Chain Stratagem
During the late Eastern Han period, after the suppression of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the power of the Liu family gradually weakened. Opportunistic warlords vied for control. During Emperor Ling’s reign, a warlord named Dong Zhuo seized significant military power and tyrannized the court. 
In the year 189 AD, Dong Zhuo, using his power, deposed the young Emperor Liu Bian, who had been on the throne for only five months. He installed the nine-year-old Liu Xie as Emperor (known as Emperor Xian). 
After this, Dong Zhuo assumed the highest authority below the emperor, holding immense military power. Although the court officials and military generals hated him, they did not dare to speak out due to fear. 
Dong Zhuo, knowing he had made many enemies and fearing assassination, always had his highly skilled martial adopted sons guarding him closely whenever he attended court. 
Many ministers who wanted to rid the country of Dong Zhuo were determined to kill him but couldn’t find an opportunity. Minister Wang Yun, frustrated and anxious about not being able to devise a plan to kill Dong Zhuo, often sighed and was restless day and night. 
Wang Yun had a singer named Diao Chan, who was young, beautiful, intelligent, and charming. Wang Yun treated her like his own daughter. Recently, Diao Chan noticed Wang Yun’s worries and wanted to help him.
One day, Wang Yun returned home from court and saw Diao Chan, who was usually cheerful and lively, now with a sorrowful expression. Suspecting she had something on her mind, he asked why she was so upset. 
Diao Chan respectfully bowed and said, ‘Recently, I have seen you worried about the country and unable to eat or sleep well. I am deeply grateful for your kindness and wish to repay you. If you have a plan, please tell me.’ Wang Yun, hearing this, suddenly had an idea. 
He said to Diao Chan, ‘Since this is the case, I have an idea: I will officially betroth you to Lü Bu, but secretly, I will use the ‘Beauty Scheme’ to captivate Dong Zhuo, then employ the ‘Separation Scheme’ to drive a wedge between them, causing father and son to kill each other, achieving the goal of eliminating Dong Zhuo.’ Hearing this, Diao Chan blushed and nodded in agreement.
Wang Yun, seeing that Diao Chan understood the importance of the great cause, immediately bowed deeply to her. Diao Chan, surprised, knelt down and said, ‘You, my lord, are willing to sacrifice your life for the country and the people. How could I, a young woman, hesitate to offer my life for the nation!’