“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; and was not born to serve.”

Sima Zhao hesitated, for he was still unwilling to abandon his desire.

But two other officers — Grand Commander Wang Xiang and Minister 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 come to tell you of a change of ruler and the coming 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, Commander of the Flying Cavalry; and conferred many other titles and ranks. The posthumous title of the “Scholar Prince” was conferred upon his late father.

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 cause Cao Pi to become Emperor.”

“How did my father compare 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 compassion and virtue, so that they were beloved. Your late father overcame Shu in the west and was universally renowned. Comparison with Cao Cao is impossible.”

“Still Cao Pi continued the rule of Han; can I not in like manner continue that of Wei?”

Jia Chong and Pei Xiu bowed low and said, “Cao Pi's action may be taken as a precedent to continue an older dynasty. Wherefore prepare an abdication terrace to make the great declaration.”

Sima Yan resolved to act promptly. Next day he entered the Palace 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 counselor.

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 accomplished 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 small 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 command 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 come to court unless summoned.”

Sadly Cao Huang withdrew. 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, the first year (AD 265). An amnesty was declared. Since then Wei Dynasty ended.