Sima Yi, courtesy name Zhongda, is from Xiaojing Village in Wen County, Henan Province. His family name is Sima. His ancestors can be traced back to Chongli, the son of Emperor Ku (Gaoyang Shi), who was an official in the Xia Dynasty, responsible for the fire god Zhurong. From Emperor Yao, Emperor Shun, and the Xia Dynasty to the Shang Dynasty, his family had held this official position for generations. During the Zhou Dynasty, this official position was renamed Sima. His ancestor Cheng Boxiu, during the reign of King Xuan of Zhou, successfully pacified a rebellion in Xuzhou, and King Xuan rewarded him with a title, thus the family adopted the surname Sima. During the Chu-Han Contention, Sima Ang was a general of the Zhao State, fighting against the Qin Dynasty with other feudal lords. After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, Sima Ang was granted the title of King of Yin and established his capital in Henan. Later, the Han Dynasty established the area as a commandery, and the descendants of Sima Ang have continued to live there ever since. Starting from Sima Ang, in the eighth generation, there was General of the West, Sima Jun, courtesy name Shuping; Sima Liang, Governor of Yuzhang, courtesy name Gongdu; Sima Jun, Governor of Yingchuan, courtesy name Yuanyi; Sima Fang, Intendant of Jingzhao, courtesy name Jiangu. The emperor in question, Sima Yi, is the second son of Sima Fang. Sima Yi was very talented from a young age, intelligent, knowledgeable, and well-educated, and especially respected the teachings of Confucianism. During the chaos at the end of the Han Dynasty, Sima Yi often sighed with worry about the state of the world. Yang Jun, the Prefect of Nanyang, from the same place as Sima Yi's hometown, had a talent for recognizing talent. When he saw Sima Yi, who was not yet twenty years old, he recognized him as an exceptionally remarkable individual. The Prefect of Qinghe, Cui Yan, had a good relationship with Sima Yi's brother, Sima Lang, and also said to Sima Lang, "Your younger brother, Sima Yi, is intelligent, wise, decisive, brave, and far more capable than you are!"
In the year 191 AD, I was recommended to be a minor official. At that time, Cao Cao was the Minister of Works (Sikong), and after hearing about me, he asked me to serve under him. Cao Cao knew that the Han Dynasty was declining and didn't want to serve the Cao family, so he pretended to be sick with rheumatism acting up and couldn't get up. Cao Cao then sent someone to assassinate me in the middle of the night, but I lay still as if dead, pretending to be dead.
Later, Cao Cao became the Chancellor, and he appointed me as a literary officer. He warned the people sent to arrest me, saying, "If he continues to dawdle, just bring him here directly!" I was frightened and hurried to my post. Then, Cao Cao had me entertain the Crown Prince, and later I was promoted to be the Yellow Gate Attendant, then a Court Counselor, and eventually the Chief Clerk, with my rank increasing.
Once, when accompanying Cao Cao to attack Zhang Lu, I suggested to him, "Liu Bei used deceit to deceive Liu Zhang, and the people of Shu have not yet fully surrendered. He has gone to attack Jiangling, which is a great opportunity! If we show our might in Hanzhong now, Yizhou will surely be terrified, and if we bring troops over, they will collapse immediately. Seizing this opportunity, we can easily conquer Yizhou. A wise person knows to act at the right moment; we must not miss it!"
Cao Cao said, "People are always insatiable. I just took over Longyou, and now I want Yizhou!" After that, he dismissed my advice. Later, I followed Cao Cao to attack Sun Quan and defeated him. When the army returned, Sun Quan sent envoys to beg for mercy, declaring his allegiance and explaining that it was fate. Cao Cao said, "Does this kid want to sit by my fire and warm himself?" I replied, "The Han Dynasty is coming to an end. Your Highness has occupied ninety percent of the country's land; Sun Quan is surrendering; this is heaven's will! The reason why the dynasties of Yu, Xia, Yin, and Zhou lasted for a long time is that they were humble, cautious, revered heaven, and followed the will of heaven!"
After the establishment of the Wei Kingdom, he was promoted to the position of Chief of Staff to the Crown Prince. Every time he participated in major decisions, he could propose novel strategies, gaining the prince's trust and being named one of the "Four Friends" along with Chen Qun, Wu Zhi, and Zhu Shuo. Later, he was promoted to the rank of military Sima. He then said to Cao Cao, "In the past, Ji Zi advised prioritizing food supplies. There are likely over two hundred thousand people in the country not engaged in farming. This isn't a sustainable solution! Although the war is not over, we should cultivate while defending." Cao Cao heeded his advice, vigorously developed agriculture, and accumulated food supplies, leading to a surplus in state finances.
Later, he highlighted to Cao Cao that Hu Xiu, the Governor of Jingzhou, was brutal, and Fu Fang, the Prefect of Nanxiang, was extravagant and unfit for crucial border responsibilities. Cao Cao initially dismissed this. As a result, Shu general Guan Yu surrounded Cao Ren in Fancheng, and the seven armies, including Yu Jin, were overwhelmed. Hu Xiu and Fu Fang indeed surrendered to Guan Yu, and Cao Ren found himself in a dire situation. At that time, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty resided in Xuchang, and Cao Cao felt the need to move the capital to Hebei due to the proximity of the enemy. He advised Cao Cao, "Yu Jin and the others were overwhelmed by flooding, not due to a defeat in battle, and there was no significant loss to the state. Relocating the capital now would expose our vulnerability to the enemy and cause unrest among the people in the Huai and Mian river basins. While Sun Quan and Liu Bei appear to be allies, their relationship is actually quite strained. Guan Yu's arrogance will certainly not sit well with Sun Quan. We could reach out to Sun Quan and have him launch a surprise attack on Guan Yu, which would relieve the siege of Fancheng." Cao Cao took his advice. Sun Quan indeed sent Lu Meng to launch a western attack on Gong'an, capturing it and ultimately taking Guan Yu prisoner.
Cao Cao wanted to relocate the refugees from Jingzhou and the peasants residing in Yingchuan because they were too close to the enemies in the south. He said, "The people in the Jingchu region are impulsive and easily swayed, making it hard to maintain stability. Guan Yu was just defeated, and those who committed wrongdoings are hiding and watching. Now, relocating those good people will not only disrupt their lives but also prevent those who escaped from daring to return." Cao Cao followed his advice. Later, those who fled also returned to their hometowns to continue their lives. After Cao Cao died in Luoyang, panic spread throughout the court and among the people. He presided over Cao Cao's funeral, and order was maintained both inside and outside. Then he escorted Cao Cao's coffin back to Ye City.
After Wei Wen Emperor became emperor, he was appointed as the Marquis of Hejin and later promoted to Prime Minister Changshi. Sun Quan happened to lead his troops to attack from the west, and everyone in the court was discussing the food shortage in Fancheng and Xiangyang, and they wouldn't be able to withstand the enemy's attack. At that time, Cao Ren was stationed in Xiangyang, and someone suggested recalling Cao Ren to Wancheng. Wei Wen Emperor said, "Sun Quan has just defeated Guan Yu, and now he wants to consolidate his own territory. He definitely wouldn't dare to attack us. Xiangyang is a key place for water and land transportation, and it is crucial to resist enemy invasion. We cannot abandon it!" In the end, this suggestion was ultimately rejected. As a result, Cao Ren set fire to both Fancheng and Xiangyang, and Sun Quan did not come to attack as expected, leaving Wei Wen Emperor with deep regret. Later, the Wei Kingdom accepted the Han Dynasty's abdication, and Wei Wen Emperor was appointed as the Minister of Personnel. Shortly after, he was promoted to Governor, Chief Imperial Secretary, and granted the title of Marquis of An'guo.
In the second year of Huangchu, the position of the military governor was abolished, and he was promoted to the position of Attendant and Right Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Five years later, the emperor went on a southern tour to inspect the army on the border of Wu State. Emperor Wen of Wei stayed in Xuchang, was renamed as the Marquis of Xiangxiang, and was promoted to General of the Guard, granted the authority to issue edicts, commanding an army of five thousand, and also serving as an official of the Imperial Secretariat. Emperor Wen of Wei strongly declined. The emperor said, "I toil day and night over national affairs, without a moment of rest. This is not to seek rewards, but to share my worries!" In the sixth year, the emperor once again organized a large-scale fleet to attack Wu State and again ordered Emperor Wen of Wei to stay in Xuchang to maintain order among the people and to provide military supplies. Before leaving, the emperor issued a decree saying, "I have always been concerned about the situation in the rear, so I entrust this matter to you. Although Cao Can has made military achievements, Xiao He's role is even more crucial. If I have no worries, wouldn't that be good!" After returning from Guangling to Luoyang, the emperor issued another decree saying, "When I go east, the General of the Guard will be responsible for the affairs in the west; when I go west, the General of the Guard will be responsible for the affairs in the east." Therefore, Emperor Wen of Wei continued to stay in Xuchang. Later, when the emperor fell seriously ill, Emperor Wen of Wei, along with Cao Zhen, Chen Qun, and others, met the emperor in the South Hall of the Chonghua Palace and was tasked with assisting in the governance. The emperor also said to the crown prince, "You must trust these three ministers without a doubt!" After Emperor Ming ascended to the throne, Emperor Wen of Wei was renamed as the Marquis of Wuyang. When Sun Quan besieged Jiangxia and dispatched Zhuge Jin and Zhang Ba to assault Xiangyang, Emperor Wen of Wei led the various armies against Sun Quan, driving him away. Continuing the attack, they defeated Zhuge Jin, killed Zhang Ba, and captured over a thousand enemy troops. Emperor Wen of Wei was promoted to General of Cavalry.
In June of the year 228 AD, the emperor ordered Sima Yi to station himself at Wancheng and also put him in charge of the military affairs of Jingzhou and Yuzhou. Initially, the Shu Han kingdom general Meng Da surrendered to Wei, and he was well treated by Wei. However, Sima Yi deemed Meng Da to be fickle and unreliable, so he advised Cao Cao against using him. Cao Cao then appointed Meng Da as the Prefect of Xincheng, granted him a title of Marquis, and gave him military authority. Meng Da appeared to maintain good relations with Wu and Shu Han, but secretly plotted against the Central Plains. Shu Han's Prime Minister Zhuge Liang disliked Meng Da's fickle nature and feared he would become a threat. Meng Da had conflicts with the Prefect of Weixing, Shen Yi. Zhuge Liang sought to exploit this opportunity and sent Guo Mo to pretend to surrender, meet with Shen Yi, and then reveal Meng Da's plot.
Upon learning that his plot had been revealed, Meng Da prepared to rebel. Fearing that Meng Da would act quickly, Sima Yi wrote him a letter saying, "General, when you left Liu Bei and joined our Wei Kingdom, we entrusted you with the important task of guarding the borders and dealing with Shu Han. This demonstrates our trust in you. The people of Shu, regardless of their intelligence, all long to see you torn to shreds. Zhuge Liang wants to defeat you but struggles to find an opportunity. What Guo Mo said is no small matter. Why would Zhuge Liang let it leak out so easily?" Meng Da received the letter with great delight but felt hesitant. Sima Yi then secretly mobilized troops, preparing to subdue Meng Da.
The generals suggested that Meng Da and the Kingdom of Wu were colluding, so they should wait and watch before taking action. Sima Yi said, "Meng Da is not trustworthy. Now is when they’re suspicious of each other. We should act quickly while he hasn't made up his mind yet." So Sima Yi accelerated the march and arrived at Xincheng in eight days. The Kingdom of Wu and the Shu Han dispatched troops to rescue Meng Da, while Sima Yi sent out his troops to hold them off. Previously, Meng Da wrote to Zhuge Liang, "Wancheng is eight hundred miles from Luoyang and twelve hundred miles from here. If I raise troops, you’ll have to report to the emperor, and it’ll take at least a month for you to travel back and forth. By then, my defenses will be solid and the army will be ready. My position is crucial; Sima Yi definitely won't come in person; if others come, I have nothing to fear." But when the Wei army showed up, Meng Da said to Zhuge Liang, "I raised troops, and the Wei army arrived at the city in eight days. How could they be so fast?"
Shangyong City is surrounded by water on three sides. Meng Da built a wooden barricade outside the city for defense. Sima Yi led his troops across the water, broke through the wooden barricade, and approached the city. The Wei army attacked from eight different directions at once. Sixteen days later, Meng Da's nephew Deng Xian, general Li Fu, and others opened the city gates and surrendered. Sima Yi executed Meng Da and sent his head to the capital, captured over ten thousand soldiers, and then Sima Yi returned to Wancheng. He encouraged the locals to farm and plant mulberry trees instead, prohibited extravagance and waste, and the people in the south all pledged allegiance to the Wei kingdom.
Earlier, Shen Yi had been in Wei Xing for a long time, where he acted arbitrarily in the border areas, illegally stamping official seals and appointing officials at will. After Meng Da was killed, Shen Yi also began to feel afraid. At this time, the governors of various counties heard that Sima Yi had just achieved a great victory and all offered gifts to congratulate him, which Sima Yi accepted. Sima Yi sent someone to signal to Shen Yi, and when Shen Yi arrived, Sima Yi asked him about his unauthorized use of the seal and arrested him on the spot, escorting him to the capital. Sima Yi also relocated over 7,000 households belonging to Meng Da’s people to Youzhou. Shu Han generals Yao Jing, Zheng Ta, and others led more than 7,000 people to surrender. At that time, the newly annexed border areas were under Wei, and many people did not have household registration. Wei sought to conceal the true population numbers. Sima Yi went to the capital to audience the emperor, and the emperor asked him this question. Sima Yi replied, "The rebels maintain a tight network to control the populace, so the populace abandons them. We should govern with a lenient policy, so that the populace will naturally live and work in peace." The emperor then asked whether Wu or Shu should be attacked first, and Sima Yi replied, "Wu is not good at water warfare in our Central Plains region, so they dare to live scattered in the Dongguan area. When attacking the enemy, we must first choke their throat and strike at their heart. Xiakou and Dongguan are critical choke points for Wu. If we attack Wancheng with the land army, then turn eastward, and at the same time use the navy to attack Xiakou, taking them by surprise, we can defeat them as if divine forces had suddenly descended." The emperor accepted his suggestion and once again ordered Sima Yi to station in Wancheng. Four years later, he was promoted to Grand General, appointed as Commander-in-Chief with the title of Marquis, and together with Cao Zhen, he attacked Shu. The emperor personally carved a path through the mountains from Xicheng, advancing both by land and water along the Mian River, reaching Quren and capturing their Xinfeng County. While the army was stationed at Dankou, they were met with rain and decided to return to the capital.
In the second year of his reign, Zhuge Liang attacked Tianshui and surrounded the generals Jia Si and Wei Ping at Qishan. The emperor said, "There is no one else who can handle this task except for you when war breaks out in the west." So he sent him west to station in Chang'an, serving as the military governor of Yongzhou and Liangzhou, commanding Generals Zhang He, Fei Yao, Dai Ling, and Guo Huai, the Governor of Yongzhou, among others, to attack Zhuge Liang. Zhang He suggested that he divide his troops to deploy in Yongzhou and Meixian for rear support. He said, "If the front army can handle it alone, the general is right. If it cannot handle it and is divided into two parts, it would be like the three armies of Chu being captured by Ying Bu." So he led his army to advance toward Yumeng.
When Zhuge Liang heard that the large army was about to arrive, he personally took his troops to harvest the wheat in Shanggui. The generals were fearful, but he reassured them, saying, "Zhuge Liang thinks a lot, decides little, and will definitely consolidate the defense line before harvesting the wheat. I can manage to rush day and night for two days." So he quickly led the army to rush day and night to catch up. Zhuge Liang saw the dust flying and fled. He said, "We are exhausted from rushing day and night, which is what a savvy commander would desire. Zhuge Liang does not dare to rely on the Wei River, which makes him easy to counter." The army advanced to Hanyang, encountered Zhuge Liang, and set up battle formations to await him. He sent Niu Jin to lead the light cavalry to lure the enemy. As soon as the two armies clashed, Zhuge Liang retreated, and he was pursued to Qishan. Zhuge Liang camped at Lucheng, occupying two mountains on either side, cutting off the water source, and establishing a siege. He managed to break through Zhuge Liang's encirclement, forcing Zhuge Liang to flee under the cover of night. He continued to pursue, defeating Zhuge Liang and capturing and killing tens of thousands of enemy troops. The emperor sent envoys to commend the troops and increased his fiefdom.
At that time, the military strategist Du Xi and the governor Xue Ti both believed that when the wheat would ripen the following year, Zhuge Liang would definitely come to invade. The Longyou region was short on food, so they should transport food in advance during the winter. He said, "Zhuge Liang was defeated and retreated both times he sent troops to Qishan and attacked Chencang. Even if he sends troops again in the future, he won't attack cities anymore. We should aim to have a decisive battle with him in the open fields, definitely in Longdong, not in the west. Zhuge Liang is always troubled by insufficient food. After returning to his country, he will surely stockpile food. In my opinion, he will not send troops again within three years." So he proposed relocating the farmers from Jizhou to Shanggui to cultivate the land and to establish smelting workshops in Jingzhao, Tianshui, and Nan'an.
In the year 23 BC, during the first year of the Qinglong reign of Emperor Cheng of Han, construction began on the Chuan Chengguo Canal and Linjin Pond, which irrigated thousands of hectares of land, making the country even more prosperous.
It is said that during Zhuge Liang's second northern expedition, he led over a hundred thousand troops and camped on the plain south of the Wei River in Meixian County. When Emperor Ming of Wei, Cao Rui, heard this, he became worried and sent the Shu guard Qin Lang with twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to take orders from him. The Wei generals all wanted to wait for Zhuge Liang on the north bank of the Wei River, but Emperor Ming said, "The people's food supplies are all on the south bank of the Wei River; we have to take that spot!" So they crossed the river and camped with their backs to the water. Then he told the generals, "If Zhuge Liang is bold, he will definitely come out from Wugong and head east along the mountain road; if he goes west to Wuzhengyuan, then we'll be in the clear."
Zhuge Liang arrived at Wuzhangyuan and was preparing to cross the Wei River. Emperor Ming dispatched General Zhou Dang to set up an ambush in Yangsui to lure Zhuge Liang. After waiting for several days, Zhuge Liang remained inactive. Emperor Ming said, "Zhuge Liang wants to seize Wuzhangyuan, but he does not attack Yangsui. His intentions are very clear." He then sent General Hu Zun and Guo Huai, the Inspector of Yongzhou, to guard Yangsui and engage in a decisive battle with Zhuge Liang at Jieshi. Ultimately, Zhuge Liang gained no advantage and retreated to Wuzhangyuan. At that moment, a large star fell into Zhuge Liang's camp. Emperor Ming believed Zhuge Liang was destined to fail, so he sent a special force to ambush Zhuge Liang's rear, killing more than five hundred people, capturing more than a thousand, and forcing over six hundred to surrender.
The court believed that Zhuge Liang's distant army should engage in a swift battle, but Emperor Ming consistently chose caution and waited for the right moment. Zhuge Liang repeatedly challenged, but Emperor Ming refused to fight. Zhuge Liang even sent women's headscarves and ornaments to humiliate Emperor Ming. Emperor Ming was furious and requested to duel with Zhuge Liang. The emperor did not agree, so he sent the upright official Xin Pi to act as a military advisor and control Emperor Ming with a ceremonial staff. Later, when Zhuge Liang came to challenge again, Emperor Ming was ready to fight, but Xin Pi stood at the camp gate with the ceremonial staff, which made Emperor Ming hesitate. Initially, Shu general Jiang Wei heard that Xin Pi had arrived and said to Zhuge Liang, "Xin Pi is here with a ceremonial staff, and the Wei army will not fight again." Zhuge Liang replied, "They never intended to fight in the first place. Their insistence on requesting a battle was just to demonstrate their military strength in front of their own people. Military commanders sometimes act independently of royal commands. If they truly believed they could defeat me, why would they come all this way just to request a decisive battle?"
Emperor Ming's younger brother Cao Fu wrote a letter asking about military affairs, and Emperor Ming replied, "Zhuge Liang has lofty ambitions, but cannot see the situation clearly. He has many strategies, but lacks decisiveness. He likes to fight, but lacks actual strength. Although he has brought a hundred thousand troops, he has already walked into my trap. Defeating him will be no problem!" After facing off for over a hundred days, Zhuge Liang fell ill and died; the Shu army burned their camp and fled, and the local civilians reported this to the emperor. Emperor Ming led his troops to pursue them. Zhuge Liang's Senior Minister, Yang Yi, raised the flag and beat the war drums, as if he wanted to resist the Wei army. Emperor Ming believed it was unwise to pursue a routed enemy, so Yang Yi organized his formation and left. The next day, Emperor Ming set out to inspect Zhuge Liang's camp, examined the remnants of their camp, and seized a large amount of books, food, and other supplies. Emperor Ming believed that Zhuge Liang was definitely dead, saying, "He was truly a rare talent in the world!" Xin Pi felt it was still uncertain. Emperor Ming said, "The most important things for an army are military strategies, troops, horses, and provisions. Now that all of these have been abandoned, can anyone survive after discarding their vital organs? We should pursue them quickly!" In the Guanzhong region, there were many thorns, so Emperor Ming ordered two thousand soldiers to wear soft-soled shoes and walk ahead to flatten the thorns, followed by infantry and cavalry advancing together. When they reached Chigan, they discovered that Zhuge Liang had already died. Later, when people asked about this incident, the locals all said, "The deceased Zhuge Liang scared off the living Sima Yi." Emperor Ming laughed heartily upon hearing this, saying, "I could foresee that he was alive, but I never anticipated he would be dead." Previously, when Zhuge Liang sent someone, Emperor Ming asked, "What is Prime Minister Zhuge's daily routine and how much rice does he consume?" The answer was, "Three to four sheng." Then he asked about political matters, and the answer was, "For penalties of twenty or more, he personally inquires about them." Emperor Ming later told others, "How much longer do you think Prime Minister Zhuge Liang will live?" The outcome was just as he predicted. Zhuge Liang's subordinates Yang Yi and Wei Yan fought for control, and Yang Yi killed Wei Yan and absorbed his troops. Emperor Ming wanted to take advantage of this situation to attack, but he received an imperial edict forbidding him from attacking.
Three years have passed, and he has been promoted to the rank of Grand Commandant, with both his official position and fiefdom rising along with it. Shu general Ma Dai led his troops to invade, and the Emperor sent General Niu Jin to meet them in battle, defeating them and killing more than a thousand soldiers. Fu Shuang and Qiang Duan, the leaders of the Di tribe in Wudu, brought more than six thousand followers to surrender. A famine struck the Guandong region, and the Emperor transported more than five million hu of grain from Chang'an to support the capital.
After four years, he presented a white deer. The emperor joyfully said, "In the past, Duke Zhou assisted King Cheng and received a white pheasant as a tribute. Now that you hold an important position in Shaanxi and have presented a white deer, doesn't this reflect loyalty and integrity, in line with the spirit of the ancients, and the ability to govern the country well and ensure everlasting peace?" Later, the Governor of Liaodong, Gongsun Wenyi, rebelled, and the emperor wanted to summon him to Beijing to quell the rebellion. The emperor asked him, "This may not seem like a big deal to you, but to ensure victory in battle, I have to trouble you. What do you plan to do?" He replied, "Abandon the city and retreat in advance; that's the best option; rely on the Liao River to intercept the enemy army; that's the middle option; hold Xiangping at all costs and just wait to be captured." The emperor asked, "What strategy do you plan to use?" He said, "Only the wise can truly grasp the situation on both sides; preemptively giving up something is the key to victory. Now that the army is on a distant expedition, the enemy will think we cannot hold out for long; they'll likely try to intercept us at the Liao River before we can defend ourselves, and that's the worst strategy." The emperor then asked, "How long will the round trip take?" He replied, "One hundred days going, one hundred days returning, one hundred days of attack, then rest for sixty days; one year is enough." At that time, there was a lot of palace construction going on, and coupled with the war, the common folk were struggling and suffering. As he prepared to head to the battlefield, he advised the emperor, "In the past, Duke Zhou built Luoyang, Xiao He built the Weiyang Palace; now the palaces are not yet completed, and this is my responsibility. However, the people north of the Yellow River are living in hardship; there is war inside and out, and it is impossible to do both at the same time. We should temporarily halt palace construction to tackle the urgent needs right now."
In the second year of the Jingchu era, Niu Jin, Hu Zun, and their 40,000 troops, both infantry and cavalry, set out from the capital. The emperor personally bid them farewell at the Ximing Gate. He also ordered his younger brother Cao Fu and son Cao Shi to escort them to Wen County, bestowing upon them food, cloth, cattle, and wine, and commanded officials below the county magistrate to see them off. They gathered with their hometown elders and relatives, celebrating with feasts for several days. The emperor sighed, feeling emotional, and sang a song: "Heaven and earth open up, the sun and moon shine anew. Encounters and meetings, strive far and wide. To sweep away the filth, return to the homeland. Purify the land, unite the eight corners. Achieving success in old age, awaiting judgment under the sun." Then he set off with the troops, passing through Guzhu, crossing over Jieshi Mountain, and arriving at Liaoshui. Wenyi sent out tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry, blocking the mountain pass at Liaoshui, defending the city, with a defense line stretching sixty to seventy miles north and south, to resist the emperor. The emperor led a large army, banners flying, attacking from the south, with the enemy's elite troops coming out to confront them. The emperor secretly crossed the Liaoshui River by boat, coming out from the north and approaching the enemy's camp, sinking ships and setting bridges ablaze, setting up a siege at the Liaoshui River, calling off the assault on the enemy camp, and marching directly towards Xiangping. The generals said, "Not attacking the enemy camp and only setting up a siege, this won't intimidate the enemy!" The emperor said, "The enemy's camp is well-fortified; they aim to wear down our forces gradually. If we attack them, we'll be playing right into their hands, just like Wang Yi did in the Battle of Kunyang. The ancients said, even if the enemy builds high walls, we can still force them to fight us by attacking the point they must defend. The enemy's main force is here, so their stronghold is empty. If we head straight for Xiangping, they'll be scared, and fear will drive them to battle, and defeating them will ensure our victory." He then regrouped his troops and pressed on.
Seeing the Wei army appear behind them, the enemy indeed came to intercept. The emperor said to the generals, "We did not attack their camp in order to lure them out. We can't miss this opportunity!" He then ordered the army to counterattack, defeating the enemy and winning three battles. The enemy retreated to Xiangping, and the emperor surrounded Xiangping with his army. Initially, when Wen Yi heard that the Wei army had marched out, he sought help from Sun Quan. Sun Quan sent a token force and wrote to Wen Yi, saying, "Sima Yi is skilled in warfare, unpredictable, and unstoppable. I am worried for you!" At that time, heavy rain and flooding occurred, with water pooling several feet deep on flat ground. The soldiers were all afraid and wanted to move the camp. The emperor ordered that anyone in the army daring to propose moving the camp would face execution as a warning to the others! The commander’s aide, Zhang Jing, defied the order and was beheaded, which finally restored order among the troops. Taking advantage of the floodwaters, the enemy continued their usual activities. The generals wanted to take advantage and attack them, but the emperor refused. Sima Chen Gui said, "When attacking Shangyong before, the Eight Routes Army attacked simultaneously day and night, so it only took more than ten days to break through the strong city and kill Meng Da. Now we have come from afar, but we are so relaxed and slow; I truly don’t understand." The emperor said, "Meng Da had few troops and supplies, yet he held out for a year. Our soldiers are four times that of Meng Da, but we have only enough provisions for a month. How can we afford to be slow? With four times the troops attacking half the enemy, even if only half of their forces can fight, we should go all out. So we won’t worry about casualties; we will compete with the enemy in terms of provisions. Now the enemy is more numerous than us; they lack supplies while we are sufficient, and with this kind of rain, if we don’t act quickly, what’s the point? Since leaving the capital, I’m not worried about the enemy attacking; I’m more concerned about them fleeing. Now the enemy's provisions are running out, and our encirclement has not yet closed. We should seize their cattle and horses and raid their woodcutting teams to force them to flee. The art of war is all about deception, being able to adapt to changing circumstances. The enemy relies on their large numbers and the heavy rain, so even when they’re hungry and tired, they still refuse to give up. We should act incompetent to mislead them. Getting some small victories to scare them isn’t a good strategy.
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The court learned that the army was caught in heavy rain and requested the recall of the troops. The Emperor said, "Sima Yi remains composed in the face of danger and is quick to adapt; he will soon capture Wen Yi." Soon after the rain stopped, they besieged the city. They constructed earthen mounds, dug tunnels, set up shields and ladders, and arrows and stones fell like rain on the city, day and night. At this time, a long star appeared in the sky, white in color, emitting light and trailing a beard-like appearance, flowing from the southwest of Xiangping City to the northeast, falling into the Liang River, frightening the people in the city. Wen Yi was filled with fear, so he sent his appointed Prime Minister Wang Jian and Grand Master Liu Fu to surrender, requesting the lifting of the siege and expressing his willingness to surrender. The Emperor did not agree, captured Wang Jian and the others, and had them executed. Then he wrote to Wen Yi, "In the past, the states of Chu and Zheng were vassal states, with the Duke of Zheng even welcoming the princes naked with a sheep. As the Emperor, my position is exalted; how can Wang Jian and the others ask me to lift the siege and retreat? These two elderly and misguided men must have conveyed my message, and I have already killed them. If you have further messages, you may send someone younger and more decisive." Wen Yi sent the Chamberlain Wei Yan to request a surrender date. The Emperor told Wei Yan, "In military matters, there are generally five situations: fight if you can, defend if you can't, run if you can't defend; the remaining two situations are surrender or death. Since you refuse to surrender, it means you are determined to die; there's no point in setting a surrender date." Wen Yi broke through from the south, the Emperor ordered the army to counterattack, defeated them, and killed Wen Yi at the site where the long star fell into the Liang River. After entering the city, two markers were set up to distinguish between new and old residents. Over seven thousand men over the age of fifteen were all executed and their bodies piled at Jingguan. All officials below the usurper's court's nobility were executed, including more than two thousand people such as the general Bi Sheng. Forty thousand households and over three hundred thousand people were confiscated. Initially, Wen Yi usurped the throne of his uncle Cao Gong and imprisoned him. When he was about to rebel, General Lun Zhi, Jia Fan, and others advised him, but Wen Yi killed them all. The Emperor released Cao Gong and built tombs for Lun Zhi and others, treating their descendants kindly. The Emperor ordered, "In ancient times, attacking a country only required punishing those who had committed serious crimes. Those deceived by Wen Yi should be pardoned. Chinese citizens wishing to return to their hometowns may do so." Some soldiers lacked clothing and requested the Emperor to reward them with cotton clothes, but the Emperor refused. Someone said, "Fortunately, there are plenty of old cotton clothes available for them." The Emperor said, "Cotton clothes are official items; ministers cannot distribute them privately." Therefore, more than a thousand soldiers aged over sixty were disbanded and sent back home, and the remains of the fallen generals and soldiers were returned to their families for burial. Then the army returned to the capital. The Emperor sent envoys to comfort the troops in Jixian, increased the fiefdom and food estate of Kunyang, and incorporated two additional counties into the existing ones.
Initially, after the emperor arrived in Xiangping, he dreamed that a divine being was resting on his lap, saying, "Look at my face." The emperor lowered his head and found that the divine being's complexion was unusual, which caused him to feel uneasy. Prior to this, the emperor had ordered Sima Yi to guard the pass on the way.
In the spring of the year 240 AD, Japanese envoys once again presented tribute, with countries like Yanqi, Weixu, and the Xianbei rulers south of the Ruo River sending envoys to present gifts. The emperor attributed the credit to his ministers who assisted him and expanded his fiefdom. Initially, Emperor Ming of Wei liked to build palaces featuring luxurious and exquisite designs, which brought great hardship to the common people. It was reported that when the emperor returned from Liaodong, there were still tens of thousands of people in service, along with countless exquisite items. At this point, he ordered all of this to stop, expenditures were cut, farming was encouraged, and people across the empire were pleased with this change.
In May of the second year of summer, General Quan Cong of the Wu Kingdom attacked Shao Bi, while Zhu Ran and Sun Lun besieged Fan Cheng, and Zhuge Jin and Bu Zhi raided the Zha Zhong region. The emperor requested to personally lead the expedition. The ministers all believed that the enemy was far away and could not be quickly defeated while besieging Fan Cheng. If they were to suffer defeat under the strong city walls, it could lead to self-destruction, so a long-term strategy should be employed against them. The emperor said, "The border cities are under attack by the enemy, but we are sitting safely in the court. The border is in turmoil, causing doubt among everyone. This is a great concern for the country!" In June, the emperor urged the armies to march south, and the emperor's carriage set out from Jin Yang Gate. Considering the hot and humid climate in the south, unsuitable for prolonged warfare, the emperor dispatched light cavalry to scout, but the Wu army did not dare to act rashly. So the emperor let the soldiers rest, selected elite troops, recruited brave warriors willing to take the lead, and issued orders, showing determination to win. The Wu army fled at night, pursued to Sanzhou Kou, where over ten thousand enemies were killed or captured, and their boats and military supplies were seized before returning. The emperor sent an attendant to Wan Cheng to bolster the troops' morale. In July, during the autumn, the emperor further expanded the fiefs of Yan and Lin Ying counties, along with the previous four counties, rewarding a total of ten thousand families, and his eleven grandchildren were all appointed marquises. The emperor's achievements grew increasingly celebrated, yet he grew increasingly humble and respectful. He bowed to the old ministers of Taichang Changlin Township whenever they met. He often admonished his grandchildren, saying, "As the Daoists often say, prosperity leads to decline; even the four seasons change. What virtues do I possess that could withstand all this? We must continually reduce, again and again; perhaps only then can we avert disaster!"
In the spring of the year 230 AD, the emperor posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Wuyang to his father, the former Prefect of Jingzhao. In March, he ordered the excavation of the Guangcao Canal, diverting river water to the Bian River to irrigate the low-lying areas in the southeast, thus marking the beginning of large-scale agricultural development in the Huai River basin. Earlier, the state of Wu stationed the general Zhuge Ke in Wancheng, causing great hardship for the people along the border. The emperor at that time wanted to personally go and fight Zhuge Ke. Many ministers believed it was unwise, arguing that the enemy held strong cities and had ample food supplies. If we were to attack, they would definitely reinforce, and our army would be in a dilemma with no benefits.
However, the emperor said, "The enemy's strength is in their navy. If we attack their cities now, and let's see how they respond. If they use their advantage and abandon the cities to flee, it would be a great victory for us. If they dare to defend the cities, when winter arrives and the water levels drop, their boats will be stranded, and they will have to abandon the waterways to provide reinforcements. This way, they will be using their weaknesses to confront our strengths, which will benefit us."
In September of the year 231 AD, the emperor personally led a large army to attack Zhuge Ke, setting out from Jinyang Gate. When the army reached Shu County, Zhuge Ke set fire to the stored food supplies and fled the city. The emperor believed that the key to defeating the enemy lay in the reserve of food supplies, so he actively promoted garrison farming, excavated the Huaiyang Canal and Baichi Canal, and built many water facilities on both sides of the Ying River to irrigate thousands of acres of land. From then on, granaries were established one after another in the north of the Huai River, from Shouyang all the way to the capital, with garrison troops working together.
In January of the year 232 AD, the emperor returned from the south of the Huai River. He sent envoys to encourage the troops. The Grand Secretary Deng Yang, Li Sheng, and others wanted Cao Shuang to gain some credit and persuaded the emperor to send troops to attack Shu. The emperor refused, stating it wasn't feasible. Ultimately, Cao Shuang returned without achieving any victories.
In August of the year 233 AD, Cao Shuang dismantled the Central Camp and handed over the army to his brother, Cao Xi, who was in charge of the central army. The emperor said this violated the former emperor's established protocols and was not allowed. In December, the emperor summoned Cao Shuang to participate in the court meeting by riding in the imperial carriage.
In January of the year 234 AD, the Wu army attacked Zhong (place name), with more than ten thousand households fleeing to the north of the Mian River to avoid the war, whether they were Han or from ethnic minorities. The emperor felt that the southern bank of the Mian River was too close to the enemy, and if the people all returned, the Wu army would definitely come back to attack again, so they should temporarily let them stay in the north. However, Cao Shuang disagreed, saying, "We can't even defend the southern bank of the Mian River now; how can we let the people stay there? This isn't a sustainable solution!"
The emperor said, "No! Anything is safe when placed in a safe place and in danger when placed in a dangerous place. Isn't it said in the military books, 'Success or failure, form also; safety or danger, momentum is also'? Momentum is the key to controlling the overall situation, and we must be vigilant. Suppose the enemy sends twenty thousand troops to block the Mian River, sends thirty thousand troops to confront the southern army of the Mian River, and leaves ten thousand troops to attack Zhong, how can we respond?" Cao Shuang still did not listen and eventually let the people return. As a result, the Wu army did indeed launch a surprise attack on Zhong, causing heavy losses, and it is unknown how many things were looted.
In April of the year 235 AD, the emperor's mother, Lady Zhang, died. Cao Shuang listened to the advice of He Yan, Deng Yang, and Ding Mi, and relocated the empress dowager to Yongning Palace, taking over power and monopolizing court affairs. He and his brothers controlled the imperial guards together, and also gathered a large group of confidants, constantly changing the system. The emperor couldn't stop him, so his relationship with Cao Shuang became increasingly tense. In May, the emperor used illness as an excuse to not participate in political affairs. At that time, the common people even made up a song to mock them: "He, Deng, Ding, chaos in the capital."
In March, nine years ago in the spring, Zhang Dang secretly took eleven talented women, including Shi Ying from the Yeting, and gave them to Cao Shuang as singers. Cao Shuang and He Yan believed the emperor was gravely ill, which led them to contemplate usurping the throne and conspired with Zhang Dang to overthrow the court. The emperor was secretly making preparations, and some of Cao Shuang's subordinates grew suspicious of him. Just then, Li Sheng, the Intendant of Henan, was about to take office in Jingzhou and came to see the emperor. The emperor feigned a serious illness, allowing only two palace maids to attend to him. He intentionally let his clothes fall to the floor, pointed to his mouth, and indicated that he was thirsty. The maid brought porridge, but the emperor refused to drink from a cup, causing the porridge to spill on his chest. Li Sheng remarked, "Everyone believes your old illness has returned. How could your condition be like this?" The emperor mumbled incoherently, saying, "I am old and have been bedridden for a long time. I could die at any time. You should go to guard Bingzhou, which is close to the barbarians, and be prepared. We may never see each other again. I entrust my two sons, Shi and Zhao, to you." Li Sheng said, "I am about to return to my home province for my new position, not to Bingzhou." The emperor incoherently said, "You are going to Bingzhou right away." Li Sheng said again, "I should go to Jingzhou." The emperor said, "I am old and confused; I cannot comprehend what you’re saying. Go back to your home province now and achieve great things!" Li Sheng went back and told Cao Shuang, "The Grand Marshal (referring to the emperor) is no longer capable; his breath is fading, and he is on the brink of death. There is no need to worry." After a few days, he said, "The Grand Tutor (referring to the emperor) has passed on, which is distressing for all of us." As a result, Cao Shuang and his men let their guard down and ceased their preparations.
This passage records how the emperor cleverly outwitted Cao Shuang and others, buying himself some time to ensure his safety. The emperor feigned illness, putting on a show of weakness and even going so far as to spill porridge on himself, all to mislead Li Sheng into thinking he was worse off than he really was, which made Cao Shuang let his guard down. Li Sheng's two reports were a big factor in Cao Shuang becoming careless. The emperor's strategy succeeded, highlighting his sharp wit and composed demeanor.
On the fifteenth day of the first month in 249 AD, the emperor planned to pay homage at the Gaoping Mausoleum, and his elder half-brothers accompanied him. That night, the moon was obscured by clouds. The emperor seized the opportunity to inform Empress Yongning, with the intention of abolishing the official positions held by his half-brothers. At that time, Emperor Jing was serving as the Middle Guard, stationed with the army at Sima Gate. The emperor arranged his forces outside the palace gate, passing by the camp of his elder half-brothers. Within Gaotang's camp, Du Yanshi attempted to ascend the tower to shoot the emperor with a crossbow, but Sun Qian intervened, saying, "The situation is still unclear." Despite repeated attempts to dissuade him, Sun Qian held his arm to prevent him from firing. Huan Fan, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, went to confront Gaotang, and Jiang Ji reported to the emperor, "Gaotang's advisors have fled." The emperor said, "Gaotang and Huan Fan have a distant relationship, and their intelligence is not enough, just like a poor-quality horse that covets small beans; they are definitely not reliable." So the emperor appointed the Minister of Works, Gao Rou, to act as the Grand General, taking over Gaotang's army, and said to Gao Rou, "You are the second Zhou Bo!" He also appointed the Grand Steward, Wang Guan, to act as the Middle General, taking over Gao Xi's army. The emperor personally led the Grand Commandant, Jiang Ji, and others to meet the emperor with soldiers stationed at the Luoshui floating bridge, reporting, "The late emperor once decreed that Your Majesty, the Prince of Qin, and I should ascend the imperial bed together, holding my arm and saying, 'Consider more for the future.' Now the Grand General Gaotang has violated the late emperor's decree, violated the country's laws, usurped power in the inner palace, and monopolized power outside, placing his own people in key positions; the original guards have been sidelined. He has grown increasingly unruly, and even appointed the Yellow Gate official Zhang Dang as the Director of the Capital, specifically responsible for handling official documents and spying on sacred artifacts. The populace is in a state of panic and insecurity. Your Majesty is merely a temporary occupant of the palace; how can you be at ease for a long time? This was not the late emperor's intention when he had us ascend the imperial bed together. Though I am old and frail, I cannot forget the late emperor's instructions. In the past, Zhao Gao held absolute power, leading to the downfall of the Qin Dynasty; Empress Dowager Lu and Huo Guang timely eradicated dissidents, allowing the Han Dynasty to continue. This is a lesson Your Majesty should heed, and also my advice before my death. The ministers in the court all believe that Gaotang has intentions of rebellion, and the two brothers should not simultaneously control the army and the guards; I reported to the Empress Dowager, who ordered the implementation of my report. I promptly ordered the relevant departments and the Yellow Gate officials to dismiss Gaotang and Gao Xi from their posts, and commanded the soldiers to return to their positions. If they impede the carriage, they will face consequences under military law. Despite my illness, I led the army to the Luoshui floating bridge to monitor for any unusual occurrences.
No source text available for translation.
Gao Tang disregarded the memorial, had the carriage stay overnight on the south bank of the Yi River, felled trees to set up deer antlers, and mobilized thousands of soldiers to defend. Huan Fan successfully persuaded Gao Tang to go to Xuchang in the presence of the emperor and issued a military recruitment decree to the world. Gao Tang did not accept it, and that night sent the attendant Xu Yun and the Minister Chen Tai to see the emperor and assess the situation. The emperor enumerated his crimes and ultimately only dismissed him from his official position. Chen Tai returned and told Gao Tang the situation, advising him to accept the memorial. The emperor then sent the trusted palace captain Yin Damei to persuade him, swearing by the Luo River, and Gao Tang believed it. Huan Fan and others earnestly cited classics in their attempts to persuade him, but ultimately failed. Gao Tang said, "Sima Gong definitely wants to take away my power. I can return home as a marquis, which is not a bad outcome." Thus, Gao Tang accepted the emperor's decree. Later, the relevant authorities charged Zhang Dang, the Huangmen, and exposed Gao Tang and others for rebellion, so Gao Tang's brothers and their followers He Yan, Ding Mi, Deng Yang, Bi Gui, Li Sheng, Huan Fan, and others were arrested and executed. Jiang Ji said, "Cao Zhen's merits cannot be ignored." The emperor did not listen. Originally, Gao Tang's Sima Lu Zhi and the registrar Yang Zong broke through the pass to join Gao Tang. When Gao Tang was about to confess, Lu Zhi and Yang Zong cried and persuaded him, "You hold the heavy responsibility of Yi Yin and Duke of Zhou, commanding the princes with the emperor's orders; who dares not to obey? If you give up all this and go to your death, won't it be heartbreaking!" The relevant authorities sought the arrest of Lu Zhi and Yang Zong for punishment, and the emperor pardoned them, stating, "This is to encourage loyalty to the crown." In February, the emperor appointed Jingdi to the position of prime minister, adding the four counties of Fanchang, Yanling, Xinji, and Fucheng in Yingchuan, together with the previous eight counties, totaling 20,000 households, without the need to report names when submitting memorials. Jingdi respectfully declined the position of prime minister. In December, the emperor bestowed the Nine Bounties upon Jingdi, and he was not required to bow during court meetings. Jingdi also declined the Nine Bounties.
In the spring of the second year of the reign, the Emperor ordered the construction of a temple for Emperor Cao Pi in Luoyang, and also established left and right grand historians, increasing the number of subordinate officials and attendants to a total of ten. Every year, one person was selected from the subordinate officials to serve as an imperial censor, and one person was selected from the ranks of scholars to serve as an official. In addition, an additional one hundred cavalry and fourteen musicians were recruited. The Emperor further granted titles to Cao Pi's son Cao Rong as the Marquis of Pingleting, and Cao Lun as the Marquis of Anleting.
Due to Emperor Cao Pi's prolonged illness and declining health, he was unable to handle state affairs in the court, so every time a major event occurred, the Emperor would personally visit Cao Pi's residence to seek his counsel. The Inspector of Yanzhou, Linghu Yu, and the Grand Commandant, Wang Ling, were in conflict with Emperor Cao Pi and secretly plotted to support Prince of Chu, Cao Biao, as the Emperor.
In the spring of the year 233 AD, Wang Ling spread rumors that the Wu Kingdom had dammed the Tu River and requested the Emperor to send troops to attack. The Emperor was aware of his conspiracy and refused to act on it.
In April, the emperor personally led the central army and traveled by boat along the river, arriving in Gancheng nine days later. Wang Ling's plan failed, so he had to greet the emperor at Wuqiu. Having his hands bound behind his back, he arrived at the river and said, "If I, Wang Ling, am guilty, you should have someone summon me. Why did you have to come in person?" The emperor replied, "Because you are not the sort of person I would send someone to summon." Wang Ling was then taken back to the capital. As he passed by Jia Kui's temple, Wang Ling shouted, "Jia Liangdao! Wang Ling is a loyal minister of Wei; only you can understand!" Upon arriving in Luoyang, Wang Ling drank poisoned wine and took his own life. His associates were all executed, including Sima Biao among them. All the nobles and ministers of Wei were gathered in Ye City under the supervision of officials and forbidden from communicating with one another. The emperor also sent Wei Chan, carrying the emperor's token, to comfort the troops at Wuchi. After the emperor returned from Gancheng, the emperor sent Yuyi, who held the positions of Grand Herald and Grand Minister, carrying the emperor's token to appoint him as the Prime Minister and Duke of Anping. His son and nephew were each granted the title of marquis, with a total of 50,000 households under their control, and a total of nineteen individuals were granted the title of marquis. Sima Yi resolutely declined the titles of Prime Minister and Duke, refusing to accept either.
In June, Sima Yi fell ill and had a dream that Jia Kui and Wang Ling were trying to harm him, which made him very upset. On the Wuyin day of the eighth month, he passed away in the capital at the age of seventy-three. The emperor donned plain clothes and personally went to pay his respects, and the funeral rites were based on the story of Huo Guang from the Han Dynasty, posthumously appointing him as Prime Minister and Duke of Anping County. Sima Yi's brother, Sima Fu, submitted a statement expressing Sima Yi's wishes before his death, renouncing the title of Duke and the use of his ceremonial chariot. On the Gengshen day of the ninth month, Sima Yi was buried in Heyin, posthumously given the name Wenzhen, which was later changed to Xuanwen. Earlier, Sima Yi had already established funeral arrangements, with a burial mound constructed for him at Shouyang Mountain, without a tomb or any trees; he also wrote three testamentary documents, specifying a simple burial in ordinary clothes without any burial goods, and prohibiting anyone from being buried with him in the future. Everything was carried out according to his wishes. After the establishment of the Jin Dynasty, he was posthumously honored as King Xuan. After Emperor Jin Wen, Sima Yan, abdicated, he was honored as Emperor Xuan, with his tomb named Gaoyuan Tomb and his temple name Gaogu. The emperor seemed generous outwardly, but he was actually suspicious and enjoyed political maneuvering. Cao Cao saw the emperor's ambition and heard about his "wolf-like appearance." Cao Cao wanted to confirm this, so he summoned the emperor and asked him to walk forward and then look back without moving his body. Cao Cao had also dreamt of three horses eating from the same trough, which left him feeling uneasy. So, he told Crown Prince Cao Pi, "Sima Yi does not behave like a subject should; he will definitely get involved in your family affairs in the future." Crown Prince Cao Pi had a good relationship with the emperor and often helped each other, and that’s why Sima Yi was spared. From then on, the emperor worked tirelessly day and night, even personally inspecting fields and pastures, which put Cao Cao at ease.
Later, after pacifying the rebellion of Gongsun Yuan, the emperor launched a campaign of mass executions. When executing Cao Shuang, he implicated entire families, killing men, women, and children alike, including Cao Shuang's aunt, sisters, and even his married daughters. Eventually, he seized control of the Wei Kingdom. During the reign of Emperor Ming, Wang Dao accompanied the emperor. The emperor asked Wang Dao how past dynasties came to power, and Wang Dao began recounting from Cao Cao's establishment, all the way to the time of the Duke of Gaogui during the reign of Emperor Wen. After hearing this, Emperor Ming laid face down on the bed and said, "If what you say is true, can the Jin Dynasty's rule last long?" His suspicious and cruel demeanor is telling, and it truly matches the "wolf-like gaze"! The world is so vast, the common people are the foundation; the country is so important, leaders must come first. The rise and fall of nations follows no set rules; success or failure has its own destiny. Therefore, during the time of the Five Emperors, even sitting on the throne of supreme power, there was still anxiety; starting from the Three Kings, they transformed their worries into a sense of joy. Everyone competes for power, fights for interests, the small are devoured by the strong, and the weak are invaded by the strong. By the time of the Wei Dynasty, the Three Kingdoms stood, wars continued, and the flames of war raged. Emperor Xuan, with his natural talent, rose to prominence in assisting the emperor, excelling in both civil and military affairs. He valued others as he valued himself, seeking talents eagerly; with a broad-minded character, he could accommodate others, adapt to the situation, and bide his time. He masked his true intentions, preserving the collapsing political power. His strategic brilliance, decisive policies, and rapid military actions led to Gongsun Yuan's swift defeat in a hundred days, and the capture of Meng Da in just over ten days. He believed his military maneuvers were swift and his strategies well-planned.
Later, he led a large army to march west and confronted Zhuge Liang. The morale of Zhuge Liang's army was low, to the point where they were losing their helmets and armor, which ultimately drove Zhuge Liang to resolve to counterattack. Sima Yi struck a pose outside the camp, but his ambitious spirit vanished in an instant. His request to fight from a thousand miles away was really just a ploy to intimidate the enemy. Moreover, the Shu Han troops simply couldn't match their combat prowess; the rugged terrain and varying levels of fatigue made a difference. The advantages of this approach were clear. Consequently, Sima Yi stayed behind closed doors, refusing to engage in battle, and the soldiers were afraid of actually fighting and did not dare to advance. They suspected it was a trick from the enemy, which led them to flee. An excellent general, yet this was where he failed! During the reign of Emperor Wen, Sima Yi assisted the emperor with great power, holding a position in Xuchang akin to that of Xiao He and a position in the court similar to Huo Guang. It’s fair to say he was loyal, comparable to Yi Yin and Fu Shuo. As Emperor Ming lay dying, Sima Yi stood as a pillar of the court, assisting two generations of emperors of Wei, experiencing three reigns, fulfilling the emperor's dying wishes yet receiving no reward in return. With the emperor absent from the capital, a mutiny broke out in the palace, and they were killing each other before the imperial tomb was even finished. Is this truly the fate of a loyal minister? Perfect strategies, yet they leave one perplexed.
Is the strategy of conquest really about the East being clever and the West being foolish? How can the heart that once faithfully assisted the emperor later turn to rebellion? Therefore, Emperor Jin Ming covered his face in despair and sighed, ashamed of achieving success through deceit; while Shi Le was complacent, mocking those treacherous individuals who manage to achieve great things. "Do good for three years, and few will notice; do evil for just one day, and it will echo throughout the world." The ancients were right! Although Sima Yi concealed his faults in the past, he was ultimately condemned by future generations. It's like covering your ears while stealing a bell, thinking no one can hear you; or sneaking to steal gold, thinking others can't see. Therefore, pursuing immediate gains often overlooks long-term consequences; if you don't sacrifice your own interests to help others, you'll end up harming others for your own gain. It's easier to succeed by going with the flow than to succeed by going against it. Moreover, how could the unstable Jin Dynasty challenge the powerful Wei Kingdom? Even if he sought to influence the world with righteousness and bless the people, the timing was not right, and the throne was still difficult to obtain. It cannot be won by wisdom or by force. Although his achievements were remembered through the ages, he ultimately met his end in the north.
