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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Records of the Three Kingdoms （三國志）

Published: 01 January 2025

Created: 01 January 2025

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King Qi, named Fang and styled Lanqing. The Emperor had no sons, so he raised him alongside King Qin Xun. No one in the palace knew how they had come to be there. In the third year of Qinglong, he was granted the title of King Qi. On the first day of the first month of the third year of Jingchu, a Dinhai day, the Emperor fell seriously ill and appointed him as the Crown Prince. That day, he became the Emperor and granted a general amnesty. The Empress was honored as the Empress Dowager. The Grand General Cao Shuang and the Grand Marshal Sima Yi assisted him in handling government affairs.

The Emperor issued a decree saying, "I, with this small stature, have inherited such a great family business, feeling anxious and with no one to confide in. Grand General, Grand Marshal, you have accepted my entrustment to help me handle government affairs. Ministers, you also lead the officials to stabilize the country together; you must give it your all and not let me down. All ongoing palace construction projects are to be halted as per my decree. Officials, slaves, and servants over sixty years old are all to be released as free citizens."

In the second month, envoys from the Western Regions presented fire-washed cloth, and the Emperor had the Grand Marshal and Grand Commandant showcase it before the officials. On the day of Dingchou, the Emperor issued another decree saying, "Grand Marshal Sima Yi is upright, loyal, and has served the court for three generations. He pacified Mengda in the south, defeated the Shu army in the west, and eliminated Gongsun Yuan in the east, with accomplishments that spanned the entire realm. In the past, King Cheng of Zhou established the position of Baofu, and Emperor Xian of Han also valued Deng Yu; therefore, to properly utilize talented individuals, they must be given high-ranking positions. Now, Sima Yi is appointed as Grand Tutor, continuing to command the troops, with no changes to other positions."

In March, General Man Chong of the East Expedition was appointed as Grand Marshal. In June, the people of East Dat County in Liaodong crossed the sea to arrive in Qi County, where a new East Dat County was established to accommodate them.

In July, the emperor began to personally attend court sessions and listen to the ministers' reports. In August, there was a general amnesty. In October, General Huang Quan was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry. In December, the emperor issued a decree stating: "The late Emperor Ming passed away in the first month of the lunar calendar, and we, as his subjects, shall forever remember this day. Therefore, we shall restore the Xia calendar; although this goes against the late emperor's unification of the calendar, it is also the principles of ritual reform. Moreover, the Xia calendar is more in line with the natural order, so we will designate the month of Jianyin as the first month of the new year, and the month of Jianchou as the twelfth month."

In the year 240 AD (first year of Zhengshi), on the second day of the second month, Liu Fang and Sun Zisheng were promoted, with one becoming the Left Guanglu Dafu and the other becoming the Right Guanglu Dafu, both important positions in the court. On the fourth day, the government decided to relocate the residents of Wendong and Beifeng counties in Liaodong to the other side of the sea, settling them near Xi'an, Linzi, and Changguo counties in Qijun, to re-establish Wendong and Beifeng counties for them.

Since December of the previous year, it hasn't rained. On the sixth day of the second month, the emperor ordered the officials in the prisons to promptly investigate wrongful convictions and address minor offenses; at the same time, he encouraged the ministers in the court to actively offer advice and suggestions, to share their opinions and devise strategies for the country. By April, General Huang Quan passed away. In July, the emperor issued a decree stating: "The Book of Changes says to reduce wastefulness above and increase welfare below, to be frugal, to establish systems, and not to harm the interests of the people. Now, although the people are facing difficulties in their lives, the court has amassed many luxury items, including gold and silver. What purpose do these serve? Now, over 150 types and more than 1800 pounds of gold and silver items will be melted down to meet the needs of the army." In August, the emperor personally inspected the autumn harvest near Luoyang, and based on the age and farming situation of the people, awarded them accordingly.

In the year 241 AD (2nd year of Zhengshi), in the second month, the emperor began studying the Analects of Confucius and ordered the Grand Minister of Rites to offer the finest offerings at the Bi Yong ceremony in honor of Confucius, and also included Yan Hui among those honored in the sacrifices. In May, General Zhu Ran of Wu besieged the city of Fan in Xiangyang, and Sima Yi led his troops to confront the siege. On the eighth day of June, Sima Yi withdrew his troops. On the twelfth day of June, Wang Ling was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry. In December, there was an earthquake in Nan'an Commandery.

In the year 242 AD (3rd year of Zhengshi), in the first month, the Prince of Dongping, Hui, passed away. In March, the Grand Commandant Man Chong passed away. On the first day of July, there was another earthquake in Nan'an Commandery. On the second day, Jiang Ji was appointed as the Grand Commandant. In December, there was also an earthquake in Wei Commandery.

In the spring of the year 238 AD, in the first month, the emperor grew up and held a coronation ceremony, rewarding the ministers with various gifts, each receiving a unique reward. On the Bing Mao day in April, the emperor declared Lady Zhen as the empress and declared a general amnesty. On the first day of May, a solar eclipse occurred, which ended shortly thereafter. In July, the emperor ordered sacrifices at the ancestral temple in honor of the deceased ministers, including Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu, Xiahou Shang, Huan Jie, Chen Qun, Zhong Yao, Zhang He, Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, Yue Jin, Hua Xin, Wang Lang, Cao Hong, Xiahou Yuan, Zhu Ling, Wen Pin, Zang Ba, Li Dian, Pang De, Dian Wei, and others. At the end of the year, in December, envoys from Queen Himiko of Wa came to present tribute.

In February of the year 239 AD, Emperor ordered Grand General Cao Shuang to lead troops to attack the state of Shu. On the first day of April, there was a solar eclipse. In May, the emperor held a ceremony to honor Confucius at Bi Yong, permitting the Grand Minister to use the imperial offerings to honor Confucius and to share in the offerings with Yan Yuan; at the same time, he also rewarded the Grand Tutor, Grand General, and officials participating in the lectures. That afternoon, Cao Shuang returned with his troops. In August, the King of Qin died. In September, the Xianbei submitted to the court, and the court established a vassal state in Liaodong and settled them in Changli County. In November, the emperor ordered a sacrifice to the late Shangshu Xun You at the Temple of the Ancestors. In the same month, the court restored the state of Qin, renaming it Jingzhao Commandery. At the end of the year in December, Minister of Works Cui Lin died.

In February of the year 240 AD, an earthquake occurred in Nan'an Commandery. That month, the emperor appointed General of Agile Cavalry Zhao Yan as Minister of Works; however, Zhao Yan died in June. In August, the emperor appointed Grand Minister Gao Rou as Minister of Works. That month, the emperor appointed Left Household Counselor Liu Fang as General of Agile Cavalry, and Right Household Counselor Sun Zi as Guard General. In November at the end of the year, the court held a grand sacrifice at the Temple of the Ancestors, the first time they honored the twenty-one ministers who aided the founding emperor in his achievements. In December, the emperor ordered the book "Commentary on the Book of Changes" by the late Minister Wang Lang to be used as teaching material for students to study and take exams. In the same month, the emperor issued a decree stating, "Tomorrow there will be a court assembly, and the Grand Tutor will ride in the imperial carriage to the hall."

In the spring of the year 237 AD, in the second month, Guanqiu Jian, the Governor of Youzhou, led his troops to attack Goguryeo, and in the summer of the fifth month, he went to attack the Yema people and won both battles. Many small states, including Han, Na, and Xi, came to surrender with their people. On a day in August during the autumn, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "Recently, I saw slaves being sold in the market by officials, some of whom are seventy years old, some are paralyzed, disabled, or sick; they are truly the most pitiful among the common folk! The officials have exhausted them and still want to sell them, which is too much! From now on, all these people should be freed. If anyone cannot support themselves, each county should provide for them."

The next day, the Emperor issued another decree on the day of Jiyou, saying, "I had originally planned to make the sacrifices myself on the nineteenth. Yesterday, I went out to see the road I had to take, but it rained, and now it needs to be repaired again; truly a waste of manpower and resources! I always think that the common people work hard but are burdened with heavy labor. As long as the roads are passable, that's enough. I heard that now they are forcing the common people to repair the roads, leaving everyone exhausted, displaced, and sighing. How can I calmly ride in a carriage to make sacrifices and show my filial piety to my ancestors? From now on, an explicit order must be issued to stop this practice!"

In the winter of December, the Emperor finished studying the Classic of Rites, and then ordered the Minister of Ceremonies to offer the best sacrifices at Bi Yong to Confucius, with Yan Yuan honored as a companion.

In the spring of the year 238 AD, on the first day of the second month, a solar eclipse occurred. In the summer of the fifth month, ten counties north of the Fen River in Hedong Commandery were separated to establish a new Pingyang Commandery.

In the autumn of the seventh month, Minister He Yan reported to the emperor, saying: "To govern the country well, one must first cultivate their character. To cultivate one's character, one must be careful in choosing the people and things they associate with. If one associates with upright people and matters, their character will be upright. When one's character is upright, they won't need to give orders, as others will naturally follow. If one associates with dishonest people and matters, their character will become corrupt. Even if orders are given, they will not be followed. Therefore, those in power must associate with honest individuals, engage with positive matters, reject negative influences, and stay away from deceitful individuals. This will help prevent evil thoughts and promote righteousness. Foolish rulers who cannot distinguish right from wrong, alienate virtuous individuals, and favor dishonest people will lead the government into chaos, like rats in a pantry, ultimately leading to decline. This is entirely self-inflicted. Therefore, sages always emphasize the importance of this. Emperor Shun advised Yu to 'choose neighbors carefully,' meaning to be cautious in selecting those close to you. Duke Zhou advised King Cheng to 'choose friends carefully,' meaning to be careful in choosing associates. The Book of Documents states: 'When a person is blessed, the common people benefit.' Therefore, from now on, when Your Majesty visits the Qian Palace and the gardens, you should be accompanied by ministers. This will allow for relaxation, enjoying banquets, reviewing reports, discussing political matters, exploring principles, and setting an example for future generations."

In December of winter, the Scattered Cavalry Attendant and Councillor Kong Yi submitted a memorial saying: "According to the rites, the palace of the Emperor can only use axes and chisels to process wood and should not use cinnabar for decoration. We should adhere to the rites and restore the old system. Now that the world is already pacified, the relationship between the ruler and his subjects is now clear; Your Majesty only needs to diligently carry out your duties and maintain a just heart, and earnestly implement the system of rewards and punishments. The Book of Rites says: 'Cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, pacify the world.' Your Majesty should lead by example. It would be best not to practice martial arts on horseback in the rear garden anymore, and when traveling, you should ride in a carriage, in order to bring blessings to the world, which is also the desire of your subjects." He Yan and Kong Yi both used memorials to remonstrate.

In February of the ninth year of the reign, General of the Guards and the Imperial Secretary Sun Zi, on the Gengsi day (exact date), General of the Agile Cavalry and the Imperial Secretary Liu Fang, on the Jiawu day in March (exact date), and Minister of Works Wei Zhen, all successively resigned from their official positions, accepted titles of marquis, retired, and were granted the honorary title of Special Excellence. In April, Grand Commandant Gao Rou was appointed as Minister of Works; Grand Master Xu Mai was appointed as Grand Commandant, but Xu Mai firmly refused. In September, during the autumn, General of Chariots and Cavalry Wang Ling was appointed as Minister of Works. In October of winter, a strong wind knocked down houses and broke trees.

In the spring of the year 249 AD, on the fifteenth day of the first month, the emperor visited Gaoping Mausoleum to pay his respects. The Grand Tutor Sima Yi submitted a memorial, requesting the removal of Grand General Cao Shuang, his brothers Cao Xiu and Cao Xun, and Cavalry Commandant Cao Yan from their official positions, allowing them to return home as idle marquises. On the nineteenth day of the first month, the relevant authorities reported their intention to arrest Yellow Gate Attendant Zhang Dang and hand him over to the Court of Judicial Review for questioning to verify the conspiracy between Cao Shuang and him. In addition, Ministers Ding Mi, Deng Yang, He Yan, Colonel Director of Retainers Bi Gui, Inspector of Jingzhou Li Sheng, and Minister of Agriculture Huan Fan conspired with Cao Shuang and were all executed along with their families. All of these events were recorded in Cao Shuang's biography. On the twenty-first day of the first month, a general amnesty was declared throughout the country. On the twenty-second day of the first month, the emperor wanted Grand Tutor Sima Yi to become Prime Minister, but Sima Yi adamantly refused.

After a few months, on the second day of the fourth month, the reign title was changed. On the third day of the fourth month, Grand Commandant Jiang Ji passed away. By the end of the year, on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month, Minister of Works Wang Ling was appointed as Grand Commandant. On the seventeenth day of the twelfth month, Colonel Director of Retainers Sun Li was appointed as Minister of Works.

In the second year, in the month of May during the summer, General Guo Huai, who conquered the West, was appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry. In October, Special Attendant Sun Zi was appointed as General of Agile Cavalry. In November, Minister of Works Sun Li passed away. On the seventeenth day of the twelfth month, Prince Cao Lin of Donghai passed away. On the eighteenth day of the twelfth month, General Wang Chang, who conquered the South, led his troops across the Yangtze River, launched a surprise attack on the state of Wu, and won a great victory.

In the spring of the year 243 AD, in the first month, Inspector of Jingzhou Wang Ji and Prefect of Xincheng Zhou Tai launched an attack on the state of Wu and emerged victorious, capturing many prisoners. In the second month, Yiling County was established in Nanchun to accommodate the surrendered people. In the third month, Sima Fu, the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, was appointed as Minister of Works. On the seventh day of the fourth month, Grand General Wang Chang, who conquered the South, was appointed as Grand General Who Conquers the South. On the thirteenth day of the fourth month, a general amnesty was declared. On the seventeenth day of the fourth month, it was reported that Grand Commandant Wang Ling intended to depose the emperor and install Prince of Chu Cao Biao as the new emperor, prompting Grand Tutor Sima Yi to lead troops east to confront Wang Ling. On the first day of the fifth month, Wang Ling committed suicide. In June, Cao Biao was condemned to death.

On the 27th day of the 7th month of autumn, Empress Zhen Shi passed away. On the 6th day of the 8th month, Sima Fu was appointed as Grand Commandant (Tawei). On the 13th day of the 8th month, Grand Tutor Sima Yi passed away, and General Sima Shi was appointed as Grand Marshal, and also took charge of the Imperial Secretariat. On the 18th day of the 8th month, Empress Zhen was laid to rest in Taiqing Tomb. On the 23rd day of the 8th month, General Sun Zi, Commander of Chariots and Cavalry, passed away. In the 11th month, it was proposed that meritorious officials be honored with sacrifices at the ancestral temple, with Grand Tutor Sima Yi having the highest merit and status. In the 12th month, Zheng Chong, Palace Attendant, was appointed Minister of Works.

On the 9th day of the 1st month of 244 AD, Grand Marshal Sima Shi was appointed as Grand General. In the 2nd month, Lady Zhang was declared Empress, and a general amnesty was declared. In the 5th month of summer, two fish appeared on the roof of the armory! In the 11th month of winter, the Emperor ordered Generals Wang Chang, Hu Zun, and Guanqiu Jian to attack the state of Wu. In the 12th month, General Zhuge Ke of Wu resisted and defeated our army at Dongguan, forcing our forces to retreat.

In the 4th month of summer of 245 AD, a general amnesty was declared. In the 5th month, Grand Tutor Zhuge Ke of Wu besieged the new city of Hefei, prompting the Emperor to order Grand Commandant Sima Fu to take action. In the 7th month of autumn, Zhuge Ke withdrew his troops.

In August, the emperor issued a decree, saying: "Former Zhonglang General Guo Xiu from Xiping is a man of integrity, steadfast in his principles and unwavering in his beliefs. Recently, General Jiang Wei of Shu led an army to attack the territories under Guo Xiu's command, and Guo Xiu was captured. A few years ago, the pretender Grand General Fei Yi led his troops through Hanshou, secretly scheming to gather a group for treachery. Guo Xiu boldly executed Fei Yi in front of everyone in the grand hall! His bravery surpasses that of Nie Zheng, and his accomplishments outshine those of Jie Zitui, truly embodying self-sacrifice for righteousness! Now we want to honor him, commend his loyalty, so that his descendants may share in this honor and inspire future generations. Therefore, Guo Xiu is posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Changlexiang, with a fief consisting of one thousand households, posthumously honored with the title of Marquis of Wei; his son will inherit the title and be further appointed as Attendant of the Chariots; additional rewards of one thousand taels of silver and one thousand rolls of silk are bestowed upon him to honor him, ensuring his achievements are remembered for generations to come."

Since the emperor's enthronement until this year, the organizational structures of various prefectures and counties have been in constant flux, sometimes streamlined and at other times reverted to their original forms, with countless instances.

In the year 238 AD (the sixth year of the Jingchu era of Emperor Ming of Wei), on a day in February, General Guanqiu Jian reported to the emperor, saying: "When Zhuge Ke was besieging the new city of Hefei in the past, the city sent out a soldier named Liu Zheng to deliver a message, but he was captured by the enemy forces. The enemy interrogated him, saying, 'Prime Minister Zhuge wishes to spare your life, surrender quickly.' Liu Zheng cursed, 'You scoundrel, what are you saying! I'd rather die a ghost of Wei than surrender—go ahead and kill me if you want!' He stood firm in his resolve. Later, they sent out another soldier, Zheng Xiang, to deliver a message; someone informed Zhuge Ke, so Zhuge Ke dispatched cavalry to search along the siege route and found Zheng Xiang. They bound Zheng Xiang and a few others, planning to make him walk around the city walls and shout, commanding Zheng Xiang to shout loudly, 'The Wei army has returned to Luoyang, surrender quickly.' Zheng Xiang refused to comply and instead shouted even louder into the city, 'The army is outside the city, soldiers, do your best!' The enemy tried to silence him with a knife, but Zheng Xiang continued to shout with all his might so the people inside the city could hear. Liu Zheng and Zheng Xiang, both ordinary soldiers, upheld their integrity in this way; their descendants should aspire to be exceptional!"

The emperor issued a decree, saying: "Establishing prestigious titles is to commend outstanding achievements, and granting generous rewards is to honor loyal and brave warriors. Liu Zheng and Zheng Xiang, as summoned messengers, risked their lives to pierce through enemy lines, faced death with indifference, remained steadfast in loyalty and righteousness, and even more resolutely resisted captivity. Their actions inspired the morale of the entire army, calmed the fearful hearts of the city defenders, and they confronted danger fearlessly, wholeheartedly fulfilling their mission. In the past, Jie Yang was loyal to the State of Chu until death, and Qi State's Lord Lu Zhong also completed his mission in death; they were no less remarkable than Liu Zheng and Zheng Xiang. Now, Liu Zheng and Zheng Xiang are posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Guanzhong, their soldier status is removed, and their sons are allowed to inherit the titles, in accordance with the standards for soldiers who died in battle."

In the year of Gengxu (230 AD), the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Li Feng, and the Empress's father, Grand Master of Ceremonies Zhang Ji, conspired against the ministers and wanted the Minister of Ceremonies Xiahou Xuan to become the Grand General. The plot was exposed, and all involved were killed.

In the year of Xinhai (231 AD), the court ordered a general amnesty. In March, the Empress Zhang was deposed. In April, Lady Wang was made Empress, and a second general amnesty was declared. In May, the Empress's father, the Attendant of the Carriage Wang Kui, was made the Marquis of Guangming Township and Grand Master of Ceremonies, with a special promotion, and his wife, Lady Tian, was made the Lady of Xuanyang Township. In September, the Grand General Sima Yi (King Jing of Sima) planned to depose the emperor and informed the Empress Dowager of his plan.

In the year of Jiaxu (234 AD), the Empress Dowager issued an order saying, "The Emperor is getting older, but he is not handling state affairs properly, indulging in harem concubines, neglecting the virtues that an emperor should possess, spending his days with actors and turning a blind eye to their disgraceful behavior; even bringing the families of the concubines into the palace, undermining moral values and disrupting gender roles; his filial piety is decreasing day by day, while his unruly behavior is escalating. He is clearly unfit to inherit the throne or serve the ancestral altar." Therefore, the Empress Dowager sent Gao Rou, who also held the position of Grand Commandant, with an edict to the ancestral temple, allowing Cao Fang to return to Qi territory as a prince, avoiding the throne. That day, Cao Fang was moved to another palace at the age of 23. The court also sent envoys to escort him, and a palace for the Prince of Qi was built for him in Henan, with the same specifications as other vassal states.

In the year of Dingchou (235 AD), the Empress Dowager issued another order saying, "Cao Lin, the Prince of Donghai, is the son of Emperor Wen, also known as Cao Cao. His sons have close ties with the court, and the noble and capable Cao Mao shall inherit the throne and become the Emperor!"

Cao Mao, styled Sima Mao, courtesy name Yanshi, was the grandson of Emperor Wen of Wei and the son of Prince Ding of Donghai, Sima Lin. In the fifth year of Zhengshi, he was made the Noble of Gaoguxiang of Tan County. He had a passion for learning from a young age and found success at a young age. After the removal of Prince Qi, Sima You, the court officials decided to make him Emperor. On the Jichou day in October, Sima Mao arrived at Xuanwu Pavilion, where the officials asked him to stay in the front hall, but he declined since it was the late emperor's quarters and chose to stay in the west wing instead. The officials also wanted to greet him with the emperor's ceremonial procession, but he politely declined.

On the second day of the year of Ji Chou, on the day of Geng Yin, Sima Maoyi dismounted and entered the city of Luoyang. The ministers welcomed him at the south gate of the West Yezhi Gate, and as he dismounted to bow in return, the ceremonial attendants advised him, "According to etiquette, you should not return the greeting." Sima Maoyi replied, "But I am a subject!" So he bowed in return. When he arrived at the palace gate, he dismounted, and the attendants beside him remarked, "In the past, emperors always entered in a carriage." Sima Maoyi said, "I have come at the Empress Dowager's command; I still don’t know what comes next!" So he walked to the Taiji East Hall to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. That very day, he ascended the throne and declared himself emperor, holding a ceremony in the Taiji's front hall, with all the officials present, and everyone was filled with joy.

He issued a decree saying: "Our three ancestors of the Wei dynasty, relying on their martial prowess and virtuous conduct, followed the will of heaven and inherited the throne. After the King ascended the throne, he acted recklessly, going against the virtues of our ancestors. The Empress Dowager, deeply aware of the great responsibility to the state, accepted the advice of her ministers, deposed him, and entrusted me with great authority. In this important position, I feel the heavy burden of responsibility, constantly vigilant day and night, afraid that I cannot inherit and carry forward the teachings of our ancestors, restore the prosperity of the Wei dynasty, and remain constantly cautious, as if walking a tightrope. Now, all you ministers and officials are the pillars of the state, and the generals who have made great contributions to the country are loyal and dedicated to the royal family. I hope to rely on the loyal ministers and talented young people left by our ancestors, along with all of you, to defend the royal family together, so that I can govern with peace and harmony. I have heard that the path of a ruler is grounded in high virtue, as vast as heaven and earth, with blessings extending to all corners of the realm. First, use kindness to influence the people, then use clear rewards and punishments to educate them, so that it can yield positive results and the people can enjoy peace and prosperity. Although my virtues are lacking and my understanding of the great way is unclear, I hope to walk this path of prosperity alongside the people. As the scriptures say: 'If you comfort the people, the people will support you.'"

He then ordered a general amnesty, changed the era name, reduced the Emperor's entourage and the expenses of the harem, and abolished the extravagant and wasteful practices of the Shangfang Imperial Household.

In the winter of the year 265 AD, on Renchen day in October, the emperor sent court officials holding the emperor's token to various places to observe the customs and comfort the common people, while also investigating wrongful cases and incompetent officials. On Guisi day, the emperor granted Grand General Sima Jingwang Huang Yue, symbolizing the highest authority with the jade axe, allowing him to bypass the customary rituals of monarch and subject when entering the court, not report his name when presenting reports, and to directly wear weapons and shoes to the court. On Wuxu day, a yellow dragon appeared in a well in Ye city. On Jiachen day, the emperor ordered the appropriate officials to evaluate the contributions of those involved in deposing or enthroning emperors and formulating national policies, and then grant titles, increase land holdings, promote official positions, and reward them based on their contributions.

In the spring of the second year, on Yichou day in the first month, General Guanqiu Jian and Yangzhou Inspector Wen Qin rebelled. On Wuyin day, Grand General Sima Jingwang led troops to suppress them. On Guiwei day in the intercalary month, Wen Qin was defeated at Lejia. Wen Qin fled and eventually escaped to the state of Wu. On Jiachen day, Commandant Anfeng Jin killed Guanqiu Jian and sent his head to the capital. On Renzi day, the emperor pardoned the common people of Huainan who had been implicated in the rebellion by Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin. He then appointed General Zhuge Dan as Grand General of the East. Sadly, Sima Jingwang passed away in Xuchang. On Dingsi day in the second month, the emperor appointed General of the Guards Sima Wenwang as Grand General, tasking him with overseeing the affairs of the Imperial Secretariat.

On the Jiazi Day, General Sun Jun and others from the state of Wu led a reportedly one hundred thousand troops to attack Shou Chun. Zhuge Dan resisted and defeated them, even killing Wu's Left General Liu Zan, and reported the victory to the capital. In the third month, the Emperor appointed Lady Bian as Empress and issued a general amnesty. On the Jia Yin Day in the fourth month of summer, the Emperor appointed Empress's father Bian Long as Marquis. On the Jia Xu Day, the Emperor appointed General Wang Chang as Cavalry General. In the seventh month of autumn, the Emperor appointed General Hu Zun as Guard General and General Zhuge Dan as General of the East.

On the eighth day of the eighth month, General Jiang Wei of Shu attacked Di Dao. Governor of Yongzhou Wang Jing engaged him in battle and suffered a crushing defeat at Taoxi, and could only retreat to Di Dao to hold their ground. A few days later, the court appointed Deng Ai as General of the West to assist General Chen Tai in resisting Jiang Wei. Later, Grand Commandant Sima Fu was dispatched to support them. On the tenth day of the ninth month, I, the Emperor, finally completed my studies of the Shangshu, and rewarded Minister Zheng Chong, Attendant Zheng Xiaotong, and others who had taught me with various gifts. On the seventeenth day of the ninth month, Jiang Wei withdrew his troops.

In October, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "My abilities are limited, and I could not stop the enemy's invasion, allowing the bandits from Shu to ravage the borders. In the battle at Taoxi, we suffered a disastrous defeat, with several thousand soldiers killed—some on the battlefield, their souls unburied, and others taken as captives and scattered in foreign lands. I am filled with deep sorrow and regret. I order the county officials, the Dian Nong, the Anfu Yi, and others to comfort the families of the fallen soldiers, exempting them from one year of taxes. Those brave soldiers who died in battle will receive the appropriate compensation as per the original regulations, ensuring that none are overlooked."

On the first day of the eleventh month, because the four counties of Longyou and Jincheng have faced enemy invasions for many years, many people fled and defected. Their relatives who stayed behind were also anxious, so the court granted them amnesty. On the twenty-ninth day of November, the emperor issued a decree stating: "In the battle of Taixi some time ago, some soldiers and civilians died on the battlefield, while others drowned in the Taishui River, and their bodies have not been collected and are left in the wild. I have been deeply saddened by this. I order the Western Expedition General and the Anxi General to search for the remains of the dead on the battlefield and by the river, gather them and bury them to provide comfort to the spirits of the deceased." On the eighth day of the first month of the first year of Ganlu, a blue dragon emerged from a well in Zhixian. On the twelfth day of the first month, Prince Lin died. On the eighth day of the fourth month of summer, the court bestowed ceremonial robes upon Grand Marshal Sima Wenwang, and also provided red socks. In the year of Bingchen, the emperor visited the Imperial Academy and asked the scholars present: "The sages developed the Eight Trigrams by understanding the laws governing the universe, observing astronomy, examining geography, and later developed it into sixty-four hexagrams, using hexagrams to express the changes of all things. These principles are very complete. But why did the Xia Dynasty use the 'Lianshan Yi', the Yin Dynasty use the 'Guicang Yi', and the Zhou Dynasty use the 'Zhou Yi'? What is the story behind the Book of Changes?" The Yi Jing scholar Chunyu Jun answered: "Fu Xi created the Eight Trigrams based on the fire map of the Suiren clan, and Shen Nong developed it into sixty-four hexagrams. The Yellow Emperor, Yao, and Shun all understood the various changes of the Eight Trigrams. The emperors of all ages interpreted and applied the Book of Changes according to the actual situation at the time. Therefore, the Book of Changes talks about changes. The name of the Xia Dynasty's 'Lianshan Yi' signifies the clouds rising in the mountains, connecting heaven and earth; the 'Guicang Yi' signifies that all things in the world are encompassed within it."

The emperor asked again, "If it is said that Fu Xi created the Book of Changes based on the fire diagram of the Suiren, why didn't Confucius say it was created by Fu Xi after the Suiren passed away?" Chunyu Jun could not answer. The emperor asked again, "Confucius composed the Taici and Xiangci, and Zheng Xuan wrote annotations. Although the sages are different, their interpretations of the classics are consistent. However, the Taici and Xiangci are not directly linked to the classics, but Zheng Xuan's annotations connect them; why is that?" Chunyu Jun replied, "Zheng Xuan connected the Taici and Xiangci with the classics to make it easier for students to understand." The emperor said, "If Zheng Xuan connects them for the convenience of learning, why didn't Confucius connect them for the same purpose?" Chunyu Jun replied, "Confucius was afraid of being confused with King Wen, so he did not connect them; this reflects the humility of the sage." The emperor said, "If the sage is humble by not connecting them, why is Zheng Xuan not humble?" Chunyu Jun replied, "The ancient principles are profound, and the sages' questions are equally profound and difficult to fathom, which I cannot fully explain." The emperor asked again, "The Xici says, 'The Yellow Emperor, Yao, and Shun wore clothes and ruled the world.' This implies that during the times of Fu Xi and Shen Nong, there were no clothes. But what's the difference when the sages taught the world?" Chunyu Jun replied, "During the time of the Three Emperors, there were few people and many animals, so people used feathers and fur from animals to keep warm, which sufficed for everyone. In the time of the Yellow Emperor, there were more people and fewer animals, so people made clothes to suit their needs." The emperor asked again, "The Qian hexagram represents heaven, but also represents gold, jade, old horses, and small things; how does that work?" Chunyu Jun replied, "The sages use different approaches; some are closer, while others are more distant, so they take specific items for the closer ones and take from heaven and earth for the more distant ones."

After finishing the explanation of the Book of Changes, he began to explain the Book of Documents. The emperor asked, "Zheng Xuan said, 'Investigating the ancient is the same as investigating heaven, and speaking of Yao is the same as speaking of heaven.' Wang Su said, 'Yao followed the ancient ways and acted accordingly.' These three different statements, which one is correct?" The scholar Yu Jun replied, "Scholars in the past each had their own understanding; their statements were all different, and I truly cannot determine which one is correct. However, the Book of Floods states, 'When three people have differing opinions, follow the words of two.' Jia Yi, Ma Rong, and Wang Su all believe in 'following the ancient ways.' According to the Book of Floods, Wang Su's interpretation is more reasonable."

The emperor said, "Confucius said, 'Only heaven is great, only Yao is close to it.' Yao's greatness lies in his emulation of the ways of heaven, and simply adhering to ancient principles does not represent Yao's highest attainment. Now, we are explaining the Book of Documents to elucidate Yao's saintly virtues, yet we have abandoned the most important aspect and emphasized the secondary aspect. Is this not contrary to the author's intentions?" Yu Jun replied, "I have always adhered to my teachers' teachings; I have not fully understood these profound truths. As for how to choose, I still need your wise judgment."

Next, when it came to the Four Peaks recommending Gun, the emperor asked again, "A 'great person' should have virtues that are in harmony with heaven and earth, brightness that is in harmony with the sun and moon, thorough thinking, and clear insight. Now Wang Su said, 'Yao could not see Gun's abilities clearly, so he tried to use him.' Does this imply that even the wisdom of sages is not without its shortcomings?" Yu Jun replied, "Even a sage has limitations in their abilities, so Yu said, 'Knowing people is wise; only the emperor finds it difficult.' However, Yao was ultimately able to correct mistakes, promote sages, and develop the country's affairs, which is part of what made him a sage."

The emperor said, "Everything has a beginning and an end; only a sage can accomplish this. If one cannot create a legacy, how can one be called a sage? He said, 'Only the emperor finds this challenging,' but eventually corrected the mistake, which refers to the difficulty of recognizing talent, a task that even sages find challenging, not that sages lack the ability. The classics say, 'To know people is to be wise; to appoint them is to have the ability.' If Yao doubted Gun, tried for nine years, and appointed officials improperly, how can he be called a sage?" Yu Jun replied, "I privately read the classics and biographies; sages also cannot be completely without mistakes. Yao made mistakes associated with the Four Evils, Duke of Zhou made the mistakes of Guanshu and Caishu, and Confucius also made the mistake of Zai Yu."

The emperor said, "Yao appointed Gun for nine years without any accomplishments, causing chaos in the natural order and leading the people to suffer unbearable hardships. Confucius made a mistake with Zai Yu; the gravity of the two mistakes differs. As for Zhou Gong, Guan Shu, and Cai Shu's matters, they are also recorded in the 'Book of Documents,' which all scholars should be well-acquainted with." Yu Jun replied, "These are all issues that perplexed the ancients; I have limited knowledge and cannot delve deeper into it."

Next, discussing "There was a widower named Yu Shun," the emperor asked, "During Yao's time, the floods were devastating, the Four Evils were in court; it was the time to quickly promote talents to save the people. Shun was young and virtuous, but was not promoted for a long time; why is that?" Yu Jun replied, "Yao searched everywhere for talents, wanting to give up his position. The Four Mountains said, 'Your virtue is noble; how can you give up the throne?' Yao then asked the Four Mountains to recommend those unknown people, and only then recommended Shun. The primary reason for recommending Shun was Yao's influence; this is the manifestation of the sage wanting to widely listen to the people's opinions."

The emperor said, "Since Yao had heard of Shun but did not promote him, and those loyal ministers were not promoted either, instead asking the Four Mountains to recommend those unknown people, this does not seem to be the intention to urgently use talents to help the people." Yu Jun replied, "This is beyond my limited understanding."

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The emperor asked about the "Book of Rites" again. The emperor asked, "What does the phrase 'establishing the highest virtue, and then focusing on giving back' mean? Why are there different approaches to governing the country and educating the people? What measures should be taken to achieve 'establishing virtue' and 'giving without expecting in return'?" Doctor Ma Zhao replied, "'Establishing the highest virtue' refers to the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors using morality to educate the people; 'and then focusing on giving back' refers to the era of the Three Kings using rituals to govern the country."

The emperor said, "The stark difference in the effectiveness of these two methods is due to the varying abilities of the rulers, or is it due to the different eras?" Ma Zhao replied, "Indeed, this is due to different eras; there are times of simplicity and times of civilization, so the effect of education also varies in thickness."

In May, reports from Ye City and Shangluo both reported the arrival of sweet dew. On the day of Bingwu in June, the era was renamed Sweet Dew. On the day of Yichou, a blue dragon appeared in a well within the territory of Yuancheng County. On the day of Jimao in July, General Hu Zun of Wei passed away.

On the day of Guiwei, General of the Western Regions Deng Ai defeated the Shu Han general Jiang Wei in Shanggui. The emperor issued a decree saying, "The war has not reached its most intense stage yet, and the enemy has already been routed. Over ten thousand enemy soldiers were killed or captured. Since the beginning of the war, this is the greatest victory we've seen! Now send envoys to reward the soldiers, hold a grand banquet, and let everyone celebrate joyfully for a day, to express my intentions!"

On the day of Gengwu in August, the emperor appointed Grand General Sima Yan with the title of Grand Commander, allowing him to report directly to the emperor, bypassing other officials, and bestowed upon him the Yellow Imperial Axe (symbolizing the highest authority). On the day of Guiyou, the Grand Commandant Sima Fu was appointed as the Grand Tutor. In September, the Minister of Works Gao Rou was appointed as the Grand Commandant. In October, Zheng Chong was appointed as the Minister of Works, and the Chief Clerk of the Left Lu Yu was appointed as the Minister of Works.

In the second month of the second year, a green dragon appeared in a well in Wen County. In the third month, Sikong Lu Yu passed away.

On the day of Guimao in the fourth month, the emperor issued a decree saying: "The officials and people of Gaoxian County in Xuantu County rebelled, and the county magistrate Zheng Xi was killed. The people, led by Wang Jian, carried Zheng Xi's coffin on their backs, day and night, and returned the coffin to their hometown. His loyalty and righteousness are truly commendable! Wang Jian was specially appointed as the loyal and righteous commander to commend his outstanding achievements!"

On the day of Jiazi, Zhuge Dan was appointed as the General of the East Campaign.

On the day of Xinwei in the fifth month, the emperor held a grand banquet in Biyong and asked the courtiers to compose poems. The poems written by the attendant He You and Shangshu Chen Qian took too long, and the chief official requested the emperor to dismiss them from their positions. The emperor issued a decree saying: "I consider myself somewhat dull, I love poetry and literature, and I've been collecting poems to gauge everyone's strengths and weaknesses. I didn't expect things to get so chaotic; it's really backfired! Spare He You and the others! The relevant departments should order that from now on, all courtiers should seriously study ancient classics and delve into classical works, which is in line with my intentions!"

In the year 255 AD (Year of Yihai), Zhuge Dan refused the court's summons, raised troops directly, rebelled, and killed the Governor of Yangzhou, Le Chen. The next day (Day of Bingzi), the court issued a general amnesty, pardoning all Huainan soldiers and people who were coerced by Zhuge Dan.

The next day (Day of Dingchou), the emperor issued a decree saying: "Zhuge Dan stirred up chaos and rebellion in Yangzhou. In history, when Qing Bu rebelled, Emperor Gaozu personally led a large army to suppress it; when Wei Xiao rebelled, Emperor Guangwu personally went to pacify the rebellion; even the previous emperors personally campaigned against Wu and Shu, all to assert our national strength and deter wrongdoers. Now, the Empress Dowager should join me in personally suppressing the rebellion and restoring peace to the world."

Then, on the Ji Mao day, the emperor issued another edict: "Zhuge Dan planned a rebellion, pressuring loyal and righteous individuals. General Pang Hui, Marquis of Linwei Pavilion, and Deputy General Lu Fan led their subordinates to break through the siege of the rebels, bravely fought the enemies, and showed great loyalty and courage! Pang Hui is hereby promoted to Marquis of Xiang, and Lu Fan to Marquis of Ting!"

On the fourth day of the sixth month (Yi Si day), the emperor issued a decree: "Sun Yi, the Governor of Xia Kou and the Army Commander-in-chief of Wu, was initially an accomplice of Zhuge Dan, holding a high-ranking position. However, he was able to realize in time, discern between good and evil, and led his troops to surrender, which is more commendable than Wei Zi Qi's departure from the Yin Dynasty or Yue Yi's departure from the Yan Kingdom! Sun Yi is appointed as the Cavalry General, granted a ceremonial token, appointed as Governor of Jiaozhou and Wu, with the establishment of a government office, enjoying the same privileges as the Three Ministers, in accordance with the highest standards of etiquette for ancient marquises, being granted ceremonial robes and shoes, and receiving generous benefits."

On the tenth day of the seventh month (Jia Zi day), the emperor issued a decree: "Currently, the imperial army is stationed in Xiangcheng, and the Grand General is carrying out divine punishment, with the army having reached Huaipu. In history, when the Grand Marshal was suppressing a rebellion, the Minister of Personnel would accompany the Grand Marshal. This tradition should also be followed now." Therefore, the emperor ordered the Cavalier Attendant Pei Xiu and the Palace Attendant of the Yellow Gate Zhong Hui to accompany the Grand General on the expedition.

In the eighth month of autumn, the emperor issued another decree: "When Prince Yan plotted a rebellion, Han Yi and others spoke out and were killed. Later, the sons of those who were killed were posthumously honored by the Han Dynasty. Zhuge Dan incited a rebellion, and the Chief Clerk Xuan Long and the Unit Supervisor Qin Jie held onto justice, resolutely opposed Zhuge Dan, and were subsequently killed by him, just like Bi Gan, who was loyal yet tragically killed. The sons of Xuan Long and Qin Jie are posthumously appointed as Cavalry Captains, and they are rewarded to honor their loyalty and righteousness, serving as a warning to all."

In September, the court proclaimed a general amnesty across the realm. By December in winter, the renowned generals of the Kingdom of Wu, Quan Duan and Quan Yi, surrendered with their armies. In February of the third year of spring, General Sima Yan captured Shouchun City and executed Zhuge Dan. In March, the emperor issued an edict proclaiming: "In ancient times, after winning battles, the bodies of the defeated were heaped to construct a victory monument, to punish traitors and celebrate military accomplishments. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Tongxiang was renamed Wenxi, and Xinxian was renamed Huojia, to commemorate the destruction of Nanyue. The general took command of the army, stationed at Qiutou, pacified domestic rebellions, eliminated foreign enemies, and brought benefits to the people, spreading his reputation far and wide. The site of the enemy's defeat should bear an auspicious name, so Qiutou was renamed Wuqiu, to signify that the rebellion was subdued through military might, to be remembered by future generations, and to commemorate achievements like the victory monument." In May of summer, the emperor conferred upon General Sima Yan the title of Duke of Jin, granted him food estates in eight prefectures, and bestowed upon him the Nine Bestowments—nine ceremonial objects symbolizing imperial authority, which Sima Yan declined nine times before accepting. On the day of Bingzi in June, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Mountain bandits in Nanyang Prefecture were rampant before, trying to kidnap the former governor Dong Ligun. The magistrate Ying Yu single-handedly safeguarded Dong Ligun, saving him from being abducted. Ying Yu later wandered and ultimately sacrificed himself, preserving the monarch with his own life. Let him be the Minister of Works, and appoint his grandson Lun as an official, granting him the honor of this reward for his loyalty." On the day of Xinmao, the court rewarded the heroes of the Battle of Huainan with different titles and rewards.

On the eighth day of the eighth month of autumn, General Wang Chang was appointed as Minister of Works (Sikong). On the day of Bing Yin, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Respecting the elderly and honoring the wise, promoting education, these are the methods employed by the emperors of the Three Dynasties to establish good customs and ensure the long-term stability of the country. We must select the three elders and five officials who are virtuous and respected, show them the utmost respect and humbly seek their counsel, and record their words and deeds in the annals of history; only then can peace be achieved throughout the realm and the people live in peace and contentment. We should diligently select individuals of high moral integrity to occupy these roles. Marquis Wang Xiang of Guannei County is benevolent and righteous, with firm aspirations. Marquis Zheng Xiaotong of Guannei County is warm, respectful, and filial, exhibiting upright conduct. Let Wang Xiang be the three elders and Zheng Xiaotong be the five officials." The emperor personally led the courtiers in conducting this ceremony according to ancient rituals.

In that year, the Azure Dragon and Yellow Dragon appeared in the wells of Dunqiu, Guanjun, and Yangxia counties. In the first month of spring in the fourth year, two yellow dragons appeared in the wells of Ningling County. In the sixth month of summer, Minister of Works Wang Chang passed away. In the seventh month of autumn, Prince of Chenliu, Wang Jun, passed away. On the day of Bing Yin in the tenth month of winter, the court divided Xincheng commandery and established Shangyong commandery. On the Gui Mao day of the eleventh month, General of the Chariots and Cavalry, Sun Yi, was murdered by his maidservant.

On the first day of the first month of the year 260 AD, a solar eclipse occurred. In April, the court ordered the promotion of Grand General Sima Yan to the position of Prime Minister as previously decided, enfeoffing him as Duke of Jin and granting him nine precious treasures.

On a day in May, Ma Miao from Gaogui Township died; he was only twenty years old. Empress Jia Nanfeng ordered, "I have caused misfortune to the country due to my bad conduct. I appointed Sima Miao, the Prince of Donghai, as the heir to the throne because he seemed to enjoy reading and writing. I hoped he would succeed, but I never expected him to grow increasingly irritable and aggressive. I reprimanded him several times, but he became even angrier and fabricated outrageous and treasonous rumors against me, even managing to isolate me from the emperor. I could hardly bear his words; it was utterly intolerable! I privately warned the Grand General (Sima Yan) that he must not inherit the throne; otherwise, the country would be doomed, and I would have no face to see the late emperor after my death. The Grand General thought he was still young and could reform, so he advised him patiently. But he grew increasingly outrageous, even shooting arrows at my palace with a bow, cursing that he would hit me in the neck, with arrows landing right in front of me! I urged the Grand General repeatedly that he must be deposed, but he continued to resist. He was well aware of his deep guilt and planned to rebel, even bribing my guards to poison me while I was taking medicine, plotting several times. When the plot was uncovered, he even planned to attack the West Palace and kill me, then capture the Grand General. He summoned Wang Shen, Wang Ye, and Wang Jing, showing them the hidden edict in his arms, saying he would act today. I was in grave danger, more precarious than eggs piled high! Being old and alone, I could hardly care for my own life. It is a pity that the late emperor's wishes could not be fulfilled; the country would descend into chaos, which breaks my heart the most. Thanks to the blessings of my ancestors, Wang Shen and Wang Ye immediately informed the Grand General, giving him time to prepare. He rushed out of the Cloud Dragon Gate with his guards, while beating drums and shouting, personally drawing his sword and leading the guards into the army camp, only to be killed by the vanguard. Not only did he commit heinous crimes, but he also marched himself into a dead end, which made me even more grief-stricken. Just like the Prince of Changyi in the Han Dynasty, who was demoted to a commoner for his mistakes, he should be buried with civilian honors, so that everyone knows what he did wrong. Regarding Wang Jing, who participated in the rebellion, he and his family were arrested and sent to the Ministry of Justice for interrogation.

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In the year 240 AD (Year of Gengyin), Grand Tutor He Fu, Grand General Sima Shi, Grand Commandant Wang Rou, and Minister of Works Wang Xiang knelt down together and said, "We have discovered that the elder brother of the Minister of Works (Cao Shuang), the Noble Marquis Cao Shuang himself, has committed serious crimes and has driven himself to a dead end. Following the precedent of Prince Liu He of the Han Dynasty, who was buried with commoner rites after his deposition, he should also be treated in the same manner. We, as officials, failed to halt this disaster and failed to stop his treacherous actions. When we received the order, we were terrified and trembling, our hearts were in turmoil! The 'Spring and Autumn Annals' records: 'The king is without exception,' but it also states, 'King Xiang resided in Zheng' because King Xiang could not serve his mother, so he was deposed. Now the Noble Marquis Cao Shuang has done evil without restraint, nearly causing the country to collapse. He has brought this upon himself, inciting the wrath of both heaven and the people. Burying him with commoner rites indeed aligns with the old customs. However, we believe Your Highness is exceedingly merciful and benevolent. Although this action aligns with righteousness, your heart remains compassionate. We truly cannot bear to see it and feel that he can be granted the honor of being buried with the rites of a marquis." The Empress Dowager agreed to their request.

Then she sent envoys with the imperial insignia to welcome Marquis Changdao Cao Huang to inherit the throne of Emperor Ming (Cao Fang) and to be escorted by the General of the Guards, Sima Yan. On the Xinyou day of the year 240 AD (Year of Gengyin), the courtiers submitted a memorial to the Empress Dowager, saying, "Your Highness, your virtuous radiance shines brightly, and your grace extends across the realm, yet you still refer to yourself as 'ling,' akin to the rulers of the vassal states. We propose that henceforth, all your commands be designated as 'imperial edicts,' just like the emperors of the past."

In the year 240 AD (Year of Gengyin), on the day of Guimao, General Sima Shi relinquished the titles of Prime Minister, Duke of Jin, and the Nine Honors. The Empress Dowager decreed: "Meritorious deeds should be commended, as the Book of Changes states. Doing good for others is what ancient sages esteemed. Now, in accordance with your wishes, present these items to the public to highlight your humility."

On the day of Wushen, General Wen Wang reported to the Empress Dowager, saying: "The noble Duke Gaogui, accompanied by followers and troops, came to my camp, drawing swords, banging drums, and creating an intimidating atmosphere. I was worried that a conflict might break out, so I ordered the soldiers not to harm them, and anyone who disobeyed would face military law. As a result, the younger brother of the Cavalry Commander, Ji, the Prince's Attendant, rushed into the military formation and injured Duke Gaogui, which ultimately led to his death. I have arrested Ji and am ready to deal with him according to military law. I understand that as a courtier, one must be loyal to their duties, serve the monarch faithfully, and not shirk responsibility. The sudden incident that unfolded earlier, leading to disaster, made me originally intend to sacrifice myself and await your decision. However, my true intention was to protect the Emperor and Empress Dowager and to maintain the peace of the ancestral temple and the state. I carry a heavy responsibility to defend the country, and even in death, that responsibility only grows. I aim to follow the examples of Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou to quell the threats to the state, so I specifically ordered that no one should approach the vicinity of the palace, but Ji recklessly intruded into the military formation, leading to this tragic event. I am heartbroken, feeling as if my very insides are torn apart, and I don't even know where I should go to die! According to the law, this is a serious crime of treachery, and the punishment could extend to nine generations, with parents and wives facing execution. Ji's cruel and disloyal actions have thrown the country into chaos and are unforgivable. I have ordered the Imperial Censor to arrest Ji's family and bring them to the Court for formal trial." The Empress Dowager issued a decree: "Of the Five Punishments, the most serious is unfilial conduct. If someone can't even be filial to their own parents, they deserve punishment, let alone this brat? How can he be fit to be a ruler? As a woman, I may not fully grasp these principles, and I didn't think Ji's actions were serious enough to be called 'great treachery.' However, General, your words are sincere, and they've moved me, so I will approve your request. The details of this matter should be made public so everyone knows the truth."

In the sixth month of the year of Guichou, the Empress Dowager issued a decree saying, "The names of ancient monarchs are very sacred and should not be easily disrespected or avoided. Nowadays, the names of common township lords are often hard to avoid. Let the court officials discuss this widely, propose modifications, and then submit their recommendations for approval." The Prince of Chenliu, named Huan and styled Jingming, is the grandson of Emperor Wu and the son of Prince Yu of Yan. In the third year of Ganlu, he was appointed as the Lord of Changdao in Anci County. After the noble lord passed away, the court officials deliberated on proclaiming him as emperor. In the sixth month of Jiayin, he entered Luoyang, paid respects to the Empress Dowager, and on the same day ascended the throne in front of the Taiji Hall, proclaimed himself emperor, issued a general amnesty, and changed the era name, granting titles and food to the people, with varying degrees of rewards.

In the summer of the year 265, on the day of Bingchen in the sixth month, Sima Yan appointed Sima Zhao as the Prime Minister and Duke of Jin, also increasing his fiefdom by two counties, making it a total of ten counties. A grand ceremony of Nine Bestowments was held, as stated in the previous decree. Sima Zhao's brothers, nephews, and uncles who were not appointed as marquises were granted the title of Viscount, along with substantial sums of money and silk, which Sima Zhao ultimately declined.

On the day of Jiwu in the sixth month, the wife of Emperor Xian of Han passed away. Sima Yan went to the Hualin Garden to pay respects and posthumously bestowed her the title of Empress Xianmu. During the burial, the procession was conducted according to Han Dynasty customs. On the day of Guihai in the sixth month, Wang Guan was appointed as Minister of Works, and he passed away in the tenth month of the same year.

In the eleventh month, the Prince of Yan submitted a memorial congratulating on the Winter Solstice, but did not refer to himself as a subject. Sima Yan issued a decree saying, "In ancient times, emperors sometimes had subjects who did not submit to them. Prince of Yan, you should take this principle into account. How should I respond if you don’t refer to yourself as a subject in your memorial? Moreover, as a descendant of the imperial family, you ought to be treated differently. How can you be the same as ordinary subjects? If I let you refer to yourself as a subject, I would also feel uncomfortable. Address this matter according to the proper rituals and ensure it is resolved appropriately."

It is suggested, "The most important aspect of etiquette is the reverence for ancestors, and the most important aspect of the system is to follow the rules. Your Majesty has inherited the great dynasty and now leads the realm, taking on the significant responsibilities of the royal lineage and consolidating the foundation established by the ancestors over three generations. The King of Yan is able to honor the royal family, abide by the position of the vassal king, be respectful and cautious, and win people over with virtue, which serves as a model among all nations. He upholds the governance of the state, and he cannot be constrained by conventional systems. The court should treat him with unconventional etiquette, demonstrating respect through non-submissive etiquette. We believe that the King of Yan's etiquette can be handled according to the old rules. Your Majesty's question, if referring to relevant allusions, can be adjusted to reflect Your Majesty's respect, raising the standards of the ceremony to show no negligence, and can use 'The Emperor respectfully inquires of the King's audience.' As for the imperial edict, it is the country's established canon, used by the court to regulate etiquette and demonstrate the norms to the world, so it should follow the law; therefore, it should be referred to as 'Imperial edict to the King of Yan.' All documents such as edicts, regulations, memorials, and petitions, whenever mentioning the King of Yan, should be written in accordance with this standard. Apart from ancestral sacrifices, 'King' should not be used to address the King of Yan on other occasions; memorials, petitions, official documents, and the common people should not infringe upon the King of Yan's taboos, to emphasize his special status, similar to the status above the vassals. Both honoring the ancestral royal rules and complying with Your Majesty's sincere respect for the King of Yan should be carefully considered. This represents the most suitable approach and can be mandated for implementation nationwide."

On a specific day in December, a yellow dragon appeared in a well in Huayin County. After a few days, the court appointed Wang Xiang as the Minister of Works.

In the second year, on the first day of May in the summer, a solar eclipse occurred. In the autumn of July, the vassal states of Han and the Wuhuan from the Liaodong Commandery brought their subjects to pay tribute. In August, King Gan of Zhao died. A few days later, the court issued another decree to promote the Grand General's title to that of Chancellor, along with many generous rewards, just like the previous decree. However, the Grand General declined once more, and the court ultimately relented.

In the third year, in the second month of spring, a blue dragon was seen in a well in Zhixian. In the fourth month of summer, the Liaodong Commandery reported that the Sushen Kingdom sent envoys bearing tribute, including thirty bows, each three feet five inches long; one hundred and eighty arrows, each one foot eight inches long; three hundred stone crossbows; twenty sets of armor made from a mix of leather, bone, and iron; and four hundred sable pelts. In the tenth month of winter, General Jiang Wei of Shu attacked Taoyang, and General Deng Ai resisted. General Hou He defeated Jiang Wei, forcing him to flee. That year, the court ordered a sacrifice in honor of the late military strategist Guo Jia at the Temple of the Ancestors.

In the fourth year, in the second month of spring, the court issued another decree to promote the Grand General's title, with rewards just like before. Once again, he declined, but this time the court finally agreed.

In May, during the summer, the emperor issued an edict, saying: "Shu is merely a small nation, with limited territory and a sparse population. However, Jiang Wei shows no signs of stopping in his cruel exploitation of the people; even after being defeated last year, he continues farming in the Dazhong area, oppressing the Qiang people and relentlessly forcing them into labor, leaving the people in unbearable conditions. The art of war says to attack when the enemy is weak; this is the clever strategy of warfare, to provoke others into attacking rather than launching an attack oneself; this is the pinnacle of military strategy. Shu now relies on Jiang Wei, so while he is away from his stronghold, it’s an opportune moment to strike. Now, I order General Deng Ai to mobilize forces from Gansong and Dazhong to encircle Jiang Wei; Governor of Yongzhou Zhuge Xu will also lead the army to mount a coordinated attack from both the front and rear. If Jiang Wei is captured, we can launch simultaneous attacks from both the east and west, completely eliminating Ba and Shu!" At the same time, General Zhong Hui was ordered to attack Shu from Luogu. In September of autumn, Grand Commandant Gao Rou passed away. In October of winter, the court issued another decree to promote the title of Grand General and reward as before. A few days later, Lady Bian was made empress, and in November, there was a general amnesty throughout the country. Deng Ai and Zhong Hui led the troops to attack Shu, winning all the way. In that month, the Shu emperor Liu Shan surrendered to Deng Ai, and the Ba and Shu regions were fully subdued. On the Gengxu day in December, Minister of Works Zheng Chong was appointed Grand Protector. On the Renzi day, Yizhou was separated and Liangzhou was established. On the Guichou day, the people of Yizhou received a pardon, relieving them of half their taxes for five years. On Yimao day, General Deng Ai was appointed Grand Commandant, while General Zhong Hui became Minister of Works. Sadly, the empress dowager has passed away.

In the first month of the first year of the Xianxi era, on the Renxu day, Deng Ai was escorted back to the capital in a prisoner's cart. On the Jiazi day, the Emperor went to Chang'an to visit. On the Renshen day, envoys were sent to Mount Hua with jade discs and sacrificial offerings. In this month, Zhong Hui rebelled in Shu but was ultimately defeated by the local forces; Deng Ai was executed as well. On the Xinmao day in the second month, amnesty was granted to all people in Yizhou. On the Gengshen day, Empress Guo Mingyuan was buried. On the Dingchou day in the third month, Wang Xiang was appointed as Grand Commandant, He Zeng as Minister of Education, and Xun Yi as Minister of Justice. On the Jimao day, the title of Duke of Jin was promoted to King, with ten additional commanderies added to the previous ten. On the Dinghai day, Liu Chan was appointed as Duke of Anle. On the Gengshen day in May, King Jin proposed to restore the system of five ranks of nobility. On the Jiaxu day, the era name was officially changed. On the Guiwei day, Duke Xuan of Wuyang was posthumously named King Xuan of Jin, and Duke Zhongwu of Wuyang was posthumously named King Jing of Jin. In June, General Wei Guan brought the army from Yongzhou to Chengdu, where he found a jade disc and a seal inscribed with the words "Chengxin." Following the precedent set by King Cheng of Zhou when he returned the grains, Wei Guan announced this to the officials and then hid the jade disc and seal in the Duke's residence. After the pacification of Shu, the Wu army was stationed in Yong'an, threatening us. The court sent troops from Jingzhou and Yuzhou to provide support and contain the advancing Wu army. In July, the Wu army retreated. On the Gengyin day in August, Sima Yan was appointed to assist the Duke in handling state affairs, in a role similar to that of the Duke of Lu, who assisted the ruler of his state.

In the year 263 AD, the emperor issued a decree saying: "The traitor Zhong Hui, who conspired with the generals in the army, threatened them with force, started to unveil his sinister plans, spoke in an arrogant and domineering manner, and forced everyone to listen to him. The situation was urgent at that time; who wouldn't be afraid? At that time, the Prime Minister of Chengdu, Zuo Sima, Xiahou He, the knight Cao Shu, Zhu Fu, as well as the Central Army Marshal Jia Fu and Langzhong Yang Xiu all participated in the military conference; Xiahou He, Yang Xiu, and Zhu Fu all resolutely resisted, refusing to heed Zhong Hui's treacherous words, fearlessly standing up at that critical moment with righteous words. Jia Fu even said to the general Wang Qi: 'Zhong Hui is cunning and vicious; he wants to kill all the generals!' He also said: 'The Prime Minister has already led three hundred thousand troops to march west to attack Zhong Hui!' He aimed to use this to bolster morale and inspire the troops. After Wang Qi went out, he relayed Jia Fu's words to the soldiers, which further invigorated them. They deserve special recognition for their loyalty. Now, promote Xiahou He and Jia Fu to Marquises of their counties, and promote Yang Xiu and Zhu Fu to Marquises of the interior. Wang Qi, who relayed Jia Fu's words to the soldiers, should also be specially rewarded. Appoint Wang Qi as a commander of a division."

In the year 263 AD, appoint General Wei Sima Wang as the General of the Flying Cavalry. On the ninth day of the ninth month, appoint Sima Yan, General of the Central Pacification Army, as Grand General of Pacification.

In the year 241 AD, the emperor issued a decree saying: "The rule of the Kingdom of Wu is harsh and tyrannical, with incessant taxation. Sun Xiu sent an envoy Deng Ju to Jiaozhi, ordering the Prefect of Jiaozhi to draft the common people into military service. Wu general Lv Xing, witnessing the rising grievances of the people, and hearing that the imperial army had pacified Bashu, allied with local heroes, killed Deng Ju and others, drove away the Prefect and officials, pacified the people, and awaited orders from the imperial court."

Jiuzhen and Rinan counties heard that Lv Xing had risen in rebellion against the Wu Kingdom, and they actively rallied to support him. Lv Xing wrote a letter to Rinan County, explaining his plan, and when his army arrived in Hepu, he outlined the pros and cons of their actions; he also sent Tang Pu and others to Jinxian County to have Southern Central Military Inspector Huo Yi present the situation. The leaders of Jiaozhi also submitted a memorial stating, "Lv Xing has embarked on a significant mission, and all matters are to be carried out according to the court's directives. There are some mountain bandits in each county, whose activities spread throughout the counties. We are concerned they may have ulterior motives, causing widespread anxiety among the populace. The best course of action now is to appoint Lv Xing as the Commander of Military Affairs in Jiaozhi, the Grand General, and the Marquis of Ding'an County, and request the court to grant recognition and rewards to pacify the border regions." Their loyalty is clearly expressed in the memorials.

In the past, Yi Fu surrendered to the Lu Kingdom, and the "Spring and Autumn Annals" documented and praised this event; Dou Rong surrendered to the Han Dynasty, and the Han emperor also honored him greatly. Now the court is strong and bringing peace to the realm, intending to incorporate remote areas into its territory and unify the country. Lv Xing first surrendered to the court, led the people to surrender, came from afar to express loyalty, and requested an official position; therefore, he should receive special recognition and have his title elevated. This will not only assure Lv Xing and his followers that their loyalty is rewarded but also encourage people from distant lands to hear the news and follow suit.

Therefore, appoint Lv Xing as the Plenipotentiary, Commander of Military Affairs in Jiaozhou, and Grand General of Nan Zhong, granting him the authority to act at his discretion and report back later. However, before the court's official appointment arrived, Lv Xing was killed by his subordinates.

On the Dinghai day in October, the emperor issued a decree saying: "In the past, those wise emperors who governed the nation, quelled rebellions, solidified their power, achieved great deeds, and excelled in both civil and military affairs all took different paths yet reached the same goal. Some used force to discipline those who did not obey, and some used the military to intimidate the arrogant. However, to protect the people and ensure peace, we must first promote education and moral values, set an example for them, and only resort to war as a last resort. This principle has been recognized by wise rulers throughout history.

Recently, the Shu Han dynasty fell, resulting in chaos across the land, with Liu Bei and Sun Quan taking advantage of the situation to cause trouble. Our three ancestors worked tirelessly to stabilize the Central Plains and did not have time to deal with these remnants, which allowed these rebels to disrupt the court for generations. Thanks to our ancestors' blessings and the loyalty and bravery of our officials, we dispatched troops in all directions, pacified the regions of Shu and Yong, and achieved victory in one swift move with little effort.

Recently, the Jiangdong region has fallen into decline, plagued by political corruption and weak law enforcement. With Ba and Shu pacified, the Wu state is now isolated and unsupported, with regions such as Jiaozhou, Jingzhou, Yangzhou, and Yuezhou all surrendering. Currently, the pretender Lü Xing from Jiaozhi has led three counties to surrender; the county magistrate Xiang Yan and others from Wuling have united with five counties to seek surrender; the mountain dwellers from Yuzhang and Luling have also risen against Wu, claiming to support the Northern General. Sun Xiu has died, the commander of Wu has been replaced, internal strife is rampant, and the people's loyalty is waning. The renowned minister of Wu, Shi Ji, is now suspicious and wary of each other, full of hatred towards others.

The people of Wu are divided and disloyal, with no one truly committed. From ancient times to the present, no country has faced such a dire situation before its demise like Wu. If our army advances decisively into the Jianghan region, the people of Wu will likely welcome our forces with open arms. However, waging war inevitably consumes manpower and resources, so we should first promote our virtues and demonstrate our benevolence, making them aware of the benefits of surrender.

Prime Minister recommended Xu Shao and Sun Yu, who had previously been captured in Shou Chun. Xu Shao was originally the Inspector of Nanling in the state of Wu, talented and generous; Sun Yu was a relative of Sun Quan, loyal, reliable, and diligent. Now, we are sending Xu Shao back to the south, with Sun Yu as his deputy, to spread the court's intentions and inform the people of Wu about the situation. If they can come to realize this, we can reduce the losses of war, which has been a strategy in the use of troops from ancient times to the present.

Therefore, Xu Shao is appointed as Cavalier Attendant, concurrently serving as the Commandant of the Imperial Carriages, and granted the title Marquis of Duting; Sun Yu is appointed as the Supervisor of the Yellow Gate Attendants, concurrently serving as Marquis Within the Passes. The families brought by Xu Shao and others, including wives, concubines, and children, can all be taken away to show the court's grace, without the need to send them back, to demonstrate our generosity and benevolence.

In the year of Bingwu (266 AD), the Emperor appointed Zhong Hui, the Grand General of the Comforter of the Army, as the Crown Prince of the Jin Dynasty. That year, the court abolished the position of the farming officials in order to evenly distribute the corvee labor. Those in charge of agriculture were all appointed as governors, and the Commandants were all appointed as county magistrates; at the same time, the court encouraged the people of Shu to move inland. Those willing to relocate were provided with two years of grain supply by the court and exempted from twenty years of corvee labor. Anmi County and Fulu County reported that they had grown good crops.

In the spring of the following year, on the third day of the second month, Quren County presented a sacred tortoise to the Prime Minister's residence. On the ninth day of the second month, Zhang Xiu, a General of the Tiger Guards, rode from Chengdu to various camps to report the news of Zhong Hui's rebellion, which led to his death. The court posthumously granted the title of Marquis Within the Passes to his brother, Zhang Yi. In the summer of the fourth month, Nanshenze County reported the arrival of sweet dew. Wu sent envoys Ji Zhi and Hong Qiu to request peace talks.

In May, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Ah, Prince Jin is truly an extraordinary figure! He governs the country wisely, his benevolence reaches all corners of the realm, his military prowess intimidates the barbarians from all directions, and his moral influence extends even to the remote regions. He is considerate of the people south of the Yangtze River, wholeheartedly seeking to save and nurture them; he disbands the army, promotes benevolence and righteousness, and shows strength through virtue. Upon receiving the decree, all regions followed suit, sending envoys to offer treasures as a sign of submission. However, Prince Jin was too modest, registering and returning all the tribute; this is not acceptable; how can we reassure the newly allied states and meet their expectations? All the gifts sent by Sun Hao were returned to him and then passed on to Prince Jin; this is in accordance with ancient customs." After Prince Jin repeatedly declined, the emperor relented. The emperor then ordered that Prince Jin be crowned with a twelve-ribbed crown, raise the emperor's flag, sound the alarm during travel, ride a golden-rooted chariot, drive six horses, along with five accompanying carriages; the procession included banners, clouds, and eight dancers performing, accompanied by a variety of musical instruments. Prince Jin's consort was named queen, the heir was designated as crown prince, and the titles and ranks of the princes, princesses, and grandchildren were all bestowed according to established customs. On Guimai day, a general amnesty was declared across the country.

On the 8th day of August in the year Xinyou, the King of Jin died. On the day of Renchen, Crown Prince Sima Yan of Jin ascended to the throne, took charge of government affairs, managed official documents, and everything continued as normal. That month, someone in Xiangwu County reported seeing a giant, over three zhang tall, with footprints about three chi two cun long, white hair, wearing a yellow robe and a yellow headscarf, leaning on a cane, telling the people, "Peace is coming now." On the day of Jiwei in September, a general amnesty was declared. On the day of Wuwu, He Cheng, the Minister of Works, was appointed Prime Minister of Jin. On the day of Guihai, Chen Qian was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry. On the day of Yihai, King Wen of Jin was buried. On the day of Gengchen in the intercalary month, the Kangju and the Great Wans of the Western Regions presented famous horses, which were all delivered to the residence of the King of Jin, to showcase the King of Jin's achievement of receiving envoys from all nations.

On the day of Renxu in December, the mandate of heaven was granted, and the world was united under Jin. The Emperor issued a decree, ordering officials to set up altars in the Southern Suburb for the ceremony, sending envoys with the Emperor's seal and decree, formally abdicating the throne to King Sima Yan of Jin in a ceremony akin to those of the Han and Wei dynasties. On the day of Jiazi, the envoys arrived with the decree. Sima Yan then relocated to Jinyong City and was ultimately buried in Ye City at the age of twenty.

Legend has it that in ancient times, the world belonged to everyone, and talent selection was based solely on ability. Later on, the throne's inheritance shifted to favor the eldest legitimate son. If the eldest son was incapable, then a capable heir should be chosen from among the collateral relatives, just like Emperor Wen and Emperor Xuan of the Han dynasty, which was an unchanging rule throughout the ages. However, Emperor Ming was incapable and insisted on considering personal feelings, raising a young child in hopes of passing on the throne to him, which was rather untrustworthy. As a result, political power fell into the hands of Cao Shuang, who was later killed, and Prince Qi ascended to the throne.

Noble Prince, since childhood, he has always been clever and quick-witted, with a love for learning and contemplation. This disposition is reminiscent of Emperor Wen. Unfortunately, he had a hasty temperament and a fiery disposition, which ultimately led to his downfall. As for the Prince of Chenliu, he was humble and cautious. After becoming emperor, he entrusted power to his ministers, and in the spirit of ancient sages, he voluntarily abdicated the throne. Ultimately, he was granted a substantial fief and became a distinguished guest of the Jin Dynasty, a status that surpassed that of Ban Biao, the Marquis of Shanyang during the Han Dynasty.

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Records of the Three Kingdoms （三國志）

Published: 01 January 2025

Created: 01 January 2025

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The Ming Dynasty emperor was named Rui, whose courtesy name was Yuanzhong. He was the crown prince under Emperor Wen. He was favored by the founding emperor from a young age and often accompanied him. At the age of fifteen, he was granted the title of Marquis of Wude; in the second year of Huangchu, he was granted the title of Duke of Qi, and in the third year, he was promoted to the Prince of Pingyuan. Because his mother was executed, he had not been appointed as the heir before. In the seventh year of Huangchu, in the fifth month of summer, the emperor fell seriously ill, and he was then appointed as the crown prince. On the day of Dingsi, he ascended the throne as the emperor and issued a general amnesty. He honored the Empress Dowager as the Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress as the Empress Dowager, and the ministers were also granted titles based on their merits. On the day of Guiwei, his mother, Lady Zhen, was posthumously honored with the title of Empress Wenzhao. On the day of Renchen, his younger brother Rui was appointed as the Prince of Yangping.

In August, Sun Quan attacked Jiangxia County, where the governor Wen Pin died defending the city. Some officials in the court suggested sending troops for rescue, but the emperor replied, "Sun Quan is skilled in naval warfare; his daring to abandon his ships and land for attack is to catch us by surprise. At present, both sides are at a standoff, with the defending side having double the strength; he certainly won't hold out for long." Previously, the emperor sent the Imperial Secretary, Xun Yu, to the front lines for consolation. Xun Yu arrived in Jiangxia and gathered troops from various counties along the way, along with a thousand infantry and cavalry he brought, lighting torches on the mountain, scaring Sun Quan away.

On the day of Xinsi, the emperor appointed his son, Jiong, as the Prince of Qinghe. Generals from Wu, Zhuge Jin, Zhang Ba, and others invaded Xiangyang. The Grand Marshal Sima Xuanwang led the army to defeat them, killing Zhang Ba; General Cao Xiu, known for his conquests in the East, also defeated another army of Sun Quan at Xunyang. Rewards were distributed based on their merits. In the winter of October, the Prince of Qinghe, Jiong, passed away. In December, Zhong Yao was appointed Grand Tutor, General Cao Xiu was appointed Grand Marshal, General Cao Zhen was appointed Grand General, Minister of Works Hua Xin was appointed Grand Commandant, Minister of Works Wang Lang was appointed Minister of Works, General Chen Qun, who guards the army, was appointed Minister of Works, and General Sima Xuanwang, who pacifies the army, was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry.

In the spring of the year 227 AD, in the first month of the lunar calendar, the emperor made sacrifices to Emperor Wu in the countryside, honoring Emperor Wu as a deity alongside the Heavenly Emperor; the emperor also made sacrifices to Emperor Wen in the Mingtang, honoring Emperor Wen as the companion of the Supreme Emperor. Subsequently, the government separated the southern region of Jiangxia Commandery and established the position of Commandant of Southern Jiangxia. At this time, Qu Ying of Xiping Commandery rebelled, killing the magistrate of Linqiang and the magistrate of Xidu. The court dispatched generals Hao Zhao and Lu Pan to suppress the rebellion, which led to Qu Ying's death.

On the eighth day of the second month, the emperor personally engaged in plowing the fields, symbolizing the importance of agriculture. On the twelfth day of the second month, the emperor built a temple for Empress Wen Zhao in Ye City. On the eighteenth day of the second month, the emperor made sacrifices to the sun in the eastern suburbs. On the twenty-eighth day of the fourth month, the court began issuing Wu Zhu coins, which was a significant development. On the seventh day of the fifth month, the emperor began the construction of ancestral shrines, a project that would take considerable time. In August, the emperor offered sacrifices to the moon in the western suburbs. On the twenty-seventh day of the tenth month, the emperor trained the army in the eastern suburbs to bolster national defense. At that time, the king of Yanqi also sent his son to serve at the court. In November, the emperor named Lady Mao as empress. To celebrate, the court awarded all adult males in the country two additional ranks of nobility. For those elderly and widowed individuals facing financial difficulties, the court provided food assistance to them. In December, the emperor elevated Empress Mao's father, Mao Jia, to the rank of marquis, promoting him as a gesture of respect. As the year drew to a close, troubling news arrived as the governor of Xincheng, Meng Da, rebelled. The emperor ordered Sima Yi, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, to suppress him.

In the spring of the year 228 AD, in the first month, Sima Yi captured Xincheng and killed Meng Da, and sent his head back to the court. The court merged the three counties of Shangyong, Wuling, and Wuxian around Xincheng into Shangyong Commandery, and also established Xixian as a separate Xixian Commandery, reorganizing the administrative divisions.

That Zhuge Liang came to attack our border with his troops, and the people of Tianshui, Nan'an, and Anding counties surprisingly turned against us and sided with Zhuge Liang. We dispatched General Cao Zhen to command the army in Guanzhong to confront him. General Zhang He defeated Zhuge Liang at Jieting and gave him a thorough thrashing. Zhuge Liang fled in disgrace, and the three counties returned to calm. On the day of Dingwei, the emperor took a trip to Chang'an. On the day of Dingyou in April, he returned to Luoyang Palace. Incidentally, those who had committed crimes, except for those sentenced to death, were all granted pardons. On the day of Yisi, the emperor honored those who had excelled in battle, granting them titles and land, each with their own distinct rewards. In May, there was a severe drought.

In June, the emperor declared, "We must prioritize Confucianism and cultivate talent, as this is the foundation for governing the country and ensuring stability! Recently, there have been too many charlatans among the Confucian scholars; how can we promote the teachings of the sages well? Quickly select outstanding scholars; those who are talented can serve as attendants and palace attendants. Each county should also pay attention; when selecting talent, we should prioritize those well-versed in the Confucian classics." In September, General Cao Xiu led his troops to Wan and fought against Wu's Lu Xun at Shiting, resulting in a defeat. On the day of Yiyu, the emperor named Prince Mu as the King of Fanyang. On the day of Gengzi, Grand Marshal Cao Xiu passed away. In October, the emperor requested that each court minister and official recommend an outstanding general. In November, the Minister of Works, Wang Lang, also passed away. In December, Zhuge Liang laid siege to Chencang once more, and Cao Zhen sent General Fei Yao and others to resist. Gongsun Yuan, the nephew of Liaodong Prefect Gongsun Gong, usurped his uncle's position and took over as Liaodong Prefect.

In the fourth month of the summer of the following year, Prince Yuncheng Li passed away. On the day of Guimao in June, Prince Mu of Fanyang also passed away. On the day of Wushen, the Great Chancellor of the Grand Ancestor was posthumously honored with the title of Grand Emperor, and his wife, Lady Wu, was honored as the Grand Empress.

In autumn, July, the emperor issued an edict, saying, "According to the rites and laws, if the empress does not have a son to inherit the throne, she should choose a suitable heir from the royal family to inherit the ancestral temple, in order to follow the orthodox and fair principles. How can personal feelings be considered! Emperor Xuan of Han posthumously honored his father as Emperor Kao after Emperor Zhao; Emperor Ai ascended the throne with the help of powerful relatives, while Dong Hong and others misled the court by citing the example of the fall of Qin, which truly harmed the state and its people! Emperor Ai not only honored Emperor Gong and built a temple for him in the capital, but also favored the concubines, elevating their status to that of the favored concubines in Changxin Palace, placing their tablets in the main hall alongside the four empresses in the Eastern Palace, exceeding the limits; even heaven would not bless him. He did not listen to the advice of Dan, Zhongzheng, and others, ultimately leading to the burning deaths of Ding and Fu. Since then, this misguided practice has continued to be imitated. Previously, Duke Wen of Lu committed sacrilege, and Xia Fu took responsibility for it; the State of Song violated the rites, and Hua Yuan was criticized for it. Therefore, I order all ministers and relevant departments to deeply learn from historical lessons. If in the future a vassal inherits the throne, they must understand the principles of being a ruler and a queen; if anyone dares to flatter the emperor or establish improper titles that disrupt the orthodoxy, such as honoring the father as Emperor Kao or honoring the mother as Empress Dowager, then those ministers should be executed without mercy! These words should be inscribed on golden tablets, placed in the ancestral temple, and included in the laws."

In winter, October, the Pingwang Pavilion was renamed the Tingsong Pavilion. The emperor often said, "Judging cases affects the lives of the people!" Every time a major case was to be judged, he personally attended trials at the Tingsong Pavilion.

At first, the ancestral shrines in Luoyang had not yet been completed, so the ancestral tablets were kept in the shrines in Ye City. In the eleventh month, the shrines in Luoyang were finally completed, and the Emperor dispatched Grand Minister Han Ji to Ye City to welcome the ancestral tablets of the Founding Emperor, the Grand Empress Dowager, the Martial Emperor, and the Literary Emperor. On the Jichou day in the twelfth month, the ancestral tablets were welcomed back to Luoyang and placed in the newly built shrines.

On the Guimao day, the King of the Da Yuezhi, Bo, sent envoys to present tribute, and the Emperor conferred upon him the title of King of the Great Yuezhi in alliance with Wei.

In February of the year 234 AD, the Emperor issued a decree saying: "The literary styles in this world will change with the trends of the times. Since the chaos of war, Confucian studies have been neglected, and the younger generation's pursuit of progress does not adhere to the teachings of the sages. Is it that education has been lacking, or that when promoting talent, moral character is not emphasized? I command all officials and clerks to thoroughly study a classic text, capable of governing the people. Scholars will be examined, and those with outstanding results will be promptly promoted and appointed; those who are superficial and neglect the fundamentals should be dismissed!" On the Wuzi day in the same year, the Emperor issued yet another decree for the Grand Tutor and the Three Excellencies to carve the literary works of the Literary Emperor onto stone tablets and place them outside the Grand Shrine. On the Guisi day, General Cao Zhen was appointed Grand Marshal, General Sima Yi was appointed Grand General, and the Governor of Liaodong, Gongsun Yuan, was appointed Cavalry General.

In April, Grand Tutor Zhong Yao passed away. In June, the Empress Dowager passed. On Bing Shen day, the court abolished the Shangyong commandery. In July, the coffin of Empress Wu Xuan, Bian Shi, was buried in Gaoling. The Emperor ordered Grand Marshal Cao Zhen and Grand General Sima Yi to launch an attack on the Shu Kingdom. In August, the Emperor set out on an eastern tour and sent envoys with offerings to Mount Song. On Yi Wei day, the Emperor arrived at Xuchang Palace. In September, heavy rains caused flooding in the Yi, Luo, Yellow, and Han Rivers, and the Emperor ordered Cao Zhen and his troops back to the capital. In October, the Emperor returned to Luoyang Palace. On Geng Shen day, the Emperor issued a decree: "Those whose crimes don't warrant the death penalty may be allowed to atone based on the circumstances." In November, the Tai Bai star was in opposition to the year star (celestial phenomenon). In December, the Emperor ordered Empress Wen Zhao, Zhen Shi, to be reburied at Chaoyang Mausoleum. On Bing Yin day, the Emperor ordered the officials to recommend virtuous and talented individuals.

In January of the year 235 AD, the Emperor personally plowed the fields in Jitian. In March, Grand Marshal Cao Zhen passed away. Zhuge Liang led troops to attack Tianshui, and the Emperor ordered Grand General Sima Yi to go and resist. From October of the previous year to March of this year, there was no rain. On Xin Si day, the Emperor ordered a large-scale rain prayer ritual. In April, Xianbei leader Kebineng brought his people and Dingling leader Dadan'er to Youzhou to present tribute of fine horses. The court reinstated the title of Protector of the Xiongnu. In July, due to Zhuge Liang's retreat, the Emperor rewarded them with titles and promotions according to their merits. On Yi You day, Crown Prince Cao Yin was born, and the court issued a general amnesty.

In August, the emperor issued a decree saying, "In ancient times, the feudal lords paid homage to the emperor to enhance their mutual affection and coordinate relations among nations. The late emperor left a decree, not wishing for the princes to remain in the capital, because the emperor was still young at that time, and the empress dowager was overseeing state affairs. This was to prevent future troubles that could affect the rise and fall of the nation! It has been twelve years since I last saw you, my princes, and I truly miss you! Therefore, I command each prince and noble of the royal family to send their eldest legitimate son to pay their respects. As for the young monarchs and empress dowagers in the palace, their matters shall be managed according to the late emperor's decree, and I will make this intention clear in the decree." On the Yiyou day in November, the moon was in opposition to the Xuanyuan star; on the final day of the Wuxu month, a solar eclipse took place; on the Jiachen day in December, the moon again opposed the Zhen star; on the Wuwu day, Grand Commandant Hua Xin passed away.

In the second month of spring of the sixth year, the emperor issued a decree again, stating, "In ancient times, emperors enfeoffed feudal lords to serve as barriers to defend the royal family. As stated in the Book of Songs, 'With virtuous conduct and peace, the heir will guard the city.' The Qin and Han dynasties inherited the system of the Zhou dynasty; some were strong and some were weak, but none could grasp the balance well. The Wei dynasty was established, and the various kings established their realms according to the circumstances of the time, without fixed rules, and thus cannot serve as lasting examples. Therefore, when re-enfeoffing the feudal kings, they should all be based on counties as states." On the day of Guichou in the third month, the emperor began his eastern tour, visiting and comforting the elderly, widows, and orphans along the way, and giving them food and cloth; on the day of Yihai, the moon again passed by the Xuanwu star. On the day of Renyin in the fourth month, the emperor arrived at the Xuchang Palace; on the day of Jiazi, the first fruits of the harvest were presented at the ancestral temple. In the fifth month, the emperor's son, Yin, passed away, posthumously honored as the Ai King of Anping. In the seventh month, General Dong Zhao, known for eliminating barbarians, was appointed as the Minister of Works. In the ninth month, the emperor arrived at the Mobei Palace, renovated the Xuchang Palace, and built the Jingfu Hall and Chengguang Hall. In the tenth month, General Tian Yu, known for eliminating barbarians, led his troops to defeat the Wu general Zhou He at Chengshan, killing him. On the day of Bingyin in the eleventh month, the planet Jupiter was visible during the day; a star appeared near the Yi constellation, close to the Great Wall star. On the day of Gengyin, Prince Cao Zhi, known as Chen Si, passed away. In the twelfth month, the emperor made his way back to the Xuchang Palace.

In the first month of the year 229 AD, the Qinglong era was officially inaugurated. On the Jia Shen day, Qinglong made an unexpected appearance in the Mobo Well in Jiaxian County! On the fourteenth day of the second month, the emperor personally went to Mobo to see this Qinglong, and subsequently changed the era name, renaming Mobo as Longbei, granting local men a promotion of two ranks. This year, widowers, widows, and orphans were exempt from taxes. On the first day of the third month, the emperor ordered the court ministers to each recommend a talented and virtuous person. On the seventh day of the fifth month, the emperor ordered sacrifices at the ancestral temple to the deceased generals Xiahou Dun, Grand Marshal Cao Ren, and Cavalry General Cheng Yu. On the eleventh day of the fifth month, Prince Rui of Beihai died. On the first day of the intercalary month, a solar eclipse occurred. On the fourteenth day of the intercalary month, the emperor ordered that those female members of the imperial clan who were not princesses be appointed as local leaders. It was also ordered that mountain and river deities not mentioned in the sacrificial records were to be no longer worshipped. In June, a section of the Jushi, a part of the Luoyang Palace, caught fire.

The leader of the Baosai Xianbei, Budugen, and the rebellious Xianbei leader Kebineng secretly colluded. The governor of Bingzhou, Bi Gui, reported that he wanted to send troops, both to deter Kebineng and to appease Budugen. After reading the memorial, the emperor said, "Budugen must feel that he was misled by Kebineng and is likely feeling uncertain. Now, if Bi Gui sends troops, it will only scare these two groups into uniting as a single force. How can we deter them then?" The emperor quickly ordered Bi Gui to be cautious and not to cross the border or venture beyond Juzhu Mountain. When the imperial edict arrived, Bi Gui had already stationed his troops at Yin Guan and sent generals Su Shang and Dong Bi to pursue the Xianbei people. Kebineng sent his son with over a thousand cavalry to confront Budugen's tribe, but they encountered Su Shang and Dong Bi at Loufan, fought a battle, and Su Shang and Dong Bi were defeated and killed. All of Budugen's tribe fled beyond the border and joined Kebineng in harassing the border. The emperor sent General Qin Lang to lead the central army to defeat them, and the Xianbei people fled to the north desert.

In September, the leader of the rebellious Baosai Xiongnu in the Anding region, Hubaojuzhi, was pursued by General Hu Zun and others sent by Sima Xuanwang. He was defeated and subsequently surrendered. In October, Daihua Langni, the leader of Budugen's tribe, and others surrendered in Bingzhou, and so Qin Lang led his troops back to the capital. In December, Gongsun Yuan killed the envoys Zhang Mi and Xu Yan sent by Sun Quan and sent their heads, and was subsequently appointed as the Grand Marshal of Le Lang.

In the spring of the year 222 AD, on the second day of the second month in the year of Yiwei, the planet Venus was in conjunction with Mars. On the day of Guiyou, the emperor sent a decree stating: "Whipping is used to punish lazy and negligent officials, but recently many innocent people have died because of this. Therefore, the severity of the whipping punishment should be reduced, and this regulation should be established." On the day of Gengyin in the third month, the Duke of Shanyang died, and the emperor wore mourning clothes to honor him, and also sent envoys to take care of the funeral arrangements. On the day of Jiyou, the court declared a general amnesty. In the fourth month, a severe epidemic broke out, and the Chonghua Hall was also set ablaze. On the day of Bingyin, the emperor ordered officials to sacrifice to the Temple of Emperor Wen with the most lavish offerings. The Duke of Shanyang was posthumously granted the title of Emperor Han Xiaoxian, and was buried according to the rituals of the Han dynasty.

This month, Zhuge Liang mobilized his troops from Xiegu and camped in Weinan, while Sima Yi led the army to resist. The emperor sent a decree to Sima Yi, stating: "You just need to defend the city and weaken the enemy's morale. Zhuge Liang's advance is facing difficulties, and if he retreats without finding an opponent, eventually, his supplies will dwindle, and he will gain nothing from plundering, so he will naturally retreat. When he retreats, pursue him and strike when he tires, and you will achieve complete victory."

In May, the planet Taibai can be seen during the day. Sun Quan led his troops to Chao Lake, attacking Hefei's new city, and sent Lu Yi and Sun Shao to lead over ten thousand troops to the Huai River and Mian River basins. In June, General Man Chong led his troops to resist. Man Chong wanted to capture the new city and force Sun Quan to retreat to Shou Chun, but the emperor disagreed, stating, "Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty once sent troops to occupy Yueyang and eventually defeated Wei Xiao. The late emperor established Hefei to the east, defended Xiangyang in the south, and secured Qishan in the west. Every time the enemy attacked, they were defeated under these three cities. These places are all strategic locations that must be contested. Even if Sun Quan attacks the new city, he is unlikely to succeed. Order all soldiers to defend the city; by the time I arrive, Sun Quan will likely have already fled." On the day of Renyin in July, the emperor personally set out on a dragon boat to the east. Sun Quan was attacking the new city, and General Zhang Ying and others resisted stubbornly. The emperor's army had not yet arrived, and Sun Quan fled before the new city, hundreds of miles away, while Lu Yi, Sun Shao, and others also retreated. The courtiers believed that the Grand General was locked in a stalemate with Zhuge Liang, creating a tense situation, so the emperor should go west to Chang'an. The emperor said, "Sun Quan has fled; Zhuge Liang will surely be frightened. The Grand General can control the situation; I don't need to worry." So the emperor continued his march and arrived in Shou Chun, reviewed the generals' achievements, and rewarded them accordingly. On the day of Jiwei in August, the emperor reviewed the army, rewarded the soldiers of the six divisions, and sent envoys to boost the morale of the troops in Hefei and Shou Chun. On the day of Xinsi, the emperor returned to the Xuchang Palace. Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang confronted each other, surrounding each other for several days. Zhuge Liang issued several challenges, but Sima Yi chose to ignore them. Eventually, Zhuge Liang died, prompting the Shu army to retreat.

In the winter of the tenth month, on the day of Yi Chou, the moon obscured the Zhenxing and Xuanyuan stars. "The moon obscured Zhenxing and Xuanyuan"; on the day of Wu Yin, the moon again obscured the Taibai star. "Wu Yin, the moon obscured Taibai." In the eleventh month, there was an earthquake in the capital, coming from the southeast direction, with faint sounds heard, and the roof tiles shook. In the twelfth month, the court ordered relevant departments to review death penalty cases, resulting in a reduction of death sentences.

On the day of Wu Zi in the third year of the reign, Sima Yi was appointed Grand Commandant. "Appointing Grand General Sima Xuanwang as Grand Commandant." On the day of Ji Hai, the court reinstated the Shuofang Commandery. "Ji Hai, reinstating the Shuofang Commandery." That year, the capital also faced a major epidemic. On the day of Ding Si, the Empress Dowager died. "Ding Si, the Empress Dowager died." On the day of Yi Hai, a meteor shower occurred in Shouguang County. "Yi Hai, meteor shower in Shouguang County." On the day of Geng Yin in the third month, Empress Wende Guo was buried, with her tomb constructed according to the Empress's specifications to the west of Shouyanglingjian. "In the third month of Geng Yin, buried Empress Wende Guo, built the tomb to the west of Shouyanglingjian according to the final specifications."

At that time, the court was engaged in large-scale construction of the Luoyang Palace, constructing Zhaoyang Hall, Taiji Hall, and Zongzhang Hall. The common people were hindered in their farming due to the palace construction. Upright ministers such as Yang Fu and Gaotang Long repeatedly counseled the emperor, although he did not fully adopt their opinions, his attitude was relatively accommodating. "At that time, the construction of Luoyang Palace was in progress, with Zhaoyang and Taiji Halls being constructed, and the Zongzhang Hall erected. The common people lost farming time, and the upright ministers Yang Fu, Gaotang Long, and others repeatedly advised, although their advice was not fully heeded, they were often treated with respect."

In the seventh month of autumn, the Chonghua Hall in Luoyang caught fire. On the eighth day of the eighth month, Cao Fang was appointed as the Prince of Qi, and Cao Xun was appointed as the Prince of Qin. On Ding Si, the emperor returned to Luoyang Palace. The court ordered the reconstruction of the Chonghua Hall, renaming it the Jiulong Hall. On the tenth month of winter, Prince Cao Gun of Zhongshan passed away. On Ren Shen, Venus appeared during the day. On the eleventh day of November, the emperor stayed at the Xuchang Palace. In the fourth year of February, Venus appeared during the day again, and the moon passed Venus and Xuanyuan stars, entering and exiting the Taiwei Palace. In the summer of the fourth month, the court established the Chongwen Observatory, recruiting talented writers to enhance its ranks. On the day of Yi Mao in May, Dong Zhao, the Minister of Works, passed away. On Ding Si, the Sushen tribe offered a tribute of arrows.

On the sixth month of Ren Shen, the emperor issued a decree saying, "During the time of Yu Shun, drawings were used to warn the people, and the people were deterred from committing crimes; during the Zhou Dynasty, although there were many punishments, they were rarely used. As the last emperor, I reminisce about the governance of past dynasties. Alas, the gap between the two eras is simply too vast! Nowadays, laws and regulations are increasing, the number of lawbreakers is also increasing, and the punishments are becoming heavier, but evil deeds still run rampant. In the past, I commuted many death sentences, thinking of saving the lives of the people; this is my heartfelt intention! However, in the county prisons, there are still hundreds of death row inmates in a year. Is it because my guidance has been lacking, leading the people to easily break the law? Or are the harsh laws still in existence, becoming traps for the people? The relevant departments should discuss and aim to be more lenient when sentencing death row inmates, handling cases in a more lenient and simple manner. Those who request clemency, some of them have not even had time to submit their petitions before the cases are judged. This isn't a proper investigation to uncover the truth! I hereby order court and prison officials nationwide that in cases where death sentences are imposed, except for treason and murder, they must promptly inform the families of the condemned. If someone requests clemency, allow them to submit their clemency requests together, and I will consider how to spare their lives. Make this decree public so everyone knows my intentions."

In the seventh month of autumn, the king of Goguryeo sent the heads of those who killed the envoy Sun Quan, including Hu Wei, to Youzhou. On the first day of the seventh month, Tai Bai Venus occurred with Xuan Yuan Da Xing (this is an astronomical event). On the sixth day of the tenth month, the emperor returned to the Palace of Luoyang. On the seventh day of the tenth month, a star blazed in the Big Dipper (this is an astronomical event), and on the eighth day of the tenth month, another star appeared in the east (this is an astronomical event). On the sixteenth day of the eleventh month, a comet appeared, occurring with the Eunuch Tian Ji Xing (this is an astronomical event). On the fourteenth day of the twelfth month, the Minister of Works Chen Qun passed away. On the sixteenth day of the twelfth month, the emperor went to Xuchang Palace.

In the first month of the first year of Jingchu, on the seventh day, Shanchi County reported the appearance of a yellow dragon. The relevant departments then submitted a memorial, suggesting that the Wei Kingdom had gained control of the world, and that the first month of Jianchou (January) should be considered the beginning of the year. In the third month, the calendar was determined, and the era name was changed to Mengxia, with April as the new starting month. It was decreed that yellow would be the primary color for clothing, white animals should be used for sacrifices, black horses with white spots should be used for military actions, large flags should be red, and white flags should be used for court meetings. The Taihe calendar was rebranded as the Jingchu calendar. Although the seasons and months were different, the rituals, ceremonies, and other observances continued to follow the Jianchou calendar.

In early May, I returned to Luoyang Palace. A few days later, the court issued a general amnesty. In June, an earthquake struck the capital, terrifying the populace. Chen Jiao was appointed Minister of Works, and Wei Zhen was appointed Minister of Construction. In addition, the court merged Weiyang County from Weixing Prefecture, Anfu County from Xijun Prefecture, and Shangyong County into a new Shangyong Prefecture, directly abolishing Xijun Prefecture and transferring Xixian to the jurisdiction of Weixing County.

Some officials in the court proposed that Emperor Wu of Cao Wei, the founder of the Wei Dynasty, who rectified chaos and restored order, should be honored with the "Dance of Wu Shi"; Emperor Wen of Cao Wei, the ancestor of the Wei Dynasty, who received the mandate from heaven, should be honored with the "Dance of Xian Xi"; and our emperor, the illustrious ancestor of Cao Wei, who governed the country with wisdom, should be honored with the "Dance of Zhang Bin"! The temples of these three ancestors must be preserved for eternity, never to be dismantled! Regarding the other four temples, they should adhere to the practices of the temples of Houji, King Wen, and King Wu of the Zhou Dynasty, being rebuilt from generation to generation.

At the beginning of July, Situ Chen Jiao died. Sun Quan sent general Zhu Ran with twenty thousand troops to lay siege to Jiangxia Commandery. Hu Zhi, the Inspector of Jingzhou, led his troops to engage them and drove Zhu Ran away. At first, Sun Quan even sent envoys by sea to contact Goguryeo, planning a surprise joint attack on Liaodong! In response, the court dispatched Guanqiu Jian, the Inspector of Youzhou, along with an army and troops from the Xianbei and Wuhuan tribes to station at the southeastern border of Liaodong. They also sent a decree to summon Gongsun Yuan. However, Gongsun Yuan chose to rebel, and Guanqiu Jian led troops to suppress him. Unfortunately, they were met with ten days of relentless rain, causing the Liao River to swell significantly. The court had no option but to order Guanqiu Jian to pull back his troops. Nevertheless, Koulou Dun, the Chanyu of the Wuhuan, and Wang Hu, the Wuhuan Commander from the west of Liaoxi, surrendered along with their men to Guanqiu Jian. Later, the court granted amnesty to all Liaodong soldiers and civilians who had been coerced into following Gongsun Yuan's rebellion. Strangely, on that day, Venus was seen in broad daylight! Seeing Guanqiu Jian withdraw his troops, Gongsun Yuan declared himself king, taking the title King of Yan. He even set up a complete system of officials and changed his reign title to "Year One of Shaohan."

The emperor ordered the construction of ocean-going ships in the four provinces of Qingzhou, Yanzhou, Youzhou, and Jizhou. In September, the people of Jizhou, Yanzhou, Xuzhou, and Yuzhou suffered from floods. The emperor sent officials to investigate the situation regarding drownings, property losses, and to provide relief for the affected people. On Gengchen day, Empress Mao passed away. In winter, on the tenth day of the tenth month, the moon was afflicted by the comet. On Guichou day, Empress Mao was buried in Minling. On Yimao day, a circular mound was constructed south of Luoyang. On the winter solstice of Renzi day in the twelfth month, sacrificial rites began. On Dingsi day, Linju, Yicheng, Jingyang, and Yi counties were separated from Xiangyang, and a Southern Commandant was established. On Jiwei day, a proposal was submitted to construct a temple for Empress Wenzhao in the capital. At the same time, Yueyang County was placed under the jurisdiction of Yiyang County in Xiangyang. In the spring of the second year, the emperor ordered Grand Marshal Xuan Wang to lead the army to attack Liaodong. On Guimao day in February, Han Ji was appointed as the Minister of Works. On Guichou day, the moon was again afflicted by the comet. In the summer, on Gengzi day in April, Han Ji passed away. On Renyin day, ten counties from Pei State were designated to establish Ruyin County. Song County and Kuxian in Chen County were transferred to Qiaoxian. Pei, Zhuqiu, Gongqiu, Pengcheng Fengguo, and Guangqi were consolidated into the Kingdom of Pei. On Gengxu day, a general amnesty was announced. On Yihai day in May, the moon was again afflicted by the comet. In June, Hudu County was abolished and Anle County was reestablished. In the autumn of August, King Mangzhong of the Shaodang Qiang and others revolted. The Governor of Liangzhou led the troops from various counties to suppress the rebellion, and Zhu Yi was killed. On Guichou day, a comet appeared in Zhangsu.

In the year 236 AD, Sima Yi led an army to besiege Gongsun Yuan in Xiangping (now Liaoyang, Liaoning), winning a decisive victory. He sent Gongsun Yuan's severed head to the capital and gradually pacified the various commanderies in the Haidong region (now Liaoning, Jilin, Korean Peninsula). In the winter of that year, in November, the court rewarded those who contributed to the campaign against Gongsun Yuan. Beginning with Grand Commandant Sima Yi, he and others were granted additional fiefs or titles with varying rewards. Initially, the Emperor planned to send Sima Yi to attack Gongsun Yuan with an army of forty thousand. Many officials believed that forty thousand troops would be excessive and that logistics would be hard to manage. However, the Emperor said, "This campaign will cover four thousand miles. While we can employ surprise tactics, we also need sufficient military support. We cannot just focus on saving money." Therefore, it was decided to march with forty thousand troops. After Sima Yi arrived in Liaodong, it rained heavily, delaying the planned attack. Some officials believed that Gongsun Yuan could not be defeated in the short term and suggested recalling Sima Yi. However, the Emperor said, "Sima Yi stays composed in times of crisis, is skilled at adapting to changing situations, and defeating Gongsun Yuan is only a matter of time." The outcome unfolded just as the Emperor had anticipated.

In the year 237 AD, Wei Zhen was appointed Minister of Works, and Cui Lin was appointed Minister of Ceremonies. During the intercalary month, the moon obscured Spica, a bright star. On the day of Yichou in the twelfth month, the Emperor fell seriously ill and was confined to bed. On the day of Xinsi, the Empress was enthroned. The Emperor ordered all men in the country to be promoted by one rank and extended assistance to vulnerable groups such as widows, widowers, and orphans. Cao Yu, the Prince of Yan, was appointed Grand General, but he was dismissed on Jiashen Day and was succeeded by General of the Guards, Cao Shuang.

Earlier, in 233 AD (the third year of Qinglong), in Shou Chun (now Shouxian, Anhui), a farmer's wife claimed to be sent by a celestial being called Deng Nv, claiming she was sent to serve the emperor, dispel evil spirits, and bring blessings. She gave people water to drink and used water to cleanse wounds, healing many. As a result, the court built her a residence in the palace and praised her with an edict, showing her great favor and support. However, when the emperor fell ill, the water she provided him had no effect, and she was subsequently executed.

In 238 AD (the third year), in the first month of Dinghai, Grand Commandant Sima Yi returned to Henei (now part of present-day Henan). The emperor immediately sent a fast horse to summon him to Luoyang, led him into his bedroom, held his hand, and said, "My illness is serious; I entrust the future to you. You must assist my young son together with Cao Shuang. Seeing you, I can die without regrets!" Sima Yi knelt down, weeping in anguish. That day, the emperor died in Jiafu Hall at the age of thirty-six. On Guichou, the emperor was interred at Gaoping Mausoleum.

Historical records state that Emperor Ming Cao Rui was composed and decisive, had the resolve to act on his own convictions, fully demonstrating the authority of an emperor. However, at that time, the people were suffering, and the nation was fractured, and he did not prioritize repairing and consolidating his ancestors' achievements, but instead hastily sought to emulate Qin Shihuang and Emperor Wu of Han, engaging in extensive construction projects and erecting palaces, which contradicted his lofty ambitions and was indeed regrettable!

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Records of the Three Kingdoms （三國志）

Published: 01 January 2025

Created: 01 January 2025

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Emperor Wen of Wei, Cao Pi, styled Zihuan, was the son of Cao Cao and the Crown Prince of Emperor Wu. He was born in Qiao County in the winter of 189 AD. In 211 AD, he was appointed as General of the Household Guards and Vice Chancellor; in 217 AD, he was formally designated as the Crown Prince of Wei. After Cao Cao's death, he inherited the positions of Chancellor and King of Wei, posthumously honored his mother Bian as Queen Dowager, and changed the year to the first year of Yankang in 25 Jian'an.

In the first year of Yankang, on the day of Renxu in February, he appointed Jia Xu as Grand Commandant, Hua Xin as Chancellor, and Wang Lang as Minister of Justice. He also established four Cavalry Attendants and four Gentlemen-in-Attendance, specifying that eunuchs could not hold ranks higher than the clerks in each office; he enacted some important laws, inscribed them in gold, and stored them in a stone chamber for safekeeping.

Earlier, in the fifth year of Han Xiping (176 AD), a yellow dragon appeared in Qiao County, and the Palace Gentleman, Qiao Xuan, asked the Chief Astrologer Shan Yang what this auspicious sign meant. Shan Yang said, "This foretells the rise of a sovereign in this land; within fifty years, the yellow dragon will appear again. This is the pattern of celestial phenomena, and this is its manifestation." At that time, a man named Yin Deng quietly recorded this event. In 220 AD, Yin Deng was still alive. In March, the yellow dragon appeared again in Qiao County, and Yin Deng exclaimed upon hearing the news, "Shan Yang's words have indeed come true!"

On the day of Jimao, Cao Pi appointed Xiahou Dun as Grand General. The Chanyu of Goguryeo and the King of Buyeo, as well as the kings of Yanqi and Yutian, sent envoys to pay tribute.

On the day of Dingsi in April, reports from Rao'an County indicated that a white pheasant had been spotted. On the day of Gengwu, Grand General Xiahou Dun died.

On the day of Wuyin in May, Cao Pi posthumously honored his grandfather Cao Song as King Tai, his grandmother Lady Ding as Queen Tai, and appointed his son Cao Rui as Marquis Wude. In the same month, the bandits from the mountains, Zheng Gan and Wang Zhao of Fengyi, surrendered and were both enfeoffed as Marquises.

The Prefect of Jiuquan, Huang Hua, the Prefect of Zhangye, Zhang Jin, and others led their followers in rebellion. The Prefect of Jincheng, Su Ze, attacked Zhang Jin and executed him; Huang Hua surrendered.

On June 10th, Cao Pi held military exercises in the eastern suburbs, and on the 11th, he led the army southward.

On July 11th, Cao Pi issued a decree saying: "Emperor Xuanyuan Huangdi had the Mingtai discussions, Yao Emperor had the Qushiwenzheng discussions, all aimed at broadly soliciting opinions from the people. All officials and departments should responsibly offer their advice; generals should report on military matters; courtiers should follow the protocols; local officials should report on government affairs; nobles should study the Six Arts; I will fully understand these situations."

Sun Quan sent envoys to pay tribute. Shu Han general Meng Da also brought his people to submit. The Di king, Yang Pu, led his tribesmen to submit and was resettled in Hanyang County.

In 1894 (Year of Jia Wu), the army was stationed in Qiao County, and I hosted a banquet for all the soldiers and the elders and villagers of Qiao County in the east of the city. In August, reports came in of a phoenix sighting in Shi Yi County.

On an unspecified day in October, I ordered: "Generals, lead your troops into battle; many soldiers have died on the battlefield, their bodies may not have been collected yet, I am deeply saddened! I command all counties to allocate funds for coffins and burial supplies, to send them back to their hometowns, and the government will hold memorial services for them." After the date of this order, the army marched to Quli sometime later.

Han Gaozu Liu Bang, as everyone was eager for the King of Wei to ascend the throne, summoned all the court ministers to Gaomiao to offer sacrifices. Then he sent Zhang Yin, who also held the position of Grand Historian, to present the edict and the imperial seal to the King of Wei for his abdication. The decree stated: "To you, King of Wei: in the past, Emperor Yao abdicated the throne to Emperor Shun, and Shun passed the throne to Yu. The mandate of heaven does not permanently belong to any one individual, but rather to those of virtue. The fortunes of the Han Dynasty are waning, and social order is in disarray; in my generation, the nation teeters on the brink of collapse, with treachery and evil rampant. Thanks to the valor and martial prowess of King Wu, who rescued the situation from all corners, bringing peace to the world and preserving our ancestral temples and altars, this not only stabilized my position but also benefited all the people of the realm. Now you inherit the late emperor's will and are called to enhance your virtue, restoring the glorious era of civil and military achievements, continuing the merits of your ancestors. Auspicious signs have emerged, and both men and deities predict your succession; your talents and virtues are comparable to Emperor Shun, therefore, we adhere to ancient rituals and respectfully abdicate the throne to you. Alas! The mandate of heaven falls upon you; you must shoulder this great responsibility, govern the realm, and ensure the nation's lasting prosperity. You must earnestly carry out this grand ceremony, so that all the people may enjoy peace, to show reverence for the divine will." Then a sacrificial altar was built in Fanyang. On the specific date of Gengwu day, the King of Wei ascended the altar to accept the throne, with officials accompanying him. After the ceremony, the King of Wei descended from the altar and only left after watching the sacrificial fire burn completely. Subsequently, I renamed the era to Huangchu and declared a general amnesty across the realm.

In November of the year 220 AD, Cao Cao bestowed the territory of the Wanhu people in Shanyang County, Henan Province to Emperor Xian of Han, granting him the title of Duke of Shanyang. He continued to use the reign title of the Han Dynasty, conducted rituals to worship Heaven and Earth with imperial rites, and was not required to refer to himself as a subject when submitting memorials. During sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple in the capital, he was also sent offerings of meat. Cao Cao also enfeoffed Emperor Xian's four sons as marquises, posthumously honored his grandfather, Cao Song, as the Grand Emperor, his father, Cao Teng, as the Martial Emperor, and honored Cao Cao's mother, Lady Ding, as Empress Dowager. All males received a promotion of one rank in nobility, and those who were filial to their parents, loving to their siblings, and diligent in farming were elevated two ranks. The princes and marquises of the Han Dynasty were re-titled as Virtuous Marquises and Guanzhong Marquises, respectively. Fanyang Pavilion in Yingyin was renamed Fanchang County. Various other enfeoffments and official promotions were also made. Cao Cao then changed the title of Chancellor to Minister of Education, Grand Commandant to Minister of Works, Director of Imperial Clan to Grand Herald, Prefect of Justice to Minister of Justice, and Minister of Agriculture to Grand Minister of Agriculture. Many counties, states, and towns throughout the country were renamed. He also presented the seal and ribbon of the Wei Kingdom to Huchuquan, the Southern Chanyu of the Xiongnu, and rewarded him with a green carriage, official vehicles, fine swords, and jade ornaments. In December, Cao Cao began the construction of palaces in Luoyang, and then moved there to reside before the year's end. That year, the Commandant of Changshui, Dai Ling, advised Cao Cao not to hunt frequently, which angered Cao Cao, leading to a reduction of Dai Ling's punishment for a capital offense.

In the spring of the second year, during the first month, Cao Cao held a sacrifice to Heaven and Earth in the outskirts and held a ritual in the Mingtang. On the Jiaxu day, Cao Cao went hunting at Yuanling and also sent people to pay respects to Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty. On the Yihai day, a ritual to greet the sun took place in the eastern outskirts. Cao Cao ordered that counties with a population exceeding 100,000 could recommend one filial and incorrupt official each year, and if someone was exceptionally outstanding, they would be exempt from population restrictions. On the Xinsi day, Cao Cao distributed the lands and residences of the Three Excellencies among his sons, each being appointed as a marquis. On the Renwu day, Cao Cao exempted Yingchuan County from land taxes for a year, renamed Xucheng County as Xuchang County, and established Yangping County in the eastern part of Weijun and Guangping County in the western part.

The imperial edict declared: In the past, Confucius, with the talent of a great sage and the stature of an emperor or general, missed the chance to receive the mandate of Heaven during the decline of the Zhou Dynasty. He taught the people in the courts of Lu and Wei, along the banks of the Zhu and Si rivers. At that time, he was truly miserable, tirelessly working to uphold righteousness, lowering his status to save the world. However, none of the nobles at the time were able to employ him, so he retired to study the rites and music of the Five Dynasties, emulating the practices of ancient wise kings, using the historical records of Lu to compile the "Spring and Autumn Annals," organizing the yue and song music as the Grand Preceptor, and as a result, for millennia, people have learned from his writings and admired his wisdom in planning major events. He truly was a great sage appointed by Heaven, a model teacher for countless generations!

The world is in chaos now, neglected for more than a hundred years. Confucius' old residence and temples have been destroyed and left unrepaired, and his descendants have also severed their lineage. In Confucius' hometown, there is silence, with no sounds of lectures or recitations, no worship ceremonies throughout the year. How can we claim to uphold etiquette, commend achievements, and ensure the sage's virtues are passed down through the ages?! Therefore, Kong Xian was appointed the Marquis of the Ancestral Sage, given a fief of one hundred households to be in charge of worshipping Confucius. Orders were issued to restore Confucius' old temple in Lu County, with a hundred soldiers assigned to guard it, and many houses were built outside the temple for scholars to reside in.

In the third month, Gongsun Gong was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry for Liaodong. The court resumed minting and circulating five-zhu coins. In the fourth month, Cao Ren was appointed as Grand General. In the fifth month, Zheng Gan rebelled once more, and Cao Ren was sent to suppress and kill him. On the day of Gengzi in the sixth month, sacrifices were held for the first time to the Five Mountains, Four Rivers, and all other deities. On the day of Dingmao, Lady Zhen died. At the end of Wuchen, a solar eclipse occurred, and officials requested to relieve the position of Grand Commandant. The Emperor said, "The occurrence of disasters and anomalies is meant to blame the Emperor, but to push the blame onto the ministers, how does this reflect the self-reflection of Yu and Tang? Order all officials to earnestly fulfill their duties, and in the future, if there are disasters and anomalies in the world, do not hold the Three Excellencies accountable again!"

In the eighth month, Sun Quan sent envoys to present memorials and to return Yu Jin and others. On the day of Dingsi, the Minister of Ceremonies, Xing Zhen, led a delegation to appoint Sun Quan as Grand General, bestowed upon him the title of King of Wu, and granted him nine gifts. In October, Yang Biao was appointed as the Minister of the Household. Due to the rising prices of grain, the court ceased minting five-zhu coins. On the day of Jimao, Grand General Cao Ren was appointed Grand Marshal. In December, the Emperor conducted an Eastern Inspection. That year, the Yun Tai mausoleum was built.

On the first day of the first month in 226 AD, a solar eclipse occurred. On the twenty-seventh day of the first month, the emperor relocated to the Xuchang Palace. The emperor issued a decree saying, "Nowadays, filial piety is emphasized, which has long been a hallmark of exceptional talent! Even in a village with only ten households, there will definitely be faithful and trustworthy individuals. If we have to wait for several years to select talents, then figures like Lü Shang and the Duke of Zhou will not be able to make a name in history, right? Therefore, I command all counties and states to select talents, regardless of age; as long as Confucian scholars are well-versed in the classics and officials are knowledgeable in grammar, they can participate in the examination and then be appointed according to the situation. Relevant authorities must conduct thorough investigations to prevent any form of fraud."

In the second month, the kings of Shanshan, Kucha, and Yutian all sent envoys to offer tribute. The emperor issued a decree saying, "The minority ethnic groups in the west have all pledged their allegiance, and the Di and Qiang tribes have also declared themselves kings, which are all beautifully recorded in the Book of Songs and Book of History. Recently, the non-Han peoples in the Western Regions have all surrendered to the court; you should send envoys to extend our goodwill." Since then, trade between the Western Regions and the Central Plains has been established, and the court has established Wujixiaowei to manage.

On the second day of the third month, Cao Rui was named the King of Pingyuan, and the emperor's brother Cao Zhang and ten others were also granted the title of kings. It was stipulated that the sons of princes were granted the title of village lords, the sons who were heirs to the throne were granted the title of marquises, and the sons of the lords were granted the title of earls. On the eighth day of the third month, the emperor's son Cao Lin was named the King of Hedong. On the fourteenth day of the third month, the emperor relocated to Xiangyi. On the fifth day of the fourth month, Cao Zhi was named the King of Juancheng. On the tenth day of the fourth month, the emperor returned to the Xuchang Palace. In the fifth month, the eight counties of Jingzhou, Yangzhou, and Jiangbiao were consolidated into Jingzhou, due to Sun Quan serving as the governor there; and several counties north of the Yangtze River in Jingzhou were divided into Yingzhou.

In the leap month, Sun Quan defeated Liu Bei in Yiling. Initially, the emperor heard that Liu Bei was leading troops eastward to fight Sun Quan and was building camps that stretched over seven hundred miles. He told his ministers, "Liu Bei does not understand military strategy; how could he possibly defend against the enemy with a camp that long? 'Occupying a strategic location as a camp will result in being captured by the enemy,' this is a major no-no in military strategy! The news of Sun Quan's victory over Liu Bei will arrive soon." Seven days later, the report of Sun Quan defeating Liu Bei was delivered.

In July, a serious locust plague hit Jizhou, leaving the people starving. The emperor sent Minister Du Ji with a seal to open the granaries and provide relief to the disaster-stricken people. In August, Huang Quan, a general from Shu Han, surrendered with his troops.

On the fourteenth of September, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Allowing women to participate in politics is what causes chaos in the world! From now on, no one from the Empress's family can serve as chief ministers, nor are they allowed to receive land grants and titles; pass this decree down to future generations. If anyone violates it, the people shall rise up against him!" On the twentieth of September, Lady Guo was named Empress. The emperor granted two ranks of titles to all men; for widows, orphans, and the impoverished, food aid was distributed.

On the first day of the tenth month, I ordered the Shouling Tomb's construction on Shouyang Mountain. I established burial rites, saying: "According to the ritual system, when the monarch ascends to the throne, the 'Pei' ceremony (pronounced Fu Li) should be held to show respect to the ancestors. In the past, Yao was buried in Gulun, where only a few trees were simply planted; Yu was buried in Kuaiji, where not even the farmland was disturbed. Therefore, burying in the mountains and forests aligns with their natural order. The practice of constructing earthen mounds is not an ancient custom, so I will not use it. Shouling will use the mountain as the tomb, without constructing earthen mounds, tombs, palaces, gardens, or spirit paths. Burial is intended for concealment; bones have no consciousness, and tombs are not the abode of spirits. There should be no rituals of sweeping tombs, to prevent undue disturbance to the deceased. Coffins and burial garments serve merely to facilitate the decomposition of flesh and bones. Therefore, I choose this desolate land as the burial site, hoping that future generations remain unaware of its exact location."

"Reed mats and charcoal fires, as well as gold, silver, copper, and iron, should not be placed in the tomb, which aligns with the ancient burial customs of 'tu che' and 'chu ling.' The coffin should only be painted with three coats of lacquer and should not contain pearls or jade in the mouth, nor should it have pearl garments or jade boxes. These practices are considered ignorant customs. When Jisun buried his treasures with him, Confucius criticized him, saying it was the same as leaving the body exposed in the wilderness. Song Gong's lavish burial was condemned by the gentlemen, who believed that Huayuan and Leyu had been disloyal by leaving the ruler in an unfavorable position. Emperor Wen of Han did not excavate the tombs of the previous dynasty, allowing Baling to be preserved; Emperor Guangwu, on the other hand, excavated the tombs of the previous dynasty, causing the original tomb to be destroyed. The preservation of Baling was due to Zhang Shizhi, while the destruction of the original tomb can be attributed to Emperor Ming. It can be seen that Zhang Shizhi's loyalty is beneficial to the monarch, while Emperor Ming's benevolence harmed the ancestors. Loyal ministers and devoted sons should heed the teachings of Confucius and the example set by Zhang Shizhi, using them as a cautionary tale to avoid repeating the mistakes of Huayuan, Leyu, and Emperor Ming. Only then can the monarchy be preserved, and the family line remain stable, allowing the souls of the ancestors to find peace for generations to come. This embodies true loyalty and filial piety."

"Since ancient times, there has been no country that has not perished, nor a tomb that has not been excavated. Since the chaos began, the tombs of the Han Dynasty have almost all been dug up, even the jade boxes and gold threads have been burned, leaving no trace of bones; this is nothing short of a brutal punishment! It's so tragic! All of this is caused by the lavish burials and sealed earth. 'Sang Hongyang and Huo Guang have sounded the alarm for me,' isn't this obvious? From the empress dowager and noblewomen downwards, those who did not return with me to the country, after death were buried in Jianxi, where I have already set up a monument. Emperor Shun was buried in Cangwu; the two concubines did not accompany him. Prince Yanling buried his son very far away; even if the souls are aware, they wouldn't care about such distances, not to mention it's just a creek away—it's not far at all. If you violate my decree and make unauthorized changes, even after my death, I will crush your bones and scatter your ashes, ensuring you face even harsher punishment in the afterlife! You, my subjects, if you disrespect your emperor and father, are being disloyal and unfilial; even if the dead have awareness, they will bring punishment upon you! Store this decree in the ancestral temple and place copies at the Shangshutai, the Secretariat, and the Three Departments."

This month, Sun Quan has risen in rebellion once more. He renamed Yingzhou to Jingzhou. The emperor set out from Xuchang and headed south to suppress the rebellion, with all the armies launching a coordinated attack while Sun Quan held his ground by the river. On the 11th day of the eleventh month, the emperor went to Wancheng. On the last day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred. In that year, the emperor also built the Lingzhi Pond.

After the New Year, in the first month of spring, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Since the great chaos in the world, wars have been continuous, and the common people have been killing each other. Now that the whole country has just settled down, if anyone still seeks revenge privately, their entire family will be exterminated!" In Wan Cheng, the emperor also built the Southern Tour Platform. On the third day of the third month, the emperor returned from Wan Cheng to the Luoyang Palace. On the day of Guimao, the moon obscured the star Antares. On the day of Dingwei, the Grand Marshal Cao Ren died. This month, a severe plague broke out.

In the fifth month of summer, a pelican flew to the Lingzhi Pond, and the emperor said, "This is just like what the poet described as 'muddy waters'. In Cao Zhi's poem, it says 'Avoiding the noble, getting close to the villain', is there truly no talented and virtuous person hidden away in a low position now? Otherwise, why would this bird fly here? We should widely select talents from all over the country who are capable, virtuous, and of noble character, to respond to Cao Zhi's criticism."

On the day of Jiaxu in the sixth month, Prince Rencheng died in the capital. On the day of Jiashen, the Grand Commandant Jia Xu died. During the day, Venus was also visible. It rained heavily this month, leading to numerous deaths and the destruction of many houses.

In the eighth month of autumn, on the day of Dingmao, Zhong Yao, the Minister of Justice, was appointed as the Grand Commandant. On the day of Xinwei, the emperor went hunting in Xingyang, and then continued his eastward inspection. Based on their merits in subduing Sun Quan, the generals were all promoted and granted titles, rewarded with land, each differently. On the day of Jiachen in the ninth month, the emperor went to the Xuchang Palace.

In the spring of the year 220 AD, Cao Cao issued an edict stating that only the grave crime of rebellion could be reported, and any other matters are strictly forbidden from being falsely reported. Anyone who dares to make false accusations will be punished for their crime. In the third month, Cao Cao returned from Xuchang to the Luoyang Palace. In the summer of the fourth month, he established the Imperial Academy, formulated the method of examination for the Five Classics, and appointed scholars for the "Spring and Autumn Annals." In May, the relevant departments suggested that the public officials and ministers should attend court on the first and fifteenth day of each month, and report some difficult questions, enabling Cao Cao to directly adjudicate national matters and deliberate on the pros and cons of the situation.

In July, during the autumn, Cao Cao went on an eastern tour and stayed in Xuchang Palace. In August, he organized a navy, personally rode a dragon-shaped boat, navigated the Cai River and Ying River, eventually reaching Shouchun on the Huai River. All those who had committed crimes punishable by sentences of less than five years in the Yangzhou area were pardoned. In September, Cao Cao arrived in Guangling, pardoning Qingzhou and Xuzhou, and replacing the leaders of those states. On the winter day of Yimao in October, the bright star Venus appeared during the day. Cao Cao returned to Xuchang Palace. On the day of Gengyin in November, due to a famine in Jizhou, Cao Cao dispatched envoys to open the granaries and provide relief to those suffering from the famine. On the day of Wushen at the end of the month, a solar eclipse occurred. In December, Cao Cao issued a decree saying: "The ancient kings established rituals in order to honor their ancestors; the scale of sacrifices varies greatly, the largest being the suburban sacrifice, followed by ancestral temple sacrifices, then sacrifices to the three celestial bodies (the sun, the moon, and the stars) and the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth), and other sacrifices are not within the scope of sacrifices. Since the time of Shushi, the world has been in decline; people have been superstitious about witches and sorcerers, even in palaces, between doors and windows, everywhere, conducting sacrificial activities; this has reached the height of superstition! From now on, anyone who dares to hold illegal sacrifices, or listen to the nonsense of witches and sorcerers, will be punished for disturbing the court, and this regulation will be codified into law." That year, Cao Cao also excavated Tianyuan Pool. In February of 221 AD, during the spring, Cao Cao sent envoys to inspect east of Xuchang to Pei County, investigating the suffering of the people and providing relief to the poor. In March, Cao Cao went to Shaoling and met with the captain in charge of pacification. On the day of Yisi, Cao Cao returned to Xuchang Palace. Liang Xi, the inspector of Bingzhou, achieved a great victory over the Xianbei leader Kebineng. On Wushen day in May, Cao Cao arrived in Qiaoxian. On the day of Renxu, Mars entered the Taiwei Palace, one of the twenty-eight constellations.

In June, soldiers from Licheng Jun, led by Cai Fang, rebelled and killed the governor Xu Zhi. Cao Cao dispatched the Cavalry Commandant Ren Fu, Infantry Commandant Duan Zhao, and the Inspector of Qingzhou to suppress the rebellion; those who were coerced into participating in the rebellion or fled were pardoned for their crimes.

In July, the emperor appointed his son Cao Jian as the Prince of Dongwuyang. In August, the emperor departed from Qiaoxian with a naval force, entered the Huai River via the Wo River, and sent a land force to Xuzhou. In September, the Eastern Inspection Platform was built. In October, the emperor visited the ancient city of Guangling, reviewed the troops by the river, with over a hundred thousand soldiers and banners that extended for miles, a truly magnificent sight! Unfortunately, that winter was particularly cold, the river was frozen, and the ships could not enter the river, so the emperor had no choice but to return to the capital. In November, Prince Dongwuyang Cao Jian passed away. In December, the emperor set out from Qiaoxian, passed through Liangdi, and had people offer sacrifices to the Grand Commandant of the Han Dynasty, Qiao Xuan.

In the first month of the second year, the emperor planned to go to Xuchang, but inexplicably, the south gate of Xuchang City collapsed, which made the emperor uneasy, believing it to be a bad omen, so he did not go. On the day of Renzi in the first month, the emperor returned to the Palace of Luoyang. In March, the Jiuhua Platform was built. On the day of Bingchen in May, the emperor fell gravely ill and quickly summoned the Grand General of the Central Army Cao Zhen, Grand General of the Garrison Chen Qun, Grand General of Conquering the East Cao Xiu, and Grand General of Pacification Sima Yi, instructing them to accept the imperial edict and assist the young lord. The emperor also sent back the concubines and consorts of the harem. On the day of Dingsi in May, the emperor passed away in the Palace of Jiafu at the age of forty. On the day of Wuyin in June, he was buried in Shouyang Mausoleum. From the time of the emperor's death until his burial, all matters were conducted in accordance with the established protocols.

Initially, the emperor was fond of literature, regarding writing as his vocation, and he wrote over a hundred works himself. He also commissioned many Confucian scholars to collect and compile the classics and historical texts, arranging them by category, resulting in over a thousand works, collectively titled "Imperial Selection."

Critics note that Emperor Wen was naturally gifted in literature; his writing comes easily, he possesses a wide range of talents, and if he were to cultivate a broader mindset, adhere to fairness and integrity, aspire to self-cultivation, and to widely practice benevolence and virtue, then he could become a wise ancient ruler—what difficulties could stand in his way!

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Records of the Three Kingdoms （三國志）

Published: 01 January 2025

Created: 01 January 2025

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Cao Cao, styled Mengde, was from Qiao County in Pei State. His ancestor was Cao Shen, a Chancellor of the Han Dynasty. His grandfather, Cao Teng, served as the Grand Regular Attendant during the reign of Emperor Huan of Han and was granted the title of Marquis of Feiting. His father, Cao Song, inherited the title and later held the position of Grand Commandant. However, there are different accounts of how he came into prominence, but in any case, he fathered Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was intelligent and shrewd from a young age, but he was also somewhat unruly and did not take his studies seriously. Most people at the time did not see anything special about him; only Qiao Xuan of Liang State and He Yong of Nanyang saw his potential. Qiao Xuan once said to Cao Cao, "When chaos descends upon the land, only talented individuals like you can save it. Whether the world can be stabilized rests on your shoulders!" At the age of twenty, Cao Cao was recommended for his filial piety and appointed as the Prefect of Luoyang. He was later promoted to the position of Commandant of Dunqiu and eventually summoned to serve as a Gentleman of the Court.

Towards the end of the Guanghe era, the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out. Cao Cao was appointed as the Cavalry Commander to suppress the Yellow Turban army in Yingchuan. He was later promoted to be the Prefect of Jinan, overseeing more than ten counties. At that time, many county officials were corrupt and ingratiated themselves with the powerful, but Cao Cao dismissed eight of them for their misconduct. He also banned immoral activities, causing criminals to flee, resulting in a marked improvement in public safety in the region. After some time, the court summoned him to serve as the Administrator of Dong Commandery, but he turned it down and went home, claiming to be ill.

Not long after, the Inspector of Ji Province, Wang Fen, Xu You of Nanyang, and Zhou Jing of Pei State, along with some other heroes, conspired to overthrow Emperor Ling of Han and install the Marquis of Hefei as the new emperor. They shared their plan with Cao Cao, but he refused to get involved. As a result, their rebellion failed.

At that time, the border commanders of Jincheng Commandery, Bian Zhang and Han Sui, killed the regional inspector and commandery governor and rebelled, with over one hundred thousand men under their command, causing chaos in the country. The court summoned Cao Cao to serve as Colonel of the Elite Cavalry. Coincidentally, at this time, Emperor Ling of Han died, and the crown prince ascended the throne, with the empress dowager acting as regent. General He Jin and Yuan Shao conspired to kill the eunuchs, but the empress dowager disagreed. He Jin planned to summon Dong Zhuo to leverage him against the empress dowager, but before Dong Zhuo arrived, He Jin was killed. After Dong Zhuo arrived, he deposed the emperor and installed a puppet emperor, causing chaos in the capital. Dong Zhuo also appointed Cao Cao as Colonel of the Rapid Cavalry, wanting him to work together. Cao Cao discreetly changed his name and stealthily fled eastward. Passing through the pass and arriving in Zhongmou, he was suspected by a local innkeeper and arrested, but fortunately, someone recognized him and helped him escape. Later, Dong Zhuo killed the empress dowager and Prince of Hongnong. Cao Cao arrived in Chenliu, squandered his entire family fortune, recruited troops and acquired horses, preparing to attack Dong Zhuo. In December of the sixth year of Zhongping, Cao Cao raised his army. In January of AD 184, General Yuan Shu, Governor of Jizhou Han Fu, Inspector of Yuzhou Kong Rong, Inspector of Yanzhou Liu Dai, Prefect of Henan Wang Kuang, Prefect of Bo Hai Yuan Shao, Prefect of Chenliu Zhang Miao, Prefect of Dong Commandery Qiao Mao, Prefect of Shanyang Yuan Yi, and Magistrate of Jibei Bao Xin, these ten men simultaneously rose in rebellion, each commanding tens of thousands of soldiers, and elected Yuan Shao as their leader. At that time, Cao Cao was appointed as General of Valiant Cavalry.

In February, Dong Zhuo heard that uprisings were happening in various places, so he hastily relocated the emperor to Chang'an. Dong Zhuo remained in Luoyang and then set the imperial palace ablaze. At that time, Yuan Shao was encamped in Henei, while Zhang Miao, Liu Dai, Qiao Mao, and Yuan Yi were in Suanzao, Yuan Shu was in Nanyang, Kong Rong was in Yingchuan, and Han Fu was in Ye City. Dong Zhuo had a strong military force, and Yuan Shao and the others did not dare to act rashly. Cao Cao said, "We have risen up to suppress the chaos; everyone has united. What more do you have to worry about? If Dong Zhuo hears that Shandong has risen up, relying on the prestige of the imperial family and occupying strategic positions for two weeks' time, threatening the realm from the east; even if he uses improper means, it is enough to make people afraid. Now that he has burned down the imperial palace and kidnapped the emperor, the hearts of the people across the country are in turmoil, not knowing what to do. This is a sign from heaven to bring him down! As long as we fight one battle, the world will be stable; this opportunity must not be missed!" So Cao Cao marched his troops west, intent on seizing Chenggao. Zhang Miao sent General Wei Zi to follow Cao Cao. When they reached the Bian River in Xingyang, they encountered Dong Zhuo's general Xu Rong, and the battle did not go well, resulting in heavy casualties. Cao Cao was struck by an arrow, and his horse was wounded; his brother Cao Hong gave his own horse to Cao Cao, allowing him to escape at night. Xu Rong saw that Cao Cao had few troops, so he fought to the death with him for a whole day. Realizing Suanzao was a tough nut to crack, he decided to pull back his troops.

Cao Cao arrived at Suanzao with over 100,000 troops from different directions, but they spent their days drinking and socializing, with no intention of attacking. Cao Cao scolded them and laid out a strategy, saying, "Listen up, let's have the armies from Bo Hai and He Nei meet at Mengjin. The generals at Suanzao should defend Chenggao, occupy Aocang, block Huan Yuan Pass and Taigu Pass, and secure these key locations. Let General Yuan lead the army of Nanyang to station at Danshui and Xixian, enter Wuguan, and intimidate the region of Sanfu. Everyone should build high city walls, dig deep moats, don't attack first, set up decoy troops, and show our strategy to the world. Act in accordance with the will of heaven to deal with the rebels, then we can quickly pacify the world. Now is the time to rise up in righteousness, but you hesitate and disappoint the expectations of the world; I’m ashamed for all of you!" But Zhang Miao and the others ignored Cao Cao's advice.

Cao Cao's army was short on manpower, so he headed to Yangzhou with Xiahou Dun and the others to recruit soldiers and gather supplies. The Governor of Yangzhou, Chen Wen, and the Prefect of Danyang, Zhou Xin, gave him more than 4,000 soldiers. But when they got back to Longkang, a lot of soldiers had defected. They managed to recruit over 1,000 more in Zhixian and Jianping counties, then stationed in Henei.

Liu Dai had a bad relationship with Qiao Mao, so he killed Qiao Mao and made Wang Gong the Prefect of Dongjun. Yuan Shao and Han Fu plotted to back Liu Yu, the Governor of Youzhou, as emperor, but Cao Cao strongly opposed it. Yuan Shao once obtained a jade seal and deliberately showed it off in front of Cao Cao, even bumping the jade seal against Cao Cao's arm, which really ticked Cao Cao off and made him resentful.

In the spring of the following year, Yuan Shao and Han Fu indeed proclaimed Liu Yu as emperor, but Liu Yu didn't dare to take the throne himself. In April, Dong Zhuo made his way back to Chang'an. In July, Yuan Shao threatened Han Fu and seized Ji Province.

The leaders of the Black Mountain Army, including Zhang Yan, Bai Rao, and Sui Gu, commanding over 100,000 troops, launched an attack on Wei County and Dong County, but Wang Gong was unable to withstand them. Cao Cao marched into Dong County and achieved victory over Bai Rao at Puyang. Yuan Shao recommended Cao Cao as the governor of Dong County, with his headquarters in Dong Wuyang.

In the spring of the third year, Cao Cao's army camped in Dunqiu, as Zhang Yan and his forces laid siege to Dong Wuyang. Cao Cao then led his troops west into the mountains to strike at Zhang Yan's stronghold. Hearing the news, Zhang Yan abandoned Dong Wuyang and fled. Cao Cao then proceeded to defeat Sui Gu, and subsequently the Xiongnu Chanyu Fulo in Neihuang, achieving decisive victories in both battles.

In April, Minister Wang Yun and Lu Bu conspired to kill Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo's generals, Li Jue, Guo Si, and others, killed Wang Yun and then launched an attack on Lu Bu, who was defeated and fled eastward towards Wuguan. Li Jue and his cohorts then seized control of the court without any authorization.

It is said that the Yellow Turban Army in Qingzhou, with a massive army of a million, marched towards Yanzhou in a grand display, and swiftly took down the county magistrate Zheng Sui in Rencheng, before advancing into Dongping. Liu Dai wanted to lead troops to fight, but was stopped by Bao Xin, who said, "Hey, the Yellow Turbans have a million strong army, scaring the common people to death. Our soldiers have no fighting spirit; we simply can't win! Look at them, a vast, disorganized crowd, surviving solely through looting. We should focus on holding our ground, building our strength, and defending rather than attacking. They want to fight but can't reach us, want to attack but can't break through. Eventually, they'll scatter on their own. Then we can send out elite soldiers to defend the key points and annihilate them in one fell swoop!" Liu Dai didn't listen to advice and insisted on fighting, which led to his inevitable death at the hands of the Yellow Turbans. Bao Xin had no choice but to team up with Wan Qian and others to go to Dongjun to invite Cao Cao to be the governor of Yanzhou. After Cao Cao arrived, he led his troops to engage the Yellow Turbans east of Shouzhang. Bao Xin fought to the death, and though they emerged victorious, he heroically lost his life. Since his body couldn't be found, they carved a wooden effigy in his likeness to honor him and mourn. Later, they chased the Yellow Turbans to Jibei, where the Yellow Turbans ultimately surrendered. That winter, they took in over 300,000 surrendered troops, along with more than a million men, women, and children, handpicking elite soldiers to create the Qingzhou Army. Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao were at odds, so Yuan Shu reached out for help from Gongsun Zan. Gongsun Zan stationed Liu Bei in Gaotang, Dianjing in Pingyuan, and Tao Qian in Fagan, all coordinating their efforts to strike at Yuan Shao. Cao Cao also clashed with Yuan Shao, defeating both of his armies.

In the spring of the fourth year of the Han dynasty, Cao Cao's army was stationed in Juancheng. The Governor of Jingzhou, Liu Biao, cut off the supply lines to Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu then led his army to Chenliu, set up camp in Fengqiu, and also recruited the Black Mountain bandits and Yu Fuluo to help. Yuan Shu sent General Liu Xiang to guard Kuangting. Cao Cao went to attack Liu Xiang, and Yuan Shu came to rescue him, but was decisively defeated by Cao Cao and fled back to Fengqiu in disgrace. Cao Cao besieged Fengqiu; before the battle even began, Yuan Shu fled to Xiangyi. Cao Cao pursued him to Taishou and diverted the river to besiege the city. Yuan Shu fled to Ningling, and Cao Cao chased him again, with Yuan Shu finally fleeing to Jiujiang. In the summer, Cao Cao returned to Dingtang with his army.

In Xiapi, there was a man named Que Xuan who raised several thousand people and proclaimed himself as the emperor; the Governor of Xuzhou, Tao Qian, joined him in rebellion, occupying Taishan Huaxian, Feixian, and even raided Rencity. In the autumn, Cao Cao set out to punish Tao Qian and quickly captured more than ten cities, as Tao Qian stayed holed up in his stronghold. That year, Sun Ce crossed the river under Yuan Shu's command and occupied Jiangdong in a few years.

In the spring of 194 AD, Cao Cao returned from Xuzhou. Earlier, his grandfather Cao Song resigned and returned to Qiaoxian. When Dong Zhuo rebelled, Cao Song escaped to Langya to avoid the chaos, but was killed by Tao Qian. So Cao Cao had always wanted revenge and planned an eastern campaign against Tao Qian. In the summer, Cao Cao sent Xun Yu and Cheng Yu to guard Juancheng, then led the army to campaign against Tao Qian again, capturing five cities in one go and advancing all the way to the East Sea. On his way back through Tancheng, Tao Qian's generals Cao Bao and Liu Bei were stationed to the east of Tancheng, attempting to intercept Cao Cao. Cao Cao defeated them, then took Xiangbei and continued to advance, inflicting heavy casualties along the way.

At this time, Zhang Miao and Chen Gong defected and welcomed Lu Bu, and many counties followed suit. Xun Yu and Cheng Yu defended Juancheng, while Fan County and Dong'e resisted as well. Cao Cao had no choice but to lead his troops back. After Lu Bu arrived, he failed to capture Juancheng and instead settled in Puyang. Cao Cao said, "If Lu Bu can capture the states and counties, he should first occupy Dongping to cut off the road between Kangfu and Mount Tai, seizing the strategic location to deal with me. But instead, he chose to camp in Puyang, which shows me he lacks the ability." So Cao Cao led his army to attack. Lu Bu led his troops to fight, first using cavalry to attack the Qingzhou army. The Qingzhou army was routed, and Cao Cao's forces fell into chaos. In the chaos, Cao Cao fought his way through but fell from his horse, sustaining burns on his left palm. Sima Louyi quickly helped Cao Cao onto his horse and then retreated. When they returned to camp and found Cao Cao missing, the generals were all terrified. Cao Cao himself tried to appease the army, ordering the troops to quickly construct siege equipment and continue the attack, and the two sides remained locked in a stalemate for over a hundred days. Later, a locust plague broke out, leading to widespread starvation among the people. As a result, both sides withdrew their troops.

In September of autumn, Cao Cao returned to Juancheng. Lu Bu was defeated by the local Li Jin in Chengshi, and then settled in Shanyang. At this time, Yuan Shao sent someone to negotiate with Cao Cao, hoping to unite. Cao Cao had just lost Yan Province and had exhausted his food supplies, initially intending to ally with Yuan Shao. Cheng Yu advised Cao Cao, and Cao Cao listened to his advice. In October of winter, Cao Cao arrived in Dong'e.

That year, the price of one hu of grain soared to over five hundred thousand coins, and the people were driven to cannibalism. Cao Cao was forced to disband the newly recruited troops. With Tao Qian's death, Liu Bei rose to take his place.

In the spring of the year 196 AD, Cao Cao attacked Dingtao. The governor of Jiyin, Wu Zi, defended the southern city, but could not be taken down. At that moment, Lu Bu arrived, prompting Cao Cao to attack Lu Bu, which ultimately led to the fall of Wu Zi's southern city. In the summer, Lu Bu stationed Xue Lan and Li Feng in Juye, and Cao Cao led his troops to attack them. Lu Bu rushed to rescue Xue Lan, but Xue Lan was defeated. Lu Bu fled, and Cao Cao had both of them executed. Lu Bu returned from Dongmeng with Chen Gong and over ten thousand troops. With fewer troops at that time, Cao Cao set an ambush and launched a surprise attack, decisively defeating Lu Bu's forces. Lu Bu fled under the cover of night, with Cao Cao closely pursuing him, eventually capturing Dingtao and dispatching troops to subdue the surrounding counties. Lu Bu fled to Liu Bei, and Zhang Liao accompanied him, while he sent his brother Zhang Chao to defend Yongqiu. In August, Cao Cao commenced the siege of Yongqiu. In October, Yongqiu fell; Zhang Chao committed suicide, and Cao Cao exterminated Zhang Liao's entire family. Zhang Liao sought refuge with Yuan Shu, but was killed by his soldiers. As a result, Yanzhou was pacified, allowing Cao Cao to advance eastward to attack Chen territory. That year, Chang'an fell into chaos, the emperor moved eastward, but was defeated in Caoyang and crossed the Yellow River to escape to Anyi. In January 196 AD, Cao Cao's army reached Wuping, where the governor of Chen County, Yuan Si, surrendered. Cao Cao intended to welcome the emperor back to Luoyang, but some of his generals raised concerns. General Wei Dong Cheng and Yuan Shu's general Chang Nu mounted a defense in a strategic location, preventing Cao Hong from advancing.

Leaders of the Yellow Turbans in the Runan and Yingchuan regions, such as He Yi, Liu Bi, Huang Shao, and He Man, each band had tens of thousands of people. They initially sided with Yuan Shu and later aligned with Sun Jian. In February, Cao Cao led troops to attack them, defeated and killed Liu Bi, Huang Shao, and others. He Yi and his subordinates surrendered. The emperor appointed Cao Cao as General of Virtue, then in June promoted him to General of the East and granted him the title of Marquis of Feiting. In July, Yang Feng and Han Xian escorted the emperor back to Luoyang, while Yang Feng stationed troops in Liang. Cao Cao arrived in Luoyang to defend the capital, and Han Xian fled. The emperor gave Cao Cao the authority to manage the Secretariat's affairs. Due to the dilapidated condition of Luoyang, Dong Zhao and others advised Cao Cao to move the capital to Xuchang. In September, the emperor's carriage departed from Huanyuan to the east, appointing Cao Cao as Grand General and Marquis of Wuping. Since the emperor's westward migration, the court had been chaotic until this time when the system of ancestral shrines and state altars was restored. It is said that Cao Cao had a subordinate named Feng in the east, whom he tried to control but failed. In October, Cao Cao personally led a campaign against Feng, who fled to Yuan Shu. Cao Cao then launched an attack on Feng's troops stationed in Liang and defeated them. Cao Cao appointed Yuan Shao as Grand Commander, but Yuan Shao felt inferior to Cao Cao and refused to accept. Cao Cao reluctantly declined the position of Grand General and gave it to Yuan Shao. The emperor appointed Cao Cao as Minister of Construction and also appointed him as General of Chariots and Cavalry. That year, Cao Cao adopted the suggestions of Zao Zhi, Han Hao, and others to implement the garrison farming system.

Next, Lu Bu launched a surprise attack on Liu Bei and occupied Xiapi. Liu Bei fled to Cao Cao. Cheng Yu said to Cao Cao, "Liu Bei is talented, and his subordinates are loyal to him. He will not settle for being subordinate to others. It's better to deal with him sooner rather than later." Cao Cao replied, "Now is the time to subdue heroes. Killing Liu Bei would chill the hearts of the people, which is unacceptable."

Zhang Ji fled from Guanzhong to Nanyang, but later passed away. His nephew Zhang Xiu inherited his military power. In January of the second year, Cao Cao arrived at Wancheng. Zhang Xiu surrendered to Cao Cao, but later regretted it and rebelled. Cao Cao engaged Zhang Xiu in battle but was defeated, with his eldest son Cao Ang and nephew Cao Anmin both killed. Cao Cao was forced to retreat to Wuyin, where Zhang Xiu's cavalry harassed them. Cao Cao defeated them, and Zhang Xiu fled to Rang, joining forces with Liu Biao. Cao Cao addressed his troops, saying, "I failed to seize the opportunity to pressure Zhang Xiu when he surrendered, which led to this failure. I know my mistake; remember it, and we will not fail again in the future!" Then Cao Cao returned to Xuchang.

Yuan Shu wanted to declare himself emperor in Huainan and informed Lu Bu. Lu Bu captured Yuan Shu's messenger and handed his letter to Cao Cao. Furious, Yuan Shu launched an attack against Lu Bu, only to be defeated. In September, Yuan Shu attacked Chen Jun, and Cao Cao launched an expedition against him. Hearing that Cao Cao was coming, Yuan Shu abandoned his army and fled, leaving his generals Qiao Rui, Li Feng, Liang Gang, and Le Jiu to hold the rear. Upon Cao Cao's arrival, he defeated Qiao Rui and his men, killing them all. Yuan Shu fled to the far side of the Huai River. Cao Cao returned to Xuchang.

After returning from Wuyin, Cao Cao encountered rebellions in counties like Nanyang and Zhangling, which had once again defected to Zhang Xiu. Cao Cao dispatched Cao Hong to quell the rebellions, but he was unsuccessful and had to garrison in Ye County, frequently troubled by disturbances from Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao. In November, Cao Cao personally led a southern campaign and reached Wancheng. Liu Biao's general Deng Ji occupied Huyang, but Cao Cao captured both Huyang and Deng Ji, resulting in their surrender. Cao Cao then attacked Wuyin and captured it as well.

In the spring of 196 AD, after being appointed as the Military Advisor, Cao Cao returned to Xuchang. In May, during the summer, Liu Biao sent troops to rescue Zhang Xiu in an attempt to cut off Cao Cao's retreat. Cao Cao planned to withdraw, but Zhang Xiu's troops pursued them closely, making it increasingly difficult for Cao Cao's army to advance. Cao Cao wrote to Xun Yu, stating, "The enemy is chasing us; although we are only moving a few miles each day, I have a plan. Once we reach Anzhong, we will surely defeat Zhang Xiu!" Upon reaching Anzhong, Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao's armies joined forces and occupied a strategic defensive position, surrounding Cao Cao's army. Cao Cao then secretly tunneled through the strategic location at night, moving all supplies and setting up ambushes. At dawn, the enemy believed Cao Cao was fleeing and pursued, only to be ambushed by Cao Cao's forces, leading to a resounding victory. In the autumn of July, Cao Cao returned to Xuchang. Xun Yu asked Cao Cao, "You claimed you would definitely defeat the enemy; why is that?" Cao Cao replied, "The enemy blocked our retreat and forced us into a do-or-die battle, which made me realize we could win."

Lu Bu requested Yuan Shu to send Gao Shun to launch another attack on Liu Bei. Cao Cao dispatched Xiahou Dun to provide assistance, but he was unsuccessful. Gao Shun defeated Liu Bei. In September, Cao Cao marched east to attack Lu Bu. In October, Cao Cao captured Pengcheng and took Lu Bu's advisor, Xie Xie, prisoner. Cao Cao continued to advance to Xiapi, where Lu Bu personally led his cavalry in a counterattack. Cao Cao decisively defeated Lu Bu, and his valiant general, Cheng Lian, was captured. Cao Cao pursued Lu Bu to the city, and in his fear of defeat, Lu Bu considered surrendering. Chen Gong and others thwarted his plan, sought help from Yuan Shu, and advised Lu Bu to fight, but they were defeated again. Lu Bu retreated to the city and defended it, but Cao Cao was unable to breach it. Cao Cao's troops were exhausted and wished to withdraw, so they implemented the strategy devised by Xun You and Guo Jia to breach the dam and flood the city using the Si and Yi rivers. A month later, Lu Bu's generals, including Song Xian and Wei Xu, captured Chen Gong, resulting in the surrender of the entire city. Both Lu Bu and Chen Gong were captured alive and subsequently executed. In the Taishan region, Zang Ba, Sun Guan, Wu Dun, Yin Li, and Chang Xi each gathered their own forces. When Lu Bu triumphed over Liu Bei, Zang Ba and the others rallied to his side. After Lu Bu's defeat, Cao Cao captured Zang Ba and the others and treated them generously. He ceded Qingzhou and Xuzhou to them, enabling them to align with the sea. He also renamed Langye County, Donghai County, and Beihai County to Chengyang County, Licheng County, and Changlu County, respectively.

At first, Cao Cao served as an official in Yanzhou and appointed Bi Chen, a native of Dongping, as his deputy. When Zhang Miao rebelled, he held Bi Chen's mother, brother, and wife hostage; Cao Cao sympathetically let him leave, saying, "Your mother is there; you can go back and see her." Bi Chen bowed deeply to express his loyalty, which impressed Cao Cao, visibly moved to tears. After Bi Chen left, he escaped back to his hometown. Later, after Lu Bu's defeat, Bi Chen was captured, and everyone worried for him. However, Cao Cao said, "A filial person—would he not also be loyal to his lord? This is exactly what I seek!" So he appointed him as the magistrate of Lu Province.

In the second month of spring in the fourth year, Cao Cao returned to Changyi. Yang Chou, a general under Zhang Yang, killed Zhang Yang, and Sui Gu killed Yang Chou, leading his army to join Yuan Shao, where they camped at Shequn. In the fourth month of summer, Cao Cao led his army to the banks of the Yellow River and dispatched Shi Huan and Cao Ren to cross it and attack Sui Gu. Sui Gu left behind Yang Chou's former chief clerk, Xue Hong, and the prefect of Henei, Miao Shang, while he himself led his army north to seek help from Yuan Shao, meeting Shi Huan and Cao Ren in Shequn. The two sides engaged in battle, and Cao Cao achieved a decisive victory, slaying Sui Gu. Cao Cao then crossed the Yellow River and laid siege to Shequn. Xue Hong and Miao Shang led their troops to surrender, and Cao Cao appointed them as marquises before withdrawing his army to Aocang. Cao Cao appointed Wei Zhong as the prefect of Henei Province, putting him in charge of affairs in northern Hebei.

Cao Cao had initially recommended Wei Zhong as an upright and filial official. When the rebellion broke out in Yanzhou, Cao Cao had said, "Only Wei Zhong will not abandon me." Later, when he heard that Wei Zhong had fled, Cao Cao, filled with fury, exclaimed, "If Wei Zhong does not flee to the south to the Yue region or to the north to the barbarian lands, I will never let you go!" After the capture of Shequn, Cao Cao apprehended Wei Zhong alive, but remarked, "Indeed, a true talent!" He untied his ropes and continued to use him.

At that time, Yuan Shao had already defeated Gongsun Zan, occupied the territories of four states, commanded over a hundred thousand troops, and was preparing to march and attack Xuchang. All the generals believed it was impossible to resist, but Cao Cao said, "I know this person Yuan Shao; he has great ambitions but lacks in strategy, he appears strong but is actually cowardly, he is envious of others and lacks respect, he has many troops but an ambiguous command structure, his generals are arrogant, and his military orders lack unity. While his territory is vast and resources plentiful, it will serve as my supply." In August, Cao Cao led his troops to camp in Liyang, sent Zang Ba and others to enter Qingzhou, and captured the states of Qi, Beihai, and Dong'an, leaving Yu Jin to guard the Yellow River. In September, Cao Cao returned to Xuchang and divided his troops to guard Guandu. In November, Zhang Xiu surrendered with his forces and was appointed as a marquis. In December, Cao Cao's army camped at Guandu. Yuan Shu was defeated in Chen, and his situation became increasingly dire. Yuan Tan sent troops from Qingzhou to support him. Yuan Shu planned to head north from Xiapi, so Cao Cao dispatched Liu Bei and Zhu Ling to intercept him. However, before Yuan Shu could make his move, he fell ill and passed away. Cheng Yu and Guo Jia heard that Cao Cao had sent Liu Bei, so they quickly advised Cao Cao, "Liu Bei cannot be let off easily!" Cao Cao regretted this decision, but it was too late to pursue him. In fact, prior to Liu Bei's eastward journey, he secretly conspired with Dong Cheng and others to rebel. When he arrived at Xiapi, he assassinated Che Zhou, the Inspector of Xu Province, and then raised troops to camp in Pei County. Cao Cao dispatched Liu Dai and Wang Zhong to confront him, but they were unable to secure a victory. Liu Xun, the Administrator of Lujiang, surrendered to Cao Cao, and Cao Cao granted him the title of marquis.

In the spring of the fifth year, during the first month, Dong Cheng and his associates' plot to rebel was exposed, and they were all killed. Cao Cao was preparing to personally go to the east to attack Liu Bei, but his generals advised him, "The one competing with you for supremacy is Yuan Shao! Yuan Shao is about to attack you, but you are leaving him to go to the east to fight. If Yuan Shao takes advantage of this, what will you do?" Cao Cao said, "Liu Bei is a remarkable figure. If we don't deal with him now, he will surely become a serious threat later. Although Yuan Shao has great ambitions, he is slow in action and will not act immediately." Guo Jia also advised Cao Cao, so Cao Cao led his troops to the east to attack Liu Bei, defeated him, and captured his general Xiahou Bo. Liu Bei fled to Yuan Shao, and Cao Cao also took Liu Bei's wife and children captive. Liu Bei's general Guan Yu was stationed in Xiapi at the time, and Cao Cao attacked Xiapi, where Guan Yu ultimately surrendered. Later, Chang Xi betrayed Cao Cao and joined Liu Bei, breaking through Cao Cao's forces. Cao Cao returned to his base at Guandu, and Yuan Shao ultimately did not attack him. In the second month, Cao Cao sent Guo Tu, Chunyu Qiong, and Yan Liang to attack Liu Yan, the Governor of Dongjun, at Baima. Cao Cao himself led his troops to Liyang, preparing to cross the river himself. In the fourth month, Cao Cao went north to rescue Liu Yan. Xun You proposed a strategy to Cao Cao, saying, "We have few troops now and cannot defeat the enemy. We need to find a way to divide and conquer. When you reach Yanjin, pretend to cross the river to attack Cao Cao's rear; he will definitely have to send troops back to deal with it. At this time, we will travel lightly and swiftly attack Baima, catching them off guard, and Yan Liang will be able to capture them!" Cao Cao followed this advice.

Cao Cao arrived at Yanjin, and indeed he immediately called back his troops for reinforcement. Cao Cao quickly led his troops, traveling light, directly towards Bai Ma. Before they reached Bai Ma, Yan Liang, frightened, rushed out to confront them. Cao Cao sent Zhang Liao and Guan Yu to charge and attack, defeating Yan Liang and killing him on the spot. The siege of Bai Ma was lifted, and Cao Cao relocated the people of Bai Ma and retreated west along the Yellow River. As soon as Cao Cao retreated, he crossed the river to pursue them, going to the south of Yanjin. Cao Cao ordered his troops to camp on the southern slope of the mountain, sending scouts to the high ground to assess the enemy's situation and report back: "Probably five or six hundred cavalry." After a while, another report came in: "The cavalry is increasing, and there are countless infantry!" Cao Cao ordered, "No more reports!" and then commanded the cavalry to dismount, remove the saddles, and set the horses free. At this time, Cao Cao's supply convoy happened to be on the road. The generals felt the enemy cavalry was overwhelming and advised a quick return to camp for defense. Xun You replied, "This is the bait we've set; we can't retreat now!" Cao Cao's cavalry general Wen Chou brought five or six thousand cavalry to flank and assault. The generals urged again, "We can mount our horses and meet the enemy!" Cao Cao said, "It's not time yet!" Soon, even more enemy cavalry appeared, with some attempting to seize the supplies. Cao Cao said, "It's time!" and then ordered all the cavalry to mount up. At that time, Cao Cao had fewer than six hundred cavalry, but they charged fiercely and routed the enemy, killing Wen Chou. Both Yan Liang and Wen Chou were famous generals under Cao Cao, both captured or killed in these two major battles, significantly boosting the morale of Cao Cao's army. Cao Cao returned to Guandu, while he retreated to Yangwu. Later, Guan Yu fled and sought refuge with Liu Bei.

In August, Cao Cao's army moved slightly forward, setting up camp among the sand dunes, stretching for dozens of miles in the east-west direction. Cao Cao also stationed troops, facing off against Yuan Shao's army, and suffered setbacks in the battle. At that time, Cao Cao's army was less than ten thousand men, and nearly one-third of the soldiers were injured. Yuan Shao continued to advance to Guandu, starting to build earthen mounds and tunnels. Cao Cao also built earthen mounds and tunnels in his camp to counter Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao's army shot arrows towards Cao Cao's camp, the arrows falling like raindrops, and the soldiers all cowered behind shields, filled with fear. At that time, Cao Cao's food and supplies were insufficient, so he wrote to Xun Yu to discuss the possibility of withdrawing to Xuchang. Xun Yu said, "Yuan Shao has concentrated all his troops at Guandu, intending to fight you to the death. You are now confronting an extremely powerful enemy with extremely weak forces; if you cannot defeat him, he will definitely take advantage of your weakness. This is a matter of great importance to the world! Furthermore, Yuan Shao is merely a hero of commoner origin; he can gather many people, but cannot use them well. You have such heroic strength, a wise mind, and the blessing of heaven; what can’t you achieve?" Cao Cao followed Xun Yu's advice. Sun Ce heard that Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were deadlocked, so he planned a surprise attack on Xuchang, but before he could act, he was killed by an assassin. The defected generals from Runan, including Liu Bi, betrayed and joined Yuan Shao, attacking Xuchang. Yuan Shao sent Liu Bei to help Liu Bi, while Cao Cao dispatched Cao Ren to confront them, leading to their defeat. Liu Bei fled, and Cao Cao took the opportunity to break through Liu Bi's camp.

Yuan Shao sent thousands of grain carts, but Cao Cao used Xun You's plan to send Xu Huang and Shi Huan to intercept them, resulting in a decisive victory over Yuan Shao and the destruction of all the grain carts. Cao Cao confronted Yuan Shao for several months, and although they defeated some of Yuan Shao's generals in battle, Cao Cao's troops were few and supplies were running low, as the soldiers were exhausted. Cao Cao told those responsible for transporting food and supplies, "Hold out for another fifteen days, and I will help you defeat Yuan Shao. Then you won't have to work hard anymore!"

In October, during the winter, Yuan Shao again sent people to transport food and supplies by cart, with Chun Yuqiong and five others escorting over ten thousand people to establish their camp forty miles north of Yuan Shao's main camp. Yuan Shao's strategist Xu You was greedy, and when Yuan Shao couldn't satisfy his greed, he defected to Cao Cao and proposed an attack on Chun Yuqiong and his men. Some of Cao Cao's officers expressed doubts, but Xun You and Jia Xu advised Cao Cao. Cao Cao left Cao Hong in charge of guarding the camp and set out at night with five thousand infantry and cavalry, arriving at dawn. When Chun Yuqiong and his men saw that Cao Cao had fewer troops, they lined up outside the camp gate to face them. Cao Cao immediately launched a fierce attack, causing Chun Yuqiong to retreat back into the camp, which Cao Cao besieged. Yuan Shao sent cavalry to rescue Chun Yuqiong. A soldier reported to Cao Cao, "The enemy's cavalry is approaching fast, please send reinforcements to intercept them!" Cao Cao sharply retorted, "The enemy is right behind us, and you're reporting this!" The soldiers fought valiantly, decisively defeating Chun Yuqiong and his men, killing them all.

Upon hearing that Cao Cao was attacking Chunyu Qiong, Yuan Shao said to his eldest son Yuan Tan, "If we attack his camp, they'll have nowhere to run!" So he sent Zhang He and Gao Lan to attack Cao Hong. When Zhang He and his troops learned that Chunyu Qiong had been defeated, they surrendered to Cao Cao. Yuan Shao's army was routed, forcing Yuan Shao and Yuan Tan to abandon their troops and flee, crossing the Yellow River. Cao Cao couldn't catch up, so he seized all of Yuan Shao's supplies, books, treasures, and captured soldiers. Cao Cao confiscated Yuan Shao's letters and discovered correspondence from Xudu and military personnel, which he subsequently burned. Many counties in Jizhou capitulated.

Initially, during the reign of Emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty, a yellow star appeared at the border between Chu and Song. Yin Kui from Liaodong was knowledgeable in astronomy; he said that fifty years later, a true emperor would appear between Liang and Pei, and his power would be unmatched. Now exactly fifty years later, Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao and became invincible.

In the fourth month of summer in the sixth year, Cao Cao launched an attack on Yuan Shao's Cangting army near the Yellow River, defeating them. After returning, Yuan Shao regrouped his scattered troops and launched an assault on the rebellious counties. In September, Cao Cao returned to Xuchang. Before his defeat, Yuan Shao sent Liu Bei to assault Runan, and the bandits and local officials rallied to Liu Bei's cause. Cao Cao dispatched Cai Yang to confront the officials, but this effort failed, resulting in a defeat for Cao Cao. Cao Cao marched south to confront Liu Bei. Upon learning that Cao Cao was coming in person, Liu Bei fled to Liu Biao, causing the officials to scatter.

In January of the year 194 AD, Cao Cao issued an order in Qiao County, saying: "I have taken up arms to eliminate chaos in the world. The people of my hometown have suffered greatly; I walked around the capital all day and didn't see anyone I knew, which fills me with great sorrow. Since the rebellion, many soldiers have died in battle without descendants to inherit their legacy. I will arrange for their relatives to be taken care of, distribute land and oxen to them, and arrange for teachers to instruct their children. I will also establish temples for the deceased soldiers, to allow them to honor their ancestors, hoping their souls may find peace, so that I will have no regrets a hundred years from now!" Cao Cao then arrived in Junyi, overseen the Suiyang Canal, and sent people to sacrifice to Qiao Xuan. Afterwards, Cao Cao led his troops to station in Guandu.

After his army's defeat, Yuan Shao fell ill and began to cough up blood, and died in May. His son Yuan Shang succeeded him, while Yuan Tan declared himself General of Chariots and Cavalry, stationed in Liyang. In September, Cao Cao led his army to attack them, and the two sides fought continuously. Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang retreated after multiple defeats, holding their ground.

In March of the year 195 AD, Cao Cao attacked their cities; Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang came out to engage, but were soundly defeated by Cao Cao and fled that very night. In April, Cao Cao led his army to march towards Ye City. In May, Cao Cao returned to Xuchang, leaving Jia Xin to guard Liyang.

In the year of Jiyou (195 AD), Cao Cao issued an order, saying: "The 'Sima Fa' states, 'When a general dies in battle, his family must be consoled,' so Zhao Kuo's mother requested that Zhao Kuo not be implicated. This is the rule of ancient generals; the failures of the army occur outside, yet the families must suffer at home. I personally lead the troops into battle, rewarding only those who show merit and not punishing the innocent; this is not how our country operates! Therefore, from now on, all generals who lead their troops into battle must be held accountable if the army suffers defeat, and if they lose a battle, their ranks will be stripped."

In July, Cao Cao issued an order saying, "It has been fifteen years since the world fell into chaos. The younger generation has never seen the values of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and humility. I feel deeply pained by this. Therefore, I order all counties to set up schools. Every county with a population of more than five hundred households must establish a school. Select outstanding talents from the countryside to teach and educate people, so that the teachings of Confucianism will be preserved, and all people in the world can benefit from it."

In August, Cao Cao campaigned against Liu Biao, and his army arrived in Xiping. When Cao Cao marched south from Ye City, Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang were vying for control of Jizhou. Yuan Tan was defeated by Yuan Shang and fled to Pingyuan City for refuge. Yuan Shang closely pursued him. Yuan Tan sent Xin Pi to Cao Cao to surrender and request assistance. Cao Cao's generals expressed skepticism, but Xun You advised Cao Cao to agree to Yuan Tan's request, so Cao Cao then led his army back. In October, Cao Cao arrived in Liyang and arranged a marriage between his son Cao Zheng and Yuan Tan. When Yuan Shang heard that Cao Cao was heading north, he abandoned Pingyuan and returned to Ye City. Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang in Dongping defected from Yuan Shang and stationed in Yangping. They surrendered to Cao Cao and were granted marquis titles.

In the spring of a certain year, in January, Cao Cao led his troops across the Ji River and blocked the Qi River, diverting it to flow into Baigou, ensuring smooth transportation of food and forage. In February, Cao Cao continued to attack Tan County, leaving Su You and Shen Pei to guard Ye City. Cao Cao's army advanced to the Huan River, and Su You surrendered. After the army arrived at Ye City, they began to attack the city, building earth mountains and tunnels. At that time, Yin Kai, the magistrate of Wuan, stationed troops in Maocheng, tasked with transporting food and forage from Shangdang. In April, Cao Cao left Cao Hong to continue attacking Ye City, personally leading his troops to attack Yin Kai. After defeating him, he returned with his army. Shen Pei sent Ju Hu to guard Handan, and Cao Cao successfully captured Handan. Han Fan, the magistrate of Yiyang, and Liang Qi, the magistrate of She, also surrendered along with their respective counties. Cao Cao rewarded them with the title of Marquis of Guannei (关内侯).

In May, Cao Cao ordered the demolition of the earthen mounds and tunnels, rebuilding them into walls and moats, and also breached the dike to flood the city with water from the Zhang River; more than half of the city's population starved to death. By July, in the autumn, Shen Pei returned to rescue Ye city, and his generals thought, "These must be the enemy's reinforcements; we should fight separately and avoid them." However, Cao Cao said, "If Shen Pei comes from the main road, we will avoid him; if he comes from the western mountain, he'll be trapped like a turtle in a jar!" Indeed, Shen Pei came from the western mountain and set up camp by the Fushui River. Cao Cao launched a nighttime attack on the outskirts of Ye city, personally leading a counterattack and defeating Shen Pei's army, then surrounding their camp. Before any fighting began, Shen Pei grew fearful and sent Yin Kui and Chen Lin to surrender, but Cao Cao refused and intensified the siege. Shen Pei escaped that night, fleeing to Qishan with Cao Cao in pursuit. Shen Pei's generals Ma Yan, Zhang Yi, and others surrendered; Shen Pei's army was defeated, and he fled to Zhongshan. Cao Cao seized all of Shen Pei's supplies, including his seal and insignia, and sent Shen Pei's surrendering men to persuade the people in Ye city to surrender, which caused panic and a collapse in morale. In August, Shen Pei's nephew, Shen Rong, opened the east gate of Ye city at night to let Cao's army in. Shen Pei fought fiercely but was ultimately defeated and captured, and was subsequently beheaded by Cao Cao, resulting in the fall of Ye city. Cao Cao went to worship Yuan Shao's tomb, crying tears of grief; he also comforted Yuan Shao's wife, returned the family's belongings, and rewarded them with cloth, silk, and provisions.

Originally, when Yuan Shao and Cao Cao raised their armies together, Yuan Shao once asked Cao Cao, "If things don't go smoothly, which places would be best for us to control separately?" Cao Cao asked him, "What do you think?" Yuan Shao said, "I plan to use the Yellow River as a base in the south and rely on Yan and Dai in the north, unite the forces of the nomadic tribes, and then move south to contend for the world. Perhaps it will succeed?" Cao Cao said, "I rely on the wisdom and strength of the world, and govern with the right methods. There is nothing that cannot be done."

In September, Cao Cao ordered, "The northern region has suffered from the Yuan family's conflicts, so this year the taxes in Hebei will be exempted!" He also increased penalties for the wealthy who were consolidating land, and the people were very happy. The emperor appointed Cao Cao as the Governor of Jizhou, but Cao Cao declined the appointment and returned to Yanzhou.

It is said that when Cao Cao attacked the city of Ye, Tan (referring to Yuan Tan) first occupied places like Ganling, Anping, Bohai, and Hejian. He ended up fighting Yan Shang and was defeated, then he ran back to Zhongshan. Tan pursued Yan Shang and fought him until he fled to Gu'an, and Tan incorporated Yan Shang's troops. Cao Cao wrote to Tan, stating that he had violated their previous agreement, so he broke off the engagement with Tan, brought his daughter back, and then continued to lead the troops to attack. This frightened Tan, who quickly abandoned Pingyuan and fled to Nanpi to hide. In December, Cao Cao captured Pingyuan and took control of the surrounding county towns.

After the New Year, the first month of the tenth year of the Spring and Autumn period, Cao Cao directly attacked Tan, defeated him, killed him, and did not spare his wife or children. As a result, Jizhou was thoroughly pacified. Cao Cao ordered, "Anyone who associates with those scoundrels from the Yuan family must start over!" He also ordered the common people not to take private revenge, banned extravagant burials, and required all matters to be handled according to the law. In that month, Yuan Xi's generals Jiao Chu, Zhang Nan, and others betrayed him, attacking Yuan Xi and Yan Shang. Yuan Xi and Yan Shang fled to the Wuman tribe in Sanjun. Jiao Chu and his men surrendered their lands to Cao Cao, who granted them noble titles. Initially, when Tan was being defeated, the common people fled in panic, and Cao Cao ordered them not to surrender. After a while, some refugees ran to Cao Cao's camp, and he said, "Surrendering would violate my order, but killing you would make me seem indiscriminate. Find a place to hide quickly and avoid being caught by the officials." The commoner left in tears but was ultimately caught.

In the fourth month of summer, the Black Mountain bandit Zhang Yan surrendered along with his army of over 100,000 men, and Cao Cao ennobled him as a marquis. Consequently, Zhao Du and Huo Nu from Gu'an killed the Inspector of Youzhou and the Prefect of Zhuojun. The Wuman tribe launched an attack on Xianyu Fu in Guangping. In the eighth month of autumn, Cao Cao led his troops to punish them, resulting in the deaths of Zhao Du and his men. He then crossed the Lu River to rescue Guangping, forcing the Wuman people to flee beyond the borders.

In September, Cao Cao ordered, "Mutual attachment to form factions and engage in self-serving interests is something that all sages in history detest. I have heard that in Jizhou Province, fathers and sons serve in different positions, undermining and slandering one another. In the past, if a man had no older brother, people would say he seduced his sister-in-law; if Fifth Uncle Yu married three widows, people would say he abused his wives' fathers; Wang Feng abused his power, and Gu Yong compared him to Shen Bo; Wang Shang loyally advised, but Zhang Kuang said he was following an evil path: all these are turning black into white, deceiving heaven and misleading the ruler! I want to rectify customs; if these four bad habits are not eliminated, I will lose face!" By October, Cao Cao returned to Ye City.

Initially, Yuan Shao appointed his nephew Gao Gan as the governor of Bingzhou. After Cao Cao captured Ye City, Gao Gan surrendered, and Cao Cao appointed him as the governor. Later, Gao Gan heard that Cao Cao was going to campaign against the Wuhuan, so he rebelled, captured the Prefect of Shangdang, and defended Huguan with his troops. Cao Cao sent Yue Jin and Li Dian to attack him, and Gao Gan retreated to Huguan and defended it to the death. In the spring of the eleventh year, in the first month, Cao Cao personally went to campaign against Gao Gan. When Gao Gan heard that Cao Cao was coming, he left his deputy to guard the city and fled to the Xiongnu for help, but the Chanyu ignored him. Cao Cao besieged Huguan for three months and finally captured it. Gao Gan fled to Jingzhou, where he was captured and killed by Shangluo's Commandant.

In August of autumn, Cao Cao went east to campaign against the pirate Guan Cheng. Upon reaching Chunyu, he sent Yue Jin and Li Dian to defeat him, and Guan Cheng fled to an island. Cao Cao assigned the three counties of Xiangben, Tan, and Qi from the East Sea to Langye County and dissolved Changlu County.

The Wuhuan of the three counties took advantage of the chaos in the realm to break into Youzhou, looting many Han people, amounting to over a hundred thousand households. Yuan Shao also bestowed the title of Chanyu upon the Wuhuan chieftains and married his daughter to them. Liaoxi Chanyu Tadun was particularly fierce, and Yuan Shao treated him especially well, so many Wuhuan submitted to him and often launched raids on the borders. Cao Cao planned to campaign against him; he therefore constructed a canal, diverting water from the Hutuo River to the Fuyu River, which he named the Pinghu Canal, and also dug from the Juhu River mouth to the Lu River, naming it the Quanzhou Canal, to facilitate water transportation.

In the spring of the twelfth year, during the second month, Cao Cao returned to Ye City from Chunyu. On the Dingyou day, Cao Cao ordered, "I have led campaigns against rebellions for nineteen years, achieving victory in every battle. Is this truly my accomplishment? This is the result of the efforts of wise men and officials! Although the world has not yet been completely pacified, I will definitely pacify it together with the wise men and officials; how can I enjoy the achievements alone and be at ease? Now quickly determine the achievements and rewards!" So Cao Cao ennobled more than twenty meritorious officials, all of whom were enfeoffed as marquises, and the rest were enfeoffed according to the size of their achievements, and the descendants of those who sacrificed their lives for the nation were also honored, with different levels of rewards.

Cao Cao wanted to campaign northward against the Wuhuan in the three counties, but his generals unanimously deemed it unnecessary and urged him not to proceed, arguing, "Yuan Shang is merely a desperate fugitive, and the Wuhuan are greedy and lack any sense of loyalty. How could they really sell their lives for him? If we venture deep into enemy territory to confront them now, Liu Bei will definitely take the opportunity to unite with Liu Biao to attack Xuchang. Should anything unexpected occur, we would surely regret it!" Only Guo Jia believed that Liu Biao would not cooperate with Liu Bei and strongly urged Cao Cao to continue northward.

In May, Cao Cao's army arrived in Wuzhong. In July, they encountered a great flood, and the coastal roads were washed away, rendering them impassable. At this time, Tian Chou offered to guide Cao Cao, and his suggestion was accepted. The army set out from Lulong Pass, with the roads beyond the pass completely blocked. Cao Cao ordered the mountains to be leveled and valleys filled to construct a road of over five hundred li. The troops crossed Baitan Mountain, passed through Pinggang, traversed the Xianbei territory, and moved toward Liucheng. Before they reached Liucheng by two hundred li, the Wuhuan people spotted Cao Cao's army. Yuan Shang, Yuan Xi, Tadun, the Liao Xi Chanyu Lou Ban, and the Youbei Ping Chanyu Nengchen, along with other Wuhuan leaders, led tens of thousands of cavalry to intercept them.

In August, Cao Cao's army ascended a vantage point on Bailang Mountain and finally encountered the Wuhuan army. The enemy forces were vast and powerful. Cao Cao's supply troops were still behind, and there were relatively few soldiers in armor, instilling fear in the ranks. Cao Cao observed the chaotic formation of the enemy forces and commanded an immediate attack, with Zhang Liao leading the vanguard. The Wuhuan army was swiftly routed, Tadun and other Wuhuan kings were killed, and over two hundred thousand Hu and Han people surrendered. The Liaodong Chanyu Supuwu and some powerful figures from Liao Xi and Beiping deserted their kin and fled to Liaodong with Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi, leaving behind only a few thousand cavalry.

At the beginning, the Governor of Liaodong, Gongsun Kang, was defiant against Cao Cao due to his remote location. After Cao Cao defeated the Wuhuan, some suggested he take advantage of his victory and capture the Yuan brothers in one fell swoop. However, Cao Cao said, "I’ve already sent someone to have Gongsun Kang execute Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi and bring me their heads. There is no need to raise an army again." In September, Cao Cao withdrew his troops from Liucheng. Gongsun Kang indeed executed Yuan Shang, Yuan Xi, Su Puwan, and others, sending their heads back. Some generals asked, puzzled, "My Lord, you have withdrawn your troops, but Gongsun Kang has sent the heads of Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi. What's going on here?" Cao Cao explained, "They were already afraid of Yuan Shang and the others. If I were to press them, they would unite against me; if I ease up a bit, they'll suspect one another and end up turning on each other; that's the inevitable outcome." In November, Cao Cao's army arrived at Yishui, where the Wuhuan leaders Pufulu and Naluodai from Daijun and Shangjun came to pay their respects.

In the thirteenth year of the Jian'an era (208 AD), Cao Cao returned to Ye city and constructed Xuanwu Lake for naval training. The Han dynasty abolished the three public offices, establishing the positions of Prime Minister and Grand Inspector. In June, Cao Cao was appointed Prime Minister.

Once upon a time, Cao Cao set out southward in the seventh month of autumn to attack Liu Biao. In August, Liu Biao died, and his son Liu Cong succeeded him and was stationed in Xiangyang, while Liu Bei hurriedly fled to Xiakou after camping in Fancheng. In September, Cao Cao arrived in Xinye, and Liu Cong surrendered. Cao Cao marched into Jiangling and ordered the officials and people of Jingzhou to begin anew. He then rewarded fifteen individuals with titles of marquis, appointed Liu Biao's general Wen Pin as the governor of Jiangxia, and entrusted him with command of the existing army, employing scholars from Jingzhou such as Han Song and Deng Yi. Liu Zhang, the Governor of Yizhou, also answered the call and sent troops to support the army. In December, Sun Quan led his army to attack Hefei. Cao Cao departed Jiangling to confront Liu Bei, and after reaching Baqiu, sent Zhang Xi to rescue Hefei. Upon hearing that Zhang Xi had arrived, Sun Quan withdrew his troops. Cao Cao arrived at Chibi and fought with Liu Bei, but ultimately suffered defeat. Soon after, a large-scale epidemic broke out, resulting in the deaths of many officials and soldiers. Cao Cao had no option but to retreat. Consequently, Liu Bei seized control of numerous counties in Jingzhou and Jiangnan.

In the spring of the fourteenth year, during the third month, the army arrived in Qiaoxian. Cao Cao ordered the building of light warships and the restructuring of the navy. In the seventh month of autumn, Cao Cao led his army from Wusui to the Huai River, then exited from Feishui and arrived at Hefei. On the day of Xinwei, Cao Cao issued an order stating, "Since I started the army, we have fought many battles, sometimes encountering epidemics. The officials and soldiers who died in battle or from illness are unable to return home, leading to resentment from their families. The people are displaced. This is not what a compassionate person would wish to witness. It is truly unavoidable! Therefore, for those who died in battle and whose families lack the means to survive, each county government must continue to provide food, local officials must care for and comfort their families. Only by doing this can we align with my intentions." He also appointed officials for the counties in Yangzhou, excavated the Shaobei, and developed farmland. In December, the army made its way back to Qiaoxian.

In the spring of the fifteenth year, Cao Cao ordered, "Since ancient times, which monarch appointed by heaven or restoring order has not governed the world with wise men and gentlemen? Some of these talented individuals might not even be from the same village—what a fortunate coincidence! It’s really the responsibility of those in power for not seeking them out! The world has not yet been pacified, and this is the time when talented individuals are urgently needed! Just like Meng Gongchuo, who excelled in service in the states of Zhao and Wei but could not secure a position in Teng or Xue. If only incorruptible individuals are to be used, how could Duke Huan of Qi have achieved dominance? Surely there are folks out there, dressed in rough clothes, hiding precious jade, fishing by the Wei River? Are there not those who steal from their sister-in-law but have not yet met someone discerning? I need your help to find those talented individuals who have been overlooked—let's appoint based on talent so I can put them to good use!" In winter, Cao Cao built the Bronze Sparrow Terrace.

In the spring of the first month of 166 AD, the emperor appointed Cao Pi, the crown prince of Wei, as the General of the Five Chariots, and gave him a team to assist him, making him the deputy to the prime minister. Ah, what a cushy position! At that time, the rebels in Taiyuan led by Shang Yao were causing trouble, so the emperor sent Xiahou Yuan and Xu Huang to suppress them, eventually pacifying them.

This Zhang Lu guy is holed up in Hanzhong and isn’t playing fair! In March, Cao Cao sent Zhang Yao to attack him. Cao Cao also ordered Xiahou Yuan and others to depart from Hedong and join forces with Zhang Yao to deal with Zhang Lu. This was quite a showdown! This shows that Cao Cao was solidifying his power, fighting battles all over the place—talk about ambition!

Back then, the generals in Guanzhong were suspicious that Yang Feng was plotting a surprise attack, so Ma Chao, along with Han Sui, Yang Qiu, Li Kan, and Cheng Yi, rebelled. Cao Cao then sent Cao Ren to suppress them. Ma Chao and his forces were stationed at Tongguan, so Cao Cao told the generals, "The soldiers from the west are tough and fierce; hold the fortresses and don’t engage them in battle."

In early autumn, during the seventh month, Cao Cao marched westward and confronted Ma Chao and his forces across Tongguan. Cao Cao pressed them hard and secretly sent Xu Huang and Zhu Ling to cross the Puban River at night and establish a camp on the west bank. Cao Cao himself crossed the river from the north of Tongguan. Before he could finish crossing, Ma Chao rushed onto the boat and attacked fiercely. Captain Ding Fei used cattle and horses as bait to lure the enemy, which caused chaos as they scrambled for the cattle. This allowed Cao Cao to cross the river and build a road along the riverbank to head south.

As the enemy retreated to block Cao Cao at Weikou, he deployed additional decoy troops and secretly transported troops to the Wei River to build a pontoon bridge. At night, his troops camped on the south bank of the Wei River. The enemy launched a nighttime surprise attack but was repelled by the ambush. Ma Chao and his forces stationed themselves in the south of the Wei River and sent a messenger requesting the cession of the Hexi region for peace, but Cao Cao refused. In September, Cao Cao's army crossed the Wei River. Despite Ma Chao's repeated challenges and requests for land concessions or to send his son as a hostage, Cao Cao feigned agreement based on Jia Xu's advice.

Han Sui requested a meeting with Cao Cao, as they were of the same age and both recognized as filial scholars, with Han Sui being a contemporary friend. The two men rode horses and chatted for a while, reminiscing about past events in the capital, laughing heartily without discussing military matters. After the conversation, Ma Chao and his forces asked Han Sui, "What did Cao Cao say?" Han Sui replied, "Nothing much." This raised Ma Chao's suspicions.

The next day, Cao Cao wrote another letter to Han Sui, with many sections appearing altered, as if Han Sui had made edits. This further increased Ma Chao's suspicions of Han Sui. Cao Cao then scheduled a decisive battle, initially employing light troops to probe the enemy before launching a cavalry attack, resulting in a significant victory, with Cheng Yi, Li Kan, and others being killed. Han Sui and Ma Chao fled to Liangzhou, while Yang Qiu fled to Anding, restoring peace to Guanzhong.

Some generals asked Cao Cao, "At the beginning, the enemy was stationed at Tongguan, and the route north of Wei was cut off. Why didn't you attack Fengyi from Hedong instead of guarding Tongguan and delaying the northern crossing?" Cao Cao said, "If I entered Hedong, the enemy would definitely send troops to guard all the crossings of the Xi River, making it impossible to cross. That's why I directed the army towards Tongguan. The enemy concentrated their forces to the south to defend, leaving the defenses along the Xi River weak, which allowed Generals Xu Huang and Zhu Ling to easily occupy it. Then I led the army to cross north. The enemy couldn't compete for the Xi River because of Generals Xu Huang and Zhu Ling's forces. Setting up barriers and building roads to the south was both to appear strong while also feigning weakness. Crossing the Wei River to build a strong fortress and not engaging the enemy when they approached was meant to provoke them. So when the enemy didn't build fortresses and requested land, I agreed to show compliance, allowing them to relax their guard while secretly gathering strength and suddenly attacking them. This is the so-called 'lightning fast' in military strategy, indicating that military strategy can take many forms." Whenever each enemy unit arrived, Cao Cao always looked pleased. After defeating the enemy, the generals asked him the reason. Cao Cao replied, "Given the vast land and sparse population of Guanzhong, if we were to individually conquer the enemy's strongholds, it would take more than a year or two to pacify them. Now that they are gathered together, even though they were numerous, they did not follow one another, and their armies had no commander. It is easy to eliminate them in one fell swoop and achieve significant victories, which is why I am happy."

In October during winter, Cao Cao's army set out from Chang'an, heading north to campaign against Yang Qiu and laid siege to Anding Commandery. Yang Qiu surrendered, and Cao Cao restored Yang Qiu's title, permitting him to remain and pacify the local populace. In December, Cao Cao returned from Anding Commandery, leaving Xiahou Yuan to defend Chang'an.

In January, Cao Cao returned to Ye City. The emperor decreed that Cao Cao did not have to bow when paying respects, did not have to run when attending court, and could wear a sword and shoes when entering the hall, the same treatment Xiao He had received in the past. The remnants of Ma Chao, including Liang Xing and others, were stationed in Lantian, and Cao Cao sent Xiahou Yuan to pacify them. Cao Cao also reassigned the counties of Dangyin, Chaoge, and Linlü in Henan, Weiguo, Dunqiu, Dong Wuyang, and Fagan in Dongjun, Yingtao, Quzhou, and Nanhe in Julu, Rencheng in Guangping, Xiangguo, Handan, and Yiyang in Zhaoguo to Weijun, to strengthen its power.

In October during winter, Cao Cao launched another campaign against Sun Quan.

In January, Cao Cao's army marched to Ruxukou, broke through Sun Quan's riverside camp, captured Sun Quan's commander, Gongsun Yang, and then withdrew. The court issued a decree reverting the country's division from fourteen provinces back to the original nine. In April, Cao Cao returned to Ye City.

On the Bingshen day in May, the emperor dispatched the Grand Master of Records, Xi Lu, carrying a scepter and decree, to confer the title of Duke of Wei upon Cao Cao. The original text of the decree is as follows:

"Because of my shortcomings in virtue, I encountered misfortune at a young age, exiled in the west, and moved to Tang and Wei. During that period, I was like a string of beads about to break, unable to conduct ancestral sacrifices, with no place for the state to rest; various rebellious factions were eager to tear apart the land of Huaxia, and the people across the country could not find peace. The legacy left by the founding emperor was on the verge of destruction because of me. I was filled with worry day and night, unable to find peace, always thinking: 'Ancestors, father, and those ministers who have assisted me, who can help me?' Thus, heaven showed mercy by granting me a prime minister like you, safeguarding my royal lineage and helping me navigate through difficulties. I truly depend on you! Now I want to confer upon you the title and ceremony of Duke of Wei; you must obey my orders seriously!"

Speaking of the chaos instigated by Dong Zhuo in those years, many princes abdicated to preserve the royal family. Cao Cao, you stood up, led your soldiers to fight, demonstrating your unwavering loyalty to the court! Later, when the Yellow Turbans rebelled, disrupting the natural order, invading our three provinces and harming the common people, you quelled them, restoring stability to the Dongxia region, which is yet another of your accomplishments! Han Xian, Yang Feng, and their arrogant antics, you led your troops to subdue and defeat them, which allowed you to move the capital to Xuchang, establish a new capital, set up official positions, worship ancestors, retain the previous system, bringing peace to the heavens, the earth, and the spirits, which is again your merit! Yuan Shu, the usurper, proclaimed himself king in Huainan, in fear of your reputation. In the Battle of Qiyang, you defeated Qiao Rui; your army marched south, leading to Yuan Shu's ultimate defeat, which is yet another testament to your merit!"

You have once again led the troops eastward, killing Lu Bu and resolving Zhang Yang along the way. Su Gu also surrendered, and Zhang Xiu submitted; this is yet another of your accomplishments! Yuan Shao, that traitor, violated the natural law, wanting to harm the country, relying on his large number of troops to attack the court. At that time, the court's army was weak, the people were in a state of panic and lacked fighting spirit, but you stood firm for justice, shining like the sun, bravely killing the enemy, strategizing, and in the Battle of Guandu, you defeated Yuan Shao, saving the country from peril; this is yet another of your accomplishments!

You led the army across the Yellow River, pacifying the four provinces. Yuan Tan and Gao Gan were all killed by you, pirates fled everywhere, and the Black Mountain bandits also surrendered; this is yet another of your accomplishments! The Wuhuan tribe rebelled for decades, and Yuan Shang relied on them, occupying the northern border. You led the troops to defeat them decisively; this is yet another of your accomplishments! Liu Biao, that disobedient fellow, did not listen and did not pay tribute to the court. You led the troops over with great authority, and more than a hundred cities and eight counties all surrendered obediently; this is yet another testament to your prowess!

Ma Chao and Han Sui colluded together, occupying the Hexi and Tongguan regions, wanting to show strength. You defeated them in Weinan, slaying tens of thousands of enemy soldiers, pacifying the border and calming the various tribes in the Western Regions; this is yet another of your accomplishments! The Xianbei and Dingling sent envoys to pay tribute, and Khan Pi Yu and Bai Wu both requested positions; this is yet another of your accomplishments! You pacified the world, governed with virtue, reorganized the country, spread good customs, were diligent in political affairs, and careful in handling criminal cases. Officials did not oppress, and the people had no complaints; you respected the imperial family, continued the severed royal bloodline, and your past merits and virtues have been well preserved. Even when compared to Yi Yin's assistance to Shang Tang or Zhou Gong's support of King Cheng of Zhou, your achievements far surpass theirs!

I heard that the previous kings all established illustrious merits, rewarding them with land and subjects, giving them high honors and generous gifts, in order to consolidate the royal family and maintain their position for generations. For example, during the reign of King Cheng of Zhou, Guan Shu and Cai Shu were restless, forgetting their past merits and thinking of rebellion. King Cheng of Zhou let Shao Kang Gong seal Taigong of Qi in a large area from east to the seaside, west to the Yellow River, south to Muling, and north to Wudi, allowing the five marquises and nine earls to heed his commands, serving as Grand Mentor for generations to honor his merits. During the reign of King Xiang, the people of Chu did not obey the royal orders, so King Xiang appointed Duke Wen of Jin as the leader of the vassals, rewarding him with two chariots, a tiger guard, axes, bows and arrows, allowing him to govern the Nanyang area and serve as the leader for generations. Therefore, the Zhou Dynasty could prosper for a long time, all thanks to the efforts of these two countries.

Now, your merits are outstanding, preserving my country and people, following the will of heaven, promoting great merits, bringing peace to the people, and no one disobeys you. Your merits are greater than Yi Yin and Duke Zhou, but the rewards are lower than those of Qi and Jin. I feel quite troubled! I, an insignificant person, bear the heavy responsibility for the welfare of the people, always thinking about the difficulties involved, like treading on thin ice. If it weren't for your assistance, I really don't know what to do. Now I grant you ten counties in Jizhou: Hedong, Henei, Weijun, Zhao, Zhongshan, Changshan, Julu, Anping, Ganling, and Pingyuan. You are hereby appointed as the Duke of Wei!

I grant you fertile black soil for sacrifices using white grass; engrave turtle shells to construct ancestral shrines and altars. During the Zhou dynasty, Bi Gong and Mao Gong held ministerial positions in the court, while Zhou Gong and Shao Gong served as feudal lords in the provinces. Both internal and external affairs require management, and you are fully qualified, so continue in your role as Prime Minister and Governor of Jizhou! I also reward you with nine precious items, so please obey my orders. You can establish rituals and laws, regulate the behavior of the people, make them live in peace and prosperity, and no one will change their minds. Therefore, I grant you two large chariots: one black chariot with matching harnesses and two teams of black horses. You can advise the people to farm diligently, and with the hard work of farmers, food and textiles will pile up like mountains, and the great cause of the country will prosper. Therefore, I reward you with ceremonial garments and red shoes. You can promote humility, make the people respect each other, maintain order among the old and young, and ensure harmony between superiors and subordinates. Therefore, I reward you with musical instruments from Xuan County and performances of the Liuyi dance. You can promote education, attract people from all directions, change the minds of distant people, and make the land of China more prosperous. Therefore, I reward you with a vermilion-colored gate. You can be observant, considerate, employ talents, and promote those with abilities. Therefore, I reward you with the privilege to ascend the palace steps. You can wield the power of the country, be fair and impartial, and even the slightest mistakes will be corrected. Therefore, I reward you with three hundred elite Tiger Guards. You can enforce the law strictly, punish criminals, and no one who violates the law will escape punishment. Therefore, I reward you with a ceremonial axe and a hatchet. You can awe the four directions, patrol the world, suppress rebels, and defend the country. Therefore, I reward you with a red bow, one hundred red arrows, a finely crafted bow, and one thousand finely crafted arrows. Your warmth, filial piety, honesty, and reliability have greatly touched me. Therefore, I reward you with a jug of ritual wine and jade wine vessels. The officials of Wei Kingdom below the Prime Minister are all appointed following the system established for princes during the Han Dynasty.

Listen up! I command you to obey! Have compassion for the people, so that everyone can work to their utmost, ultimately showcasing your achievements and honoring my imperial ancestor's grace! The following phrase, "简恤尔众，时亮庶功，用终尔显德，对扬我高祖之休命!" expresses care for the people and expectations for achievements, as well as reverence for ancestors. The entire sentence means the emperor is admonishing his subjects to do their best, work for the welfare of the people, and ultimately bring glory to their ancestors.

In the autumn of the seventh month (July), the Wei Kingdom began building the ancestral temple. The emperor appointed three daughters of the Duke of Wei as noblewomen, with the youngest still at home, waiting to enter the palace when she came of age. In September, the Golden Tiger Terrace was built, and a channel was dug to redirect the Zhang River into Baigou for easier irrigation. By October, during the winter, Wei Jun was divided into eastern and western sections, each with a governor. In November, new official positions such as Shangshu, Shizhong, and the Six Ministers were created.

Meanwhile, Ma Chao was stirring up trouble in Hanyang, aligning with the Qiang and Di tribes, and the Di King also rebelled, setting up camp with Ma Chao in Xingguo. The Wei Kingdom dispatched Xiahou Yuan to quell them.

In the first month of the second year of spring, the Wei Kingdom conducted a farming ceremony in Jitian. Zhao Qu and others from Nan'an and Hanyang attacked Ma Chao together, which forced Ma Chao to flee to Hanzhong. Han Sui went to Jincheng and allied with the Di King, and then defeated Xiahou Yuan with a cavalry force of tens of thousands of Qiang and Di, which caused Xiahou Yuan to retreat to Xiping. Later, Xiahou Yuan and other generals launched an attack on Xingguo, resulting in a massacre of the city. As a result, Andong and Yongyang counties were also disbanded.

Anding's Prefect, Guanqiu Xing, was preparing to take office. The Duke of Wei specifically instructed him: "If the Qiang and Hu people want to interact with us Chinese, they must send their own people over. You must not proactively send anyone. Finding good people is difficult; they will likely come up with unreasonable demands for their own benefit. If you refuse, you'll offend them; if you agree, you won't gain anything." Once Guanqiu Xing arrived, he sent a captain named Fan Ling to the Qiang tribe, and Fan Ling indeed incited the Qiang people to request to be appointed as a vassal commander. After hearing this, the Duke of Wei said: "I expected this would happen; I am not a saint, just experienced." In the third month, the Emperor raised the Duke of Wei above the feudal kings and granted him a golden seal, a red silk ribbon, and a distant travel cap. In the seventh month of autumn, the Duke of Wei went to campaign against Sun Quan again. It is said that some years ago, Song Jian of Longxi proclaimed himself the King of Han at the River's Source, gathered troops and horses at Fuhan, changed the era name, established various official positions, and caused trouble for more than thirty years. The Kingdom of Wei sent Xiahou Yuan from Xingguo to attack him. In the tenth month of winter, Fuhan City was breached, Song Jian was killed, and Liangzhou was finally pacified. The Duke of Wei returned from Hefei. In the eleventh month, the Han Dynasty Empress was punished after letters between her and her father (the former Commandant of the Garrison Cavalry) were discovered. The letters stated that the Emperor resented the Duke of Wei for the killing of Dong Cheng, and the language was quite offensive. After the truth was revealed, the Empress was deposed and executed, and her brothers were also punished.

In December, Cao Cao arrived at Mengjin. The emperor ordered Cao Cao to set up banners with insignias, and an ancient musical instrument known as zhongju was placed in the palace. On the Yiwei day, Cao Cao ordered, "People of noble character may not necessarily achieve great things, and those who achieve great things may not necessarily have noble character. Was Chen Ping really of upright character? Was Su Qin really trustworthy? However, Chen Ping pacified the Han Dynasty, and Su Qin helped the weak state of Yan. From this, we can see that everyone has flaws. Should we really disregard them for this reason? Officials must carefully consider this principle to avoid wasting talent and hindering national affairs." He also said, "Punishment is a matter of life and death for the common people, but sometimes the prison officials in the military camp are not suitable candidates to be responsible for the lives of the soldiers. This concerns me greatly. Those who are knowledgeable in law should be selected to serve as prison officials." Thus, the Department of Legal Affairs was established.

In the first month of spring in the twentieth year, the emperor appointed Cao Cao's daughter as the empress. The counties of Yunzhong, Dingxiang, Wuyuan, and Shuofang were merged, leaving only one county in each jurisdiction to manage the populace. After the merger, it was called Xinxing County.

In March, Cao Cao marched west against Zhang Lu, arriving at Chencang. He intended to enter the Di territory via Wudu; the Di people obstructed the road, so Cao Cao first dispatched Zhang He, Zhu Ling, and others to break their defenses. In April, Cao Cao departed from Chencang, passed through Sangguan, and arrived at Hechi. The Di leader Dou Mao led over ten thousand people and refused to surrender due to the rugged terrain. In May, Cao Cao defeated and massacred them. Generals Qu Yan and Jiang Shi from Xiping and Jincheng respectively beheaded Han Sui and brought his head to Cao Cao. In July, Cao Cao reached Yangping. Zhang Lu sent his brother Zhang Wei and General Yang Ang to defend Yangping Pass, where they constructed a wall over ten miles long on Hengshan. Cao Cao was unable to capture it and chose to withdraw. Seeing Cao Cao's army retreat, the enemy let down their guard. Cao Cao secretly dispatched Xie Gan, Gao Zuo, and others to carry out a night raid, defeating the enemy, killing Yang Ren, and attacking Zhang Wei. Zhang Wei and others fled at night, and Zhang Lu fled to Bazing. Cao Cao's army entered Nanzheng, seizing all the treasures from Zhang Lu's treasury. Bajun and Hanzhong surrendered. Han Ningjun was reestablished as Hanzhongjun; Anyang and Xicheng were separated to establish Xichengjun with an appointed governor; Xijun and Shangyongjun were separated to appoint Commanders. In August, Sun Quan besieged Hefei, but Zhang Liao and Li Dian successfully repelled him. In September, the seven Di kings of Bajun, including Pohu and the Marquis of Congyi, Du Huo, led the Di and Cong people to surrender. Cao Cao divided Bajun, appointing Pohu as Governor of Badong and Du Huo as Governor of Baxi, both granted the title of Marquis. The Emperor authorized Cao Cao to appoint princes and local officials. In October 210 AD, Cao Cao began instituting noble titles, ranging from Marquis to Wudafu, in addition to the existing Marquises and Marquises within the borders, totaling six ranks to honor military achievements.

In November, Lu Su led the remaining army to surrender in Bazhong. Cao Cao granted titles to Lu Su and his five sons as marquises. Liu Bei seized the opportunity to attack Liu Zhang, captured Yizhou, and occupied Bazhong; Cao Cao dispatched Zhang He to confront him. In December, Cao Cao returned to Ye City after his campaign in Nanzheng, leaving Xiahou Yuan to guard Hanzhong.

In February 211 AD, Cao Cao returned to Ye City. On the Renyin day in March, Cao Cao personally plowed the fields and symbolically conducted the land registration ceremony. In May, Emperor Xian of Han bestowed upon Cao Cao the title of King of Wei. The Wuhuan Chanyu Pulu and his vassal kings of Daijun came to pay their respects. Emperor Xian of Han married his daughter to Cao Cao, making her a princess, and granted him Tangmu Prefecture, a tax-exempt territory. In July, the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu Huchuquan also arrived with his vassal kings to pay their respects; Cao Cao welcomed them as honored guests, let them stay in Wei, and sent the Prince of Ruyi to monitor the internal situation of the Xiongnu. In August, Cao Cao appointed Zhong Yao as the Chancellor.

In October, Cao Cao reorganized his forces in preparation for a campaign against Sun Quan, arriving in Qiao County in November. In January 212 AD, Cao Cao's army was stationed at Juchao, and in February, they marched towards Haoxi in Jiangxi. Sun Quan constructed fortifications at Ruxukou to withstand the attack; Cao Cao launched a fierce assault, and Sun Quan was forced to retreat. In March, Cao Cao withdrew his forces, leaving generals Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, Zhang Liao, and others to defend Juchao.

In April, Emperor Xian of Han granted Cao Cao permission to use the emperor's banners and standards, and to travel with the imperial carriages. In May, Cao Cao constructed the Panyu Palace, an ancient institution of learning. In June, Cao Cao appointed military advisor Hua Xin as the Grand Master of Ceremonies. In October, Emperor Xian of Han granted Cao Cao the privilege to wear the twelve-ribbon crown, ride the golden-rooted carriage, drive six horses, and be accompanied by the Five Times Auxiliary Carriage, and he appointed Cao Pi as the Crown Prince of Wei.

Liu Bei dispatched generals Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, Wu Lan, and others to garrison at Xiabian; Cao Cao sent Cao Hong to resist.

In January of the year 213 AD, Han Dynasty's Imperial Physician Jing Ben, along with Minister of Finance Geng Ji and Inspector Wei Huang, rebelled and attacked Xuchang, burning down the camp of Wang Bi, the Chief Clerk to the Prime Minister. Wang Bi and Yingchuan's Leader of Agriculture Yan Kuang retaliated and killed the rebels.

Cao Hong defeated Wu Lan and killed his generals, including Ren Kui. In March, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao fled back to Hanzhong. Qiang Duan, the leader of the Yinpings Di tribe, killed Wu Lan and sent his head as a trophy.

In April, the Wuhuan and Wuchen Di tribes in Daijun and Shanggu revolted. Cao Cao sent Marquis of Yanling Xiahou Zhang to suppress them.

In June, Cao Cao ordered, "Ancient burials must be in barren places. My mausoleum will be on the hill west of Ximen Bao Ci, utilizing the natural elevation of the terrain as a base, no mounds, no trees. According to the Zhou Rituals, the gravekeeper oversees the land designated for public graves; nobles' graves are on the left and right of the monarch's grave, and officials' graves are behind. The Han Dynasty follows this system, called accompanying mausoleum. Officials and generals who have distinguished themselves in service should be interred beside my mausoleum, with a large enough area for everyone to fit."

In July, Cao Cao reorganized his forces and then marched west to confront Liu Bei, arriving in Chang'an in September. In October, the defenders of Wancheng, led by Hou Yin, rebelled, captured the Administrator of Nanyang, looted the people, and held Wancheng. Earlier, Cao Ren had been dispatched to confront Guan Yu and was stationed at Fancheng. This month, Cao Cao sent Cao Ren to besiege Wancheng.

In the first month, Cao Ren captured Wan Cheng and killed Hou Yin. Xiahou Yuan clashed with Liu Bei at Yangping, where he was killed. In the third month, Cao Cao departed from Chang'an, traveled through Xiegu, secured strategic positions in preparation for an attack on Hanzhong before arriving at Yangping. Liu Bei took advantage of the terrain to defend. In May, Cao Cao withdrew his troops to Chang'an. In July, Cao Cao named Bian as his queen. Cao Cao dispatched Yu Jin to assist Cao Ren in his attack on Guan Yu. In August, the Han River swelled, drowning Yu Jin's army, which was completely annihilated, and Guan Yu captured Yu Jin and then laid siege to Cao Ren. Cao Cao sent Xu Huang to the rescue. In September, Prime Minister Zhong Yao was dismissed following the rebellion of Wei Fang, the Western Cao clerk. In October, Cao Cao's forces returned to Luoyang. Sun Quan sent envoys to offer his assistance to Cao Cao in the campaign against Guan Yu. Cao Cao marched south from Luoyang to confront Guan Yu. Before he arrived, Xu Huang had already defeated Guan Yu's army, forcing Guan Yu to flee and lifting the siege on Cao Ren. Cao Cao's forces encamped at Mobei. In the first month of the following year, Cao Cao arrived in Luoyang. Sun Quan defeated Guan Yu and sent his severed head. On the Gengzi day, Cao Cao passed away in Luoyang at the age of sixty-six. Cao Cao's last words were: "The world is still unstable, so we cannot conduct funeral rites according to ancient customs. After the funeral, all should discard their mourning attire. The stationed soldiers must not leave their camps. All officials must carry out their responsibilities. Use plain clothing for burial and do not entomb treasures." He was posthumously honored with the title of Martial King. On the Dingmao day in the second month, Cao Cao was buried in Gaoling. Legend has it that towards the end of the Han Dynasty, chaos reigned, heroes emerged, and Yuan Shao seized control of four provinces, wielding power unmatched by anyone.

However, our Cao Cao is indeed a formidable figure, mastering strategies behind the scenes, determining victory from miles away, wielding military tactics like a god, sweeping the land. He studied the tactics of Shen Shang, employed the brilliant strategies of Han Bai (Han Xin and Bai Qi), selected individuals based on their abilities, allowed each person to contribute their best, rewarded and punished with clarity, and never harbored grudges from the past. Ultimately, he seized control of the nation's power, accomplishing remarkable feats. This is largely due to his exceptional vision and strategic brilliance! He truly is an extraordinary individual, a genius of his time!