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168-526: Sima Zhao capably maintained control of Wei, which had been seized by his father Sima Yi and previously maintained by his older brother Sima Shi , successfully crushing all internal opposition in the form of dissent and rebellion. In 263, despite opposition, he decided to take advantage of the present weakness in Shu Han to the west and launched an invasion against it, which eventually managed to convince its emperor, Liu Shan , towards formally surrendering, tipping

336-499: A coup d'état and had him and his associates executed. Afterwards, Sima Yi became the primary authority in Wei, although in June 251 he faced some opposition from Wang Ling 's rebellion , which he swiftly dealt with. Sima Yi died on 7 September 251, at the age of 71 or 72, and was succeeded by his eldest son Sima Shi . For the remainder of Wei's history, state power was increasingly vested in

504-481: A Gentleman Consultant for more than five years, this appointment was most likely an attempt by He Yan, Cao Shuang, and their party to curb his advancement. Wang Chang and Guanqiu Jian, learning that the eastern army had been defeated, set fire to their respective camps and fled. At Court, it was proposed to demote the generals concerned. The da jiangjun Sima Shi said, "It is because I did not listen to Gongxiu that we have come to this plight. In this I am culpable; how can

672-510: A campaign against Shu was proposed and eventually implemented after Cao Rui approved his proposal. In August 230, Cao Zhen led an army from Chang'an to attack Shu via the Ziwu Valley ( 子午谷 ). At the same time, another Wei army led by Sima Yi, acting on Cao Rui's order, advanced towards Shu from Jing Province by sailing along the Han River . The rendezvous point for Cao Zhen and Sima Yi's armies

840-468: A chance of counteracting the Simas. Despite Empress Dowager Guo's intentions and Cao Mao's own intelligence, they made very little impact in trying to stem the tide of the Simas' growing power. In reaction to the removal of Cao Fang, the general Guanqiu Jian , in 255, as the commander in the important eastern city of Shouchun (壽春; in present-day Lu'an , Anhui ), along with another general Wen Qin (文欽), raised

1008-422: A commandery administrator who was known for spotting talents. Yang Jun described him as an "extraordinary talent". Cui Yan , a friend of Sima Yi's elder brother, Sima Lang , once said: "(Sima Yi) is intelligent, decisive, and unique. (Sima Lang) can't be compared to him." Sima Yi and his family used to live in the imperial capital, Luoyang , where his father, Sima Fang , served as a government official. Sima Yi

1176-632: A coup d'état against Cao Shuang; according to the Jin Shu , Sima Yi confided only in Sima Shi, excluding even Shi's younger brother Sima Zhao from the discussion (although Sima Guang found this unlikely and, in his Zizhi Tongjian , opined that Sima Yi planned the coup with both Sima Shi and Sima Zhao). Sima Shi put together a group of 3,000 loyal men without knowledge by Cao Shuang or his associates, and when Sima Yi set to carry out his plans in February 249, Sima Shi

1344-418: A failed rebellion by Wang Ling (王淩) and massacred the clans of Wang and his associates. Sima Shi would go on to rule the government effectively and impartially, ordering that all officials recommend talents to him, that they define the hierarchical ranks, take care of the impoverished and the orphaned, and deal with the delayed personnel affairs. Shortly after his father's death, the emperor appointed him to

1512-556: A grandson of Cao Cao, to the capital to become the emperor; by now, Empress Dowager Guo was powerless to speak further. In the midst of these events, Sima Zhao went on to decline the Nine Bestowments and the promotions towards state chancellorship and the title of Duke of Jin. Some days later, Sima Zhao publicly accused Cheng Ji and his brothers of treason and had them and their family executed to appease public sentiment while sparing Jia Chong. No one dared to act against Sima Zhao even in

1680-511: A lake and arming it with men on land which belonged to Wei. The Wei officers, feeling secure in their position and with their superior numbers, grew arrogant and allowed themselves to become drunk, and so were quickly overwhelmed by the Wu forces led by Ding Feng and Lü Ju , forcing the Wei forces to flee and retreat. After the loss at the Battle of Dongxing , Sima Zhao asked his Marshal Wang Yi in private who

1848-483: A month after he put down the rebellion, he died while at Xuchang (許昌; in present-day Xuchang , Henan ), with his brother Sima Zhao in attendance to succeed him. During his lifetime, Sima Shi was unable to conceive a male heir, so he adopted Sima Zhao's second son, Sima You as his own. However, at the time of his death, You was too young to take up his adoptive father's mantle, so the succession fell to Sima Zhao instead. In 264, Zhao considered making You his heir to pass

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2016-467: A narrow defile. Zhang He died after a stray arrow hit him in the right knee. Regardless of this setback, Cao Rui sent an emissary to congratulate Sima Yi on his victory and rewarded him by adding more taxable households to his marquisate. Sima Yi's advisors Du Xi and Xue Ti ( 薛悌 ) told Sima Yi the wheat would be ready for harvest the following year and Zhuge Liang would be sure to come seize it. Because Longyou lacked food supplies, they should transport

2184-429: A night-raid on his camp led by Shu forces. Despite the ultimate failure of the campaign, he was promoted to the rank of Consultant Gentleman (a position typically regarded as a placeholder, in which he himself was kept for over five years, which was likely bestowed upon him by Cao Shuang and his group so that he would be kept from further political advancement). Sima Zhao's involvement in his father's coup d'état against

2352-438: A personal edict, commanded the shangshu Fu Jia (傅嘏) that, the southeast having recently been conquered, the wei jiangjun Sima Zhao was to station himself for the time being at Xuchang, to serve as internal and external support, and Fu Jia should return with the various troops. Zhong Hui consulted Fu Jia and had Fu Jia send up a memorial to the throne that they were starting together with Sima Zhao. They returned and encamped south of

2520-480: A playable character in the seventh instalment of Koei 's Dynasty Warriors video game series, in which he is depicted as having a lazy and carefree atmosphere, but underneath it actually being a talented leader and strategist. He is then introduced again as a playable character in Warriors Orochi 3 . Because the campaign against Shu was going well, Sima Zhao was once more offered the position of Chancellor of

2688-525: A prominent title and have him live in Yan-men. Cleave their territory and weaken their force, give them posthumous honors – this is the best plan for defense of the frontiers.” He further set forth how those of the barbarians who were living together with the Chinese people should be gradually segregated and made to live outside the Chinese people, so they would respect the teachings of modesty and shame, and to obstruct

2856-400: A rebellion against the Simas, but were quickly crushed by Sima Shi's army. Guanqiu Jian was killed, and his clan was slaughtered. Wen Qin and his sons fled to Eastern Wu. The campaign had its tolls on Sima Shi, however. He was ill with an eye disorder at the time that Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin's rebellion started, and had just had an eye surgery. He was initially therefore reluctant to lead

3024-475: A rebellion in 264, but his troops rebelled against him and killed both him and Jiang Wei, with Sima Zhao going on to bestow an amnesty upon all in Shu. After Zhong Hui's rebellion was defeated, Sima Zhao was granted the title of King of Jin on 2 May 264, the penultimate step to usurpation. He set out to revise the laws and the civil service system in accordance with how he would want his own empire to be, such as instating

3192-463: A retreat towards the eastern side of the Mount Qi ridges, where the Shu army fortified at Lucheng ( 鹵城 ), seizing control of the hills in the north and south, and using the river as a natural barrier while pitching "covering camps" near the riverbank to take complete control of the water passage. Although his subordinates repeatedly urged Sima Yi to attack the enemy, he was hesitant to do so after seeing

3360-446: A series of events that were viewed as precipitations to usurpation of the Wei throne. In 256, he had the emperor grant him the privilege of wearing imperial robes, crowns, and boots. He further tested waters by having his close aides hinting to the generals around the empire as to his intentions. In 257, when he sent Jia Chong to probe Zhuge Dan 's intentions, Zhuge rebuked Jia Chong severely —leading Sima Zhao to summon Zhuge Dan back to

3528-523: A serious eye illness that was aggravated by the campaign, and he died less than a month later; on 23 March. At that time, Sima Zhao was with his brother at Xuchang . The 14-year-old emperor Cao Mao made an effort to regain imperial power. He issued an edict which, under the rationale that Sima Shi had just quelled Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin's rebellion and that the southeastern empire was still not completely pacified, ordered Sima Zhao to remain at Xuchang and that Sima Shi's assistant Fu Jia return to Luoyang with

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3696-553: A single day. Furthermore, the palace guard is depleted, their arms and weapons are few and weak. What does your Majesty rely on that you would act thus all of a sudden? Is it not like aggravating one's ailment, though one is bent on removing it? The disaster cannot be gauged; you ought to be prudent and cautious.” Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. In the end, the Emperor unsheathed his sword, mounted his carriage and, leading

3864-555: A story that may be apocryphal—while Sima Yi was drying his books under the sun, there was a sudden downpour, so he rushed out to grab his books and was seen by a maid. Sima Yi's wife, Zhang Chunhua , feared that the maid would leak out news that Sima Yi was well and get their family into trouble, so she killed the maid to silence her. When Cao Cao became the Imperial Chancellor in 208, he sent an official to recruit Sima Yi to serve as an assistant clerk in his administration, and

4032-407: A strong foothold in the province. Cao Cao rejected Sima Yi's idea and said he was already content with having Longyou ( 隴右 ; covering parts of present-day Gansu and Shaanxi ). He then turned his attention to his other key rival Sun Quan . Sun Quan sent an emissary to meet Cao Cao, asking to make peace and expressing his willingness to pledge allegiance to Cao Cao. He also urged Cao Cao to seize

4200-434: A succession would be improper—that since Cao Ju was the uncle of her husband, Cao Rui , such a succession would leave Cao Rui effectively sonless with no heir. Sima Shi was forced to agree with her, and he made, as she suggested, Cao Mao emperor instead. Cao Mao, although 14 years old at the time, was known for his intelligence, and Empress Dowager Guo might have believed that he, alone of the princes and dukes, might have had

4368-492: A tumor removed from his eye, and the wound was serious. Some thought the generalissimo should not go in person, and that it would be best to send the taiyu Sima Fu to make resistance. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Only Wang Su, the shangshu Fu Ji, and the zhongshu Zhong Hui, advised Sima Shi to go in person. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Sima Shi hesitated and made no decision. Fu Jia said, “The troops of Huai and Chu are strong. Guanqiu Jian and

4536-413: A vassal and request help; he also requested them to make hostages of the sons and younger brothers of his yamen generals. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Some of Sima Zhao’s advisers suggested that he massacre the people of Huainan because they had rebelled on numerous occasions. Sima Zhao declined this suggestion. Instead, he allowed the Wu soldiers to return home while he relocated many of

4704-605: Is brave enough, he'll move out from Wugong County and head eastward in the direction of the mountains. If he moves west to the Wuzhang Plains , we'll have no worries." Around that time, the Wei emperor Cao Rui became worried and decided to send the general Qin Lang to lead 20,000 infantry and cavalry as reinforcements to join Sima Yi. Sima Shi Sima Shi ( pronunciation ) (208 – 23 March 255), courtesy name Ziyuan ,

4872-577: Is said to have instructed the official to arrest Sima Yi if he dawdled. Sima Yi became afraid and accepted the appointment. Although he was initially assigned to be an attendant to the crown prince, he was later reassigned to other positions, including Gentleman of the Yellow Gate ( 黃門侍郎 ), Consultant ( 議郎 ), Officer in the East Bureau of the Imperial Chancellor's Office ( 丞相東曹屬 ), and Registrar in

5040-545: Is what you yourself are aware of. What is your opinion on this point?” In a raised voice, Zhuge Dan said, “Are you not the son of Jia Kui, the Governor of Yuzhou? For two generations, your family has been receiving favors from the Wei; how is it possible that you wish to have the dynasty turned over to someone else? Should there be any such extraordinary happening in Luoyang, I shall die for the cause.” Jia Chong kept silent. Chronicles of

5208-553: The Book of Jin and Zizhi Tongjian , Sima Yi, upon hearing Meng Da wished to rebel, wrote a flattering letter to Meng Da to distract and confuse him while preparing to suppress the rebellion. While Meng Da was deciding whether to commit to his rebellion, Sima Yi swiftly assembled his troops and secretly led them to attack Meng Da's base in Shangyong Commandery ( 上庸郡 ; around present-day Zhushan County , Hubei). While heading towards

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5376-484: The Book of Jin make no mention of a detachment being defeated, and records of the campaign tend to vary and prove unreliable. After defeating the enemy, Zhuge Liang foraged for the early spring wheat that was available in the vicinity. Sima Yi's subordinates feared losing the wheat but Sima Yi stated: "Zhuge Liang thinks too much and makes too few decisions. He'll be fortifying his camp and defences first before coming to harvest

5544-942: The Records of the Three Kingdoms and Zizhi Tongjian , Zhuge Liang retreated due to a lack of supplies rather than defeat, and the Wei forces pursued him. The pursuit did not go completely smoothly for Wei; Sima Yi had ordered Zhang He to further pursue the enemy in an attempt to capitalise on their momentum. According to the Weilüe , Zhang He initially refused to obey Sima Yi's order and argued according to classical military doctrine, one should refrain from pursuing an enemy force retreating to its home territory. Sima Yi refused to listen and forced Zhang He to carry out this order. Zhang He fell into an ambush at Mumen Trail ( 木門道 ; in Tianshui, Gansu), where Zhuge Liang had ordered crossbowmen to hide on high ground and fire at approaching enemy forces when they entered

5712-666: The Xia , Yin , and Zhou dynasties, the rulers who did not hesitate when they should take the throne were the ones who truly understood Heaven's will. Cao Cao did not usurp the throne from Emperor Xian and remained a subject of the Han Empire until his death. In 216, after Emperor Xian promoted Cao Cao from a duke to a vassal king under the title "King of Wei", Sima Yi became an adviser to Cao Cao's son and heir apparent , Cao Pi , who highly regarded and respected Sima Yi for his brilliance. Along with Chen Qun , Wu Zhi , and Zhu Shuo ( 朱鑠 ), Sima Yi

5880-697: The gallery roads leading into Shu were too damaged for the troops to pass through, and because of constant heavy rain that had lasted for more than 30 days. In 231, Shu forces led by Zhuge Liang attacked Tianshui Commandery , and besieged Wei forces led by Jia Si ( 賈嗣 ) and Wei Ping ( 魏平 ) at Mount Qi ( 祁山 ; the mountainous regions around present-day Li County, Gansu ). Cao Rui ordered Sima Yi to move to Chang'an to supervise military operations in Yong and Liang provinces. Sima Yi then ordered Fei Yao and Dai Ling to protect Shanggui County ( 上邽縣 ; in present-day Tianshui, Gansu) with 4,000 elite troops and set out with

6048-405: The temple name Shizong (世宗). Sima Shi was born in 208. He was Sima Yi's oldest son, born of Sima Yi's wife, Zhang Chunhua (張春華). When he was young, he was known for the elegance in his conduct and his intelligence, earning him a reputation equal to that of Xiahou Xuan and He Yan , with He Yan having gone as far as to once state: "The only person who could have the great achievements under

6216-605: The "Eight Da s" because their courtesy names all ended with da ( 達 ). Sima Yi displayed intelligence and great ambitions at a young age. He was knowledgeable and well-versed in Confucian classics . When chaos broke out in China towards the End of the Han dynasty , Sima Yi often expressed sympathy and concern for the people. Before he reached adulthood around the age of 19, Sima Yi once met Yang Jun,

6384-673: The Central States are not adept in naval warfare, hence they dare to live in Dongguan . When we attack an enemy, we should always block its throat and strike its heart. Xiakou and Dongguan are the enemy's heart and throat. If we can move our land forces to Wan to lure Sun Quan to advance east, then take advantage of his absence from Xiakou by sending our navy to attack it, it will be like an army from Heaven descending to attack, victory assured." Cao Rui agreed with Sima Yi's view and ordered him to return to his post at Wan. Around August 228, during

6552-408: The Chinese citizens and to reeducate them on Chinese cultural traditions, a proposal to which Sima Shi agreed to. At around the start of 252, Sima Shi was further promoted to the position of General-in-Chief (大將軍), while also being bestowed upon a post as Palace Attendant (侍中), effectively giving him all control of the armies stationed both in and outside the palace. He was also given authority over

6720-503: The Eastern Han dynasty, and declared himself emperor of the newly established state of Wei . Cao Pi first appointed Sima Yi as a Master of Writing ( 尚書 ) but later reassigned him as an Army Inspector ( 督軍 ) and Palace Assistant Imperial Clerk ( 御史中丞 ). He promoted Sima Yi from a village marquis to a district marquis under the title "District Marquis of Anguo" ( 安國鄉侯 ). In 221, Sima Yi was removed from his post as an Army Inspector, and

6888-775: The Eastern Jin descended from Sima Zhou (his son with concubine Lady Fu). Sima Yi's ancestral home was in Xiaojing ( 孝敬里 ), Wen County , Henei Commandery . His ancestor was Sima Ang the King of Yin ( 殷王 ), who briefly ruled one of the Eighteen Kingdoms during the transition period from the Qin dynasty to the Western Han dynasty before Liu Bang 's general Han Xin conquered his territory, capturing Sima Ang and his capital city Zhaoge . In

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7056-417: The Emperor desisted. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Summer, fourth month (April 28-May 27). The Emperor issued an edict to his officials that his former command should be obeyed: he again advanced the rank of the da jiangjun Sima Zhao to that of xiangguo and enfeoffed him as Duke of Jin, conferring on him the nine gifts. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Observing that his power

7224-602: The Emperor in an edict advanced Sima Zhao's rank and conferred on him the Nine Gifts as before. Sima Zhao earnestly declined to accept the appointment, and so the Emperor desisted. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Autumn, eighth month. on the day jiayin (October 20), the Emperor again advanced Sima Zhao's enfeoffment and rank, but he declined. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Sima Yi Sima Yi ( pronunciation 司馬懿 ; 179 CE – 7 September 251 CE), courtesy name Zhongda ,

7392-399: The Emperor, who met his death beneath his carriage. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Hearing of this, Sima Zhao was greatly astonished and threw himself on the ground saying, “What will the world say of me?” The taifu Sima Fu hastened on the scene and, taking the Emperor's leg as a pillow, mourned him sorrowfully, saying, “It is my fault that Your Majesty is dead.” Chronicles of

7560-660: The Five Feudal Ranks of Zhou (a system which had fallen out of use since the Qin dynasty abolished it), and also going on to posthumously enfeoff his father, Sima Yi , and older brother, Sima Shi , as King Xuan of Jin and King Jing of Jin respectively. He further sought peace with Eastern Wu, to prevent further complications for his planned takeover, a gesture that was reciprocated. Later that year, Sima Zhao considered whom to make his heir. He strongly considered his talented younger son, Sima You , who had been adopted by Sima Shi because Sima Shi did not have sons of his own, under

7728-529: The Generalissimo. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. The Imperial rescript was already placed before him. But the Emperor was afraid and dared not issue it. Sima Zhao led his troops into the city, whereupon the Generalissimo Sima Shi arranged to depose the Emperor. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. On the day jiaxu (October 17), Sima Shi convened an assembly of officials in

7896-707: The Gongsun-led Liaodong commandery , garnered him great prestige. He is perhaps best known for defending Wei from a series of invasions that were led by Wei's rival state Shu between 231 and 234. In 239, along with another co-regent Cao Shuang , he was made to preside as a regent for the young Cao Fang after the death of latter's adoptive father, Cao Rui . Although amicable at first, the relationship soon deteriorated in light of Cao Shuang's corruption, extravagance, and attempts to curtail Sima Yi's political influence. In February 249, after carefully planning and building up support, Sima Yi ousted Cao Shuang from power in

8064-414: The Governor of Nanyang Yang Jun (楊俊) under whose authority the city fell, was arrested. Sima Yi, among other officials, was on good terms with Yang Jun, whom he had met during his youth (they were both from Henei Commandery) and considered capable and intelligent, and pleaded on his behalf; knocking his forehead on the ground until it started bleeding, but Cao Pi dismissed the appeal. Yang Jun, admitting he

8232-452: The Han imperial court, heard of Sima Yi's talent and wanted to recruit him to serve in the administration. Sima Yi declined, presumably on grounds of illness, with the Book of Jin more specifically mentioning that he, seeing that the Han Empire's future was bleak, declined and lied by supposedly saying that he suffered from paralysis ; staying at home, with Cao Cao's spies reporting that they saw Sima Yi lying motionless in bed. One day—in

8400-527: The Imperial Chancellor's Office ( 丞相主簿 ). In 215, Sima Yi accompanied Cao Cao on his campaign against the warlord-pope Zhang Lu , whom Cao Cao defeated at the Battle of Yangping in Hanzhong Commandery . Afterwards Sima Yi urged him to capitalise on the momentum and attack his rival Liu Bei , who was in the neighboring Yi Province . Sima Yi said because Liu Bei had only recently seized control of Yi Province from Liu Zhang , he had yet to establish

8568-592: The Imperial Secretariat (錄尚書事). It was once proposed to him to alter the existing constitutions, to which he responded: "A poet used to praise those who ‘abide by the principles of the Heavenly Lord and appear as if they know nothing themselves’. The institutions and rules devised by ancestors of the Three Dynasties should be complied with. If there is no war, there should be no reforms in haste." Sima Shi

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8736-709: The Inspector of Jing Province and the Administrator of Nanxiang Commandery ( 南鄉郡 ; in Jing Province) at the time. Sima Yi said Hu Xiu was violent and Fu Fang was arrogant, and that neither should not be entrusted with the responsibility of guarding the border at Jing Province, but Cao Cao ignored him. In 219, during the Battle of Fancheng , while Cao Cao's general Cao Ren was besieged by Liu Bei's general Guan Yu in Fancheng , Cao Cao ordered Yu Jin to lead reinforcements to lift

8904-482: The Luoshui Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Second month. On the day tingsi (march 29), the Emperor appointed Sima Zhao to be da jiangjun and lu shangshu shi. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Jia Chong saw Zhuge Dan and discussed the politics of the day, on which occasion he said, “The worthy gentleman of Luoyang all desire the Emperor to abdicate in favor of a new Ruling House. This

9072-546: The Nine Bestowments and the promotions, which he then declined again, but which drew Cao Mao's ire. He gathered his associates Wang Shen , Wang Jing , and Wang Ye and told them that, while he knew the chances of success were slight, he was going to act against Sima Zhao. He took lead of the imperial guards, armed himself with a sword, and set out toward Sima Zhao's mansion. Sima Zhao's brother Sima Zhou tried to resist, but after Cao Mao's attendants yelled loudly, Sima Zhou's forces deserted. Jia Chong then arrived and intercepted

9240-660: The Rites, a son of the collateral branch can become an heir to the main branch. Let this be discussed in detail.” Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. On the day dingchou (October 20), Sima Shi convened another assembly of officials and showed them the Empress Dowager's command. It was then decided to fetch the Duke of Gaogui Xiang, Cao Mao, from Yuancheng. Cao Mao was a son of the Prince Ding of Donghai, Cao Lin (曹霖); At this time, he

9408-409: The Shu capital, Chengdu . Surprised by Deng Ai's quick advances and believing that Jiang Wei would be unable to return fast enough to defend the capital against Deng Ai, the Shu emperor, Liu Shan , surrendered to Wei. Earlier this year, in the spring of 263, Sima Zhao had again declined the Nine Bestowments and the promotions, but during the campaign, in light of the recent successes, on 9 December 263,

9576-648: The Sima clan, which led to the establishment of the Jin dynasty , which was founded by Sima Yi's grandson Sima Yan in February 266. After Sima Yan became emperor, he honoured his grandfather with the posthumous title Emperor Xuan of Jin and the temple name Gaozu . He was also the last common ancestor of all emperors of the Jin dynasty; while emperors of the Western Jin descended from Sima Zhao (his son with wife Zhang Chunhua ), emperors of

9744-535: The Sima family in a more, and much-needed, positive light amongst the populace. After Zhuge Dan's death, there was no one who dared to oppose Sima Zhao further for the next few years. In 258, he would force the emperor to offer him the Nine Bestowments , state chancellorship, and the title of Duke of Jin—a step that put him closer to usurpation—and then publicly declined them nine times. In c. May 260, Sima Zhao again forced Cao Mao to issue an edict granting him

9912-848: The Sima family out of Luoyang and return to their ancestral home in Wen County, Henei Commandery. Some months later, as Sima Lang foresaw that chaos would break out in Henei Commandery, he relocated his family to Liyang Commandery ( 黎陽郡 ; around present-day Xun County , Henan), where they stayed with Sima Lang's kinsman, Zhao Weisun. In 194, when war broke out between the warlords Cao Cao and Lü Bu , Sima Lang brought his family out of Liyang Commandery and again returned to their now-ravaged ancestral home in Wen County, Henei Commandery, where Sima Yi and his brothers largely sustained themselves by living as farmers; fending off local groups of bandits while studying diligently during their free time. Around 201,

10080-558: The Southern Tower Gate. The Emperor himself wielded his sword; his horde wanted to retreat. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. The younger brother of the jidu Cheng Cui, the taizi sheren Cheng Ji asked Jia Chong, “The situation is urgent. What shall we do?” Jia Chong said, “His Excellency Sima Zhao has been supporting you people just in anticipation of today. Whatever you do today, you will not be held responsible.” Cheng Ji then drew out his spear and stepped forward to stab

10248-502: The State [xiangguo], as well as the title Duke of Jin and the Nine Awards. This time, Sima Zhao accepted these honors. Zizhi Tongjian, Sima Guang Because the generals attacking Shu had reported their victories in succession, in an edict the Emperor again commanded that the da jiangjun Sima Zhao should have his rank, enfeoffment and gifts advanced, all as in the former edict; Sima Zhao accepted

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10416-406: The Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. During the two years when he served as zhongshu ling, Li Feng was frequently given private audience by the Emperor, no one knowing what they said. Sima Shi knew they discussed him, asked Li Feng to an interview and questioned him. Li Feng would not tell him the truth. Sima Shi in anger struck him with the ring of his sword hilt, killing him. He then sent the corpse to

10584-462: The Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. On the day jiazi (May 24), the Emperor appointed Zhuge Dan as sigong and summoned him to the capital. Having received the Imperial edict, Zhuge Dan became all the more afraid. Suspecting that the cishi of Yangzhou, Yue Lin, was disloyal to him, he killed Yue Lin (樂綝). He levied the government troops who had been engaged in husbandry in the military agricultural colonies in

10752-506: The Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Sima Shi again sent a messenger requesting the Imperial Seal from the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager said, “The Prince of Pengcheng is my junior uncle. Now he is coming to mount the throne. Where will I stand? Furthermore, must Ming Huangdi become forever hairless? I am considering that the Duke of Gaogui xiang is the eldest grandson of Wen Huangdi and a son of Ming Huangdi's younger brother. According to

10920-413: The Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. The Empress Dowager issued a command indicting the iniquities of the Duke of Gaoguixiang and degrading him to the rank of a commoner, to be interred with ceremonies befitting the common people; she also ordered the arrest of Wang Jing and the members of his family, who were to be turned over to the tingyu. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. On the day gengyin,

11088-401: The Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. The wei jiangjun Sima Zhao went from Luoyang to inquire after Sima Shi's health. Sima Shi ordered him to take command of all the forces. On the day xinhai (March 23), Sima Shi died at Xuchang. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. The zhongshu shilang, Zhong Hui, had been in the suite of Sima Shi, taking charge of confidential matters. The Emperor, in

11256-521: The Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Third month (April 5-May 3), the Empress Zhang was degraded. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Ninth month (September 29-October 28). Sima Zhao came to the capital with his troops to visit the Emperor. The Emperor went to the terrace Pingluo Guan to see the troops march past. His attendants advised the Emperor to kill Sima Zhao when the latter came to take his leave, and seizing his troops, use them to repulse

11424-496: The Wei emperor, Cao Fang , suggested that the emperor surprise Sima Zhao and kill him to seize his troops, and then use those troops against Sima Shi. Cao Fang, apprehensive, did not act on the suggestion, but the plot was still discovered, and Sima Zhao assisted his brother in deposing the emperor and replacing him with Cao Mao. In the aftermath of the removal of the emperor, the generals Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin rebelled in 255 but were defeated by Sima Shi. Sima Shi, however, had

11592-405: The Wei forces to Yumi County ( 隃麋縣 ; east of Qianyang County , Shaanxi) and stationed there. When Zhuge Liang heard of the Wei army's arrival, he led his troops to Shanggui County to collect the harvest. Without good coordination, Sima Yi's subordinates defied his order to defend their positions; a detachment of the Wei army went to attack the Shu forces but were defeated, although accounts from

11760-460: The Wei imperial court to mobilise farmers from Ji Province to Shanggui County and put them under the jurisdiction of Jingzhao , Tianshui , and Nan'an ( 南安 ) commanderies. By 233, Sima Yi's agricultural plan came to fruition and became a source of food supplies for the three commanderies. In March or April 234, Zhuge Liang led up to 100,000 Shu troops out of the Xie Valley ( 斜谷 ) and camped at

11928-431: The Wu invaders, defeated Zhuge Jin, and killed Zhang Ba and more than 1,000 Wu soldiers. In recognition of Sima Yi's efforts, Cao Rui promoted him to General of Agile Cavalry ( 驃騎將軍 ). In July 227, Cao Rui ordered Sima Yi to garrison at Wan , and put him charge of the military affairs of Jing and Yu provinces. During Cao Pi's reign, Sima Yi had warned Cao Pi Meng Da , a former Shu general who had defected to Wei,

12096-450: The Wu soldiers who had been sent as reinforcements, with great magnanimity, despite being advised to punish the citizens and kill all the soldiers, to which he retorted: "The ancients in using troops, preserving the state is best, so kill the leaders and nothing more. Should the Wú soldiers escape and flee back, then they can report the greatness of the central states." This benevolence managed to cast

12264-432: The administrative office of Henei Commandery nominated Sima Yi to serve in the government by holding local office, possibly as a clerk in charge of the records, and in 202 he was sent as a Reporting Officer ( 上計掾 ) to the capital. Around the same year, he married a woman named Zhang Chunhua , possibly at the instigation of his father. At the same time, the warlord Cao Cao , who then held the position of Minister of Works in

12432-589: The aftermaths of the emperor's death, however, for Sima Zhao was effectively the imperial authority by this point. On 27 June, Cao Huan entered Luoyang and became emperor. Two days later, Sima Zhao forced Cao Huan to confer upon him the Nine Bestowments as well as the promotions towards state chancellorship and the title of Duke of Jin, which he earnestly declined, as well as another time in October. In 262, aggravated by Jiang Wei's incessant border attacks, Sima Zhao considered hiring assassins to murder Jiang Wei, but this plan

12600-597: The appointment. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang In winter, in the tenth month, on the day jiayin (December 9), the Emperor again commanded in an edict that the da jiangjun should have his rank, enfeoffment, and gifts advanced, all as in the former edict. Sanguozhi, Chronicle of the Prince of Chenliu In winter, in the tenth month, the Son of Heaven, because the various feudal lords reported their victories in succession, reiterated his former command, saying, '...[the text of

12768-407: The campaign to be demoted for their failure, however, Sima Shi stated that: "It is because I did not listen to Gongxiu [Zhuge Dan] that we have come to this plight. In this I am culpable; how can the generals be at fault?" He therefore promoted the generals who partook in the battle, while demoting Sima Zhao by removing his enfeoffment. In 254, while Sima Zhao was at the capital Luoyang , advisors to

12936-436: The capital under the guise of a promotion. Zhuge Dan refused and started a rebellion, submitting himself to Eastern Wu for protection. Sima Zhao advanced quickly on Zhuge Dan's stronghold of Shouchun and surrounded it, eventually capturing the city in 258 after cutting off any hope of an Eastern Wu rescue, killing Zhuge Dan and his family, although he treated many of those involved, such as the common citizens, and most notably

13104-493: The central government in Luoyang. Sima Yi again encountered Zhuge Liang, this time east of Shanggui County at Hanyang ( 漢陽 ) but no direct engagement occurred; Sima Yi drew in his troops and put them into formation while waiting, finding protection in the nearby defiles ; concurrently he sent Niu Jin to lead a lightly armed cavalry detachment to lure the enemy to Mount Qi, who in the process briefly engaged in battle with Shu vanguard commander Ma Dai and inflicted some losses on

13272-496: The city from eight directions for over two weeks. On the sixteenth day, Meng Da's nephew Deng Xian ( 鄧賢 ) and subordinate Li Fu ( 李輔 ) opened the city gates and surrendered to Sima Yi. Meng Da was captured and executed, and his head was sent to the capital Luoyang ; more than 10,000 captives were taken and Sima Yi returned to Wan in triumph. While he was in charge of Jing and Yu provinces, Sima Yi encouraged and promoted agriculture, and reduced wastage of public funds. The people of

13440-425: The city." Cao Pi ignored Sima Yi's advice, and had Cao Ren burn and abandon Xiangyang and Fancheng. As Sima Yi predicted, Sun Quan did not attack afterwards, and Cao Pi regretted not listening to him. Throughout 220, Sima Yi served as one of the leading officials in court to urge Cao Pi's seizure of the throne, and was supported by other officials. In late 220, Cao Pi usurped the throne from Emperor Xian , ending

13608-496: The day xinhai (March 23), Sima Shi died at Xuchang. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. The Emperor appointed his son, the wei jiangjun Sima Shi to be fujun da jiangjun and lu shang-shu shi. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. The taishou of Cheng-yang Dent Ai sent up his opinion: “The Rong and Di barbarians have the hearts of beasts. They have no conception of loyalty and friendship. When they are strong they invade, when they are weak they submit. Therefore, in

13776-448: The decades-long established balance of power decisively in Wei's favor. Towards the end of the campaign, he had himself created the Duke of Jin and accepted the Nine bestowments —a step that put him closer to usurpation of the throne—although he never actually ascended the throne, having further styled himself the King of Jin in 264, and then died in 265. His military credit and successful grip on

13944-518: The early Han dynasty, Sima Ang's former kingdom, which was largely situated in Henei, became a commandery of the Han Empire and his descendants had lived there since. Sima Jūn ( 司馬鈞 ), an eighth-generation descendant of Sima Ang and the great-great-grandfather of Sima Yi, served as a general of the Han Empire, holding the position General Who Conquers the West ( 征西將軍 ). Sima Jūn's son Sima Liang ( 司馬量 ) held

14112-420: The edict]...' Ducal and other ministers, and generals all betook themselves to the headquarters of the da jiangjun to convey the Imperial wishes, but Wendi declined out of modesty. The sikong Zheng Chong at the head of the myriad officials advised him to accept, saying, '...[the text of the petition]...' Thereupon Wendi accepted the appointment. Jin Shu, Chronicle of Wendi the title Gentleman Consultant [yilang]

14280-584: The emperor, Cao Fang, considered action against him in 254, had him deposed and replaced with his cousin, Cao Mao . This tight grip eventually allowed him to, at the time of his death in March 255 after just having quelled a rebellion, transfer his power to his younger brother, Sima Zhao , whose son Sima Yan eventually usurped the throne and established the Jin dynasty . After Sima Yan became emperor, he, recognising Sima Shi's role in his own imperial status, posthumously honoured his uncle as Emperor Jing (景皇帝), with

14448-451: The emperor, Cao Huan, bestowed upon Sima Zhao the title of the Duke of Jin, the Nine Bestowments, and the position of Chancellor of the State, which Sima Zhao finally accepted. Another turmoil quickly came after Shu's destruction, however. Deng Ai, proud of his achievements, became arrogant in his correspondence with Sima Zhao, drawing Sima Zhao's suspicion. Zhong Hui, who had plans to rebel himself, quickly forged letters that further damaged

14616-401: The enemy outside Lucheng. The Wei forces suffered an unexpected and large defeat: 3,000 soldiers were killed, and 5,000 suits of armour and 3,100 sets of hornbeam crossbows were seized by the Shu forces but Sima Yi retained a sizable army, which he led back to his camp. Despite his victory, Zhuge Liang could not make use of the momentum to launch a major offensive on the enemy because his army

14784-436: The enemy. Zhuge Liang simultaneously withdrew his forces and Sima Yi thereafter closely followed Zhuge Liang from the rear. Zhang He advised against pursuit on grounds they could effectively station at Mount Qi, combine their forces, and conduct irregular expeditions; Zhuge Liang's provisions were running low and he would soon be forced to retreat, but Sima Yi did not heed this advice and continued his pursuit. Zhuge Liang ordered

14952-459: The failed rebellion of Wang Ling , Sima Zhao served as deputy commander, and was rewarded with the addition of 300 households to his fief and a Marquis post for his young son, Sima You . During the next few years, he was involved in commanding forces in repelling invasions by Shu's commander of the armed forces, Jiang Wei . In 253, Wei forces headed by Sima Zhao marched east to confront Wu, who had been overstepping their boundaries by building upon

15120-484: The forces himself and wanted his uncle, Sima Fu , to lead the forces against Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin. At the urging of Wang Su , Fu Gu (傅嘏), and Zhong Hui , he led the troops himself, which was important in the victory against Guanqiu Jian, but during one of the raids made by Wen Qin's son Wen Yang (文鴦), Sima Shi, in his anxiety, aggravated the eye that he had just had the operation in—causing his eye to pop out—and his conditions soon deteriorated greatly. Less than

15288-519: The form of Shu and Wu forces that had just arrived at Anqiao ( 安橋 ) and Mulan Fort ( 木闌塞 ) in Xicheng ( 西城 ) respectively. Meng Da was taken by surprise, having not expected Sima Yi to appear so quickly at Shangyong Commandery. Meng Da was surrounded on three sides by a river so he set up wooden barriers to defend himself. Sima Yi's forces crossed the rivers, destroyed the barriers, and arrived just outside Shangyong. Sima Yi split up his forces and attacked

15456-469: The front line. Zhuge Liang's movements, however, were quicker than Cao Rui anticipated; only a portion of the wheat produce in Shanggui County was left after the Shu army's harvesting. The Wei general Guo Huai then asserted his influence over local nomadic tribes and forced them to hand over food supplies for the Wei army. The Wei army was thus able to gain access to food supplies without assistance from

15624-505: The funeral cortège to Ye , earning the respect of officials within and outside the central government. After Cao Pi succeeded his father as the vassal King of Wei and Imperial Chancellor of the Han Empire in early 220, he enfeoffed Sima Yi as Village Marquis of Hejin ( 河津亭侯 ) and appointed him as his Chief Clerk ( 長史 ). Later, when Sun Quan led his forces to attack Cao Pi's territories in Jing Province , some officials rejected

15792-483: The generals be at fault?" Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. And he absolved them all. At that time, Sima Shi's younger brother, the andong jiangjun, Sima Zhao was Superintendent of the Army (chien-chun); he only deprived Sima Zhao of his enfeoffment. He appointed Zhuge Dan (zhennan jiangjun) and Commander-in-chief (dudu) of Yuzhou and Guanqiu Jian (zhennan jiangjun) and Commander-in-chief of Yangzhou. Chronicles of

15960-549: The good people, we might cause them to feel distressed and unwilling to return to our side." Cao Cao heeded Sima Yi's advice. The people affected by the Battle of Fancheng reverted to their original livelihoods after the battle. When Cao Cao died in Luoyang in March 220, there was apprehension in the imperial court. Sima Yi supervised the funerary arrangements to ensure everything would be carried out in an orderly fashion, and accompanied

16128-463: The grass along the bank of the water. On the day jiachen, Zhang Shu (張屬), a man of Anfengjin, killed Guanqiu Jian and sent his severed head to the capital. Zhang Shu was enfeoffed as a Lord. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Members of Guanqiu Jian's family were exterminated to the third degree. Partisans of Guanqiu Jian, more than seven hundred persons, were sent to prison. The shiyushi Du You (杜友) sat in judgment of them. He sentenced only

16296-422: The heaven is probably Sima Ziyuan." Sima Shi did not occupy any official position until he was 30 years old. It is likely that he was among the young intellectuals who were banned by Cao Rui from holding official positions due to the "fuhua an" (浮华案) incident . Between 237 and 239, Sima Shi was appointed as Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary (散騎常侍). Unfortunately, his career still did not progress smoothly as his family

16464-431: The idea of resisting Sun Quan because Fancheng and Xiangyang lacked food supplies. Cao Ren , who was defending Xiangyang, had been reassigned from Fancheng to defend Wan . Sima Yi said; "Sun Quan has recently defeated Guan Yu. At this time, he will want to be tying up his own business, and will not dare cause us trouble. Xiangyang's land and water routes are crucial to its defences against enemy attacks, so we cannot abandon

16632-438: The imperial capital in his absence, as well as providing reinforcements and supplies for his armies at the frontline. Before departing, Cao Pi issued a decree; "I am deeply concerned about my posterity. This is why I entrust you with this responsibility. Even though Cao Shen made many contributions on the battlefield, Xiao He played a more important role than him. Would that I could but be free of looking back over my shoulder at

16800-474: The imperial guards. Cao Mao fought personally, and Jia Chong's troops, not daring to attack the emperor, were also deserting. One of the officers under Jia Chong's command, Cheng Ji (成濟), after asking Jia what to do and was told by Jia to defend the Sima power regardless of the consequences, took a spear and killed Cao Mao with it. This left Sima Zhao thoroughly vexed. After Cao Mao's death, public sentiments called for Jia Chong's death, but what Sima Zhao did first

16968-434: The layout of the Shu camps in the hills. He relented when his subordinates criticised and mocked him by saying he would become a laughing stock if he refused to attack. Sima Yi sent Zhang He to attack the southern Shu camps that were guarded by Wang Ping while he led a frontal assault on Lucheng from the central avenue. In response, Zhuge Liang ordered Wei Yan , Wu Ban , and Gao Xiang to lead troops to engage and resist

17136-464: The location, Sima Yi's subordinates suggested they observe Meng Da's actions first before advancing but Sima Yi replied, "[Meng] Da is not a trustworthy person. Now that he is hesitating due to suspicions, we should seize this opportunity to get rid of him." The marching speed was quickened and, covering 2,200 li , Sima Yi arrived within eight days and ordered his subordinates to lead separate detachments to intercept and block Meng Da's reinforcements in

17304-418: The main troops. Under Fu Jia and Zhong Hui 's advice, however, Sima Zhao returned to Luoyang anyway against edict, and was able to maintain control of the government. Indeed, from that point on, he did not let Cao Mao or Empress Dowager Guo out of his control. During the next few years, Sima Zhao consolidated his authority further, leaving the emperor and empress dowager with little power. He further built up

17472-467: The members of their families should be exterminated. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. On the day jiayin (June 27), the Duke of Changdaoxiang entered Luoyang. On this day he ascended the Imperial Throne. He was fifteen years old. A general amnesty was granted and the reign title altered from Ganlu to Jingyuan. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. On the day bingchen (June 29),

17640-411: The minister Li Feng (李豐), and Sima Shi had growing suspicions that they were plotting against him. He summoned and interrogated Li Feng, and when Li refused to disclose his conversations with the emperor, Sima Shi beat him to death with a sword handle and then accused Li Feng and his friends Xiahou Xuan (夏侯玄) and Zhang Ji (張緝) of treason, and had them and their families summarily executed. Cao Fang

17808-411: The name of the Empress Dowager, which he informed that the Emperor was conducting himself with unbounded license and with indecent intimacy toward singing-girls, and was not worthy to carry on the celestial line. None of the crowd of officials dared disagree with him. Thereupon he memorialized the Empress Dowager to take the Imperial seal from the Emperor and send him to Qi as a vassal prince. Chronicles of

17976-588: The next target of Sima Yi's crackdown on traitorous officials. After Sima Yi had suppressed Meng Da's rebellion, many regional officials came to present gifts and congratulate him. Sima Yi sent a messenger to provoke Shen Yi and lure him into a trap. When Shen Yi went to confront Sima Yi, he was captured and sent to the imperial capital. Sima Yi relocated to You Province with more than 7,000 households from Shangyong Commandery. The Shu military officers Yao Jing ( 姚靜 ), Zheng Tuo ( 鄭他 ), and others later brought more than 7,000 men with them to surrender to Sima Yi. Among

18144-436: The original plan; he met up with Zhong Hui, who wanted to monopolize on the military situation, and so sent an edict mentioning the cowardice of Zhuge Xu, after which the latter's troops were merged with Zhong Hui's. Jiang Wei was able to regroup and block off the Wei forces from further advances, until Deng Ai led his troops over a treacherous mountain pass, descending on Jiangyou , defeating Zhuge Zhan and heading directly for

18312-459: The palace guards and menial servants of the palace, came out beating drums and clamoring. Sima Zhao's younger brother, the tunji jiaoyu Sima Zhou, met with the Emperor at the East Zhiche Men (Gate for Stopping Carriages). The attendants yelled at him. Sima Zhou and his men rushed off. The zhonghu jun Jia Chong was entering the palace from the outside; he met the Emperor and fought with him beneath

18480-461: The people of Huainan to the commanderies near the capital where they could make less trouble. He rewarded those generals who had surrendered and pardoned those who had rebelled. Zizhi Tongjian, Sima Guang. Summer fifth month (June 18-July 17). The Emperor appointed Sima Zhao to be xiangguo and enfeoffed him as Duke of Jin with an appanage of eight prefectures, conferring on him the Nine Gifts. Sima Zhao declined these honors nine times in all, after which

18648-413: The political scene helped to set up the plot of overthrowing Wei by his son, Sima Yan , who usurped the Wei throne and proclaimed the Jin dynasty with himself as its emperor in 266. After the establishment of Jin, Sima Yan posthumously honoured his father as Emperor Wen of Jin (晉文帝), with the temple name of Taizu (太祖). A Chinese idiom involving and inspired by Sima Zhao states that "Everyone on

18816-588: The position Grand Administrator of Yuzhang , and Sima Liang's son Sima Jùn ( 司馬儁 ) served as Grand Administrator of Yingchuan . Sima Jùn's son Sima Fang served as the Prefect of Luoyang ( 洛陽令 ), Intendant of Jingzhao , and later as Cavalry Commandant ( 騎都尉 ) towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty . Sima Yi was Sima Fang's second son. Sima Yi had one elder brother Sima Lang (Boda) and six younger brothers. The eight Sima brothers were collectively known as

18984-526: The position of General-in-Chief Who Pacifies the Army (撫軍大將軍). In late 251, Deng Ai , the Grand Administrator of Chengyang, submitted a memorial to the court in which he stated that the Xiongnu under Liu Bao were growing too powerful, and therefore proposed a method of giving the Xiongnu under Liu Bao titles and awards, so as to divide and weaken them, and to further settle them somewhere further away from

19152-640: The positions of Official Who Concurrently Serves in the Palace ( 給事中 ) and Manager of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing ( 錄尚書事 ), a promotion from his prior office. When Sima Yi declined to accept these appointments, Cao Pi told him; "I have been busy with the affairs of state all day into the night, with no moment to rest. This isn't a commendation: just sharing the burden." The next year, Cao Pi led his armies to attack Sun Quan, and left Sima Yi behind to defend and govern

19320-401: The power of the outer territory daily increases. We must take deep-seated precautions against the barbarians. I hear there are dissenters among Liu Bao’s horde. We may well utilize this dissension and divide his country in two, so that his power will be reduced. Chubei distinguished himself under the previous dynasty, but his son has not succeeded him in his work. We should distinguish this son by

19488-425: The public and promoting the generals who tried to stop his campaign. In 253, after Sima Shi defeated Zhuge Ke in a major battle, his reputation was established, while Zhuge Ke's own was undermined (due to Zhuge Ke's failure to admit fault), and Zhuge Ke soon fell while Sima Shi's power was affirmed. In 254, Sima Shi made a violent move to consolidate his power, at Cao Fang's expense. Cao Fang had aligned himself with

19656-404: The rationale that because Sima Shi had great achievement in the Simas' obtaining and retaining of power, the succession should go back to his son. The majority of his advisors, however, recommended his oldest son, Sima Yan , instead, and Sima Zhao finally resolved to make Sima Yan his designated heir. On 6 September 265, Sima Zhao died before he could receive actual imperial authority, although he

19824-528: The regent Cao Shuang in 249 is unclear. According to the Book of Jin , he was not told about the plan, hatched by his father and his older brother, until the last minute—a view disagreed with by other historians, who assert that he was intimately involved in the planning. Regardless, in the aftermath of the successful coup his father became the paramount political authority in Wei, and he himself received an addition of 1,000 households to his fief and became important in status. In 251, when his father suppressed

19992-437: The relations between Sima Zhao and Deng Ai beyond repair, and Sima Zhao ordered Zhong Hui to arrest Deng Ai, although he himself, wary of Zhong Hui, nevertheless arrived with his own forces and stationed at Chang'an . Zhong Hui did so, seizing Deng Ai's troops and merging them with his own, and then, with Jiang Wei as his assistant (but with Jiang Wei's actual intentions being to eventually kill Zhong Hui and restore Shu), declared

20160-617: The rest of his men westward to relieve the mountainous battlefield. Zhang He wanted to take a detachment and station it at Yong and Mei counties but Sima Yi reasoned: "If the vanguard is able to face the enemy alone, your words are right; but should they not be able to do so, the dividing of the forces into vanguard and rear would be unwise; in this manner the Three Armies of Chu were captured by Qing Bu ." After making preparations for battle, Sima Yi, with Zhang He, Fei Yao , Dai Ling ( 戴陵 ), and Guo Huai serving as his subordinates, led

20328-410: The ringleaders, ten in all, and set the remainder free by memorializing the throne. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Wen Qin returned to Xiang, because his solitary army, lacking reinforcements, could not defend itself, he wanted to return to Shouchun. Shouchun had already fallen, and so he fled to Wu. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. At that time Sima Shi had recently had

20496-423: The roads, some stumbling to their deaths in ditches and holes, some being captured and made prisoners. Alive or dying, they all lamented grievously; high or low, they all wailed. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Summons after summons came to him from the Emperor, and he then slowly returned with the troops. Thereafter the masses lost their hopes of him, and resentment and complaint arose. Chronicles of

20664-469: The royal Cao clan of Wei. In 234, Xiahou Hui died after being poisoned. In his Zizhi Tongjian Kaoyi (资治通鉴考异), Sima Guang expressed his skepticism of this account. He argued that at this point, Sima Yi had just earned Cao Rui's trust, and showed no signs of disloyalty; his sons had no reasons to be disloyal as well. Thus, he didn't include this account in Zizhi Tongjian . When Sima Yi started planning

20832-433: The siege on Fancheng. The reinforcements were killed in a flood and Yu Jin surrendered to Guan Yu. As Sima Yi foresaw, Hu Xiu and Fu Fang defected to Guan Yu, placing Cao Ren in a more perilous situation. Upon learning of Yu Jin's defeat, Cao Cao felt the Han imperial capital Xuchang was too near enemy territory so he considered moving the capital further north into Hebei . Sima Yi and Jiang Ji said; "Yu Jin's defeat ...

21000-671: The siege on Fancheng." Cao Cao heeded their advice and Sun Quan later sent his general Lü Meng to attack Gong'an County and invade Jing Province in the winter of 219–220. Sun Quan's forces captured and executed Guan Yu. Cao Cao wanted to relocate residents in Jing Province and Yingchuan Commandery further north as he felt they were too close to enemy territory in the south. Sima Yi, however, advised him against doing so and said; "The Jing and Chu regions are unstable. The people are easy to move but hard to pacify. As Guan Yu has been recently defeated, bad people will go into hiding. If we move

21168-580: The south hall of Chonghua Palace ( 崇華殿 ), where he ordered them to assist his son Cao Rui after his death. Cao Pi also told Cao Rui; "There may be those who would alienate these Three Excellencies from you, but be careful and do not doubt them". After Cao Rui became Emperor of Wei, he elevated Sima Yi from the status of a district marquis to a county marquis under the title "Marquis of Wuyang". Around that time, Sun Quan attacked Jiangxia Commandery and sent his generals Zhuge Jin and Zhang Ba ( 張霸 ) to attack Xiangyang . Sima Yi led Wei forces to resist

21336-535: The southern bank of the Wei River near Mei County . Sima Yi's subordinates wanted to station their camp north of the Wei River but Sima Yi said: "Many civilians have gathered at the south of the Wei River. That is certain to be a hotly contested location." Sima Yi then led his troops across the river, took up his position with his rear facing the river, and began constructing fortifications. He also said: "If Zhuge Liang

21504-472: The southern lands were happy and showed their support for him. Shen Yi, a former subordinate of Meng Da, had remained in Weixing Commandery ( 魏興郡 ; around present-day Ankang , Shaanxi) and had become deeply entrenched there. Shen Yi had been illegally using the Wei emperor's name to carve official stamps and seals, and giving them to others. After hearing of Meng Da's fall, he became worried he would be

21672-540: The street knows what's in Sima Zhao's mind" (司馬昭之心, 路人皆知), meaning that a person's supposed hidden intention (in this case, usurping the throne) is so well known that it is not really hidden. It came from a quotation by Cao Mao , fourth emperor of Wei, who launched an unsuccessful uprising against Sima Zhao in an attempt to take back imperial power. Sima Zhao was born in 211, as the second-born son of Sima Yi and his wife Zhang Chunhua , younger only to Sima Shi. As his father

21840-457: The succession back to Shi's line, but in the end, opted for his own eldest son, Sima Yan , who founded the Western Jin dynasty in 266. One of Sima Shi's daughters married Zhen De, but which daughter is unknown. Adopted son : Sima You , Sima Zhao's second son Sima Shi first appears as a playable character in the seventh instalment of Koei 's Dynasty Warriors video games series. On

22008-411: The taifu Sima Fu and others memorialized the throne, requesting that the Duke of Gaoguixiang be interred with the ceremonies befitting a feudal prince; the Empress Dowager granted it. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. The Empress Dowager had the zhonghujun Sima Yan fetch the Duke of Changdaoxiang, Cao Huang, a son of the Prince of Yan, Cao Yu, from Ye, to make him an heir to Mingdi. Sima Yan

22176-587: The thousands of people who migrated to Wei from Shu, many were unregistered residents whom the Wei government wanted to register as citizens of Wei. The Wei emperor Cao Rui summoned Sima Yi back to Luoyang and sought his opinion on this issue. Sima Yi said: "The enemy seized these people through deception and now abandoned them. If we acknowledge their position in our great apparatus of state, they will naturally feel happy and at ease." Cao Rui then asked him which of Wei's two rival states (Wu and Shu) they should attack first. Sima Yi replied: "The people of Wu know that we in

22344-404: The throne from Emperor Xian and declare himself emperor. In response to Sun Quan's suggestion, Cao Cao remarked; "This kid wants me to put myself on top of a fire!" Sima Yi told him: "The Han dynasty nears its end. Your Lordship controls nine-tenths of the Han Empire. You are in a position to take the throne. Sun Quan's submission is the will of Heaven. Previously, during Yu 's time and throughout

22512-541: The time of King Xuan of Zhou there was the incursion of the Xianyun; and the Han Emperor Gaozu suffered adversity under them at Pingcheng. Whenever the Xiongnu have become powerful, they have been a heavy worry to past dynasties. Since the shan-yu came to the interior of China, the barbarians have lost their leader, and lack a ruler to control their unity or disunity. At present the dignity of the shan-yu daily declines, while

22680-598: The time of the Battle of Shiting , records make brief mention of Sima Yi's involvement in the events by stating he led Wei forces into Jiangling . In March 230, Sima Yi was promoted to General-in-Chief ( 大將軍 ), appointed Grand Chief Controller ( 大都督 ) in charge of multiple commanderies, and – in a continuation of an extremely early tradition – bestowed a ceremonial yellow battle axe. The Wei emperor Cao Rui put him and Cao Zhen in charge of defending Wei's western borders from attacks by its rival state Shu, which had been launching invasions since 228. At Cao Zhen's instigation,

22848-417: The tingyu. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. In the end, Li Feng's son Li Tao, as well as Xiahou Xuan, Zhang Qi, etc. were arrested and all committed to the tingyu. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. On the day gengxu (March 27), Li Tao, Xiahou Xuan, Zhang Qi, Su Shuo, Yue Dun and Liu Xian were put to death, and their relatives to the third degree were all annihilated. Chronicles of

23016-522: The various prefectures and districts in Huainan and Huaibei, some ten odd myriads of men, as well as those men in Yangzhou who had recently joined him and were able to bear arms, forty or fifty thousand men; he collected provisions, sufficient for a year, and thus planned to defend his position by closing all the city gates. He sent his changshi Wu Gang with his youngest son Zhuge Jing (諸葛靚) to the Wu to call himself

23184-448: The way to wantonness and villainy. Sima Shi followed all these proposals. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. First month (Jan. 29 – Feb. 26). On the day guimao (Jan. 30) the fujun da jiangjun Sima Shi was appointed da jiangjun. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Autumn, seventh month (August 12-September 9). Zhuge Ke retreated with his troops. The wounded and sick soldiers wandered on and dragged themselves along

23352-411: The west (referring to Shu Han )!" Cao Pi later returned from Guangling Commandery to Luoyang . He told Sima Yi, "When I am in the east, you will be in charge of the west; when I am in the west, you will be in charge of the east." Sima Yi remained behind to guard Xuchang . In mid 226, when Cao Pi became critically ill, he summoned Sima Yi, Cao Zhen , Chen Qun , and possibly Cao Xiu to meet him in

23520-521: The wheat there that winter. Sima Yi said: "Zhuge Liang advanced towards Mount Qi again and attacked Chencang [ 陳倉 ; east of Baoji , Shaanxi] but lost and withdrew. If he advances again, instead of attacking cities, he will call for a battle in the east of Longyou and not the west. Zhuge Liang feels frustrated whenever there is shortage of grain, so he will stockpile supplies when he returns [to Shu]. I predict he won't attack again without at least three harvests' worth of food supplies." Sima Yi then proposed to

23688-424: The wheat. Two days is sufficient for me [to reach Shanggui County]." He arrived within two days after travelling overnight. When Zhuge Liang and his men heard Sima Yi was marching towards their position, they swiftly retreated instead of giving battle. Initially, the Wei emperor Cao Rui wanted to supply Sima Yi's army with the wheat in Shanggui County and had rejected a proposal to transport grain from Guanzhong to

23856-440: Was Cao Shuang 's opposition. He finally received some promotions to the post of Military Protector of the Palace (中護軍) through some political concession . Sima Shi's first wife, Xiahou Hui died in 234; they had five daughters together. How she died was disputed. Her biography in Book of Jin indicated that she eventually realised that her husband was not loyal to Wei; Sima Shi too became wary of her, due to her familial ties with

24024-643: Was a Chinese military general, politician, and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He formally began his political career in 208 under the Han dynasty's Imperial Chancellor Cao Cao , and was quickly promoted to higher office. His success in handling domestic and military affairs such as governance and the promotion of agriculture, serving as an adviser, repelling incursions and invasions led by Shu and Wu forces, speedily defeating Meng Da 's Xincheng Rebellion , and conquering

24192-496: Was a capable politician and administrator, but he also quickly wanted to prove his military reputation. Towards the end of 252, he launched a major attack against Eastern Wu , whose founding emperor, Sun Quan , had recently died and whose current emperor, Sun Liang , was under the regency of Zhuge Ke . Zhuge Ke was able to deal Sima Shi's forces, headed by Sima Zhao , a major blow at the Battle of Dongxing , but Sima Shi maintained himself well by making humble admissions of faults to

24360-467: Was a military general and regent of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. In February 249, he assisted his father Sima Yi in overthrowing the emperor Cao Fang 's regent Cao Shuang , allowing the Sima family to become paramount authority in the state, and he inherited his father's authority after his father's death in September 251. He maintained a tight grip on the political scene and, when

24528-465: Was a son of Sima Zhao. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. On the day guimao (June 16), Sima Zhao earnestly declined to accept the appointment of xiangguo, Duke of Jin, and the bestowal of the Nine Gifts. The Empress Dowager in an edict granted her permission. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. On the day wushen, Sima Zhao sent up a memorial that Cheng Ji and his elder brother Cheng Cui had committed high treason, and that they and

24696-642: Was able to quickly summon the men to carry out the coup. Once Sima Yi overthrew Cao Shuang and became the sole regent for the emperor, Cao Fang , he rewarded his son with the title Marquess of Changpingxiang , a large fief of 1,000 households, and shortly thereafter, the rank of General of the Guards (衛將軍). Sima Shi became his father's assistant, although there was no particular record of his accomplishments during these years. After Sima Yi died in September 251, he took over his father's positions without significant opposition—after his father had, earlier that year, suppressed

24864-606: Was aged fourteen. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Spring, first month (January 25-February 23). Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin, counterfeiting the command of the Empress Dowager, rose up in arms at Shouchun and issued throughout the provinces and prefectures a call to arms for the purpose of punishing Sima Shi. Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang. Guanqiu Jian reached Shenxian. His attendants and troops gradually left Guanqiu Jian and went away. Guanqiu Jian, without any companion except his younger brother Guanqiu Xiu, and his grandson Guanqiu Zhong (毌丘重), went to hide in

25032-748: Was an important Wei official, Sima Zhao himself climbed up the ranks of officials fairly rapidly. Due to his father's achievements in destroying the warlord Gongsun Yuan , he was created a Marquess of Xincheng in 238 towards the end of the year. Around 240, he was made the General of the Gentlemen of the Agriculture Colonies (典農中郎將). A year later, around 241, he was appointed as Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary (散騎常侍). In March 244, he partook in Cao Shuang 's disastrous campaign against Shu , where he managed to drive off

25200-436: Was appointed as a Palace Attendant ( 侍中 ) and Right Supervisor of the Masters of Writing ( 尚書右僕射 ). This was a position of considerable influence, one of the assistant managers of the Imperial Secretariat, responsible for imperial correspondence and edicts. In 222, when Cao Pi visited Wan, either because the city was not celebratory enough or because a local market had failed to produce a type of medicine Cao Pi had requested,

25368-408: Was appointed as an Army Major ( 軍司馬 ), he suggested to Cao Cao to stockpile food supplies and maintain their defences because there were more than 200,000 people who were unable to sustain themselves through farming. Cao Cao accepted his idea and implemented a policy for the people to farm and stockpile grain. Sima Yi warned Cao Cao about Hu Xiu ( 胡修 ) and Fu Fang ( 傅方 ), who respectively served as

25536-421: Was apprehensive and paralysed, and did not implement the plan, but news was still leaked to Sima Shi. Sima Shi then forced Cao Fang to step down, although Sima Shi spared his life and gave him his old title of Prince of Qi. When Sima Shi notified Cao Fang's stepmother, Empress Dowager Guo , that he intended to make Cao Pi 's brother Cao Ju, the Prince of Pengcheng , emperor, she managed to persuade him that such

25704-533: Was at Nanzheng . The army led by Sima Yi passed through Zhuoshan ( 斫山 ) and Xicheng County ( 西城縣 ; present-day Ankang, Shaanxi), sailed along the Mian River to Quren County ( 朐忍縣 ; west of Yunyang County, Chongqing), and arrived at Xinfeng County ( 新豐縣 ; south of Weinan, Shaanxi). He made camp at Dankou ( 丹口 ). Other Wei armies also prepared to attack Shu from the Xie Valley ( 斜谷 ) or Wuwei Commandery . The campaign, however, had to be aborted by October 230 because

25872-452: Was at fault, committed suicide. Sima Yi was greatly saddened at such a loss. Two years later, in September 224, Cao Pi toured the south to inspect his forces near the border between Wei and Wu border. Sima Yi remained behind to defend Xuchang and his marquis title was changed to "District Marquis of Xiang" ( 向鄉侯 ). In early 225, he was appointed General Who Pacifies the Army ( 撫軍將軍 ) and placed in command of 5,000 troops, and also held

26040-402: Was buried with imperial honors on 20 October 265. Five months later, however, Sima Yan, who had previously inherited his father's authority, would have the Wei emperor, Cao Huan, abdicate in favour of him, ending Wei and establishing the Jin dynasty. After he did so, he posthumously honoured his father, Sima Zhao, as Emperor Wen of Jin (晉文帝). Consorts and Issue: Sima Zhao is first introduced as

26208-506: Was further forced to depose his wife Empress Zhang , who was Zhang Ji's daughter. These moves further terrorised the officials into submission. Cao Fang was very angry about the deaths of Li Feng and Zhang Ji, and later in 254, his associates submitted a plan to him—that when Sima Shi's brother Sima Zhao would arrive at the palace for an official visit before heading to his defense post at Chang'an , to kill Sima Zhao and seize his troops, and to then use those troops to attack Sima Shi. Cao Fang

26376-573: Was not able to bear the Ji; he was defeated and fled, thus being deprived of his throne. He became the laughing-stock of the whole world. At present, power has been lying in his House for a long time: within the Court and in the four quarters of the Empire, all are serving him with the utmost loyalty, even unto death, without paying attention to whether he is loyal or disloyal to the throne. This has not been going on for just

26544-490: Was not due to flaws in our defences, nor will it significantly affect us. Moving the imperial capital is showing our weakness to the enemy. It will cause unrest in the regions around the Huai and Mian rivers. Sun Quan and Liu Bei seem close to each other, but they actually don't trust each other. Sun Quan will feel very uneasy upon seeing Guan Yu's victory, so we should incite him to attack Guan Yu's base in Jing Province. This will lift

26712-471: Was on the wane day after day, the Emperor was unable to bear his vexation. In the fifth month, on the day jichou (June 2), he summoned the shizhong Wang Chen, the shangshu Wang Jing, and the sanji changshi Wang Ye, and spoke to them, “Sima Zhao's design is known to men walking on the street. I cannot sit still and suffer the disgrace of being dethroned by him. Today I intend to go out myself together with you and attack him.” Wang Jing said, “Of old, Duke Zhao of Lu

26880-455: Was one of Cao Pi's close aides and one of his "Four Friends". Before Cao Pi became his father's heir apparent in 216, he was engaged in a power struggle with his younger brother Cao Zhi over the succession. During this time, Sima Yi was believed to have secretly backed Cao Pi and helped him win the position of heir apparent. He was also partly responsible for Cao Zhi's demotion and removal from politics after Cao Pi became emperor. When Sima Yi

27048-450: Was opposed by his advisor, Xun Xu . Zhong Hui himself believed that Jiang Wei had worn out his troops and that it would be an appropriate time to try to destroy Shu once and for all. Sima Zhao put Zhong Hui, Zhuge Xu , and Deng Ai in charge of the invasion forces (even though the latter initially opposed the campaign), and they set out in autumn 263. Zhong Hui, Zhuge Xu, and Deng Ai faced little opposition from Shu's forces, whose strategy

27216-399: Was raised in a strict Confucian manner: He was not allowed to visit his father unless summoned, to speak to his father without being explicitly addressed, and neither was he allowed to be seated in the same room as his father. In 190, when the warlord Dong Zhuo dominated the Han central government and wanted to relocate the imperial capital to Chang'an , Sima Fang ordered Sima Lang to bring

27384-408: Was responsible for the failure of the battle, to which Wang Yi responded: "Responsibility lies with the army commander." Sima Zhao retorted: "The Marshal means to make me shoulder the blame?" Thereafter he had Wang Yi executed. Sima Shi , the Wei regent and Sima Zhao's older brother, received memorials from ministers asking that Wang Chang , Guanqiu Jian , Hu Zun, and all the others who were a part of

27552-415: Was running low on supplies. The Book of Jin said Sima Yi launched an attack on the Shu garrisons at this juncture and captured the Shu "covering camps". Zhuge Liang abandoned Lucheng and retreated in the night but Sima Yi pursued him and inflicted roughly 10,000 casualties on the Shu army. This account from the Book of Jin is disputed by historians and is not included in the Zizhi Tongjian . According to

27720-431: Was to draw the Wei forces in and then close on them—a strategy that backfired, as the Wei forces, much quicker than expected, leapt past Shu border cities and immediately onto the important Yang'an Pass (陽安關; in present-day Hanzhong , Shaanxi ), capturing it. Zhuge Xu was eventually expelled and sent back as a prisoner, though, as Deng Ai wanted to merge his own troops with Zhuge Xu's, whereas Zhuge Xu did not deviate from

27888-424: Was to force Empress Dowager Guo to posthumously demote Cao Mao to common citizen status and order that he be buried as such. He also executed Wang Jing and his family. The next day, after pleas from his uncle Sima Fu , Sima Zhao instead had Empress Dowager Guo order that Cao Mao be promoted back to a duke and buried with the ceremonies of an imperial prince. Sima Zhao then summoned Cao Huan , the Duke of Changdao, and

28056-477: Was typically used as a “placeholder”. It indicated that the court intended to grant the Gentleman Consultant an important position as soon as one became available. In the meantime, the Gentleman Consultant could participate in the court’s discussions and provide advice. While this position was often an honor, it could also be used to slow the advancement of one’s political rivals. Given that Sima Zhao remained

28224-478: Was untrustworthy, but Cao Pi had ignored him. Sima Yi was proven right after Cao Pi's death when in late 227, Sima Yi received news Meng Da was planning to rebel against Wei and return to Shu; according to the Weilüe , he had sent his adviser Liang Ji ( 梁幾 ) to investigate Meng Da's case while urging Meng Da to visit Luoyang to attend to the Wei court, which alarmed the latter, persuading Meng Da to rebel. According to

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