Why the Suanzao Alliance Failed Against Dong Zhuo

In the previous episode, Dong Zhuo deposed Emperor Shao, enthroned Emperor Xian, burned Luoyang, and forced the people west.

He held the court in his hands. But the men who escaped the capital began gathering forces east of the passes.

Cao Cao Escaped Luoyang

After leaving Luoyang, Cao Cao fled east.

On the way, he passed the home of an old acquaintance, Lü Boshe. Lü Boshe was not there, but the family welcomed Cao Cao and prepared food. Cao Cao heard knives being sharpened and words about tying something up to kill. Suspecting murder, he struck first and killed several members of the household.

Only afterward did he realize they had been preparing to slaughter animals for a meal.

The historical tradition records Cao Cao's grim remark that he would rather wrong others than let others wrong him. Later fiction sharpened the line into one of the most famous expressions of Cao Cao's ruthless image.

Cao Cao continued east. At Zhongmu, local officers recognized that he was wanted by Dong Zhuo, but a county official argued that in a chaotic age, men of talent should not be imprisoned for Dong Zhuo. Cao Cao was released.

At Chenliu, he spent his family wealth recruiting troops. Local magnate Wei Zi helped him. Cao Cao was no longer only a fugitive. He was becoming a commander.

Yuan Shao Was Watched in Ji Province

Yuan Shao fled to Ji Province because Governor Han Fu had old ties to the Yuan family.

But Han Fu was cautious. He feared Yuan Shao would raise troops on his ground and watched him closely.

Then Qiao Mao, Administrator of Dong Commandery, forged a document in the name of the highest ministers. It listed Dong Zhuo's crimes and called on the provinces to raise troops and rescue the state.

This forced Han Fu to choose. When he asked subordinates whether to help Yuan Shao or Dong Zhuo, one answered that raising troops was for the state, not for either man. Han Fu was ashamed, but he still wanted others to move first.

That suited him. He encouraged Yuan Shao to rise while avoiding the risk of leading alone.

The Eastern Commanderies Responded

In the first month of 190 CE, provinces and commanderies east of Hangu Pass raised forces against Dong Zhuo.

Sun Jian, Administrator of Changsha, also responded. Sun Jian already had a fierce reputation. As a youth he had scattered pirates by pretending to command a large force. Later he fought local rebels, Yellow Turbans, and western insurgents. He had once urged Zhang Wen to kill Dong Zhuo for insolence and military failure, but Zhang Wen had refused.

Now Sun Jian saw the danger clearly.

As he moved north, he killed Wang Rui, Inspector of Jingzhou, after old insults and a forged order gave him a pretext. He then killed Zhang Zi, Administrator of Nanyang, after Zhang refused supplies.

These acts were harsh, but they secured food and passage. Sun Jian was not only brave. He was willing to use terror to keep his army moving.

The Alliance Took Shape at Suanzao

The coalition needed a leader, and Yuan Shao's family prestige made him the obvious choice.

The Yuan clan had held top offices for generations. Yuan Shao had openly resisted Dong Zhuo in Luoyang. He became the face of the alliance.

Yuan Shao and Wang Kuang stationed at Henei. Han Fu stayed at Ye to supply grain. Yuan Shu held Luyang. Cao Cao and several other forces gathered at Suanzao, giving the alliance its remembered name.

On paper, the coalition looked enormous. In reality, every commander had his own base, supplies, fears, and ambitions. They all wanted the banner of punishing Dong Zhuo. Few wanted to spend their own troops first against hardened Liangzhou soldiers.

Cao Cao Attacked While Others Watched

Cao Cao urged action.

Dong Zhuo had burned the palaces and forced the emperor west. The realm was shaken. If the coalition truly meant to punish him, now was the moment.

When others hesitated, Cao Cao advanced toward Chenggao. Zhang Miao sent Wei Zi with him. At Xingyang, Cao Cao met Xu Rong, one of Dong Zhuo's commanders.

Cao Cao's army was defeated. He was hit by an arrow, and his horse was wounded. His cousin Cao Hong offered him his own horse. Cao Cao first refused, but Cao Hong said the world could do without Cao Hong, not without Cao Cao. Cao Cao escaped at night.

Xu Rong saw that Cao Cao had fought hard all day despite having few men and decided Suanzao would not be easy to take. He withdrew.

When Cao Cao returned, he found the coalition drinking and delaying. He proposed a real plan: pressure Mengjin, occupy Chenggao and Aocang, move through Wuguan, build camps, and show encirclement.

The others did not listen.

The Alliance Collapsed Into Self-Interest

The Suanzao troops soon ran short of grain and scattered.

Even worse, the coalition began fighting itself. Liu Dai, Inspector of Yan Province, killed Qiao Mao and took over his position. In Qing Province, Yellow Turban remnants caused chaos, and after Jiao He died, Yuan Shao installed Zang Hong, extending his influence.

The anti-Dong Zhuo banner still flew, but the commanders were already swallowing one another.

Cao Cao later captured this mood in poetry: righteous men east of the passes raised troops against the villains, but their forces lacked unity, hesitated in rows like geese, and then turned on one another through ambition.

Dong Zhuo was still in Chang'an. The coalition had already begun aiming knives at itself.

The next episode follows the few men who actually fought, especially Sun Jian, as the campaign against Dong Zhuo gives future heroes their first stage.