事，使领兵骑讨捕，大破之，斩获千计。并州刺史段颎荐卓公府，司徒袁隗辟为掾。) ''Wu Shu'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'', vol.06</ref>{{efn|According to Emperor Ling's biography in ''Book of the Later Han'', Yuan Wei first became ''situ'' in the 12th month of the 1st year of the ''Xi'ping'' era (2 to 31 Jan 173 in the Julian calendar) and was relieved of the post on the ''ren'wu'' day of the 10th month of the 5th year of the ''Xi'ping'' era (13 Dec 176 in the Julian calendar). ([熹平元年]十二月，司徒许栩罢，大鸿胪袁隗为司徒......五年....冬十月壬午，御殿后槐树自拔倒竖。司徒袁隗罢。) ''Houhanshu'', vol.08. The same volume also recorded that he again became ''situ'' in the 4th month of the 5th year of the ''Guang'he'' era (21 May to 18 Jun 182 in the Julian calendar) and was relieved of the post sometime in the 2nd month of the 2nd year of the ''Zhong'ping'' era (11 to 17 Apr 185 in the Julian calendar, with 11 Apr being the ''gui'hai'' day of the 2nd month) ([光和五年]夏四月，旱。太常袁隗为司徒。....[中平二年春]二月己酉，南宫大灾，火半月乃灭。癸亥，广阳门外屋自坏。司徒袁隗免。三月，廷尉崔烈为司徒。). Also, Duan Jiong died in 179 as he was implicated in a case involving [[Wang Fu (eunuch)|Wang Fu]]. Thus, it is more likely that Yuan Wei took Dong under his wing during his first tenure as ''situ''. Wu Shu's record of Duan Jiong being Inspector of Bingzhou could be erroneous; according to Duan's biography in ''Houhanshu'', Duan was Inspector of Bingzhou in the 160s.}}

By the late 170s, Dong Zhuo was Administrator of Hedong Commandery.{{efn|Dong Zhuo's biographies in both ''Sanguozhi'' and ''Houhanshu'' recorded this post, but did not indicate further details. Dong was probably in this post by the 170s; vol.27 of ''[[Annals of the Later Han|Houhanji]]'' by [[Yuan Hong (historian)|Yuan Hong]] recorded that Dong was Administrator of Hedong Commandery when Zhang Huan was imprisoned there as part of the [[Disasters of the Partisan Prohibitions|second Disaster of the Partisan Prohibitions]] (后以党事免官，禁锢河东，太守董卓慕其名，使兄遣奂缣百匹，奂不受，知卓有奸凶之心，遂与绝。). Since Zhang died in 181, this anecdote must have taken place in the late 170s. This anecdote was also recorded in Zhang's biography in ''Houhanshu'', but did not indicate Dong's post.}}

At the outbreak of the [[Yellow Turban Rebellion]] in the summer of 184, Dong Zhuo was sent to take over command from [[Lu Zhi (Han dynasty)|Lu Zhi]] in preparation of the offense on [[Zhang Jue]] in Julu. Although his efforts during the rebellion were initially unsuccessful, with the arrival of [[Huangfu Song]], victory was achieved in the winter against the peasants.<ref>{{Cite book|last=De Crespigny|first=Rafe|title=Fire over Luoyang : a history of the later Han dynasty, 23–220 AD|date=2017|isbn=978-90-04-32520-3|location=Leiden|pages=450|oclc=952139252}}</ref>

During the [[Liang Province Rebellion]], the barbarians rebelled with local gentries [[Han Sui]] and [[Bian Zhang]]. Dong was reinstated and sent to suppress the rebels. While suppressing this rebellion, Dong Zhuo had several tactical and strategic disagreements with Huangfu Song; after Huangfu managed to achieve victory despite Dong's disagreements, Dong became resentful and fearful of him.<ref>(卓大笾恨，由是忌嵩。) ''Houhanshu'', vol. 71. Huangfu Song's biography in the same volume recorded some of these disagreements.</ref>

Dong Zhuo was given the title "General Who Smashes the Caitiffs" in 185, and "General of the Vanguard" in 188. He was promoted to be the governor of Bing Province, but he refused to take up his new post as he was unwilling to leave his men.<ref name=Rafe/>

During the turbulent situation, the power of the [[Eastern Han]] dynasty was waning.<ref>{{cite book|last1=De Crespigny|first1=Rafe|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/4063410?keyword=Han%20Dynasty|title=South China under the Later Han Dynasty|date=2002|publisher=Australian National University, Faculty of Asian Studies|isbn=0731509013|access-date=6 November 2020}}</ref> Dong Zhuo then settled in Liang Province and built up his power.

==Rise to power==
Following the death of [[Emperor Ling of Han]] in May 189, General-in-Chief [[He Jin]] ordered Dong Zhuo to lead troops into [[Luoyang]] to aid him in eliminating the powerful eunuch faction known as the [[Ten Attendants]]. Before Dong could arrive, He Jin was assassinated by the eunuchs in September that year and the capital city fell into a state of turmoil. The eunuchs took [[Liu Bian]] (Emperor Shao) hostage and fled from Luoyang. Dong Zhuo's army intercepted the eunuchs and brought the emperor back to the palace.<ref name=Rafe/><ref>Yuan Shao's biographies in ''Sanguozhi'' and ''Book of the Later Han'' both mentioned that he was involved in He Jin's decision to summon Dong Zhuo. (灵帝崩，太后兄大将军何进与绍谋诛诸阉官，太后不从。乃召董卓) ''Sanguozhi'', vol.06. (灵帝崩，绍劝何进征董卓等众军，胁太后诛诸宦官，...) ''Houhanshu'', vol.74, part 1. There is speculation that as Dong Zhuo had once served under Yuan Wei (Yuan Shao's uncle), it was actually on Yuan Wei's account that He agreed to summon Dong.</ref>

After He Jin's death, He Jin's step-brother, General of Chariots and Cavalry [[He Miao]] ({{lang|zh|何苗}}), was killed by He Jin's subordinate Wu Kuang (吳匡) and Dong Zhuo's brother Dong Min, for sympathizing with the eunuch faction which had assassinated He Jin.<ref>(吴匡等素怨苗不与进同心，而又疑其与宦官同谋，乃令军中曰：“杀大将军者即车骑也，士吏能为报仇乎？”进素有仁恩，士卒皆流涕曰：“愿致死！”匡遂引兵与董卓弟奉车都尉旻攻杀苗，弃其尸于苑中。) ''Houhanshu'', vol. 69</ref>

After arriving in Luoyang, Dong Zhuo realized that his 3000 men were unequal to the numerous troops guarding the capital. Dong ordered some of his army to march out at night and re-enter the city at dawn, thus making it appear that he was receiving reinforcements. Dong then took command of the leaderless forces of He Jin and He Miao, convinced [[Lü Bu]] to join his ranks, and made himself Excellency of Works.<ref name=Rafe/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Guang |first=Sima |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A2aHDwAAQBAJ&dq=lu+bu+ding+yuan&pg=PT2268 |title=Records of Han Dynasty: Zi Zhi Tong Jian 资治通鉴; or Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance; Volume 9-68 |publisher=DeepLogic |language=en}}</ref>

In 189, Dong deposed Emperor Shao and replaced him with Liu Xie ([[Emperor Xian of Han|Emperor Xian]]). Dong declared himself [[Chancellor of China|chancellor]], and became the head of the imperial court in Luoyang. However, in the words of [[Rafe de Crespigny]], Dong Zhuo's "conduct towards the court and the imperial officials was bullying, oppressive and frequently bloody." This prompted [[Yuan Shao]] to form a coalition army with other regional officials in opposition to Dong Zhuo's military authority.<ref name=Rafe/>{{rp|456–459}}

==Coalition against Dong Zhuo==
{{Main|Campaign against Dong Zhuo}}

===Dong Zhuo retreats to Chang'an===

[[File:End of Han Dynasty Warlords.png|thumb|450px|Map showing the major warlords of the Han dynasty in the 190s, including the territories controlled by Dong Zhuo and his subordinates Li Jue and Guo Si]]
[[File:Late Eastern Han pottery castle.JPG|thumb|Ceramic model of a fortified manor of the Late [[Eastern Han dynasty]].]]
In the same year, regional officials and warlords around the country formed [[Campaign against Dong Zhuo|a coalition force]] and launched a [[punitive campaign]] against Dong Zhuo. In response, he sent a detachment to intercept the coalition vanguard led by Sun Jian, and ordered his son-in-law, [[Niu Fu]], to supply his fortress and manor of [[Mei County, Shaanxi|Mei]], also known as ''"Meiwu"'' (郿坞) or ''Ten-Thousand Year Fortress'' (万岁坞), with 30 years' worth of rations, where he had planned to centralize his power or retire in safety behind its fortified walls built to be seven ''[[zhàng]]'' in height and thickness.<ref>(数与百官置酒宴会，淫乐纵恣。乃结垒于长安城东以自居。又筑坞于郿，高厚七丈，号曰“万岁坞”。积谷为三十年储。自云：“事成，雄据天下；不成，守此足以毕老。) See ''Book of the Later Han'', Volume 72.</ref>  After his subordinates [[Hua Xiong]], [[Hu Zhen]], and Lu Bu were defeated by Sun Jian at Yangren, Dong Zhuo sent [[Li Jue (Han Dynasty)|Li Jue]] to propose a marriage between Sun's son and Dong's daughter, and split the empire between the two families. Sun Jian refused and prepared to attack Luoyang.

Dong evacuated everyone in Luoyang and moved them to [[Chang'an]] in the west. Before the relocation, Dong ordered his troops to ransack the tombs of the late Han emperors for treasures, seize valuables from the wealthy residents in Luoyang, and burn down the palaces and anything that might be useful to the coalition.<ref name=Rafe/>{{rp|460–461}}

Then the chancellor assembled his forces in the city and personally led them to ambush the approaching army. Dong's ambush failed and he was driven back by Sun Jian.<ref>(卓自出與堅戰於諸陵墓閒，卓敗走) See ''Book of the Later Han'', Volume 72.</ref> He ordered Lu Bu to lead a cavalry force back to the city to halt Sun's progress before he took flight for [[Mianchi County|Mianchi]]. Sun Jian broke through one of the eastern gates and defeated Lu Bu, taking the city.<ref>(堅進洛陽宣陽城門，更擊呂布，布復破走。) See ''Book of the Later Han'', Volume 72.</ref>

===Defeat of the coalition===
Despite taking Luoyang, the city was so heavily damaged that Sun Jian chose to retreat rather than to try to hold it.<ref name=Rafe/>{{rp|465}}

Dong Zhuo then sent his generals Li Jue, [[Guo Si]], and [[Zhang Ji (Han Dynasty)|Zhang Ji]] to the frontline against the eastern warlords. By this time the coalition had already fallen into disarray and internal bickering. The only ones who actively opposed Dong were the senior imperial officer, [[Zhu Jun (Han Dynasty)|Zhu Jun]] and his old friend, [[Tao Qian (Han Dynasty)|Tao Qian]].<ref>Fan Ye. ''Book of the Later Han'', Biography of Zhu Jun.</ref> Tao, despite having a general alliance with Dong, sent 3,000 elite troops from Danyang to aid Zhu in the battle with Dong's forces at [[Zhongmu]]. Zhu was defeated. Li Jue and his comrades then raided the surrounding area around [[Chenliu]] and [[Yingchuan]] for slaves.<ref>Chen Shou. ''Records of Three Kingdoms'', Volume 6, Biography of Dong Zhuo.</ref> Morale among the allied soldiers were low due to news of the ways in which Dong Zhuo would torture captives. Apparently he would have them tied up with fat-soaked clothes and start a fire from their foot. He left their heads unbound so he could enjoy their screams and watch their expressions while being tortured.<ref>(献帝纪曰：卓获山东兵，以猪膏涂布十余匹，用缠其身，然后烧之，先从足起。) According to the ''Annals of Emperor Xian'' (cited in vol.06 of ''Sanguozhi''), Dong Zhuo would carry out his horrible and complicated punishments once he captured a soldier from the eastern warlords.</ref>

==Rule of terror==

Two months after he moved the capital, Dong Zhuo revived the title of [[Grand Preceptor|Grand Master]], an antiquated title once reinvigorated by [[Wang Mang]], but scrapped in the [[Eastern Han]]. He appointed his younger brother [[Dong Min]] as General of the Left and gave official posts to several of his kin.

Dong Zhuo threw lavish banquets during which he would torture captured enemies by severing limbs, removing tongues and eyeballs, or burning them alive. His audience was said to have experienced a high degree of discomfort.<ref>(于坐中先断其舌，或斩手足，或凿眼，或镬煮之，未死，偃转杯案闲，会者皆战栗亡失匕箸，而卓饮食自若。)

Dong Zhuo had very specific treatment for those who betrayed him with punishments even more severe than the ones applied to enemy captives. The betrayers would experience prolonged suffering during the process.</ref>

For [[Yuan Shao]]'s role as leader of the coalition against him, Dong Zhuo had the entire Yuan clan in Luoyang wiped out. Within two years, thousands of public servants were wrongly accused and executed, and numerous commoners were kidnapped or killed. In order to purchase materials for further development of the Mei citadel, he had bells and bronze statues, among which were nine of the [[Twelve Metal Colossi]],<ref>[http://www.gov.cn/test/2006-05/09/content_276296.htm 西汉五铢<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> melted and recast into coins. However, the coins did not weigh the same, resulting in all copper cash being devalued.<ref name=Rafe/>{{rp|463}}

==Downfall and death==
Dong Zhuo kept [[Lü Bu]] as a personal bodyguard and swore an oath as father and son. However, after an argument, Dong threw a [[hatchet|hand-axe]] at Lü Bu, who dodged the weapon. Lü Bu's relationship with Dong Zhuo further deteriorated when Lü had an affair with a woman in Dong's [[harem]].<ref name=Rafe/>{{rp|466}}

In 192, with encouragement from Interior Minister [[Wang Yun (Han dynasty)|Wang Yun]], Lü Bu made his decision to kill Dong Zhuo. On the morning of May 22, 192, Lü greeted Dong at the palace gate with a dozen trusted men led by Cavalry Captain [[Li Su (Han Dynasty)|Li Su]], who had pretended to stand guard at the gate alongside Wang Yun. Li stepped forward and tried to stab Dong with a ''[[Ji (polearm)|ji]]'', but Dong's body armour saved him. Dong cried out for Lü Bu to save him, but Lü merely answered, "This is an imperial order," after which he delivered a fatal blow to Dong.

It was recorded that Dong's corpse was left on the streets with a lit wick placed on his [[navel]]. The wick burned for several days on the fat of the corpse. It was said that the light from the flame could last for days.<ref>(守尸吏暝以為大炷，置卓臍中以為灯，光明達旦，如是積日。) According to the ''[[Yingxiong Ji]]'' (cited in Dong Zhuo's biographies in both ''Sanguozhi'' and ''Houhanshu''), the glow from his corpse's light last into dawn, and then for days!</ref> A special order stated that anyone who went forth to collect the body would be killed. However, three officials, including [[Cai Yong]], still challenged the order and were executed. Meanwhile, all affiliates of the Dong clan, including Dong's 90-year-old mother, were put to death.<ref>(卓母年九十，走至塢門曰“乞脫我死!”) ''Yingxiong Ji'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'', vol.06.</ref>

==Legacy==
After Dong Zhuo's death, several of his loyalists, such as [[Li Jue (Han dynasty)|Li Jue]], [[Guo Si]], [[Zhang Ji (Han dynasty)|Zhang Ji]] and [[Fan Chou]], escaped on the belief that their allegiance to him would be considered [[treason]]. Wang Yun, who had taken control of the government, heard their appeal for pardon and said, "Of all those who should be forgiven, they are the exceptions." The four then planned to relinquish their positions and go into hiding. However, an advisor named [[Jia Xu]] suggested they should take this opportunity to launch a strike at Chang'an since the Liang faction was practically unscathed. The four then roused several-thousand core followers to attack Chang'an. Wang sent [[Xu Rong (general)|Xu Rong]] and [[Hu Zhen]] (former members of the Liang faction) to fight the Liang force en route, but Xu was killed in the first encounter and Hu joined the rebels, inflating the size of their army to 100,000 when they surrounded the capital. Lü Bu attempted to break the siege, but was defeated outside the city gate, and thus Chang'an fell into the hands of Dong Zhuo's followers. Emperor Xian was taken hostage and power in the court fell into the hands of the Liang faction once again.

==Family==
* Father: Dong Junya (died 181)
* Mother: Lady Dong (103–192), titled Lady of Chiyang, executed
* Younger brother: Dong Min (died 192) – After Dong Zhuo backed [[Emperor Xian of Han|Emperor Xian]], Dong Min was appointed to the rank of Left General. After [[Lü Bu]] killed Dong Zhuo, Dong Min was labeled an accomplice and executed, and his head was put on public display
* Nephew: Dong Huang (died 192) – born in [[Lintao County]], [[Gansu]], fathered by Dong Zhuó (董擢, note different character than his own) elder brother of Dong Zhuo, executed
* Sons: Dong Zhuo had some infant sons who were [[Feoffment|enfeoffed]] and later presumably executed, and at least one son of his was born 171 but died earlier than 190
** Granddaughter: [[Dong Bai (Han dynasty)|Dong Bai]] ({{lang|zh|董白}}), born after 178, titled Lady of Weiyang. She was given her passage to adulthood ceremony and a grand title and lands at an unceremoniously young age despite a 50-year-old Zhu Jun's protests. For the grand ceremony, a platform was built to be five to six che – about {{convert|116|or|139|cm|ftin}} in modern conversions – and she rode in a blue-covered golden carriage as thousands of soldiers marched behind her. Dong Huang was said to have given her the seal personally. Dong Bai was presumably executed.
** Grandson: born 186, executed
* Daughter: married [[Niu Fu]]
* Foster Son: [[Lü Bu]]

==In ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms''==
''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'', a 14th-century historical novel by [[Luo Guanzhong]], was a romanticization of the events that occurred before and during the Three Kingdoms era. Because the real-life Dong Zhuo was already much of a cruel and treacherous character, the novel probably could do little more to accentuate that treachery and cruelty. It did, however, on two occasions deviate from the history.

===Dong Zhuo and the three sworn brothers===
Dong Zhuo first appeared as early as late in Chapter 1. Being sent to quell the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Dong Zhuo was defeated by the rebel leader [[Zhang Jiao]] and the battle was turning into a rout.

The three newly sworn brothers, [[Liu Bei]], [[Guan Yu]] and [[Zhang Fei]], happened to be nearby. They then led their forces out to Dong Zhuo's rescue. Suddenly met with this new opposition, the rebels were swept off their feet and had to retreat.

After returning to camp, Dong Zhuo asked the three brothers what offices they currently held. And they replied that they held none. Dong Zhuo harrumphed and then ignored them. This angered Zhang Fei so much that he grabbed his sword and wanted to kill Dong Zhuo. He was however stopped by his two brothers, who suggested taking their service elsewhere. Thus was Dong Zhuo's life spared and the three brothers went their own way.

===Dong Zhuo and Diaochan===
{{multiple image
|direction=vertical
|width=270
|image1=Lu Bu and Diaochan Peking opera 3.jpg
|caption1=Dong Zhuo welcomes [[Diaochan]] to his home
|image2=Lu Bu and Diaochan Peking opera 6.jpg
|caption2=Diaochan complains to [[Lü Bu]] about Dong Zhuo
|image3=Lu Bu Murders Dong Zhuo Peking Opera.jpg
|caption3=[[Li Ru]] tries to stop Lü Bu from killing Dong Zhuo
|footer=From a [[Peking opera]] performance by [[Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company]] on September 16, 2015, in [[Tianchan Theatre]], [[Shanghai]], China. In the Peking opera tradition, a ''[[Jing (Chinese opera)|Jing]]'' role with his face painted white indicates an evil character.
}}
Perhaps the most popular story about Dong Zhuo was the fictional love triangle involving Dong Zhuo, Lü Bu and [[Diaochan]], which eventually led to the death of Dong Zhuo at the hands of his own adoptive son, Lü Bu.

After Dong Zhuo moved the capital to the more strategically sound Chang'an, Interior Minister Wang Yun started to contemplate a plot to assassinate the tyrant by using the petite Diaochan, a young singer who was brought up in his household but whom he had been treating like his own daughter, to plant the seed of dissension between Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu.

Inviting Lü Bu over one night, Wang Yun asked Diaochan to serve wine to the guest. Lü Bu was immediately seized by the girl's beauty. Well aware of this, Wang Yun then promised to marry Diaochan to the mighty warrior.

A few days later, however, Wang Yun laid a feast for Dong Zhuo and repeated the feat. Like Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo could not lift his eyes off Diaochan, who also displayed her prowess in song and dance. Dong Zhuo then brought Diaochan home and made her his concubine.

When Lü Bu heard about this early the next morning, he headed for Dong Zhuo's bedroom and peeped in through the window. There he saw Diaochan sitting up grooming her hair while Dong Zhuo was still asleep. Aware of Lü Bu's presence, Diaochan put up a sorrowful expression and pretended to wipe tears off her eyes with a handkerchief.

A similar incident recurred about a month later, but this time Dong Zhuo woke up in time to see Lü Bu staring fixedly at Diaochan. Lü Bu was then thrown out and forbidden from entering the house.

Then one day, while Dong Zhuo was holding a conversation with Emperor Xian, Lü Bu sneaked to his foster father's residence and met with Diaochan in the Fengyi Pavilion ({{lang|zh|鳳儀亭}}). Weeping, Diaochan pleaded with Lü Bu to rescue her from Dong Zhuo. Placing his halberd aside, Lü Bu held Diaochan in his arms and comforted her with words.

Right then, Dong Zhuo returned to find the duo in the pavilion. The startled Lü Bu turned to flee. Dong Zhuo grabbed the halberd and gave chase. Being too slow, Dong Zhuo could not catch up with the agile Lü Bu. He then hurled the halberd at Lü Bu but the latter fended it off and got away.

After the incident, Lü Bu became increasingly displeased with Dong Zhuo. The displeasure was further inflamed by Wang Yun, who suggested subtly that Lü Bu kill Dong Zhuo. Lü Bu was eventually persuaded.

The conspirators sent Li Su to fetch Dong Zhuo from his castle in Meiwu ({{lang|zh|郿塢}}) under the pretense that the emperor intended to abdicate the throne to the warlord. The overjoyed Dong Zhuo then came to the palace gate, where his troops were barred from entering. As Dong Zhuo's carriage neared the palace building, soldiers loyal to Wang Yun escorted Dong Zhuo to the trap they set. Then suddenly a general stabbed Dong Zhuo.

Injured only in the arms, Dong Zhuo then cried out for Lü Bu to save him. Lü Bu walked over and impaled Dong Zhuo's throat with his halberd, proclaiming, "I have an imperial decree to slay the rebel!"

==In popular culture==
=== Animation ===
* The character [[List of Ikki Tousen characters|Toutaku Chuuei]] (''Dong Zhuo Zhongying'' written in [[onyomi]]) of the anime short series, ''[[Ikki Tousen]]'', is based roughly on Dong Zhuo.

=== Comics ===
*Dong Zhuo appears as a character in the Hong Kong [[manhua]] ''[[The Ravages of Time]]'' illustrated by [[Chan Mou]].
* Dong Zhuo appears as a major antagonist in the manga series ''[[Sōten Kōro]]'', which is loosely based on ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]''.

=== Games ===
<!-- PLEASE DO NOT INTRODUCE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS PERSON'S ROLE IN THE GAMES ALREADY MENTIONED IN THIS SECTION. -->
* Dong Zhuo is featured as a playable character in [[Koei]]'s ''[[Dynasty Warriors]]'', ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'', and ''[[Warriors Orochi]]'' video game series.
* In the collectible card game ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' there is a card named Dong Zhou, the Tyrant, in the ''[[Portal (Magic: The Gathering)|Portal: Three Kingdoms]]'' set.
* Dong Zhuo is a major faction leader in the strategy game ''[[Total War: Three Kingdoms]]''.

==See also==
* [[Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
* [[Chen Shou|Chen, Shou]] (3rd century). ''[[Records of the Three Kingdoms]]'' (''Sanguozhi'').
* {{cite book|last=de Crespigny|first=Rafe|author-link=Rafe de Crespigny|title=A Biographical Dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms 23–220 AD|date=2007|publisher=Brill|location=Leiden|isbn=9789004156050}}
* [[Fan Ye (historian)|Fan, Ye]] (5th century). ''[[Book of the Later Han]]'' (''Houhanshu'').
* [[Luo Guanzhong|Luo, Guanzhong]] (14th century). ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' (''Sanguo Yanyi'').
* [[Pei Songzhi|Pei, Songzhi]] (5th century). ''[[Annotated Records of the Three Kingdoms]]'' (''Sanguozhi zhu'').
* [[Sima Guang|Sima, Guang]] (1084). ''[[Zizhi Tongjian]]''.
*The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica., Xia, Z,H., Das, D. (2021). Dong Zhuo. ''Britannica .'' Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dong-Zhuo
*Evans,M. (2003). Dong Zhuo (Zhongyin). ''Biography (SGYY).''  ''Retrieved from:'' http://kongming.net/novel/sgyy/dongzhuo.php (Sanguo Yanyi)(Romance of the Three Kingdoms)

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{{succession box | before = | title = [[Chancellor of China]]| years = 189–192| after = [[Cao Cao]]}}
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