Emperor Jing, named Sima Shi and styled Ziyuan, was the son of Emperor Xuan. He was born with great elegance, calm and decisive, and a broad perspective. He had a good reputation from a young age, being renowned alongside Xiahou Xuan and He Yan. He Yan often said, "Only those with deep foresight and planning can achieve great things in the world, and Sima Ziyuan is such a person." During the early years of the Wei Jing period, he was appointed as a Cavalry Officer and gradually rose to the position of Central Protector-General. His method of selecting talents was based solely on merit, without favoritism, and the officials were all quite impressed. When Empress Dowager Xuanmu passed away, he demonstrated exceptional filial piety while mourning, earning widespread praise.
When Emperor Xuan planned to execute Cao Shuang, the plan was meticulously crafted, with only him and Emperor Xuan discussing it privately, without Emperor Wen knowing. The night before taking action, he briefed Emperor Wen, then sent someone to observe Emperor Wen's reaction. Emperor Xuan slept soundly, while Emperor Wen stayed awake all night. The next morning, the army gathered at Sima Gate, with order both inside and out, and the military formation was very well-organized. Emperor Xuan said, "This guy is really something!" In fact, Emperor Xuan covertly trained three thousand elite soldiers, hidden among the populace, so that when needed, they could be quickly assembled without anyone having a clue where they came from. After the situation was resolved, he was appointed as the Marquis of Changping for his achievements, with a fief that included one thousand households, and soon promoted to the position of General of the Guards.
After the death of Emperor Xuan, everyone remarked, "After Yi Yin's death, Yi Zhi took over as the assistant," so the emperor appointed Sima Shi as the Grand General of the Guards to assist in governance. In the fourth year of the Jiaping era, Sima Shi was promoted to Grand General and appointed him as a Palace Attendant, holding the title of commander-in-chief of all forces, overseeing the affairs of the Imperial Secretariat. He ordered all officials to recommend talented individuals, emphasized the cultivation of talents, showed compassion for the poor and the widowed, and handled the backlog of government affairs. Zhuge Dan, Guanqiu Jian, Wang Chang, Chen Tai, and Hu Zun defended the frontiers, while Wang Ji, Zhou Tai, Deng Ai, and Shi Bao oversaw the provinces and commanderies. Lu Yu and Li Feng were responsible for selecting talents, Fu Gu and Yu Song participated in planning, and Zhong Hui, Xiahou Xuan, Wang Su, Chen Ben, Meng Kang, Zhao Feng, and Zhang Ji were involved in political discussions. The country was stable, and the court was solemn and respectful.
Some suggested changing the system, but Sima Shi said, "'Not knowing is not understanding, following the emperor's laws,' this is praise from a poet. The system of our ancestors should be followed; if it doesn't pertain to military matters, it should not be changed arbitrarily." "'Not knowing is not understanding, following the emperor's laws,'" this line is from the Book of Songs.
In the fifth year, during the summer in May, the Grand Tutor of Wu, Zhuge Ke, was laying siege to Xincheng. The court feared he would split his forces to attack the Huai River and Si River, so they proposed establishing defenses at several river mouths. The emperor said, "Zhuge Ke has just risen to power and is eager to seize the opportunity; he will definitely concentrate all his forces in Hefei to try his luck and won't have time to deal with Qingzhou and Xuzhou. Besides, with so many river mouths, if we spread our forces thin for defense, we won't have enough; but if we concentrate them, we'll end up overextending ourselves."
Zhuge Ke indeed concentrated all his forces on attacking Hefei, just as the emperor had anticipated. The emperor then sent General Guanqiu Jian and the Governor of Yangzhou, Wen Qin, to counter Zhuge Ke. Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin requested to fight, but the emperor said, "Zhuge Ke is going all in, bringing all his troops into the enemy camp. He's tough to handle. Besides, although Xincheng is small, its terrain is solid, and it won't be easy to take for some time." So the emperor ordered the various generals to build strong fortifications to slowly wear down the enemy's strength.
After several months of stalemate, Zhuge Ke's assault on the city was thwarted, resulting in heavy casualties. Only then did the emperor order Wen Qin to take elite troops to Heyu near Hefei to block Zhuge Ke's retreat, while Guanqiu Jian led other generals to support from behind. Seeing the situation was not good, Zhuge Ke was scared and quickly fled, only to be defeated by Wen Qin, inflicting over 10,000 enemy casualties.
In the spring of 264 AD, in the first month of the lunar calendar, the emperor, the Minister of the Central Secretariat Li Feng, the father of the empress, the Household Supervisor Zhang Ji, the Chief of the Yellow Gate Su Shuo, the Prefect of Yongning Lu Dun, and the Attendant Liu Baoxian plotted to have Minister of Ceremonies Xiahou Xuan take over governance from the emperor. The emperor got wind of this and sent his attendant Wang Xian to meet Li Feng. When Li Feng sensed trouble, he followed Wang Xian, and the emperor questioned him on the spot. Knowing he was in trouble, Li Feng started cursing. The emperor, enraged, sent his guards to take him out. He then arrested Xiahou Xuan, Zhang Ji, and others, annihilating their entire clans.
In March, the emperor hinted to the court to remove Empress Zhang, and then issued a decree saying, "The traitor Li Feng and his accomplices spread rumors and slander, secretly plotting a conspiracy. General, you uphold justice and enforce the law; bring them to justice! Zhou Bo executed the Lü family, and Huo Guang captured the Shangguan family. Who can compare to you? I am specifically granting you an additional nine thousand households of land and resources, bringing your total to forty thousand households." The emperor graciously declined. He felt very uneasy due to the deaths of Xiahou Xuan and Zhang Ji. He also feared for his own safety and was secretly plotting to replace the current ruler, so he hinted to Empress Wei Yongning about his intentions.
On the day of the ninth month in autumn, the Empress Dowager issued an order, saying: "The Emperor has grown up, but he neglects state affairs and indulges in the favored concubines of the harem, neglecting the virtues expected of an emperor. He spends his days mingling with actors and indulging in their immoral acts, and even brings the families from the six palaces to live in the imperial palace, corrupting moral standards and disrupting the proper conduct between men and women. He is further deceived by unscrupulous individuals, which jeopardizes the state and disregards the ancestral rites." The Emperor summoned his ministers to discuss, crying out: "The Empress Dowager has issued such an order. What should we do, my lords? What should we do about the state and the people?" Everyone said: "Yi Yin exiled Tai Jia to stabilize the Yin and Shang dynasties, Huo Guang deposed Changyi Wang to stabilize the Han dynasty, all in pursuit of the peace and stability of the realm. This sets a precedent, and you should do the same now; we will all support you." The Emperor said: "If you all hold me in such high regard, how can I refuse?" So, together with the ministers and officials, he petitioned the Empress Dowager, saying: "We have heard that the Son of Heaven is meant to protect the people and bring eternal stability to the nation. The Emperor has grown up, but neglects state affairs, allowing actors like Guo Huai and Yuan Xin to perform lewd acts. He even imitates the attire of the demon women of Liaodong at Guangwang Pavilion, causing passersby to shield their eyes in horror. Qing Shangling Huxi offered counsel to the Emperor, and the Emperor punished him with a branding iron. The Empress Dowager mourned the passing of her husband, yet the Emperor continued his revelry. Qing Shangling Pang Xi advised the Emperor, but the Emperor ignored him and even shot him with a slingshot. Whenever memorials were presented, the Emperor disregarded them. The Empress Dowager ordered the Emperor to study in Shiqian Hall, yet he refused to comply. He is unworthy of inheriting the Mandate of Heaven. We request to follow the example of Huo Guang of the Han dynasty, to seize the Emperor's jade seal and imperial insignia, and return them to the Prince of Qi." The petition was approved, and the relevant officials conducted sacrificial rites at the ancestral temples. The Prince of Qi was transported in a carriage, followed by the ministers, to the West Gate. The Emperor cried out: "Generations of ancestors have received the grace of the court, and before his death, the late Emperor entrusted the country to me. I have taken on a heavy responsibility, but I have not been able to do anything. My lords and ministers, follow the precedent, think of the state; even if you disappoint me, you must preserve the ancestral temples and the state." So, messengers were sent to escort the Prince of Qi, who was settled in Henan, and Guo Huai, Yuan Xin, and others were put to death.
On that day, the emperor and his ministers discussed who should be the emperor. The emperor said, "The world is not yet stable; the Xianbei and the Xiongnu are fighting each other. The ruler of the four seas must be a wise ruler. Prince Pengcheng is the son of the founder; he is both benevolent and wise, and in terms of age, he is the elder of the imperial family. The emperor's position is of utmost importance, and the selection of a successor must be done with caution; choosing the wrong person will not be enough to stabilize the world." So they jointly presented a memorial to the empress dowager. The empress dowager believed that Prince Pengcheng was the uncle of the late emperor, and according to the rules of ancestral law, it was not appropriate; this would leave the imperial lineage without heirs. The Ming emperor's younger brother was the Prince of Donghai, and the empress dowager wanted to establish his son, Duke Gao of Guixiang. The emperor strongly opposed this but was unsuccessful, so he had to obey the empress dowager's orders and send people to welcome Duke Gao of Guixiang to the capital to ascend the throne, changing the era name to Zhengyuan. After ascending the throne, he became lazy in his demeanor, walking with his head held high, which worried the emperor upon hearing this. Before the grand court meeting, the emperor admonished the young emperor, saying, "A wise king places great importance on beginnings, establishes a solid foundation, and is cautious at the start; this is what the ancients valued. Tomorrow's grand court meeting will attract the attention of the masses, and the officials must listen to your teachings. The Book of Songs states, 'Be cautious in your dealings with others; your words and actions should conform to norms.' The Book of Changes says, 'Speak kindly, and people from afar will respond.' Even with proper etiquette, you must be even more cautious and respectful, in response to the earnest expectations of the people of the world."
On the day of Guisi, the emperor issued a decree saying, "I have heard that a monarch who establishes a dynasty must have loyal ministers; a monarch who maintains a dynasty also needs wise ministers to assist. Therefore, King Wen relied on Duke of Zhou and fulfilled his mandate; King Xuan relied on Duke of Shao and achieved the great cause of revitalization. General, you are both virtuous and talented, and should assist at this time. The country is facing difficulties, the King of Qi is in power but fails to uphold the laws and regulations. You, however, are loyal and just, bringing stability to the nation, regulating the officials, and overseeing state affairs. You have quelled rebellions internally, stabilized chaos externally, toiled day and night, and worked diligently. Your virtues and merits have spread far and wide. Your thoughtful planning and wise strategies have stabilized the state, allowing the ancestral temples to remain peaceful, and millions of people to live in peace and happiness. Yi assisted the Shang Dynasty, Gong Dan assisted the Zhou Dynasty, but they cannot compare to you. I am profoundly grateful to you! Noble people have high status, those with great achievements have abundant rewards; this is a principle that has been followed throughout history. I hereby appoint you as Prime Minister, granting you an additional 9,000 households, bringing your total to 49,000 households; promoted to Grand Commander, bestowed with the Yellow Commander's Seal, you may attend court without bowing, present matters without disclosing your name, and wear a sword when entering the palace; given five million coins and five thousand bolts of silk to commend your achievements." The emperor declined the position of Prime Minister. He then wrote to advise the emperor, saying, "Although the uncut jade of Jing Mountain is beautiful, it cannot become a precious gem without carving; although the talent of Yan Hui is outstanding, it cannot grow without learning. Confucius once said, 'I was not born understanding principles, but through my love of antiquity and diligent study, I came to understand.' Look at the five generations of emperors since the Yellow Emperor; none of them stopped learning. Zhuan Xu learned from Lu Tu, Gao Xin learned from Bai Zhao. It was not until King Cheng of Zhou, relying on Duke of Zhou, that he could distinguish right from wrong, adhere to righteousness, and live in peace and happiness. Therefore, the radiance of a monarch's virtues inspires the people's obedience; the moderation of punishments also stems from this. We should follow the principle of the ancient kings humbly seeking advice, let the sound of learning be heard constantly, and the teachings of rules and regulations be heard constantly." At that time, the emperor was fond of luxury, yet he advised, "At the onset of your reign, you should promote simplicity." The emperor respectfully accepted. In November, white vapors pierced the sky.
In January of the year 239 AD, a comet appeared in the sky, stretching from the border of Wu and Chu all the way to the northwestern sky. General Guanqiu Jian and the governor of Yangzhou, Wen Qin, rebelled, falsely claiming to have the Empress Dowager's edict, issuing edicts to various provinces, holding an oath-taking ceremony outside the west gate of the city, and sending their four sons as hostages to the Wu Kingdom, requesting military assistance.
In February, Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin led sixty thousand troops across the Huai River and headed west. The Emperor gathered his ministers to discuss strategies for quelling the rebellion, with many suggesting sending generals to fight, but Wang Su, the Minister of the Interior Fu Ga, and the Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat Zhong Hui advised the Emperor to personally lead the expedition. On the day of Wuyou, the Emperor personally led more than a hundred thousand infantry and cavalry to march towards the enemy. He traveled day and night, mobilizing troops from three different routes on the outskirts of Chenxu. On the day of Jiashen, the army reached Yin Bridge, and Guanqiu Jian's generals Shi Zhao and Li Xu surrendered successively. Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin withdrew to Xiangcheng, and the Emperor sent the governor of Jingzhou, Wang Ji, to take position in Nandun to restrain Guanqiu Jian from the south. The Emperor ordered the construction of strong fortifications, awaiting the arrival of reinforcements.
Generals requested to advance and attack Xiangcheng. The emperor said, "You are only seeing one side of the situation, not the other. The soldiers in Huainan had no intention of rebelling from the start. Moreover, Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin wanted to emulate the strategies of the Diplomacy School, learn from the doctrines of Yi Qin, and believed that regions near and far would respond to them. But at the beginning of their uprising, the Huai North region did not respond. Shi Zhao and Li Xu surrendered successively, there were numerous internal conflicts and external betrayals. They knew they were doomed to fail, like cornered beasts; they wanted to fight to the death, and a swift resolution was more in line with their strategy. While victory may seem certain, it would also result in heavy casualties. Furthermore, Guanqiu Jian and others deceive the soldiers with numerous tricks. If we engage in prolonged warfare, their true nature will be revealed, allowing us to achieve victory without engaging in battle." So, the emperor dispatched Zhuge Dan to lead the forces from Yuzhou, marching from Anfeng to Shou Chun, and sent General Hu Zun to command the troops from Qing and Xu to advance between Qiao and Song, to cut off the retreat routes of Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin. The emperor himself took position in Ruyang and sent Deng Ai, the Inspector of Yanzhou, to command the troops from Mount Tai to occupy Lejia, intentionally feigning weakness to lure the enemy.
Wen Qin led his troops to prepare to attack Deng Ai. The emperor quietly advanced his army, without beating gongs or drums, straight to Lejia, where they met Wen Qin. Wen Qin's son, Yang, only eighteen years old, was brave and valiant. He said to Wen Qin, "While they are not yet stable, we can take the city walls, sound the drums and rally the troops, and attack them to defeat them!" They decided to put this plan into action, beating the drums three times. However, Wen Qin did not respond. Yang retreated, and the father and son retreated eastward together. The emperor told his generals, "Wen Qin has fled!" He ordered an elite force to pursue. The generals all said, "Wen Qin is an old general, and Wen Qin Yang is young and brave. They led the army deep into enemy territory, have not suffered a defeat, and will not run away." The emperor said, "When the army attacks, the first drumbeat is powerful, the second weakens, and the third is weary. Wen Qin Yang beat the drum three times, and Wen Qin did not respond. Their momentum has weakened, so why not run away?" Wen Qin wanted to escape, but Wen Qin Yang said, "If we do not first break their spirit, we cannot leave!" So he led more than ten cavalry to charge, cutting through the enemy lines, and then retreated. The emperor sent the Left Chief Historian Sima Lian to lead eight thousand cavalry to pursue, and sent General Yue Chen and others to lead infantry to follow up. Upon reaching Shayang, they repeatedly broke through Wen Qin's camp. Arrows fell like rain, and Wen Qin held his shield up to shield himself as he fled. The emperor's army defeated Wen Qin's army, and everyone threw down their weapons and surrendered. Wen Qin, his son, and his subordinates fled to Xiangcheng for refuge. When Gu Jian heard that Wen Qin had been defeated, he deserted his troops and made a nighttime escape to Huainan. An Fengjin pursued Gu Jian, executed him, and sent his severed head to the capital. Wen Qin sought refuge in the state of Wu, and order was restored in Huainan.
Initially, the emperor had a tumor in his eye and sought a doctor to have it removed. But when Cao Ren came to attack, he was startled, causing the tumor to burst out of his eye! Worried about alarming the generals and soldiers, he quickly covered his eyes with a blanket. In immense pain, he bit down on the blanket, gritting his teeth, and no one around him noticed.
During the intercalary month, the emperor's condition worsened, so Emperor Wen was put in charge of leading the army. On the Xin Hai day, he passed away in Xuchang at the age of forty-eight years. In the second month, the emperor's coffin was transported back to the capital from Xuchang. The emperor, wearing plain garments, personally went to pay his respects and issued a decree stating: "For your merits in aiding the country and stabilizing the world, for your achievements in quelling rebellions, and for dying for the state, you should receive special honors. Let the officials discuss the ceremonial arrangements."
After deliberation, the court officials concluded that he was loyal to the state, his merits were widespread, and he should be posthumously honored with the title of Grand Marshal, adding it to his existing title of Grand General, and granted the posthumous title of Duke Wu. Emperor Wen respectfully declined, saying: "My father did not dare to accept the nine ceremonial bows of the Prime Minister and Chancellor, and my brother did not dare to accept the title of Chancellor, as these were ranks commonly held by Emperor Taizu. Now, to give my father the same posthumous title as our ancestors, I feel truly anxious and uneasy. In the past, Xiao He, Zhang Liang, and Huo Guang all had merits in assisting the monarch. Xiao He was posthumously named Wen Zhong, Zhang Liang was named Wen Cheng, and Huo Guang was named Xuan Cheng. Since you wish to use the characters for both civil and military in my father's posthumous title, please refer to Xiao He's posthumous title and add a title for my father." The emperor agreed, and his final posthumous title was Zhongwu. After the establishment of the Jin dynasty, he was posthumously honored with the title of King Jing. Later, upon Emperor Wu's ascension to the throne, he honored him as Emperor Jing, and his tomb came to be known as Junping Tomb, with the temple name of Shizong.
Sima Zhao, styled Zishang, was the younger brother of Emperor Jing of Wei. In the second year of the Jingchu era, he was appointed as Marquis of Xincheng. In the first year of the Zhengshi era, he served as the Colonel of Agricultural Affairs in Luoyang. During the lavish and wasteful reign of Emperor Ming of Wei, Sima Zhao reduced harsh taxes, ensured that farming was not disrupted, and the common people were very happy. He was later promoted to Cavalier in Regular Attendance.
When Cao Shuang attacked Shu, Sima Zhao was appointed as the General Conquering Shu and led troops alongside Xiahou Xuan to camp at Xingshi. Shu general Wang Lin launched a night attack on Sima Zhao's camp, but Sima Zhao remained calm and composed. After Wang Lin retreated, Sima Zhao told Xiahou Xuan, "Fei Yi relies on the strategic location to defend firmly. We can't launch an attack; it's not feasible. We should quickly withdraw our troops and make new plans." Cao Shuang and others then withdrew their troops, and Fei Yi indeed led his army to the Three Ridges to secure a strategic location. Afterward, Sima Zhao returned to court and was appointed as a Gentleman Consultant. After Cao Shuang was executed, Sima Zhao led his troops to protect the imperial palace and was awarded the title of Thousand Households for his achievements.
When Shu general Jiang Wei invaded Longyou, General Who Pacifies the West Guo Huai went from Chang'an to resist him. Sima Zhao was appointed as General of the West, with full authority, stationed in Guanzhong, and commanding various forces. Guo Huai attacked Shu general Ju An at Qudi for an extended period without success. Sima Zhao then led his troops to occupy the Great Wall, moved south to Luogu, and deceived Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei, fearing defeat, retreated to Nanzheng, and Ju An surrendered due to lack of reinforcements. Sima Zhao was promoted to General of the East, with full authority, stationed in Xuchang.
When the army was dispatched to confront Wang Ling, Sima Zhao urged the various troops in Huainan to converge at Xiangdi. He was then awarded an additional three hundred households, along with a golden seal and a purple ribbon. He was soon promoted to Commander, leading General Hu Zun, who conquered the East, and General Zhuge Dan, who guarded the East, in an attack on the state of Wu at Dongguan. Both armies suffered defeat, leading to Sima Zhao losing his marquis title.
The Shu general Jiang Wei launched another invasion of Longyou, claiming he would attack Didi. Sima Zhao was appointed General of the West and stationed in Chang'an. Yongzhou Governor Chen Tai aimed to seize Didi first, but Sima Zhao remarked: "Jiang Wei attacked the Qiang, confiscating their pledges and hostages, hoarding food, and building houses before moving here. His true aim is to fully control the Qiang beyond the border in preparation for the coming year. If he truly intended to attack Didi, why would he openly announce it and let outsiders know? Now he deliberately proclaims that he wants to attack Didi; this is merely a ruse to cover his retreat." Jiang Wei indeed burned the camp and fled.
At this time, the Qiang and Hu tribes in Xinping revolted. Sima Zhao led the army to defeat them, then showcased his military strength by advancing to Lingzhou. The northern enemies were so intimidated that they refrained from any rash actions, leading the rebels to surrender. Due to his achievements, Sima Zhao was once again granted the title of Marquis of Xinchengxiang. When the noble Marquis ascended the throne, Sima Zhao played a role in advising the new ruler's decisions and was appointed as the Marquis of Gaodu, with an additional two thousand households of land.
Guoqiu Jian and Wen Qin rebelled, and the army marched east. Sima Zhao concurrently held the position of General of the Central Army while remaining in Luoyang. When Emperor Jing fell gravely ill, Sima Zhao traveled from the capital to visit and was appointed Guard General. After Emperor Jing's death, the Emperor ordered Sima Zhao to guard Xuchang, while Shangshu Fu Gu led six armies back to the capital. Sima Zhao implemented the strategies of Fu Gu and Zhong Hui, personally leading his army back to Luoyang. Upon arriving in Luoyang, he was promoted to Grand General, appointed as an attendant, supervised all military forces, managed Shangshu affairs, assisted in governance, and was permitted to wear court attire in the palace. Sima Zhao resolutely declined.
In the spring of the first month of the first year of Ganlu, I was promoted to Grand Commander, allowing me to report directly to the Emperor without needing to announce my name. This is quite a significant official position! Just imagine, speaking directly to the Emperor—how impressive! Who wouldn't be respectful when they see you?
In June, during the summer, I was promoted once more and given the title Duke of Gaodu, with authority over an area of around 700 miles! The emperor also bestowed upon me the Nine Honors (the highest level of reward from ancient emperors to vassals), and entrusted me with an axe and a ceremonial battle-axe (weapons symbolizing military authority). I was also elevated to the position of Grand Commander, and I was permitted to wear a sword and attend the court audience.
Oh my goodness, this is like winning the lottery! Just thinking about it gets me all excited!
Nevertheless, I still turned it down. This is not just for show; I truly did not want to accept these rewards.
In the autumn of August, on the gengshen day, the emperor bestowed upon me a fake yellow battle-axe (a weapon symbolizing the highest military authority) and expanded my jurisdiction to three more counties. This is just... the emperor is really intent on promoting me!
In the summer of the year 257 AD, on the xinwei day of May, the Grand General of the East, Zhuge Dan, killed the Inspector of Yangzhou, Le Chen, rebelled in the Huainan region, and sent his son, Zhuge Jing, to the state of Wu as a hostage to request support. The ministers all urged to quickly send troops to quell the rebellion, but the emperor said, "Zhuge Dan rebelled because he saw Guanqiu Jian easily fail; he will definitely collude with Wu State now, and this battle will take longer than expected. We need to rally the forces of the entire nation and steadily fight to achieve final victory." Then the emperor issued a decree, saying, "When Wang Bo rebelled, Emperor Gaozu personally led the army to suppress it; when Wei Xiao rebelled, Emperor Guangwu personally led the army to the west; Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty also personally led the army, all to boost troop morale and demonstrate our military strength. Now Your Majesty should also go to the front line personally, let the soldiers feel your presence. Our army currently stands at fifty thousand strong; with our numbers, we’re sure to win!"
In the seventh month of autumn, the emperor led the crown prince and the empress dowager on an eastern campaign, recruiting soldiers from Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Jingzhou, and Yuzhou, and mobilizing reserve troops from the Guanzhong region, where all the troops gathered north of the Huai River. When the army reached Xiang County, the emperor appointed He Zhen, the Minister of Justice, as an envoy, sending him to pacify the soldiers in Huainan to clarify who the rebels were, who the loyal subjects were, and the criteria for rewards and punishments. On the Jiaxu day, the emperor advanced the army to Qiutou. The State of Wu dispatched Wen Qin, Tang Zi, Quan Duan, Quan Yi, and others to lead more than thirty thousand troops to rescue Zhuge Dan. Our forces engaged them but were unable to hold their ground. General Li Guang hesitated in battle, and the Prefect of Tai Shan, Chang Shi, also feigned illness and did not appear; both were executed as a warning.
In August, General Zhu Yi of Wu led over 10,000 soldiers, leaving the supplies in Dulu and dispatching light troops to Lijiang. The military inspector Shi Bao and the governor of Yanzhou, Zhou Tai, engaged Zhu Yi in battle, and Zhu Yi retreated. The Prefect of Mount Tai, Hu Lie, launched a surprise attack that destroyed their food supplies in Dulu. Shi Bao and Zhou Tai pursued and defeated Zhu Yi. Zhu Yi's remaining soldiers were exhausted and could only eat leaves to fill their hunger. In the end, they fled, and the Wu troops killed Zhu Yi. The emperor said, "It is not Zhu Yi's fault that he did not reach Shou Chun. By killing him, the Wu troops will only strengthen Zhuge Dan's resolve and hope for rescue in Shou Chun. If Wu did not kill Zhu Yi, he might have broken through and fought to the death. Some argue that the army can't sustain a long fight and suggest reducing food supplies and waiting for other changes. I have analyzed the enemy's situation, and there are only three possibilities: break through, defend, or wait for reinforcements. Now we must adopt multiple strategies to disrupt the enemy and guard against their breakout, as this is key to our victory." He then ordered to surround Shou Chun, allowing the weakened soldiers to rest north of the Huai River, and distribute soybeans to the soldiers, three liters per person per day. Wen Qin was quite pleased when he heard this. The emperor pretended to be fatigued in front of Wen Qin and spread rumors that the Wu troops' reinforcements were arriving soon. Zhuge Dan and others let their guard down, feasting and drinking, and soon the city quickly ran out of supplies. Shi Bao and Wang Ji requested to attack the city, but the emperor said, "Zhuge Dan's rebellion has persisted for quite a while. He's hoarding food, fortifying the city, and colluding with Wu, thinking he can control Huainan. Since Wen Qin is in cahoots with him, he will not escape easily. Rushing to attack the city now would deplete our reserves. If the Wu troops' reinforcements arrive, we could find ourselves in a dangerous predicament. Now the three rebels are gathered in a single city; perhaps fate will allow them to perish together. We need a long-term strategy to keep them at bay, only needing to defend on three sides. If the enemy comes by land, their military supplies will surely be limited. We can deploy light cavalry to sever their supply lines and defeat the enemy without fighting. Once we defeat the external threat, Wen Qin and his allies will be easily captured."
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Quan Yi's mother was the daughter of Sun Quan. She fell afoul of someone in the Wu Kingdom, and Quan Duan’s sons, Quan Yi and Quan Yi, brought their mother to surrender. Quan Yi's brother, Quan Jing, was in Shou Chun at the time, devising a scheme to deceive Quan Jing. The five brothers of Quan Yi surrendered with their army, which stunned the people in the city.
On Renyin Day in January of 260 AD, Shi Le and Shi Qin led troops to attack Changwei, but were repelled by our forces. Initially, Shi Le and Shi Qin were at odds and failed to coordinate, and when the situation became critical, they grew increasingly suspicious of each other. Later, Shi Qin's strategy went against Shi Le, and in a fit of rage, Shi Le killed Shi Qin. Shi Qin's son, Shi Yang, sought revenge but failed and ultimately surrendered. Our emperor appointed him as a general, elevated him to the rank of Marquis, and even had him call out from the city wall to urge others to surrender. When the emperor noticed the soldiers on the city wall with bows drawn but not firing, he said to the generals, "You can attack now!"
On Yiyu Day in February, our army attacked the city and captured Changwei. Shi Le was beheaded, and his entire family was annihilated. Wu's generals Tang Zi, Sun Man, Sun Mi, Xu Shao, and others surrendered with their subordinates. The emperor promoted them, providing food, medicine, and care for their wounds and ailments. Some suggested killing the soldiers of Wu as they were considered unreliable. The emperor said, "Even if they run away, it will show the might of our nation!" So they were relocated to the Sanhe area. In April, during the summer, the army returned in triumph to the capital, and the Wei Emperor ordered Qiutou to be renamed Wugiu in honor of the military achievements of this campaign.
In May, the emperor granted Sima Yan the eight commanderies of Taiyuan, Shangdang, Xihe, Yueping, Xinxing, Yanmen in Bingzhou, along with Hedong and Pingyang in Sizhou, totaling seven hundred li of land. He was titled as the Duke of Jin, given the nine honors, promoted to Prime Minister, and official offices were established for him in Jin. Sima Yan declined nine times before finally accepting the rewards. Later on, the emperor also granted him ten thousand households of food estate and entrusted him with the revenues from three counties, and his untitled sons were also granted the title of marquises. In July of autumn, the emperor ordered the appointment of famous heroes to official positions based on their abilities and virtues.
In June in the summer of 261 AD, the court divided Jingzhou into two commanderies, with Wang Ji stationed in Xinye and Zou Tai in Xiangyang. Shi Bao was appointed as the governor of Yangzhou, Chen Qian as the governor of Yuzhou, Zhong Yu as the governor of Xuzhou, and Song Jun to oversee the military affairs in Qingzhou.
In April of the first year of Jingyuan, the emperor reinstated Sima Yan's imperial title and honors as previously held, but Sima Yan refused again. The emperor felt uncomfortable as Sima Yan had been the prime minister for three generations, yet had not directly managed political affairs. He worried about being deposed and planned to convene the officials to publicly dismiss him.
On the night of the Wuzi day in May, the emperor sent Li Zhao and others to gather the troops at Lingyuntai, then summoned Wang Shen, Wang Ye, and Wang Jing, showing them the yellow edict in his possession and ordering them to be on guard until dawn. Wang Shen and Wang Ye hurried to inform Sima Yan, who then gathered his guards led by Jia Chong to prepare.
The emperor learned that the matter had been leaked, so he led the guards to assault Sima Yan's residence under the pretext of suppression, threatening to annihilate anyone who dared to resist. The soldiers in the mansion did not dare to resist, and Jia Chong scolded the generals, saying, "I have been raising you for this day!" The Crown Prince's Attendant Cheng Ji rushed into the ranks and assassinated the emperor, the knife piercing through his back, and the emperor died in the carriage.
Sima Yan convened the officials to discuss the matter, but the Minister of Works, Chen Tai, was absent. Sima Yan sent his uncle, Xun Yi, to fetch him, and brought him to a side room, asking, "Uncle Xuan, how will the world view me?" Chen Tai said, "Only by beheading Jia Chong can you justify your actions to the world." Sima Yan said, "Think of another way." Chen Tai replied, "I only see this way; I do not see another way." Thus, he shifted the blame onto Cheng Ji and ordered his execution.
The empress dowager ordered, "The former Prince of Changyi during the Han Dynasty was demoted to a commoner for his crimes, so this Cheng Ji should also be buried with the rites of a commoner, so that everyone understands his actions." Wang Jing, the Shangshu, was executed for trying to play both sides. On the day of Wushen, Sima Yan submitted a memorial saying, "The noble local duke (referring to Sima Yan) led his followers and troops, brandishing swords and drums, charging towards me. I was afraid of a conflict between both sides, so I ordered the soldiers not to harm him, and those who disobeyed would be dealt with according to military law. The younger brother of the Cavalry Commander Cheng Zai, the Tai Zi Attendant, charged into the battle and wounded the noble local duke, causing his death. I understand that a servant's duty is to be loyal, to serve the monarch without hesitation, and not to evade danger. The sudden incident occurred, and disaster struck, and I truly considered sacrificing myself and accepting punishment. However, my original intention was to threaten the empress dowager and disrupt the royal lineage. As the prime minister, it is my responsibility to stabilize the country. I quickly dispatched someone to warn him not to approach the emperor's carriage. However, Cheng Ji took matters into his own hands and caused this great change. I am heartbroken and devastated. Cheng Ji's actions were unforgivable, and there will be no mercy. I have already arrested Cheng Ji's family members and handed them over to the court officials." The empress dowager agreed and executed Cheng Ji's entire family.
After discussing with the court officials, Sima Yu, son of Prince Yan, was appointed Emperor, with Sima Huang serving as his regent. In June, the era was changed. On the day of Bingchen, the Emperor promoted Sima Yan to Prime Minister, granted the title of Duke of Jin and added ten counties, restoring the previous Nine Gifts treatment. Sima Yan's brothers, sons, and nephews who were not already marquises were made viscounts, awarded millions in cash and ten thousand bolts of silk. Sima Yan firmly refused, prompting the Emperor to relent.
In November, the Inspector of Ji Yang in the state of Wu, Xiao Shen, sent someone with a letter to meet the General of Zhen Dong, Shi Bao, feigning surrender and asking Shi Bao to welcome them. Sima Yan knew this was a trap, so he instructed Shi Bao to feign a warm welcome while secretly preparing.
In a certain year in the autumn of the Gregorian calendar (specific year to be inferred from context), on the first day of the eighth month, the Emperor appointed General Gao Rou to bestow the Prime Minister's seal and sash. Minister Zheng Chong offered the soil and the Nine Gifts from the Duke of Jin to the Emperor, but Zheng Chong declined to accept them. After some time, in the summer of the following year, in April, the Sushen Kingdom arrived to pay tribute, bringing exquisite arrows, stone weapons, bows, and sable pelts. The Emperor ordered that these tribute items be sent to the Grand Marshal's residence.
In the second month of the spring of the fourth year, the Emperor issued a decree once again but firmly declined the request. In the third month, a decree was issued from the General's office to appoint one Sima, two Middle Commanders, and ten attendants. In the summer, the Emperor planned to attack Shu and said to the officials: "Since the establishment of Shou Chun, we have rested for six years, repaired weapons and armor, and prepared to face the two rival states. To briefly conquer Wu, we need to build warships, open waterways, and this would take about a hundred days with an army of one hundred thousand. Furthermore, the southern land is damp and susceptible to disease outbreaks. It is advisable to first take Shu. After three years, we can take advantage of the flow from Ba Shu, advancing by land and water, which will provide the momentum to conquer Yu, Ding, and swallow Han and Wei. There are about ninety thousand Shu soldiers, with at least forty thousand defending Chengdu and other counties, so the remaining troops are only about fifty thousand. Now, we should obstruct Jiang Wei in the Ta area, preventing him from turning back east, and directly aim for Luo Valley, attacking the empty land to raid Hanzhong. If they take to defending the city and the terrain, their forces will inevitably become scattered, and they will be cut off. Use the masses to slaughter the city, scatter the elite troops to raid the fields; Jin Ge will not be able to defend the terrain, and Guan Tou cannot protect itself. Given Liu Chan's ignorance, the border cities are breached, causing panic among the men and women inside; their downfall is thus inevitable." The General of the West, Deng Ai, believed that there was no provocation and repeatedly expressed dissent. The Emperor, troubled by this, appointed the Registrar, Shi Zuan, as Ai's Sima to persuade him, and Ai then followed orders. Therefore, eighteen hundred thousand troops were gathered from all directions, with Deng Ai attacking Jiang Wei in the Ta area from Di Dao, the Governor of Yongzhou, Zhuge Xu, stationed at Wu Street from Qi Mountain, cutting off Wei's return path, and the General of the West, Zhong Hui, leading the former General Li Fu, the Guard of Shu, Hu Lie, and others to attack Hanzhong from Luo Valley. In the autumn of August, the army set out from Luoyang, generously rewarding the soldiers and making them swear an oath. General Deng Dun argued that Shu was not yet ready to be attacked, so the Emperor had him executed. In September, the Prefect of Tianshui, Wang Qi, was sent to attack Wei's camp, the Prefect of Longxi, Qian Hong, intercepted him head-on, and the Prefect of Jincheng, Yang Xin, rushed to Gansong. Zhong Hui split his forces into two groups, entering through Xiegu, having Li Fu surround Wang Han in Lecheng, and having his subordinate, Yi Kai, attack Jiang Bin in Hancheng. Hui directly aimed for Yang'an, while the Guard of Shu, Hu Lie, attacked and captured the city of Guan. Upon hearing this, Jiang Wei retreated, and Wang Qi pursued and defeated Wei in Qiangchuan. Wei, along with Zhang Yi and Liao Hua, combined their forces to defend Jiange, and Zhong Hui attacked them.
In November, the emperor, as the vassals came one after another to report their victories, once again issued the previous order. This order, previously issued, is now being reiterated. The emperor likely believes that the vassals are only reporting good news without taking action, hence the need for a reminder. What is the specific order? The original text does not specify, but it is probably related to fighting or consolidating the fruits of victory. Anyway, the emperor said that the vassals must act swiftly, not only to report good news but also to address pressing matters.
I, lacking in virtue, have been favored by heaven and have inherited the great accomplishments of my ancestors. The country has faced repeated misfortunes, and I myself lack experience in governing the country. In the past, traitorous rebels have repeatedly risen, and domestic and foreign enemies have been continuous. I fear that the country may perish and our ancestral legacy could be lost in an instant. Fortunately, there is you, endowed with both virtue and talent, wise and capable, skilled in both civil and military affairs, assisting the court, safeguarding the state, weathering storms and hardships, and working hard for the royal family for more than twenty years. You have inherited the achievements of your ancestors, handled national affairs on your own, suppressed illegal activities, and maintained national stability.
When Sima Shi and Sima Zhao rebelled, you led a large army to suppress the rebellion, leading the army with great discipline, and pacified the Huai River and Pukou areas. Later, there were multiple invasions in the Ba Shu region, and the western border was unstable. You devised brilliant strategies, able to make decisive plans from afar. Therefore, in the Battle of Duan Valley, you secured a resounding victory, killing enemy generals, capturing enemy flags, and taking tens of thousands of enemy soldiers prisoner. When Sun Jun invaded Xuzhou, you led the army to confront the enemy, with an imposing presence; before the battle even began, the enemy forces were so intimidated that they fled. When Sun Yi sowed discord and suspicion, you saw through their schemes and employed clever tactics, bringing distant foes to heel, establishing a stronghold in the south, and dispatching troops on campaigns.
When Zhuge Dan rebelled, the situation was formidable, and he mustered troops to launch an assault on Yangzhou. Sima Shi and Sima Zhao, the two brothers, also participated in the rebellion, colluding with Zhuge Dan in their treachery. They led the rebel army to attack Shou Chun, taking advantage of the Huai River and the mountainous terrain to resist the imperial orders. You personally went into battle, carrying out divine retribution, employing brilliant strategies, and adapting to the situation. Through surprise assaults, you defeated Zhu Yi; with ingenious calculations, you made Quan Cong surrender; taking advantage of the chaos, you breached the fortifications. You utilized the grand strategy of nine military expeditions, following the principles of the five military arts, resulting in a string of victories, with the enemy's defeat and surrender before the flags even waved a few times. You captured the surrendered officials of Wu, as well as the fleeing rebels, all of whom were captured and sent to prison, capturing 100,000 prisoners, leaving countless bodies strewn across the battlefield. You erased the national disgrace, rescued the people from suffering, pacified the world, shook the land of Wu, ultimately ending the war, stabilizing the country, and bringing peace to heaven and earth. Later, there were changes in the royal family, and internal turmoil erupted; thanks to your exceptional wisdom, the crisis was resolved. The ancestral shrine was safeguarded, and the state was revived. Your loyalty moved the heavens, and your achievements spread throughout the world. Therefore, I consulted ancient texts and elevated your position to that of Prime Minister, second only to the princes, granting you land, appointing you Duke of Jin, enabling you to govern the Qi and Lu regions and support the court. However, you humbly declined time and again, refusing eight or nine times. I insisted on raising your position, disregarding protocol solely to honor your accomplishments; it has now been four years. This not only contravenes the ancient rites of enfeoffment but also falls short of the people's expectations. "In the past, the rites for establishing a marquis were conducted in the upper court, and the people's expectations were in the lower court."
Speaking of this lord, he is strict and orderly, advocates simplicity and thrift, encourages agricultural production, and fairly distributes food. As a result, the whole country is in a peaceful and prosperous time. The elderly can enjoy the benefits of retirement, and orphans and widows can receive relief. The wind of benevolence and righteousness spreads throughout the Central Plains, and blessings reach remote areas.
Therefore, those Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern tribes, who used to be ruthless bandits and had no contact with us, now recognize the court's kindness and have all come to pay their respects. Some voluntarily surrender and offer tribute, while others request the court to establish offices. Even those most remote areas, who never thought they could connect with the court before, now come across the sea to pay tribute, singing the king's praises. Altogether, there are more than 8.7 million people! The people in remote areas are all satisfied; even the tributes from the Western Regions and the Nine Yi of the South cannot compare to this grand scene!
He assists the emperor in governing the world, thinking about how to pacify the border regions and bring peace to the world. However, the Shu region has not completely submitted, and the barbarians have begun to stir up trouble again, plotting in secret. The emperor then mobilized the army. He streamlined the generals, formulated battle plans for them, and as soon as the war started, they were unstoppable, defeating the enemy. The barbarians were scared and fled to the north, and the army was thrown into chaos; the commander was captured, and the cities were breached. The Ba and Shu regions were brought back under control, and the Yangtze River basin returned to calm. All this is his credit!
This lord not only has the merit of pacifying the world but also possesses noble character, overseeing all officials and handling government affairs in an orderly manner. He implements benevolent governance, improves the system of laws and regulations, works day and night, governs diligently, and loves the people. Even when compared to Jiang Shang's assistance to King Wu and the Duke of Zhou's support for King Cheng, his merits are no less.
Once upon a time, those powerful monarchs of the past, when selecting a site to build their capital, emphasized noble virtues, radiating virtue in all directions, governing the country, planning the territory, and establishing a hierarchical system. Only in this way could the royal family's rule be consolidated for generations to come. Look at the states of Qi and Lu; their status during the Zhou Dynasty was very high, with vast territories, expansive land, and an area of seven hundred li, along with a distinctive official hierarchy compared to other vassal states. In the past, when there were conflicts between Duke Hui and Duke Xiang of Qi, Duke Huan and Duke Wen of Qi collaborated to assist, and as a result, they received rewards from the Zhou king, which were considered significant achievements, setting an example for future generations.
But you, your achievements surpass theirs, yet your rewards are lesser; court officials, commoners, and even deities find this unfair! You are so modest and cautious; can you continue to endure this injustice and not accept a higher reward? Now, I am granting you the territories of Taiyuan, Shangdang, Xihé, Leping, Xinxing, and Yanmen within Bingzhou, Hedong, Pingyang, and Hongnong in Sizhou, and Fengyi in Yongzhou, comprising ten counties, stretching from Huashan in the south to Taihang Mountain in the north, Hukou in the east, and the Yellow River in the west, with a total area of seven hundred li in circumference. These were the former territories of the Jin state, which were accepted by Tang Shuyu, and his descendants have always been the leaders, commanding the vassals of the world. This is indeed a good place!
Therefore, I am specially granting you this land and appointing you as Duke of Jin! I have already sent envoys with ceremonial staffs to confer upon you the positions of Minister over the Masses and Colonel Director of Retainers, and to present to you seals, official documents, as well as gold tiger tally (first to fifth) and bamboo envoy tokens (first to tenth). I symbolize my respect for you with white grass, hoping that you will establish a country here and forever guard the Wei family!
During the Zhou Dynasty and the reign of the Duke of Zhou, those dukes and marquises all served as tutors (officials responsible for educating the prince). In modern times, Marquis Zeng of Xiaohe became the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, with great power and influence. All of this was based on the contemporary system, necessitating adjustments to the rituals. Now, I hereby appoint you as Prime Minister and bestow upon you a green silk ribbon.
I grant you nine additional honors, with the hope that you will earnestly heed my commands. Since you are wholeheartedly dedicated to upholding righteousness, promoting proper ceremonies, becoming a model, and educating the people, I bestow upon you one Da Lu and one Rong Lu, as well as two ceremonial carts pulled by black oxen.
You are able to harmonize yin and yang, follow the seasons, and enable the people to return to their rightful livelihoods, bringing about agricultural prosperity; therefore, I grant you the Guan Mian (the emperor's ceremonial robe) and red shoes. You are capable of bestowing kindness widely, benefiting the people, and earning their respect, trust, and obedience; thus, I bestow upon you the Xuan Xuan music and the Liu Yi dance (ancient music and dance).
You are able to stabilize the world, spread education, have the foreign tribes overseas pay tribute to you, have the remote regions pay tribute, have all countries express friendship, and have all regions adhere to the proper way; therefore, I grant you a vermilion gate. You possess the ability to select capable individuals, promote outstanding talents, enable many talents to rise, and serve the country; thus, I grant you the steps to attend court.
You are rigorous and respectful, able to pacify all directions, stop aggression and tyranny, and mitigate oppressive governance; therefore, I grant you three hundred warriors. You are capable of administering justice with discernment, exhibiting compassion towards the people, demonstrating heavenly authority, and correcting unlawful behavior; thus, I grant you an axe and a yu each.
You are able to organize the army, be responsible for conquests, and if anyone disobeys orders or violates the law, they should be severely punished; therefore, I grant you a red bow, one hundred red arrows, a green bow, and one thousand green arrows. You conduct sacrifices seriously, are filial, and follow filial piety as a guideline; your sincerity has touched the heavens, so I grant you a you of sacrificial wine and a gui zan (jade object for sacrifices). The other official appointments in the Jin state shall continue as they are.
Remember! Diligently execute my commands, spread education widely, benefit the people in all directions, always maintain your noble character, and may my favor shine even more brightly as a result!
All ministers and generals came to the palace to deliver the imperial decree, but the emperor graciously declined. Sikong Zheng Chong led the officials to persuade him, saying, "We have heard that Your Majesty resolutely declined the imperial decree, and we are all very anxious. We humbly offer our advice. The sacred king established rules and regulations, which have been passed down through the ages, to commend merits and reward meritorious officials, as has always been the case. In the past, Yi Yin was just a maid of the Xian family. After assisting Cheng Tang, he received high offices and generous rewards, akin to those of Aheng. Duke Zhou capitalized on the established order, occupied a stable foundation, built the capital in Qufu, and his influence spread across Guimeng. Lu Shang was just a fisherman from Panxi. Once he was promoted, he was titled as Yingqiu. Since then, there have been numerous instances of minor contributions leading to significant rewards, and wise men all consider this to be a beautiful story. Moreover, since you took office as the Prime Minister, generation after generation of men of virtue and integrity have assisted the Wei family, stabilizing the world. There have been no wrong decrees in the court, and the people have no complaints. Previously, you conquered Lingzhou to the west of Yuzhong, and the Qiang and Rong tribes surrendered; the eastern rebellion was quelled, and the army returned victorious. You captured the leaders of Helu, eliminated tens of thousands of elite enemy troops, shook the South China Sea, and intimidated the San Yue. The realm is at peace, and the villains dare not cause trouble. Therefore, the people everywhere respect you, and the Eastern Yi come to present their dances. Thus, in accordance with established precedents, the emperor established the country and conferred upon you the title of King Taiyuan. You should accept the imperial decree and revel in this honor and prosperity, which aligns with the will of heaven and the desires of the people. Your achievements are vast, akin to the brilliance of the sun and moon; the country's territory and fortune are thus more prosperous. There are no faults in internal and external unity. If you continue to wage war, you can cross the Yangtze River in court dress, pacify the Wu Hui area, go west to the source of the Yangtze River, and worship the Min Mountains. Withdraw the troops and stop the war, issue orders to the world, and there will be no defiance from distant lands, nor any disrespect close at hand. May the virtuous governance of Da Wei eclipse that of Tang Yao and Shun; your merits surpass those of Huan Gong and Wen Gong.
By then, you will be able to decline Wen Bo's invitation by the ocean, refuse Xu You's invitation at the foot of Ji Mountain—doesn't that sound quite honorable? You are so upright and incorruptible; who can hold a candle to you? Why bother being modest?
The emperor finally accepted the imperial decree. In November, Deng Ai led more than ten thousand troops, navigated the treacherous mountain paths from Yinping to Jiangyou, defeated the Shu general Zhuge Zhan in Mianzhu, killed Zhuge Zhan and sent his head back. The army then marched to Lu County, where Liu Shan surrendered. The emperor appointed Jin Gong as the prime minister, leading all officials, and returned the titles of Palace Attendant, Grand Commander, and Recorder of the Shangshu to him. Deng Ai was appointed Grand Commandant, and Zhong Hui was appointed Minister of the Masses. Zhong Hui secretly conspired to rebel and sent people to falsely accuse Deng Ai.
In the spring of the year 264 AD, in the first month, the emperor departed in a palanquin to campaign against Shu Han. On the thirteenth day of the second month, the emperor led his troops westward and reached Chang'an. At that time, the princes and officials of Wei were in Ye City, and the emperor appointed Shan Tao, the Central Attendant of the Bureau, to stay in Ye City, and sent the guard Jia Chong to station troops in Hanzhong. As a result, Zhong Hui rebelled in the Shu region, and the military inspector Wei Guan and the Right General Hu Lie led troops to suppress Zhong Hui and killed him. In fact, even before this, when Zhong Hui went to campaign in the Shu region, the subordinate official Shao Ti warned the emperor, "Zhong Hui is not reliable; he should not be allowed to lead troops." The emperor laughed and said at the time, "Conquering the Shu region is as easy as taking candy from a baby. Everyone says it can't be done; only Zhong Hui and I think alike. After we destroy Shu, the soldiers from the Central Plains will all want to return home, and the people of Shu will still be in a state of fear. Even if they have other ideas, they won't be able to do anything." As expected by the emperor, on the fourteenth day of the second month, he returned to Ye City from Chang'an. On the sixth day of the third month, the emperor's title was elevated to king and was granted twenty counties, in addition to his previous titles. On the seventh day of the fifth month, the emperor posthumously conferred the title of King Xuan of Jin upon the Marquis Wen of Wuyang, and the Marquis Wu of Wuyang as King Jing of Jin. In July, the emperor requested the Minister of Works, Xun Yi, to establish rituals, the Central Guard, Jia Chong, to organize laws, the Master of Writing, Pei Xiu, to establish the official system, and the Grand Preceptor, Zheng Chong, to be responsible for overall planning. From then on, the system of five-tiered noble titles was implemented. On the twenty-second day of October, the emperor requested to send the people of Wu, Xu Shao and Sun Yu, to visit Wu, to showcase the victory over Shu Han, and to present horses, silk, and other gifts as both a show of strength and goodwill. On the twenty-fifth day of October, the emperor decreed the appointment of Sima Yan, the Marquis of Xinchangxiang, as the Crown Prince of Jin.
On the seventh day of the second month in 265 AD, a divine tortoise was presented to Xuren County and sent to the prime minister's residence. In April, Sun Hao sent Ji Zhi to pay his respects and presented various rare treasures. In May, the emperor ordered that he wear a twelve-ribbed crown, use the imperial flag, have a procession with gongs and drums, ride a golden-rooted chariot, drive six horses, have five auxiliary carriages, use banners and cloud banners, and perform the Eight Dances ritual. Bells, drums, and palace banners were set up, holding a status higher than that of the King of Yan. The emperor's queen was elevated to queen, the crown prince was established, and the titles and positions of the royal family matched those of the emperor. The emperor also requested the abolition of many cumbersome and harsh prohibitions and outdated laws and regulations. The Jin State established the positions of Grand Inspector, Palace Attendant, Minister, Central Army Commander, and Guard General.
On the day of Xin Mao in August of 156 BC, Emperor Wen of Han passed away in an open-air palace at the age of fifty-five. On the day of Gui You in September, he was buried in Chongyang Mausoleum and was posthumously honored as King Wen. After Emperor Wu of Han ascended to the throne, he posthumously honored him as Emperor Wen and bestowed upon him the temple name Taizu.
Historians note that Emperor Wen of Han laid the foundation through his wisdom and strategy, while Emperor Wu of Han completed his career with his talents. Although the traces of the Shang Dynasty have disappeared, the resolve to eliminate the Shang Dynasty endures to this day, with his achievements embedded within. Later, he quelled the rebellion at Jiange, stabilized the turmoil in the Huai River region, and gradually eased the resentment in Tong Palace. He appointed wise ministers, valued prime ministers, and reveled in such times, just as Zhou Gongdan and Cao Cao had done. He reveled in the grandeur of Xuanyuan Huangdi, launched large-scale development in Nanyang, and realized Shi Zhi's ambitions. It is truly remarkable to be able to embrace all things under heaven! Being an emperor is no easy feat!
Finally, let's summarize: Emperor Wen of Han inherited the legacy of Emperor Wen, and at that time, the realm was still not fully unified. He was accompanied by three thousand soldiers, as numerous as the clouds. Emperor Wu of Han faced no external threats, and the borders were secure and stable. While he did suppress rebellions, ultimately he committed regicide and usurped the throne.
