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〃Is　not　that　just　what　Xi　Zheng　told　you　to　say？〃　asked　Sima　Zhao。
〃It　is　just　as　you　say；〃　was　the　reply。
They　all　laughed。　But　really　Sima　Zhao　was　pleased　with　the　frank　answer　and　felt　that　nothing　was　to　be　feared　from　him。

Laughter　loving；　pleasure　pursuing；
Rippling　smiles　over　a　merry　face；
Never　a　thought　of　his　former　glory
In　his　callous　heart　finds　place。
Childish　joy　in　a　change　of　dwelling；
That　he　feels　and　that　alone；
Manifest　now　that　he　was　never
Worthy　to　sit　on　his　father's　throne。

The　courtiers　thought　that　so　grand　an　exploit　as　the　conquest　of　the　River　Lands　was　worthy　of　high　honor；　so　they　memorialized　the　Ruler　of　Wei；　Cao　Huang；　to　confer　the　rank　Prince　of　Jin　on　Sima　Zhao。　At　that　time；　Cao　Huang　ruled　in　name　only；　for　he　had　no　authority。　The　whole　land　was　under　Sima　Zhao；　whose　will　the　Emperor　himself　dared　not　cross。　And　so；　in　due　course；　the　Duke　of　Jin　became　Prince　of　Jin。
After　being　made　Prince　of　Jin；　Sima　Zhao　posthumously　created　his　father；　Sima　Yi；　the　Original　Prince　and　his　late　elder　brother；　Sima　Shi；　the　Wonderful　Prince。
The　wife　of　Sima　Zhao　was　the　daughter　of　Wang　Su。　She　bore　to　him　two　sons；　the　elder　of　whom　was　named　Sima　Yan。　Sima　Yan　was　huge　of　frame；　his　flowing　hair　reached　to　the　ground　when　he　stood　up；　and　both　hands　hung　down　below　his　knees。　He　was　clever；　brave；　and　skilled　in　the　use　of　arms。
The　second　son；　Sima　You；　was　mild　of　disposition；　a　filial　son　and　a　dutiful　brother。　His　father　loved　him　dearly。　As　Sima　Shi　had　died　without　leaving　sons；　this　youth；　Sima　You；　was　regarded　as　his　son；　to　continue　that　line　of　the　family。
Sima　Zhao　used　to　say：　〃The　empire　was　really　my　brother's。〃
Being　a　prince；　it　was　necessary　for　Sima　Zhao　to　choose　his　heir；　and　he　wished　to　name　his　younger　son　Sima　You。　But　Shan　Tao　remonstrated。
〃It　is　improper　and　infelicitous　to　prefer　the　younger；〃　said　Shan　Tao。
And　Jia　Chong；　He　Zeng；　and　Pei　Xiu　followed　in　the　same　strain。
〃The　elder　is　clever；　able　in　war；　one　of　the　most　talented　people　in　the　state　and　popular。　With　such　natural　advantages　he　has　a　great　destiny：　He　was　not　born　to　serve。〃
Sima　Zhao　hesitated；　for　he　was　still　unwilling　to　abandon　his　desire。
But　two　other　officers………Grand　mander　Wang　Xiang　and　Minister　of　Works　Xun　Kai………also　remonstrated；　saying；　〃Certain　former　dynasties　have　preferred　the　younger　before　the　elder　and　rebellion　has　generally　followed。　We　pray　you　reflect　upon　these　cases。〃
Finally　Sima　Zhao　yielded　and　named　his　elder　son　Sima　Yan　as　his　successor。
Certain　officers　memorialized：　〃This　year　a　gigantic　figure　of　a　man　descended　from　heaven　in　Xiangwu。　His　height　was　twenty　feet　and　his　footprint　measured　over　three　feet。　He　had　white　hair　and　a　hoary　beard。　He　wore　an　unlined　yellow　robe　and　a　yellow　cape。　He　walked　leaning　on　a　black…handled　staff。　This　extraordinary　man　preached；　saying；　'I　am　the　king　of　the　people；　and　now　I　e　to　tell　you　of　a　change　of　ruler　and　the　ing　of　peace。'　He　wandered　about　for　three　days　and　then　disappeared。　Evidently　this　portent　refers　to　yourself；　Noble　Sir；　and　now　you　should　assume　the　imperial　headdress　with　twelve　strings　of　pearls；　set　up　the　imperial　standard；　and　have　the　roads　cleared　when　you　make　a　progress。　You　should　ride　in　the　golden…shafted　chariot　with　six　horses。　Your　consort　should　be　styled　'Empress'　and　your　heir　'Apparent'。〃
Sima　Zhao　was　greatly　pleased。　He　returned　to　his　palace；　but　just　as　he　was　sitting　down；　he　was　suddenly　seized　with　paralysis　and　lost　the　use　of　his　tongue。　He　quickly　grew　worse。　His　three　chief　confidants；　Wang　Xiang；　He　Zeng；　and　Xun　Kai；　together　with　many　court　officials；　came　to　inquire　after　his　health；　but　he　could　not　speak　to　them。　He　pointed　toward　the　heir　apparent；　Sima　Yan；　and　died。　It　was　the　eighth　month　of　that　year。
Then　said　He　Zeng；　〃The　care　of　the　empire　devolves　upon　the　Prince　of　Jin：　Let　us　induct　the　heir。　Then　we　can　perform　the　sacrifices　to　the　late　prince。〃
Thereupon　Sima　Yan　was　set　up　in　his　father's　place。　He　gave　He　Zeng　the　title　of　Prime　Minister；　Sima　Wang；　Minister　of　the　Interior；　Shi　Bao；　mander　of　the　Flying　Cavalry；　and　conferred　many　other　titles　and　ranks。　The　posthumous　title　of　the　〃Scholar　Prince〃　was　conferred　upon　his　late　father。

＇e＇　King　Wen；　aka　the　Scholar　King；　founder　of　the　Zhou　Dynasty；　father　of　King　Wu。　King　Wen　did　not　actually　founded　the　dynasty；　but　he　laid　the　foundation　for　Zhou。　At　the　end　of　Shang　Dynasty；　the　state　Zhou　of　King　Wen　had　already　possessed　two…thirds　of　the　empire；　but　King　Wen　still　faithfully　served　the　last　emperor　of　Shang。　The　final　conquest　was　pleted　by　King　Wu　and　King　Wu's　brother；　the　Duke　of　Zhou。　。。。。。
When　the　obsequies　were　finished；　Sima　Yan　summoned　Jia　Chong　and　Pei　Xiu　into　the　Palace；　and　said；　〃Cao　Cao　said　that　if　the　celestial　mandate　rested　upon　him；　he　could　be　no　more　than　King　Wen　of　Zhou*；　who　served　as　a　regent　only。　Is　this　really　so？〃
Jia　Chong　replied；　〃Cao　Cao　was　in　the　service　of　Han　and　feared　lest　posterity　should　reproach　him　with　usurpation。　Wherefore　he　spoke　thus。　Nevertheless　he　caused　Cao　Pi　to　bee　Emperor。〃
〃How　did　my　father　pare　with　Cao　Cao？〃　asked　Sima　Yan。
〃Although　Cao　Cao　was　universally　successful；　yet　the　people　feared　him　and　credited　him　with　no　virtue。　Cao　Pi's　rule　was　marked　by　strife　and　lack　of　tranquillity。　No　single　year　was　peaceful。　Later　the　Original　Prince　and　Wonderful　Prince　of　your　line　rendered　great　services　and　disseminated　passion　and　virtue；　so　that　they　were　beloved。　Your　late　father　overcame　Shu　in　the　west　and　was　universally　renowned。　parison　with　Cao　Cao　is　impossible。〃
〃Still　Cao　Pi　succeeded　the　rule　of　Han。　Can　I　not　in　like　manner　succeed　that　of　Wei？〃
Jia　Chong　and　Pei　Xiu　bowed　low　and　said；　〃Cao　Pi's　action　may　be　taken　as　a　precedent　to　succeed　an　older　dynasty。　Wherefore　prepare　an　abdication　terrace　to　make　the　great　declaration。〃
Sima　Yan　resolved　to　act　promptly。　Next　day　he　entered　the　Forbidden　City　armed　with　a　sword。　No　court　had　been　held　for　many　days；　for　Cao　Huang　was　ill　at　ease　and　full　of　dread。　When　Sima　Yan　appeared；　the　Ruler　of　Wei　left　his　place　and　advanced　to　met　him。　Sima　Yan　sat　down。
〃By　whose　merits　did　Wei　succeed　to　empire？〃　he　asked　suddenly。
〃Certainly　success　was　due　to　your　forefathers；〃　replied　Cao　Huang。
Sima　Yan　smiled；　saying；　〃Your　Majesty　is　unskilled　in　debate；　inept　in　war；　and　unfit　to　rule。　Why　not　give　place　to　another　more　able　and　virtuous？〃
Cao　Huang's　lips　refused　a　reply。
But　Zhang　Jie；　one　of　the　ministers；　cried；　〃You　are　wrong　to　speak　thus；　O　Prince。　His　Majesty's　ancestor　conquered　east　and　west；　north　and　south；　and　won　the　empire　by　strenuous　effort。　The　present　Emperor　is　virtuous　and　without　fault。　Why　should　he　yield　place　to　another？〃
Sima　Yan　replied　angrily；　〃The　imperial　right　lay　with　the　Hans；　and　Cao　Cao　coerced　them　as　he　did　the　nobles。　In　making　himself　the　Prince　of　Wei；　he　usurped　the　throne　of　Han。　Three　generations　of　my　forefathers　upheld　the　House　of　Wei；　so　that　their　power　is　not　the　result　of　their　own　abilities；　but　of　the　labor　of　my　house。　This　is　known　to　all　the　world；　and　am　I　not　equal　to　carrying　on　the　rule　of　Wei？〃
〃If　you　do　this　thing；　you　will　be　a　rebel　and　an　usurper；〃　said　Zhang　Jie。
〃And　what　shall　I　be　if　I　avenge　the　wrongs　of　Han？〃
He　bade　the　lictors　take　Zhang　Jie　outside　and　beat　him　to　death；　while　the　Ruler　of　Wei　wept　and　besought　pardon　for　his　faithful　minister。
Sima　Yan　rose　and　left。
Cao　Huang　turned　to　Jia　Chong　and　Pei　Xiu；　saying；　〃What　should　I　do？　Some　decision　must　be　taken。〃
They　replied；　〃Truth　to　tell；　the　measure　of　your　fate　is　acplished　and　you　cannot　oppose　the　will　of　Heaven。　You　must　prepare　to　abdicate　as　did　Emperor　Xian　of　the　Hans。　Resign　the　throne　to　the　Prince　of　Jin　and　thereby　accord　with　the　design　of　Heaven　and　the　will　of　the　people。　Your　personal　safety　need　not　cause　you　anxiety。〃
Cao　Huang　could　only　accept　this　advice；　and　the　terrace　was　built。　The　〃mouse〃　day　of　the　twelfth　month　was　chosen　for　the　ceremony。　On　that　day　the　Ruler　of　Wei；　dressed　in　full　robes　of　ceremony；　and　bearing　the　seal　in　his　hand；　ascended　the　terrace　in　the　presence　of　a　great　assembly。

The　House　of　Wei　displaced　the　House　of　Han
And　Jin　succeeded　Wei；　so　turns　fate's　wheel
And　none　escape　its　grinding。　Zhang　Jie　the　true
Stood　in　the　way　and　died。　We　pity　him。
Vain　hope　with　one　hand　to　hide　Taishan　Mountains。

The　Emperor…elect　was　requested　to　ascend　the　high　place；　and　there　received　the　great　salute。　Cao　Huang　then　descended；　robed　himself　as　a　minister　and　took　his　place　as　the　first　of　subjects。
Sima　Yan　now　stood　upon　the　terrace；　supported　by　Jia　Chong　and　Pei　Xiu。　Cao　Huang　was　ordered　to　prostrate　himself；　while　the　mand　was　recited；　and　Jia　Chong　read：
〃Forty…five　years　have　elapsed　since；　in　the　twenty…fifth　year　of　Rebuilt　Tranquillity；　the　House　of　Han　gave　place　to　the　House　of　Wei。　But　after　forty…five　years；　the　favor　of　Heaven　has　now　left　the　latter　House　and　reverts　to　Jin。　The　merits　and　services　of　the　family　of　Sima　reach　to　the　high　heavens　and　pervade　the　earth。　The　Prince　of　Jin　is　fitted　for　the　high　office　and　to　continue　the　rule。　Now　His　Majesty　the　Emperor　confers　upon　you　the　title　of　Prince　of　Chenliu。　You　are　to　proceed　to　the　city　of　Jinyong；　where　you　will　reside；　you　are　forbidden　to　e　to　court　unless　summoned。〃
Sadly　Cao　Huang　withdrew　with　tears　in　his　eyes。　Sima　Fu；　Guardian　of　the　Throne；　wept　before　the　deposed　Emperor　and　promised　eternal　devotion。
〃I　have　been　a　servant　of　Wei　and　will　never　turn　my　back　upon　the　House！〃　said　he。
Sima　Yan　did　not　take　this　amiss；　and　out　of　admiration　he　offered　Sima　Fu　the　princedom　of　Anping。　But　Sima　Fu　declined　the　offer。
The　new　Emperor　was　now　seated　in　his　place；　and　all　the　officers　made　their　salutations　and　felicitated　him。　The　very　hills　rang　with　〃Wan　shui！　O　King；　live　forever！〃
Thus　succeeded　Sima　Yan；　and　the　state　was　called　Great　Jin　and　a　new　year…style　was　changed　from　Great　Glory；　the　second　year；　to　Great　Beginning　Era；　the　first　year　（AD　265）。　An　amnesty　was　declared。　Since　then　Wei　Dynasty　ended。

The　kingdom　of　Wei　had　ended。
The　Founder　of　the　Dynasty　of　Jin
Took　Wei　as　model；　thus　the　displaced　emperor
Was　named　a　prince；　when　on　the　terrace　high
His　throne　he　had　renounced。
We　grieve　when　we　recall　these　deeds。

The　new　Emperor　conferred　posthumous　rank　upon　his　grandfather；　his　uncle；　and　his　father：　Sima　Yi　the　Original　Emperor；　Sima　Shi　the　Wonderful　Emperor；　and　Sima　Zhao　the　Scholar　Emperor。　Sima　Yan　built　seven　temples　in　honor　of　his　ancestors：　Sima　Jun；　the　Han　General　Who　Conquers　the　West；　Sima　Jun's　son；　Sima　Liang；　Governor　of　Yuzhang；　Sima　Liang's　son；　Sima　Juan；　Governor　of　Yingchuan；　Sima　Juan's　son；　Sima　Fang；　Governor　of　Jingzhao；　Sima　Fang's　son；　Sima　Yi　the　Original　Emperor；　and　Sima　Yi's　sons；　Sima　Shi　the　Wonderful　Emperor　and　Sima　Zhao　the　Scholar　Emperor。
All　these　things　being　acplished；　courts　were　held　daily；　and　the　one　subject　of　discussion　was　the　subjugation　of　Wu。

The　House　of　Han　has　gone　for　aye；
And　Wu　will　quickly　follow。

The　story　of　the　attack　upon　Wu　will　be　told　next。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　120　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　120
　Chapter　120
Remending　Du　Yu；　An　Old　General　Offers　New　Plans；
Capturing　Of　Sun　Hao；　Three　Kingdoms　Bees　One。
When　Sun　Xiu；　the　Ruler　of　Wu；　knew　that　the　House　of　Wei　had　fallen　before　the　Jins；　he　also　knew　that　the　usurper's　next　thought　would　be　the　conquest　of　his　own　land。　The　anxiety　made　him　ill；　so　that　he　took　to　his　bed　and　was　like　to　die。　He　then　summoned　to　his　bedside　his　Prime　Minister；　Puyang　Xing；　and　his　heir；　Sun　Wan。　But　they　two　came　almost　too　late。　The　dying　Ruler；　with　his　last　effort；　took　the　Minister　by　the　hand；　but　could　only　point　to　his　son。　Then　he　died。
Puyang　Xing　left　the　couch　and　called　a　meeting　of　the　officers；　whereat　he　proposed　to　place　the　heir　on　his　father's　throne。
Then　Wan　Yu；　Inspector　of　the　Left　Army；　rose　and　said；　〃Prince　Sun　Wan　is　too　youthful　to　rule　in　such　troublous　times。　Let　us　confer　the　throne　to　Sun　Hao；　Lord　of　Wucheng。〃
Zhang　Bu；　General　of　the　Left　Army；　supported　his　election；　saying；　〃S