Emperor Wu, named Sima Yan and styled Anshi, was the eldest son of Emperor Wen, Sima Zhao. He was generous, kind, steady, and measured. During the Jia Ping reign of the Wei Dynasty, he was appointed as the Marquis of Beipingting, and later served as a Court Attendant, Minister of the Imperial Carriage, and General of the Central Army. He was also appointed as a Cavalier In Regular Attendance, gradually rising to the position of Central Protector-General and given the authority to act on behalf of the emperor. He once went to Dongwuyang to welcome the Duke of Changdao Township, and was later promoted to Central Pacification Commissioner, enfeoffed as the Marquis of Xinchang Township. After the establishment of the Jin Dynasty, he was named the Crown Prince, appointed as Grand General of the Guard, permitted to set up his own office, and assist the Prime Minister in handling state affairs.
Initially, Emperor Wen, Sima Zhao, believed that Emperor Jing, Sima Shi, was the legitimate eldest son of Emperor Xuan, Sima Yi, but unfortunately, he passed away early without leaving any descendants. Therefore, he intended for his brother, Sima You, to succeed to the throne. He favored Sima You greatly, even claiming to be only temporarily acting as the Prime Minister, stating that after a hundred years, the great responsibility should be passed to Sima You. He often remarked, "This is Prince Jing's domain; what right do I have?" When discussing the appointment of the Crown Prince, Emperor Wen, Sima Zhao, was more inclined towards Sima You. However, He Zeng and others strongly opposed, saying, "Central Pacification Commissioner Sima Yan is smart and brave, possessing extraordinary abilities. Look at him; when standing, his hair reaches the ground, and when sitting, his hands surpass his knees. This doesn't look like the demeanor of a subject!" Therefore, it was ultimately decided to appoint Sima Yan as the Crown Prince.
In May of 265 AD, Sima Yan was appointed as the Crown Prince of Jin. On the eighth day of the eighth month, Sima Zhao passed away, and Sima Yan succeeded to the positions of Prime Minister and Prince of Jin. He immediately ordered the reduction of penalties, pardoned criminals, pacified the people, ceased corvée, and the country mourned for three days. In that same month, a giant three zhang in height appeared in Xiangwu County, who said to the local man, Wang Shi, "Peace is coming!"
On the fifth day of September, Sima Yan appointed He Ceng, the Chancellor of Wei, as Prime Minister, Wang Shen, the General Who Pacifies the South, as Grand Inspector, Jia Chong, the Central Army Protector, as General Who Guards the Army, and Pei Xiu, the Chief of the Yellow Gate, as Minister of Rites and concurrently Grandee of the Imperial Clan, all of whom had the power to establish their own staff organizations. In November, Sima Yan began to establish four Central Protectors to command the armies outside the city. On the fourteenth day of November, he ordered the officials in each commandery to recommend talented individuals who had been overlooked according to six standards: first, loyalty and integrity, not deceiving oneself; second, filial piety, fulfilling the duties of children; third, loving brothers and sisters; fourth, upright conduct, humility, and prudence; fifth, keeping promises, being loyal, and trustworthy; sixth, learning and applying it in practice.
At that time, the benevolent governance of the Jin Dynasty had taken root in the hearts of the people, and the whole country was peaceful and united. Sima Yan believed this was the will of heaven, so he sent the Grand Preceptor Zheng Chong to read aloud the edict:
"Consulting you, Jin Prince: My imperial ancestor Yu Shun, graced by heaven, inherited the throne from Yao and passed it on to Xia Yu. These three sage rulers all ascended to become immortals, and their virtue illuminated the world. Thereafter, heaven entrusted the mandate to the Han Dynasty. After the decline of the Han Dynasty, heaven once again favored my high ancestor. We dare not speculate on the achievements of the four generations of emperors Yu Shun, Xia Yu, Tang of Shang, and King Wen of Zhou, but your ancestors and father, upholding wise virtues, assisted our royal family, their merits and virtues spreading throughout the world. The heavens and earth honored them, and the world was peaceful, and the people were happy. You should inherit the will of heaven, take over the central authority of the empire. As an individual, I am only following the will of heaven, respectfully passing the throne to you, as this is the divine mandate. You must govern diligently, ensuring the eternal prosperity of the country. Ah! You must respect the divine mandate, follow the ancestral teachings, pacify the vassal lords in all directions, preserve the peace of the country, and not to undermine the great legacies of our two late emperors!"
Sima Yan, the founder of the Jin Dynasty, initially declined the offer, but was persuaded by officials He Zeng and Wang Shen from the Wei court before he ultimately accepted the throne.
In the winter of the year 265 AD, on the day of Bing Yin in December, an altar was set up in the southern suburbs. Tens of thousands of civil and military officials, the Southern Chanyu of the Xiongnu, and leaders from various ethnic groups attended the ceremony. Emperor Sima Yan respectfully announced to Heaven and Earth at the altar, saying, "I, Emperor Sima Yan, respectfully inform Heaven and Earth: The Emperor of Wei passed the throne to me, having inherited the will of Heaven. In ancient times, Emperor Yao upheld great virtues and abdicated the throne to Emperor Shun, who subsequently passed it on to Emperor Yu. They educated the people with their virtues and ruled for many years. Later, the Han Dynasty declined, and our ancestor Emperor Wu pacified the chaos, assisted the Liu clan dynasty, and accepted the abdication of the Han Dynasty. During the rule of the Wei Dynasty, there were also many upheavals and near extinction, but thanks to the Jin Dynasty's rescue, the Wei Dynasty was able to continue and survive the difficulties, demonstrating the Jin Dynasty's great kindness towards the Wei Dynasty. Now, all corners have submitted to the Jin Dynasty, having pacified Liangzhou and Yizhou, and conquered Yangzhou and Yuezhou. The world is unified, auspicious signs abound, there is harmony between heaven and humanity, and peace reigns across the land. Thus, I inherit the achievements of three generations of emperors and accept the will of Heaven. Though my virtues are lacking and I wished to decline, I find I cannot refuse. Thus, all officials and leaders from various ethnic groups reached a unanimous agreement: Heaven inspects the people below, seeking a suitable ruler. Since there is a divine mandate, it cannot be refused or resisted. The world's order cannot exist without a ruler, and both mortals and deities need a master. I humbly accept the mandate of Heaven, revere it, choose an auspicious day, ascend the altar to receive the abdication, and offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, fulfilling the people's expectations." After the ceremony, Sima Yan went to the front hall of the Taiji Palace in Luoyang and issued a decree stating, "My great-grandfather, King Xuan, wise and virtuous, adhered to the will of Heaven and laid the foundation of the Jin Dynasty; my grandfather, King Jing, followed the right path and educated the people; my father, King Wen, wise and far-sighted, adhered to the will of Heaven, accepted its mandate, bestowed blessings upon the world, and achieved immeasurable merit. The Wei Dynasty also followed the teachings of the ancient sage kings, learned from the examples of Yao and Shun, and passed on the great cause to me. I shoulder this heavy responsibility and rely on you, noble lords and ministers, to help govern the realm. I hope to share this era of peace and prosperity with all nations."
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Therefore, an amnesty was declared throughout the country, a new era was established, and titles were granted to the people of the world, with each person receiving five ranks of nobility. For the elderly, widows, and those unable to support themselves, five hu of grain each were distributed. All national taxes and tariffs were suspended for a year, and all debts were forgiven. Previous grievances were settled, restrictions were lifted, and all those who were dismissed from their official positions and stripped of their titles were reinstated. On the second day of the first month, Grand Marshal Liu Yuan was sent to the ancestral temple to make offerings. The Wei emperor was granted the title of Prince of Chenliu, with a fief of ten thousand households and residence at the Yegong Palace; all the princes of the Wei dynasty were appointed county marquises. Emperor Xuan was posthumously honored as Emperor Xuan, Emperor Jing as Emperor Jing, Emperor Wen as Emperor Wen, and Empress Zhang, the wife of Emperor Xuan, as Empress Xuanmu. Empress Dowager Wang was honored as Grand Empress Dowager, and the palace was designated as Chonghua Palace. Sima Fu was appointed King of Anping, Sima Gan as King of Pingyuan, Sima Liang as King of Fufeng, Sima Zong as King of Dongguan, Sima Jun as King of Ruyin, Sima Rong as King of Liang, Sima Lun as King of Langye, the emperor's younger brother Sima You as King of Qi, Sima Jian as King of Le'an, Sima Ji as King of Yan, the emperor's cousin Sima Wang as King of Yiyang, Sima Fu as King of Bohai, Sima Huang as King of Xiapu, Sima Gui as King of Taiyuan, Sima Gui as King of Gaoyang, Sima Heng as King of Changshan, Sima Wen as King of Pei, Sima Tai as King of Longxi, Sima Quan as King of Pengcheng, Sima Sui as King of Fanyang, Sima Sui as King of Jinan, Sima Xun as King of Qiao, Sima Mu as King of Zhongshan, Sima Ling as King of Beihai, Sima Bin as King of Chen, Sima Hong, the emperor's elder paternal uncle, as King of Hejian, and Sima Mao, the emperor's younger paternal uncle, as King of Dongping. The General of Chariots and Cavalry Shi Bao was appointed Grand Marshal and granted the title of Duke of Leiling; Guard General Jia Chong was appointed General of Chariots and Duke of Lu; the Prefect of the Masters of Writing Pei Xiu was appointed Duke of Julu; the Palace Attendant Xun Xu was appointed Duke of Jibei; the Grand Guardian Zheng Chong was appointed Grand Tutor, Duke of Shouguang; the Grand Commandant Wang Xiang was appointed Grand Guardian, Duke of Suiling; the Chancellor He Zeng was appointed Grand Commandant, Duke of Langling; the Grandee of the Imperial Secretariat Wang Shen was appointed General of Chariots, Duke of Boling; the Minister of Works Xun Yi was appointed Duke of Linhuai; the Grand General Who Pacifies the North Wei Guan was appointed Duke of Ziyang. Other officials were also promoted in rank, with civil and military officials generally being promoted by two levels. The Jingchu calendar was changed to the Taishi calendar, with the La festival falling on the You day and the She festival on the Chou day. On the fifth day of the first month, an edict was issued to strongly encourage frugality, with precious treasures and jewels from the palace being awarded to officials below the rank of princes. A General of the Central Army was established to command the seven garrisons. On the sixth day of the first month, an edict was issued allowing the Prince of Chenliu to use the imperial flags and ceremonial regalia, to continue using the Wei dynasty's era names, rituals of sacrifice, and music and ceremonial systems, without needing to bow in official communications. The sons of Liu Kang, Duke of Shanyang, and Liu Shan, Duke of Anle, were each appointed as Duke of Cavalry. On the twelfth day of the first month, Sima Fu, King of Anping, was appointed Grand Preceptor, granted the Yellow Battle-axe, and appointed Grand Marshal to command the national military. An edict stated: "In the past, Wang Ling attempted to depose the Prince of Qi, but he himself could not maintain his position; although Deng Ai was highly accomplished, he too ended up captured. Now, their families are granted amnesty to live out their later years in peace. The rise and fall of dynasties, adherence to the law, and leniency in punishments are emphasized. Restrictions on the imperial clan of the Wei dynasty are lifted. Those officials and officers who are in mourning for three years are allowed to continue their mourning. The people are exempted from corvée labor. The collateral pledge system for ranks below battalion commanders is abolished. Tribute payments from the commanderies and kingdoms are reduced, and extravagant music, dance, and hunting activities are prohibited. Freedom of speech is promoted, and censors are appointed to oversee remonstrations." During this month, six phoenixes, three azure dragons, two white dragons, and one qilin were reported in various commanderies and kingdoms.
In the second year of the era, in the first month, the emperor sent the attendant Hou Shiguang and others to various places to inspect customs and canceled all sacrificial activities not included in the sacrificial records. The next day, someone suggested building seven ancestral temples, but the emperor deemed the project too ambitious and declined to approve it. A few days later, the emperor ordered the abolition of the "Rooster Crow Song" performance. Later, the emperor bestowed the title of Empress Jing upon Lady Yang, the wife of Emperor Jing, and named her palace Hongxun Palace. In the same month, the emperor also formally recognized Lady Yang as Empress.
In the second month, the emperor ordered the release of the restrictions on the Han Dynasty's imperial family. Prince Changshan passed away, and the emperor issued an edict stating, "All rewards for the fifth rank will be determined according to the old merits. Those originally titled county marquises, their sons can inherit the title of pavilion marquis; the sons of village marquises inherit the title of inner marquis; the sons of pavilion marquises inherit the title of central marquis, and they all enjoy one-tenth of the original fief income." Then, the emperor offered sacrifices to Emperor Xuan in the outskirts, to honor heaven and earth; and offered sacrifices to Emperor Wen in the Mingtang, to share with the gods. The emperor also issued an edict stating, "In ancient times, all officials were responsible for advising the emperor, and the Bao clan was specifically responsible for admonition. Now, the attendants and palace officials actually bear this responsibility, and should select individuals who are willing to speak frankly, correct errors, and address shortcomings to serve in these positions."
In the third month, envoys from Wu came to express their condolences, and the relevant officials reported to the emperor. The emperor said, "Previously, Emperor Wen and Emperor Guangwu appeased Wei Tuo and Gongsun Shu, but did not formally establish a lord-vassal relationship, so they just appeased them without true submission. Now that envoys from Wu have come, we are not yet familiar with their circumstances, so we will just reply with letters." In May, the emperor issued an edict stating, "Prince of Chenliu, Cao Cao, is humble and always submits requests for approval, which does not serve to favor him. In the future, the relevant departments should understand my intentions, and if it is not a major issue, they should not allow royal officials to submit reports anymore." Wang Shen, Duke of Boling and General of Chariots and Cavalry, passed away. In June, Prince of Jibei, Sui, passed away.
In July, the construction of the Grand Temple commenced, utilizing timber from Jing Mountain and stones from Mount Hua, casting twelve bronze columns, painting them with gold, carving various patterns, and inlaying pearls. King Qiao Xun passed away. On the last day of July, a solar eclipse occurred. In August, the Emperor removed the position of Right General. Initially, although the Emperor followed the system of the Han and Wei dynasties to remove mourning attire after the ancestors' death, he still wore plain clothes and a plain hat, lowered his seat, and removed meals, demonstrating profound grief as though still in mourning. Some suggested that the Emperor should wear court attire and restore meals, but the Emperor refused, only resuming normalcy after the mourning period concluded. When the Empress Dowager passed away, he did the same.
In September, the Cavalier Attendant Huangfu Tao and Fu Xuan served as advisors, advising the Emperor; some advised the Emperor to disregard them. The Emperor said, "It is the most difficult thing for a subject to advise the Emperor, but if the Emperor does not listen, it is also a matter of grief and indignation for loyal ministers and upright scholars since ancient times. After the ministers submit their memorials, they are handed over to the officials in charge and often dealt with thoroughly, then they say that pardons should be decided by the Emperor; what kind of logic is that? It should be carefully evaluated." Some suggested that the Great Jin Dynasty inherited the achievements of the Three Emperors, emulated the merits of Shun and Yu, followed the timing of the heavens, received the mandate from Wei, and should adopt the clothing and customs of earlier dynasties, akin to those of the Xia and Shang. The Emperor agreed to this suggestion. On the first day of October, a solar eclipse occurred. The Emperor decreed, "In the past, Emperor Shun was buried in Cangwu, and the people continued to farm as usual; Emperor Yu was buried in Chengji, and the markets continued to trade. I emulate the simple style of my ancestors, and the residents who have caused disturbances due to the relocation of tombs will be addressed."
In November, the Wokou came to offer tribute. Circular and square altars were established in the southern and northern suburbs, respectively, and rituals for the winter and summer solstices were conducted at these altars. The emperor abolished the position of the governor of Shanyang State and related prohibitions. The emperor posthumously honored Lady Xiahou, the wife of Emperor Jing, as Empress Jinghuai. The emperor moved the ancestral tablets to the ancestral temple. In December, the emperor abolished the agricultural posts, delegating their management to the counties. That year, the phoenix was sighted six times, the azure dragon ten times, the yellow dragon nine times, and the qilin once, all appearing in various counties and states.
In January of the year 260 AD, on the day of Gui Chou, the white dragon appeared twice in Hongnong Mianchi. "The white dragon appeared twice in Hongnong Mianchi." This was indeed a good omen! On the day of Ding Mao in the same year, the emperor appointed his son Sima Zhong as the Crown Prince. He also issued a decree stating, "Although my abilities are limited, I bear the heavy responsibility of governing the world. I have always been cautious and afraid that I cannot bring peace to the world. Therefore, I wish to learn the wise and virtuous ways of governance alongside the people, fundamentally rectify the administration, and appoint a Crown Prince to succeed to the throne. This has not been my primary concern! In addition, every time a Crown Prince is appointed in recent years, there is always a general amnesty and grace bestowed upon the people, which is not my preference, but merely a compliance with the opinions of the nobles and ministers. Now that the world is gradually stabilizing, I intend to educate the people with moral principles, to teach them what is good and what is bad, so that they no longer worry about unexpected disasters and can persevere to the end, practicing benevolence and righteousness. Therefore, there is no need to continue with acts of clemency and generosity. Let everyone know my thoughts!"
On the third day of the third month in the year of Wuyin, the court issued an order allowing officials of the rank of 2,000 stones to observe a three-year mourning period for their parents. "Initially, the officials of the rank of 2,000 stones are allowed to observe a three-year mourning period." On the day of Dingwei, it suddenly became dark in the daytime; it was truly terrifying! "Daytime darkness." The emperor ordered the dismissal of the General of the Imperial Guards and appointed Li Xi as the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. Oh, this day is really not peaceful; I've heard that stones have collapsed on Mount Tai! "Stone collapse on Mount Tai." On the fourth day of the fourth month in the year of Wuwu, Jiao Sheng, the Prefect of Zhangye, reported that a dark-colored stone with white patterns resembling a painting was discovered at the entrance of Daliu Valley in Dichixian County. This is a good omen for the Great Jin Dynasty! He offered this stone to the emperor. "Jiao Sheng, the Prefect of Zhangye, reported that there is a dark stone with white patterns at the entrance of Daliu Valley in Dichixian County, which is an auspicious sign of the Great Jin, and presented it." The emperor was overjoyed and specially went to the ancestral temple to pay his respects, and then stored this stone in the Tianfu. In August, the court abolished the office of the Protector General and merged the five departments of the Protectorate into the Palace Attendant. "Dismiss the Protector General and merge its five departments into the Palace Attendant." On the day of Jiaxin in September, the emperor issued another decree, saying, "In ancient times, titles were conferred based on virtue, and salaries were determined based on achievements. Even the lowest-ranking officials could eat top-quality food, so they could wholeheartedly serve the public, respect their parents, and show kindness to others. Nowadays, officials receive extremely high salaries without having to farm themselves, which does not foster good moral values! Therefore, we should think about raising officials' salaries!" "In ancient times, titles were conferred based on virtue, and salaries were determined based on achievements... Consider increasing salaries for officials." The emperor also granted rewards of silk to officials of lower ranks. Meanwhile, He Zeng was appointed as the Grand Preceptor, Sima Wang of Yiyang as the Grand Commandant, and Xun Yi as the Minister of Works.
In October, the court allowed soldiers to return home for their parents' funerals after they pass away, provided it wasn't on the battlefield. "Soldiers who have lost their parents, except on the frontier, are all allowed to return home." In December, the Marquis of Zongsheng, Kong Zhen, was conferred the title of Marquis of Fengshengting. "The Marquis of Zongsheng, Kong Zhen, was conferred the title of Marquis of Fengshengting." Liu Kang, the Duke of Shanyang, visited the emperor at court. "Duke of Shanyang, Liu Kang, came to the court." Finally, the emperor also ordered the prohibition of studying astrology and divination. "The study of astrology and divination is prohibited." What a year of major events it has been!
In the year 265 AD, on New Year's Day, Pei Xiu was appointed as the Minister of Works. A few days later, the new laws were officially announced, with different rewards and gifts for titles. That night, a comet appeared in the sky. The emperor personally went to the fields to plow, to emphasize the importance of agriculture.
The emperor decreed:
"In ancient times, cruel punishments deterred the common people from committing crimes; nowadays, although the penalties are severe, crimes are still rampant. Why is this so? The late emperor had great sympathy for the common people and compassion for those imprisoned, so he ordered the ministers to review the laws. I carry on the late emperor's legacy, wholeheartedly aiming to maintain national stability, hoping for peace under heaven through non-interference. Now, in the spring when all things are growing, agricultural production has begun. I personally lead the royal ministers to cultivate one thousand mu of land. The laws have been drafted and promulgated nationwide, aiming to simplify the legal system, focus on the essentials, and benefit the people. Offenders should be pardoned, given the chance to start anew, so a general amnesty is granted. Each official at all levels, county magistrates, and chief clerks will each receive a horse."
In February, the positions of Prime Minister of Shanyang and others, Director of the Imperial Medical Office, and Lingling Prefect were added, as well as an increase in the number of laborers, executioners, heralds, and vehicles, each serving different functions. The position of General of the Central Army was abolished, and the position of Northern Army Middle Guard was established. Liu Jian was appointed as a court official because of his exemplary character. Yang Hu was appointed as the Deputy Director of the Left in the Ministry of Personnel, and Prince Dongguan was appointed as the Deputy Director of the Right in the Ministry of Personnel.
In March, Empress Dowager Wang passed away. In April, Grand Preceptor Wang Xiang passed away. Following that, Empress Wang Wenming was buried in Chongyang Tomb. The positions of the Zhenwei and Yangwei military officers were abolished, and the positions of the Left and Right Generals of Accumulated Crossbows were established. In June, the emperor issued a decree saying, "County governors must inspect their jurisdictions every three years, and this must be done in the spring. This is the traditional method for officials to account for their duties, promote education, and show benevolence and righteousness. They must visit local officials, understand customs and sentiments, inspect rituals, measures, and weights, visit the elderly and personally check on centenarians, review prisoners and address wrongful cases, thoroughly assess the effectiveness of laws and punishments, and understand the hardships of the people. No matter the distance, it should feel as though I am inspecting in person. We must uphold the teachings of the Five Constant Virtues, encourage agricultural production, motivate people to pursue education, strive to abide by the law, avoid seeking clever tricks and instead focus on practical efforts. Those who are dedicated to learning and self-cultivation, filial to their parents, loving towards their siblings, loyal and trustworthy, and upright and honest should be promoted and employed; those who are disrespectful to their parents, unloving towards their siblings, violate etiquette, and do not obey the law should be corrected and punished. If the land is effectively cultivated and production thrives, rituals and education flourish, and laws are enforced, this reflects the effectiveness of the officials; if the people are poor, agriculture is neglected, thieves are rampant, litigation cases increase, officials are derelict, and rituals and righteousness are not upheld, this indicates the officials' incompetence. Officials who are diligent and honest in their duties, do not consider personal gain, are upright and honest, and do not seek false reputations, as well as officials who are corrupt, flatter, neglect their duties, and yet become increasingly wealthy at home, must be scrutinized closely. Encourage virtue, discourage vice, reward the good, and hold the bad accountable - this is my responsibility as the ruler, and it is your responsibility as senior officials! Everyone must take this as a warning!"
In July, Mount Tai crumbled and the stars shifted westward. The emperor sent the envoy, Hou Shiguang, to inspect the entire country. Afterwards, the emperor paid homage at Chongyang Tomb. In September, major floods occurred in the four regions of Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou, with the Yi and Luo Rivers overflowing and merging into the Yellow River. The court opened the granaries to provide relief. The emperor issued a decree saying, "Even if there are stipulations in the decree, if the report afterwards is unfavorable, do not conceal the truth." In October, General Shi Ji of Wu attacked Jiangxia, while Wanyu raided Xiangyang. The court dispatched Grand Commandant Wang Jun to station at Longbei. The Inspector of Jingzhou, Hu Lie, defeated Wanyu. The Wu general Gu Rong attacked Yulin, and Prefect Mao Jiong defeated the forces of the Wu army, killing the Wu Inspector of Jiaozhou, Liu Jun, and General Xiu Ze. In November, Wu general Ding Feng and others attacked Shaobi but were repelled by General Wang Jun, Prince Ruyin of the East, and Wang Jun. The emperor issued a decree ordering the nobles and county officials to nominate virtuous and outspoken talents. In December, the emperor promulgated five decrees nationwide: 1. Rectify oneself; 2. Be diligent in serving the people; 3. Show compassion for widows and orphans; 4. Focus on fundamentals while restraining excesses; 5. Eliminate deceit. The emperor personally adjudicated cases, inspected prisoners in Luoyang prison, and personally sentenced them. Envoys from Funan and Linyi came to pay tribute. In January 265 AD, on the day of Guisi, the Wei Emperor ordered the officials in charge of finance and public security in various counties and states to fully utilize land resources and prohibit idleness and illicit trading. On the day of Bingshen, the emperor personally adjudicated cases, reviewed prisoner records, and pardoned many offenders. On this day, the Azure Dragon appeared twice in Xingyang.
In February, the Emperor of Wei merged five counties in Yongzhou and Longyou, as well as Jincheng County and Yinping County in Liangzhou, to establish Qinzhou. On the Xinsi day, two white dragons appeared in the state of Zhao. Due to floods in the states of Qingzhou, Xuzhou, and Yanzhou, the Emperor sent relief and aid. On the day of Renyin, the Left Minister Shangshu Yang Hu was appointed as the military commander of Jingzhou, Grand General Wei Guan was appointed as the military commander of Qingzhou, and Prince Dongguan was appointed as the Grand General of Zhendong and the military commander of Xuzhou.
On the day of Dinghai, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "In ancient times, officials' talents and achievements were assessed annually, with rewards and punishments after three years. Now, officials only deal with the lazy and incompetent, without motivating the diligent and capable. This is not an effective way to assess rewards and punishments. In the future, officials who are diligent and outstanding should be commended every year. I will establish a system for merit assessment." On the day of Jiwei, the Emperor ordered Zhuge Jing, the grandson of Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of Shu, to be appointed to an official position based on his abilities.
In April, an earthquake occurred. On the first day of May, a phoenix appeared in the state of Zhao. The Emperor ordered a five-year pardon for the three counties of Jiaozhi, Jiuzhen, and Rinan. In June, the official Guo Yi of Yecheng submitted a memorial with five suggestions, which was quite sharp and direct. The Emperor appreciated his words and promoted him to the position of County Magistrate of Tunliu. Qu Lu from Xi Ping spoke many misleading words and was recommended for execution by the relevant authorities. The Emperor remarked, "This is my mistake." So he was pardoned without any further investigation. The Emperor ordered the abolition of the Garrison General position and the restoration of the positions of Left and Right Generals.
In July, the Emperor summoned his ministers to gather their opinions. In September, a comet appeared in the Zhiwei Palace. On the day of Bingzi in October, in recognition of the outstanding performance of Wang Hong, the Prefect of Ji County, the Emperor rewarded him with one thousand bushels of grain. In November, the Emperor posthumously honored his younger brother Cao Zhao with the title of Ai King of Chengyang, with the throne passed on to his son Cao Jingdu. In December, the Emperor ordered all states and counties to recommend talented and brave individuals.
In the first month of the year 242 AD, on New Year's Day, the Emperor received the ministers in the grand hall of the imperial palace, but no banquet was held to celebrate. General Ding Feng of Wu launched an attack on Guokou, and the Governor of Yangzhou, Qian Hong, successfully repelled him.
In the third month, the court declared a general amnesty throughout the realm, pardoning all criminals sentenced to less than five years. In the fourth month, a white dragon was sighted twice in Dongguan. In the fifth month, the Emperor appointed Cheng as the Prince of Nangong Ting. On the day of Wu Wu in the sixth month, Hu Lie, the Governor of Qinzhou, bravely fell in battle against the rebels at Wanhu Dui. The Emperor ordered Minister Shi Jian to serve as the General of Anxi, commanding the military affairs of Qinzhou, and together with Military Guard Tian Zhang, he led the campaign against the rebels.
On the day of the seventh month, the court ordered the exemption of taxes for the five counties of Longyou that suffered losses due to the war, and provided food assistance to those unable to care for themselves. On the same day of that month, Prince Jingdu of Chengyang passed away. The Emperor decreed, "Beginning from the Taishi era, all major events should be recorded in the Secretariat, and copies should be made for filing. In the future, similar events should be collected and recorded for reference, forming a system." On the day of the eighth month, the Emperor appointed Prince Jun of Ruyin as the Grand General of Zhenxi, commanding the military affairs of Yong and Liang provinces.
In the ninth month, the Kingdom of Dawan sent tribute in the form of sweat-blooded horses, and the Kingdom of Yanqi also presented some special products. In the eleventh month, the Emperor hosted a rural drinking ceremony in Biyong, rewarding the scholars and students of Tai Chang with textiles, cattle, and wine, each receiving different amounts. The Emperor also appointed his son Jian as the Prince of Runan. In the twelfth month, the Supervisor of Xiakou from Wu, former General Sun Xiu, led his troops to surrender to the Wei Kingdom. The Wei Emperor appointed him as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, granting him the title of Duke of Kuaiji. On the same day of that month, the court restored the position of Garrison Officer.
On the fifteenth day of the first month of the year 277 AD, the Crown Prince held a cap-and-gown ceremony, and the Emperor rewarded officials of lower ranks, below that of Wang and Duke, with silk and fabrics, each receiving different amounts. At this time, the Xiongnu leader Liu Meng rebelled and fled beyond the border.
In March, Sun Hao led his army to attack Shouyang, while also sending Wang, the Grand Marshal, to station north of the Huai River to guard against Sun Hao. On the twenty-eighth of March, the Minister of Works, Duke of Julu, Pei Xiu, passed away. On the fifth of April, Wang Ye was appointed as the Left Minister of Writing, and Gao Yang Wang Gui was appointed as the Right Minister of Writing. Sun Xiu's general He Chong led five thousand troops to surrender to us.
In April, the Administrator of Jiuzhen, Dong Yuan, was defeated and killed in battle by the Wu country general Yu Fan. The Hu tribes from Beidi raided Jincheng, and the Governor of Liangzhou, Qian Hong, went to quell the raids. The Hu tribes rebelled internally, besieging Qian Hong in Qingshan, where he was defeated and killed. In May, the imperial prince Sima Xian was appointed as the King of Chengyang. The provinces of Yongzhou, Liangzhou, and Qinzhou suffered from famine, and the court pardoned criminals within these provinces who were guilty of crimes punishable by death or less. In the intercalary month, a large-scale rain prayer ceremony was held, and the court reduced the amount of food rations. The court ordered that the three counties of Jiaozhi and the various counties of Nanzhong would be exempt from taxes this year.
In June, the court ordered each official from the nobility and ministers down to recommend a general. On the twentieth of June, the Grand Marshal and Prince of Yiyang, Wang Wang, passed away. Heavy rain poured down, causing the waters of the Yi River, Luo River, and Yellow River to rise drastically, submerging over four thousand households, with over three hundred people drowned. The court ordered disaster relief efforts and provided coffins. On the ninth of July, Jia Chong was appointed as the Commander of Military Affairs in Qinzhou and Liangzhou. The Wu country generals Tao Huang and others besieged Jiaozhi, where the Administrator Yang Ji and the Prefects of Yulin, Mao Jiong, and Rinan surrendered to the Wu country.
On the twentieth of August, the General of the Eastern Campaign, Wei Guan, was appointed as the General Who Conquers the North and Commander of Military Affairs in Youzhou. On the twenty-second of August, the Prince of Chengyang, Sima Xian, passed away. The four counties of Nanzhong in Yizhou were split off to create Ningzhou, and criminals within these four counties who were guilty of crimes punishable by death or less were pardoned. On the fourteenth of October, a solar eclipse occurred. On the fourteenth of November, the Duke of Wei, Ji Shu, passed away. In December, heavy snow fell. The court abolished the positions of Chief of the Central Army and Chief Aide-de-Camp of the Northern Army. Zheng Mao was appointed as the Minister of Works.
In the year 265 AD, in January, General He Zhen led troops to attack Liu Meng, the leader of the Xiongnu, defeating him consecutively. General Li Ke then killed Liu Meng and surrendered to our forces. On the day of Guai Hai in the same month, the Emperor personally went to the fields to plow, known as "borrowing the fields." On the day of Yi Hai in the second month, the Emperor prohibited extravagant and luxurious illegal items. On the day of Ren Chen, the Grand Preceptor, Prince Anping Fu, passed away, which deeply saddened the Emperor. Afterwards, the Emperor ordered all officials to recommend three suitable candidates for positions in the border regions. On that day, the Emperor discussed matters with the Right General Huang Fu Tao, but they disagreed and even engaged in an argument. Cavalry Attendant Zheng Hui submitted a memorial to accept responsibility. The Emperor said, "Speaking the truth and daring to be frank is what I expect from my ministers! As an Emperor, I fear flattery and sycophancy the most, so how could I think that having ministers who dare to speak the truth is a bad thing! That was not my intention!" Therefore, the Emperor dismissed Zheng Hui from his position. In the fourth month, the court established the position of Rear General to strengthen the military forces. In the sixth month, Zhang Hong, the Yamen of Yizhou, falsely accused Inspector Huang Fu Yan of treason, had him killed, and sent his head to the capital. Zhang Hong was ultimately sentenced to death, along with his entire family. On the day of Bing Shen, the court proclaimed a general amnesty. On the same day, the Emperor also ordered the exemption of land rent for those affected by the war in the four counties of Longyou. In the seventh month, the court appointed General Jia Chong as the Minister of Works. In the ninth month, Bu Chan, the Inspector of Xiling in Wu, surrendered. The Emperor appointed him as General of Guard and bestowed him with the title of Duke of Yidu. However, General Lu Kang of Wu attacked Bu Chan, prompting us to dispatch General Yang Hu and his troops from Jiangling, while Governor Yang Zhao went to meet Bu Chan in Xiling, and sent Monitor Xu Yin to attack Jianping to rescue Bu Chan.
On the first day of October, the day of Xinyou, a solar eclipse occurred. In December, Yang Zhao went to attack Lu Kang, but he was unsuccessful and had to retreat. Finally, the city of Buchan was breached, and he was captured by Lu Kang.
In the spring of 266 AD, on the first day of the first month, Xinyou day, Sikong, the Marquis of Miling, Zheng Mao, passed away. On the second day of the second month, Guisi day, the Minister of Works, Shi Bao, also died. Then, Long, the Marquis of Anping, was appointed as the King of Anping. In the third month, Prince Zhi was established as the King of Donghai.
In the summer, on the first day of the fourth month, Wuchen day, a solar eclipse occurred. In May, there was a severe drought. The court appointed He Ceng as the new Minister of Works. On the sixth day of the sixth month, Yiwu day, sadly, the King of Donghai, Zhi, also passed away; indeed, it was a year of misfortunes! In the autumn, on the first day of the seventh month, Dingyou day, another solar eclipse occurred. It was a year filled with disasters and difficulties! Lu Shu, the general of Wu, surrounded Yiyang, but our General Wang Hun defeated them. Following that, the court ordered the dismissal of various officials.
The Xianbei invaded Guangning, killing about five thousand people. The court ordered the daughters of officials ranked below public ministers to enter the palace to serve in the imperial harem. The selection of concubines had not yet ended when marriage was temporarily banned. In winter, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Xinsi day, the court decreed that if a girl turned seventeen and her parents had not married her off, local officials were required to arrange marriages for them. On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Dingyou day, the Emperor conducted a grand military parade at the Linxuanwu Pavilion, which continued until the day of Jiachen.
In the year 261 AD, on the Xin Hai day of the first month, the emperor personally went to the fields to cultivate, symbolizing the importance of agriculture. In the intercalary month of Gui You, the Grand Tutor and Duke of Shouguang, Zheng Chong, died. In the month of Ji Mao, Prince Gaoyang, Wang Gui, also died. In the month of Geng Chen, Prince Taiyuan, Wang Gui, followed suit. On the day of Ding Hai, the emperor issued an edict, essentially stating: there should be a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, in order to distinguish ranks and clarify superiority and inferiority. However, in recent years, many concubines have been promoted to the status of imperial consorts and empresses, disrupting the order of superiority and inferiority. From now on, it is strictly forbidden for concubines to impersonate legitimate wives!
In the second month, the court separated five counties from Youzhou to establish Pingzhou. In the month of Gui Hai, there was a solar eclipse. In the month of Ji Wei, Grand Commandant and Duke of Linhuai, Xun Yi, died. In the month of Gui Si in the sixth month, the emperor personally presided over cases and inspected prisoners, and many people were pardoned. That summer, a major locust plague struck. In the month of Bing Yin in the seventh month, Empress Yang died. On the day of Ren Wu, Wu generals, General Pinghu Meng Tai and Adjutant General Wang Si, led their troops to surrender.
In the eighth month, rebels from Liangzhou raided Jincheng and other counties. Wang Jun, the General of the Guards and Prince of Ruyin, led troops to suppress the rebellion, killing the rebel leader Qi Wenni and others. On Wu Shen day, Empress Yuan was laid to rest in Junyang Mausoleum. In the month of Gui Hai in the ninth month, Grand General Chen Qian was appointed as Grand Commandant. We also secured a military victory by taking Zili City from Wu and capturing the Wu general Zhuang You. Wu generals Sun Zun and Li Cheng led troops to attack Jiangxia, but Ji Xi, the Administrator of Jiangxia, defeated them. That year, the river bridge at Fuping Ferry was also built.
In November, a stone bridge was constructed at Qili Jian, located in the eastern part of the city. On the Gengwu day, the emperor personally visited Xuanwu Guan to review the army. In December, a comet appeared in Zhen (this is an astronomical record, no need for translation). The court also established the office of Jietian Ling, responsible for managing the emperor's cultivated land. In addition, Prince Ji of Taiyuan was appointed as the King of Gaoyang. Generals Yan Cong and Yan Zheng of Wubei in Wu State, as well as General Zhu Mai, defected. That year, a major engineering project was undertaken to excavate the southern mountains of Shaanxi, diverting the Yellow River to flow east into the Luo River for easier transportation. On the first day of spring in 264 AD, a general amnesty was declared and a new era began. In February, due to soldiers who had five daughters and were starting families, the court exempted them from taxes. On the day of Xinyou, the former magistrate of Ye County, Xia Su, who had a good reputation, was granted a hundred dou of grain. Due to low official salaries, various amounts of silk were distributed as rewards to officials of lower ranks. The rebellious Huren, led by Shu Ji, sent envoys to negotiate their surrender. In May, strong winds swept through the Xiaoping and Guangling regions, causing trees to fall and houses to be damaged. In June, the Xianbei, now weakened, sent their sons to offer tribute. The Wu army attacked Jiangxia. The Western Regions' Wujixiaowei Ma Xun suppressed the rebellious Xianbei, defeated and killed their leader. On the day of Wushen, the office of Prince's Attendant was created. On the last day of July, a solar eclipse occurred on Jiashen day. Locust plagues struck in various regions. On the day of Renyin in August, Prince Sima Wen of Pei died. Grand Tutor Zheng Chong, Grand Commandant Xun Yi, Minister of Works Shi Bao, Minister of Works Pei Xiu, General of Chariots and Cavalry Wang Shen, King Xian of Anping Sima Fu, Grand Protector He Ceng, Minister of Works Jia Chong, Grand Commandant Chen Qian, Director of the Imperial Secretariat Xun Xu, General Who Pacifies the South Yang Hu, and Prince of Qi Sima You, among others, were all listed for sacrifices and participated in the rites. On the day of Jiazi in September, locust plagues struck Qingzhou, and a significant flood hit Xuzhou.
On October 10th, Sima Yin, the King of Changshan, passed away. On December 7th, Sima Quan, the King of Pengcheng, passed away. On November 10th, a grand military parade was held at Xuanwu Pavilion, lasting until the 6th day of the 12th month. On the 12th day of the 12th month, the temple name of Emperor Xuan was posthumously honored as Gaozu Temple, Emperor Jing to Shizong Temple, and Emperor Wen to Taizu Temple. A plague spread this month, resulting in the deaths of many in Luoyang. Pei Wei was granted the title of Duke of Julu.
In the spring of the year 260 AD, due to the plague, court sessions were suspended. The Emperor also rewarded officials and soldiers with various tokens of appreciation. On the 20th day of the 2nd month, Cao Hong, the King of Hejian, passed away. On the 1st day of the 1st month, a general amnesty was declared, granting pardon to all criminals with sentences of less than five years. The Eastern Yi tribes also pledged their allegiance to the court. Northern minority groups invaded the borders of Bingzhou, but Hu Fen, the military commander of Bingzhou, successfully repelled them.
Earlier, the Prefect of Dunhuang, Yin Qu, passed away, and the county magistrate of Dunhuang, Liang Cheng, was appointed as the acting Prefect. However, the council member Yilang Feng dismissed Liang Cheng and assumed control of Dunhuang's affairs. After Yilang Feng's death, his brother Yilang Hong succeeded him. At that time, Yang Xin, the Governor of Liangzhou, murdered Yilang Hong and sent his severed head to Luoyang. Before this incident, the Emperor had been unwell, but after his recovery, the ministers congratulated him. The Emperor issued a decree stating, "Whenever I think of the recent plague that caused many deaths, I feel very sad. How could I forget the suffering of the people simply because I have recovered? All celebrations for my recovery should be canceled!"
In May, General of the West and the King of Ruyin, Sima Jun, led troops to attack the northern tribes, killing their leader Tudun. The court also founded the Imperial Academy. On Gengwu day, a large-scale rain prayer ceremony was held. On Guichou day in June, the Emperor presented lychee during a sacrifice at the ancestral temple. On Jiaxu day, a comet appeared near the Dizu asterism. It had been dry since spring, and only this month did it start to rain. Sun Kai, the governor of Jingkou in the State of Wu, surrendered with his army and was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry and made Marquis of Danyang. Two white dragons emerged from a newly dug well. In July, a comet appeared near the Dajiao star. The Linping Lake in the State of Wu had been silted up since the late Han Dynasty, and it was only recently reopened. Local elders have a saying, "When this lake is silted, chaos reigns; when it is reopened, peace returns." On Guichou day, Prince Anping, Sima Long, passed away. The seventeen Eastern Yi states also submitted to the court. Henan and Weijun experienced floods, leading to the deaths of hundreds, and the court ordered coffins to be distributed.
The Xianbei under Arduo invaded the border again, and the Western Region Colonel Ma Xun led troops to attack them, killing over four thousand and capturing more than nine thousand, and they later surrendered. On the eighth month, on the Gengchen day, there was an earthquake in Hedong and Pingyang. On the Jihai day, the court appointed He Zeng as Grand Tutor, Chen Qian as Grand Marshal, Jia Chong as Grand Commandant, and Sima You, Prince of Qi, as Minister of Works. A comet appeared near the Taiwei star in September, and later near the Yixiu star. On the Dingwei day, the court built the Grand Granary to the east of the city and the Changping Granary in the east and west markets. In the intercalary month, five counties in Jingzhou experienced floods, impacting over four thousand households. In October, the court appointed Prince Jun of Ruyin, Sima Jun, as Grand General of the West and General Yang Hu as Grand General of the South. On the Dingmao day, Lady Yang was appointed as Empress, and the court granted amnesty and rewards to people of various statuses. In November, two white dragons appeared in Liangguo. In December, the court summoned the recluse Huang Fu Mi of Anding as the Crown Prince's Tutor, and appointed General Yang Jun, the father of the Empress, as Marquis Linjin. In the same month, due to the integrity of the Prefect of Pingzhou, Fu Xun, and the former Prefect of Guangping, Meng Huan, the court rewarded Fu Xun with two hundred bolts of silk and Meng Huan with one hundred.
In a certain year, on the first day of the first month, there was a solar eclipse. The emperor appointed his son, Sima Yu, King of Shiping, and appointed Sima Dun, the younger brother of Anping’s King Sima Long, as King of Anping. The emperor issued a decree, saying: "Relatives of the imperial family are the roots of the country. I hope they can all uphold virtue and righteousness and serve as a model for all. However, very few can act with caution amidst wealth and power! In the past, Duke Mu gathered his brothers to recite the poem 'Tang Di' together; that’s what allowed the Ji clan to flourish for centuries! Now, I appoint General Wei Guan and King Sima Liang of Fufeng as the Grand Master. All matters in the future must be consulted with the Grand Master." Sadly, just a few days later, on the Gengyin day of the first month, King Shiping, Sima Yu, died. That night, a comet appeared in the western sky! The emperor sent the Grand General Wei Guan to attack the Xianbei, but it had little effect.
In the third month, the Protector of Pacifying the Xianbei, Wen Shu, defeated rebellious Xianbei leaders like Shu Ji Neng. In that month, another comet appeared in the sky, in the Stomach constellation. On the day of Yiwei, the emperor had planned to hunt wild chickens but scrapped the idea for fear of damaging the wheat seedlings. On the day of Wuzi in May, generals Shao Kai and Xia Xiang from Wu surrendered with over seven thousand troops. In June, eight counties in Yizhou and Liangzhou were flooded, with over three hundred people drowning and warehouses flooded. In July, the emperor appointed Wang Hun as the Commander of military affairs in Yangzhou. Prince Sima Mu was deposed and made Marquis of Danshui due to his mistakes.
In August of the year of Guihai, the emperor ordered: Sima Liang, King of Fufeng, to be transferred to Runan as King of Runan; Sima Zong, King of Dongguan, to be transferred to Langye as King of Langye; Sima Jun, King of Ruyin, to be transferred to Fufeng as King of Fufeng; Sima Lun, King of Langye, to be transferred to Zhao as King of Zhao; Sima Fu, King of Bohai, to be transferred to Taiyuan as King of Taiyuan; Sima Yong, King of Taiyuan, to be transferred to Hejian as King of Hejian; Sima Ling, King of Beihai, to be transferred to Rencheng as King of Rencheng; Sima Bin, King of Chen, to be transferred to Xihe as King of Xihe; Sima Jian, King of Runan, to be transferred to Nanyang as King of Nanyang; Sima Dan, King of Jinan, to be transferred to Zhongshan as King of Zhongshan; Sima Wei, King of Hejian, to be transferred to Zhangwu as King of Zhangwu. Also, the emperor appointed his son, Sima Wei, as King of Shiping, Sima Yun as King of Puyang, Sima Gai as King of Xindu, Sima Xia as King of Qinghe, and the title of 'Nan Cheng Hou' was granted to Yang Hu, Duke of Juping. At the same time, Sima Liang, King of Runan, was appointed as the Grand General of the Southern Army. That autumn, strong winds knocked down trees, the weather turned unusually cold, and hail even fell. Several counties were hit by frost, resulting in significant damage to crops.
In September of the year of Wuzi, the emperor appointed General Hu Fen as the Commander of the Northern Armies. Seven provinces—Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou, Qingzhou, Jingzhou, Yizhou, and Liangzhou—suffered severe flooding, resulting in significant damage to the autumn crops. The emperor ordered disaster relief. In that month, the emperor also appointed Sima Rui, the son of the King of Qi, as King of Liaodong, and Sima Zan as King of Guanghan. In November of the year of Bingxu, the emperor conducted a grand military review at Xuanwu Temple, which lasted until Rencen. In December, the general Sun Shen from the state of Wu led troops to invade Jiangxia and Runan, looting more than a thousand households before retreating. That year, various nomadic tribes from the northwest regions, including the Xianbei, Xiongnu, Wuxi barbarians, and Dongyi, surrendered with their tribes, amounting to over ten groups.
In the year 265 AD, on the first day of the first month, a solar eclipse occurred on the day of Gengwu. On the seventh day of the third month, the Left Minister of Works Lu Qin passed away. On the tenth day of the third month, Shan Tao replaced Lu Qin and became the Left Minister of Works. During this period, the six Eastern Yi states also came to pay tribute.
In the fourth month, near the star cluster Dongjing, the banner of Chi You unexpectedly appeared! This is an ominous sign! On the fourth and seventh days of the sixth month, earthquakes occurred consecutively in Yinpíng and Guangwu. The Governor of Liangzhou, Yang Xin, fought against the enemy commander Luo Baben and lost, dying in battle. Alas, it was indeed a time of turmoil, as Empress Hongxun Yang also passed away. On the sixth day of the seventh month, Empress Jingxian Yang and Empress Hongxun Yang were laid to rest together in Junping Tomb. On the seventh day of the seventh month, Prince Gaoyang Sima Ji died. On the thirteenth day of the seventh month, Prince Fanyang Sima Sui also died. There were severe floods in Jingzhou, Yangzhou, and many counties in the ninth month. He Cheng was appointed as Grand Tutor in September. On the eighth day of September, Li Yin became the Left Minister of Works. In October, Wei Guan became the Left Minister of Works. The Governor of Yangzhou, Ying Chuo, led troops to attack Wancheng in Wu, killing five thousand Wu soldiers and burning 180,000 hu of grain.
On the eighth day of the eleventh month, the Imperial Physician Sima Cheng presented a unique robe made of pheasant feathers. The Emperor deemed the item too peculiar and contrary to etiquette, so he ordered it to be burned on the spot in the court. On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the Emperor issued a decree that anyone who dared to bring such strange items again would be severely punished! After this, the Wu generals Liu Fan and Zu Shi both surrendered to us. On the fifteenth day of the eleventh month, Du Yu was appointed as the supreme commander of military affairs in Jingzhou. Unfortunately, General Yang Hu, the Southern Conqueror, also passed away. On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Prince Sima Bin of Xihe died. On the fifteenth day of the twelfth month, Grand Preceptor He Cheng also passed away. That year, all nine Eastern Yi states submitted to our Great Wei.
In the spring of the year 260 AD, the Hu leader named Shu Jineng launched a powerful attack and broke through Liangzhou! The court immediately dispatched troops, including the Prefect of Wuwei, Ma Long, to confront him. On the fifteenth day of the second month, a white unicorn appeared in the plains, which was considered an auspicious sign! In the third month, the Xiongnu commander Bayixu surrendered along with his tribe. On the twenty-eighth day of the third month, due to famine, the emperor's rations were cut in half, highlighting the severity of the situation at that time. Additionally, during that time, comets were seen in the sky, first in the constellation of Liu, and later in the constellation of the Woman. To calm the public, the court declared a general amnesty and downgraded the ranks and responsibilities of certain officials. On the thirtieth day of the third month, many counties were struck by hail, destroying crops and collapsing numerous houses; it was a series of calamities.
By autumn, in the seventh month, the comet appeared in the Purple Palace. On the fifteenth day of the ninth month, a white unicorn also appeared in Henan. In the winter, on the twenty-seventh day of the tenth month, the Xiongnu governor Yuku Duyong and his tribe also surrendered. Moreover, an interesting event occurred: the people of Ji County did not allow the digging of King Weixiang's tomb, but many bamboo slips were unearthed, containing ancient texts written in small seal script, totaling over a hundred thousand characters! These treasures were subsequently stored in the royal archives. In November, the court officially mobilized troops to attack the state of Wu, deploying them along several routes: General Zhenjun, Prince Langye Fu, starting from Tuzhong; General Andong Wang Hun, starting from Jiangxi; General Jianwei Wang Rong, starting from Wuchang; General Pingnan Hu Fen, starting from Xiakou; General Zhennan Du Yu, starting from Jiangling; General Longxiang Wang Jun and General Guangwu Tang Bin led the army of Ba Shu down the river. This was indeed a massive operation, with over two hundred thousand troops combined on both the eastern and western fronts! The court also appointed Grand Commandant Jia Chong as the Supreme Commander, with Champion General Yang Ji as his deputy, overseeing all the troops.
In December, Malong finally defeated and killed the rebellious tree spirit, restoring peace to Liangzhou. Also, the Su Shen sent arrows and stone projectiles as a sign of submission. On the first day of January in the year 280 AD, a colorful auspicious light appeared in the sky, enveloping the sun; it was a spectacular sight! On a certain day of the same month, Wang Hun defeated the Wu forces in Xunyang and Laixiang, capturing the Wu general Zhou Xing.
In February, Wang Jun and Tang Bin captured Lexiang City at Yidao, and a few days later took down Xiling. The governor of Xiling, Liu Xian, the military general Cheng Qu, and the Xiling supervisor Zheng Guang were all executed. Wang Jun then captured Yidao Lexiang City, where Lu Yan, the Yidao supervisor, and Lu Jing, the naval commander, also met their end. In the same month, Du Yu captured Jiangling, and Wu Yan, the Jiangling supervisor of the Wu State, was beheaded; Hu Fen then captured Jiang'an. At this time, the various armies advanced in unison, and the defending forces in Lexiang, Jingmen, and elsewhere surrendered one after another. Afterwards, Wang Jun was appointed as the military commander for both Yizhou and Liangzhou. The emperor issued an edict, stating that Wang Jun and Tang Bin should continue to move east, capture Baqiu, then join forces with Hu Fen and Wang Rong to attack Xiakou and Wuchang, and then head straight to Moling. Du Yu remained in Lingling and Guiyang to stabilize the Hengyang region. Once the main forces had passed, pacifying the southern part of Jingzhou should be straightforward. Du Yu was to allocate ten thousand troops to Wang Jun and seven thousand to Tang Bin; after capturing Xiakou, Hu Fen should allocate seven thousand troops to Wang Jun; after capturing Wuchang, Wang Rong should allocate six thousand troops to Tang Bin. Grand Commandant Jia Chong was to be stationed in Xiangcheng, overseeing the various armies.
After Wang Jun captured Xiakou and Wuchang, he sailed eastward and advanced all the way like a hot knife through butter. Wang Hun and Wang Jun engaged in battle with Zhang Ti, the chancellor of Wu, at Banqiao, and won a great victory. Zhang Ti and his generals Sun Zhen and Shen Ying were all beheaded, and their severed heads were sent to Luoyang. Sun Hao was cornered and had no choice but to surrender, handing over the jade seal and the imperial seal to Prince Zhu. In March, Wang Jun's fleet arrived at Shitoucheng in Jianye. Sun Hao was so terrified that he came to surrender with a coffin and was taken to the capital. In a symbolic gesture, Wang Jun untied his ropes, burned his coffin, and sent him to the capital. The territory of Wu was completely annexed, including four provinces, forty-three prefectures, three hundred and thirteen counties, a population of 523,000 households, 32,000 officials, and 230,000 soldiers. Officials of Wu were allowed to keep their positions, with only some harsh policies being abolished, which brought great joy to the people of Wu. In the same month, the court issued a nationwide amnesty, renamed the era, hosted a grand five-day celebration, and offered assistance to widows, orphans, and the needy.
In April, hail fell in the Hedong and Gaoping regions, causing serious damage to crops. The court sent Zhang Ce and Zhu Zhen to pacify the people in the newly submitted regions of Yangzhou and Yuezhou. A white qilin appeared in Dunqiu. Hail also fell in Sanhe, Weijun, and Hongnong, damaging winter wheat. In May, Sun Hao was appointed as the Marquis of Guiming, his crown prince was appointed as a Zhonglang official, and his sons were appointed as Langzhong officials. Former ministers and generals of Wu were appointed to official positions based on their abilities. The generals and families of deceased soldiers of the Sun clan moved to Shouyang, while the officials and citizens of Wu received preferential treatment for ten and twenty years, respectively. In the same month, the emperor held a grand banquet in the palace and summoned Sun Hao to the court, where the courtiers all cheered, "Long live the emperor!" The emperor later conducted sacrificial rites at the ancestral temple and presented Linglu wine. Hail fell in several counties, damaging the autumn harvest. The court decreed that soldiers over sixty could retire. Wang Jun was appointed as the Grand General of State Defense, Du Yu was appointed as the Marquis of Dangyang, Wang Rong was appointed as the Marquis of Anfeng, Tang Bin was appointed as the Marquis of Shangyong, and Jia Chong, Wang Zhi of Langye, and others were also granted noble titles. The court rewarded the ministers according to their contributions, granting them a large amount of silk fabrics. In June, the court established the position of Yijun General, and the Marquis of Danshui, Mu, was granted the title of King of Gaoyang. The Eastern Yi Ten Kingdoms submitted. In July, Ke Chengni led an attack on Xiping and Haowei, killing more than three hundred officials and soldiers. The twenty Eastern Yi kingdoms came to pay tribute. Wei Shu was appointed as the Right Supervisor of the Shangshu. In August, the front of the Cheshi sent their sons to serve the emperor. The emperor's younger brother, Sima Yanzuo, was granted the title of King of Le Ping. Three white dragons were sighted in Yongchang. In September, the courtiers urged the emperor to hold the Fengshan ceremony due to the unification of the country, but the emperor humbly refused. In October, the court abolished the reinstatement of the five daughters' titles. In December, Sima Zan, the King of Guanhan, passed away.
In the spring of the second year of the Common Era, in the second month, there was an earthquake in the Huainan and Danyang regions. On the Bing Shen day in March, Prince Anping Dun passed away. The court rewarded officials below the rank of nobles and the people of Wu with rewards of differing amounts. The emperor also ordered the selection of five thousand singing girls and concubines from Sun Hao to be sent to the palace. The Five Eastern Yi nations came to pay tribute.
By June during the summer, the Five Eastern Yi nations surrendered to the Great Wei. At this time, many counties were hit by hailstorms and strong winds, causing trees to be uprooted and the homes of ordinary people were destroyed. The Jiangxia and Taishan regions experienced flooding, with over three hundred households swept away, leaving many homeless. In July during the autumn, the Shangdang region suffered from storms and hail, causing damage to crops. In August, a comet appeared in the sky in the position of Zhang Su. In the winter of October, Murong Hui of the Xianbei led his troops to attack Changli. On the day of Ren Yin in November, Grand Marshal Chen Qian passed away. Another comet appeared in the sky, this time in the area of Xuanyuan. The Xianbei people again invaded the western Liaoning region, but Xianyu Ying, the Governor of Pingzhou, led his troops to defeat them.
In the third year of the Emperor's reign, on the Dingchou day in the first month, the court abolished Qingzhou and incorporated it into Yongzhou. On the Jiawu day, the court appointed Zhang Hua, the Shangshu, as the military governor of Youzhou. In the third month, General Anbei Yan Xun defeated the Xianbei Murong Hui in Changli, resulting in the deaths and injuries of tens of thousands. On the Gengwu day in the fourth month of summer, the Grand Minister Taifu and Duke Lu, Jia Chong, passed away. On the Bingzi day in the intercalary month, Li Yin, the Sifu and Marquis of Guanglu, passed away. On the Guichou day, two white dragons were sighted in Jinan. In the seventh month of autumn, the court stipulated that the governors of Pingzhou and Ningzhou were required to report to the capital only once every three years. In September, twenty-nine Eastern Yi nations surrendered and presented local specialties. Former generals of the Wu Kingdom, Wang Gong and Bo Feng, rebelled, killing the county magistrate of Jianye, and then surrounded Yangzhou. Xu Zhou governor Ji Xi led troops to quell the rebellion. On the Jiashen day in the twelfth month of winter, the court appointed Qi Wang You, the Sikong, as the Grand Marshal in charge of military affairs in Qingzhou; appointed Prince Langye Zhui, the Zhendong Grand General, as the Grand General of the Army; appointed Prince Runan Liang as the Grand Commandant; appointed Guanglu Dafu Shan Tao as the Sifu; and appointed Shangshu Ling Wei Guan as the Sikong. On the Bingshen day, the court decreed that regions severely affected by floods and droughts would be exempt from land taxes.
In the year 234 AD, in the spring, on the Jiashen day in the first month, Wei Shu was appointed as the Left Minister of the Shangshu, and Wang Huang of Xiapi succeeded him as the Right Minister of the Shangshu. On the Wuwu day, Sifu Shan Tao passed away. On the Jichou day in the second month, the Marquis of Changleting was elevated to the title of King of Beihai. On the first day of the third month, a solar eclipse occurred. On the Guichou day, the Grand Marshal Qi Wang You passed away. In April, King Rencheng Ling passed away. On the Jihai day in May, the Grand General, Prince Langye Zhui, passed away. King Rui of Liaodong was renamed the King of Donglai. In June, the salaries of the Nine Ministers were increased. Over two thousand tribes of Zangke and Lao people surrendered to the court.
On the Renzi day in July, Wang Huang of Xiapi was appointed as the military governor of Qingzhou. On the Bingyin day, there was a flood in Yanzhou, and the court exempted the agricultural taxes there. In August, the King of Shanshan sent a prince to pay his respects at court, and he was granted the title of Marquis of Guiyi. King Tai of Longxi assumed the role of Right Chief Minister. On the Wuwu day in November, King Gai of Xindu died. Wei Shu was promoted to Minister of Works. On the Gengwu day in December, a grand military review took place at Xuanwu Temple. That year, Henan, Jingzhou, and Yangzhou all experienced major floods.
On the Jihai day in January of 235 AD, the Azure Dragon unexpectedly showed up twice in the armory's well! On the Bingyin day in February, Prince Di of Nangong was appointed King of Changle. On the Renchen day, an earthquake occurred. In April, the water in the ponds of Rencheng and Lu turned blood-red! On the Bingwu day in May, the beams of the Xuan Emperor's Temple broke. In June, the Huangsha Prison was established. On the Wushen day in July, Prince Hui died. There was hail in Rencheng, Liang, and Zhongshan, resulting in significant crop damage. The court decided to reduce one-third of the national taxes. In September, a strong wind swept through the Nan'an area, breaking trees. Several counties experienced floods and frost, damaging the autumn harvest. On the Jiachen day in November, King Fu of Taiyuan died. On the Gengwu day in December, the court declared a general amnesty. Lin Yi and Da Qin sent envoys to pay tribute. In the intercalary month, General Zhen Nan, Marquis of Dangyang, Du Yu, died.
In the spring of the year 266 AD, on the first day of the first month, it was Jia Shen day. Due to several years of poor harvests, the court waived the people's rents and outstanding debts. On Wu Chen day, General Wang Hun was appointed as the Left Minister of the Shangshu, Shu was appointed as the military governor of Yangzhou, and Yang Ji was appointed as the military governor of Jingzhou. In March, many provinces and counties were hit by frost, causing damage to mulberry trees and wheat. In April, more than ten countries, including Funan, came to pay their respects, and more than four thousand households swore fealty to the court. Several provinces faced drought, while over a dozen regions were flooded, causing damage to the people's houses. In July, an earthquake struck the Baxi region. On the first day of August, Bing Xu day, a solar eclipse occurred. The court reduced the tax on silk and satin by one-third for the people. A white dragon appeared in the Jingzhao region. General Wang Jun was appointed as the Grand Marshal. On Bing Zi day in September, Liu Kang, the Duke of Shanyang, died. In October, a landslide struck Nan'an Mountain, causing flash floods. A two-legged creature was captured in Nanyang County. The kingdoms of Kucha and Yanqi sent their princes to serve at the court. On Jia Shen day in December, a grand military review took place at Xuanwu Temple, lasting ten days. General Wang Jun, the Marquis of Xiangyang, died on Geng Zi day.
In the first month of the year 267 AD, on the first day, there was a solar eclipse. On the second day, the emperor issued a decree saying: "In recent years, disasters have occurred frequently; there have been three solar eclipses already, and earthquakes and landslides have been ongoing. I, the emperor, bear the responsibility for these misfortunes in the country. All officials and ministers must submit memorials that clearly state the reasons without concealment." In May, several provinces faced severe droughts. Murong Hui of the Xianbei led his troops to invade Liaodong. In July, a landslide struck Zhuti Mountain, and an earthquake also struck the Jianwei region. In August, eleven Eastern Yi countries submitted to the court. An earthquake also struck the Jingzhao region. On the ninth day of the ninth month, General Jun, the King of Fufeng and Commander of the Agile Cavalry, passed away. Several provinces experienced major flooding. On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Longxi King Tai was appointed as the military commander of Guanzhong. In December, the court dispatched imperial censors to assess the situation in the disaster-stricken provinces. The court sent back over 270 individuals, including talented officials, palace maids, and others from the harem. The court established regulations allowing ministers to mourn their parents for three years. On the tenth day of the twelfth month, red snow fell in the Heyin region, spanning an area of about two hectares. In that year, twenty-one countries, including Funan, and eleven others, including Mahan, sent envoys to pay tribute.
A few years before the Common Era, on the first day of the first month, on a Wushen day, there was a solar eclipse, and part of the palace of the Grand Ancestral Temple collapsed. In the third month, the emperor inspected the Shang region and felt the tremors of an earthquake. In the fourth month, there was frost in the Qi state and the Tianshui region, resulting in the wheat being frozen. In the sixth month, a fierce wind swept through the Lu state, causing trees to fall and common people's houses were damaged. There were also several instances of flooding across the country. In the seventh month, the foundation of the front hall of the imperial palace collapsed, and deep inside, they found a shipwreck! In the eighth month, two small states in the Dongyi region submitted to the emperor. In the ninth month, the court rebuilt the Grand Ancestral Temple. In the tenth month, an official named Li Feng from Pinggu County in Nankang rebelled, leading troops to attack the county and proclaiming himself a general. In the eleventh month, the county magistrate of Haian County, Xiao Fu, also rebelled. In the twelfth month, a man named Jiang Di from Wuxing gathered a band of rebels and surrounded the county of Yangxian. The local authorities dispatched troops to quell them, but they were all defeated. The Kingdom of Funan to the south and the Kingdom of Kangju from the Western Regions sent envoys to pay tribute. That year, the country experienced five earthquakes in total.
On the first day of the first month of the second year, on a Ren Shen day, a solar eclipse occurred. The emperor issued a decree saying: "The prosperity of the country lies in clear politics and fair litigation. Those senior officials with a rank of two thousand stones fail to be diligent in their duties, show compassion for the people's suffering, and instead bully the populace, abuse their power, engage in corruption, and harm the citizens. The governors and officials of two thousand stones were ordered to rectify these corrupt behaviors, select those officials who are honest and upright, and the relevant departments should deliberate on their promotions and demotions. All officials were ordered to recommend talented and honest individuals and promote officials from humble backgrounds." Four counties in Jiangdong experienced earthquakes. In the second month, the Right Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel, Hou Fen, passed away, and the court appointed Zhu Zheng as the Right Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel. On a certain day in the third month, the empress went to the western suburbs to raise silkworms, and the emperor rewarded everyone with some silk; the rewards varied in amount. On a certain day of the same month, the court combined two ancestral altars into one. In the fourth month, eight counties in Jiangnan experienced earthquakes; there was frost in Longxi, causing serious damage to winter wheat. In the fifth month, Prince Qi of Yiyang committed an offense and was demoted to Marquis of Sanzongting. The emperor issued another decree, allowing all officials to recommend talented county magistrates. On the first day of the sixth month, another solar eclipse occurred. The court relocated King Wei of Zhangwu to Yiyang and conferred him the title of King of Yiyang. Many places in the country suffered from severe drought, resulting in poor wheat harvests. On a certain day in August, stars fell from the sky like rain. The emperor ordered the release of all prisoners serving sentences of five years or less, no longer to keep them in jail. In September, envoys from seven Eastern Yi countries came to surrender to the Colonel. Many places in the country suffered from insect disasters. On a certain day in December, the court appointed Ying, the son of King Ping of Hejian, as King of Zhangwu. On the same day of the month, the appearance of a green dragon and a yellow dragon was witnessed in the state of Lu.
Ten years ago in April, due to the outstanding achievements of Liu Xiao, the Prefect of Jingzhao, and Liang Liuzheng, the Prefect of Yangping, the Emperor rewarded each of them with a thousand hu of grain. That autumn, eight prefectures across the country were hit by frost disasters. The royal ancestral temple was finally completed! On the day of Yi Si, the Emperor personally went to the left side of the road to welcome the procession, transferred the spirit tablets to the new ancestral temple, and then held a grand sacrificial rite. To celebrate, the Emperor granted a general amnesty, and both civil and military officials were promoted by one rank, while the officials involved in the construction of the ancestral temple were promoted by two ranks. On the day of Ding Wei, Zhu Zheng, the Right Minister of the Masters of Writing and the Marquis of Guangxing, passed away. On the day of Gui Chou, the Chongxian Hall in the imperial palace unfortunately caught fire. In May, the leader of the Xianbei, Murong Hui, surrendered, and eleven countries in the Eastern Yi region also submitted. On the day of Geng Zi in June, Liu Jin, the Duke of Shanyang, passed away. The court reestablished two altars. On the day of Ren Zi in October, Sima Cheng, the Prince of Nangong, was reappointed as the Prince of Wuyi. On the day of Bing Chen in November, Xun Xu, the Grand Secretary of the Left and Prefect of the Masters of Writing, passed away. The Emperor recovered from illness and rewarded officials below the rank of Wang and Grand Minister with different amounts of silk. Unfortunately, the storeroom of Hanzhang Hall caught fire again! On the day of Jia Shen, the Emperor appointed Sima Liang, the Prince of Runan, as the Grand Marshal and Grand Commander, and bestowed upon him the yellow battle-axe, a symbol of the highest authority. At the same time, Sima Jian, the Prince of Nanyang, was renamed as the Prince of Qin, Sima Wei, the Prince of Shiping, was renamed as the Prince of Chu, and Sima Yun, the Prince of Puyang, was renamed as the Prince of Huainan. These three were granted regency powers, each commanding the military of their respective regions.
The emperor also conferred the title of Sima Yi, Prince of Changsha; Sima Ying, Prince of Chengdu; Sima Yan, Prince of Wu; Sima Chi, Prince of Yuzhang; Sima Yan, Prince of Dai; and Sima Yu, Prince of Guangling. In addition, Sima Di, son of Sima Yun, King of Puyang, was conferred the title of King of Han; Sima Yi, son of Sima Wei, King of Shiping, was conferred the title of Duke of Piling; and Sima Yang, second son of Sima Liang, King of Runan, was conferred the title of Duke of Xiyang. King Sima Chang of Fufeng was transferred to the title of King of Shunyang, and his brother Sima Xin was conferred as Duke of Xinye. Sima Jin, Prince of Langye's brother Sima Dan was conferred as Duke of Dongwu; Sima Yao was conferred as Duke of Dong'an; Sima Cui was conferred as Duke of Guangling; and Sima Juan was conferred as Duke of Dongguan. The court also re-designated all the prime ministers of the various kingdoms as interior ministers. On the Gengyin day of the twelfth month, the roof beam of the imperial ancestral temple collapsed. In that year, more than thirty remote small countries in the Eastern Yi region and more than twenty countries in the southwestern Yi region all came to pay tribute. Additionally, one hundred thousand members of the Xike tribe surrendered. In the spring of the year 265 AD, on the first day of the first month, on the Xinyou day, the reign was changed. On this day, Wang Hun, the Minister of the Left and Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, was appointed Minister of Works, and Wei Guan, the Minister of Works, became the Grand Guardian. In the early days of the second month, on the Xinchou day, seven countries from the Eastern Yi region came to pay tribute. Unfortunately, bad news also came: King Sima Jin of Langye passed away. On the Jiazi day of the third month, Shi Jian, the Right Grand Master of Ceremonies, was appointed Minister of Works. In the summer of the fourth month, on the Xinchou day, the emperor promoted Yang Jun, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, to Grand Commandant and put him in charge of the national army and the affairs of the Secretariat. What immense power! However, just a few days later, on the Jiyou day, the emperor passed away in the Hall of Hanzhang at the age of fifty-five and was buried in Junyang Tomb and posthumously honored with the title Shizu.
Speaking of this emperor, he is open-minded, kind, and benevolent, always putting righteousness first in everything. He is particularly tolerant of different opinions and never takes offense at others' honesty. Moreover, he is intelligent and wise, good at planning, and able to make decisive decisions on major issues, which is why he can govern the world well and bring peace to all corners. After taking over the Wei Dynasty, which was extremely luxurious and corrupt, the common people longed for a return to simpler, more honest times. Therefore, he strongly advocated for thrift and advised everyone not to pursue pleasure. Legend has it that once, when a royal rope made of green silk broke, he ordered it to be replaced with green hemp rope. Throughout his reign, he was known for his kindness and benevolence, and the laws remained stable.
Xu Yun of Gaoyang was killed by Emperor Wen, and his son Xu Qi became the Minister of Ceremonies. One day, when the emperor was going to the ancestral temple to worship, the ministers feared that Xu Qi might be implicated because of his father's past, and they suggested that it would be inappropriate for him to be near the emperor. However, the emperor remembered Xu Yun's reputation and admired Xu Qi's talents, so he promoted him to a junior official position in the Ministry of Rites. At that time, everyone praised the emperor for being enlightened and open-minded. After quelling the state of Wu, peace was restored to the realm, and the emperor began to neglect state affairs, indulging in pleasures and favoring the imperial harem and nobles, relying heavily on them. The old ministers had little real power, and the court began to be chaotic, with the rise of backdoor dealings and gift-giving becoming commonplace.
In his later years, the emperor knew that Crown Prince Hui was not capable of assuming great responsibilities, but he believed his grandson to be intelligent and wise, so he did not consider deposing the crown prince. However, he was worried that the grandson was not born to Empress Jia and might cause problems in the future, so he discussed succession plans with his trusted ministers. Opinions varied, and after a lengthy debate with no resolution, he finally adopted Wang You's strategy, appointing the crown prince's younger brother, Prince Qin Jian, to guard the Guanzhong region, while Prince Wei of Chu and Prince Yun of Huainan were assigned to other key regions to strengthen the power of the imperial family. He was also worried about the increasing power of the Yang clan and appointed Wang You as the commander of the Northern Army to command the imperial guards.
Later, the emperor fell seriously ill and was on his deathbed. The ministers who had helped him conquer the world had all died before him, leading to chaos among the courtiers, who were at a loss about what to do. The emperor showed a slight improvement and issued an edict appointing Prince Liang of Runan to help govern. He also wanted some prestigious young ministers to assist, but Yang Jun kept this a secret. The emperor's condition worsened, and Empress Jia issued a decree appointing Yang Jun to assist in governance, urging Prince Liang to hurry over. When the emperor regained some consciousness and asked if Prince Liang had arrived to see him and had some things to discuss, his attendants replied that he had not arrived, and the emperor ultimately passed away. The court fell into chaos, marking the true beginning of the chaos.
It is said that Emperor Wu succeeded to the throne, blessed with good fortune from above. He became the emperor, governing the realm, educating the people, and managing the country with ease, transforming troubled times into a prosperous era. He eliminated burdensome tributes and got rid of extravagant decorations, changed the luxurious atmosphere, promoted thrift and simplicity, restoring society's integrity. He appreciated hearing the truth, valued the promotion of talent, and Liu Yi and Pei Kai were recognized for their integrity and candor, while Ji Shao and Xu Qi, even with their grudges, he valued them highly. He treated the people with kindness and the subjects with generosity, with broad-mindedness and the bearing of a great general. At that time, the people lived in peace and prosperity, the nation was strong, and Emperor Wu began to consider expanding the territory. He considered his strategies and laid out grand plans in court. As a result, Ma Long went on a western expedition, Wang Jun went south, the army moved swiftly, the enemy was routed, and the campaign saw almost no bloodshed or loss, with the enemy being completely eliminated. Emperor Wu opened up previously closed roads and conquered previously unconquered territories. Auspicious signs were frequent, and the social atmosphere was transparent, one could say there was harmony between heaven and earth, and the emperor's remarkable achievements were extraordinary.
However, Emperor Wu declined to attend the grand ceremony at Dengfeng, filled with pride and complacency. He believed that the vastness of the land made him think the country's stability was assured and that the peace in the world would continue indefinitely. He did not realize that even in times of peace, one must remain vigilant to ensure long-term stability; and even with a vast territory, one must guard against potential dangers to avoid the end of prosperity. In addition, his improper use of personnel and erroneous appointments, along with his single-minded pursuit of peace and prosperity, led to his descent into chaos. It is like trying to reach the state of Yue while heading towards a desert, or taking a boat to find a mountain path to climb; the farther the goal, the harder the journey becomes, with directions and elevations completely opposite, making it extremely challenging to reach the destination! Furthermore, his newly established political foundation was not stable, lacking the foresight for long-term stability, allowing villains like Jia Chong to seize power with nefarious intentions and Yang Jun to wield authority with malicious intent.
When the palace coup occurred, before he could consider it thoroughly, the court officials turned against each other, rebels emerged, and everyone fought for power and profit. Within a few years, the country's order was disrupted, chaos reigned, and the royal family was forced to migrate. The emperor's rule devolved into barbarism, and the Central Plains fell into chaos and backwardness. Emperor Wu abandoned the country's favorable situation, concealed his own failings, and became a laughingstock. Why did this happen? The reason lies in his earlier lack of caution, which led to calamity later on. It is important to know that a wise father knows his son well, and a wise ruler understands his subjects; if the son is unworthy, the family will decline; if the subjects are disloyal, the nation will descend into chaos; without stability in the country, the family cannot remain intact. Therefore, a wise man must guard against potential dangers, and a sage should eliminate the root of chaos. However, Emperor Wuzong fell for Xun Xu's schemes, was deceived by Wang Hun's schemes, and repeatedly believed in rumors, causing things to deviate from his own plans.
Yuan Hai should have been removed, but he wasn't, which ultimately led to turmoil in the country; Emperor Hui should have been removed, but he wasn't, which ultimately led to the downfall of the dynasty. Saving one person is a small virtue, while saving the world is a great accomplishment; letting go of a son is a trivial act of patience, while keeping the state stable is true filial piety; moreover, a legacy built over three generations was destroyed because of two wayward sons. This means sacrificing great achievements for trivial virtues and sacrificing true filial piety for trivial patience. Is this really what the sages taught? Even though things started off well, they ended in failure, so when reading history, it's hard not to feel a rush of emotions.
