〃I had no such intention;〃 said Cao Fang。
In reply Sima Shi drew the garment from his sleeve and threw it on the ground。
〃Who did this?〃
Cao Fang was overwhelmed: His soul flew beyond the skies; his spirit lied to the ninth heaven。
Shaking with fear; he said; 〃I was forced into it。 How could I think of such a thing?〃
〃To slander ministers by charging them with rebellion is an aggravated crime;〃 said Sima Shi。
Cao Fang knelt at his feet; saying; 〃Yes; I am guilty。 Forgive me。〃
〃I beg Your Majesty to rise: The laws must be respected!〃
Pointing to Empress Zhang; Sima Shi said; 〃She is of the Zhang house and must die!〃
〃Spare her!〃 cried Cao Fang; weeping bitterly。
But Sima Shi was obdurate。 He bade the lictors lead her away; and she was strangled with a white silk cord at a Palace gate。
Now I recall another year; and lo!
An empress borne away to shameful death。
Barefooted; weeping bitterly she shrieks
〃Farewell;〃 torn from her consorts arms。
History repeats itself; times instrument;
Sima Shi avenges this on Cao Caos heirs。
'e' Huo Guang (BC ?…68) a general and regent of Han。 After Emperor Wu died; Huo Guang became regent to three successive emperors; and the second one had been the Prince of Changyi; who was on the throne for only twenty…seven days。 Huo Guang had the Prince of Changyi declared unfit to rule and deposed him。 Even though Huo Guang contributed much to the empires stabilization; after he died; he was distanced by the emperor and most of his family were executed for conspiracy charges。 。。。。。
'e' Yi Yin was was helper and prime minister of King Tang; the founder of Shang Dynasty。 After King Tangs death; Yi Yin served his sons and grandson。 Soon after Tai Jia; King Tangs grandson; ascended the throne; he mitted many faults; and Yi Yin; acting as regent; exiled Tai Jia to Tong Palace………the burial place of King Tang。 After three years Yi Yin returned him the throne。 Tai Jia eventually became an enlightened emperor。 Shang Dynasty lasted for 650 years (BC 1700…1050)。 It was this act of Yi Yin rather than his services in building up an empire that has made him immortal。 Whether he did right in temporarily dethroning the king was open to question; until a final verdict was rendered by Mencius who thought that his ends amply justified his means。 This historical event attests the extent of the power exercised by a prime minister in those days。 。。。。。
'e' Qi was an ancient state on the extreme eastern edge of the North China Plain in what is now Shandong and Hebei provinces。 Became prominent under the leadership of Duke Huan and his adviser Guan Zhong during the Spring and Autumn period。 It nearly won the empire in the Warring States period。 。。。。。
The day after these events; Sima Shi assembled all the officers and addressed them thus: 〃Our present lord is profligate and devoid of principle; familiar with the vile and friendly with the impure。 He lends a ready ear to slander and keeps good people at a distance。 His faults exceed those of the Prince of Changyi* of old; and he has proved himself unfit to rule。 Wherefore; following the precedents of Yi Yin* and Huo Guang*; I have decided to put him aside and to set up another; thereby to maintain the sanctity of the ruler and ensure tranquillity。 What think you; Sirs?〃
They all agreed; saying; 〃General; you are right to play the same part as Yi Yin and Huo Guang; thereby acting in accordance with Heaven and fulfilling the desire of humankind。 Who dares dispute it?〃
Then Sima Shi; followed by the whole of the officials; went to the Palace of Everlasting Peace and informed the Empress Dowager of his intention。
〃Whom do you propose to place on the throne; General?〃 she asked。
〃I have observed that Cao Ju; Prince of Pengcheng; is intelligent; benevolent; and filial。 He is fit to rule the empire。〃
She replied; 〃He is my uncle; and it is not convenient。 However; there is Cao Mao; Duke of Gaogui; and grandson of Emperor Pi。 He is of mild temperament; respectful; and deferential; and may be set up。 You; Sir; and the high officers of state might favorably consider this。〃
Then spoke one; saying; 〃Her Majesty speaks well: Cao Mao should be raised to the throne。〃
All eyes turned toward the speaker; who was Sima Fu; uncle of Sima Shi。
The Duke of Gaogui was summoned to the capital。
The Empress called Cao Fang into her presence in the Hall of Principles and blamed him; saying; 〃You are vicious beyond measure; a panion of lewd men and a friend of vile women。 You are unfitted to rule。 Therefore resign the imperial seal and revert to your status of Prince of Qi*。 You are forbidden to present yourself at court without special mand。〃
Cao Fang; weeping; threw himself at her feet。 He gave up the seal; got into his carriage and went away。 Only a few faithful ministers restrained their tears and bade him farewell。
Cao Cao; the mighty minister of Han;
Oppressed the helpless; little then thought he
That only two score swiftly passing years
Would bring like fate to his posterity。
The Emperor…elect Cao Mao was the grandson of Emperor Pi; and son of Cao Lin; Prince of Donghai。 When Cao Mao was nearing the capital; all the officers attended to receive him at the Nanye Gate; where an imperial carriage awaited him。 He hastily returned their salutations。