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WARNING:........you know what? Screw it. No disclaimer this time...
Chapter 9 is a very, very important chapter. The reader has most likely, just like the rest of late-Han China, been waiting quite some time to see the big fat tyrant Dong Zhuo get his comeuppance. Well, my friends, the time has finally come. Things are coming to a head between Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu, his adopted Son and rival for the heart of the lovely maiden Diao Chan, whom you might remember was engaged to both of them in the previous chapter by her Guardian, the Minister of the Interior, Wang Yun.
I'm kinda proud of how Dong Zhuo went out in this audiobook. I'd been spending several chapters cultivating the opinion in the listener that Dong Zhuo was some kind of pig. So I think he went out just the way he should have. I can kinda imagine Lu Bu stuffing an apple in his mouth after it were all over.
Lu Bu's decision to kill Dong Zhuo proves to be an extremely crucial turning point in the history of the Three Kingdoms, and produces two very important consequences in particular.
1. Lu Bu removes Dong Zhuo's iron-fisted regime from the Imperial Court, and thus creates a power vacuum throughout the Empire into which Warlords begin to wield the authority of the throne...
2. Perhaps more importantly, before this point, Lu Bu has only been a vassal. An important vassal, but a vassal nonetheless. With the passing of Dong Zhuo, Lu Bu begins to realize his own power. Lu Bu remains a terrible force to be reckoned with throughout the early years of the story, and it is his power that holds Cao Cao in check for quite a long time. Lu Bu wasn't as stupid as he's been portrayed in popular culture.
Unfortunately for Lu Bu...and Wang Yun, the other Generals of Dong Zhuo aren't stupid either. Li Jue, Guo Si, Fan Chou, and Zhang Ji, advised by the almost godlike strategist, Jia Xu, still have an army. And Lu Bu is simply outmatched by their double attack.
So it is that Li Jue and Guo Si gain control of the Imperial Court, and their regime will be just as oppressive as their Lord and Master, Dong Zhuo. And Wang Yun must redeem himself with his own blood.
Something I'd just like to add here. I love the hell out of the Dynasty Warriors/Samurai Warriors/Warriors Orochi games. But it seems to me like Koei is kinda missing some opportunities for some splendid new characters. There were great heroes all throughout the Sanguo period. How about Xun Yu? If that mo'focko doesn't deserve to be a Dynasty Warriors character, I don't know who does. Or what about Liao Hua. Here's a guy who started out as a Yellow Turban, and actually lived to see the end of the Three Kingdoms. As in, survived decades of warfare. As in, didn't get killed. Ever. Or how about Ma Dai, cousin to Ma Chao? I mean, Ma Dai killed Wei Yan. Come on. That's badass. Or how about Deng Ai and Zhong freakin' Hui? Those two dudes did what several generations of Cao's couldn't. They conquered Shu-Han. I'm just saying, Koei. There's some suggestions. There's plenty more. I hope you keep making the Dynasty Warriors games. I'll keep playing them. I hope to be playing The Battle of Hu Lao gate with Han Dang and Li Su soon. :p