In 190 CE, after Dong Zhuo had seized control of the capital Luoyang and the young Emperor Xian, a coalition of regional governors and generals formed in the east to oppose him. Yuan Shao was the nominal leader; Cao Cao, Sun Jian, and others contributed forces. The campaign showed how far the Han had fallen: the emperor was a hostage, and the only counter was an unstable alliance of warlords.
The coalition
The coalition assembled at various points east of Luoyang. Tensions over supply, authority, and strategy limited co-operation. Dong Zhuo, facing superior numbers, moved the court and the emperor to Chang’an in the west, burning Luoyang and stripping it of wealth. The coalition did not pursue him effectively.
Fracture and aftermath
After Dong Zhuo’s retreat, the alliance quickly fell apart. Rivals turned on each other; Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu clashed; Sun Jian found the imperial seal and kept it. Cao Cao attempted an independent advance and was defeated. Dong Zhuo was later assassinated by Lü Bu and Wang Yun, but the emperor remained a tool for whoever controlled him. The campaign against Dong Zhuo confirmed that the Han could not be saved by a single coalition and that power now lay with individual warlords.