Dong Huang

Historical Record

The historical and biographical materials concerning Dong Huang are lacking; the official histories contain no clear record of his life and deeds, official appointments, or ultimate fate. Therefore, we cannot ascertain from the sources Dong Huang's true identity or his specific role in history.

In the Novel

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dong Huang, as the nephew of Dong Zhuo, has an image that revolves mainly around the power and ultimate downfall of Dong Zhuo's Faction. He first appears in chapter eight, when Dong Zhuo at Chang'an learned that Sun Jian had died and, believing he had removed a thorn in his side, grew ever more overbearing. Against this background, Dong Zhuo lavishly rewarded his kin: not only did he style himself "Imperial Father" and enfeoff his younger brother Dong Min as General of the Left and Marquis of Hu, but he also appointed his nephew Dong Huang as palace attendant, in overall command of the imperial guards ^c:3179. This appointment highlights Dong Huang's important standing within Dong Zhuo's Faction; commanding the imperial guards meant that he directly controlled the military strength of Chang'an, making him one of the key figures in Dong Zhuo's consolidation of rule and intimidation of the court ministers. In the novel, Dong Zhuo enfeoffed members of the Dong clan, young and old alike, as marquises, and Dong Huang's post of palace attendant is a manifestation of this family politics.

Dong Huang's end is described in detail in chapter nine. After Dong Zhuo was killed by Lü Bu, Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, Fan Chou, and others, hearing the news, fled overnight to Liang Province. Lü Bu then entered Meiwu and released the daughters and sons of good families whom Dong Zhuo had imprisoned. Thereafter, Huangfu Song, by order, settled accounts with Dong Zhuo's kin, putting all to death without regard to age. Dong Zhuo's mother was killed, and his younger brother Dong Min and nephew Dong Huang could not escape either, both being beheaded and their heads displayed to the public ^c:3180. This episode emphasizes the complete collapse of Dong Zhuo's Faction and the harsh punishment suffered by his kin; Dong Huang, as Dong Zhuo's trusted intimate and family member, in the end also perished with Dong Zhuo's downfall.

Key Relationships

* Dong Zhuo's Faction (serves): Dong Huang was one of the core members of Dong Zhuo's Faction, holding an important post during Dong Zhuo's domination of power and serving Dong Zhuo's rule. He was appointed palace attendant, in overall command of the imperial guards ^c:3179, an important pillar of Dong Zhuo's consolidation of power. (unique to the novel)
* Dong Zhuo (kin_of): Dong Huang was the nephew of Dong Zhuo, and this blood relationship was the basis of his high position within Dong Zhuo's Faction. Dong Zhuo's trust in and rewarding of his kin allowed Dong Huang to take overall command of the imperial guards, making him an important accomplice in Dong Zhuo's domination of power. (unique to the novel)

Defining Scenes

* Enfeoffed as palace attendant, in overall command of the imperial guards: At the time when Dong Zhuo, believing he had removed a thorn in his side, grew ever more overbearing, he lavishly rewarded his kin. Dong Huang was appointed palace attendant, in overall command of the imperial guards, an appointment that marked his attainment of prominent standing and military power within Dong Zhuo's Faction, becoming an important part of Dong Zhuo's domination of power ^c:3179. This scene displays Dong Zhuo's extreme trust in his kin and his abuse of power. (unique to the novel)
* Beheaded and exposed to the public together with Dong Min: After Dong Zhuo was killed, his kin at Meiwu were settled with. Dong Huang, together with Dong Zhuo's younger brother Dong Min, was beheaded and his head displayed to the public, marking the complete downfall of Dong Zhuo's Faction and foreshadowing the end of the Dong clan's politics ^c:3180. This scene is Dong Huang's final end in the novel, emphasizing the tragic fate of a man who, as Dong Zhuo's trusted intimate, was bound to Dong Zhuo. (unique to the novel)