24 Facts About Sima Shi

Sima Shi, courtesy name Ziyuan, was a military general and regent of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China.

Sima Shi maintained a tight grip on the political scene and, when the emperor, Cao Fang, considered action against him in 254, had him deposed and replaced with his cousin, Cao Mao.

Sima Shi was Sima Yi's oldest son, born of Sima Yi's wife, Zhang Chunhua.

Between 237 and 239, Sima Shi was appointed as Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary.

Sima Shi finally received some promotions to the post of Military Protector of the Palace through some political concession.

Sima Shi argued that at this point, Sima Yi had just earned Cao Rui's trust, and showed no signs of disloyalty; his sons had no reasons to be disloyal as well.

When Sima Yi started planning a coup d'etat against Cao Shuang; according to the Jin Shu, Sima Yi confided only in Sima Shi, excluding even Shi's younger brother Sima Zhao from the discussion.

Once Sima Shi Yi overthrew Cao Shuang and became the sole regent for the emperor, Cao Fang, he rewarded his son with the title Marquess of Changpingxiang, a large fief of 1,000 households, and shortly thereafter, the rank of General of the Guards.

Sima Shi became his father's assistant, although there was no particular record of his accomplishments during these years.

Sima Shi would go on to rule the government effectively and impartially, ordering that all officials recommend talents to him, that they define the hierarchical ranks, take care of the impoverished and the orphaned, and deal with the delayed personnel affairs.

At around the start of 252, Sima Shi was further promoted to the position of General-in-Chief, while being bestowed upon a post as Palace Attendant, effectively giving him all control of the armies stationed both in and outside the palace.

Sima Shi was given authority over the Imperial Secretariat.

Sima Shi was a capable politician and administrator, but he quickly wanted to prove his military reputation.

Zhuge Ke was able to deal Sima Shi's forces, headed by Sima Zhao, a major blow at the Battle of Dongxing, but Sima Shi maintained himself well by making humble admissions of faults to the public and promoting the generals who tried to stop his campaign.

In 253, after Sima Shi defeated Zhuge Ke in a major battle, his reputation was established, while Zhuge Ke's own was undermined, and Zhuge Ke soon fell while Sima Shi's power was affirmed.

In 254, Sima Shi made a violent move to consolidate his power, at Cao Fang's expense.

Cao Fang had aligned himself with the minister Li Feng, and Sima Shi had growing suspicions that they were plotting against him.

Sima Shi summoned and interrogated Li Feng, and when Li refused to disclose his conversations with the emperor, Sima Shi beat him to death with a sword handle and then accused Li Feng and his friends Xiahou Xuan and Zhang Ji of treason, and had them and their families summarily executed.

Sima Shi then forced Cao Fang to step down, although Sima Shi spared his life and gave him his old title of Prince of Qi.

Sima Shi was forced to agree with her, and he made, as she suggested, Cao Mao emperor instead.

Sima Shi was ill with an eye disorder at the time that Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin's rebellion started, and had just had an eye surgery.

Sima Shi was initially therefore reluctant to lead the forces himself and wanted his uncle, Sima Fu, to lead the forces against Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin.

One of Sima Shi's daughters married Zhen De, but which daughter is unknown.

Sima Shi first appears as a playable character in the seventh instalment of Koei's Dynasty Warriors video games series.