"Tonight, His Majesty has come in person to lead the Tiger Guard in rooting out traitors. Since you are soldiers of our Great Han, you should aid the Son of Heaven in punishing the rebels together! How can you help Cao perpetrate his tyranny?"
"Make way at once! Let His Majesty enter the residence and execute the Cao Thief!"
As his words fell, the eight hundred Tiger Guards stepped forward as one and shouted together, "Execute the rebels! Restore the Han Dynasty!"
"Execute the rebels! Restore the Han Dynasty!"
"Execute the rebels! Restore the Han Dynasty!"
The Tiger Guards' roars were powerful and imposing, forcing the soldiers of the City Defense Army to retreat again and again, not daring to face them.
Only Xiahou Dun stood firm and unmoving. Expressionlessly, he said, "Dong Cheng has taken the Son of Heaven hostage! His Majesty has been deceived by Dong Cheng and seeks to harm loyal and worthy ministers!"
"Soldiers, do not be bewitched by this traitor! Execute the rebel leader! Rescue His Majesty!"
"Attack!"
With those words, Xiahou Dun steadied his troops somewhat. Most of the City Defense Army trusted Cao Cao more than Dong Cheng, and their flagging morale rallied once more.
Urged on by Xiahou Dun, they steeled themselves and charged at the Tiger Guards!
"You brute! How dare you show such disrespect!"
Emperor Xian of Han had never imagined that Xiahou Dun would actually dare to order an attack. Furious, he drew the Son of Heaven Sword in his hand and shouted, "Cao Mengde's intentions are known to every passerby!"
"Today is the day we execute the traitors!"
"I shall advance and retreat alongside my soldiers!"
It was truly:
He mounted the carriage and drew his sword, leaping forth to fight rebellious ministers!
Above the clouds, he saw