Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Granddaughter of Dong Zhuo

After the battle last night, Lu Bu returned in utter defeat, suffering heavy losses in both troops and officers. Zifan immediately ordered his men to erect four new camps atop the plateau, so as to observe the enemy’s movements more clearly.

“My lord, I report that in last night’s battle, we annihilated forty thousand of the enemy, seized vast stores of provisions and weapons, and also captured a female general. We await your command as to her fate,” Dian Wei, clad in black armor, stepped forward to report.

“Oh! A female general? How could there be a woman among Dong Zhuo’s officers? Bring her here at once. I shall interrogate her myself,” Zifan replied in surprise.

In ancient times, female generals were exceedingly rare. The most famous among them was Hua Mulan. Mulan, who lived during the Sui Dynasty, hailed from Zhouzhuang Village in Yucheng, Shangqiu County, Henan Province. In the reign of Emperor Gong of Sui, when the Turks invaded the borders, Mulan disguised herself as a man to take her father’s place in the army, fighting for twelve years and earning numerous honors, all the while hiding her true identity. On her return, she was made Minister of State, and posthumously titled “General of Filial Valor,” with a shrine built in her memory.

Dian Wei commanded his men to bring the captive to the main tent in Youzhou. The female general’s hands and feet were bound with heavy iron chains, making every step a struggle. She had to be half-carried by the soldiers who escorted her.

This young woman was strikingly beautiful, especially with that unyielding expression on her delicate face—her air of defiance stirred a mischievous curiosity in Zifan, who was tempted to tease her.

“How dare you not kneel in the presence of our commander!” Ding Feng barked angrily from the side.

Zifan only shook his head with a faint smile. Ding Feng, he thought, truly had no appreciation for the fairer sex—such a blunt and straightforward man! Zifan hurriedly ordered his men to remove the chains from her wrists and ankles.

Zifan’s expression softened considerably. “May I ask, young lady, which noble family you hail from? How did you come to serve under that old scoundrel Dong Zhuo?”

At the words “old scoundrel,” the young woman’s face changed instantly, her eyes flashing with a cold and delicate intensity. “Do not insult my grandfather! I have never hidden my name or lineage. I am Dong Bai, granddaughter of Prime Minister Dong Zhuo of the Han. Kill me or torture me as you please—even if I die by your hand today, I have no fear. My father will not rest until you are torn limb from limb.”

What? Dong Zhuo, that old villain, actually has a granddaughter? And such a lovely one at that! As for Dong Zhuo himself, with his piggish face and ears, who would have thought he could have a granddaughter so fair? One wonders which beautiful woman he managed to marry or snatch away.

The assembled generals, having heard that she was Dong Zhuo’s granddaughter, were first stunned and then burst into laughter. “The two look nothing alike! Who would have thought Dong Zhuo would send his own granddaughter into battle?”

Zifan studied Dong Bai carefully. He had to admit, Dong Zhuo had raised her well; Dong Bai was indeed a heroine among women. The resolve in her expression made her seem even more formidable than many men. Her bearing and courage truly echoed Dong Zhuo’s own.

If it had been anyone else, Dong Bai would have been dragged out and executed on the spot, her head displayed above the camp as a show of strength. After all, Dong Zhuo was the most reviled villain in the land, and to shelter his granddaughter would be considered collusion—a crime worthy of death. But Zifan was no ordinary man; who could predict where his whimsical mind would lead? Such a beautiful young woman—how could he bear to kill her, guilty or not? Dong Zhuo was Dong Zhuo, Dong Bai was Dong Bai. The two could not be judged the same.

Feigning a wicked demeanor, Zifan stepped forward and lifted Dong Bai’s chin. “Well, now that you’re here, you’d best give up any hope of leaving. Serve me well, won’t you?”

“You… You scoundrel! Do you not know who I am? My grandfather will rescue me—he will have you torn to pieces! Wait and see, you lecher!” Dong Bai turned her face away in disgust, eyes tightly closed, but her words held not a hint of entreaty.

Seeing her defiance, Zifan lost interest in his game. To conquer a woman’s heart, he thought, was the true victory; to force oneself upon another would never do. He ordered his men to escort her away and keep her under close guard—such a valuable hostage must not escape. With her in hand, Dong Zhuo would surely come begging.

At that moment, a soldier entered and reported, “General, an envoy from Dong Zhuo has arrived. He requests that the young lady not be harmed, and wishes to speak with you.”

Who could have predicted that the notorious Dong Zhuo would have a weakness? And, indeed, who would have guessed he had a granddaughter?

“How many are in the envoy?” Zifan asked quickly.

“One man, one horse—it is Li Ru, Dong Zhuo’s right-hand man,” the soldier replied.

It seemed Dong Zhuo was earnest this time, sending his chief adviser Li Ru to negotiate. This proved Dong Bai was a valuable asset; Dong Zhuo cared for her deeply. The officers in camp laughed heartily—surely they would profit handsomely from this, perhaps even extort Dong Zhuo quite thoroughly.

Li Ru entered the commander’s tent, a folding fan in one hand, the other stroking his goatee as he strove to appear composed. Yet his trembling legs betrayed him. “General Zifan, it is an honor. We have met a few times at court; we are, after all, colleagues in service to the Han.”

Before Zifan could reply, Li Ru seized the initiative, emphasizing their shared service to the Han court—drawing their relationship closer, making his own position seem less adversarial. Coming to Zifan’s camp was no small risk; even three heads and six arms would not save him if things went wrong! Though he doubted the superstitions surrounding Zifan, who was rumored in the West Liang army to be the King of Hell incarnate, the tales were so widespread that even Li Ru could not help but feel uneasy. After all, who is truly unafraid of death?

Each time Zifan coughed, Li Ru flinched and took a step back.

“General, please do not frighten me further. I am easily startled. The young lady, Dong Bai, is the Prime Minister’s most precious treasure, his only living descendant. I beg you, ensure her safety,” Li Ru pleaded.

“Oh? And what does Prime Minister Dong offer in exchange for his beloved granddaughter? For such a rare treasure, the price must be high,” Zifan replied, crossing one leg over the other, grinning broadly.

“There is a misunderstanding, General. The Prime Minister wishes for his daughter to remain in your camp under your protection,” Li Ru replied, bowing with both hands. His words caused a wave of shock.

Zifan was momentarily dumbfounded—more astounded even than at the news that Dong Zhuo had a granddaughter. Dong Zhuo actually wanted to leave his precious granddaughter in Zifan’s hands?

“Is Dong Zhuo not afraid I might kill her, or hand her over to another lord?” Zifan asked, regaining his composure.

“The Prime Minister says that your character inspires him with the utmost admiration. He trusts you would never do such a thing. If you agree to his request, our army will present you with a thousand fine horses and ten thousand loads of provisions and weapons. Entrusting his granddaughter to you is also his way of leaving a way out for himself,” Li Ru replied.

“Then I shall respectfully accept,” Zifan answered.

One had to admit, Dong Zhuo truly cherished his daughter. Leaving her in Zifan’s camp was as much for her protection as for his own peace of mind. For all his brutality, Dong Zhuo did possess a delicate and loving heart.

Who in all the world does not know the heart of a parent?