From The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, by Luo Guanzhong. A little backstory -
In 189, the depot Dong Zhuo had taken control of the Imperial court in China. He overthrew Emperor Shao and placed his younger brother, Emperor Xian, on the throne since he would be easier to control. In charge of the military and in possession of the emperor, along with his personal general and bodyguard, "the strongest man under heaven", Lu Bu, no one dared to oppose Dong Zhuo. In a gathering of many officials, Wang Yun and other men cursed Dong Zhuo and lamented their powerlessness. In the midst of the gathering, Cao Cao, who would later become a powerful warlord, offered to kill Dong Zhuo with the above line.
The full context of the quote -
One day while among the throng in attendance, mostly people of long service, Wang Yun said to his colleagues, "This is my birthday, I pray you come to a little party in my humble cot this evening." "We certainly will," they cried, "and wish you long life."
That night the tables were spread in an inner room, and his friends gathered there. When the wine had made a few rounds, the host suddenly covered his face and began to weep. The guests were aghast. "Sir, on your birthday too, why do you weep?" said they.
"It is not my birthday," replied Wang Yun. "But I wished to call you together, and I feared lest Dong Zhuo should suspect, so I made that the excuse. This man insults the Emperor and does as he wishes so that the imperial prerogatives are in imminent peril. I think of the days when our illustrious founder destroyed the Qin, annihilated Chu, and obtained the empire. Who could have foreseen this day when that Dong Zhuo has subjugated all to his will? That is why I weep." Then they all wept with him.
Seated among the guests, however, was Cao Cao, who did not join in the weeping but clapped his hands and laughed aloud. "If all the officers of the government weep till dawn, and from dawn weep till dark, will that slay Dong Zhuo?" said Cao Cao. Wang Yun turned on him angrily. "Your forbears ate the bounty of the Hans. Do you feel no gratitude? You can laugh?"
"I laughed at the absurdity of an assembly like this being unable to compass the death of one man. Foolish and incapable as I am, I will cut off his head and hang it at the gate as an offering to the people." Wang Yun left his seat and went over to Cao Cao. "These later days," Cao Cao continued, "I have bowed my head to Dong Zhuo with the sole desire of finding a chance to destroy him. Now he begins to trust me, and so I can approach him sometimes. You have a sword with seven precious jewels which I would borrow, and I will go into his palace and kill him. I care not if I die for it."
"What good fortune for the world that this is so!" said Wang Yun.
The next day, Cao Cao hid the sword under his robes and went to visit Dong Zhuo. He met with him with Lu Bu in the room. Cao Cao knew he could not act as long as Lu Bu was there. Dong Zhuo asked him why Cao Cao was late, and Cao said that his horse was old and slow. Dong Zhuo turned to Lu Bu and said that new, young horses had arrived from the west; he made Lu Bu go pick one for Cao. So Lu Bu left.
Cao bided his time and eventually saw his chance to strike. He moved to kill Dong, but Dong Zhuo noticed his reflection in the mirror with the sword being drawn; just then Lu Bu returned as well, with the horse. Dong Zhuo reacted suddenly, turning to Cao and demanded to know what he was doing. Cao immediately dropped to a knee and offered the sword as a gift to Dong. The sword, being inlaid with jewels, and very well made, was accepted by Dong. Cao quickly asked if he could try the horse, and a saddle and bridle were brought, and Cao rode off in a hurry.
Shortly thereafter it was deduced by Dong, Lu Bu, and Dong Zhuo's advisor Li Ru, that Cao had meant to kill Dong Zhuo, and his picture was sent out with orders to catch him.
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