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The Rise of Sima Power

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms

This flow follows the Sima family’s gradual appropriation of Wei, from military influence to the founding of Jin.

increasingupBearing stren­gth in each eventdowndecreasing
The Adviser EmergesThe Adviser Emerges from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". A New Political Force Strategic Service Sima Yi becomes a capable Wei commander and adviser whose talent is initially subordinated to Cao Cao’s family.
A New Political Force Strategic Service Sima Yi becomes a capable Wei commander and adviser whose talent is initially subordinated to Cao Cao’s family. A Long Horizon He does not seize power at once. His later rise depends on preserving influence through changing rulers and waiting for opportunities within the court.
The Cao Shuang CoupThe Cao Shuang Coup from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". A Regent’s Miscalculation Sima Yi Appears Incapacitated Cao Shuang’s visit convinces him that the retired Sima Yi is too ill to pose a threat.
A Regent’s Miscalculation Sima Yi Appears Incapacitated Cao Shuang’s visit convinces him that the retired Sima Yi is too ill to pose a threat. A Swift Takeover While Cao Shuang attends the emperor’s ancestral rites, Sima Yi takes control of the capital and the military. Cao Shuang surrenders and is later executed with his clan.
Power InheritedPower Inherited from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". A Family Succession Sons in Command Sima Yi passes authority to Sima Shi and Sima Zhao.
A Family Succession Sons in Command Sima Yi passes authority to Sima Shi and Sima Zhao. They inherit not a throne but control over the institutions that govern Wei. Emperors Removed Sima Shi deposes Cao Fang and installs Cao Mao. Sima Zhao later dominates the court, making the emperor’s formal authority increasingly fragile.
Cao Mao’s DefianceCao Mao’s Defiance from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". The Emperor Acts Alone A Failed Resistance Cao Mao tries to mobilize loyalists against Sima Zhao, but his closest officials cannot offer a viable force or…
The Emperor Acts Alone A Failed Resistance Cao Mao tries to mobilize loyalists against Sima Zhao, but his closest officials cannot offer a viable force or strategy. Death in the Street He leaves the palace with a small escort and is killed by Cheng Ji. Sima Zhao punishes the immediate attackers while remaining the power behind the crime.
Jin Replaces WeiJin Replaces Wei from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". A Coup Made Dynastic Sima Zhao’s Inheritance After Sima Zhao dies, his son Sima Yan inherits the kingship of Jin and the authority that his family has taken…
A Coup Made Dynastic Sima Zhao’s Inheritance After Sima Zhao dies, his son Sima Yan inherits the kingship of Jin and the authority that his family has taken from the Cao rulers. Abdication Sima Yan forces Cao Huan to abdicate and declares the Jin dynasty. The transition completes the Sima family’s capture of Wei through a staged transfer of the mandate.
During the later reign of Cao Cao
AD 249
From Sima Yi’s death to Sima Zhao’s regency
AD 260
AD 265