Dynasties of ChinaThree KingdomsCao Wei
Zhengyuan · Ganlu · Reign 254—260
The studious and talented young emperor was unwilling to be controlled by Sima Zhao, so he personally led the palace guards to attack and was killed.
Cao Mao was named Yanshi, the grandson of Cao Pi and the son of King Ding Cao Lin of the East China Sea. In 244, he was granted the title of Gaogui Township Duke. Cao Fang was deposed in 254, and Sima Shi originally wanted to establish the Prince of Pengcheng Cao Kingdom. Empress Dowager Guo insisted on welcoming Cao Mao, and he ascended the throne at the age of fourteen. Cao Mao was fond of learning and good at writing. He often discussed classics and meanings with his ministers and was also good at painting. During their reign, Guan Qiujian and Zhuge Dan successively raised armies against the Sima family, but were put down. Sima Zhao became increasingly powerful. In May 260, he was unwilling to sit idle and humiliated. He led hundreds of palace guards and child servants to attack Sima Zhao. He was assassinated by Jia Chong under the command of Cheng Ji. He was only 20 years old. After his death, he was buried with royal rites. Many history books call him a noble rural prince.
Politicswelcome immediately
Empress Dowager Guo believed that Prince of Pengcheng Cao Ju was the uncle of Emperor Ming, and if he established him, Emperor Ming would have no heir, so she insisted on welcoming Cao Mao. When Cao Mao entered Luoyang, his entourage asked him to ride into the palace. He replied, "I was conquered by the Empress Dowager, and I don't know what I will do." He insisted on walking to the palace, which was praised by people at the time.
MilitaryGuan Qiujian raised troops
Guan Qiujian, the general of Zhendong, and Wenqin, the governor of Yangzhou, launched an army to attack Sima Shi in Shouchun. Sima Shi fell ill and went to fight against the rebellion. He died of illness in Xuchang on the way back to the army. His younger brother Sima Zhao succeeded him as the general and took charge of the government.
CultureTai Xue Wen Jing
I went to Taixue in person and debated with the doctors about the doubts in the "Book of Changes", "Shangshu" and "Book of Rites", which many doctors could not handle. He often gave lectures and wrote essays in Tai Chi East Hall with Sima Wang, Wang Chen, Pei Xiu, Zhong Hui and others.
MilitaryBattle of Dangu
General Jiang Wei of the Shu Han Dynasty was defeated in the Northern Expedition by Wei General Deng Ai in Duangu near Shanggui. The Shu army suffered many casualties. After that, the Shu Han national power became increasingly exhausted.
MilitaryZhuge Dan's Rebellion
Zhuge Dan, the general who conquered the east, raised troops against Sima Zhao in Shouchun and asked Wu for help. Sima Zhao took Cao Mao and Queen Mother Guo to conquer the city in person, and besieged the city for nearly a year. In 258, Shouchun was captured, Zhuge Dan was killed, and Wu's reinforcements were also defeated.
PeopleComposed "Poem of Hidden Dragon"
Reports of yellow dragons appearing in wells have been reported from various places, and officials regard them as auspicious. Cao Mao believed that a dragon trapped in a well was not a good omen, so he wrote "Poetry of a Hidden Dragon" to describe it. According to "Han and Jin Spring and Autumn Period", Sima Zhao was very unhappy after seeing the poem.
PoliticsCrusade against Sima Zhao
In May, he summoned his attendants Wang Shen, Shangshu Wang Jing, and Sanqi Changshi Wang Ye, saying that "Sima Zhao's intentions are known to passers-by" and decided to attack him. Wang Chen and Wang Ye went to report to Sima Zhao. Cao Mao led the Su guards out of the palace and was stabbed to death by Cheng Ji under Jia Chong's command at the foot of the South Tower.
Lasting legacy"Sima Zhao's heart is known to all passers-by" is still a commonly used idiom to describe ambitions that are clearly revealed.
PeopleWang Jing and the Death of Cheng Ji
Afterwards, in order to calm public opinion, Sima Zhao executed the three clans of Chengji for regicide and treason. Wang Jing, the minister who refused to report, was also executed. His mother was killed calmly, which was mourned by people at the time.
Sima Yi's second son, his elder brother Sima Shi took charge of the government in 255. After the rebellion of Zhuge Dan was put down, his power grew stronger. After Cao Mao was killed, he established Cao Huan and presided over the battle to destroy Shu, laying the foundation for his son Sima Yan to succeed Wei.
A native of Xiangling, Pingyang, he was the son of Jia Kui, a famous minister of Cao Wei. When Cao Mao led his troops to attack Sima Zhao, he ordered Cheng Ji to commit murder, but was not held accountable afterwards. After the founding of the Western Jin Dynasty, he ascended the throne to Sangong, and his daughter Jia Nanfeng became the Emperor Hui Queen of Jin.
Born in a humble family, he moved to Shangshu due to his talents. When Cao Mao wanted to sue Sima Zhao, he tried to persuade him despite the huge disparity in power. Even after he failed to dissuade him, he refused to tell the truth and was executed by Sima Zhao afterwards.
A native of Yangdu, Langya, a younger brother of the Zhuge Liang clan, he was one of the famous scholars in Zhengshi. In 257, he raised an army against Sima Zhao in Shouchun. The following year, he was defeated and killed. Hundreds of his men preferred to die in Bujiang.