但世主不当假之权宠，使至于此。
but the real cause of the present trouble is in the improper influence allowed them by the emperors and the misplaced favoritism they have enjoyed.
若欲治罪，当除元恶，但付一狱吏足矣，何必纷纷召外兵乎？
But a gaoler would be ample force to employ against this kind of evil, and getting rid of the main culprits is quite enough.Why increase confusion by summoning troops from the regions?”
欲尽诛之，事必宣露。
Any desire to slay all of them will speedily become known,
吾料其必败也。”
and the plan will fail."
何进怒曰：“孟德亦怀私意耶？”
"Then, Cao Cao, you have some scheme of your own to further," said He Jin with a sneer.
操退曰：“乱天下者，必进也。”
Cao Cao left the meeting, proclaiming, "The one who throws the world into chaos is He Jin!"
进乃暗差使命，赍密诏星夜往各镇去。
Then He Jin sent swift, secret letters far and wide to several bases.
却说前将军、鳌乡侯、西凉刺史董卓，先为破黄巾无功，朝议将治其罪，因贿赂十常侍幸免；后又结托朝贵，遂任显官，统西州大军二十万，常有不臣之心。
It must be recalled that Dong Zhuo had failed in his attempt to destroy the Yellow Scarves rebellion.
He would have been punished if he had not bribed the Ten Eunuchs heavily for their protection.
Later, through connections in the capital, he obtained rapid promotions from General to General of the Front Army, to Lord of Aoxiang, to Imperial Protector in the western region of Xizhou and Commander of an army of two hundred thousand troops.
But Dong Zhuo was treacherous and disloyal at heart.
是时得诏大喜，点起军马，陆续便行。
So when he received the summons to the capital, he rejoiced greatly and lost no time in obeying it.
使其婿中郎将牛辅守住陕西，自己却带李傕、郭汜、张济、樊稠等提兵望洛阳进发。
He left a son-in-law, Commander Niu Fu, to look after the affairs of Xizhou and set out for Luoyang.
Dong Zhuo took with him a huge army and four generals---Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou.
卓婿谋士李儒曰：“今虽奉诏，中间多有暗味。
Dong Zhuo's adviser and son-in-law, Li Ru, said, "Though a formal summons has come, there are many obscurities in it.
卓大喜，遂上表。
-then we can proceed."
其略曰：“窃闻天下所以乱逆不止者，皆由黄门常侍张让等侮慢天常之故。
So Dong Zhuo composed something like this: "Thy servant knows that the continual rebellions owe their origin to Zhang Rang and the Regular Attendants of the Inner Bureau, who act counter to all recognized precepts.
臣闻扬汤止沸，不如去薪；溃痈虽痛，胜于养毒。
Now to stop the ebullition of a pot the best way is to withdraw the fire; to cut out an abscess, though painful, is better than to nourish the evil.
臣敢鸣钟鼓入洛阳，请除让等。
I have dared undertake a military advance on the capital, with thy permission, and now pray that Zhang Rang and the other eunuchs be removed for the happiness of the dynasty and of the empire."
侍御史郑泰谏曰：“董卓乃豺狼也，引入京城，必食人矣。”
Then said Minister Zheng Tai, "A fierce wild beast: If he comes, his prey will be humans!"
进不听，郑泰、卢植皆弃官而去。
He Jin was obstinate, and both Zheng Tai and Lu Zhi gave up their posts and retired,
朝廷大臣，去者大半。
s did more than half the ministers of state,
进使人迎董卓于渑池，卓按兵不动。
hile He Jin sent a warm welcome to Dong Zhuo, who soon camped at Shengchi Lake and stationed there without further action.
张让等知外兵到，共议曰：“此何进之谋也。
Zhang Rang and the eunuchs knew this move was directed against them and said, "This is He Jin's plot.
乃先伏刀斧手五十人于长乐宫嘉德门内，入告何太后曰：“今大将军矫诏召外兵至京师，欲灭臣等，望娘娘垂怜赐救。”
So they hid a band of fifty armed ruffians at the Gate of Grand Virtue in the Palace of Happiness, where the Empress lived, then they went in to see her.
They said, "The General, feigning to act under command, has called up armies to the capital to destroy us.
We pray you, Your Majesty, pity and save us!"
太后曰：“汝等可诣大将军府谢罪。”
"Go to the General and confess your faults," said the Empress.
让曰：“若到相府，骨肉齑粉矣。
"If we did, then should we be cut to mincemeat!
望娘娘宣大将军入宫谕止之。
Rather summon the General into your presence and command him to cease.