(2) True Patriotism Comes from Spending Your Own Money
Dong Zhuo saw from the rooftop that in the clouds of dust in the distance, there were actually many livestock—cows, horses, and sheep—definitely no fewer than a thousand, being driven slowly toward where he lived. When this strange herd came closer, Dong Zhuo realized that those driving the more than a thousand animals were the Qiang warriors who had eaten all his plow oxen last time.
He then heard the Qiang warriors shout: "Dong Zhuo, last time we ate your cows, and now we are giving you a thousand head of livestock! There is also something you must hear clearly!"
Dong Zhuo stood dazed on the rooftop: "Brothers... command me, how would I, Dong Zhuo, dare not follow orders?"
The Qiang warriors shouted: "Dong Zhuo, you only had one plow ox at home, yet you killed it to treat us—that is such heroic spirit! We did not mistake the man! Dong Zhuo, you are the hero in our hearts! We swear to follow you for the rest of our lives, with thousands of horsemen, fear neither blade nor arrow! Heaven and Earth bear witness to these words and this vow!"
Dong Zhuo was moved and could not help kneeling down, saying: "Brothers, it's rare for you to be so sincere. I, Dong Zhuo, will surely lead you to create a world of our own! Today, I, Dong Zhuo, break my arrows as a vow. From now on, as long as there is food I can eat, I will never let any of you go hungry. If I break this vow, let Dong Zhuo die without a burial place..."
This is the historical process of the young hero Dong Zhuo rising to fame. In the novel *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, Dong Zhuo, from his very first appearance, is portrayed as a villain—lustful, greedy, and foolish. Yet even the ugliest toad once had a stage of cuteness as a little tadpole. At the very least, when Cao Cao and Liu Bei were still children, it was the young hero Dong Zhuo who was making waves in the deep currents of history.
When young Dong Zhuo was making a name for himself in the wild frontiers, building from nothing, what were Cao Cao and Liu Bei doing?
Check their ages. Dong Zhuo was born in 132 CE, Cao Cao in 155 CE, and Liu Bei in 161 CE. Dong Zhuo was 23 years older than Cao Cao and 29 years older than Liu Bei. If Dong Zhuo became famous at 23, at that time Cao Cao was still in his mother's womb, and Liu Bei was still dormant. Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao and Liu Bei were of different generations, which determined their very different life paths.
A thousand people flocked to him; overnight he became wealthy, and Dong Zhuo's fame spread far and wide.The Inspector of Liangzhou discovered this talent and sent for him, asking Dong Zhuo, “You are still young, but what extraordinary abilities do you have? Why are those Qiang warriors all willing to follow you?”
Dong Zhuo smiled faintly. With a whistle, a warhorse came galloping. Dong Zhuo leapt onto its back, drew his bow, and the sound of the bowstring rang continuously. His shooting speed was twice as fast as others. When everyone looked closely, they realized he carried two quivers, allowing him to shoot with both hands.
His left hand was as dexterous as his right hand.
Most people are right-handed, with a developed left hemisphere of the brain. A few are left-handed, with a developed right hemisphere. Dong Zhuo's both hemispheres were equally developed, making his mind twice as fast as others and his agility twice as high. No wonder those Qiang warriors were willing to follow him. Such skills were indeed remarkable in the wild frontier regions.
The Inspector of Liangzhou said in surprise, “Hero, you actually have such excellent skills. From now on, please take charge of the military affairs in this desolate region. However, your efforts will have no reward, no salary… hmm, you must offer your service voluntarily, out of your own pocket, to truly be patriotic…”
Dong Zhuo shouted, “My life motto is: don't ask if the country pays me a salary; ask what I have done for the country!”
From then on, the young hero Dong Zhuo led the Qiang warriors who had joined him in the frontier, pacifying chaos everywhere.
