Welcome to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast.

This is episode 27.

Last time, the emperor had issued a secret decree to his brother-in-law,

Dong Cheng, asking him to find a way to get rid of Cao Cao,

since Cao Cao was turning into yet another imperial puppet master, like all the guys before him.

Dong Cheng was stumped, though, and he fell asleep while thinking about this matter,

and he left the decree on the table.

When his friend Wang Zifu came to visit, he saw the decree.

So, you are planning to kill the prime minister, Wang Zifu said to a panic, Dong Cheng.

I am going to turn you in.

If you do that, the Han is done for, Dong Cheng said with tears in his eyes.

I was just kidding, Wang Zifu said. My family has received the Han's benevolence for generations.

How can I not be loyal to the court? I am willing to lend you a hand and help kill the rebel.

If that's the case, it would be a boom to the country, Dong Cheng said.

Then let's write a secret pledge declaring our loyalty to His Majesty,

no matter the danger to ourselves or our clans, Wang Zifu said.

Delighted, Dong Cheng fetched a length of white silk and wrote his name first.

Wang Zifu then added his name.

After this, Wang Zifu said,

General Wu Zlan is a close friend of mine.

We can bring him in on this.

Of all the officials at court, only Zhong Ji and Wu Shu are my confidants, Dong Cheng said.

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